The Spark
2,029 clip(s) in playlist
Milestones & Music: A New Mayor and the Sounds of Christmas
(00:00:00) This episode brings together two moments of community significance across Pennsylvania. First, we look at history in the making in Lancaster, where Jaime Arroyo has been elected the city’s first Latino mayor, winning 85% of the vote ahead of his January 5, 2026 inauguration. We discuss …
44:55
Healing, Heritage, and Community Impact: From Schreiber’s 90-Year Legacy to Celebrating Kwanzaa at the Penn Museum
Asia spotlights two powerful stories rooted in service, culture, and community. (00:00:00) One guest shares a remarkable personal connection to the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development, which celebrates its 90th anniversary next March. Seventy-four years ago, Schreiber (then the Easter Seal…
44:48
The Spark Weekly 12.21.2025: How Cash Support Can Improve Pregnancy Outcomes in Pa. and Moravian Star History Shines Light on Pennsylvania Holiday Tradition
Expecting a baby is stressful under the best of circumstances, but financial uncertainty can make it even harder. Ali Groves, Associate Professor at Drexel Dornsife School of Public Health and Research Chair of the mothers and Infants Cash Coalition, has spent years studying how cash transfers can …
44:35
A Year in Review with Pennsylvania Journalists, and What to Know About Crohn’s Disease.
(00:00:00) Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA, Emily Previti of PA Capitol Star, Carter Walker of Votebeat PA, and Jordan Wilkie of WITF share their favorite stories of 2025 in this special year in review journalist roundtable. (00:22:28) Crohn’s disease is part of a larger group of illnesses called infla…
44:49
Breaking Barriers & Building Futures: Special Olympian Loretta Claiborne and New Interim President and CEO of Pennon Tom Baldridge
(00:00:00) In this compelling episode, we sit down with two leaders whose impact spans very different worlds but shares a common thread of purpose. Legendary Special Olympian and advocate Loretta Claiborne reflects on her extraordinary journey of resilience, inclusion, and lifelong advocacy for at…
35:09
Food, Freedom, and Fighting Back: The Philly Joy Bank and The Serpent's Key Shoppe
(00:00:00) SNAP benefits are coming back—but is that actually good news for everyone? We’re talking about what the return of SNAP really means, especially for expecting mothers who were hit hard by cuts and confusing policies. Who’s being helped, who’s still struggling, and what can families reali…
44:28
Hidden Histories & Hometown Legacies
(00:00:00) In this episode, we uncover two remarkable stories where tradition and place intersect in unexpected ways. First, we turn to the quiet legacy of Hollywood icon Jimmy Stewart, whose deep pride in his Indiana, Pennsylvania roots led to the creation of a humble yet powerful museum honoring…
44:58
Seatbelts Everyone! The Magic School Bus, Kids’ Learning & What’s on the Shelves This Season
(00:00:00) Hop on the Magic School Bus for an interplanetary adventure, both on stage and in the real world. In this episode, we look at The Magic School Bus Live! a new musical adaptation that sends Ms. Frizzle and her class hurtling through the solar system when a field trip goes delightfully of…
44:46
The Spark Weekly 12.14.2025: World Record Pickleball Game and Comets, Christmas, and the Cosmos.
Historian Chrissie Senecal joined The Spark to explore how people throughout history have understood comets and meteors, especially long before modern science could explain what was happening in the sky. With the Geminid meteor shower lighting up December skies and holiday traditions top of mind, t…
44:46
Beyond the Headlines: Political Transparency, the Economy & HIV Care in Pennsylvania
In this episode, we dive into three critical conversations shaping Pennsylvania’s political, economic, and public-health landscape. (00:00:00) First, Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA joins us to discuss her reporting on the use of taxpayer dollars for security upgrades at Governor Josh Shapiro’s…
44:39