The Spark

Join Chris Vera in person as he shares the history and hidden stories of Zion Hill Cemetery and its role in Columbia’s past. Learn why preserving this site still matters today. Also on the program: Dr. Christopher Weber of the Alzheimer’s Association to break down the latest Facts and Figures report, including new insights on brain health, midlife prevention, and the growing impact of Alzheimer’s disease. Learn what the latest data reveals and what individuals can do now to protect their cognitive health.

Zachary Adams, Executive Director of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, leads a critical conversation from the first public hearing in a statewide series on data center development. Joined by Indiana County Commissioner Sherene Hess and Tioga County Commissioner Shane Nickerson, the discussion explores how the rapid growth of data centers is shaping rural communities across Pennsylvania. Also, we highlight Farm Sanctuary’s 40th anniversary and the evolution of the global farm animal protection movement. Featuring insights connected to Sanctuary Day and the organization’s founding vision, the conversation reflects on how one rescue in 1986 grew into an international network of sanctuaries transforming public awareness.

We sit down with David Leidholdt, Artistic Director of Millbrook Playhouse, a renowned summer stock theater rooted in tradition and creativity. David shares insights into the unique world of summer stock, how Millbrook balances classic productions with fresh, contemporary work, and what it takes to lead a dynamic, seasonal company. From behind-the-scenes stories to the challenges of shaping a vibrant theatrical experience, this conversation offers a compelling look at the passion and artistry that keep live theater thriving. up next is a conversation with leaders and a rising star from the PSFCA Big 33 Football Classic. Executive Director Garry Cathell and COO Nicole Whitmire share the impact, history, and community spirit behind one of the nation’s premier high school all-star games, while Trinity High School standout Marcus Yeager—headed to the University of Richmond—gives a player’s perspective on earning a spot on Team PA. We also highlight the exciting lineup of Memorial Day Weekend events, from girl's flag football and the Fan Fest to the iconic Big 33 game, all celebrating talent, service, and opportunity.

A proposal in Pennsylvania aims to change how police interrogations are handled—by requiring certain custodial interviews to be recorded. Supporters, including the Pennsylvania Innocence Project, say the measure could help prevent false confessions while also protecting law enforcement by creating a clear record of what happens during questioning. Similar policies are already in place in many other states. up next is a conversation with leaders and a rising star from the PSFCA Big 33 Football Classic. Executive Director Garry Cathell and COO Nicole Whitmire share the impact, history, and community spirit behind one of the nation’s premier high school all-star games, while Trinity High School standout Marcus Yeager—headed to the University of Richmond—gives a player’s perspective on earning a spot on Team PA. We also highlight the exciting lineup of Memorial Day Weekend events, from girl's flag football and the Fan Fest to the iconic Big 33 game, all celebrating talent, service, and opportunity.

We talk with Karen M. Dixon, Transportation and Community Planner at the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, about her research along Interstate 81 in Cumberland and Franklin Counties. Karen explores how transportation infrastructure intersects with environmental conservation, with a focus on wildlife crossings and their role in improving road safety and ecosystem connectivity. We also discuss Pennsylvania’s growing momentum around wildlife corridor planning, including a new statewide working group developing a comprehensive blueprint to protect habitats while supporting resilient transportation systems. we’re also joined by Elena Cuffari, a cognitive science researcher and feminist philosopher at Franklin & Marshall College, to unpack the complex relationship between exercise, body image, and gender. Drawing on her work in embodiment and lived experience, Elena explores how agency, personal style, and pleasure shape the way we move and care for our bodies. Together, we examine the cultural pressures surrounding “bikini body” narratives, the impact of evolving beauty standards, and how fitness can be reframed as a source of empowerment rather than expectation.

