The Spark

WITF
  • 4.5 (33)
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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. 13h ago

    Veterans and Their Stories

    Retired Colonel James E. Williams Jr. devoted nearly 25 years to the U.S. Army, serving in a wide range of leadership, training, and operational roles around the world. His distinguished military career included service in Vietnam, Germany, Hawaii, Washington, D.C., and Oklahoma, culminating as Director of Security, Plans and Operations for U.S. Army Depot System Command in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. A highly decorated veteran, Williams earned the Legion of Merit, three Bronze Star Medals, two Air Medals, the Combat Infantry Badge, and numerous other military honors. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and holds degrees in education, history, and geography from Siena College and West Chester University. Today, Williams brings a unique perspective on military leadership, national security, public service, and the lessons learned from a career spent leading soldiers during both war and peace. After serving 20 years in the U.S. Navy, including a combat tour in Iraq, Rebekah returned home carrying the invisible wounds of war. Struggling with PTSD, depression, and anxiety, she found herself relying heavily on her teenage daughter as she navigated the challenges of civilian life. Everything changed when she was paired with Trigger, a former shelter dog trained through Northwest Battle Buddies. Together, they formed a life-changing partnership that helped Rebekah regain her independence, reconnect with her community, and find hope after years of isolation. In this episode, Rebekah shares her journey from military service to recovery, the powerful bond she developed with Trigger, and why she now advocates for veterans' mental health and military families. We also explore the growing impact of service dogs for veterans with PTSD and the mission of Northwest Battle Buddies, which has now paired 329 veterans with service dogs at no cost.

  2. 1d ago

    Pennsylvania's Future and Past: Democratic Control in Harrisburg and the History of a Keystone State

    Today, we’re talking about what Democrats plan to do with unified control over state government.  In the week since the midterms, Democrats have been celebrating, and Governor Josh Shapiro has started making promises about what his party will pass when the legislature restarts in January.  To help us unpack what this means for Pennsylvanians, I’m joined today by WITF’s own reporter Haley O’Brien and Jaxon White from Spotlight P-A.   Roger Kelly, author of Empowered: How Pennsylvania Transformed America and Keystone Connections, brings Pennsylvania history to life through compelling human-interest stories that focus on the people behind the events rather than memorizing dates and facts. A lifelong Pennsylvanian and former college history instructor, Kelly explores stories of innovation, courage, deception, triumph, and tragedy that reveal how Pennsylvania shaped America. Drawing from years of research, Kelly highlights fascinating episodes such as Dr. Lytle Adams' World War II proposal to deploy bats carrying incendiary devices over Japan, Abraham Lincoln's secret journey through Harrisburg to evade an assassination plot on his way to Washington, and the Pennsylvania woman who falsely claimed to be the Revolutionary War heroine Molly Pitcher. Through these and many other true stories, Kelly presents historical figures as complex, three-dimensional people whose choices and actions influenced the course of history.

  3. 2d ago

    Creating Tomorrow's Talent in Pennsylvania

    The Lancaster Stormers have opened their new Player Development Center at Penn Medicine Park, creating a year-round indoor training hub for baseball and softball athletes. The facility features professional-style batting cages, regulation pitching mounds, dedicated defensive and catching areas, and all-weather access for players looking to develop their skills throughout every season. In this episode, we explore how the new center is expanding opportunities for young athletes through specialized clinics, expert coaching, and player development programs led by a seven-member staff of experienced instructors. We also discuss the Stormers' vision for future offerings, including winter clinics, HitTrax leagues, strength and conditioning programs, college recruiting education, and character development initiatives designed to help athletes succeed both on and off the field. Hear why the Stormers believe "now is the time to train" and how this investment is helping shape the next generation of baseball and softball players in Lancaster County. The Partnership for Career Development (PCD) is bringing students, educators, industry leaders, and policymakers together at the Pennsylvania State Capitol to spotlight the critical role of Career Awareness & Preparation (CAP) in building Pennsylvania’s future workforce. In this episode, we discuss why career exploration must begin long before graduation and how exposing students to different industries, career pathways, and educational opportunities can help them make informed decisions about their futures. With the theme, “Students can’t dream about careers they don’t know about,” the conversation explores the growing connection between workforce needs and student success.

