More Than A Diabetic Episode 3: Diabetes, Black Lives Matter and The Black Diabetic Experience

Episode 3: Diabetes, Black Lives Matter and The Black Diabetic Experience

Panelists:

Cameron Hall

Michael Roberson

Eritrea Mussa-Khan

Qiana Drew

Topics:

• What role can the Diabetes community at large and the Black Diabetes Community play in Black Lives Matter?

• COVID-19 as another area in health where Black and Brown communities are disproportionally affected.

• The Black Diabetes Community showed strong support for BeyondType1's GetInsulin.org project, which was being criticized in the community because it was funded in partnership with pharmaceutical companies. What made you start that discussion? How was it received?

• What do people like Rob, and people in positions of leadership in Diabetes need to know what it's like to be Black with Diabetes?

Keep it locked on the podcast as well as our YouTube channel, where we will include the full video interviews of all our episodes.

Don’t forget to make sure you’re subscribed to The Drip and follow #morethanadiabetic on Instagram for all the materials related to the series.

More Than A Diabetic Episode 2: Diabetes Nonprofits and Representation

Episode 2: Diabetes Nonprofits and Representation

Panelists:

Anita Nicole Brown

Kevia Cheney

Kylene Redmond

Tiana Cooks

Topics:

• A in depth discussion on Diabetes nonprofits and the lack of representation for BIPOC communities.

• An up close and personal look at the JDRF Juneteenth incident

• How can we be better represent Black people with Diabetes? The system is clearly broken what can be done to fix it?

Keep it locked on the podcast as well as our YouTube channel, where we will include the full video interviews of all our episodes.

Don’t forget to make sure you’re subscribed to The Drip and follow #morethanadiabetic on Instagram for all the materials related to the series.

More Than A Diabetic Episode 1: Medical Racism, Misdiagnosis & Stereotypes

Episode 1: Medical Racism, Misdiagnosis & Stereotypes

Panelists:

Taylor Johnson - www.instagram.com/taylorbetic

Dr. Roy Collins - www.instagram.com/dr.royc

Shaw Strothers - www.instagram.com/typeonderful_ https://typeonederfulclothes.com/

Chelcie Rice - www.instagram.com/type1comedian

Mila Clarke-Buckley - www.instagram.com/thehangrywoman https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxLFD9VZ1SHLpCCWuAhX_DA

Topics:

• "The risk of diabetes is 77% higher among African Americans than non-Hispanic white Americans." Certainly we know this anecdotally because of stereotypes, but are we as a Diabetes community talking about the disproportionate assault on black communities enough?

• Race and Misdiagnosis. This is also a fat phobic issue. What part does race at face value play in diagnosis?

• Another stat: Maternal Mortality in Black mothers is 3x higher than white mothers.

• Stereotyping: black people are often pictured as either very poor, or very successful (athletes, entertainers, etc.) what about Black people who aren't poor or even come from wealth?

Keep it locked on the podcast as well as our YouTube channel, where we will include the full video interviews of all our episodes.

Don’t forget to make sure you’re subscribed to The Drip and follow #morethanadiabetic on Instagram for all the materials related to the series.

Introducing More Than A Diabetic - A Series from Diabetics Doing Things

To kickoff 2021, Rob and Eritrea have been hard at work at a new series titled More Than A Diabetic, a 4-part series featuring 15 members of the Diabetes Community who are all people of color. This series focuses on important topics like medical racism, representation in the Diabetes community and how we can collectively as a community do better to support our BIPOC brothers and sisters with Diabetes. Launching January 15, 2021, the 4-part series includes the following episodes:

• Episode 1: Medical Racism, Misdiagnosis & Stereotypes - January 15th

• Episode 2: Diabetes Nonprofits & Representation - January 19th

• Episode 3: Diabetes, Atiana Jefferson & Black Lives Matter - January 22nd

• Episode 4: Microaggression and the things people say to people with Diabetes online- January 26th

Keep it locked on the podcast as well as our YouTube channel, where we will include the full video interviews of all our episodes.

Don’t forget to make sure you’re subscribed to The Drip and follow #morethanadiabetic on Instagram for all the materials related to the series.

December Round Up with Eritrea and Rob - Talking Disability and Achievement Culture

Rob and Eritrea are back for the return of the episode format of Testing Testing our Blood Sugar. We’re covering a lot in this December round up, but overall we want to wish you a Happy Holidays and a safe and prosperous 2021. Thanks so much for being a part of Diabetics Doing Things.

In this episode we cover:

The conversation around Diabetes and Disability. From the discussion on Twitter, to the Amazon documentary on Oscar Pistorius, Rob and Eritrea talk about living with Diabetes and how they think about having a disability or identifying as disabled.

Achievement culture in Diabetes. Why have we for so long only shown extraordinary people living with Diabetes as the example of what life with Diabetes is like? Rob talks about falling victim to that narrative and how we are working to normalize living a normal life with Diabetes

Have you subscribed to The Drip yet? Don’t miss our monthly newsletter!

Episode 161 - En Español with Jorge Esquivel Ruiz

Jorge Esquivel Ruiz has been a longtime follower and listener of Diabetics Doing Things. So when he sent Rob a message on Instagram in November 2020 that said there was a clear lack of Spanish-speaking countries represented on the podcast, we felt the need to act quickly.

Jorge lives in a small town in Mexico, and talks about the challenges people with Diabetes in Mexico who do not live near a big city face not only with Diagnosis, but also with ongoing management of their supplies. In this episode we discuss:

• The challenges rural communities in Mexico face with healthcare

• How what is considered affordable for Americans is often too expensive for Mexican people

• The truth about Mexico’s pharmacies for Mexican citizens

• Jorge’s diagnosis story

• Diabetes Community in Mexico

• Jorge answers Rob’s famous “Airport” question in Spanish with help from Eritrea.

Do you live with Diabetes and speak Spanish as your primary language? We want to hear from you. Please contact us if you would like to share your story in Spanish.

Episode 160 - Mario Kart with Sarah Johnson the Diabetic Cactus

11/5/2020

Once upon a time Kerri Sparling from SixUntilMe mentioned Mario Kart on this podcast, and today we realize that dream as Sarah Johnson (@thediabeticcactus on Instagram) play Mario Kart during this interview. This is a fun challenge, and you’ll have to see how Rob and Sarah perform as they dig into conversations about Diabetes!

 In this episode, Rob and Sarah discuss:

• You’re the Diabetic Cactus, where did that come from and what made you start doing it? 

• Your mom also lives with Diabetes, what was that like growing up and what is it like now? 

• You are bring the full unfiltered life with diabetes to instagram , you’re a YouTuber, what is something about putting your life with diabetes out there that most people don’t realize is part of it? 

• You’re currently taking Trulicity - what should people with Diabetes know about it? 

• iPads - let’s talk about em 

• What are you most looking forward to in a post-COVID reality 

October Round Up with Eritrea and Rob

Rob and Eritrea are back for the return of the episode format of Testing Testing our Blood Sugar. We’re covering a lot in this October round up, but the biggest thing you’ll notice is there’s new intro music. Will it stay? Rob already hates it, so be sure to let him know if you do too!

In this episode we cover:

November = diabetes awareness month 

Election burnout 

it is I, the DIY Fly Guy - the story behind my Twitter handle @flyyabetes

Myabetic awards recap - Myabetic tv 

Lauren Bongiorno/Koia/Omnipod Together T1d event 

-Echo chamber of social media

-podcasts I was on the Texans Titans / Like, Honestly 

Have you subscribed to The Drip yet? Don’t miss our monthly newsletter!

Episode 159 - Julie Foster on Medtronic's Acquisition of Companion Medical (Part II)

9/23/2020  - Part 2

On August, 11 2020 Medtronic Diabetes announced its plans to acquire Companion Medical, makers of the InPen, the only FDA cleared smart insulin pen. Medtronic tasked us to collect questions from the Diabetes Community for Julie Foster, so that’s what we did. Since the acquisition has now officially closed, this episode is part 2 of a 2 part series. If you haven’t listened to part 1, check out Episode 159 of Diabetics Doing Things with Sean Salmon

Disclaimer: Rob Howe is a paid consultant of Medtronic Diabetes, this podcast was made possible by Medtronic but Rob’s thoughts and opinions are his own.

 In this episode, Rob and Julie discuss:

• Julie’s career with Medtronic (30+ years) and her new role as the VP of Customer Experience at Medtronic Diabetes

• Julie’s excitement to integrate the InPen into the Medtronic suite of products

• Why it’s important for Medtronic to meet patients where they are in their Diabetes journey

• Medtronic’s planned integration for the InPen and what InPen customers can expect to hear from Medtronic

• A question from the community, regarding affordable diabetes treatment options and how this acquisition helps with that.

• Medtronic’s iPort and integration with the InPen

• A question from the community on upcoming news about Bluetooth integration for Medtronic pumps

CAMP SWEENEY IS A CULT RIGHT?

It was time to switch things up a bit and add a little more variety to the podcast, so that’s what we’ve done.

Rob and Eritrea go 1 on 1 to talk about things that have been going on with Diabetics Doing Things, things going on in the real world, things going on in the Diabetes Community and this time, we get to learn more about Eritrea’s Diagnosis with T1D and what it was like for Rob to be featured in Express.

Most of all, we just cut loose for 45 minutes and have a good time.

Looking forward to hearing your comments on this episode of Testing…Testing…our blood sugar?

Episode 158 - Quarantine Fitness with Nic Caracandas

Delayed Publishing Due to COVID-19

Nicolas Caracandas (@Diabetic_Athletic on Instagram) from Cape Town, South Africa joins the pod to talk about his winding journey with Diabetes and Fitness.

Diagnosed at age 10, Nicolas’ only experience with Diabetes was with his Mother, who was not involved in his life when he was diagnosed. Always athletic as a kid, Diabetes provided Nicolas with a love and extra focus on sports and athletics, and early in his career he knew that he wanted a career in fitness. Fast forward to today, where he runs Diabetic Athletic a training and nutrition platform for people with Diabetes.

We talk about:

• Living with Diabetes in South Africa

• Life as an entrepreneur

• What it’s like to help other people with Diabetes

• Embracing the grind as a small business owner

• What quarantine is like in South Africa

Thanks to Nick for coming on the show, and apologies for the late posting!

In this episode I mention that Lilly has put a program in place for people who have lost insurance due to COVID-19 to get their insulin capped at $35 per month, for more information on that program, follow this link

All of Nick’s links below:

The Diabetic Athletic

Diabetic Athletic YouTube

Diabetic Athletic Facebook

Episode 157 - Diabetes Letterboards with Greta Ehlers

Delayed Publishing Due to COVID-19

Greta Ehlers, (@gretastypeone on Instagram) lives with T1D in Sweden.

I’ve followed Greta for a number of years now, and over the past 2 years or so, has been sharing #GretasDiabetesBoards

• Greta joined the podcast in March 2020 and we talk about:

• Traveling in Europe (sometimes under an assumed name!)

• Healthcare differences in Sweden & Germany compared to the U.S.

• The backstory behind #gretasdiabetesboards and how she comes up with her topics

• What she’s been doing during quarantine

• The importance of citing your sources and stopping the spread of misinformation

• And Greta gives us a preview of her upcoming letterboards

Be sure to check out Greta on Instagram, and share #gretasletterboards

Episode 156 - Sean Salmon on Medtronic's Announcement on Companion Medical Acquisition

“I want the Diabetes Community to know that I know, and I’m listening and I do hear you and that’s why we’ve made customer experiences in terms of innovations and support our top priorities at Medtronic Diabetes.” -Sean Salmon, EVP and President of Medtronic Diabetes

8/18/2020  - Part 1

On August, 11 2020 Medtronic Diabetes announced its plans to acquire Companion Medical, makers of the InPen, the only FDA cleared smart insulin pen. Medtronic tasked us to collect questions from the Diabetes Community for Sean Salmon, so that’s what we did. Since the acquisition has not officially closed, this episode is part 1 of a 2 part series and if you don’t hear your question on this interview, check back for part 2 after the acquisition closes.

Disclaimer: Rob Howe is a paid consultant of Medtronic Diabetes, this podcast was made possible by Medtronic but Rob’s thoughts and opinions are his own.

 In this episode, Rob and Sean discuss:

-What makes Sean so excited about the planned acquisition of Companion Medical

-Why adding a Smart Insulin Pen to Medtronic is so important

-Areas where Sean is actively working to help Medtronic improve (CGM)

-Addressing questions from community members about Medtronic Customer Service

-What Medtronic’s acquisition of Companion means for current InPen users

-Addressing questions about Dexcom integration now that Medtronic is acquiring InPen

-Discussing the concept of Pump Breaks and why it’s important to Medtronic to offer a solution for patients

 Listen to Sean’s first interview with Diabetics Doing Things

Episode 155 - Diabetics Doing the Great Outdoors with Aya Tsuruta

Delayed publishing due to COVID-19

On today’s podcast I’m joined from Southern Utah by Aya Tsuruta, a T1D of nearly 24 years who left her career in advertising to make a big jump outside (literally) her comfort zone.

