With Pennsylvania’s primary election just weeks away, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt joined WITF’s The Spark to walk voters through the critical deadlines and options for casting their ballots. “The primary in Pennsylvania is May 20th,” Secretary Schmidt reminded listeners, noting that “the last day to register to vote is May 5th” and “the last day to apply to vote by mail … is May 13th.”

 

 For people of faith, civil discourse often begins in recognizing the image of God and/or the inherent dignity in our conversation partner. As a result, Braver Angels approach involves mutual respect. Respect, not agreement, is an essential key for a healthy discussion. Asia speaks with two representatives of Braver Faith to speak on their process and the benefits

With <a href="https://www.pa.gov/agencies/vote/elections/upcoming-elections.html">Pennsylvania&rsquo;s primary election</a> just weeks away, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt joined WITF&rsquo;s The Spark to walk voters through the critical deadlines and options for casting their ballots. &ldquo;The primary in Pennsylvania is May 20th,&rdquo; Secretary Schmidt reminded listeners, noting that &ldquo;the last day to register to vote is May 5th&rdquo; and &ldquo;the last day to apply to vote by mail &hellip; is May 13th.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;For people of faith, civil discourse often begins in recognizing the image of God and/or the inherent dignity in our conversation partner. As a result, Braver Angels approach involves mutual respect. Respect, not agreement, is an essential key for a healthy discussion. Asia speaks with two representatives of Braver Faith to speak on their process and the benefits

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.

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&rsquo;s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/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.

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&rsquo;s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at&nbsp;<a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

The Spark Weekly 5.4.2025: Braver Angels Faith and Pa. Primary Election

AI in Education

Pennon and Always Lancaster

(00:00:00)

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Leamor Kahanov, higher‑education leader with 25+ years of experience as a provost, dean, and academic strategist. She joins us to discuss the same topic originally planned for Dr. Gaetan Giannini: how colleges can responsibly integrate AI into existing majors—and why an AI major isn’t always the smartest path. Drawing on comparisons to the early internet era, we explore why AI works best when embedded across disciplines, enhancing—rather than replacing—students’ core areas of study.

(00:22:09)

We also break down one of the region’s biggest media developments: the transfer of LNP/LancasterOnline from Pennon to Always Lancaster. Interim President & CEO Tom Baldridge and Journalist David Greene share what this change means for local journalism, community trust, and the future of independent news in Central Pennsylvania.

(00:00:00)
In this episode, we sit down with&nbsp;Dr. Leamor Kahanov, higher‑education leader with 25+ years of experience as a provost, dean, and academic strategist. She joins us to discuss the same topic originally planned for Dr. Gaetan Giannini: how colleges can responsibly integrate AI into existing majors&mdash;and why an AI major isn&rsquo;t always the smartest path. Drawing on comparisons to the early internet era, we explore why AI works best when embedded across disciplines, enhancing&mdash;rather than replacing&mdash;students&rsquo; core areas of study.
(00:22:09)
We also break down one of the region&rsquo;s biggest media developments: the transfer of LNP/LancasterOnline from Pennon to Always Lancaster. Interim President &amp; CEO Tom Baldridge and Journalist David Greene share what this change means for local journalism, community trust, and the future of independent news in Central Pennsylvania.

How Colleges Are Preparing Students for an AI Future + What the LNP/LancasterOnline Transition Means for Local News

Lincoln Caverns

VisonCorp 100 Years

(00:00:00)

A farmer’s accidental 1930 discovery beneath U.S. Route 22 became Lincoln Caverns, a destination that has fascinated visitors for nearly a century. 

(00:22:28)

This episode also honors VisionCorps’ 100 years of impact, spotlighting its mission and its call for the public to help preserve and uplift its history.

(00:00:00)
A farmer&rsquo;s accidental 1930 discovery beneath U.S. Route 22 became Lincoln Caverns, a destination that has fascinated visitors for nearly a century.&nbsp;
(00:22:28)
This episode also honors VisionCorps&rsquo; 100 years of impact, spotlighting its mission and its call for the public to help preserve and uplift its history.

Inside Lincoln Caverns’ Hidden History + VisionCorps’ 100 Years of Service

Dr. Leroy Hopkins

Tracie Potts

(00:00:00)

First, we look at the work of Dr. Louis S. Hopkins, whose forty years of research into Lancaster’s African American past blends rigorous scholarship with lived experience. Growing up in segregated southeast Lancaster City, Dr. Hopkins developed a deep awareness of how geography, access, and memory inform the historical record. His ongoing efforts to recover stories long pushed to the margins challenge us to reconsider how communities understand their own past.

(00:22:24)

We then shift to a post‑lecture conversation with Tracie Potts, Executive Director of the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College, following David M. Rubenstein’s recent Blavatt Lecture: “The Declaration of Independence at 250: Its Origins and Importance.” Potts reflects on the event, Rubenstein’s insights, and why examining the nation’s founding document matters as the U.S. approaches its semi quincentennial.

(00:00:00)
First, we look at the work of Dr. Louis S. Hopkins, whose forty years of research into Lancaster&rsquo;s African American past blends rigorous scholarship with lived experience. Growing up in segregated southeast Lancaster City, Dr. Hopkins developed a deep awareness of how geography, access, and memory inform the historical record. His ongoing efforts to recover stories long pushed to the margins challenge us to reconsider how communities understand their own past.
(00:22:24)
We then shift to a post‑lecture conversation with Tracie Potts, Executive Director of the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College, following David M. Rubenstein&rsquo;s recent Blavatt Lecture: &ldquo;The Declaration of Independence at 250: Its Origins and Importance.&rdquo; Potts reflects on the event, Rubenstein&rsquo;s insights, and why examining the nation&rsquo;s founding document matters as the U.S. approaches its semi quincentennial.

The Spark Weekly 5.4.2025: Braver Angels Faith and Pa. Primary Election

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