Perspective Podcast - May 18, 2012

In this edition of Perspective...

Donna Summer
Music lost one of its greatest stars this week, when the queen of disco -- Donna Summer -- passed away at the age of 63.  Her iconic songs helped define the sound of the '70s and her star power lasted 40 years.  She won five grammy awards and an oscar for Best Original Song from the movie "Thank God It's Friday."  Before her death, we spoke to Summer about her life and career.

The Kennedy Legacy of Loss
This week another chapter was written in the Kennedy family story.  Mary Richardson Kennedy, the estranged wife of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was found dead of an apparent suicide.  The unexpected death of yet another member of the storied family is a reminder of their long history of public sorrow -- a political family of immense wealth and incredible power that's suffered great loss time and time again.  Here's ABC's Cynthia McFadden.

Mr. X
Some are calling him one of the greatest impostors of our time.  Authorities say he has multiple identities but often posed as a Navy commander and scammed money from donations for a fake veteran's charity.  In fact, he has so many fake identities that investigators have no idea *who* he really is.  ABC Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross reports on the peculiar case of "Mr. X."

911 Call
If a parent has just discovered their six-year-old child is missing from her bed, how should they sound when they call for help?  That's the question being asked about the father of Isabelle Cellis (iss-ah-bell sell-is) who can be heard laughing on a 9-1-1 recording minutes after realizing his little girl was missing.  How much can a 9-1-1 call reveal about guilt or innocence?  ABC's Ryan Owens asked the experts to find out.

Incarcerated Without Charge
The story of an American trapped far from home -- he's spent nearly a year imprisoned but has never been charged with a crime.  We traveled to South America to investigate and bring you deep inside his real-life nightmare.

Spouse Spying
Evolving technology has made snooping and spying easy, with people bugging everything from eyeglasses to pens ... and even their own children.  But what happens when squabbling ex-wives and ex-husbands try to use those recordings in court?  Here's ABC's Terry Moran.

Billy Bob Thornton
What oscar-winning writer can barely read?  His name is Billy Bob Thornton and his struggle with dyslexia is one of many interesting aspects of his life.  There's also strange eating phobias and a storied marriage to Angelina Jolie.  ABC's Juju Chang has the details.

Forbes Celebrity 100
Jennifer Lopez danced, sang, and tweeted her way to the top of the Forbes Celebrity 100 list, leaving Steven Spielberg, Katy Perry, and last year's winner Lady Gaga in her wake.  So how did she beat them all out to top Forbes' list of power players?  Here's ABC's TJ Winick.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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Perspective Podcast - May 11, 2012

In this edition of Perspective...

President Obama on Same-Sex Marriage
In an ABC News exclusive interview this week, President Obama came out in favor of same-sex marriage.  In the 2008 campaign he endorsed civil unions but opposed gay marriage, but for the past year-and-a-half he as indicated that his feelings might have changed.  ABC's Robin Roberts spoke to the president at the White House earlier this week.

Political Impact of Same-Sex Marriage
So what are the political ramifications of the president's support for same sex marriage?  Will it play a role in the election this fall?  To find out more ABC's Dan Kloeffler speaks to our Senior Washington Editor, Rick Klein.

Public Opinion of Same-Sex Marriage
The latest polls show 52-percent of Americans support gay marriage, but there is more behind those numbers.  To break down the figures by age and ethnicity, here's ABC Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper.

Organ Donation
Less than half of Americans choose the organ donor option on their driver's license even though 7-thousand people will die this year waiting for a transplant.  But there are people, companies, and organizations working to change that math.  ABC's Bill Weir has the details.

Megachurch Scam?
Authorities are accusing one man of targeting christian church-goers with a multi-million dollar ponzi scheme.  Alleged victims tell ABC News he quoted the bible to gain their trust and then tricked them out of their life savings.  ABC's Steve Osunsami has more.

Weigh More, Pay More?
Spirit Airlines recently announced it will charge up to one-hundred dollars for carry-on luggage.  At a time when everything seems to cost extra on airplanes, some are arguing that overweight travelers should pay more for their extra pounds.  ABC's Juju Chang has more on the great weight debate.

Teen Exorcists
According to three young women, Satan is very real and one of his demons may be living inside you right now.  The gospels tell of Jesus casting evil spirits out of helpless victims and these teenagers say they do the same thing.  Are they driven by faith or fame?  Here's ABC's Dan Harris.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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Perspective Podcast - May 4, 2012

In this edition of Perspective...

Taken: 12 Hours of Terror, Part 1

It wasn't the usual divorce.  Instead, this split-up involved sixty-five pounds of explosives, a pair of handcuffs, a gun, and a rope to be used as a noose.  It was one man's attempt to remake "War of the Roses," the movie where a divorcing couple both end up dead.  ABC's Robin Roberts reports.

Taken: 12 Hours of Terror, Part 2

We return now to a story of terror caught on tape.  Richard Shenkman -- in the back seat of ex-wife Nancy Tyler's car -- points a gun at her and threatenss to shoot.  Once again, here's ABC's Robin Roberts.

Taken: 12 Hours of Terror, Part 3

Now back to the story of a divorce turned terribly wrong.  Richard Shenkman has kidnapped ex-wife Nancy Tyler, who's held candcuffed in their home, rigged with explosives.  After calling 9-1-1 and taunting police and the S.W.A.T. team surrounding the house, Shenkman decides to make another call.  Again, here's ABC's Robin Roberts.

Taken: 12 Hours of Terror, Part 4

We now return to Nancy Tyler's twelve hours of terror.  She finds herself handcuffed in the basement, as ex-husband Richard Shenkman continues to taunt police on the phone, threatening to kill Tyler.  Once again, here's ABC's Robin Roberts.

Taken: 12 Hours of Terror, Part 5

Now the final chapter of this story.  Nancy Tyler is free from ex-husband Richard Shenkman, after being handcuffed in his house and threatened with death.  He now faces a judge in a Connecticut court house.  Again, here's ABC's Robin Roberts.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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