Pennsylvania’s newest — and most unique — state park is officially open, and it’s unlike anything else in the system. In this episode, DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Laurel Caverns Park Manager Corie Eckman break down what makes Laurel Caverns worthy of becoming the state’s first underground park, from its status as the largest cave in Pennsylvania to its decades-long legacy as a public attraction With Skilled Trades Day May 6th, this episode brings together two perspectives shaping Pennsylvania’s workforce future. Secretary of Policy and Planning Akbar Hossain outlines the statewide strategy to expand access to skilled trades and strengthen the economy, while Tec Centro Workforce Network CEO Carlos Graupera shares what that work looks like on the ground in communities.

First, we sit down with Sue Gleiter, longtime dining reporter for PennLive and The Patriot-News, to talk about how the central Pennsylvania restaurant scene has changed—and where it may be headed next. With more than 25 years covering restaurant openings and closings, food trends, and beloved local institutions, Sue brings deep perspective on what’s thriving, what’s disappeared, and why. Then, we take a close look at a critical criminal justice reform effort in Pennsylvania: a pending bill supported by the Pennsylvania Innocence Project that would require law enforcement to electronically record custodial interrogations for certain serious crimes. While many states already mandate recorded interrogations, Pennsylvania does not—despite strong evidence that recordings reduce false confessions, strengthen the integrity of investigations, and protect officers from unfounded claims about what occurred behind closed doors.

First, we dive into the Tour de Belt, the annual fully supported community bike ride around the Harrisburg Greenbelt, returning Saturday, June 7. Riders experience scenic and often overlooked landmarks such as Wildwood Park, City Island, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Five Senses Garden, the Farm Show Complex, and the former Harrisburg State Hospital. We also talk about the Greenbelt’s spurs to Fort Hunter Park and Elmerton Avenue, newer mountain bike trail connections maintained by SAMBA, and the current challenges facing the trail—temporary closures, unofficial detours, and the broader conversation about keeping the Greenbelt open amid ongoing development. In the second half, we switch gears to spotlight the Pennsylvania Star Wars Collecting Society, a fan-powered nonprofit that has raised over $100,000 for charities since 2009. Run entirely by volunteers, PSWCS works with Lucasfilm to release approved Star Wars collectibles and uses fandom as a force for good—supporting charitable causes across Pennsylvania while proving that community, whether on bikes or in galaxies far, far away, can make a real impact.

This episode features Allison Hess (Geisinger), and Tina Citro (WellSpan Health) discussing innovative projects recognized by the 2026 HAP Achievement Awards. The leaders share how their organizations are advancing community health, including Geisinger’s Community Champions Award–winning Social Needs Resource Hub that connects patients to essential services. This Braver Angels update will highlight what’s new and upcoming in Pennsylvania, including the launch of a new virtual alliance for individuals without access to an in-person alliance and the upcoming rollout of a Heritage Alliance. It will also preview the 2026 National Convention, taking place in Philadelphia June 25–28, themed “1776 to 2026: A Pledge Renewed.”

Concerns about “forever chemicals” and microplastics are growing nationwide—and in Cumberland County, one local advocate is working to bring attention to the issue. Each year on May 1, Law Day offers a chance to reflect on the role of law in American society and why it continues to matter.

We take a closer look at how Law Day is being observed in Central Pennsylvania and why the annual recognition continues to matter. Marked nationwide on May 1, Law Day invites reflection on the role of law in American democracy and its impact on daily life. This episode also features investigative reporter Joshua Vaughn of PennLive, joined by Penn State journalism students Vida Lashgari and Joy Donald, for a conversation about the conditions inside a Pennsylvania ICE detention facility that recently led detainees to launch a hunger strike. Drawing on Vaughn’s in‑depth reporting, the discussion examines allegations of inadequate medical care, prolonged detention, and treatment detainees say pushed them to take drastic action. The panel also explores what happened next, including officials’ response to the hunger strike and the broader questions it raises about oversight, transparency, and accountability within immigration detention centers. While developments may continue, this episode focuses on the underlying conditions and systemic issues that organizers and advocates say made the hunger strike inevitable—and what this moment reveals about immigration enforcement in Pennsylvania and beyond.

