Shows / The Spark
The Spark
When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb starts conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.
Episodes
- The Spark
Courage, Comedy, and Staying Safe This Summer
Award-winning Lancaster-based author Dan Hendrickson returns with Railroad Man: Legacies Son, a sweeping new Western set at a pivotal moment in frontier…
- The Spark
Living Art and Lifelong Care: Bonsai to Celiac
We sit down with Jim Doyle to explore the timeless art of bonsai. With over 53 years of experience as part of the Susquehanna Bonsai Club, Jim shares the…
- The Spark
Rethinking Cannabis
In this episode, we sit down with leading researchers working on the front lines of Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program to explore what cannabis…
- The Spark
Summer Sweets, and Seasonal Fruit
In this episode, we welcome David Morrison of the Historic Harrisburg Association for a fascinating deep dive into a remarkable moment in the city’s past…
- The Spark
The Spark Weekly | May 31 | Broadband Access and Union Canal Tunnel
Hidden in Lebanon County is one of Pennsylvania’s most unique pieces of transportation history—the Union Canal Tunnel, recognized as the oldest existing…
- The Spark
Connectivity and Communication in Rural PA
We bring together three leading experts to explore the state of broadband access in rural Pennsylvania and why it matters now more than ever. Featuring Zachary…
- The Spark
Barns & Blueprints: PA’s Past Meets Future Minds
In this episode, we talk with Danielle Keperling of the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County about an important local preservation effort—saving the…
- The Spark
Memorial Day episode shares veterans’ stories of service and sacrifice
This special Memorial Day edition of The Spark featured excerpts from WITF’s podcast Cloth of the Nation, highlighting personal stories from veterans as a way…
- The Spark
From Canal Tunnels to Navy Weeks: Stories of Service
In this episode, we sit down with Rear Admiral Eric Ver Hage, a Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania native whose Navy career began with an enlisted role in 1984 and…
- The Spark
Early American Education and Memorial Day Roots
We’re joined by Dr. Robert Reynolds, Associate Professor of History at Kutztown University, to explore the fascinating history of one-room schoolhouses in…
- The Spark
The Spark Weekly | May 24th | A Changing Climate in Gardens and Newsrooms
From longer growing seasons to stronger storms and increasing pest pressure, climate change is reshaping the way plants grow and how gardeners and growers…
- The Spark
Saving History: Gutelius House & Ragamuffin Hall
Frank Stroik, Board President of Preservation Mifflinburg, shares the remarkable rescue story of the Gutelius House Museum. When the historic 1803 log home…
- The Spark
Pa. 10th Race & the Disappearing Local Newsroom
WITF's Jordan Wilkie speaks with Berwood Yost, who leads public opinion research at Franklin and Marshall College, and with Stephen Medvic, professor of…
- The Spark
Shakespeare Reimagined & LGBTQ+ History on View: Lancaster’s bold Henry IV and a new exhibit on identity, resilience.
Jeremiah Miller, Executive Artistic Director of Lancaster Shakespeare Theatre, returns to discuss the company’s upcoming production of Henry IV, Part 1…
- The Spark
Songwriters & Shifting Seasons: Music Meets Climate
This episode highlights Tim Alexander, founder of Mansion Concerts Inc., and introduces The Harrisbird Café – A 2026 Songwriter Showcase, a Nashville Bluebird…
- The Spark
Card Smarts & Kind Hearts: Credit Card Fraud Tips and Tricks and The Grandma Stand
As spring and summer travel seasons ramp up, so does credit card use—and the risk of fraud. In this episode, we’re joined by Bijal Gami, Vice President of Card…
- The Spark
The Spark Weekly | May 17th | Brain Health and The Preschool Report
A new report from the Alzheimer’s Association is highlighting both the growing impact of Alzheimer’s disease and increasing public interest in brain health. A…
- The Spark
In Pennsylvania: Honoring Black Women’s Lives and Lifting Families Navigating Autism
We sit down with Vashti DuBois, Founder and Executive Director of The Colored Girls Museum (TCGM) in Philadelphia—a groundbreaking, place-based “living museum”…
- The Spark
Early Childhood in PA: Poverty, Preschool & Solutions
In honor of Community Action Month, this conversation with Vanessa Philbert (CAP Lancaster) and Robin Rohrbaugh (Community Progress Council) explores how local…
- The Spark
The Power of Memory: Zion Hill Cemetery & Alzheimer’s Brain Health
Join Chris Vera in person as he shares the history and hidden stories of Zion Hill Cemetery and its role in Columbia’s past. Learn why preserving this site…
- The Spark
Data Centers and Animal Advocacy: Two Futures for Rural Pennsylvania
Zachary Adams, Executive Director of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, leads a critical conversation from the first public hearing in a statewide series on…
- The Spark
From Playhouse to Playbook: PA Arts & Football
We sit down with David Leidholdt, Artistic Director of Millbrook Playhouse, a renowned summer stock theater rooted in tradition and creativity. David shares…
- The Spark
The Spark Weekly | May 10th | Pennsylvania Innocence Project and The Big 33 Football Classic
A proposal in Pennsylvania aims to change how police interrogations are handled—by requiring certain custodial interviews to be recorded. Supporters, including…
- The Spark
Rethinking Roads and the “Bikini Body” Myth
We talk with Karen M. Dixon, Transportation and Community Planner at the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, about her research along Interstate 81 in…
- The Spark
Pa’s Underground Park & the Future of Skilled Trades
Pennsylvania’s newest — and most unique — state park is officially open, and it’s unlike anything else in the system. In this episode, DCNR Secretary Cindy…
- The Spark
Central Pa. dining trends and a push for recorded interrogations.
