x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

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, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

news

All Episodes

22:52

Pennsylvania Higher Education Access Partners Help...

The Spark ·

2025/08/22

As students and families prepare for the upcoming academic year, many are facing questions about financial aid — especially in light of major federal changes coming in the next few years. That’s where Pennsylvania’s School Services Team steps in. The team is made up of 13 Higher Education Access Partners strategically located across the state. They work under the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) to provide free support to students, families, schools, and

en-US

22:10

Pennon Education Brings Innovation and Opportunity to...

The Spark ·

2025/08/21

Pennon Education is working to give students the tools they need to succeed — from building curiosity in elementary classrooms to helping teens explore future career pathways. Check out The Morning Agendas Feature on the Youth Voice Program: https://omny.fm/shows/the-morning-agenda/ag-dave-sunday-implements-a-diversion-program-and-a-deep-dive-with-middle-school-podcastersSupport WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

23:09

First-Ever Harrisburg Open Championship Brings...

The Spark ·

2025/08/21

Harrisburg will host its first-ever Open Championship, a martial arts tournament designed not just for competition, but to celebrate community, unity, and culture.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

22:09

Late Summer Gardening Tips: What You Can Still Plant,...

The Spark ·

2025/08/20

Even though it’s late summer, many Pennsylvanians still have gardening on their minds—and plenty of questions, too. While spring is often thought of as the main planting season, horticulturalist Erica Jo Shaffer says this time of year is far from the end of gardening. In fact, there’s still a lot you can do to keep your garden thriving into fall and beyond.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

24:02

New Data Profiles Shed Light on the State of...

The Spark ·

2025/08/20

A new report is offering a deeper look into the well-being of children across Pennsylvania, providing insights at both the county and state levels. The State of the Child Profiles, published annually by Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (PPC), aim to spark critical conversations about children’s health, education, and economic stability.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

23:02

Penn State Health Bra Donation Supports Women in Need...

The Spark ·

2025/08/19

Penn State Health employees recently collected and donated more than 250 bras to women in need across Carlisle, Shippensburg, and Harrisburg — a project that not only meets a basic need but also spreads awareness about affordable breast cancer screenings.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

23:01

Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art Inspires...

The Spark ·

2025/08/19

For many visitors, the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art offers more than just galleries of artwork—it’s an accessible and welcoming place where art and nature come together.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

23:16

Psychiatrist Explains Why Casual Use of Mental Health...

The Spark ·

2025/08/18

When words like “bipolar,” “schizo,” or even “anxious” are tossed around in everyday conversation, they often miss the mark of what those diagnoses actually mean. Psychiatrist Dr. Luke Piper of UPMC Lititz says while the casual use of psychiatric language has become common, it can dilute the real meaning of mental illness and even discourage people from seeking help.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

en-US

42:19

The Spark Weekly 8.17.2025: Adventures to Kilimanjaro...

The Spark ·

2025/08/17

What began as a simple injury turned into a lifetime of adventure for 68-year-old Duane “Mike” McHale. After an Achilles injury ended his running days, he took up swimming, then cycling, and eventually triathlons. He’s since completed more than 140 multisport events and now focuses on extreme endurance challenges around the world.His adventures include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, biking the 450-mile RAGBRAI ride in Iowa, swimming 22 miles through the Maldives, and more. Most

en-US

22:32

Journalist Roundtable: The Latest on the PA Budget

The Spark ·

2025/08/16

This week on The Journalist Roundtable, the discussion focused on the latest developments in the Pennsylvania state budget. Hosts spoke with Jaxon White, WITF Capitol Reporter, and Ian Karbol, State Government Reporter for the PA Capital Star, about the key negotiations, spending priorities, and the political dynamics shaping Harrisburg’s budget process. White and Karbol provided insight into how the proposed budget impacts Pennsylvanians, from education and healthcare funding to

en-US

22:11

Lancaster County’s Haunted History Comes to Life in...

