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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, 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.

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All Episodes

22:45

Boobs Without Borders Brings Art and Advocacy...

The Spark ·

2025/09/18

When Marilyn B. Fuller-Smith was diagnosed with stage zero breast cancer, her doctor’s insistence on a same-day mammogram saved her life. “From that moment until today, everything about my breast cancer journey has been a blessing, just an absolute blessing,” Fuller-Smith said. “I am the model of finding breast cancer early. Detection is the most important part. Find it early, don’t go without those mammograms.” Her diagnosis not only changed her life but also

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22:09

Expert Tips for Keeping Your Garden Thriving Through...

The Spark ·

2025/09/18

As Pennsylvania moves into September, cooler weather may be on the horizon—but gardeners are facing an ongoing dry spell that’s putting stress on trees, flowers, and vegetable beds. Horticulturist Erica Jo joined The Spark to share advice on how to keep plants healthy during drought-like conditions. Her first piece of guidance: don’t forget about your trees.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

21:35

Community Honors Young Chef’s Legacy at 6th Annual...

The Spark ·

2025/09/17

Central Pennsylvania is once again gathering for a day of food, fun, and giving back as the Alex W. Smith Foundation hosts its 6th annual “Chili Cook-Off for a Cause.” The event honors the life and legacy of Alex Smith, a 22-year-old chef apprentice whose passion for food and people continues to inspire.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

22:06

Pennsylvania’s Aging Services Facing Critical...

The Spark ·

2025/09/17

Pennsylvania is grappling with a workforce shortage in aging services, raising concerns about access to care for older adults across the state.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

22:37

Preserving Adams County’s Historic Barns

The Spark ·

2025/09/16

Adams County’s barns are more than farm buildings — they’re living pieces of history. For the past two decades, the Historic Gettysburg Adams County (HGAC) Barn Preservation Project has been working to keep them standing.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

13:47

Pennsylvania Secretary of State Urges Residents to...

The Spark ·

2025/09/16

With National Voter Registration Day being observed next week, Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt is reminding residents how simple it is to get registered — and why it matters in every election, not just presidential years.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

9:56

Central PA Weather: Warm Temperatures Stick Around,...

The Spark ·

2025/09/16

After a stretch of cooler weather earlier this month, Central Pennsylvania is back to feeling more like summer. ABC27 meteorologist Dan Tommaso says the warmth will continue into late September — but the bigger story is the lack of rainfall.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

22:32

American Music Abroad Marks 50 Years of Global Tours

The Spark ·

2025/09/15

What began as one high school band director’s dream in 1975 has grown into a program that has sent thousands of young musicians across Europe. American Music Abroad (AMA), based in New Hope, Pennsylvania, is celebrating nearly five decades of blending music, travel, and cultural exchange.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

43:01

The Spark Weekly 9.14.2025: Behind the Scenes at...

The Spark ·

2025/09/14

More than two months past Pennsylvania’s budget deadline, school districts across the state are grappling with uncertainty, borrowing costs, and the possibility of program cuts as they wait for billions in state funding. Also, on The Spark Weekly: At the heart of WITF’s mission to provide trusted news, cultural programming, and educational content lies a dedicated team working behind the scenes: the development department. Leading the charge is Elisa Balestra, Vice President of

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16:52

Milkshakes, Scholarships, and Support: Pennsylvania...

The Spark ·

2025/09/13

The Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association may be best known for its long lines at the Farm Show milkshake stand, but Executive Director Dave Smith says the nonprofit’s mission goes far beyond a sweet treat.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

16:53

Lancaster Businessman Faces Federal Charges in ATM...

The Spark ·

2025/09/12

Prosecutors allege Heller ran a multimillion-dollar ATM investment scheme that defrauded investors out of millions. “It’s a really complex case,” Umble explained, “but at its core, investors thought they were buying into profitable ATMs that didn’t exist.” According to Umble’s reporting, Heller allegedly diverted funds for personal use and to prop up his businesses. Federal investigators say the fraud reached into the hundreds of millions of dollars. Umble

en-US

17:32

Author Megha Majumdar Explores Parenting and Survival...

The Spark ·

2025/09/12

What does it mean to protect your family when the world itself is falling apart? That question is at the heart of Megha Majumdar’s new novel, A Guardian and a Thief.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

21:02

Pennsylvania Tea Festival Returns to Mechanicsburg...

The Spark ·

2025/09/11

The soothing aroma of freshly brewed tea will once again fill downtown Mechanicsburg as the 8th annual Pennsylvania Tea Festival returns September 19th and 20th. Held in the lush herb gardens of The Rosemary House and Sweet Remembrances Tea Room, the event promises two days steeped in flavor, culture, and community.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

24:52

Revitalizing Downtown Harrisburg: Longtime Planning...

The Spark ·

2025/09/11

As downtown Harrisburg continues to evolve, local planning experts see both challenges and opportunities in shaping the city’s future. Vern McKissick, a 30-year member of the Harrisburg Planning Commission who helped develop the city’s first Comprehensive Development Plan since the 1970s, reflects on how the energy around downtown projects has shifted over the decades.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

23:12

Behind the Scenes at WITF: How the Development...

The Spark ·

2025/09/10

At the heart of WITF’s mission to provide trusted news, cultural programming, and educational content lies a dedicated team working behind the scenes: the development department. Leading the charge is Elisa Balestra, Vice President of Philanthropy, who joined the station 11 months ago and has quickly immersed herself in connecting the community to the station’s mission.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

21:59

Researchers Identify Ultra-Rare Genetic Disorder in...

The Spark ·

2025/09/10

A collaborative study by the Clinic for Special Children in Lancaster and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has identified an ultra-rare genetic disorder called complement factor I (CFI) deficiency, which is significantly more prevalent in individuals of Old Order Amish ancestry.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

22:12

Irish Dance Brings Centuries of Tradition and Modern...

The Spark ·

2025/09/09

When the dancers of A Taste of Ireland—The Irish Music & Dance Sensation take the stage in Central Pennsylvania this October, they’ll be bringing with them not only high-energy choreography but also centuries of cultural history.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

22:29

Pennsylvania Schools Face Strain Without State Budget

The Spark ·

2025/09/09

More than two months past Pennsylvania’s budget deadline, school districts across the state are grappling with uncertainty, borrowing costs, and the possibility of program cuts as they wait for billions in state funding.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

22:10

What Education Looked Like in Ancient Rome

The Spark ·

2025/09/08

Education in Ancient Rome was far from the structured classrooms we think of today. Historian Chrissy Senecal joined The Spark to explain how the system evolved over centuries—and how issues of class, gender, and respect for teachers shaped who actually got to learn.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

43:10

The Spark Weekly 9.7.2025: Braver Angels and The...

The Spark ·

2025/09/07

Coming up on this week's edition of The Spark Weekly. The Braver Angels National organization launched a two-year initiative around the topic of immigration - The Citizens Commission on Immigration. The goal is to demonstrate to our US Congress that Americans with differing views can find common ground. The initiative was launched after our 2024 convention and the result of a vote by a balanced red-blue group of about 750 delegates. It will culminate with a "Report to the Nation." The process is

en-US

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