First, we sit down with Sue Gleiter, longtime dining reporter for PennLive and The Patriot-News, to talk about how the central Pennsylvania restaurant scene…
- The Spark
From the Greenbelt to the Galaxy: The 2026 Tour de Belt and The Star Wars Collecting Society
First, we dive into the Tour de Belt, the annual fully supported community bike ride around the Harrisburg Greenbelt, returning Saturday, June 7. Riders…
- The Spark
What’s New in Pennsylvania: Health, Civics, and Community
This episode features Allison Hess (Geisinger), and Tina Citro (WellSpan Health) discussing innovative projects recognized by the 2026 HAP Achievement Awards…
- The Spark
The Spark Weekly | May 3 | Law Day and PFAS
Concerns about “forever chemicals” and microplastics are growing nationwide—and in Cumberland County, one local advocate is working to bring attention to the…
- The Spark
Law Day and Structural Concerns in PA Immigration Enforcement
We take a closer look at how Law Day is being observed in Central Pennsylvania and why the annual recognition continues to matter. Marked nationwide on May 1…
- The Spark
Creative Reuse & PFAS: Rethinking Waste in PA
Lancaster Creative Reuse (LCR) is a creative reuse center in Lancaster that operates a donation‑based art, craft, and sewing supply store. Its mission is to…
- The Spark
From Central PA Classrooms to the Airwaves: Youth gardening programs and an award‑winning podcast
Rick Sayles is a master gardener focused on youth education who leads hands‑on, “seed‑to‑table” programming in the Steelton‑Highspire School District. Working…
- The Spark
Learning Across Languages and History
In this bilingual segment, we explore the power and importance of bilingual education with educator and education leader Dr. Andrea Kolb. Andrea moves fluidly…
- The Spark
Wellness Then and Now: The History of Yoga and a New Netflix Documentary: The Plastic Detox
In this episode, we chat with Chrissie Senecal, who’s deeply passionate about the origins of yoga and eager to share its rich history in an engaging talk…
- The Spark
The Spark Weekly | April 26 | Earth Day and Sexual Assault Awareness Month
On this episode of The Spark Weekly, we talk with Sarah Corcoran of the Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter about the importance of Earth Day and the impact of…
- The Spark
Tracing American Identity Through Art and War
Curator Rob Evans and Susquehanna Art Museum’s Director of Exhibitions, Rachel O’Connor, join us to explore American Identity: Restoring the Artistic Legacy of…
- The Spark
From Local Action to Giant Joy: Earth Day in Pa. and a Very Big Duck
We’re joined by Sarah Corcoran, Deputy Director of the Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter, to spotlight the powerful impact of local environmental action. Sarah…
- The Spark
Building Safer Communities Through Awareness and Care - Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Someone To Tell It To.
