Next Gen PA

Get to know the 2026 summer high school interns' personal and professional lives as well as their takes on international relations scenarios.  Featuring Lily Reaser, Aahana Sachdeva, Nora Limann, Sanvi Venna, Parth Patel, Zel Khanal, and Sam Whitman!

Get to know the 2026 summer college interns' personal and professional lives and opinions.  Featuring Lily Reaser, Helena Cerutti, Amanda Nguyen, Peter Otto, and Esha Vijay!

On this episode, we talk with a Freshman Trinity College Dublin student, Mia Caldonetti. Mia talks about her experience attending college abroad, from the application process to what college looks like in Ireland.  Follow us on social media @wacharrisburg

In this episode, Samuel Pimental, Central Region Director of the PA College Democrats, and Trace Maneval, President of Dickinson College Republicans, discuss the state of US democracy with Mary Gabriele and Erik Frennborn Learn more about The World Affairs Council of Harrisburg at www.wacharrisburg.org

World Affairs Council of Harrisburg summer interns, Anshu and Al-Ameen, join the Next Gen PA podcast to talk about climate change, offering their opinions and insights.

In this episode, we hand the mic to the 2025 WACH summer interns. Join us as a group of passionate young people share their thoughts, hopes, and critiques on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — a sweeping piece of legislation that aims to transform the way we invest in education, climate action, healthcare, and food resources. This conversation dives into what issues are on the minds of young America...

Join Samuel, Tyler, and Lia as they unpack the latest fallout from the high-stakes debate between Former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. They dive into the heated rhetoric surrounding Haitian immigrants and the rising tide of political violence in the U.S. Beyond the national headlines, the team also sheds light on key local races, including the Pennsylvania Senate race and House...

In this episode Mary, Raiyan, Kennedy and Michelle are joined by WACH President Dr. Joyce Davis to give our quick thoughts on the Presidential debate between Kamala Harris & Donald Trump.

In this episode, we sit down with Mike O'Brien, who was part of the packed Democratic primary vying to represent Pennsylvania's 10th Congressional District. With a background in the Marines, Mike shares his journey from serving his country to running for office, driven by a passion for public service and a commitment to addressing the challenges facing his community. Join hosts Sam, Connor, and Mi...

In this episode of NextGen PA, we delve into the concerning conditions at Dauphin County Prison. We explore the racial and socio-economic disparities within the prison population, and the impact it has on incarcerated individuals. We also discuss the lack of access to basic human rights, including medical care and mental health services. Join us as we hear from Michelle Angert, Maddie Graf, and Ce...

In this episode of Next Gen PA, we delve into the recent presidential debate, analyzing each candidate's stance on the nation's most pressing topics: foreign affairs, abortion, the economy, and immigration. Join us for an insightful discussion on how this chaotic debate might shape the race to the White House and what we hope to see and hear in the next showdown—if there is one. 

In this episode, we delve into the pressing issue of food insecurity in the United States. Join us as we explore what food insecurity looks like across different communities, shedding light on the stark realities many Americans face. We discuss the underlying causes, from economic disparities to systemic challenges, and examine the impacts on health and well-being. Tune in for an insightful conver...

In this episode, we explore Pennsylvania, now known as "The Great American Getaway." Join us as we share our must-see destinations across the state. Whether you're looking for popular attractions or hidden gems, we've got something for everyone. Learn more about visiting PA: https://www.visitpa.com/

In this episode of Next Gen PA, the hosts sit down with John Cole, political reporter for Pennsylvania Capital Star . They discuss the results of the recent primary election, the looming November Presidential election, and local issues on the State level.

Join us as we delve into the heart of refugee resettlement with Durre Sharif, Community Relations Sr. Specialist at Church World Service Harrisburg. In this episode, we explore the journey of refugees, immigrants, asylum-seekers, and other new arrivals to the Harrisburg area. Discover the stories of triumph and the hurdles faced in their integration into our community, shedding light on the invalu...

The hosts discuss the PA GOP's recently released Grow PA plan for higher education in Pennsylvania and compare it with Governor Shapiro's plan. They bring up the new student teacher stipends that are available as well as a recent poll that ranks states by how welcoming they are. Where do you think PA falls?

The hosts sit down with Cole Goodman, Vice President of the Dauphin County Democratic Committee, to discuss the upcoming election and top issues for voters in Pennsylvania including abortion, war funding, and immigration.

In this episode the hosts dissect Governor Josh Shapiro's recent budget address and what it means for Pennsylvania's youth, delving into topics such as education funding, marijuana legalization and its economic impacts, and public transportation. 

Join the Youth Council from the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg and PennLive as they kick off Next Gen PA. Explore the podcast's mission to spotlight Pennsylvania's youth perspective on national issues. From elections to economic concerns, discover how Next GenPA fosters dialogue with local leaders. Subscribe for insightful conversations bridging generational gaps and amplifying youth voices.