Spark Up Podcast

The Mid-Day Spark Up on WBRU 360 on Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Station: 101.1 FM WBRU 360 & the WBRU360 App

On today’s show, we’re breaking down:

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  A new RICO case involving Drake

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  Bow Wow’s viral question about the future (and fairness) of music award shows

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  A major hotel taking a clear stance against Trump and his federal immigrant agents

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  Why millennials and Gen Z are drinking less and reshaping the alcohol industry

• Shoutouts to cultural wins, including Laila Edwards making history in Olympic ice hockey

We’re also showing love to local businesses like APC – All Purpose Contractors and Rise Above Therapy, tapping into the energy of fresh starts and spiritual rebirths for 2026, and closing things out with new music — including a clip from Doechii’s latest collaboration with SZA "Girl, Get Up" that’s setting the tone for the year.

Plus, don’t miss The Love Report, where we’re talking about why simpin’ ain’t easy and never has been.

It’s The Mid-Day Spark Up. Your weekly midday check-in where culture, conversation, and community collide. Hosted by Cristina Sev and co-hosted by DJ Franchise, this show brings real talk, good energy, and unfiltered perspectives.

Week #181 and the very first Tuesday of the year, from pop culture shakeups to world news, local headlines, love, and new music — we’re tapping into what’s trending, and what’s changing.

Whether you’re listening in the car, at work, at home, or anywhere across the country, this is your reminder to pause, spark your mind, and stay connected.

Tune in every Tuesday Live 12 PM to 1 PM from Providence, RI on 101.1 FM WBRU360

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Follow Cristina on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cristinasev_?_r=1&_t=ZP-931QjkCHb7X

Follow DJ Franchise on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djfranchise1?igsh=anptNXh6bTE3am9k

Follow DJ Franchise on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@djfranchise1?_r=1&_t=ZP-931Qmux6s3D

Actor and Poet Rudy Cabrera talked about his work at Trinity Rep called 'La Broa'. 'La Broa' is a play that highlights and honors the history of the Hispanic community in Providence, Rhode Island. Rudy talks about Broad Street being the epicenter of cultural richness, Dominican culture being so vibrant in Providence, his acting history, and more.

On this week's Mid-Day Spark Up, founders of Pour Decisions came thru to the station to talk about what the vibe & intention is behind their events, how to run game when outside, songs to move your hips to, what they would do if they saw their friends partner acting sus at an event, & more.

Make sure you pull to Viva La Rita happening Sunday August 15th at Viva Mexico in Providence

🎟For tickets head over to ➡️ @pourdecisionsri on Instagram

Tues. Aug. 5th, 2025 | Providence is full of wave makers and trendsetters who don’t just bring the cool, they care about community, culture, and giving back.

This week, we had designer & curator Jota and journalist & podcaster Victor Báez pull up to talk about their latest collaboration with idea originator PartywithRami: Un Corito Sano, a fundraising party going down Friday, Aug. 8th in Providence.

They get into the heart behind the event, the joy of Dominican culture, and what it means to say Dominicans are Black. We also get into Love Island racism, RIPTA being under threat (save public transit!), Tiffany Haddish & Jason Lee going half on a baby (?!), our pick for song of the summer, and more.

WBRU360 & Spark Up Podcast Present: The Mid-Day Spark Up with Cristina Sev ft. DJ Franchise LIVE every Tuesday at 12 pm to 1 pm  on 101.1 FM or The WBRU360 app & other outlets 

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wbru.com/how-to-listen⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Follow Cristina Sev 

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/cristinasev_/⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Follow DJ Franchise 

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/djfranchise1/⁠⁠

Tues. May. 7th, 2025 | Undeafeated Champion Victor Reynoso visits the station to talk about his upcoming fight at Foxwoods May 10th The Championship Jackpot Fight presented by CES Boxing. Reynoso talks about his crazy diet, staying out of romantic relationships & locking in.

WBRU360 & Spark Up Podcast Present: The Mid-Day Spark Up with Cristina Sev ft. DJ Franchise LIVE every Tuesday at 12 pm to 1 pm  on 101.1 FM or The WBRU360 app & other outlets 

⁠⁠⁠https://www.wbru.com/how-to-listen⁠⁠⁠ 

Follow Cristina Sev 

⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/cristinasev_/⁠⁠⁠ 

Follow DJ Franchise 

⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/djfranchise1/⁠⁠

Tues. Apr. 22nd, 2025 |Pop News: Ryan Coogler's Sinners Movie, Ms. Tina's Secret is Out, Best Women Guest Verses in Hip-Hop | Local News: Remi TV Influencer Awards | Love Report Topic of The Day: Reciprocity in Love | New Music & more.

