#400 The Story Behind "DNA Today"

Four hundred episodes. Nearly fourteen years of conversations. One podcast that began with a high school student, a Rock Band microphone, and a deep curiosity about genetics. For this milestone episode, DNA Today is turning the microphone around. Kira Dineen is joined by Jess Rizzo, a 2026 graduate of the Rutgers University Genetic Counseling Master’s Program, to look back at the evolution of DNA Today, from its earliest episodes in 2012 to becoming a multi-award-winning genetics podcast and the foundation for Gene Pool Media. Kira shares how the original idea for DNA Today came together, where the name came from, and what she remembers about recording those first episodes. She also reflects on the major turning points that shaped the podcast, including its first sponsorship, conversations with prominent leaders in genetics, and interviews that changed how she thinks about both science and storytelling. The conversation explores what makes someone an effective science communicator, what separates a good podcast guest from an unforgettable one, and how DNA Today expanded into Gene Pool Media. Kira also looks ahead to the future of the podcast and considers whether the version of herself who started the show in 2012 could ever have imagined reaching Episode 400. The episode concludes with a rapid-fire round of “DNA Today Superlatives,” featuring Kira’s dream guests, proudest episode production, most surprising topics, most popular episode, and the conversations that have had the greatest personal impact on her. An exciting announcement, since recording we learned we have been ranked number one on Million Podcast’s list of “Best DNA Podcasts in the US”.   Thank you to our audience for sticking with us! Whether you have been listening since 2012, or last week. We appreciate your support in growing DNA Today over the last 14 years.  About Host Kira Dineen Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM (she/her) has 15 years of podcast experience fueled by a passion for science communication. She has hosted and/or produced a dozen podcasts, many of which are in her science podcast network: Gene Pool Media. Her flagship show, DNA Today, is in the top 1% of podcasts globally. Listeners Discover New Advances in the world of genetics through Kira’s interviews about genetic technology, disorders, and news. The show has won the Best Science and Medicine Podcast Award for three years, among others. Over the last 14 years, DNA Today has produced over 400 episodes with support from over 100 sponsors. She was accepted into The Podcast Academy and previously served on the National Society of Genetic Counselor’s Digital Ambassador program. Kira received her Diagnostic Genetic Bachelor’s of Science degree at the University of Connecticut and is a certified Cytogenetic Technologist. She received her Master’s of Science at Sarah Lawrence College and is a practicing licensed certified genetic counselor at a high risk pregnancy center in Connecticut. Kira serves as an adjunct faculty member at Bay Path University teaching Ethics and Reproductive Genetics.  In This Episode, We Discuss How DNA Today began in 2012 The story behind the podcast’s name What the earliest recordings were like How the show has evolved over 400 episodes Major episodes and guests that shaped the direction of the podcast The first DNA Today sponsorship on Episode 100 (shoutout KGI)  What makes a strong science communicator The qualities that make a podcast guest memorable How Gene Pool Media grew out of DNA Today The lessons Kira has learned from interviewing patients, families, researchers, genetic counselors, physicians, advocates, and other experts The future of DNA Today and Gene Pool Media Kira’s favorite, most impactful, and most surprising episodes DNA Today Episodes Referenced #25: Hereditary Cancer Syndromes with Ellen Matloff  #110: Analyzing Gattaca #142 Barbara Fortini on KGI’s Genomic Data Analytics #100: Human Hereditary with Carl Zimmer #211: Gene Patents with Jorge Contreras  #264: XXY/Klinefelter Syndrome with Ryan Bregante #288 and #289: Sickle Cell Disease CRISPR Treatment with Victoria Gray #300: “The Man with 1,000 Kids” Netflix Doc with Eve Wiley and Laura  #306: Human Genome Project and COVID-19 Leadership with Dr. Francis Collins #370: Genetics Wrapped: 2025 Top Advances in Genomic Medicine with Drs. Eric Green and Sarah Tishkoff #390: Pfeiffer Syndrome with Prince’s Wife/Co-Parent, Mayte Garcia Additional Resources Referenced Gene Pool Media: The Science Podcast Network Listen & Learn: A Rare Disease Podcast Course by Gene Pool Media DNA Dialogues: The Official Podcast of the Journal of Genetic Counseling  DNA Clarity and Support Podcast All Access DNA Podcast  Mugglecast: A Harry Potter Podcast (2005-Present) Keck Graduate Institute  Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genomic Data Analytics My Gene Counsel  “My Medical Choice” Angelina Jolie’s NTY Op-Ed Piece The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince A Memoir By Mayte Garcia   Connect With Us: Luckily you don’t have to wait long for a brand-new episode of DNA Today, we drop episodes every Friday! Until then, why not dive into our library of over 400 episodes? Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen, just search “DNA Today.” Prefer watching? We’ve got you covered! The video component of this episode is available on our YouTube channel and website. Some of these episodes were filmed at our home studio, the iconic NBC Universal Stamford Studios.  DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . Our Social Media Lead is Liv Davidson. Our Digital Marketing and Automation Lead is Eric Knaus. And the Graphic Designer of our logo is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC.  See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), BluSky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected].