GOALS: An ALS United Podcast

Maria Malfi lost her mother to ALS. Through her experience and her personal research, Maria has focused her attention on issues of stress and mental health and how they impact an ALS diagnosis and affect caregivers as well. In this GOALS Podcast, Maria talks about her family's experience with ALS, touring the research lab at Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center, and how to have better conversations about mental health.
Our mission is to unite and empower the ALS community through a collaborative approach to fostering bold research initiatives, advancing national and state advocacy, and providing comprehensive care and support to individuals and families affected by ALS. ALS United Mid-Atlantic serves people with ALS in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
To learn more about our programs and research and how to support our initiatives, visit www.alsmidatlantic.org

Taryn Norley, President and CEO of ALS Arizona, joins the ALS United Mid-Atlantic GOALS Podcast to discuss the work of serving the ALS community in Arizona and how it compares to other ALS United partners. Topics include delivering on care services, partners with clinics and researchers, serving rural communities, and inspiring events. To learn more about ALS Arizona, visit www.alsaz.org
Our mission is to unite and empower the ALS community through a collaborative approach to fostering bold research initiatives, advancing national and state advocacy, and providing comprehensive care and support to individuals and families affected by ALS. ALS United Mid-Atlantic serves people with ALS in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
To learn more about our programs and research and how to support our initiatives, visit www.alsmidatlantic.org

Brianna Lisi, MS, is a PhD candidate doing her work at the Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center in Philadelphia. In this Podcast, Brianna talks about what inspired her to go into ALS research, what a typical day is like for a researcher, motor neurons, astrocytes, and what tests can prove useful for ALS science.
Our mission is to unite and empower the ALS community through a collaborative approach to fostering bold research initiatives, advancing national and state advocacy, and providing comprehensive care and support to individuals and families affected by ALS. ALS United Mid-Atlantic serves people with ALS in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
To learn more about our programs and research and how to support our initiatives, visit www.alsmidatlantic.org

Josi Shimkus, MA, CCC-SLP, Hackensack Meridian Health Jersey Shore University Medical Center, joins the ALS United Mid-Atlantic GOALS Podcast to discuss her expertise and work assisting people with ALS with communication therapy and technology. Topics include swallowing issues, tracking speaking strength, coordinating with the clinic team, and the ALS United Walk.
Our mission is to unite and empower the ALS community through a collaborative approach to fostering bold research initiatives, advancing national and state advocacy, and providing comprehensive care and support to individuals and families affected by ALS. ALS United Mid-Atlantic serves people with ALS in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
To learn more about our programs and research and how to support our initiatives, visit www.alsmidatlantic.org

Cassy Adams from  @ALSNorthwest  joins the ALS United Mid-Atlantic GOALS Podcast to discuss ALS care, research, and advocacy and how our partner organizations can collaborate to best serve the ALS community. Learn more about ALS Northwest at www.alsnorthwest.org
Our mission is to unite and empower the ALS community through a collaborative approach to fostering bold research initiatives, advancing national and state advocacy, and providing comprehensive care and support to individuals and families affected by ALS. ALS United Mid-Atlantic serves people with ALS in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
To learn more about our programs and research and how to support our initiatives, visit www.alsmidatlantic.org

Jeff Oppenheimer understands the needs and challenges of ALS. His wife Shelbie was diagnosed with ALS in 1996 and together Jeff and Shelbie raised awareness and successfully advocated for millions of dollars for ALS research.
Since then, Jeff has served on the board of ALS United Mid-Atlantic and he has worked to improve the lives of people with ALS and their caregivers. Recently, Jeff helped launch ALS.Community. This new resource provides information and social connection for people with ALS from across the country and the world. Jeff joins the ALS United Mid-Atlantic GOALS Podcast to explain the benefits of ALS.Community and to encourage others to join and be part of this growing platform.
Learn more at https://als.community/
Our mission is to unite and empower the ALS community through a collaborative approach to fostering bold research initiatives, advancing national and state advocacy, and providing comprehensive care and support to individuals and families affected by ALS. ALS United Mid-Atlantic serves people with ALS in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. To learn more about our programs and research and how to support our initiatives, visit www.alsmidatlantic.org

Nadia Sethi joins the ALS United Mid-Atlantic GOALS Podcast to discuss her experience caring for a loved one with ALS and how everyone can be empowered through ALS awareness, education, and research. In this episode, Nadia discusses some of the challenges of navigating hope and caution, as well as how everyone can participate in scientific advancement. Nadia has been involved with ALS TDI and I AM ALS and she is now working with North Star ALS at https://www.northstarals.org/
Our ALS mission is to unite and empower the ALS community through a collaborative approach to fostering bold research initiatives, advancing national and state advocacy, and providing comprehensive care and support to individuals and families affected by ALS. ALS United Mid-Atlantic serves people with ALS in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
To learn more about our programs and research and how to support our initiatives, visit www.alsmidatlantic.org

Frederick "Eric" Arnold, PhD, joins the ALS United Mid-Atlantic GOALS Podcast to discuss major advances in ALS research, genetics, and the importance of understanding TDP-43. Dr. Arnold talks about his education and inspiration through Haverford College and Thomas Jefferson University and his ongoing research work at Washington University. On April 9th, 2026, Dr. Arnold spoke about these topics at the ALS United Mid-Atlantic Help and Hope Symposium. To learn more about Dr. Arnold's work, visit https://genetics.wustl.edu/people/frederick-arnold-phd/
Our mission is to unite and empower the ALS community through a collaborative approach to fostering bold research initiatives, advancing national and state advocacy, and providing comprehensive care and support to individuals and families affected by ALS. ALS United Mid-Atlantic serves people with ALS in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
To learn more about our programs and research and how to support our initiatives, visit www.alsmidatlantic.org