WBRU360 & Spark Up Podcast Present: The Mid-Day Spark Up with Cristina Sev ft. DJ Franchise LIVE every Tuesday at 12 pm to 1 pm  on 101.1 FM or The WBRU360 app & other outlets 

⁠⁠https://www.wbru.com/how-to-listen⁠⁠ 

Follow Cristina Sev 

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/cristinasev_/⁠⁠ 

Follow DJ Franchise 

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/djfranchise1/⁠⁠

On this episode we have film maker Steven Luna who talks about how much his mind and perspective has shifted since he started making art and losing a pilar in his life in the process of learning the art of film making and photography. We talk about his latest project "Fiebre" a shor documentary dedicated to Elevate Baseball Academy in Dominican Republic following the work and passion of the coashes and the players. Luna also talks about shedding the desire to be validated through accolades and creating work that is selfless and serves the people he is telling stories about. Then he goes on to talk about how he found his wife and thinking about marrying her just a month of meeting her. Another dope conversation with an ordinary person, doing extraordinary things.---Steven Luna is an award-winning filmmaker, director, and photographer whose work has screened at international film festivals and exhibitions. His 2024 short doc 'Fiebre' won Best Documentary Short at the Oklahoma Cine Latino Film Festival and screened at the 41st Chicago Latino Film Festival. His photography was selected by a Guggenheim Museum curator for the 103rd Annual Bendheim Exhibit, and he’s received RISCA grants for both writing and photography.Steven was Co-Producer and First AD on 'Playland' (2023), which premiered at IFFR and Tribeca, and is the Co-Partner and Lead Director of Photography at DominiRican Productions. He also founded De Cerca Films and co-launched Ojo y Alma in 2025 with fellow artists Noemi Gonzalez and Joel Farias Godinez Jr.A proud Dominican-American, Steven holds an MFA from Emerson College and has taught at ICA Boston, AS220, Rhode Island College, and more. His storytelling is soulful, people-centered, and rooted in uplifting underrepresented voices through film.Follow Steven Luna on IG https://www.instagram.com/stevenbluna/ Follow De Cerca Production Company on IG https://www.instagram.com/decercafilms/Visit the website: https://stevenluna.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacNfCw0luZkHrCB669_pVMTa-yT32nlaAKJt_GniwhwcoGDOW4acng-zPnU6Q_aem_UUwUCD-1ABEbBdJ_lsdj5A ---In the Dominican Republic, baseball isn’t just a sport—it’s life.FIEBRE follows teen Derrick Aquino and others at Elevate Baseball Academy as they chase MLB dreams with relentless drive, sacrificing family time and carrying generational hopes.En República Dominicana, el béisbol no es solo un deporte; es vida.FIEBRE sigue a Derrick Aquino y otros jóvenes en la Academia Elevate mientras persiguen sus sueños con pasión y sacrificio, buscando llegar a las grandes ligas. ---Steven Luna - FIEBRE StatementAWARD WINNER - BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM - 11th Annual Oklahoma Cine LatinoFilm FestivalOFFICIAL SELECTION - 41st Annual Chicago Latino Film FestivalOFFICIAL SELECTION - Big Apple Film FestivalOFFICIAL SELECTION - NSP Latiné Shorts Film FestivalOFFICIAL SELECTION - 15th Annual Latino & Native American Film Festival

Tues. Feb. 18th, 2023 |Pop News: Jay-Z Sues Lawyer Buzbee; Wendy Williams Celebrates Her Dad; First On-Court Emcee at NBA All-Star| Local News: Classical High School Renovations; New Shelter For The Homeless & more | Love Report Topic of The Day: Teach Men To Be Just as Cautious as Women | New Music & more.

WBRU360 & Spark Up Podcast Present: The Mid-Day Spark Up with Cristina Sev ft. DJ Franchise LIVE every Tuesday at 12 pm to 1 pm  on 101.1 FM or The WBRU360 app & other outlets 

⁠https://www.wbru.com/how-to-listen⁠ 

Follow Cristina Sev 

⁠https://www.instagram.com/cristinasev_/⁠ 

Follow DJ Franchise 

⁠https://www.instagram.com/djfranchise1/⁠

In this episode, comedian and actress Jaylin Eaves breaks down her journey from the smallest state to the biggest stage—Hollywood. With her hilarious energy, she’s making waves, chasing dreams, and hitting milestones that keep her hungry for more.