The Spark

WITF
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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.

  1. 21h ago

    A Hollywood Classic and a Homegrown Thriller: The Stories Behind Girl, Interrupted and Fiend

    Step behind the scenes of Girl, Interrupted and discover how a Hollywood production found a home in Central Pennsylvania. Ahead of the special screening at the West Shore Theater, we talk with former location assistant and current Hollywood location manager Peter Costelli, along with local actor and extra Bob, about the making of the film and its lasting connection to the Harrisburg region. What happens when a Pennsylvania teacher, coach, and former Marine turns a short story into an audio drama and then a feature film screenplay? In this episode, we talk with author and educator Drew Samuelsen about the creative journey behind Fiend, a psychological horror thriller that blends supernatural suspense, historical mystery, and questions about human nature. Drew shares how Fiend evolved from a written story into a produced fiction podcast and ultimately a feature-length screenplay, offering insight into the challenges and opportunities of adapting a story across different mediums. We explore the power of sound-driven storytelling, the growing world of fictional podcasts, and how horror can serve as a lens for examining history, society, and human behavior.

  2. 1d ago

    Imaginary Friends and Pennsylvania Farmland

    Imaginary Friends celebrates the art of puppetry, live performance, and creative storytelling. Formed by a collective of experienced puppeteers and performers from across the Northeast, the project brings years of entertainment expertise to Central Pennsylvania. Join us as we share stories, characters, and the joy of bringing imaginary worlds to life. Pennsylvania’s farmland preservation efforts take center stage in this episode as we welcome Russell Redding, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, and Mike Flinchbaugh of Flinchbaugh’s Orchard & Farm in York County. Mike discusses his family's commitment to preserving 374 acres of prime farmland and the conservation practices that earned him the prestigious Leopold Conservation Award. Secretary Redding highlights the Shapiro Administration’s latest investments to protect thousands of acres of agricultural land from future development and explains why Pennsylvania continues to lead the nation in farmland preservation. Learn how these efforts support farming, food security, local communities, and future generations across the Commonwealth.

  3. 2d ago

    Passing Through: Migration, Creativity, and the Beauty of Letting Go

    It’s peak bird migration season in Pennsylvania, with millions of birds traveling south and passing through our skies each night. In this episode, we explore the remarkable migration journeys of songbirds, raptors, waterfowl, and shorebirds, including when to watch for them and the challenges they face along the way. Learn why migration is one of nature’s most exhausting and dangerous events, and discover three simple actions you can take to help protect migrating birds: reducing nighttime lighting, making windows safer, and keeping cats indoors. Joining us are Laura Jackson, President of the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology, and Joe Gyekis, board member of the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology, who share insights into Pennsylvania’s migration season and practical ways everyone can support bird conservation. What happens when an artist’s creative process becomes a public performance? In this episode, we talk with Sarah Hawkins, a Lancaster-based abstract expressionist artist and creator of the No Originals monthly print-and-mail club. Sarah discusses her unique practice of creating artwork and then letting it go, the role of spontaneity in her work, and what it means to invite the public into a process that typically unfolds in private.

  4. 3d ago

    Turning Teen Ideas into Reality with Side Hustle School

    What happens when a teenager says, “I have an idea,” and a family decides to turn that idea into reality? In this episode, we sit down with Jay Jayamohan, entrepreneur-in-residence at Harrisburg University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and creator of Side Hustle School: Family Edition. Jay shares how this innovative seven-week program brings high school students together with parents, grandparents, and caregivers to learn entrepreneurship as a team. From identifying real-world problems and validating business ideas to building prototypes, understanding finances, marketing products, and pitching ventures, participants gain hands-on experience creating businesses from the ground up. In recognition of World Alzheimer’s Day and this year’s theme, “The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters,” this episode explores the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on individuals, families, and communities across Pennsylvania. Join us as we speak with Michael Galvan, Government Relations Director for the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter, about the importance of early diagnosis, the latest developments in Alzheimer’s research, and Pennsylvania House Bill 2734 and what it could mean for families affected by dementia. We’ll also discuss the resources, advocacy efforts, and support services available to the more than 282,000 Pennsylvanians living with Alzheimer’s and the hundreds of thousands of caregivers who support them.