  4. 3d ago

    Heroes in a Half Shell, Hours on the Clock: Environmental Justice, Pop Culture, and the Debate Over Daylight Saving Time

    What can four pizza-loving turtles teach us about environmental justice, politics and American culture? Quite a lot, according to Dickinson College librarian and author Ian Boucher. In his new book, Totally Radical, Boucher argues that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are more than a beloved pop culture franchise. Across comics, cartoons, movies and merchandise, the TMNT story offers a unique lens for examining environmentalism, inequality, corporate power and social belonging in the United States from the 1980s to today. Boucher explores how the turtles embody environmental justice themes: they are created by toxic pollution, pushed to society's margins, and shaped by struggles over power, resources and exclusion. At the same time, he examines the franchise's central contradiction. While TMNT narratives often critique pollution and environmental harm, the franchise's massive merchandising empire has become part of the consumer culture that contributes to those same problems. Twice a year, most Americans change their clocks, but should that tradition continue? As Daylight Saving Time comes to an end, lawmakers in Congress and state legislatures across the country are debating whether to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, adopt year-round standard time, or keep the current system of changing clocks twice a year. In this episode, we explore the science, politics and practical consequences behind the debate. Researchers who favor permanent standard time point to evidence that Americans are already chronically sleep deprived and argue that losing an hour of sleep each spring can have significant health impacts. Others contend that permanent changes could create new challenges, affecting everything from agriculture and school schedules to youth sports and daily routines. Our guest, Dr. Christopher Palma, Director of Astronomy and Astrophysics at Penn State University, explains the science of timekeeping, time zones and the relationship between clock time and the sun's position. We also discuss the growing legislative movement across the country, including competing proposals in Pennsylvania, and what the future of Daylight Saving Time could mean for residents of the Commonwealth and beyond.

  5. 5d ago

    The Spark Weekly | November 8 | OCD and Ninja Turtles

    Many people think OCD is just about cleanliness or organization, but the condition often shows up in less obvious ways. In this episode of The Spark, licensed counselor Chelsea Goody, LCPC, LPC, owner of Goody Counseling Services in Hanover, helps listeners recognize the OCD symptoms that frequently go unnoticed. Chelsea specializes in treating OCD and anxiety disorders using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD. She discusses common signs such as repetitive checking, constant reassurance-seeking, intrusive doubts, and the feeling that it’s impossible to move forward without complete certainty. The conversation also explores misconceptions families often have about OCD, what effective treatment actually looks like, and how individuals can find specialized support. With a style that is direct, practical, compassionate, and often humorous, Chelsea makes complex mental health topics accessible while offering valuable insights for those living with OCD, anxiety, or supporting a loved one.

  6. 6d ago

    Understanding How Children Learn & Stories From the Appalachian Trail

    How can parents and educators better understand the way children learn? On this episode of The Spark, Heather Strunk, Head of School at The Janus School, discusses how recognizing students’ individual strengths and challenges can lead to more effective support both at home and in the classroom. Drawing on her experience working with students with learning differences, Heather explores why academic struggles are sometimes mistaken for a lack of effort, what parents should look for when a child is having difficulty, and how conversations with children can reveal challenges that grades alone may not show. She also shares practical guidance on working collaboratively with teachers, knowing when to seek additional evaluation, and helping students build confidence, independence, and self-advocacy skills. The Appalachian Trail is more than a hiking path. It’s a source of adventure, challenge, community, and unforgettable stories. On this episode of The Spark, we explore life on and beyond the trail with three guests deeply connected to the Appalachian Trail experience: Michael Slade Lindgren, co-founder and brewer at Lindgren Craft Brewery; Julie Queen, manager of the Appalachian Trail Museum and a 2016 AT thru-hiker; and Lee “All Good” Keegan, a 2023 AT thru-hiker and Central Pennsylvania educator who has logged more than 4,500 backpacking miles on long-distance trails around the world. The conversation highlights the culture of thru-hiking, the lessons learned from months spent on the trail, and the enduring connections hikers form with each other and the places they visit. Guests share personal stories of perseverance, trail community, and the ways hiking can foster confidence, resilience, and a deeper appreciation for the outdoors.

