Erin Akers is back on the pod! Erin is the founder of the Diabulimia Helpline, now DBH.

In this episode Rob, Eritrea, and Erin talk about:

• Diabulimia Helpline’s transition to DBH

• Erin’s mother and one of the GOATs, Mama Dawn

• The 3rd International Conference on Diabetes & Eating Disorders In November

• Presenting at ADCES in Houston this year

• Broader world of Mental Health and Diabetes including burnout, anxiety, and depression

• The importance of group support

• Representation matters especially in conversations about disordered eating

• The warning signs of diabulimia

• The destructive nature of toxic positivity

• Want to volunteer for the helpline? Send an email to info@dbh.org

We want to hear from you. Send your questions, comments, queries, and general diabetes concerns to THE MAILBAG at mailbag@diabeticsdoingthings.com!

Dr. Roy Collins returns to the pod! He was a part of our series in 2020 “More Than a Diabetic.” Dr. Roy Collins is a Stanford Chief Resident, M.D., M.P.H., and Sports Psychologist. We are so excited to have him and his expertise back on the show!

In this episode Rob, Eritrea and Roy dig into:

• Getting comfortable with Diabetes while simultaneously being recruited by Yale

• Thriving as a young athlete regardless of limitations

• The transition from high school athlete to the accountability of being a college athlete

• The transition from being a lifelong athlete to a regular person in the real world

• Overcoming imposter syndrome and unfair comparisons

• Staying present and in the moment even with Diabetes always running in the background.

• “You’re not going to be successful all the time, but if you miss a bolus - failure is not final. What can I do better next time?”

• The inevitable interruptions that come with Diabetes.

• Being open to doing hard things and stepping outside of our comfort zones

  Keep up with Dr. Collins at www.roycollins.com and follow him on IG: @dr.royc

We want to hear from you. Send your questions, comments, queries, and general diabetes concerns to THE MAILBAG at mailbag@diabeticsdoingthings.com!

Rachel Heckerman, from our Tools of Type Ones series in the very early days of the pod, is BACK! Rachel is a videographer, editor, writer, designer, photographer, and overall cool person. She produced a short film called Under the Ice of Antartica. It’s beautiful and you should check it out!

In this episode we get into:

• How she got a job on a station in Antartica

• The LONG journey to Antartica

• Planning ahead and packing for diabetic emergencies

• What living in Antartica is like

• Adjusting to being in a new timezone with Diabetes

• Having a Dia-buddy, even in Antartica

• Enjoying the moment while being actively aware of your diabetes and not letting Diabetes stop you

• Diabetes tech on a freezing tundra

We want to hear from you. Send your questions, comments, queries, and general diabetes concerns to THE MAILBAG at mailbag@diabeticsdoingthings.com!

March flew by and we are back with another episode of The Rob and Eritrea Show. These two get into lots of good stuff this episode:

• There have been some crazy weather here in Dallas, tornado watches and insane lightning storms. - just a good time to remind folks to keep their devices charged and emergency equipment ready.

• Also happening in Dallas is our Spring Event! The Roastery tour, April 15th 2pm - 4pm CT at Pax & Beneficia! Come hang out, learn a new skill and make some friends!

• Rob’s Diabetes Updates and some major life changes have been happening with Rob lately. - like Recreation, moved offices!

• Getting to go to a private screening of “AIR” the story of Nike and Michael Jordan.

• ON AIR DIABETES - Whats your bloodsugar rn?

• Eritrea Diabetes Updates: - Ramadan update! Single and gym dates.

• Being a homeowner and paying for all her diabetes stuff on her own.

• What to do if you Dexcom sensor/transmitter fails?

We want to hear from you. Send your questions, comments, queries, and general diabetes concerns to THE MAILBAG at mailbag@diabeticsdoingthings.com!

