We sit down with a longtime public servant and community leader—a retired CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, former Pennsylvania Deputy Secretary of Community & Economic Development, and former Clarion County Commissioner—who now volunteers with Braver Angels. He shares why fostering respectful dialogue, finding common ground across political divides, and embracing compromise are essential to strengthening our democracy and solving today’s toughest public policy challenges.

What if the story of the U.S. Constitution wasn’t just about the Founding Fathers? On The Spark, we spoke with Mechanicsburg playwright Cindy Dlugolecki and composer Christine Purcell about Quill-adelphia, an original musical that shines a light on the lesser-known people behind one of America’s most important documents. The production centers on Jacob Shallus, the Pennsylvania Assembly assistant clerk who hand-penned the final copy of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, while also exploring the experiences of everyday citizens, the contributions of women, and early abolition efforts during the Constitutional Convention.

QUILL-ADELPHIA highlights the often-overlooked contributions of middle-class citizens, women, and abolition advocates during the Constitutional Convention. The reading and concert performance is being presented as a fundraiser for the Harrisburg branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), supporting its mission to advance equity for women and girls through education, research, and advocacy.

Also on the program, we speak with two soul food restaurants in Central Pennsylvania:

Eugene Goodman
Eugene Goodman is co-owner of Sweet T & Greens in Harrisburg; a restaurant built on the belief that life’s best moments are shared through family and food. Drawing inspiration from family traditions—fried fish and collard greens from Geno’s family and fire-pit chicken quarters and country ribs from Eugene—Sweet T & Greens serves comfort food rooted in heritage, community, and the memories created around the table.

Corey Woods
Corey Woods is the Chef de Partie and owner of Soulcialize Southern Style Soul Food Catering in Lancaster. After launching the business in 2018, Woods combined his culinary training, industry experience, and passion for soul food to fill a unique niche in Lancaster’s food scene. Beyond catering, he is deeply involved in community initiatives, partnering with local organizations to support minority-owned businesses, school supply drives, youth programs, and community-building events. When not in the kitchen, Woods enjoys spending time with family and friends, fishing, reading, sports, and his work in real estate.

Last Friday, WITF and The York County History Center hosted a screening of the documentary After Ike – a documentary about the longest motorized military convoy assembled by humankind – before it airs on WITF TV on July 5.

After the screening, a panel of experts discussed “the journey that changed America” during a live taping of The Spark with Asia Tabb.

Last Friday, WITF and The York County History Center hosted a screening of the documentary After Ike – a documentary about the longest motorized military convoy assembled by humankind – before it airs on WITF TV on July 5.

After the screening, a panel of experts discussed “the journey that changed America” during a live taping of The Spark with Asia Tabb.

Erika Eberly is a cast member in River City Stories, a collaborative film project created by playwright-screenwriter Paul Hood and journalist-filmmaker Wallace McKelvey that showcases original, locally produced stories inspired by life in Harrisburg. The newest installment will premiere as part of the Harrisburg Fringe Festival, highlighting the work of central Pennsylvania artists and celebrating the everyday experiences of the community.

The Director of Education and Interpretation and the Programs Administrator for the Gettysburg Foundation are helping present “The Great Anniversary Festival: A July 2nd Independence Celebration,” a partnership with Gettysburg National Military Park that explores the history and legacy of American independence through a Declaration of Independence reading, historian panel, and film screening. They are available to discuss the event, John Adams’ connection to Adams County, and the role of historical memory and the American Revolution as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.

This episode explores how the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count measures homelessness on a single January night by combining local insights with statewide data like the Housing Inventory Count, we highlight the need for broader collaboration to better understand and respond to homelessness in diverse communities.

This Men’s Health Month, The Spark brings two powerful, conversations focused on mental and physical wellness for men.

First, Dr. Luke Piper, psychiatrist at UPMC Western Behavioral Health, joins us to unpack the ongoing importance of men’s mental health. Dr. Piper explores why men often struggle in silence—and what can change that. 

Then, we sit down with Jawon Chisholm—former Pittsburgh Steeler, certified personal trainer, and founder of Struggle to Succeed. Jawon shares what it really takes to maintain health after professional sports and how he now helps everyday men push past mental and physical barriers. We also highlight his community initiative, Run with Jawon, now one of Pennsylvania’s largest 100-meter races, and discuss how fitness, accountability, and shared struggle can transform lives.

Gun violence prevention requires more than policing—it takes community investment, opportunity, and collaboration. That was the message from Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis during a recent appearance on The Spark.

When people think of Pennsylvania, they often picture Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and miles of farmland. But author Tory Mather says the Commonwealth has much more to offer. In her new book, Scenic Natural Wonders of Pennsylvania, Mather highlights 84 destinations ranging from waterfalls and overlooks to caves and scenic natural areas that showcase the state’s diverse landscape.

Susquehanna Scout is a podcast that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond. Listen to the first episode after this special sneak peek here

Erica Jo Shaffer is BACK with more gardening and horticulture tips for National Gardening Week.

We discuss the urgent issue of gun violence and community safety across Pennsylvania, following recent incidents such as the shooting at the Carlisle Sports Emporium. Lt. Governor Austin Davis has consistently emphasized prevention through increased state investments—supporting youth safety programs, expanding violence intervention initiatives like the Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP), and strengthening community partnerships. We explore how these efforts aim to address root causes, protect young people, and build safer neighborhoods statewide. The conversation also highlights the role of Pennsylvania’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention as a key resource in coordinating data-driven strategies and solutions.

We also take listeners behind the scenes of Philadelphia’s preparation for an unprecedented 45-day stretch of major summer events, including the FIFA World Cup, MLB All-Star Week, and citywide celebrations. While millions gather to celebrate, healthcare professionals, emergency managers, and public health leaders are working in sync to manage the hidden challenges—patient surges, heat-related illness, infectious disease monitoring, and mass casualty readiness. Featuring insights from planning committee member and emergency management leader Chris Chamberlain, we explore the coordinated systems, real-time communication, and infrastructure designed to keep residents and visitors safe during one of the city’s busiest and most complex summer seasons.