Lancaster Creative Reuse (LCR) is a creative reuse center in Lancaster that operates a donation‑based art, craft, and sewing supply store. Its mission is to connect community excess materials with people who can use them creatively, reducing waste while making supplies affordable and accessible. Tamela Trussell, founder of Move Past Plastic, discusses growing concerns around PFAS “forever chemicals,” microplastics, and biosolids—treated sewage sludge spread on farm fields. Living in rural Cumberland County, she shares how wastewater byproducts can contaminate soil, water, crops, and livestock, and why communities in Pennsylvania are beginning to question a practice that has already devastated farms in parts of New England.

Rick Sayles is a master gardener focused on youth education who leads hands‑on, “seed‑to‑table” programming in the Steelton‑Highspire School District. Working directly with K–12 students, he teaches them how to grow, harvest, and prepare healthy food while building life skills, nutrition awareness, and community connection. The conversation highlights how the program began, the impact on student health and learning, plans to expand year‑round education through greenhouse projects, and how this model can be replicated in other school districts. Also, on this episode of The Spark, Asia welcomes Steve Knight, winner of Best Podcast at the 2026 Central PA Music Awards, to talk about The Knight Shift. Steve shares how the podcast began, what inspires the conversations, and why spotlighting Central PA’s music and creative community matters.

In this bilingual segment, we explore the power and importance of bilingual education with educator and education leader Dr. Andrea Kolb. Andrea moves fluidly between Spanish and English as we talk about why bilingual learning matters for both Spanish‑ and English‑speaking students, how it supports academic success beyond language skills, and the ways it fosters confidence, cultural pride, and belonging. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience as a teacher, coach, and multilingual education expert, Andrea shares insights on what educators and families need most to make bilingual education thrive—and what she hopes listeners gain from hearing ideas expressed in both languages. We also revisit the State Museum’s acclaimed exhibit A Place for All, first discussed on Smart Talk in 2022, to explore what curators have learned after sharing it with new audiences through tours and public programs. Now that visitor reactions and conversations have had time to unfold, there’s much more to reflect on. We also preview the museum’s upcoming spring lecture series connected to Revolutionary Things, the primary 250th‑anniversary exhibit. Kicking off April 12, the series invites the public to take a deeper dive into Revolutionary‑era topics—including researching Revolutionary War records at the State Archives—with additional programs planned for May and June.

In this episode, we chat with Chrissie Senecal, who’s deeply passionate about the origins of yoga and eager to share its rich history in an engaging talk. You’ll also hear an open invitation to drop into their free, all-level yoga class on Wednesdays from 5–6 pm at the Kung Fu Center in Carlisle. Whether you’re brand new or have years of experience, you’re welcome—and mats are provided! The Plastic Detox is a 2026 documentary following six couples with unexplained infertility as they try to reduce daily plastic exposure in hopes of improving their health and fertility. Guided by leading scientists, it explores the hidden impact of microplastics and chemical additives on hormones, development, and disease, while offering insight into lifestyle changes. Critics describe it as eye-opening, thought‑provoking, and an urgent call to action. We speak with the producer of the film, available on Netflix now.

On this episode of The Spark Weekly, we talk with Sarah Corcoran of the Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter about the importance of Earth Day and the impact of local environmental efforts. The conversation highlights how community organizations are working to protect natural resources, promote sustainability, and inspire everyday actions that can lead to long-term environmental change. we also spoke with Lily Duarte-Evans of YWCA Carlisle & Cumberland County and Mallory Michel of PCAR about Sexual Assault Awareness Month and efforts to prevent sexual violence. The conversation focuses on education, consent, bystander intervention, and how communities can better support survivors while working together to create safer environments.