  5. 5d ago

    The Spark Weekly | October 18th | WITF's Newsroom Recaps PA-10 Debate

    We’ll celebrate the latest release from international bestselling author Jeff Kinney, creator of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Kinney’s 21st book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Fight or Flight, is the centerpiece of an interactive stage show coming to Harrisburg on Monday, October 19, at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Hosted by Midtown Scholar Bookstore, the event will feature “The Fight or Flight Show,” where audience members can join Kinney onstage for a series of humorous, head-to-head challenges. On The Spark, WITF’s news team breaks down the debate between Republican U.S. Representative Scott Perry and Democratic challenger Janelle Stelson in Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District. WITF reporters Haley O’Brien, Katie Knol and Jordan Wilkie examine what stood out from the candidates’ performances, their key arguments and what voters should know as they consider their choices. Stelson narrowly lost to Perry in 2024, with a margin of just 1.3 percentage points, setting up a closely watched rematch.

  6. 6d ago

    PA-10 Debate Analysis and Building Affordable Housing in Harrisburg

    Jordan Wilkie, Haley O’Brien, and Katie Knol break down the latest developments in Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District race. The panel examines key moments from the PA-10 debate, analyzes candidate performances, and discusses the issues shaping the campaign, from the economy and healthcare to public policy and voter engagement. We sit down with Sharon Chatman-Lester, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area, and Jonathan Bowser, President & CEO of Steel Works Construction, to discuss an exciting affordable housing initiative coming to Harrisburg. The conversation explores Habitat for Humanity’s plan to transform long-vacant lots on Jefferson Street into four new affordable rowhomes, creating homeownership opportunities for local low- and moderate-income families. Sharon shares how the project aligns with the organization’s mission to expand access to affordable housing, while Jonathan explains the construction process, the role of volunteers, and a unique partnership with the Harrisburg City School District that will give students hands-on experience in the building trades.

  7. Oct 15

    Fall Gardening Tips with Erica Jo Shaffer & the Dark Fairy-Tale World of Jonathan Edward Durham’s Winterset Hollow

    Fall is one of the most important seasons in the garden, and Erica Jo Shaffer joins The Spark to share practical tips for making the most of the autumn growing season. From fall planting and lawn care to soil preparation, pruning, and winter protection, Erica discusses the essential horticulture tasks that help gardens thrive through the colder months and set the stage for success in the spring. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just getting started, this conversation offers expert advice for keeping your landscape healthy, productive, and beautiful all season long Pennsylvania author Jonathan Edward Durham joins the program to discuss his horror-fantasy novel, Winterset Hollow, and its journey from indie sensation to traditional publication. Drawing inspiration from his childhood in Eastern Pennsylvania, Jonathan explores how nostalgia, fairy tales, and darker themes helped shape the haunting world of the novel. He also reflects on how his background in neuroscience, screenwriting, and digital content creation influenced his storytelling approach. In addition, Jonathan shares insights into building a large online following through humor and balancing life as both an author and social media creator, while celebrating the book’s release with a special Halloween-themed event in Lancaster County.

  8. Oct 14

    Diary of a Bestseller: Jeff Kinney on 21 Books and a Worldwide Following

    #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 appeal of Greg Heffley for readers around the world. With more than 330 million copies sold globally, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series has become a cultural phenomenon, spanning 75 languages, Disney+ adaptations, a stage musical, and generations of young readers. We also talk about Kinney's nationwide Fight or Flight Tour, traveling in the famous "Wimpy Wagon," and the interactive Fight or Flight Show, where audience members join him onstage for hilarious head-to-head challenges. Artificial Intelligence may seem to exist in the cloud, but its rapid growth is creating very real impacts on communities across Pennsylvania. As developers propose massive AI data centers in areas such as Archbald and Allenwood, questions are mounting about electricity demand, water consumption, environmental impacts, economic development, and the future of the state's energy infrastructure. In this episode, we explore the growing debate surrounding AI data centers and what their expansion could mean for Pennsylvania residents. Why is Pennsylvania becoming a prime destination for AI infrastructure? Can the power grid handle the surge in demand? What effect could these facilities have on local water resources and ecosystems? And how are policymakers responding as data center development becomes an increasingly important political issue? Joining us are Dr. Brian R. King, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Faculty Fellow for the Dominguez Center for Data Science at Bucknell University, and Dr. Benjamin Hayes, Program Director of Watershed Sciences & Engineering in The Ecology Center at Bucknell. Together, they examine the complex relationship between artificial intelligence, energy consumption, water resources, economic opportunity, and environmental stewardship.

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4.5
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    WITF
  • Years Active
    2009 - 2026
  • Episodes
    278
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 WITF
  • Show Website
    The Spark

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