The Spark ·

2025/08/15

Lancaster County is no stranger to ghost stories, strange legends, and tales of hidden treasures—and Adam Zurn, executive director of Uncharted Lancaster, has spent years chronicling them. Since 2019, Zurn has written nearly 700 articles exploring the area’s folklore, and now he’s compiled a full-length book capturing the county’s spookier side.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

22:43

Brothers Turn Love of Public Lands Into Film Project...

The Spark ·

2025/08/15

Will and Jim Pattiz grew up just south of Atlanta, but a spontaneous road trip nearly 15 years ago changed the trajectory of their lives. Driving across the country to the Grand Canyon, they pulled off to visit Petrified Forest National Park and were immediately captivated.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

25:08

Grandfather and Grandson Take on Extreme Adventures...

The Spark ·

2025/08/14

For many, an Achilles injury might mark the end of an athletic journey. For 68-year-old Duane “Mike” McHale, it was just the beginning. After his injury ended his running days, Mike turned to swimming, then cycling, and eventually triathlons. Over the years, he has completed more than 140 multisport events and now focuses on extreme endurance challenges around the globe.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

22:53

Pennsylvania Upgrades Flood Monitoring System with...

The Spark ·

2025/08/14

Flooding is the most common and costly natural hazard in Pennsylvania — and now the state is taking a high-tech step forward in predicting and preparing for it. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) has partnered with Penn State University and the National Weather Service to modernize the Integrated Flood Observation and Warning System, or iFLOWS, first launched in the 1970s and 80s.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

en-US

22:19

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania Breaks Ground on...

The Spark ·

2025/08/13

A major preservation project is underway at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania — one that museum leaders say will secure the future of some of the state’s most treasured locomotives. The museum has broken ground on a brand-new, 16,000-square-foot roundhouse, a circular structure that will house six historic steam locomotives, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Patrick Morrison, Director of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, says the design centers around a fully

en-US

23:10

Servant Stage Brings Accessible Theater to Lancaster...

The Spark ·

2025/08/13

Lancaster-based nonprofit Servant Stage is on a mission to make live theater accessible to everyone — regardless of physical or financial limitations.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

24:39

Omega Horse Rescue Marks 30 Years of Saving Horses...

The Spark ·

2025/08/12

For Kelly Smith, founder of Omega Horse Rescue, the journey began not with a business plan or a long-term strategy — but with what she calls “a divine intervention.”Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

23:53

New Book Recounts Deadliest U.S. Passenger Ship...

The Spark ·

2025/08/12

The deadliest U.S. passenger ship disaster since 1934 is the focus of a gripping new maritime history by two veteran seafarers who know the waters — and the dangers — all too well. Yarmouth Castle Burning: The Deadliest Passenger Ship Disaster off the Coast of the United States Since 1934 by Eric Takakjian and Randall Peffer tells the harrowing story of the 1965 inferno aboard the SS Yarmouth Castle, which claimed 90 lives and forever changed maritime safety regulations.Support WITF:

en-US

22:19

Catherine Hershey Schools Opens New Middletown...

The Spark ·

2025/08/11

The Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS) marked a major milestone with the grand opening of its newest location in Middletown — the third of six planned centers in Pennsylvania. For Senate Alexander, Executive Director of CHS and a Milton Hershey School graduate, the opening is deeply personal."It’s a special moment for me personally as an MHS graduate… to now bring this program that’s needed to another community," Alexander said. "We’ll be able to serve

en-US

41:35

Author Rick Atkinson Reflects on Central PA’s...

The Spark ·

2025/08/08

On today’s edition of The Spark, former host Scott LaMar returned to the show for a wide-ranging conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson. The discussion centered around Atkinson’s latest volume in his Revolutionary War trilogy, which explores not only national figures like George Washington but also the critical role Central Pennsylvania played during the war. Atkinson, whose ties to the region run deep—his father once taught at the U.S. Army War College in

en-US

982 results

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

PBS News Hour - Full Show

PBS NewsHour

CD Voice

China Daily

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report

Noa Levi

Jeffrey Epstein: The Coverup Chronicles

Bobby Capucci