GenoCare— with Dr Ali Archibald & friends

About GenoCare— with Dr Ali Archibald & friends

GenoCare is a podcast for clinicians, patients, and anyone navigating genetic and genomic care. Hosted by Dr Ali Archibald, the series explores how genomic testing is used in real clinical practice — and what happens beyond the test result. Through conversations with clinicians, researchers, and people with lived experience, the podcast covers reproductive and cancer genomics, psychosocial impacts of testing, and how health systems can better support patients and families. Produced by GenoCare Pty Ltd for education and general information.

Publisher

Dr Ali Archibald

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Feb 2026

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

34 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Oct 2026

   Episode 32: Supporting Fathers & Non‑Birthing Parents Through Unexpected Results in Pregnancy

   Unexpected news in pregnancy can be profoundly destabilising for families — but while the birthing parent is often the focus of care, fathers and non‑birthing partners also experience shock, fear, grief and uncertainty. In this episode, Ali is joined by psychologist Mathew Aquilina, Clinical Team Manager at the Gidget Foundation, to explore the emotional experiences of partners during pregnancy, birth, loss and early parenthood, and how clinicians can better support the whole family system. Drawing on his clinical work and lived experience as a parent, Mathew discusses the pressures partners face to “stay strong,” the information‑seeking behaviours that often mask distress, and the unique challenges that arise when families receive complex genetic results or experience loss. In this episode: What partners experience during pregnancy and early parenthood How unexpected results impact fathers and non‑birthing parents Information‑seeking as a coping strategy Supporting partners through grief, loss and decision‑making How clinicians can better include partners A message for fathers and non‑birthing parents: Your wellbeing matters. You don’t need a crisis to seek support. You are part of this story and you deserve care too. Key message: Partners experience pregnancy, uncertainty and loss in their own way — and their wellbeing is central to family functioning. Thoughtful, inclusive care helps both parents feel supported, informed and empowered during complex reproductive experiences. Additional resources: Gidget Foundation Australia — perinatal mental health support: https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/ PANDA — perinatal anxiety & depression support: https://www.panda.org.au/ (https://www.panda.org.au/) MensLine Australia — counselling for men: https://mensline.org.au/ (https://mensline.org.au/) This episode is valuable for: Psychologists, genetic counsellors, midwives, obstetricians, GPs, perinatal mental health clinicians, fertility specialists, social workers, and families navigating unexpected results, grief or complex reproductive decision‑making. Referring a patient? GenoCare provides genetic and perinatal counselling before, during and after pregnancy, working alongside existing maternity and genetic services. Email hello@genocare.com.au or visit: www.genocare.com.au/contact (https://www.genocare.com.au/contact?utm_source=copilot.com)

2. 

