The Spark

Beck Ravenswood, owner of The Serpent's Key Shoppe and Sanctuary in Hanover, Pennsylvania, is challenging a state law that criminalizes paid tarot readings after being threatened with arrest by Hanover Borough Police in October 2023, arguing that the law unfairly targets spiritual practices such as tarot, palm reading, and astrology. Ravenswood will discuss their personal experience, the ongoing lawsuit to overturn Pennsylvania's 1861 fortune-telling statute, and recent legal developments as the case moves forward in court.

Aaron Jumper joins us to discuss the Cumberland Valley Ice Cream Trail, a popular summer attraction that connects visitors with local ice cream shops across the region while offering prizes, special promotions, and unique flavors to discover. We'll talk about what's new on the trail since 2023, any new participating shops, National Ice Cream Day celebrations, the rewards available to trail participants, and some of the must-try ice cream flavors this season.

Want to keep more money in your pocket this summer? We connected with NRG Energy to discuss simple, practical ways homeowners can stay cool while keeping energy bills under control.

Professional genealogist and forensic researcher Sarah Fullem joins the podcast to share how historical records, DNA evidence, and investigative research help uncover family histories, identify heirs, and solve complex genealogical mysteries. Sarah also answers listener questions about tracing immigrant ancestors, finding early Scots-Irish records in Pennsylvania, and evaluating family tree hints on genealogy websites such as Ancestry.com. 

Megan Robertson shares her remarkable family history journey after appearing on PBS’s Finding Your Roots, where she uncovered new details about her great-grandfather’s ancestry and family connections. In this conversation, she reflects on the discoveries, the emotional impact of learning more about her heritage, and how the experience deepened her understanding of her family's story

Peter Laufer’s We Are All Americans is a powerful oral history that brings together interviews conducted in 2001, 2011, and 2021 to explore how Americans’ perspectives, identities, and sense of unity evolved in the two decades following the September 11 attacks. As the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, Laufer offers a unique long-term view of the tragedy’s lasting impact on American society through the voices of people across the country.

Lauren Castillo’s Our Friend the Hedgehog: School for Woodland Creatures is a charming new installment in her acclaimed woodland series, following Hedgehog and her friends as they create their own school and discover that everyone has unique gifts to share. Through cozy storytelling and beautiful illustrations, the book celebrates self-discovery, kindness, friendship, and the idea that being a teacher or leader is about helping others, not being a perfect expert.

Peter Laufer’s We Are All Americans is a powerful oral history that brings together interviews conducted in 2001, 2011, and 2021 to explore how Americans’ perspectives, identities, and sense of unity evolved in the two decades following the September 11 attacks. As the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, Laufer offers a unique long-term view of the tragedy’s lasting impact on American society through the voices of people across the country.

Disability Rights PA Staff Attorney Rocco Iacullo will discuss the complex issue of accessibility at amusement parks, including why accommodations matter, how ADA policies affect people with visible and invisible disabilities, and what makes an accessibility program effective and equitable. The conversation will also explore challenges such as ride transfers, safety restrictions, stigma surrounding disability accommodations, and a recent case involving a child who was denied the use of her mobility scooter at a local amusement park and required to use a wheelchair instead.

Abstract Expressionist Reina 76 Artist will discuss her exhibition, Pennsylvania Leaders of Color in America 250, exploring the inspiration behind the collection, the process of selecting influential Pennsylvania historical figures, and how the artwork connects to the America 250 commemoration. She will also share insights into her artistic journey, her distinctive abstract expressionist style, and the message of leadership, inclusion, and cultural awareness she hopes visitors take away from the exhibit.

Sisters Taij and Reign Saunders turned a neighborhood lemonade stand into RNT Lemonade, a growing business they launched in 2019 at just 11 and 9 years old. Inspired by Reign’s health challenges and their shared entrepreneurial spirit, the Pennsylvania-based sisters now travel throughout the region selling their popular lemonade at community events while working toward their dream of owning a food truck and opening a treat shop.

A new gas station chain, Freedom Fuel Network, has drawn attention by offering unusually low gas prices while using branding tied to President Trump, but experts say the discounts are likely a short-term marketing strategy rather than a lasting solution for consumers. Reporter Jordan Wilkie explores the mystery behind the company’s undisclosed ownership, its potential impact on local gas prices, and why political associations may matter less to drivers than saving money at the pump.

Professional genealogist and forensic researcher Sarah Fullem joins the podcast to share how historical records, DNA evidence, and investigative research help uncover family histories, identify heirs, and solve complex genealogical mysteries. Sarah also answers listener questions about tracing immigrant ancestors, finding early Scots-Irish records in Pennsylvania, and evaluating family tree hints on genealogy websites such as Ancestry.com. 

Megan Robertson shares her remarkable family history journey after appearing on PBS’s Finding Your Roots, where she uncovered new details about her great-grandfather’s ancestry and family connections. In this conversation, she reflects on the discoveries, the emotional impact of learning more about her heritage, and how the experience deepened her understanding of her family's story 

Check out her story here:

Finding Your Roots | Megan Robertson's Search for Her Great-Grandfather's Roots | Season 10 | Episode 10 | PBS

Cumberland County woman "finds her roots" on PBS program | The Spark

First, we explore Saint Joseph’s University’s inaugural Future Health Leaders Camp in Lancaster, where high school students from the School District of Lancaster gained hands-on exposure to careers in healthcare and public health through engaging, real-world learning experiences.

We also 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.

Jon Heinly, Lancaster Public Library’s Director of Donor Advising, discusses the tremendous impact of the Big Book Sale, a community-driven fundraiser that helps expand and enhance library resources and services throughout Lancaster. We also explore why stable, long-term funding is essential for public libraries, the role of volunteers and local support, and how Lancaster County libraries are working together to advance a proposed library tax referendum.

Why do conspiracy theories take hold—and why do they spread so quickly, even when evidence is weak? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Dolores Albarracín, one of the world’s leading social psychologists to explore the psychology behind conspiracy beliefs.

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.