The Spark

We sit down with Eisha Buch, Head of Teaching & Learning at Common Sense Media, to explore how educators, parents, and policymakers can help young people thrive in an increasingly digital world. As the leader of Common Sense Media’s K-12 Digital Literacy & Well-Being Curriculum, which reaches millions of students across more than 85,000 schools worldwide, Eisha shares why digital literacy should be as fundamental as reading and writing.

We also welcome Dr. Matthew Brams, Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Cingulate Therapeutics, renowned psychiatrist, clinical researcher, and one of the leading experts in ADHD and neurodevelopmental disorders. With more than 35 years of clinical experience and involvement in over 300 psychiatric clinical trials, Dr. Brams offers a unique perspective on how our understanding of ADHD has evolved and why the public conversation is changing so dramatically.

Shannon Schinagl, Early Literacy Librarian at Lancaster Public Library, shares how a vision for inclusive, multilingual programming has grown into a thriving community initiative. From launching American Sign Language Storytime for Deaf and hard-of-hearing families, to creating Spanish-language storytimes and playgroups, to debuting Arabic Storytime with strong community support, Shannon has helped build world language programming from the ground up.

Becky Libourel Diamond, a food writer from Bucks County is returning to Midtown Scholar to discuss her latest book
City Tavern: The Founding Table―Colonial Dining, Revolutionary History, and the Restaurant at the Center of It All. It views this important time in America’s early history through the lens of Philadelphia's iconic City Tavern. 

We spotlight a historic milestone for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) with the appointment of Amber J.E. Harris as the Commission’s first Black female Board Chair. Harris joins Board Chair Curtis Jones for a conversation about leadership, equity, and the future of civil rights enforcement in Pennsylvania.

Filmmakers Robert May and Jason Sosnoff discuss their documentary, filmed over four years in politically divided Bucks County, Pennsylvania, during one of the most turbulent periods in recent American history.

With the recent passing of country music icon Dolly Parton at age 80, fans around the world are reflecting on a career that spanned more than six decades and touched countless lives through music, storytelling, humor, and philanthropy. Today we're joined by Karen Hester, star of Dolly: A Tribute to Dolly Parton at Totem Pole Playhouse, to discuss Dolly's enduring legacy and why her music continues to inspire audiences everywhere

We welcome Darla Bair (she/her), along with Lisa Fairman, a longtime singer with the Music For Everyone chorus, and Steve Chambers, whose original vision helped inspire the creation of the chorus years ago.

Together, they share the story of Music For Everyone (MFE), a Lancaster County, Pennsylvania nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to music education and community music experiences. The conversation explores MFE’s mission to transform lives, schools, and communities through music by providing resources, opportunities, and support for learners and performers of all ages.

We welcome Michael Melillo, a Pennsylvania author whose book What the River Kept uncovers a deeply personal World War II story preserved through years of conversations with his grandfather, "Pop." What began as a family history became a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to and preserving firsthand accounts before they're lost to time.

With the recent passing of country music icon Dolly Parton at age 80, fans around the world are reflecting on a career that spanned more than six decades and touched countless lives through music, storytelling, humor, and philanthropy. Today we're joined by Karen Hester, star of Dolly: A Tribute to Dolly Parton at Totem Pole Playhouse, to discuss Dolly's enduring legacy and why her music continues to inspire audiences everywhere

We welcome Michael Melillo, a Pennsylvania author whose book What the River Kept uncovers a deeply personal World War II story preserved through years of conversations with his grandfather, "Pop." What began as a family history became a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to and preserving firsthand accounts before they're lost to time.

Also on the program:

 Join Amy Mintmier, Supervisor of Therapy Services at UPMC Carlisle, for a conversation about the vital role rehabilitation professionals play in helping people recover from severe illness and injury and regain independence in their daily lives. Amy shares insights into the rehabilitation process, the importance of mobility equipment, and why a wheelchair is much more than just a means of transportation. She also discusses UPMC Carlisle’s annual Wheelchair Wash and Repair event on September 25, a free community service that helps wheelchair users keep their equipment clean, safe, and functioning properly. Learn who can participate, what services are offered, and how maintaining a wheelchair can improve health, safety, and quality of life.

Explore the outdoors without limits in this episode featuring Brook Lenker and John Naylor, co-authors of the South Central Pennsylvania Accessible Adventure Guidebook, along with Kate Prisby, Manager of Events and Programs at the Keystone Trails Association. The conversation highlights the inspiration behind the guidebook, the research and trail scouting that went into identifying accessible outdoor destinations across the region, and why inclusive recreation matters.

Back-to-school season brings new opportunities and new challenges for students, parents, and educators. In this episode, we sit down with representatives from Pennon Education to discuss how schools and families can prepare for a successful academic year. From classroom readiness and student engagement to educational resources and support strategies, our guests share practical insights for navigating the transition back to school.

Rev. David Biser, author, historian, and first-person interpreter of John Harris Jr. As America marks its 250th anniversary, Biser brings to life the world of Harris' Ferry (Paxton) in 1776, exploring what everyday life was like in the growing frontier community that would become Pennsylvania's capital. From work, trade, currency, food, and leisure to Native relations, slavery, and the impact of the Revolutionary War, this conversation offers a fascinating look at the people and challenges that shaped early Harrisburg. With more than 15 years portraying John Harris Jr., Biser shares the stories, struggles, and legacy of one of the region's most influential founding figures.

Erica Jo Shaffer brings us a timely conversation on Fall Horticulture Chores and how gardeners can prepare their landscapes for the changing seasons. From lawn care and planting to pruning, soil health, and garden cleanup, Erica shares expert advice on the essential tasks that help gardens thrive through autumn and set the stage for a successful spring. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just getting started, this episode offers practical tips to keep your yard healthy, productive, and beautiful all season long

We meet Charles Bittner and Mark Bowyer, the newly appointed co-chairs of Braver Angels’ Heritage Alliance, serving Adams, Franklin, and Fulton counties. A psychologist and a pastor, respectively, Bittner and Bowyer share a common mission: helping people reconnect across political differences through respectful conversation, humility, and understanding.

They discuss why civil discourse has become increasingly difficult, what keeps people from engaging with those who hold different views, and how Braver Angels’ programs and workshops help Americans build stronger relationships despite disagreements. The conversation also explores the launch of the new Heritage Alliance, opportunities for local involvement, and upcoming events designed to foster healthier dialogue and community connection.

We also explore the remarkable story of the Kiwanis Lake Rookery in York City, one of Pennsylvania's most significant urban bird habitats. Guests David Arrow, President of York Audubon, and longtime conservation advocate Mark Deckard discuss the rookery's history, ecological importance, and the community efforts that have helped protect it for decades.

What happens when community focused organizations come together to support young scholars beginning a new school year? In this episode, we hit the road to the Back-to-School Extravaganza which was hosted on Saturday, August 15 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. In the first half of the program we speak with Christy Renjilian, the Executive Director at Community Connections for Children and Kim Istvan, Community Impact Manager-Education at United Way of the Capital Region. Kim and Christy talk about the "why" behind the event that served approximately 1,500 children. 

In the second half of the program Dr. Sabina Grant-Spencer, Director of Early Childhood at Harrisburg School District and Stefanie McAuliffe, Vice President of Community Impact at The Foundation for Enhancing Communities explore the challenges facing young scholars and their families, and the support that exists in the region to help.