Allison Nimlos, longtime diabetes advocate, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, podcaster, and so much more, is on this episode! Rob and Eritrea talk to Allison about Diabetes & Mental Health:

• The Diabetes and Mental Health Conference coming up on May 5th & 6th

• The early days of the diabetes online community

• The prevalence of Diabetes Distress

  • You can do a self-assessment survey at diabetesdistress.org

• Importance of self-talk and language around your own diabetes

• Self-compassion, self-advocacy, and setting boundaries

• “You can’t be comfortable at doing something you never do”

• Hypo anxiety and trauma from scary lows

• Be sure to check out the virtual Diabetes and Mental Health Conference coming up on May 5th & 6th

We want to hear from you. Send your questions, comments, queries, and general diabetes concerns to THE MAILBAG at mailbag@diabeticsdoingthings.com!

We are back with The Rob and Eritrea Show! It has been quite a big month filled with exciting diabetes news and lots of travel for our crew, which came with some diabetes struggles. In this episode they get into:

• Insulin Caps, CGM coverage and an old 2019 video of Rob featured on CBS!

• Rob’s trip to LA with his worst Diabetes Day ever.

• Rob debuting “The Dichotomy of Diabetes” at the JDRF Type One Nation Summit

• Eliminating “drift” time. Doing the hard stuff to be able to do the good stuff

• Eritrea’s trip to Berlin for the Advanced Technologies and Treatments for Diabetes

• Eritrea cancelling her trip to Cairo to deal with diabetes fatigue and exhaustion

• and just a little bit about Creed III

We want to hear from you. Send your questions, comments, queries, and general diabetes concerns to THE MAILBAG at mailbag@diabeticsdoingthings.com!

For those of you that don’t know, Rob is a huge Star Wars fan, which makes this episode extra special! Samantha Alleyne has been in all five of the Disney Star Wars movies as the first female stormtrooper. She also appeared in Season 1 of Andor which premiered in fall 2022 on Disney+. In this episode, Rob and Eritrea talk to Sam about:

• Her diagnosis story

• Sam’s time with Star Wars

• Life on set

• Talking to the cast and crew about diabetes

• Insulin access advocacy

• Finding the Diabetes Online Community

• Fan interactions

• and so much more!

We want to hear from you. Send your questions, comments, queries, and general diabetes concerns to THE MAILBAG at mailbag@diabeticsdoingthings.com!

The Chronic Superhuman himself, Eric Dutcher, is back on the pod! Last time he was here, he was in the middle of a 47-mile run. Rob and Eritrea chat with Eric about:

• Ultramarathons and Spartan races

• Seeing the beauty in long endurance events; the solitude in nature

• Diagnosis at the age of 26

• Toxic positivity and giving yourself permission to feel the darker feelings

• Preparing for failure

• and much more!

We want to hear from you. Send your questions, comments, queries, and general diabetes concerns to THE MAILBAG at mailbag@diabeticsdoingthings.com!

This episode features Scott Alexander Ruderman and Rachael Dyer, the filmmakers behind the documentary film, Pay or Die, which is premiering at SXSW 2023 in Austin on March 11. Their time at SXSW will also include a live panel on March 12, Young and Insured: Pay or Die, with Scott, Diabetes Advocate Nichole Smith-Holt, Texas Representative James Talarico, and S. Vincent Rajkumar MD, from the Mayo Clinic.

Rob talks to Scott and Rachael about:

• Inspiration behind the documentary

• The importance of the film in today’s world

• Working with a partner for so long on a creative project

• Teaming up with Hollywood producers

• Creative work while living with Diabetes

Learn more about Pay or Die at https://payordiefilm.com/

We want to hear from you. Send your questions, comments, queries, and general diabetes concerns to THE MAILBAG at mailbag@diabeticsdoingthings.com!

On this episode of Diabetics Doing Things, Rob is reunited with musician and face of the Freestyle Libre, Austin James! Austin and Rob originally met during the pandemic as a part of the @beyondtype1 Imagine Spotlights Series. Rob and Eritrea talk to Austin about:

• Testing on a friend’s glucose machine (and raising some eyebrows) leading to a T1D diagnosis.

• Life as a musician starting early including being classically trained in violin

• CGM access and becoming the face of nationwide Freestlye Libre ads

• The importance of CGM access and representing black and brown communities

• When T1D leads to another chronic illness diagnosis

• Mental health as a POC with Type One Diabetes

We want to hear from you. Send your questions, comments, queries, and general diabetes concerns to THE MAILBAG at mailbag@diabeticsdoingthings.com!

