The Spark

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month—a time to spotlight the importance of keeping children safe and supporting families through education, community awareness, and access to critical resources. In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA) leads the way with its annual Blue-Ribbon campaign and an array of statewide initiatives dedicated to prevention.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the shadowy woods above the Wissahickon Creek in present-day Philadelphia, legend has it that a mystic once awaited the end of the world. His name was Johannes Kelpius—a German-born spiritual seeker who led a small band of followers from Europe to the wilds of Pennsylvania in 1694. Their purpose? To prepare for the second coming of Christ and live lives of contemplation and purity.

On a recent episode of The Spark, host Asia Tabb sat down with Dr. Patrick M. Erben, professor of American literature at the University of West Georgia and a scholar of early German American culture, to uncover the story of this lesser known but deeply fascinating figure.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's edition of The Spark Weekly... 

We’ll discuss the arson attack on the Governor’s Residence with Peter Hall and Ian Karbal of the PA Capital Star, along with Laura Esposito of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, who wrote a story earlier this year on political violence in Pennsylvania.

also, on the program.

When Dr. James P. Delgado took his first dive to the Titanic in 2001, he expected awe. What he didn’t expect was tears.

Delgado—one of the world’s foremost marine archeologists—spoke with Asia Tabb for The Spark about what it was like to descend two and a half miles beneath the ocean's surface and come face-to-face with the wreck of the Titanic, a site as iconic as it is tragic.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During one of the darkest chapters of the American Revolutionary War, George Washington’s army settled into winter quarters at Valley Forge. What followed was a six-month ordeal that tested the endurance, resilience, and unity of a nation. On a recent episode of The Spark on WITF, host Asia Tabb welcomed Adam Gresek, Director of Community Engagement at Valley Forge National Historical Park, to take listeners deep into the story of that pivotal winter encampment.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Spark, we confront a disturbing incident that has shaken Pennsylvania’s capital: the arson attack on the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg. As law enforcement continues its investigation, we turn to journalists who have been closely following this developing story and the broader rise in political violence across the state.

Joining the conversation was Peter Hall and Ian Karbal of the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, who have been reporting on the investigation into the arson and its potential political motivations. They provided insight into the ongoing search for answers, how officials are responding, and what this attack may signal about the current political climate in Pennsylvania.

Also on the program is Laura Esposito of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, who earlier this year published an in-depth piece on the increase in politically motivated threats and violence across the commonwealth. Esposito helps place the Governor’s Residence arson in a broader context, highlighting how elected officials, law enforcement, and journalists themselves are becoming targets in an increasingly charged atmosphere.

Listen to the podcast to hear the conversation. 

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At least two more Pennsylvania residents have been deported to Bhutan. That brings the total to eight Bhutanese refugees from Pennsylvania and 20 from across the country who have been deported back to Bhutan, according to leaders from those communities who have been tracking cases. 

In early March, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began arresting members of the Bhutanese refugee community in Central Pennsylvania. The first deportation flight came on March 26, less than three weeks after the initial arrests, with the next flights on March 28 and April 10.

On this special episode of The Spark, Democracy Reporter Jordan Wilkie spoke with Bhutanese refugee community leaders Narad Adhikari in Pennsylvania and Sudarshan Pyakurel in Ohio, Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas, veteran immigration attorney and former Department of Homeland Security appointee Kerry Doyle, Nepal-based human rights activist Gopal Krishna Siwakoti, and Craig Shagin, a lawyer for one of the recently deported men.

If you want to read the full story, check out Jordan's article here.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every June, hundreds of riders saddle up for an epic journey spanning eight states and nearly 2,000 miles — all in the name of history. On a recent episode of The Spark, host Asia Tabb caught up with Petra Keller and Linda Jenny of the National Pony Express Association to talk about the enduring legacy of the legendary Pony Express and how it continues to ride strong today.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of National Library Week, we took a closer look at the critical and evolving role libraries play in our lives. To help us understand, we welcomed two local leaders in library services—Ryan McCory, Executive Director of the Dauphin County Library System, and Carolyn Blatchley, Executive Director of the Cumberland County Library System. Together, they painted a vibrant picture of how libraries have become vital hubs of connection, learning, and community.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As maternal health outcomes worsen across the nation, Pennsylvania’s hospital leaders are taking action. Nicole Stallings, president and CEO of the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), joined WITF’s The Spark to discuss the group’s new maternal health report and the sweeping recommendations it offers.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Dr. James P. Delgado took his first dive to the Titanic in 2001, he expected awe. What he didn’t expect was tears.

Delgado—one of the world’s foremost marine archeologists—spoke with Asia Tabb for The Spark about what it was like to descend two and a half miles beneath the ocean's surface and come face-to-face with the wreck of the Titanic, a site as iconic as it is tragic.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.