After dealing with a very relatable bout of career and Diabetes burnout, Aya was scrolling through Instagram when she got an ad about careers in the Conservation Corps (part of Americorps). Next thing you know, she was out on her first 12 day “hitch” in the wilderness of the western United States.

Aya and I talk about Diagnoses at a young age, how slowing down during COVID-19 isn’t such a bad thing, and how life’s greatest adventures can be kicked off by good advertising (of all things).

You can follow Aya on Instagram at @tsurutaya and get a firsthand look at the great outdoors through her lens, as well as all the supplies and snacks she takes out with her on the trail to make sure she has everything she needs to treat her Diabetes.

Episode 154 - FOUNDERS Auxilin Co-Founders Dr. Gary and Tommy Ritz

Delayed publishing due to COVID-19

Welcome Dr. Gary and Tommy Ritz, the first father son diabetic duo interview on the pod!

Gary was diagnosed at 26 while working at an internship in Seattle in 1984, he had the usual symptoms, finally got tested and his BG was 980! Years later, Tommy, was diagnosed at 6 years old, and Gary was able to diagnose him after seeing him chug a big glass of water. His bg was 250 and the rest is history! Their Mom is also an endocrine nurse and they have another brother with T1D. Diabetes runs strong in the Ritz family.

We talk about what it was like growing up with another T1D in the house, and what advantages came along with it, and one of the fun facts that came up is Tommy is the best carb counter in the house. 

Gary also talks about some of the parental guilt that came along with passing on the gene to Tommy, and how it sort of eats at him. That brought up something that I don’t often talk about, but my Dad had a really tough time accepting that there was nothing my family could’ve done to prevent me getting Diabetes. It can be really difficult for parents all around, even outside of day to day care.

What is Auxilin? 

Like many people with Diabetes, Tommy has struggled with management of high glucose , and was frustrated at how there were a lot of ways to treat hypoglycemia, but not a lot of other treatments besides insulin for Hyperglycemia (and jumping jacks of course). So along with his father and Dr. Jason McEvitt - they set out to create Auxilin.

Auxilin stands for “Augmenting Insulin” to assist insulin in lowering blood sugar 

Auxilin eliminates insulin resistance so your insulin works normally. As your blood sugar goes higher, you become more insulin resistant. 

How does the science work? 

Auxilin works on a hormone that everyone has in their body, which helps with insulin absorption.

Let me know what you think of this interview with a superstar Diabetic family!

Episode 153 - Diabetics Surviving COVID-19 with Deepak Malhotra

Delayed publishing due to COVID-19

In spring 2020, Integrated Diabetes Services introduced me to a number of their patients across the world to tell their stories of “doing things” with Diabetes.

One of those patients, Deepak Malhotra, who lives in Dubai - had some scheduling conflicts, so we were unable to connect for a time (this is pretty typical of international interviews, as balancing busy schedules takes a lot of coordination when 8+ time zones are involved). But during our scheduling mixup, Deepak contracted Covid-19 - so once he recovered, he joined the pod to talk through his experience as a person with Diabetes.

This interview took place on April 16, 2020, during the earlier days of the first Covid-19 lockdown. It has not been edited for medical accuracy. For more information about how people with Diabetes can continue to fight against Coronavirus, please visit coronavirusdiabetes.org, presented by the Beyond Type 1 and JDRF Alliance.

Episode 152 - Diabetics Defeating Stigma with Style with The Hangry Woman Mila Clarke-Buckley

Let’s be clear, if you don’t know Mila Clarke-Buckley (@thehangrywoman on Instagram) you should get to know her!

Mila, who writes under her internet moniker “The Hangry Woman” at www.thehangrywoman.com is a world-class food blogger, person with Diabetes, and Diabetes advocate.

More than other Diabetes Advocates, she puts her story on the line, even in the face of criticism from internet commenters, like on this Yahoo Article. She has even turned the hater’s comments into content, like the video below:

Rob and Mila take some time in the midst of the quarantine of April 2020 to talk about Mila’s diagnosis, how she became The Hangry Woman, and how she deals with internet trolls as a person with Type 2 Diabetes. Rob and Mila first met at AADE 2019, on a Diversity in Diabetes panel moderated by Cherise Shockley. Following AADE, they worked together on the InhalemyInsulin campaign and did a video called “Everyone Knows Somebody with Diabetes.”

In a time where it is more important than ever to amplify Black Diabetes Creators, Black Diabetic Stories and Black Voices in Diabetes, I can think of no better example for how to defeat stigma with style, than my friend Mila. Enjoy the episode!

Episode 151 - Diabetics Doing Professional Volleyball with Ashley Askin

*PRE-COVID, PRE QUARANTINE SERIES*

Prior to the lockdown, I recorded a number of interviews that never made it to press. The first of those is professional volleyball player and Type-1 Diabetic, Ashley Askin.

Ashley, (@ashwey33 on Instagram) had just finished her second season of professional Volleyball In France when the COVID-19 outbreak shocked the world. She has since returned home to the states.

Diagnosed with T1D at a young age, Ashley didn’t let it stop her from living her dreams as an athlete. A 4-year letterwinner at Georgia Tech University, Ashley digs deep into what it was like for her as an athlete with T1D and all the moments that you don’t see that go into being a T1D athlete.

This is a great conversation between two T1D athletes, and Rob even shares some behind the scenes stories from his college basketball days. Check it out!

Update Episode - Rob Gives an Update on Diabetics Doing Things in 2020

2020 has been a whirlwind for all of us, and especially in the Diabetes community. So I felt it was important to address why the podcast has been a bit more absent recently, as well as address how Diabetics Doing Things will make efforts to be more inclusive, more anti-racist, and part of the solution rather than contributing to the erasure of Black experiences in the Diabetes community.

In this episode I cover the following:

• Why I’ve been so absent on the pod

• The days leading up to the COVID-19 lockdown

• Business updates and challenges following the lockdown

• The cancellation of all the Diabetes events I was scheduled to be a part of

• How my agency, Recreation has been handling the economic fallout

• Updates on ADA Imagine Camp

• Looking back on Rob Howe Has a Live Show

• Updates on how Diabetics Doing Things is responding to the Black Lives Matter movement, and what you can expect going forward

• Statistics on the lack of inclusivity on our platforms, and a candid discussion about the failure of representing Black people with Diabetes, and other BIPOC voices as well.

• Addressing the failure of JDRF to protect Kylene, Anita, and Keiva on the Juneteenth social media posts, and how I plan to use my involvement with JDRF, ADA and BeyondType1 to open the door for more opportunities for BIPOC people with Diabetes to share their voices and stories to spread awareness about the challenges our BIPOC brothers and sisters face.

Ok, that’s it! Thanks to Dario Health for sponsoring this episode, and keep it locked on Diabetics Doing Things. Listeners of the pod can save 77% on the Dario Starter kit!

Episode 149 - Diabetics Doing Things with BeyondType1 CEO Thom Scher

With COVID-19 continuing to wreak havoc upon the world at large, the Jdrf x Beyondtype1 Alliance have spun up two important campaigns that I want to make you aware of: 

The first is coronavirusdiabetes.org

This special site is full of information that people with diabetes can use to help keep our community safe until we’re all safe. It’s available in 5 languages and has the simple goal of tapping into the power of the global diabetes community to SAVE LIVES. It’s packed with recommendations, resources, sharable information, interviews, toolkits, links to financial programs and much more. So tell a friend to tell a friend to check out coronavirusdiabetes.org brought to you by the JDRF x Beyondtype1 Alliance. 

SECOND is a campaign called #Biglittlechanges - we all need to work together to keep the most vulnerable among us safe. We know not everyone can take every precaution but every precaution you can take makes a difference. The Diabetes community especially needs to look out for one another and our communities - we know what’s at stake. 

So! Check out the recommendations and resources at Coronavirusdiabetes.org and check out the hashtag #biglittlechanges on social media for more information 

This episode was recorded on April 16, 2020 My interview is with Beyond Type 1 CEO Thom Scher, who took over the reigns of BT1 in 2019 after being with the company since its inception in 2015. 

Thom and I talk about talk about COVID and what BT1 has been focused on in light of the crisis/quarantine/storytelling for people with Diabetes, Thom’s background before joining BT1, and what he’s most proud of since becoming CEO last year. 

I’m so grateful to Thom and the BT1 team for the time and I’m looking forward to continuing to work together with them as part of the leadership council. If you want more information on Beyondtype1 and how you can get involved, just head to beyondtype1.org!

• Thom, and I talk about his background and what made him join the organization back in 2015.

• What he’s most proud of since taking the helm as CEO in 2019.

• Where BT1 fits in the “Big 3” Diabetes nonprofits

• What BT1 is doing to continue to advocate for insulin affordability

• What BT1 and BeyondType2 are doing to create community within the Diabetes communities and make them more inclusive for people with all kinds of Diabetes.

• What he’s excited about for the future, even with all the uncertainty around COVID.