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 SparkPreserving Pennsylvania’s Past While Building Its Future: Keystone Markers and New Women’s Sports Take the Spotlight
(00:00:00) Jack Graham—Executive Director with the Keystone Marker Trust—specializes in preserving Pennsylvania’s historic cast‑iron keystone markers, which…
The SparkHonoring Heritage and Heart: Irish‑American Trailblazers and the Enduring Legacy of Fred Rogers
(00:00:00) Local historian and Shippensburg University professor Chrissie Senecal explores the stories of influential Pennsylvania women of Irish descent…
The SparkYork Students Lead Anti‑ICE Walkouts as Spring Weather and Seasonal Insights Take Center Stage
(00:00:00) We spotlight student activism in York, where William Penn High School students organized powerful walkouts protesting increased ICE enforcement and…
The SparkThe Spark Weekly | March 22 | Marian Anderson and The Gettysburg Film Festival
Anthony (Tony) Tommasini is the former chief classical music critic for The New York Times, a role he held from 2000 until his retirement in 2021 after 24…
The SparkCulture, Community, and Craftsmanship: Pennsylvania Stories That Matter
(00:00:00) We talk with Andrew Dalton, President & CEO of Gettysburg History, and Jake Boritt, Producer of the Gettysburg Film Festival, about the town’s…
The SparkFrom Music Icons to Medical Milestones: Marian Anderson and Pa.'s Oldest Hospital
(00:00:00) Anthony (Tony) Tommasini is the former chief classical music critic for The New York Times, a role he held from 2000 until his retirement in 2021…
The SparkAACA Museum Honors Auto History as The Peace Corps Celebrates Service and Global Initiatives
(00:00:00) The AACA Museum in Hershey began with a passionate group of automobile enthusiasts whose idea evolved into a broader mission to preserve and share…
The SparkPA Farm Roots and New Poll Reveal 2026 Voter Mood
(00:00:00) We visit Flinchbaugh’s Orchard & Farm Market in Hellam, PA, where four generations have grown a family farm into a community hub. Co‑owner Julie…
The SparkPA Stories of Conflict, Community, and a Slice of Comfort
(00:00:00) In today’s episode, we go inside Pennsylvania’s pivotal 10th Congressional District to hear how voters are processing the recent U.S. attack on…
The SparkThe Spark Weekly | March 15th | Johnny Appleseed and a Lost American Colony.
John Chapman (1774–1845), better known as Johnny Appleseed, was an American pioneer nurseryman who traveled across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois…
The SparkMusic Milestones, Tax Guidance & Historic Discovery
(00:00:00) 17 years is a long time for any relationship. Local Celtic rock band Kilmaine Saints has not only survived that long but thrived during their time…
The SparkPA’s Language Gap and Johnny Appleseed’s Impact.
(00:00:00) Without professional interpreters, families can be shut out of essential moments—students unable to take required PSSAs, parents unable to…
The SparkThrive Housing and Operation Warm Hearts Expand Support for Harrisburg Residents Facing Homelessness
(00:00:00) Emily Gochenaur founded Central PA Operation Warm Hearts while studying at Messiah College and continues to lead the organization while working…
The SparkDowntown Harrisburg’s Future and Pennsylvania’s Cultural Story: What Revitalization and Heritage Reveal
(00:00:00) We begin with Julie Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, and Ryan Unger, President & CEO of the Harrisburg Regional…
The SparkThe Spark Weekly | March 8th | Cursive Reemerges in Pa. Schools and Highlighting Women of Excellence.
We spoke with Dr. Sarah Fischer, Associate Professor of Literacy Education, and Dr. Kerry Hasler-Brooks, Associate Professor of English and Chair of the…
The SparkWomen of Excellence & The Work of Bridging Divides
(00:00:00) The YWCA Greater Harrisburg is pleased to announce the honorees for their 37th Annual Tribute to Women of Excellence, all of whom will be celebrated…
The SparkFrom Home Design Trends to Housing Recovery Solutions: PA Home + Garden Show and M28 Ministry’s Esther’s House Drive Community Focus
(00:00:00) M28 Ministry has acquired a four‑unit apartment complex that will become Esther’s House, a new affordable, recovery‑focused housing resource for men…
The SparkCare, Cultivation, and Changing Industries: Two Paths Shaping Pennsylvania’s Future
(00:00:00) First, Penny Lenig‑Zerby, director of the UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing in Harrisburg, and Joye Gingrich, UPMC in Central Pa.’s Chief Nursing…
The SparkFrom Ephraim Slaughter to Cursive Literacy: Preserving Black History and the Skills to Understand It
(00:00:00) We look back at Ephraim Slaughter: Freedom’s Witness, the one-act production created for the Annual Dauphin County Black History Celebration by…
The SparkCommunity, Accountability, and Information: ICE Partnerships and Public Broadcasting’s Next Chapter
(00:00:00) Sydney and Emily report on how immigration enforcement is unfolding across Pennsylvania — from a State College man taken into ICE custody…
The SparkThe Spark Weekly | March 1st | Teaching Media Literacy and Reimagining Public Broadcasting
First, we head into the classroom at Harrisburg Academy, where IB English students—guided by teacher Peter Frengel—are analyzing how media bias, algorithms…
The SparkGrowing Smarter: Spring Gardening Advice and a Deep Dive into How Teens Analyze Media Bias
(00:00:00) We start with Penn State Extension Master Gardeners Heather Freeland and Shirley Halk, who share practical, research‑backed tips for spring…
The SparkProtein Hype or Healthy Habit, Heart Health Insights, and Girl Scouts Who Lead.
(00:00:00) Clinical Nutrition Manager Angelina Sickora and Clinical Operations Manager and registered dietitian Janelle Barnett from Penn State Health break…
The SparkProtecting Pennsylvania’s Trails—and Women’s Health: Scott Farm Land Swap & Fallopian Tube Cancer Awareness
(00:00:00) This episode explores two stories of protection—one for Pennsylvania’s landscapes, and one for women’s health. Conservation leaders Karen Lutz and…
The SparkInside Encore! Home School Productions: Celebrating Student Creativity and the Women Leading Seussical to Life
Encore! Home School Productions—along with its Theatre Academy—provides homeschooled and cyber‑schooled students across Central Pennsylvania with rich…
The SparkMayor Williams–City Council Rift Deepens; Broad Street Market Tops 2026 Preservation Priority List
(00:00:00) Jonathan Bergmueller and Tirzah Christopher of Pennlive discuss their reporting on the rift between Mayor Williams and City Council. (00:12:14)…
The SparkThe Spark Weekly | Feb. 22 | Electronic Waste and Fair Housing in Pa.
The rise in the everyday use of electronic items has also contributed to an increase of electronic waste, filling already crowded landfills and increasing…
The SparkFair Housing Gaps in Pennsylvania and Early Detection for Prostate Cancer: What Communities Need to Know
(00:00:00) The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) formally released its State of Fair Housing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The report…
The SparkHow to Reduce Electronic Waste — Plus the Medieval Couples Who Redefined Love and Tragedy
(00:00:00) The rise in the everyday use of electronic items has alco contributed in an increase of electronic waste, filling already crowded landfills and…
The SparkCHD Survivor’s Lifelong Fight for Repair — and the Double Standard That Lets Men “Fangirl” Over Sports While Women Get Mocked for Their Passions.
(00:00:00) Men are often celebrated for passionately supporting sports teams—spending money, getting emotional, and “fangirling” over players—while women are…
The SparkFrom Invention to Inspiration: William Chester Ruth’s Legacy; Donegal Performing Arts’ Next Generation
(00:00:00) Gwendolyn Ruth Dickinson talks about her grandfather William Chester Ruth (1882–1971) who was an African American machinist, inventor, and business…
The SparkBerks County ICE Controversy, Spring Prep Tips, and a New Take on ‘Blue Juniata'
(00:00:00) Gabriel Martinez and Manada Fries of Spotlight PA, discuss an Ice detention facility planned for Berks County. (00:23:14) When Perry County musician…
The SparkThe Spark Weekly 2.15.2026: The Declaration of Independence at 250 and Building the Future of Local Journalism
A standing-room-only crowd filled the room at Gettysburg College as businessman, philanthropist, and historian David Rubenstein took the stage for this year’s…
The SparkHow the League of Women Voters Shaped Democracy; and Why Colorectal Cancer Screening Still Saves Lives
(00:00:00) We begin with the remarkable history of the League of Women Voters, born in 1920 from the women’s suffrage movement and led by NAWSA president…
The SparkHow Colleges Are Preparing Students for an AI Future + What the LNP/LancasterOnline Transition Means for Local News
(00:00:00) In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Leamor Kahanov, higher‑education leader with 25+ years of experience as a provost, dean, and academic…
The SparkInside Lincoln Caverns’ Hidden History + VisionCorps’ 100 Years of Service
(00:00:00) A farmer’s accidental 1930 discovery beneath U.S. Route 22 became Lincoln Caverns, a destination that has fascinated visitors for nearly a century…
The SparkRecovering Forgotten Stories: Lancaster’s African American History and the Declaration of Independence at 250
(00:00:00) First, we look at the work of Dr. Louis S. Hopkins, whose forty years of research into Lancaster’s African American past blends rigorous scholarship…
The SparkThe Spark Weekly 2/5/2026: Artist Dionn Reneé and The Story of Cloe
If you’ve walked through Harrisburg, you’ve likely encountered the bold, vibrant work of artist Dionn Reneé — murals that don’t just brighten walls but tell…
The SparkShapiro’s 2026 Budget, ICE and Constitutional Rights, and Why America Needs Courageous Citizenship
(00:00:00) WITF’s Jaxon White breaks down Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2026 budget address, delivered to the Pennsylvania legislature on Tuesday, Feb. 3. He explains…
The SparkHow to Live Abundantly, Prepare for Winter Storms, and Protect Women’s Health: Insights on Mindset, Weather, and Cervical Cancer Prevention
(00:00:00) Author Linda Gottfried joins us to share insights from her new book How to Live Your Life Like You’ve Already Won the Lottery, a guide to shifting…