In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, this episode features Lily Duarte‑Evans, Vice President of the YWCA Carlisle & Cumberland County, and Mallory…
- The Spark
Pennsylvania Stories of Culture and History | Gettysburg and Philly Jazz Month
Philly Jazz Month is a citywide celebration of Philadelphia’s deep and influential jazz heritage, featuring a full month of live performances, educational…
- The Spark
World Heritage Day & Prom Safety: History Meets Prevention
On April 18 – World Heritage Day – the Colonial Industrial Quarter (CIQ) comes alive with artisans, demonstrators and faces of the past. Family fun takes…
- The Spark
The Spark Weekly | April 19 | MADD's Promposal and The Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Legal Battle
MADD’s mission is to end drunk and drugged driving, support victims of these crimes, and prevent underage drinking and other substance use. A key initiative…
- The Spark
Saving Native Plants and Reviving a Historic Theater: Bowman's Hill Wildflower Reserve and Hershey Theatre
Santino Lauricella, Education Manager at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, explores the vital role native wildflowers play in healthy ecosystems. From spring…
- The Spark
Learning Together in a Changing Public Media Landscape | Pennon Education and A Federal Judge's 1A Ruling
Jennifer Eley – Director of Education at Pennon Education and Caley McGuigan - Secondary Education Program Coordinator at Pennon Education tell us all about…
- The Spark
Organ Donation, The Adams County Blossom Belt and Tax Season
In this episode, we explore three topics that touch us all in different ways: the impact of organ donation, the beauty of The Blossom Belt, and the stress (and…
- The Spark
Protecting Waterways, Empowering Young Musicians | Lower Susquehanna Riverkeepers and The DownBeat Foundation
Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Ted Evgeniadis joins us to discuss his work protecting the Susquehanna through education, water‑quality monitoring, pollution…
- The Spark
How It Works: Navigating AI Hiring and Spring Cleaning
(00:00:00) As more than 165,000 college students prepare to graduate from Pennsylvania schools this May, the job search looks very different than it did just a…
- The Spark
The Spark Weekly | April 10 | Cloth of the Nation and The Summer Haters Club
Cloth of the Nation brings forward powerful stories from veterans navigating life during and after military service. On The Spark, we speak with Dale and Jan…
- The Spark
Community Arts and the Case for Summer SAD
In this episode, we welcome Sam Horvath, Executive Director of the Perry County Council of the Arts (PCCA), to talk about his journey back to central…
- The Spark
Purpose and Performance: Cloth of the Nation and The Greatest Show on Earth
(00:00:00) Cloth of the Nation is a podcast hosted by veterans Dale and Jan Hamby, sharing the voices and experiences of military veterans across our region…
The SparkKeystone Curious | A New Podcast by Susquenita High School and 4th Grade Students
A new student-led podcast is bringing Pennsylvania history to life in a whole new way. High school and elementary students are teaming up to research, write…
The SparkKnow Your Rights: Immigration Enforcement, Legal Protections, and How to Prepare
In this episode, we’re joined by Jasmine Rivera, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition, and Andrew Brananoksi, Executive Director of the…
The SparkThe Spark Travels to Penn State Harrisburg with Braver Angels: Skills for Disagreeing Better
The Spark, hosted by Asia Tabb, will feature a 40‑minute conversation presented in two informal, discussion‑focused segments centered on the theme of learning…
The SparkThe Spark Weekly | April 5 | Wildfires and Hemp Fiber
As wildfire season ramps up across the state, The Spark spoke with Mike Kern, Chief of the Division of Forest Fire Protection, and Matt Reed, Chief of Wildfire…
The SparkFrom Generational Market Leadership to Industrial Innovation: How the West Shore Farmers Market and Pennsylvania’s Hemp Revival Reflect a Growing Sustainable Future
(00:00:00) Greg Katshir is part of the third generation of family leadership at the West Shore Farmers Market in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania. After the market’s…
The SparkMatch Madness & Women in the Judiciary: Championing Community Health and Judicial Leadership in PA
(00:00:00) We’re joined by Carol Thornton, Executive Director of the Partnership for Better Health, along with leaders from two participating nonprofits…
The SparkHonoring Kevlar’s Creator and Preparing for Wildfire Season: A Deep Dive into Innovation and Safety
(00:00:00) Stephanie Kwolek (July 31, 1923 – June 18, 2014), born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, was an American chemist whose groundbreaking work in polymer…
The SparkFrom Rising Facility Fees to Women’s Health and the Arts: This Week’s Stories from Central PA
(00:00:00) Syndey Roaches new feature series digging into a rising problem in the State College area: facility fees. They’re extra charges meant for hospital…
The SparkThe Spark Weekly | March 29 | Keystone Markers and Fred Rogers
Across Pennsylvania, drivers pass them every day without a second thought. The blue and gold roadside signs shaped like a keystone are part of the state’s…
The SparkIgniting PA Baseball with the Fightin Phils, Stormers, Revolution & Senators
In this special episode of The Spark, we’re bringing together the heartbeat of Central Pennsylvania baseball. Join us as we dive into updates, standout…
The SparkHonoring Enslaved Lives in Lancaster & Preserving Ancient Falconry Traditions: Education, History, and Stewardship in Focus
(00:00:00) The second year of the Witness Stones Project is underway, with students researching enslaved individuals connected to prominent Lancaster figures…