Perspective Podcast - January 9, 2015

In this edition of Perspective...

Paris Terror Attack
This past Wednesday, gunmen stormed the offices of a French satirical newspaper in Paris and carried out what investigators say was an "execution-style" attack, killing 12 and wounding 11 others. ABC's Chief Foreign Correspondent Terry Moran has the details from Paris:

Boston Marathon Bombing Trial Begins
Jury selection began in the trial of the remaining Boston Marathon bombing suspect this week. ABC's Aaron Katersky is here with more:

Phylicia Rashad Defends Bill Cosby
She played Bill Cosby's wife on T.V. for eight years. Now, Phylicia Rashad is coming to her former co-star's defense after more than a dozen women have come forward accusing him of sexual abuse. She spoke to ABC's Linsey Davis:

Surviving An Avalanche
This past week, two elite skiers training for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team were killed in an avalanche. This tragedy is proving just how dangerous it can be on the mountains, especially this time of year. ABC's Clayton Sandell has more about the rescue teams trained to keep us safe when the snow comes sliding down:

Breast Cancer Surgery
There's a new medical procedure that's changing women's bodies - and lives - after cancer. It's giving cancer survivors the confidence some feel is missing after mastectomies. ABC's Cecilia Vega has more:

Bradley Cooper Takes Aim At War Film
Bradley Cooper has seen his star rise over the past few years. He's come a long way from the goofy "Hangover" movies, being nominated for two Oscars along the way. Now, he may be nominated again for his latest role portraying legendary Navy Seal Chris Kyle in "American Sniper." He sat down with ABC's Byron Pitts:

"Honeymoon In Vegas"
They're doing some wheeling and dealing on Broadway.  It's "Honeymoon in Vegas," starring Tony Danza.  Here's ABC News entertainment correspondent Bill Diehl:

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  David Rind

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Perspective Podcast - January 2, 2015

In this edition of Perspective...

Exit Interview With TSA Head
This past week, another airliner went missing nine months after the disappearance of Malaysia Air Flight 370. This time, an AirAsia flight on its way to Singapore with 162 people aboard vanished from radar. However, they were able to find bodies and wreckage in the water from the ill-fated flight, and the grim recovery operation continues. In the wake of these disasters, there's more scrutiny than ever on the people in charge of plane safety. And ever since 9/11, the TSA has made many changes to the way we fly in this country. John Pistole oversaw many of those changes - now he's retiring. He spoke with ABC's David Kerley:

Rise Of Enterovirus
Flu season has hit especially hard this year - the CDC has even declared it an epidemic. But there's another deadly disease that's put children at risk - Enterovirus D-68. ABC's Juju Chang met a brave 4-year-old who's still battling the disease every day:

Politics: 2014 Sets Stage For 2016
Now that we've made it to 2015, many in the political world are already looking forward to 2016. It's a presidential election year, so who'll be running? ABC's Steven Portnoy sat down with ABC News Senior Washington Correspondent Jeff Zeleny to survey the landscape:

Tourism In Cuba
After President Obama moved to restore full diplomatic relations with Cuba, many are looking forward to the possibility of visiting the island nation to see the sights - something not many Americans have had the chance to do. ABC's Serena Marshall traveled to Havana and has more:

Home Flipping Secrets
If you watch reality TV, you know that home flipping is big business these days.  But, one mom says those shows don't tell the whole story...and she has some tips on how to make big bucks by putting a lot of work into a fixer-upper. ABC News Chief Business and Economics Correspondent Rebecca Jarvis has the details:

ABC News Fixer
If you've ever gotten a call from the IRS saying you owe them money, you may want to check twice. The ABC News Fixer is here to explain:

Oprah Talks "Selma"
"Selma" is the new film about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the civil rights marchers of the 1960's that made history. Its release just happens to come at a time where people are marching again for civil rights...and Oprah Winfrey, one of the movie's producers, says the current day marchers could learn a lot from seeing it. She sat down with ABC's Robin Roberts:

Host: Cheri Preston
Producer: David Rind

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Perspective Podcast - December 26, 2014

In this special edition of Perspective...

Ferguson Unrest
We begin our look back at 2014 in the relatively unkown St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri. That town became the center of a national flashpoint this year after an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown was shot and killed in the street by a police officer named Darren Wilson. Violent protests popped up in August after Wilson was not intially charged for the killing. Then after a grand jury convened and deliberated, there was still no indictment. ABC's Steve Osunsami traveled to Ferguson and saw it all unfold:

Racial Tensions Simmer
There were marches and protests for rest of the year from coast to coast as the discussion of policing and race played out on the streets and on social media. ABC's Jim Ryan also traveled to Ferguson this year:

Missing Malaysia Air Flight
On March 8th, a Malaysia Air flight on the way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijiing carrying 239 people on board dissapeared. The search for the plane confounded investigators all year, while the loved ones of those on board demanded answers. ABC's Tom Rivers is at the Foreign Desk with more:

Ebola Comes To America
In October, Ebola came to America. A Texas hospital became the first to diagnose a case of the deadly virus inside the U-S, sparking questions and concern from the public. ABC News Chief Health and Medical Editor Doctor Richard Besser covered the story all year, at home and abroad:

The Rise Of ISIS
In 20-14, a new enemy in the war on terror came to the forefront. ISIS. One of the world's richest terror groups, known for outlandish propaganda videos and brutal executions. In September, President Obama began airstrikes against ISIS targets in Iraq and then Syria after they kidnapped and beheaded American journalist James Foley. ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl has the story:

Republicans Take Control
Fear of ISIS and Ebola left voters feeling frustrated heading into the Midterm Elections, which saw Republicans grab power in the Senate. ABC's Aaron Katersky sat down with ABC News Political Director Rick Klein for more analysis:

Donald Sterling Banned For Life
This year, the NBA did something its never done before - IT banned an owner for life. That was the punishment for then-L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling, after recordings surfaced of him making racists remarks about African Americans. He was eventually forced to sell the team. ABC's Alex stone watched - and listened from Los Angeles:

The Loss Of Robin Williams
We lost pair of comedy legends in 20-14. In August, the world learned that Robin Williams had commited suicide in his home near San Francisco. Legions of his fans were shocked and saddened, but gathered on social media to remember his roles that made us laugh, think and cry. ABC World News Tonight Anchor David Muir has more:

Remembering Joan Rivers
Comedian Joan Rivers had gone to a clinic in New York City in September for some routine work on her throat, which had been scratchy. While under an anesthetic, she went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to the hospital. She died a week later. ABC's Juju Chang remembers her life:

Host: Cheri Preston
Producer: David Rind

Download or stream this edition of the Perspective podcast