   28 Sept 2026

   Episode 31: Chromosome Testing of Embryos in IVF - Understanding PGT-A

   In this episode, Ali is joined by senior genetic counsellor Tamara Mossfield to unpack preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) — a type of embryo testing used during IVF to look for differences in chromosome number. This is the third episode in a series on genetic testing in IVF. Tamara explains what PGT-A is, how testing is performed, what the different results can mean, and why deciding whether to have PGT-A is not always straightforward. Drawing on her extensive experience supporting people through IVF, Tamara explores why PGT-A is optional, why recommendations can differ between clinicians, and how factors such as maternal age, recurrent pregnancy loss and repeated implantation failure may influence discussions about testing. The conversation also explores one of the more complex areas of PGT-A: mosaic results. Tamara explains the biology behind mosaicism, what a mosaic result may mean, and how patients and their clinical teams navigate decisions about which embryos to consider for transfer. In this episode: What PGT-A is and what it looks for How PGT-A is performed during IVF Why PGT-A is optional and why recommendations can vary Factors that may influence whether PGT-A is considered How people decide whether testing is right for them The benefits and limitations of PGT-A Understanding failed, euploid, aneuploid and mosaic results What mosaicism means and why these results can be complex How PGT-A results may influence decisions about embryo transfer Navigating uncertainty and the emotional and ethical considerations involved in embryo selection Key message PGT-A can provide information about the chromosome complement of an embryo, but it does not provide certainty about the outcome of an embryo transfer or pregnancy. Understanding what the test can and cannot tell you, and having appropriate support to interpret the results, is an important part of informed decision-making. This episode is valuable for: People considering or undergoing IVF and PGT-A, as well as fertility specialists, embryologists, genetic counsellors, IVF nurses, GPs, midwives and other healthcare professionals supporting people through fertility treatment. Other relevant episodes: Episode 4:Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT-M): what clinicians and patients need to know https://open.spotify.com/episode/5VerEM5kIXpivhuvMke0Ux?si=P5WfF7eMTEiTBjAKSRmHAw Episode 16: Genetics in the IVF setting https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Rpc0ITs6x18L7lVmE7y5D?si=4dda2d755a0b4d18 Referring to GenoCare? GenoCare provides genetic counselling and perinatal counselling before, during and after pregnancy, working alongside existing fertility, maternity and genetic services. hello@genocare.com.au | www.genocare.com.au/contact (http://www.genocare.com.au/contact)

3. 

   22 Sept 2026

   Episode 30: Motor Neuron Disease and Genetics - Why Genetic Testing Now Really Matters

   What do we now know about the genetics of motor neuron disease (MND), and why is genetic testing becoming an increasingly important part of MND care? In this episode, Ali is joined by genetic counsellor Nikki Gelfand, who specialises in MND genetics. With new research, updated clinical guidelines and emerging gene-targeted therapies changing the landscape of MND care, Nikki explains what clinicians, people with MND and their families need to know about genetics and genetic testing. What is MND? MND describes a group of neurological conditions that progressively damage motor neurons — the nerve cells responsible for movement, speech, swallowing and breathing. What causes MND? There is still much we don't understand about why MND develops. Nikki explains what we know about the contribution of genetic and environmental factors, and why the absence of a family history does not necessarily mean genetics isn't relevant. Why is genetic testing now being offered to everyone diagnosed with MND? Historically, genetic testing was largely offered to people with MND who had a strong family history. This is changing. Updated guidelines recommend that genetic testing be offered to all people diagnosed with MND, reflecting our growing understanding of its genetic causes and the increasing relevance of genetic information to treatment and care. What can a genetic result mean for families? A genetic diagnosis can have implications beyond the person with MND. Nikki discusses what results may mean for relatives, the questions they can raise about genetic testing, and the important role of genetic counselling in helping families navigate this information. Building an MND genetics service at Monash Nikki shares how she helped establish a dedicated MND genetics clinic, funded by MND Victoria and developed in response to an urgent need for access to genetic counselling and testing. The future of MND genetics We look at how gene-targeted therapies are changing the significance of genetic testing in MND and what developments in research and clinical care could mean for people with MND and their families. Genetics is becoming increasingly central to MND care. Genetic testing can help explain why MND has developed, provide important information for families, inform treatment and potentially provide access to emerging gene-targeted therapies. But genetic information can also bring uncertainty and difficult decisions, making access to clear information, genetic counselling and psychosocial support essential. MND Australia — support, information and state associations https://www.mndaustralia.org.au/ (https://www.mndaustralia.org.au/) FightMND — research, advocacy and fundraising https://fightmnd.org.au/ (https://fightmnd.org.au/) This episode will be particularly useful for people with MND and their families, neurologists, genetic counsellors, nurses, allied health professionals, MND support organisations and researchers wanting to better understand the rapidly evolving role of genetics in MND care. GenoCare provides genetic counselling and support for individuals and families navigating genetic testing and genetic diagnoses. Email hello@genocare.com.au (mailto:hello@genocare.com.au) or visit www.genocare.com.au/contact (http://www.genocare.com.au/contact)

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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