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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

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

en-US

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

22:25

Journalist Roundtable: Pennsylvania Politics and...

The Spark ·

2025/09/06

WITF Democracy Reporter Jordan Wilkie discussed his report on Pennsylvania activist Heather Honey, who is moving from leading election conspiracy groups to a top elections policy role at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Elections experts have raised concerns that Honey’s appointment could undermine federal election support and public confidence. “The appointment of Heather Honey is just confirmation that DHS has gone from being one of the most credible supporters of American

en-US

22:32

Braver Angels Launches Citizens Commission on...

The Spark ·

2025/09/05

Immigration has long been one of the most divisive issues in American politics. Now, Braver Angels, a national nonprofit dedicated to reducing political polarization, is taking on the challenge with its new two-year initiative: the Citizens Commission on Immigration.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

22:37

Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra Celebrates 26th Season...

The Spark ·

2025/09/05

Stuart Malina is entering his 26th season as music director of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra (HSO), a milestone he admits still surprises him.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

22:46

Philosophy, Drinks, and Film Come Together in Lancaster

The Spark ·

2025/09/04

At Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse in downtown Lancaster, community members gather once a month to watch films, sip cocktails, and dive into deep conversations. The series, Philosophy | Drinks | Film—known as PDF—is curated by Dennis M. Weiss, who started the program in 2019.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

22:58

Remembering Thaddeus Kosciuszko: Revolutionary War...

The Spark ·

2025/09/04

When we think of the American Revolution, names like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin often come to mind. But one of its most influential figures came from halfway across the world — a Polish-born engineer and soldier named Thaddeus Kosciuszko.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

22:04

The “Typical” College Student Is Changing — And So...

The Spark ·

2025/09/03

The idea of a “traditional” college student — 18 to 24 years old, living on campus, and attending classes full-time — may no longer match reality. That’s what Alvernia University Provost Leamor Kahanov, Ph.D., explained in a recent conversation on The Spark.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

22:39

Washington Crossing Historic Park Brings History to...

The Spark ·

2025/09/03

Washington Crossing Historic Park, located along the Delaware River, stands as a pivotal site in American history. It was here that George Washington famously crossed the Delaware on Christmas night in 1776, a daring maneuver that helped turn the tide of the Revolutionary War.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

23:15

New Cumberland Music and Film Festival Brings Global...

The Spark ·

2025/09/02

The New Cumberland Music and Film Festival is returning this year, celebrating the best of local talent alongside globally recognized films and performances. Skye Cadzow, producer of the festival, describes it as “a celebration of all things culture and arts, bringing both local talents and global pieces that are being celebrated around the world to the stage right here in central Pennsylvania.” The festival began in 2022, with its first event taking place in September 2023. “A few

en-US

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