  7. Nov 5

    Hidden OCD Symptoms and a Friendship Beyond Politics

    Many people think OCD is just about cleanliness or organization, but the condition often shows up in less obvious ways. In this episode of The Spark, licensed counselor Chelsea Goody, LCPC, LPC, owner of Goody Counseling Services in Hanover, helps listeners recognize the OCD symptoms that frequently go unnoticed. Chelsea specializes in treating OCD and anxiety disorders using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD. She discusses common signs such as repetitive checking, constant reassurance-seeking, intrusive doubts, and the feeling that it’s impossible to move forward without complete certainty. The conversation also explores misconceptions families often have about OCD, what effective treatment actually looks like, and how individuals can find specialized support. With a style that is direct, practical, compassionate, and often humorous, Chelsea makes complex mental health topics accessible while offering valuable insights for those living with OCD, anxiety, or supporting a loved one. What happens when two women with opposite political views choose friendship over division? In this episode of The Spark, we meet two Bloomsburg residents, both named Karen, whose unlikely friendship became a powerful example of constructive dialogue in a polarized America. Karen Cotter, a retired social worker and mediator, and Karen Ward, a retired state police officer and conservative Trump supporter, first connected through Braver Angels in 2018. Despite their political differences, they discovered shared life experiences, built trust, and developed a friendship that has endured through multiple election cycles. Their story gained national attention when they were featured on a 2020 Guardian podcast exploring whether friendship can survive political disagreement. The Karens discuss how respectful listening, finding common ground, and relationship-building have helped them navigate difficult conversations on hot-button issues. They also share how their involvement with Braver Angels has equipped them with practical skills for bridging divides, strengthening communities, and fostering understanding across differences.

  8. Nov 4

    The Art of the Third Space

    In this episode of "The Spark", we speak with two different shops, that focus on creating fun third spaces:  Asia sits down with the owners of Pop’s Culture Shoppe, a locally owned game store built on the belief that games are about much more than entertainment. Julian and Anja share how their backgrounds in comics, education, art, science, and preservation inspired them to create a space where people can gather, play, learn, and connect. Since opening in 2012, Pop’s Culture Shoppe has become a true "third space" for its community, offering something increasingly rare in today’s world: meaningful, face-to-face connection. The conversation explores the value of locally owned game stores, the importance of storytelling and imaginative play, and how shared experiences around a game table can build friendships across generations and backgrounds. From fostering creativity to creating a sense of belonging, this episode highlights why community spaces like Pop’s Culture Shoppe matter now more than ever. Dungeons & Dragons has grown from a niche tabletop role-playing game into a worldwide cultural phenomenon. In this episode, Asia explores why the game continues to captivate players across generations and how collaborative storytelling creates lasting connections. Joined by representatives from Lancaster Troll Market, the conversation dives into the evolution of D&D, the power of imagination and shared adventure, and the unique way tabletop gaming bring people together. We discuss the importance of community gathering spaces where players can step away from screens, build friendships, and immerse themselves in creative worlds. Whether you're a longtime Dungeon Master, a curious newcomer, or simply interested in the role that games play in fostering connection, this episode highlights how role-playing games create belonging, encourage creativity, and strengthen local communities.

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4.5
out of 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
    296
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 WITF
  • Show Website
    The Spark

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