The SparkHidden Lives, Recovered Histories: Renate Wildermuth and the Story of Cloe
(00:00:00) We begin with Renate Wildermuth, author of Gone Before You Knew Me, a debut novel already earning international attention. Named a “Most Anticipated…
The SparkEarth’s Echoes, Women’s Power: Two Stories of Sound and Strength
(00:00:00) We begin with Dr. Brett McLaurin, Professor of Environmental, Geographical, and Geological Sciences at Commonwealth University, who helps us…
The SparkForgotten Patriots & Weather Prophets: Pennsylvania Stories That Endure
(00:00:00) First, we speak with Elizabeth Zucker of the Dauphin County Historical Society and Noah Lewis, the living historian who portrays Edward “Ned”…
The SparkThe Spark Weekly | 2.1.26: Social Isolation and Conversations About Race
Then we turn to a different kind of deficit: America’s growing social isolation. The Barnes Family Foundation, based in Bethlehem, has released its first…
The SparkNews from the Commonwealth, Stories from the Yard
(00:00:00) On today’s The Spark, we start with the news shaping communities across Pennsylvania. Carmen Russell-Sluchansky of WHYY brings us the latest on…
The SparkScanning Prices, Measuring Belonging: A Look at PA Consumers and Communities
(00:00:00) We begin with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s recent settlement with Dollar General, following allegations that prices listed on shelves didn’t…
The SparkNature’s Surprises: The Coudersport Ice Mine and Morris Arboretum
(00:00:00) We begin in Potter County with Gary M. Buchsen, whose family owns and operates the Coudersport Ice Mine — a geological anomaly that has fascinated…
The SparkEvolution, Identity, and the Spaces We Create
(00:00:00) First, we visit the Center for Post Natural History, a one‑of‑a‑kind museum dedicated to documenting the living organisms that have been…
The SparkThe Spark Weekly | Trailblazers in Pennsylvania: Horseshoe Curve and The Rise of The Internet.
When Matthew Wolfe walks through the Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona, he isn’t just surrounded by locomotives and artifacts, he’s surrounded by the…
The SparkLost Mail, Late Budgets, and the Legacy of Mt. Tabor
(00:00:00) We begin with Gillian McGoldrick of The Philadelphia Inquirer, who details her reporting on the Shapiro Administration’s lawsuit against a vendor…
The SparkGrowing Things: In the Garden and Online
(00:00:00) Winter may still have its grip, but we’re already dreaming of green. In this episode, we finally dig into the houseplant care we didn’t get to last…
The SparkFrom Railroads to Renaissance: How PA Built and Rebuilt Its Creative Identity
(00:00:00) First, we meet Matthew Wolff, Curator at the Railroaders Memorial Museum, whose passion for railroad history fuels his work preserving the legacy of…
The SparkPast, Present, and the Pictures We Make: Celebrating Harrisburg’s Artistic Story
(00:00:00) We begin with the Art Association of Harrisburg, founded in 1926 by visionary civic leader Gertrude Olmsted McCormick. What began during the…
The SparkThe Spark Weekly: The 2026 Farm Show
This episode includes all of our segments from Wednesday and Thursday this week from the 2026 Farm Show. All you need to know all in one place! Featured this…
The SparkFrom Hidden Harm to Hidden Meanings: Journalist Roundtable and The Dark History of Nursery Rhymes
(00:00:00) First, Mi Xian and Mark Fazollah of Spotlight PA join us to discuss their reporting on undercounted and misreported rapes in the State College area…
The SparkMilk, Management, and Mitigating Disease: Conversations in PA Agriculture
(00:00:00) That uncertainty became real last fall, when cases of Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) were confirmed in horses across Northumberland…
The SparkThe Spark Takes on The 2026 Farm Show
The Spark went on a field trip to the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show! In this episode, you will hear the first half of interviews from our time at the farm show…
The SparkOn the Air & At the Altar: Stories of Craft, Change, and Conversation
(00:00:00) In honor of Public Radio Broadcasting Day, this episode opens with a special “actors‑on‑actors” style conversation between Scott LaMar, former host…
The SparkThe Spark of Creation and the Power of Advocacy: Kells Wood and Maureen Powers.
(00:00:00) In this episode, we begin with the inspiring journey of Kelly Anoka, a devoted maker whose woodworking story is rooted, quite literally, in family…
The SparkThe Spark Weekly 1.11.2026: Film, America 250, Anxieties of the Atomic Age and Dry January
This follow-up conversation explores how film helps us reflect on identity, technology, and the American experience, especially as the nation approaches its…