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.