The Spark

As summer wraps up in Pennsylvania, Asia Tabb sits down with Pennsylvania Deputy Secretary of Tourism Anne Ryan for a postmortem look at how the Commonwealth handled a busy summer filled with major events, festivals, and visitors. They discuss what went well, the challenges along the way, the economic and tourism impacts across the state, and what Pennsylvania learned from the experience. It's a c...

Dauphin County Coroner Graham Hetrick is calling for stricter regulations, and potentially an outright ban, on kratom , a widely available but largely unregulated substance sold in convenience stores and gas stations across Pennsylvania. Hetrick says the drug, which has opioid-like effects, has been linked to local deaths and poses serious health risks, including seizures, liver failure, and, in s...

This episode features Rev. Jim Grossnickle-Batterton and Rebekah Priest , organizers of PeaceFest: Forging Peace & Cultivating Justice Together , a family-friendly community event taking place September 19, 2026, in Lititz, Pennsylvania. Representing local Church of the Brethren congregations, Jim and Rebekah share the vision behind PeaceFest and the importance of fostering peace, justice, and...

We explore the power of university-employer partnerships in shaping the next generation of leaders. Joining us are Alix J. Rouby , Director of Internships and Experiential Learning at Shippensburg University Career Center, and Angela Meyers , Director of Talent Acquisition at Hershey Entertainment & Resorts. Step back in time and discover the enduring legacy of Central Pennsylvania’s general s...

Step inside the Antique Marketplace of Lemoyne , the largest antique mall in Pennsylvania, and discover the stories behind one of Central PA's most unique destinations. Home to more than 275 vendors , the historic property has evolved from a 1913 bakery and horse stable to a thriving marketplace filled with antiques, collectibles, vintage treasures, and small businesses. Earlier this summer, we di...

Join Dr. Elaine Farkas, Associate Professor of Physical and Environmental Sciences at Commonwealth University, for a fascinating conversation about the Strait Planetarium on the Mansfield Campus and its role in connecting communities to the wonders of the universe. Named in honor of beloved educator George “Daddy” Strait, the planetarium serves as a gateway to science, discovery, and lifelong lear...

On The Spark , we spoke with Peter Kistler, editor of The War They Won , a remarkable book preserving the firsthand accounts of more than 200 World War II veterans. The project began with Peter’s brother, Hobart Kistler, who spent 17 years interviewing veterans after starting the effort while still in high school. Following Hobart’s untimely death, Peter completed the manuscript, ensuring those st...

Keystone Trails Association is bringing its annual Keystone Hiking & Outdoor Weekend to the Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape in Lancaster and York counties this fall, set against the backdrop of peak autumn foliage. Based near Columbia, PA, the four-day event (Thursday–Sunday, October 22–25) offers something for every kind of adventurer, including:    - Guided hikes for all skill...

We welcome Marvin D. Bryson , author, screenwriter, former television editor, and caregiver advocate, to discuss his latest novel, August Heat . Set in the early 1980s, August Heat is a compelling coming-of-age story that explores how the game of football shapes the lives, character, and resilience of young men. Rather than focusing on superstar athletes or championship glory, Bryson turns his att...

In this episode, we talk with Adam F. Buck, President of the World War II American Experience Museum. What began as the Buck family’s private passion for collecting and preserving WWII artifacts evolved into a public mission more than two decades in the making. Today, the museum brings history to life through authentic WWII vehicles, uniforms, artifacts, immersive dioramas, educational seminars, g...

What does Pennsylvania's 2026 Integrated Water Quality Report reveal about the health of the Commonwealth's rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands, and why should residents care? On this episode, we take a deep dive into one of the state's most important environmental assessments with Jill Whitcomb, Deputy Secretary for Water Programs, and Dustin Shull from the Department of Environmental Protection...

In this episode, we meet the maker behind the Creative Toolkit , a unique wearable box designed to capture ideas anytime, anywhere. What started in 2022 as a hand-carved pencil made for a pencil-loving girlfriend grew into a small production line of handcrafted pencils and upcycled creative kits. We explore the story behind the first pencil, the sustainable packaging made from reclaimed pizza boxe...

