Perspective Podcast - December 14, 2012

In this edition of Perspective...

Breaking from the F.L.D.S. Part 1
Members of one community on the border of Utah and Arizona are forced to deal with the pain of being parted from their loved ones by the bizarre orders of their all-powerful leader. The restrictions this so-called prophet places on his followers are so severe some have even called the sect the American Taliban.  Outsiders are not welcome in their world, but ABC's Amy Robach traveled inside to learn more about the Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saints.

Breaking from the F.L.D.S. Part 2
We now return to the story of Warren Jeffs' Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saints.  18-year-old Willy Steed was a member of Jeffs' sect in Colorado City, until he was banished by the self-proclaimed prophet. Growing up as a member of the F-L-D-S Church, the outside world is a foreign place for Willy, but as ABC's Amy Robach explains, there are organizations to help people like him.

Breaking from the F.L.D.S. Part 3
Now back to the life of the Steed family after leaving the Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saints. Suzette Steed and her six daughters struggle to adapt to life outside of Warren Jeffs' sect, but find help in the form of another F-L-D-S defector ... their cousin.  Once again, here's ABC's Amy Robach.

Breaking from the F.L.D.S. Part 4
After a year-long ABC News investigation of Warren Jeffs' destructive edicts from behind prison walls, ABC's Amy Robach traveled with former F-L-D-S member, Willy Steed, back to his hometown of Colorado City, searching for answers about who runs this town now that their prophet is now behind bars.

Breaking from the F.L.D.S. Part 5
And now the final chapter of the Steed family's break from Warren Jeffs' Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saints.  We begin with 18-year old Willy Steed.  He's enjoying his new family and new life, and is finally learning to read.  Once again, here's ABC's Amy Robach.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

Download or stream this edition of Perspective

Perspective Podcast - December 7, 2012

In this edition of Perspective...

The Royal Baby Bump
From the moment they were pronounced man and wife, there has been relentless speculation about when Prince William and his bride Kate, the duke and duchess of Cambridge, would produce an heir. This week, the Palace announced the couple is expecting. It was a surprise move so early in the pregnancy, due in part to a trip to the hospital because of acute morning sickness. ABC's Lama Hasan has more on the royal baby on the way.

Medicare and the Fiscal Cliff
The so-called fiscal cliff talks in Washington threaten to come down to the wire or even continue into 20-13. Most of the talk has been about taxes, but spending cuts are also a big issue.  Both sides are seeking savings from Medicare, and ABC's Steven Portnoy sat down with ABC Deputy Political Director Michael Falcone to find out what it could mean for senior citizens.

The Fiscal Cliff and 2016 Election
The fiscal cliff is going to dominate politics for the rest 2012, but it could be the potential 20-16 candidates that play critical roles in what happens toward the end of the year. For more on the political implications four years from now, here's ABC Senior Washington Editor Rick Klein and ABC Senior Political Director Amy Walter.

E.D.N.O.S.
One very common and dangerous eating disorder in America is also the least well known.  It's called E.D.N.O.S.  More deadly than Anorexia or Bulimia, it affects millions of people across the country, yet remains tragically under the radar.  Now ABC's Cynthia McFadden is pulling back the curtain, thanks to two young women speaking out about their private battle.

Secret Santa
And now the story of one man giving back to those hit hard by Superstorm Sandy. He's a secret santa who came to New York to hand out one-hundred dollar bills.  He's planning to give out 100-thousand dollars this holiday season and hoping others will follow his example.  ABC's John Schriffen spoke to him about his holiday generosity.

Craigslist Adoptions
Adoption is often a wonderful thing, bringing together babies who need parents and couples who are desperate for children.  About 50-thousand children are adopted every year, but now there's a highly unusual new way to make a match: Craigslist.  The place where people buy and sell things is now facilitating adoptions.  ABC's Reena Ninan explains.

The Lion King Turns 15
The Lion King is a story loved across the globe.  It's grossed over five-billion dollars worldwide, and this year the Broadway adaptation that some critics and insiders thought wouldn't last 15 minutes is celebrating 15 years of record-breaking success.  In a journey that spans from Broadway to Brazil, ABC's Juju Chang tells us about the making of The Lion King.

Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper's acting career has gone from a bit part on Sex and the City to last year's sexiest man alive. It took two installments of The Hangover to get Cooper on the A-list, and now that he's there he's anxious to avoid the typecasting mold.  ABC's Chris Connelly caught up with him to talk about his life and career.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

Download or stream this edition of Perspective

Perspective Podcast - November 30, 2012

In this edition of Perspective...

Finding Bin Laden
The hunt for Osama Bin Laden ended with a dramatic raid by elite S.E.A.L. Team Six, but just how he was found remains largely a mystery.  Now, it's the subject of a new movie by the director and screenwriter behind the Oscar-winning movie "The Hurt Locker."  ABC Senior Foreign Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz brings us an ABC News exclusive interview with the creators of "Zero Dark Thirty."

All Hail Halo
Millions of Americans hit the stores on Black Friday, and one of the biggest sellers this holiday season is the latest version of the video game "Halo."  It sold nearly four-million units in its first week on the shelves ... just one reason why video games are quickly eclipsing Hollywood blockbusters when it comes to profit.  ABC's Neal Karlinsky has the details.

Hacking the Holidays
Holiday shopping season is upon us, and if your gift list is threatening to do major damage to your bank account, you're not alone.  When it comes to finding the very best deals on everything from smartphones to toys, the answer may only be an app away.  ABC's Sharyn Alfonsi brings us new tricks to save big.

Made in America: Christmas
Last weekend alone, Americans already spent an average of 423 dollars.  That's a little over half of what we'll spend by Christmas.  Many of our holiday gifts are made outside the US, but as ABC's David Muir reports, if each one of us bought just one item made in America, it could add up to hundreds of thousands of jobs.

The Outpost
There are more than 65 thousand brave men and women serving in Afghanistan.  More than two-thousand have laid down their lives, and those at one far outpost were hit especially hard three years ago.  Now, ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper has their story.

Proof of Heaven?
Do you believe in heaven?  Various polls find that somewhere around 80 percent of Americans do.  But one Harvard-trained brain surgeon wasn't so sure until he spent a week in a coma and came out with an incredible description of the afterlife.  ABC's Terry Moran has the details.

The Half Man Speaks Out
When it comes to child actors, we've seen all kinds of amoral self-destruction over the years as young talent cracks under all that attention.  And now we have a different kind of moral rebellion on the set of "Two and a Half Men," after Angus T. Jones called his show unwatchable filth.  ABC's David Wright explains.

Killing Them Softly
In addition to his Hollywood hunk status, Brad Pitt has added humanitarian and family man to his resume, along with some fine performances and one very interesting Channel perfume commercial.  In his latest film, he stars as a mob hitman alongside James Gandolfini.  ABC's Cynthia McFadden spoke to both men about the project.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton