The Spark

Jennifer Eley – Director of Education at Pennon Education and Caley McGuigan - Secondary Education Program Coordinator at Pennon Education tell us all about what Pennon Education has coming up for the spring and summer at WITF's Public Media Center and Schools across the commonwealth. Legal expert Michael R. Dimino, Professor of Law at Widener University Commonwealth Law School, and Fred Vigeant, Vice President of Media, Production, and Technology at WITF, break down a recent federal court ruling affecting public media and a Trump-era executive order. The conversation clarifies what the ruling does and does not mean for NPR, PBS, WITF, and other public media outlets—especially the key point that federal funding has not been restored. 

In this episode, we explore three topics that touch us all in different ways: the impact of organ donation, the beauty of The Blossom Belt, and the stress (and strategy) behind tax season. It’s a down-to-earth discussion about giving, growth, and navigating the responsibilities of adult life.

Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Ted Evgeniadis joins us to discuss his work protecting the Susquehanna through education, water‑quality monitoring, pollution patrols, and legal action. As Riverkeeper and Executive Director of the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, Ted has built a reputation as both a coalition‑builder and an unrelenting advocate for clean, healthy waterways. We also break down the latest developments in LSRA’s legal fight with J&K Salvage, a York scrapyard the Riverkeeper has accused of polluting local waterways. A judge has denied the Riverkeeper’s request to temporarily shut the facility down, leaving the case to continue through the courts as LSRA pushes for stronger environmental accountability. Steve Kurtz and Lisa Smith join us to share the story behind The Downbeat Foundation, created in memory of Lisa’s son, Benjamin, who died at age 39 from an aortic aneurysm. A Central Dauphin graduate and accomplished drummer who played through high school, college, and with the band Dreading Monday, Ben’s lifelong love of music now fuels a mission to open doors for young musicians. The foundation provides free drum lessons, a full drum kit, and transportation for Harrisburg‑area students in grades 4–12 who want to learn but lack financial access. With applications rising, Steve and Lisa talk about the growing need, the students they’re reaching, and how music can change a young person’s trajectory. They also preview May Jam, coming May 16, 2026, at Royal Winery — a community concert featuring local bands, with proceeds supporting future Downbeat students.

(00:00:00) As more than 165,000 college students prepare to graduate from Pennsylvania schools this May, the job search looks very different than it did just a few years ago. In this timely conversation, Pamela Hill, Owner of Signature Staffing in Lemoyne, and Dr. Mohammad Rahman, Professor of Marketing and Director of the MBA Program at Shippensburg University, explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping hiring—and why many young job seekers feel shut out before they ever speak to a real person. (00:22:14) Clutter isn’t just about stuff—it’s about time, money, and stress. In SORT and Succeed, Certified Professional Organizer Darla DeMorrow shares a practical, judgment‑free system that helps people get organized and stay organized using five simple, repeatable steps. Rather than pushing extreme minimalism or quick‑fix solutions, DeMorrow focuses on finding what matters, stopping clutter before it starts, and creating systems that work in real life—even for people who feel overwhelmed or have ADHD.

Cloth of the Nation brings forward powerful stories from veterans navigating life during and after military service. On The Spark, we speak with Dale and Jan Hamby about the inspiration behind the podcast, the voices it aims to amplify, and what they hope listeners will take away from these deeply personal stories of identity, transition, and community. Author Lindsey Smith joins The Spark to discuss her new book Summer Haters Club, the first traditionally published work to explore seasonal affective disorder during the summer months. The conversation dives into how rising global temperatures are making extreme heat more difficult for many—especially those experiencing summertime SAD—and how the book encourages readers to better understand mental health through a climate-awareness lens.