 Crossing the English Channel is one of the world's most demanding endurance challenges. For Camp Hill swimmer Jeannie Zappe, completing the feat for a second time was about much more than athletic achievement—it was a mission fueled by love, resilience and a desire to raise awareness for Alzheimer's disease.  Kim Miller, the eldest daughter of Sight & Sound founders Glenn and Shirley Eshelman...

Kerry Royer, director of the Mt. Gretna Outdoor Art Show, and Nancy Gates, president of Visit Lebanon Valley, will discuss one of the region’s premier summer events, taking place August 15-16, showcasing hundreds of artists and attracting thousands of visitors. They can also highlight how the art show coincides with the Mt. Gretna International Film Festival on the same dates, creating a unique we...

From royal courts and rural villages to South Philadelphia, poison has long been a weapon of choice for those seeking a discreet way to kill, sometimes spawning organized networks of murder motivated by money, power, or escape from unhappy lives. This episode explores three of history’s most notorious poison rings: the Affair of the Poisons in Louis XIV’s France, Hungary’s Angel Makers of Nagyrév,...

Jeannie Zappe, a Mechanicsburg-area swim coach, successfully completed her second 21-mile English Channel crossing at age 60, finishing the swim in 15 hours and 10 minutes. Inspired by her husband Chris's early-onset Alzheimer's diagnosis, she undertook the challenge to raise funds for Alzheimer's research and has raised more than $27,000 for the Clear Thoughts Foundation. Also on the program, we...

Tick season is back in Pennsylvania, and experts say 2026 is shaping up to be another challenging year. In this episode, we talk about how severe tick activity is across the state, what’s driving tick populations, and the health risks Pennsylvanians should be aware of this summer. Dr. Erika Machtinger, Associate Professor of Entomology and Extension Vector-borne Disease Team Lead at Penn State, ex...

Murder at University Park by Dr. Cheryl Dellasega is a campus thriller set in 1998 that explores corruption, power, and misconduct within academia. Drawing on Dellasega ’s decades of experience in higher education, Murder at University Park combines a murder mystery with an insider look at the ambitions, politics, and darker realities of university life. Native Americans and Pennsylvania is a thor...

On The Spark , Sean Murphy, ornithologist with the P ennsylvania Game Commission; Jen Sliko, landscape program specialist with Audubon Mid-Atlantic ; and Bracken M. Brown, biologist-naturalist with Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association , discussed the Pennsylvania Northern Harrier Project , a collaborative research effort aimed at protecting the state’s threatened northern harrier. On The Spark , Dr...

Erica Jo Shaffer discusses the unique challenges gardeners face in Central Pennsylvania during the summer growing season. Erica explains that the region's hot, humid conditions create an ideal environment for a variety of fungal diseases , including early blight, powdery mildew, and leaf spot issues that can impact vegetable gardens and landscapes alike. WITF’s democracy reporter, Jordan Wilkie, s...

 Dr. Timothy Craig of Penn State Health breaks down the basics of allergies and how they impact millions of people every day. He explains what allergies are, common triggers such as pollen, pet dander, foods, and medications, and the important difference between allergies and food intolerances. Dr. Craig also discusses the warning signs of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, a serious medic...

The Hawk Mountain Northern Harrier Project, a Pennsylvania-based research initiative that is gathering public sightings and scientific data to better understand northern harrier populations, habitat use, and conservation needs across the state. Key perspectives will come from project and conservation leaders including Bracken M. Brown of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Pennsylvania Game Commission ornith...

Amid ongoing concerns about maternal health, healthcare workforce shortages, and access to care in underserved communities, leaders from the American College of Nurse-Midwives discuss how expanding midwifery services can help address critical gaps in maternity care. The conversation explores maternal and infant health disparities, rural healthcare access, common misconceptions about midwifery, and...

Beck Ravenswood, owner of The Serpent's Key Shoppe and Sanctuary in Hanover, Pennsylvania, is challenging a state law that criminalizes paid tarot readings after being threatened with arrest by Hanover Borough Police in October 2023, arguing that the law unfairly targets spiritual practices such as tarot, palm reading, and astrology. Ravenswood will discuss their personal experience, the ongoing l...

Professional genealogist and forensic researcher Sarah Fullem joins the podcast to share how historical records, DNA evidence, and investigative research help uncover family histories, identify heirs, and solve complex genealogical mysteries. Sarah also answers listener questions about tracing immigrant ancestors, finding early Scots-Irish records in Pennsylvania, and evaluating family tree hints...