#200 Reflecting on a Decade of DNA Today

This is a milestone episode for two reasons. As you may have noticed, it’s our 200th episode. Technically we had about 20 episodes prior to numbering them, but these are mini lessons and not really full episodes. These started when we were broadcasting live from WHUS 91.7 FM.

The other milestone is that September 1st marks 10 years of DNA Today. We released our first episode in 2012. Back then our host and producer, Kira Dineen, was starting her senior year of high school, fast forward a decade and now she has her masters in genetics and has been practicing as a genetic counselor for 2 years! As a high schooler she dreamed of reaching people around the world, little did she think she would be producing DNA Today ten years later with two Podcast Awards, ranking in top 1% of podcasts globally with 40+ sponsors.

This journey has been incredible. We have had countless guests on the podcast that have brought immense insight into the field of genetics, the life of living with a genetic condition or caring for someone who does, groundbreaking advancements in genetic technology, discussions exploring the ethics surrounding this technology, and so many more important conversations.

During this episode we are looking back at the last 10 years and 200 episodes. We are featuring your voices. Voices of people that make this show possible. Listeners. Team members. Guests. And more. So you will hear these voice memos sharing people’s favorite episodes, followed by clips from the episodes.

We want to thank you so much. DNA Today would not be successful without you. It’s your downloads, engagement, and support that keep this show going. We are so passionate about educating the world about genetics, it’s you that keeps us going. I am humbled by your support and honored to be in this role.

Shoutout to the following listeners, guests, and DNA Today team members for submitting voices memos featured in this celebratory episode: Corinne Merlino, Sophia Saladino, Ashlyn Enokian,

Katie Lee, Amanda Andreoli, Daniel DeFabio, Faith McCarthy, Laura Markham, Paloma Boeck, Taila Stanford, Sanya Tinaikar, Kajal Patel, and Mahfuz Taofeeq.

Episodes mentioned include…

#67 Daniel DeFabio on Disorder: The Rare Disease Film Festival

#87 Genetic Counseling Grad School Apps (Part 1)

#97 Genetic Counseling Grad School Interviews, Ranking, Matching (Part 2)

#101 Genetic Counseling Match Day

#110 Gattaca, 22 Years Later

#111: NSGC 2019 Recap

#123 Infertility Series: Dr. Kara Goldman on Fertility Testing

#128 DTC Series: Adam Rutherford on How To Argue With A Racist

#131 DTC Series: Libby Copeland on Law Enforcement Use of Genetic Databases

#135 NSGC 2020 Recap

#164 Parkinson’s Disease with the Parkinson’s Foundation

#166 Beta Thalassemia with Radhika Sawh

#176 Glee's Lauren Potter on Down Syndrome Awareness

#191 Overturning Roe v. Wade with Laura Hercher

Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today on Friday, September 9th where we will be discussing sickle cell disease in honor of the awareness month. Our host Kira Dineen is interviewed by Beverly Mills and Elaine Buck. If you want a sneak preview the episode has been released on their podcast, Lifting the Veil.

New episodes are released on Fridays. In the meantime, you can binge all 200 episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel.

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our social media lead is Corinne Merlino. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli.

See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNApodcast.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to info@DNApodcast.com.

PerkinElmer Genomics is a global leader in genetic testing focusing on rare diseases, inherited disorders, newborn screening, and hereditary cancer. Testing services support the full continuum of care from preconception and prenatal to neonatal, pediatric, and adult. Testing options include sequencing for targeted genes, multiple genes, the whole exome or genome, and copy number variations. Using a simple saliva or blood sample, PerkinElmer Genomics answers complex genetic questions that can proactively inform patient care and end the diagnostic odyssey for families. Learn more at PerkinElmerGenomics.com. (SPONSORED)

Support for DNA Today comes from the People for The Ethical Treatment of Animals (also known as PETA), whose scientists have developed the research modernization deal, a strategy to phase out ineffective experiments on animals with high-tech, state-of-the-art research. PETA has collected an abundance of evidence demonstrating that the use of animals in biomedical research hinders scientific progress and puts patients at risk. Learn more at PETA.org/NewDeal. (SPONSORED)