Coming up on this week's edition of The Spark Weekly:

As Central Pennsylvania swelters under a July heat dome, many gardeners are left wondering how to care for their plants in extreme heat. Gardening expert and landscape designer Erica Jo joined The Spark to share essential tips for summer plant care, from watering techniques to fertilizing container gardens.

Also on the program, at age 60, Carla Fisher never expected to begin again. But after losing her husband, she pivoted from a long career in finance to become an award-winning fiber artist with her work exhibited in London, Italy, South Korea, and beyond. Her story isn’t just about art—it’s about courage, healing, and proving that transformation can begin at any stage of life.

Coming up on this week's edition of The Spark Weekly:
As Central Pennsylvania swelters under a July heat dome, many gardeners are left wondering how to care for their plants in extreme heat. Gardening expert and landscape designer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ericasgarden/">Erica Jo</a>&nbsp;joined&nbsp;The Spark&nbsp;to share essential tips for summer plant care, from watering techniques to fertilizing container gardens.
Also on the program, at age 60, Carla Fisher never expected to begin again. But after losing her husband, she pivoted from a long career in finance to become an award-winning fiber artist with her work exhibited in London, Italy, South Korea, and beyond. Her story isn&rsquo;t just about art&mdash;it&rsquo;s about courage, healing, and proving that transformation can begin at any stage of life.

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 7.20.2025: Erica Jo Shaffer and Carla Fisher

Lenwood Sloan & Dr. Andrew Hermeling

Braver Angels

(00:00:00)

PennLive has reported that Lenwood Sloan passed away on December 26th at the age of 77. Lenwood was a passionate historian, educator and advocate for preserving the story of Harrisburg's old 8th ward. In this conversation, originally broadcast on July 21 he and Dr. Andrew Hermeling discuss the “Look Up, Look Out” campaign that seeks to reimagine Harrisburg’s Old Eighth Ward, a vibrant and diverse neighborhood that was demolished in the 1910s to make way for Capitol Park. 

(00:30:00)

Maury Giles is stepping into his new role as CEO of Braver Angels after spending five years with the organization as a volunteer, a transition he describes as both unexpected and deeply purposeful.

 

(00:00:00)
PennLive has reported that Lenwood Sloan passed away on December 26th at the age of 77. Lenwood was a passionate historian, educator and advocate for preserving the story of Harrisburg's old 8th ward. In this conversation, originally broadcast on July 21 he and Dr. Andrew Hermeling discuss the &ldquo;<a href="https://digitalharrisburg.com/commonwealth/lookuplookout/">Look Up, Look Out</a>&rdquo; campaign that seeks to reimagine Harrisburg&rsquo;s Old Eighth Ward, a vibrant and diverse neighborhood that was demolished in the 1910s to make way for Capitol Park.&nbsp;
(00:30:00)
Maury Giles is stepping into his new role as CEO of <a href="https://braverangels.org/">Braver Angels</a> after spending five years with the organization as a volunteer, a transition he describes as both unexpected and deeply purposeful.
&nbsp;

In Memory of Lenwood Sloan (Re-Broadcast) and Braver Angels

 DOJ efforts to seize voter records

Amish History

(00:00:00)

This episode explores two very different stories unfolding in Pennsylvania. Both centered on who is counted, who is protected, and who holds power. We begin with an investigation into the U.S. Justice Department’s lawsuit against states, including Pennsylvania, for refusing to hand over voter registration rolls. Drawing on a December 5th Mother Jones report, we examine the push to compare state voter data with commercial datasets and the broader effort to build the nation’s first federal voter database, one that could include sensitive personal information such as voting history, party affiliation, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license data.

Critics warn that such a database could expose millions of Americans to data breaches, reinforce false claims of widespread voter fraud, and provide political cover for purging eligible voters from the rolls. Potentially undermining future elections.

(00:22:37)

In the second half of the episode, we turn to one of Pennsylvania’s most distinctive and often misunderstood communities: the Amish. With insights informed by scholarship from the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College, we explore Amish history, religious beliefs, and cultural practices, and consider what their commitment to community, privacy, and separation from state power can teach us about democracy, citizenship, and life beyond constant surveillance.

Together, these conversations ask a larger question: in an age of data collection and political control, what does it mean to truly respect individual freedom and community autonomy?

(00:00:00)
This episode explores two very different stories unfolding in Pennsylvania. Both centered on who is counted, who is protected, and who holds power. We begin with an investigation into the U.S. Justice Department&rsquo;s lawsuit against states, including Pennsylvania, for refusing to hand over voter registration rolls. Drawing on a December 5th Mother Jones report, we examine the push to compare state voter data with commercial datasets and the broader effort to build the nation&rsquo;s first federal voter database, one that could include sensitive personal information such as voting history, party affiliation, Social Security numbers, and driver&rsquo;s license data.
Critics warn that such a database could expose millions of Americans to data breaches, reinforce false claims of widespread voter fraud, and provide political cover for purging eligible voters from the rolls. Potentially undermining future elections.
(00:22:37)
In the second half of the episode, we turn to one of Pennsylvania&rsquo;s most distinctive and often misunderstood communities: the Amish. With insights informed by scholarship from the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College, we explore Amish history, religious beliefs, and cultural practices, and consider what their commitment to community, privacy, and separation from state power can teach us about democracy, citizenship, and life beyond constant surveillance.
Together, these conversations ask a larger question: in an age of data collection and political control, what does it mean to truly respect individual freedom and community autonomy?

Voter Data, Democracy, and Pennsylvania’s Past: Power, Privacy, and the People in Between

Dr. Tia Jackson-Truitt, Director of Staff & Community Engagement at the Penn Museum, joins us to talk about the Museum’s annual Kwanzaa celebration and the meaningful partnerships with local communities, artists, performers, and Black-owned businesses that make the event possible. 

also on the program...

Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for Church choir directors. We'll check in with 2 Harrisburg church musicians to see how they prepare, the process of choosing among a wide variety of carols and hymns, how one year's service differs from another, and what are some of their holiday favorites.

Dr. Tia Jackson-Truitt, Director of Staff &amp; Community Engagement at the Penn Museum, joins us to talk about the Museum&rsquo;s annual Kwanzaa celebration and the meaningful partnerships with local communities, artists, performers, and Black-owned businesses that make the event possible.&nbsp;
also on the program...
Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for Church choir directors. We'll check in with 2 Harrisburg church musicians to see how they prepare, the process of choosing among a wide variety of carols and hymns, how one year's service differs from another, and what are some of their holiday favorites.

The Spark Weekly 7.20.2025: Erica Jo Shaffer and Carla Fisher

In 1 playlist(s)

The Spark

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips