In this episode of Diabetics Doing Things, Shaina Kasper, the newly appointed executive director of T1 International, joins the podcast to discuss the organization's ongoing and future initiatives. Shaina elaborates on key topics such as the transition of leadership, the global fight for affordable insulin, the role of policy in diabetes advocacy, and why T1 International refuses pharmaceutical funding. The conversation also touches on the impact of climate disasters, conflict zones, and political actions on insulin access. Additionally, Shaina emphasizes the importance of community and patient-led research and how listeners can contribute to the cause through surveys, petitions, and grassroots support. The episode calls for voters to be informed about the implications of policy changes and to participate actively in advocacy efforts for systemic change.

00:00 Introduction and Recap of Part One
00:16 Welcoming Shaina Kasper
01:48 Global Challenges and Human Rights
03:57 T1 International's Policy Focus
07:20 Personal Stories and Advocacy
09:36 Survey and Research Initiatives
10:58 Policy Priorities and Legislative Actions
14:22 Challenges in the Pharmaceutical Industry
30:07 The Importance of Independent Advocacy
35:41 Call to Action and Conclusion

Resources:

Public Citizen Report: Mapping the Phrma Grant Universe
T1 International - How to Get Involved

Transition in Leadership: Liz Pfeister Reflects on a Decade of Advocacy with T1 International In this episode of Diabetics Doing Things, host Rob Howe interviews Liz Pfeister, the founder and outgoing Executive Director of T1 International. They discuss Liz's journey from founding the organization to advocating for insulin access and addressing overwhelming challenges in conflict zones. Liz shares insights on the emotional and logistical difficulties of stepping down and the vital importance of community in advocacy work. They also explore the future of T1 International under the new leadership of Shaina Kasper and emphasize the enduring fight for global insulin access.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction
01:46 Meet Liz Pfeister: Founder of T1 International
02:59 The Journey of T1 International
07:01 The Highs and Lows of Advocacy
16:08 Future of T1 International
19:28 Global South and Conflict Zones
27:28 Reflections on Advocacy and Independence
32:54 Advice for Aspiring Advocates
38:10 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Embecta disclaims any control over, relationship with, or endorsement of, or the accuracy, truthfulness or completeness of the content or view expressed in this Podcast, which are solely those of the speaker and not necessarily those of embecta.  embecta does not guarantee the accuracy or reliability of the information provided therein.  Any and all comments and post are from members of the public community and do not necessarily reflect the views of embecta.

This episode of Diabeteics Doing Things features Antoinette Watkins, the founder of Diabaddie Org. She discusses her personal journey with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), from being diagnosed at a young age to her extensive dance career and eventual pivot to healthcare to better support the T1D community. Antoinette highlights the importance of diabetes camps in normalizing the experience for young diabetics and her efforts to make these opportunities more accessible to minority communities. She also delves into the stigmas faced by minority diabetics and the need for representation and role models in the diabetes community. Sponsored by Embecta, this episode is a beacon of inspiration and empowerment for anyone affected by diabetes.

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message
00:35 Meet Antoinette Watkins
02:42 Antoinette's Diabetes Journey
06:52 Living with Diabetes: Challenges and Triumphs
13:55 Diabaddie Org and Community Impact
20:41 Starting Diabaddie: The Inspiration and Mission
22:07 The Importance of Diabetes Camp
23:16 Challenges and Triumphs of Diabetic Kids at Camp
25:20 Expanding Horizons: Chris Dudley Basketball Camp
32:57 Personal Journey and Stigma in Minority Communities
37:13 The Power of Representation and Role Models
42:51 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

The Diabaddie Organization

Diabaddie Instagram

In this episode, Rob interviews Keith Crear, who shares personal narratives and professional insights about managing type 2 diabetes. The featured guest, a photographer contributing to NFL and MLS, recounts his diagnosis in 2017 following an incident of heat exhaustion and his journey from confusion to effective management through self-research and specialized counseling. Emphasizing personalized care and community support, he discusses the benefits of diet and exercise over insulin and reflects on balancing his creative career with diabetes management. The episode explores significant milestones in his profession, covering major soccer events and aspirations for the 2028 Olympics and highlighting how diabetes has shaped his perspective and growth. Additionally, the conversation tackles the stigma and misinformation surrounding diabetes, particularly in cultural contexts, and underscores the need for individualized care, the role of a supportive medical team, and the importance of sharing personal stories to inspire and educate others.

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message

00:36 Welcome and Guest Introduction

01:27 Diagnosis Story and Initial Reactions

03:05 Navigating Life with Diabetes

06:01 Finding the Right Support

09:34 Life as a Sports Photographer with Diabetes

11:41 Creating Diabetes Awareness in the Community

17:02 Living with Diabetes: The Struggle and Perspective

17:50 Transformative Journey: Weight Loss and Self-Discovery

18:59 The Importance of Mental Health and Community Support

20:22 Debunking Myths and Building a Strong Medical Team

20:51 Sharing Personal Stories: Impact and Misconceptions

22:11 Navigating Life with Diabetes: Challenges and Stigmas

26:33 Breaking Barriers: Food, Culture, and Stigma

29:44 Type 1 vs. Type 2: Understanding the Differences

33:49 Connecting with the Diabetes Community

33:58 Final Thoughts and Staying Connected

In this episode of Diabetics Doing Things, Rob speaks with Renee Rayles, the creator of Hey T1D, about her journey with Type 1 Diabetes. Renee shares how her diagnosis impacted her career in communications, acting, and broadcasting, underscoring the significance of preparation and informed decision-making.

The discussion highlights the challenges of misdiagnosis and the importance of being proactive in healthcare. Renee also shares her advocacy work for affordable insulin and raising diabetes awareness through public events and social media.

Emphasizing community support, the conversation covers overcoming stigma, misinformation, and the unique challenges faced by adults diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, particularly during the pandemic. Listeners are inspired by personal anecdotes and practical advice on managing diabetes, fostering community, and empowering both adults and children living with the condition.

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message

00:36 Meet Our Guest: Renee Rayles

00:55 Balancing a Career and Diabetes 0

2:59 Renee's Diagnosis Journey

03:55 Advocacy and Transparency

06:53 Misdiagnosis and Self-Advocacy

12:50 Jumping into Advocacy

18:06 The Early Days of Podcasting

18:23 The Power of Community Advocacy

18:59 Raising Diabetes Awareness

20:10 Personal Stories and Connections

25:15 Challenges and Misconceptions

27:52 Bullying and Body Image

30:36 Navigating Life with Diabetes

34:21 Resources and Support

35:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Episode 300: Lessons from Diabetics Doing Things - Rob Howe's Podcasting Journey This episode celebrates the 300th milestone of 'Diabetics Doing Things', and sharing stories about diabetes since 2016.

Host Rob Howe reflects on the journey of producing 341 episodes, highlighting the challenges and achievements faced along the way. The episode is filled with insights on starting a podcast, embracing risks, maintaining passion, and the impact of community.

Rob shares eight pieces of advice for aspiring podcasters and expresses gratitude to those who have supported the podcast over the years.

The episode underscores the significance of connections within the diabetes community and the ongoing commitment to tell diverse diabetes stories.

00:00 Introduction and Milestones

01:38 Reflecting on the Journey

02:00 Why Start a Diabetes Podcast?

02:12 The Power of Taking Action

02:55 Building a Community

04:16 Gratitude and Achievements

05:40 Advice for Aspiring Podcasters

06:52 The Importance of Persistence

08:58 Dream Big and Find Your Space

11:28 Content Creation and Future Plans

12:45 The Value of Diabetic Friendships

13:51 Acknowledgements and Thank You

15:20 Closing Remarks

Embecta disclaims any control over, relationship with, or endorsement of, or the accuracy, truthfulness or completeness of the content or view expressed in this Podcast, which are solely those of the speaker and not necessarily those of embecta.  embecta does not guarantee the accuracy or reliability of the information provided therein.  Any and all comments and post are from members of the public community and do not necessarily reflect the views of embecta.

Simplifying Diabetes fitness and weight loss while finding balance with Dex Geralds

In this episode, Rob interviews Dex Geralds, a fitness trainer and social media personality living with Type 1 diabetes. Sponsored by Embecta, the episode delves into Dex's journey from being misdiagnosed with Type 2 diabetes to living with Type 1 diabetes and LADA. They discuss strategies for managing blood sugar with physical activities, the impact of genetics and diet on diabetes, and debunk common misconceptions about fitness and diabetes. Dex also shares insights into balancing life, content creation, and maintaining mental health. The episode underscores the importance of patience, empathy, and small steps in achieving a healthy lifestyle with diabetes.

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message
00:35 Welcoming Dex Geralds
01:22 Dex's Diabetes Journey
02:08 Managing Diabetes with Fitness
04:08 Challenges and Adaptations
06:53 Fitness Misconceptions and Diabetes
20:25 Content Creation and Burnout
25:20 Encouragement and Impact
27:07 Exploring Personal Interests
28:50 Connecting Diabetes with Daily Life
31:29 Addressing Diabetes Stigma
35:09 Health Equity and Information Access
36:15 Fitness and Nutrition Basics
37:48 Dopamine and Mental Health
40:54 Fashion and Personal Expression
45:01 Final Thoughts and Advice

In this episode, Rob provides an update on various Diabetics Doing Things projects, including the Diabetes Legends basketball clinic, upcoming speaking engagements, the "Doing Well with Diabetes" series, and a new podcast series with the International Diabetes Federation. He also plans to highlight Olympic and national team athletes who have previously appeared on the podcast. While the podcast schedule may be slightly less consistent over the next few weeks due to Rob's busy schedule, he promises to continue delivering high-quality content, including sharing the top 5 things he learned from the ADA 2024 Scientific Sessions.

Main Topics Discussed:

• Diabetes Doing Things Update (00:02:30) - Rob provides updates on the Diabetes Legends basketball clinic in Dallas, upcoming speaking engagements, and the "Doing Well with Diabetes" series in partnership with CenterWell and the North Texas Food Bank.

• International Diabetes Federation Podcast (00:13:01) - Rob shares that he and Erica have been asked by the International Diabetes Federation to host a podcast series featuring athletes with diabetes, which will be a great opportunity to showcase their work.

• Olympic Athlete Highlights (00:14:41) - Rob plans to re-air episodes featuring Olympic and national team athletes, such as Mark White, Mary Markworth, and Lauren Cox, to celebrate the upcoming Olympic games.

• Summer Podcast Schedule (00:16:27) - Rob acknowledges that the podcast may not be as consistent over the next few weeks due to the various projects and events he is involved in, but he promises to continue providing high-quality content.

• Top 5 Learnings from ADA 2024 (00:18:30) - Rob shares the top 5 things he learned from the ADA 2024 Scientific Sessions, focusing on insights from the poster sessions.

• How emerging adults with type 1 diabetes seek self-care information (00:18:30)

• The higher prevalence of psychotherapeutic drug use among adults with diabetes (00:22:36) 

• The association between environmental mastery and reduced diabetes distress (00:24:35)

• The impact of a digital health coaching program on food insecure rural populations with type 2 diabetes (00:28:55)

• The differing glucose responses to moderate vs. high intensity exercise (00:30:57)

Key References:

International Diabetes Federation (IDF) virtual event "The Power of Movement To Tackle Diabetes" 
Breakthrough T1D event in Dallas, TX
Diabetes Legends Basketball Camp in Denver
"Doing Well with Diabetes" series with CenterWell primary care

In this episode, we talk with Frank Westermann, the Co-Founder of 9amHealth, a virtual care platform focused on providing holistic, specialty-level care for people living with cardio-metabolic conditions like prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

Frank shares his personal journey with type 1 diabetes and how that experience led him to co-found 9amHealth, which aims to make it easier for people to access the care and support they need to manage their chronic conditions.

Main Topics Discussed:

• Frank's diagnosis with type 1 diabetes and how it shaped his career path (00:00:57)

• The evolution from Frank's previous company, MySugr, to the launch of 9am Health (00:04:04)

• 9amHealth's approach to providing "complete cardiometabolic care" for patients with type 2 diabetes and related conditions (00:06:56)

• How 9amHealth is working to address barriers to care in underserved communities (00:14:12)

• Patient success stories and the impact of 9amHealth's affordable, accessible care model (00:21:34)

• The role of AI and technology in the future of healthcare (00:24:56)

Where to find Frank:

LinkedIn
9amHealth

June is Pride Month and to celebrate Pride in the Diabetes community, we are highlighting amazing stories from the LGBTQ+ diabetes community to show that diabetes doesn’t stop you from being who you are and living your best life. Please be welcoming and respectful to our guests and if you feel the need to be bigoted, hateful or discriminatory, we will protect our guests and respond in-kind. Happy Pride!

In this episode, we sit down with Angelique Godwin, a Black, trans woman living with type 1 diabetes. Angelique shares her journey to diagnosis, the challenges she faced navigating the healthcare system, and how she's learned to manage her diabetes while embracing her full identity. We discuss the importance of self-advocacy, the impact of diabetes on mental health, and how the LGBTQ+ community can support those with chronic conditions.

Main Topics Discussed:

- Angelique's path to diagnosis and the obstacles she faced (00:00:00 - 00:06:39)
- The importance of self-advocacy in healthcare (00:06:40 - 00:13:30)
- Managing diabetes through diet, exercise, and mindset shifts (00:13:31 - 00:22:27)
- How diabetes has impacted Angelique's life as a Black, trans woman (00:22:28 - 00:38:22)
- Advice for embracing your full identity while living with a chronic condition (00:38:23 - 00:43:35)

Where to Find Angelique:
- Instagram, Facebook: @dncndiva
- Advocacy work with Equality Florida