Perspective Podcast - June 8, 2012

In this edition of Perspective...

Vaccinations
A report focusing on the subject of childhood vaccines ... new revelations are raising concerns about the effectiveness of those shots.  ABC Senior Law and Justice Correspondent Jim Avila reports.

The Soda Wars
Are super-sized drinks responsible for the escalating obesity epidemic?  New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg says yes.  This week, he proposed a city-wide ban on sodas and juices larger than 16 ounces.  While those drinks do contain a large amount of sugar, many opponents are drawing a battle line between big government and big soda.  ABC's John Donvan has the details.

Fit to Fat and Back
Now a not-so-typical weight loss story ... a very fit personal trainer who stopped working out and gained more than 70 pounds, all to better understand the struggles of his overweight clients.  Here's ABC's Juju Chang.

Romney vs. Obama
On the heels of a disappointing jobs report this week, President Obama finds himself in a dead heat with rival Mitt Romney, and is turning to some of his famous friends for support.  ABC's Terry Moran has the details.

Scott Walker Wins Recall Election
Republican Governor Scott Walker scored a big victory in Wisconsin's recall election, but Walker says there is no doubt Mitt Romney is still the underdog in his state when it comes to the presidential election.  For more on his victory and thoughts about Romney's presidential campaign, ABC Senior Political Correspondent Jonathan Karl spoke to Governor Walker.

Drilling in Alaska
There's a rush for oil at the top of the world.  The reserves off the coast of Northern Alaska could be even bigger than the oil in the Gulf of Mexico.   But the way of life for the Eskimos who live on the North Slope could be threatened by the drilling.  ABC's Richard Davies has the story.

No Laughing Matter
And now we go inside the strange symptom of a very rare brain disease: laughter.  For the parents we're about to meet, the sound of their child's giggles fill them with dread, but a few doctors with a revolutionary treatment are working to change that.  Here's ABC's Deborah Roberts.

Shrinks to the Stars
The two therapists we're about to meet count movie stars, directors, writers, and producers among their clients.  They're shrinks for Hollywood's powerful and famous and their method is unusual.  ABC's David Wright explains.

Patty LuPone and 54 Below
Remember New York's legendary "Studio 54?"  The notorious night club is long gone, but at that same address, only a few blocks from Times Square, there's a new nightlife spot called "54 Below," and ABC News Entertainment Correspondent Bill Diehl checked it out this week, and spoke with the club's opening act, a legendary Broadway star.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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Perspective Podcast - June 1, 2012

In this edition of Perspective...

John Edwards Not Guilty
John Edwards may be a liar and adulterer, but thanks to a hung jury in North Carolina, he is not a criminal.  Edwards, his mistress, and those who allegedly gave him money to cover up the affair did not testify, and the trial ground to a halt.  ABC's Bob Woodruff was there.
A Cry for Help
Now we travel to a little-known corner of Africa on the brink of catastrophe ... a country where a devastating food crisis is threatening millions of lives, many of them children.  It's a situation that's grown increasingly desperate, and ABC's Bazi Kanani traveled inside the hunger zone to report on their cry for help.

Prince William
Queen Elizabeth is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee this weekend, and ABC's Katie Couric sat down with two men who are very close to her majesty: Prince William and Prince Harry.  She spoke with William in London about his mother's 60 years as the Queen of England.

Prince Harry
ABC's Katie Couric also met up with Prince Harry in Brazil while he was traveling through South and Central America.  They spoke about what it's like to represent the royal family and about his grandmother's time on the throne.

The World Science Festival
The World Science Festival took place in New York City this week.  As a product of the Science Festival Foundation, the event is an annual celebration and exploration of science.  At a time when the U-S education system has lost ground to other countries, this event focuses on using science to inspire students and prepare them for the future.  ABC News National Correspondent Jim Hickey has the details from New York.

Head Injury Dangers
Since the days of leather helmets, football has been one of America's most violent past times, but now concern is growing about the long-term effects of invisible brain injuries ... and it's not just the NFL stars who are in danger.  Some doctors say even young players are at risk.  It's a revelation that has many parents wondering if they should they let their kids play football.  ABC's Paula Faris has the details.

The Humanitarian Side of 50 Cent
We've gotten used to seeing Bono or Angelina Jolie traveling around the world to help people in troubled countries ... but 50-Cent?  Looks like the often crude rapper has been doing a lot of good for the World Food Program, so they invited him to a refugee camp in Somalia ... the most lawless country in the world.  Can being a do-gooder cramp his bad-boy style?  Here's ABC's Dan Harris.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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Perspective Podcast - May 25, 2012

In this edition of Perspective...

Facebook Fiasco
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has had a very busy few weeks.  His company went public in the largest tech IPO ever.  He got married.  Then he got sued.  So what happens when your shareholders turn against you and your Wall Street debut becomes a public mess?  Here's ABC's Bill Weir.

The Sentence for Ravi
This week, the surprising end to a case that sparked debate across the country.  Tyler Clementi was a college freshman who took his own life after his college roommate spied on him while with another man.  This week, that roommate heard surprising words from the judge this week -- he was sentenced to just 30 days in jail.  ABC's Chris Cuomo has the details.

Obesity Boarding School
And now to a boarding school that's a last resort for critically overweight teens.  Nearly one in three kids in America are overweight or obese and for them, the road to health is a difficult one.  ABC's Juju Chang went inside the school to meet three teens attempting to make a serious change.

To Everest and Back
The summit of Mt. Everest is more than five miles high -- close to the cruising altitude for a 747 jumbo jet.  There are only a few weeks each year that climbers dare to scale the mountain, and now we bring you the story of one such climber.  He was part of the deadliest climb in Everest's history, yet decided to take on the mountain again.  Here's ABC's Cynthia McFadden.

Extreme Parenting, Part 1
Unorthodox parenting techniques can be very controversial, and we met one woman who spends millions of dollars on her daughter in exchange for straight A report cards.  So is it a reward or a bribe?  Here's ABC's Barbara Walters.

Extreme Parenting, Part 2
Now another form of extreme parenting ... using the power of gunfire.  ABC's Sharyn Alfonsi has more on the shots one man fired to teach his child a lesson.

Extreme Parenting, Part 3
Another story of extreme parenting.  This time, two children whose parents allow them to take part in dangerous, life-threatening activities at an incredibly young age.  ABC's Cameron Matheson has the details.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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