The Spark

#1 international bestselling author Jeff Kinney is hitting the road to celebrate the release of Diary of a Wimpy Kid #21: Fight or Flight , and bringing fans an unforgettable live experience. In this episode, we sit down with the creator of one of the most successful children's book series of all time to discuss the newest Wimpy Kid adventure, his remarkable journey as an author, and the enduring...

What role did architecture play in transforming a rural Pennsylvania landscape into the world-famous town of Hershey? In this episode, we explore Urban & The Chocolate King , the new book by architect, author, and architectural historian Gregory J. Scott that uncovers the remarkable partnership between chocolate entrepreneur Milton S. Hershey and Lancaster architect C. Emlen Urban . September...

What does a purchase made in Central Pennsylvania have to do with protecting the Peruvian rainforest? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Campbell Plowden , Founder and Executive Director of Amazon Ecology , a Camp Hill-based nonprofit celebrating 20 years of connecting fair-trade economic opportunities with rainforest conservation. Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest forms of cancer,...

WITF’s Democracy Reporter Jordan Wilkie leads a discussion with Pennsylvania’s leading government reporters about what Governor Josh Shapiro and Treasurer Stacey Garrity revealed in Wednesday night's gubernatorial debate.  He’s speaking with Haley O’Brien with WITF, Kate Huangpu with Spotlight P-A, and Gillian McGoldrick with the Philadelphia Inquirer.  Two Central Pennsylvania entrepreneurs recen...

WITF’s Democracy Reporter Jordan Wilkie leads a discussion with Pennsylvania’s leading government reporters about what Governor Josh Shapiro and Treasurer Stacey Garrity revealed in Wednesday night's gubernatorial debate.  He’s speaking with Haley O’Brien with WITF, Kate Huangpu with Spotlight P-A, and Gillian McGoldrick with the Philadelphia Inquirer.   This episode features Viktor Yeliohin , Dir...

We explore the dark and unsettling world of 19th century grave robbing, body snatching, and the notorious practice of "Burking" — murder committed for the purpose of selling victims' bodies to medical schools. As demand for cadavers grew with the rise of medical education, networks of so-called resurrectionists raided cemeteries and supplied anatomy classrooms, sparking public outrage and fear. Wh...

For 20 years, the Wildlife Leadership Academy has been shaping future conservation leaders. Sara Mueller, Ph. D. shares the impact of the program, highlights the upcoming anniversary celebration, and discusses the importance of connecting young people with wildlife and conservation. What does it take to recreate one of the most iconic moments in American history? Wendy Allen discusses the planning...

Andrew Brown and Kevin Langdon , the innovators behind Ball 2 , a sensor-equipped smart ball that combines active play with the power of conversational AI. Fresh from their appearance on Shark Tank , they share the story behind creating a toy that keeps kids moving, engaged, and entertained through endless AI-generated games and challenges. We discuss the future of interactive play, how technology...

After four decades of leadership, Carrie Wissler-Thomas is retiring as President and Executive Director of the Art Association of Harrisburg . A lifelong artist, educator, and advocate for the visual arts, Carrie has played a pivotal role in shaping Harrisburg’s arts community since the 1980s.  A new nationwide analysis reveals that 21.4 million women in the United States who need subsidized birth...

Juniata County’s history comes to life through the work of the Jessica Eaton Guyer, curator of the Tuscarora Academy Museum, president of the Juniata County Historical Society, and county advisor for America250PA. In this episode, we explore the mission of the Juniata County Historical Society and its efforts to discover, preserve, and share the rich history of the county. The penny has been part...

Erica Jo joins us as we explore the world of seasonal transitions that make autumn a critical time for gardeners and growers. Erica shares practical tips for fall planting, garden maintenance, soil preparation, and protecting plants as temperatures begin to cool. We also discuss the beauty of the autumn landscape, ways to extend the growing season, and how thoughtful fall gardening can set the sta...

Celebrate 80 years of music, community, and artistic excellence as we preview the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra’s 2026-2027 80th Anniversary Season with Executive Director Guy McIntosh . In this episode, we explore a landmark season featuring nine unforgettable concerts, from The Music of Queen and Handel’s Messiah by Candlelight to A Broadway New Year and Beethoven’s monumental Ninth Symphony . Th...

We speak with Michael Gamon , composer of The Velveteen Rabbit and Creative & Fine Arts Chair at Harrisburg Academy; Ava Rooney , Harrisburg Academy student and performer in the title role; and Tami Swartz , Artistic & Executive Director of Harrisburg Opera Association and production manager for the opera. Together, they discuss the creative journey of adapting a cherished story for the st...

We go behind the scenes with the team at Gamut Theatre Group to explore their bold new production of The Tempest , running October 3–18 in Harrisburg. Directed by Diego Sandino , this fresh interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic relocates the story to the magical island of Ometepe, Nicaragua , blending timeless themes with rich Latin American culture. We sit down with Jessica Eaton Guyer , Curato...

We sit down with Wesley Warshawer , a Fulbright Scholar and data analyst with more than a decade of experience in the semiconductor industry, to discuss a journey that transformed his perspective on America. After an eye-opening realization that his life in Silicon Valley had left him disconnected from many of his fellow citizens, Wesley sold most of his belongings, left behind his apartment, and...

What happens when scientists connect an electronic device directly to the nervous system to help restore access to sound? On The Spark , we’ll talk with neuroscientist and cochlear implant pioneer Michael Merzenich, PhD, about the development of cochlear implants and how the technology changed the way scientists understand hearing and the brain. Merzenich and his team at the University of Californ...

We sit down with Pablo Lopez, Film Production Manager , to discuss the growing film industry in Central Pennsylvania and the mission behind Film Happy Valley PA . Pablo shares how the organization provides production-ready support for filmmakers, including locations, crew, vendors, hotels, permitting assistance, and local business connections. We welcome Michael Martone , Founder and President of...

Did you know that Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was once the capital of the United States... for exactly one day? In this fascinating episode, we sit down with Tim Austin , Planning Committee Chair of Lancaster Capital Day, and Christina McSherry , Executive Director of Historic Rock Ford, to explore one of the most remarkable and little-known stories of the American Revolution. How can dance, music, a...

We welcome Chuck Waters , a Lancaster County native, massage therapist, and author of the new memoir 50 Things at 50 . What began as a personal challenge to complete fifty experiences around his fiftieth birthday, from travel and outdoor adventures to learning to ride a Onewheel and confronting long-held fears, evolved into a much deeper exploration of life's unexpected turns. We explore the many...

We highlight a powerful example of grassroots advocacy in action. On September 29, 2026, prostate cancer advocates, survivors, patients, caregivers, and community members will gather at the Pennsylvania Capitol to meet with state legislators and discuss the importance of men's health, with a focus on prostate cancer awareness, education, and screening. What if an electronic device could connect di...

Two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and founding member of both Graham Nash and the legendary groups Crosby, Stills & Nash and The Hollies, is bringing more than six decades of iconic music to the Luhrs Center in Shippensburg on October 9. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this fall, Quest for Learning has spent five decades providing educational and cultural enrichment opportunities...

We headed to the Mid-Atlantic Soaring Association in Fairfield, Pennsylvania, to learn more about how gliding works and what it takes to get a glider off the ground. Watch here: The Spark Features: The Mid-Atlantic Soaring Association The American paddlefish is a prehistoric-looking fish that can grow up to five feet long and weigh as much as 60 pounds. Its long, flat snout can make up about a thi...

In this episode, we examine the severe tornado outbreaks that struck York and Lancaster counties in August, leaving a trail of damage across the region, including significant destruction at Eastern York High School. County emergency management officials discuss ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts, coordination with state and federal agencies, and the challenges facing affected residents and busin...

We sit down with Derek Smith , Director of Dive Every Puddle and a professional scuba instructor with Get-N-Wet Scuba in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Derek is passionate about using scuba diving as a gateway to freshwater exploration, environmental stewardship, and public engagement, helping people discover the hidden ecosystems beneath the surface of Pennsylvania’s lakes and waterways. Our conversat...

We explore the world of glider aviation with the Mid-Atlantic Soaring Association (M-ASA) , one of the nation's largest soaring clubs. Founded in 1952 and based at its own airfield in Fairfield, Pennsylvania, M-ASA has introduced generations of pilots and enthusiasts to the unique experience of engine-free flight. Check out Asia and Emma soaring through the sky on our YouTube channel! We spotlight...