Effie Parks hosts the Once Upon a gene podcast. Her son was born with a rare disease and it left her feeling completely isolated. She created the podcast to find other parents who are raising a kid with a rare disease. It's full of resources and personal stories from families who are navigating this unique lifestyle.

As Effie put it the phrase "Award-winning podcast" "is wild to say and even think this would be a thing when I started the show two years ago, out of desperation.

Wego health and Health Union have a yearly ceremony, where they honor digital advocates in the health industry. Your show first has to be nominated, then endorsed or voted on by the public for about a month.

And then you're taken to a finalist round and ultimately chosen by a panel of judges 15,000 Total nominations. And there's 16 winners.

When I watched the announcement ceremony online, I burst into tears. I didn't expect to win, obviously. But I also didn't expect to feel that much gratitude that the work I was doing was being recognized and making such an impact.

That's not all.

• They flew us all of the winners in our categories to Boston
• Gave us a $3,000 ticket to the world's largest health conference
• Paid for three nights in a gorgeous hotel on the water
• They interviewed us with fancy cameras and lights
• Fed us lunch every day
• Held a formal ceremony at the conference with a huge stage and big screens.

In the middle of the room at this massive event. I got to meet a woman who became a close personal friend to me online. Because we're both raising kids of rare disease. I got to meet her in person. I met other beautiful advocates and was just so honored to be in their presence.

The team itself who put on the event were there every step of the way. And they were so genuine and passionate. It was like a love fest. And I felt so incredibly lucky and special. I also made a lot of great connections that perhaps I will share later on because of my podcast segment.

Thanks for being such a champion for podcasters Dave and for always coming at it with a realness and heart. So, again, my name is Effie Parks host of the Once Upon a gene podcast. If you're a caregiver or you know someone raising a medically complex kid, please find me at onceuponagene.com

Dave's Thoughts

I met Effie on an episode of the Podcasters Roundtable. I don't know how to say it, but I just knew she was going to create something special. She had an underserved audience, and the courage to be vulnerable. She's made caregivers all over the world feel less alone and that is HUGE.

Find her at www.onceuponagene.com

I'd love to hear it

Who knows, maybe in two years they will be flying you to Boston to receive an award

Let me help you.

Mentioned in this episode:

Is Your Podcast Not Growing?

Struggling to grow your podcast beyond friends and family? You're not alone. I've been there too. That's why I created "10 Proven Strategies...

Jim Harold has been podcasting since the early days of podcasting at www.jimharold.com and does podcasting full time around his Paranormal podcast.

He recently start a show called Pod Lords, and on it explained how he had a previous show called the Great TV Podcast where he got to talk to a TON of TV legends. Why? Because of his podcast.

Join the School of Podcasting today and start changing your world one download at at time see www.schoolofpodcasting.com/start

Mentioned in this episode:

Is Your Podcast Not Growing?

Struggling to grow your podcast beyond friends and family? You're not alone. I've been there too. That's why I created "10 Proven Strategies to Grow Your Podcast Audience" - a free guide packed with actionable techniques that have helped countless podcasters expand their reach and build loyal listener communities. Stop guessing what works. These are battle-tested methods used by top podcasters who speak to engaged audiences every week. Head to schoolofpodcasting.com/10tips now and download the free guide. Because your podcast deserves to be heard.

10 Tips to Grow Your Show

If you are an American YOU NEED to listen to Congressional Dish. Jen Briney started off reading every bill that went through congress. She has been doing great work on her show (and I know I voted differently last time due to her podcast).

She recently announced she will be interviewed on Washington Journal on CSPAN on August 9th, 2019.

Check out her show at www.congressionaldish.com

Watch her appearance at https://www.c-span.org/video/?463306-5/washington-journal-jennifer-briney-discusses-congressional-dish-podcast-news-day

Mentioned in this episode:

Is Your Podcast Not Growing?

Struggling to grow your podcast beyond friends and family? You're not alone. I've been there too. That's why I created "10 Proven Strategies to Grow Your Podcast Audience" - a free guide packed with actionable techniques that have helped countless podcasters expand their reach and build loyal listener communities. Stop guessing what works. These are battle-tested methods used by top podcasters who speak to engaged audiences every week. Head to schoolofpodcasting.com/10tips now and download the free guide. Because your podcast deserves to be heard.

10 Tips to Grow Your Show