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Artwork for Once Upon A Gene

Once Upon A Gene

Effie Parks
Rare Diseases
Parenting
Community Support
Genetic Testing
Genetic Counseling
Bloodstream Media
Caregiving
Self-Care
Patient Advocacy
Grief
Advocacy
Mental Health
Rare Genetic Syndromes
Epilepsy
Gene Therapy
Family Support
Autism
Rare Disease Advocacy
Rare Disease
Rare Disease Day

As a new parent of a child with a rare genetic syndrome, I was lost. There was no guide. There was no rulebook. This was not what I had imagined. As I navigated my way through this new reality, I realized something that should have been simple, but was not. A truth that had always been there, but that I had lost sight of for a time - I am not alone. And neither are you. These are the stories of my... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes358Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Kids & FamilyParentingSociety & CulturePersonal Journals

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Artwork for Once Upon A Gene

Latest Episodes

Bryan Docobo — attorney, father, rare disease advocate, and

founder of the Coats Plus Foundation. Bryan opens up about the devastating journey of losing his four-year-old son Ethan to Coats Plus Syndrome (a rare telomere disorder caused by a CTC1 gen... more

Get your free Nome report at www.nome.bio – Families can upload a genetic report and receive a free personalized therapy feasibility report in minutes.

In this powerful conversation, Effie Parks sits down with Steven Ringel — patient, sibling of a p... more

In the final episode of their four-part archetype series, Effie Parks and archetype expert Christy Foster explore the Victim Archetype—represented by the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz. They emphasize that archetypes are neutral energies (as taugh... more

In part 3 of our 4-part series on Caregiver Archetypes, my sister and somatic therapist Christy Foster returns to unpack the Saboteur — the clever inner voice that second-guesses you, overthinks everything, and talks you out of what you actually want... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Steven Ringel
Founder of Kazuna Foundation and Nome
Nome / Kazuna Foundation
Episode: ONCE UPON A GENE – EPISODE 275: How AI is Making Personalized Therapies Faster, Cheaper, and Accessible for the World’s Rarest Diseases with Steven Ringel
Brittni Lamb
Mother of a child with SPG3A, advocate and caregiver
Parent of Jameson, SPG3A patient
Episode: From Hopeless Grief to Heavenly Hope: Brittni Lamb on Surrender, Faith, and Raising a Son with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia SPG3A
Lana Marcucio
Mobile app developer and mother of Quinn, who has epilepsy and autism, creator of Q-Voice.
Q-Voice
Episode: Smarter Speech: How Q-Voice Is Changing AAC for Families and Therapists with Lana Marcucio
Geraldine Bliss
Co-founder of CureSHANK and Start Genetic, mother of a son with Phelan-McDermid syndrome
CureSHANK
Episode: Why Genetic Testing Matters: The Case for Genetic Testing and the Start Genetic Movement - with Geraldine Bliss
Maya Gosztyla
Co-founder, COO, and lead scientist at Brainstorm Therapeutics.
Brainstorm Therapeutics
Episode: Mini Brains in a Dish: Organoids and the Future of Personalized Rare Disease Medicine
Emma Nadler
Psychotherapist, author of The Unlikely Village of Eden
Author, psychotherapist
Episode: Healing in the Mess: Storytelling, Friendship & Finding Love - Author of The Unlikely Village of Eden, Emma Nadler
Dr. Wendy Chung
Physician, Physician Scientist at Simon's Searchlight
Simon's Foundation
Episode: 15 Years of Simons Searchlight: Dr. Wendy Chung on How Families Shape Rare Disease Research and Spark Aha Moments - with Wendy Chung
Amber Pierson
Co-founder of Lemon Cake and mother of medically complex kids
Lemon Cake
Episode: Finding Joy in the Journey: A Guide for Parents of Medically Complex Kids with Amber Pierson & Chelsea Kuhn
Chelsea Kuhn
Co-founder of Lemon Cake and mother of kids with disabilities
Lemon Cake
Episode: Finding Joy in the Journey: A Guide for Parents of Medically Complex Kids with Amber Pierson & Chelsea Kuhn

Host

Effie Parks
Host of Once Upon A Gene; leading voice guiding rare-disease conversations and community building.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 360 ratings
  • Q-Voice discussion was fantastic

    I loved the discussion with Lana Marcucio about Q-Voice. It’s inspiring to see what brilliant and dedicated parents can create! The AI features and the scripts have so much promise for anyone who has trouble speaking (including for anyone who has English as a second language). Thank you for exposing us to such interesting and creative individuals!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DZDuck
    United States8 months ago
  • SO encouraging and relatable!

    I absolutely LOVE this podcast. From the second I found it after my sons diagnosis I knew I had found a support system of real, wise, and encouraging support from Effie and community💗✨. I’ve even had the opportunity to meet Effie in real life and she is the real deal! Such a heart to encourage and bring caregivers together to make our journeys a little more joyful and help us feel not so alone. Forever grateful for Effie, this community and all the resources!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BrittaLamb
    United Statesa year ago
  • Power of community

    Thank you for teaching us the power of community in rare disease! Your podcast is such a light in this world. You’ve inspired me to help establish a foundation for my family member 🩷

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    review 838
    United Statesa year ago
  • Best podcast

    This is the absolute best podcast for parents with kids with disabilities. Effie is such a positive and amazing mom, friend, and a leader. Her positive energy is very contagious.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kasia Law
    United Statesa year ago
  • A Great podcast!

    I love listening to the podcast! Effie’s understanding and connection with her guests allows them to share their stories in an authentic way! Her podcast is uplifting, informative, and inspiring! Anyone on their rare disease journey or in the space should listen to Once Upon A Gene!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jamesgriff3
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many reviews emphasize the host's ability to balance scientific detail with personal storytelling, making complex topics accessible.
Listeners praise warmth and authenticity of hosting, noting the conversations feel like a supportive community hug.
The show is highlighted as a key resource for education, advocacy, and actionable guidance in the rare-disease space.
Guests are described as relatable and insightful, with real-world impact on families navigating rare diseases.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

ONCE UPON A GENE - EPISODE 272 Caregiver Archetypes of Survival (Part 2) The Prostitute Archetype: Reclaiming Your Worth Without Losing Yourself, w/ Christy Foster
Q: How do caregivers balance giving to others with preserving their own identity and well-being?
By identifying what has been lost, revisiting simple self-care practices, and creating a small, reliable support system while accepting that it's not selfish to put their own needs first sometimes.
Why Genetic Testing Matters: The Case for Genetic Testing and the Start Genetic Movement - with Geraldine Bliss
Q: How does genetic testing change the landscape for patients and their families?
It provides valuable insights into their conditions, access to patient communities, and informs treatment strategies, leading to better healthcare outcomes.
Why Genetic Testing Matters: The Case for Genetic Testing and the Start Genetic Movement - with Geraldine Bliss
Q: What inspired the urgency to establish Start Genetic?
There is a need to find more patients with genetic conditions to ensure they can access available treatments and participate in clinical trials.
Mini Brains in a Dish: Organoids and the Future of Personalized Rare Disease Medicine
Q: How do organoids fit into the drug approval process?
They could potentially replace animal models and expedite the approval process for drugs by providing sufficient evidence of efficacy and safety.
Mini Brains in a Dish: Organoids and the Future of Personalized Rare Disease Medicine
Q: Can you explain what brain organoids are and the process of creating them?
Brain organoids are mini versions of the brain created from stem cells, allowing researchers to model diseases more closely in humans.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Once Upon A Gene

What is Once Upon A Gene about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on the real-life journeys of families navigating rare genetic conditions, translating complex science and medical topics into relatable, practical guidance. Guests span parents, clinicians, researchers, and advocates, discussing genetics, pediatric care, advocacy, and emerging tech—from genetic testing and organoids to AAC tools and at‑home health solutions. A consistent throughline is community, resilience, and actionable support for families, caregivers, and professionals working in rare diseases and disability spaces. Notable strengths include candid storytelling, a balance of science and heart, and a strong emphasis on resources, community building, and practical steps for navigating diagnosis, treatment, and advocacy.

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How many listeners does Once Upon A Gene get?

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What are the audience demographics for Once Upon A Gene?

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How many subscribers and views does Once Upon A Gene have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Once Upon A Gene has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

How many episodes of Once Upon A Gene are there?

Once Upon A Gene launched 7 years ago and published 358 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Once Upon A Gene?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Once Upon A Gene?

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What guests have appeared on Once Upon A Gene?

Recent guests on Once Upon A Gene include:

1. Steven Ringel
2. Brittni Lamb
3. Lana Marcucio
4. Geraldine Bliss
5. Maya Gosztyla
6. Emma Nadler
7. Dr. Wendy Chung
8. Amber Pierson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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