Curator Rob Evans and Susquehanna Art Museum’s Director of Exhibitions, Rachel O’Connor, join us to explore American Identity: Restoring the Artistic Legacy of the Susquehanna River. The conversation highlights a groundbreaking exhibition featuring more than 100 artworks and artifacts—some dating back to the Native Susquehannock people—that reveal the Susquehanna River as a powerful artistic muse long before the Hudson River School. In connection with the America 250 celebration, this discussion reexamines the river’s enduring cultural, historical, and artistic impact on American identity. Dr. Christopher Warren, Chief Curator of the National WWI Museum and Memorial, also joins us for a wide-ranging conversation on the history of World War I and why it still matters today. From the global forces that led to the war to its lasting political, cultural, and human consequences, Dr. Warren offers an accessible introduction to the Great War and the lessons it continues to hold for the modern world. The discussion also touches on the creation of the National WWI Museum and Memorial, rooted in a remarkable public effort to honor those who served and to preserve the war’s legacy for future generations.

We’re joined by Sarah Corcoran, Deputy Director of the Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter, to spotlight the powerful impact of local environmental action. Sarah shares how grassroots organizations across Pennsylvania are protecting natural resources, educating communities, and inspiring meaningful, lasting change—proving that building a healthier planet truly starts close to home. We also explore the legacy of the Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter, founded in the early 1970s and based in Harrisburg since 1983. With more than 25,000 members and an all‑volunteer executive committee, the Chapter continues to shape conservation, policy, and civic engagement efforts across the state. This conversation is a reminder that through local involvement and everyday choices, we can all help create a cleaner, more sustainable future. We’re also joined by Craig Samborski, creator and owner of the World’s Largest Rubber Duck, just as the iconic duck makes a splash in Pittsburgh ahead of the NFL Draft. From first sightings that stop people in their tracks to the logistics of transporting and setting up something this massive, Craig shares the fascinating story behind how a simple rubber duck became a global phenomenon. We talk about where the idea began, when Craig realized the duck was more than a novelty, and why people of all ages connect so deeply with something so playful and joyful. The conversation explores the duck’s impact on major events, unforgettable cities it’s visited, challenges like wind and weather, and what its popularity says about what people are craving right now—connection, wonder, and a little happiness. Plus, where the duck is headed next and what it would take to bring it to Central Pennsylvania. 🦆

In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, this episode features Lily Duarte‑Evans, Vice President of the YWCA Carlisle & Cumberland County, and Mallory Michel, Prevention & Evaluation Coordinator at PCAR. Together, they discuss what sexual violence is, how it impacts individuals and communities, and why awareness and prevention matter. The conversation highlights consent education, bystander intervention, survivor support, and the importance of communities working together to create safer, more compassionate environments. This episode also features Angie Dickinson, Co‑Chief Encouragement Officer, and Michael Gingerich, Co‑Founder and Chief Values Officer of Someone To Tell It To, along with filmmaker Benjamin Wagner of Friends & Neighbors. The conversation explores the mission and impact of Someone To Tell It To, their work fostering connection and empathy, and the inspiration behind the documentary Friends & Neighbors. The episode also highlights the South Central PA premiere of the film, happening Thursday, April 23 at 6 p.m. at the Public Media Center, and why community storytelling matters now more than ever.

Philly Jazz Month is a citywide celebration of Philadelphia’s deep and influential jazz heritage, featuring a full month of live performances, educational programs and community events. From intimate local venues to partner cultural organizations, audiences of all backgrounds are invited to experience the energy of live jazz, participate in interactive workshops and connect with the music’s history and future. Highlighting local artists and fostering community through creativity, Philly Jazz Month honors the city’s enduring role in shaping the sound of jazz. This episode explores the broad history of the American Civil War, examining its causes, major battles and lasting impact on the nation. Central to the discussion is the Battle of Gettysburg, a defining moment and widely recognized turning point of the war. Fought on Pennsylvania soil in 1863, Gettysburg halted the Confederate army’s momentum, shifted the balance of power and reshaped the course of the conflict. Its outcome—and President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address—cemented the battle’s place as a critical chapter in American history.