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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, 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.

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All Episodes

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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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:

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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

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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

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21:28

York’s Downtown Earns “Gold Standard” Recognition for...

The Spark ·

2025/08/08

Downtown York is celebrating a major milestone in its journey toward revitalization — earning both state and national accreditation through the Main Street America program and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. The recognition signals a significant accomplishment for Downtown Inc, the organization leading the charge to support small businesses, public art, economic development, and community safety in York’s core. “Accreditation is kind of the gold standard in downtown

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22:09

Clear the Shelter: York County SPCA Faces Summer...

The Spark ·

2025/08/07

As the summer months heat up, so does the intake of stray and displaced animals at the York County SPCA, putting serious pressure on space, staff, and resources. Steven Martinez, Executive Director of the York County SPCA, joined The Spark to shed light on how the shelter is navigating one of its busiest seasons of the year. "It's usually about this time of the year, towards the end of summer, that we start to get full," said Martinez. “You hit May, June, July — things start creeping up

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23:03

Understanding Parkinson’s: Early Signs, Diagnosis,...

The Spark ·

2025/08/07

Parkinson’s disease is often misunderstood and frequently misdiagnosed, especially in its early stages. On a recent episode of The Spark, I spoke with Dr. Rebecca Gilbert, Chief Mission Officer at the American Parkinson Disease Association, about the complexities of this neurodegenerative disease and why early awareness is so critical. "It's really such an important message that we want to give over today — what is Parkinson’s disease?” said Dr. Gilbert. “It’s a

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23:31

Lung Cancer Screenings Can Save Lives — UPMC Surgeon...

The Spark ·

2025/08/06

Lung cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers in the United States, in part because it’s often detected too late. On The Spark, UPMC Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Troy Moritz joined the show to shed light on who should be screened, what symptoms not to ignore, and how technology is changing the way lung cancer is detected and treated. Who Should Be Screened? Dr. Moritz emphasized the importance of lung cancer screenings for a specific group:“We’re looking for people that are age 50 to up

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11:38

ABC 27 Meteorologist Dan Tomaso: Fall Feel Won’t Last...

The Spark ·

2025/08/06

On The Spark this Monday, ABC27 meteorologist Dan Tomaso joined host Asia Tabb to talk about the recent stretch of refreshing weather in Central Pennsylvania — a welcome change after a hot and humid July. “We’re coming off just a beautiful weekend,” Tomaso said. “It started out Friday with cooler weather and cloud cover — and I hesitate to say it on the air — but it felt like fall.” The crisp air and lower humidity came as a surprise to many. “I

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21:42

Celebrating Pawpaws at Horn Farm Center

The Spark ·

2025/08/06

At the Horn Farm Center in York County, nature isn’t just scenery — it’s the classroom, the kitchen, and the community. This September, the nonprofit is preparing for its 21st annual Pawpaw Festival, a celebration of one of North America’s best-kept fruit secrets. The star of the event? The pawpaw — a creamy, tropical-tasting fruit native to the eastern United States that many have never heard of, let alone tasted. “The pawpaw is North America’s largest

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23:20

Celebrating National Book Lovers Day with the Dauphin...

The Spark ·

2025/08/05

As August 9 marks National Book Lovers Day, bookworms in Central Pennsylvania are in for more than just a reminder to curl up with their favorite read — they’re being invited to rediscover the joy, power, and importance of books through community celebrations hosted by the Dauphin County Library System and the Midtown Scholar Bookstore. "It's just a great way for us to connect with our patrons and remind them the pleasure of reading, but also the importance of literacy," said Ryan

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11:42

Flash Flooding Strikes Northeastern Pennsylvania:...

The Spark ·

2025/08/05

Severe flash flooding earlier this month swept across parts of Northeastern Pennsylvania, leaving communities in Luzerne, Lycoming, and Columbia counties scrambling to respond to quickly rising waters and damaged infrastructure. The deluge, which began around 2:30 a.m. on July 14, caused significant disruptions in areas such as Kingston Borough, Harveys Lake, and West Nanticoke—longtime hot spots for flooding. Luzerne County Deputy Director of Emergency Services David Elmore joined The Spark

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