The Spark
The Spark
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 start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.Follow the podcast:
Growing Smarter: Spring Gardening Advice and a Deep Dive into How Teens Analyze Media Bias
(00:00:00) We start with Penn State Extension Master Gardeners Heather Freeland and Shirley Halk, who share practical, research‑backed tips for spring planting. (00:22:33) Then we head into the classroom at Harrisburg Academy, where IB English students—guided by teacher Peter Frengel—are analyzi…
44:39
Protein Hype or Healthy Habit, Heart Health Insights, and Girl Scouts Who Lead.
(00:00:00) Clinical Nutrition Manager Angelina Sickora and Clinical Operations Manager and registered dietitian Janelle Barnett from Penn State Health break down the booming world of protein—what it actually does in the body, how much we really need, whether “protein‑packed” products are worth the…
45:36
Protecting Pennsylvania’s Trails—and Women’s Health: Scott Farm Land Swap & Fallopian Tube Cancer Awareness
(00:00:00) This episode explores two stories of protection—one for Pennsylvania’s landscapes, and one for women’s health. Conservation leaders Karen Lutz and Cameron Weiser break down the Scott Farm–Peters Mountain land swap, a partnership that preserves trail access, safeguards the Kittatinny Rid…
51:46
Inside Encore! Home School Productions: Celebrating Student Creativity and the Women Leading Seussical to Life
Encore! Home School Productions—along with its Theatre Academy—provides homeschooled and cyber‑schooled students across Central Pennsylvania with rich, hands‑on theatre education through fall plays, spring musicals, camps, and workshops. This season, the team is preparing for their upcoming product…
22:22
Mayor Williams–City Council Rift Deepens; Broad Street Market Tops 2026 Preservation Priority List
(00:00:00) Jonathan Bergmueller and Tirzah Christopher of Pennlive discuss their reporting on the rift between Mayor Williams and City Council. (00:12:14) Historic Harrisburg Association Has announced its 2026 Preservation Priority List. Broad Street Market at the top of the list.
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The Spark Weekly | Feb. 22 | Electronic Waste and Fair Housing in Pa.
The rise in the everyday use of electronic items has also contributed to an increase of electronic waste, filling already crowded landfills and increasing risks to the environment. How can electronic items be safely disposed of, and how can the public play a part in cutting down on e-waste? also …
44:38
Fair Housing Gaps in Pennsylvania and Early Detection for Prostate Cancer: What Communities Need to Know
(00:00:00) The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) formally released its State of Fair Housing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The report examines current housing conditions, patterns of discrimination, and structural challenges impacting access and affordability. It also advances …
44:31
How to Reduce Electronic Waste — Plus the Medieval Couples Who Redefined Love and Tragedy
(00:00:00) The rise in the everyday use of electronic items has alco contributed in an increase of electronic waste, filling already crowded landfills and increasing risks to the environment. How can electronic items be safely disposed of, and how can the public play a part in cutting down on e-wa…
45:05
CHD Survivor’s Lifelong Fight for Repair — and the Double Standard That Lets Men “Fangirl” Over Sports While Women Get Mocked for Their Passions.
(00:00:00) Men are often celebrated for passionately supporting sports teams—spending money, getting emotional, and “fangirling” over players—while women are frequently mocked for showing the same level of enthusiasm for musicians, makeup, athletes, or concerts. The double standard treats identica…
42:45
From Invention to Inspiration: William Chester Ruth’s Legacy; Donegal Performing Arts’ Next Generation
(00:00:00) Gwendolyn Ruth Dickinson talks about her grandfather William Chester Ruth (1882–1971) who was an African American machinist, inventor, and business owner from Pennsylvania. Born in Ercildoun to parents who overcame slavery, Ruth developed a passion for machinery early on, leading him to…
44:38