Friend of the pod, Ben Tzeel, is back with a very special mini-sode of Diabetics Doing Things!

Rob puts Ben on the hot seat with five questions;

1. What are the most common misconceptions your patients have when they start working with you?

2. What’s the number one piece of care advice you’d give to someone living with of diabetes (no matter the type or the years living with it)?

3. What strategy or adjustment has made the biggest difference in your own diabetes?

4. What resolutions does a CDCES registered dietician and CS S with diabetes have for the New Year?

5. What should a person living with diabetes in 2023 focus on to have the biggest impact in their diabetes care?

We want to hear YOUR QUESTIONS. Send your questions, comments, queries, and general diabetes concerns to THE MAILBAG at mailbag@diabeticsdoingthings.com!

The gang’s back together! In their first episode together in 2023, the team sits down to formally introduce a new (but classic) format to the show: The Rob and Eritrea Show!

In this episode they dive into:

• Rob’s Diabetes updates

• A quick recap of 2022 and a glimpse into plans for 2023 at DDT

• Rob’s re-emergence to the public speaking circuit

• Eritrea’s recent visit to the endocrinologist and an update to her journey with a GLP-1; Mounjaro

• Rob’s updated supplement stack

• Eritrea’s divorce and dating with Diabetes!

We’re bringing back The Mailbag in this episode! Each month we’ll take anonymous submissions from YOU! Send your questions, comments, queries, and general diabetes concerns to mailbag@diabeticsdoingthings.com!

On this solo episode, Rob dives into his 18 years of living with Type 1 Diabetes. He talks about:

• The Sunday Scaries

• Reliving the diagnosis day with his mom on New Year’s

• The reciprocal relationship with the listeners and the importance of community

• The duality and dichotomy of Diabetes

• Celebrating the highs and acknowledging the lows

If you’re a listener, thank you for being along for the ride.

Special new #sponsored episode with one of my favorite people that Diabetes has brought into my life, Paloma Guerrero aka Glitter Glucose!!! This episode is sponsored by Afrezza, and is part of Diabetics Doing Things 2022 partnership with Mannkind and Afrezza. 

Paloma was in Dallas recently and was able to stop by and record her episode in person. Paloma lives with Type 1 Diabetes on her terms, and I’ve always been so inspired by the way she lives authentically and makes Diabetes work for her, instead of vice versa. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did. 

Included in the episode is: 

• What’s new since the last time Paloma was on the pod (Fall 2020)

• What does a typical day in the life of Glitter Glucose look like? .

• How Paloma makes Diabetes fit into her life vs. fitting her life into Diabetes

• Paloma posted recently about using Afrezza while at a concert. How does Afrezza help Paloma make Diabetes work on her terms? 

• How has Paloma’s work life changed with all of the changes on the social media platforms? 

• What’s it like having so many friends and living so publicly?

• Who do you get inspiration from? 

• If you could write your younger self a message on the bathroom mirror from the future, what would you write?

• And MORE 

Please see additional important safety information, Full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING, Medication Guide and Instructions for Use on Afrezza.com/Safety.

Important Safety Information

Afrezza can cause serious side effects including sudden lung problems and low potassium and is not for patients with chronic lung disease, such as asthma or COPD, or for patients allergic to insulin. Tell your doctor if you ever smoked, have ever had kidney or liver problems, a history of lung cancer, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Most common side effects are low blood sugar, cough, and sore throat. Severe low blood sugar can be fatal. Do not replace long-acting insulin with Afrezza. Afrezza is not for use to treat diabetic ketoacidosis.

It’s the first episode of 2023, and our first year of Practical Applications For People With Diabetes. We’re hitting the ground running with Sami Parker from Just My Type - the Diabetes Podcast.

Rob and Eritrea talk to Sami, podcasters to podcaster, about:

• Sami’s 10th Diaversary

• Teen years with Diabetes

• Type 1 turning you into Type A and finding balance with imperfection

• Opening yourself up to unsolicited advice vs. setting boundaries as a content creator

• Just My Type podcast

• Leveling up your life by being involved with the online Diabetes community

• “Diabetic Realities”

• Refreshing intentions for 2023

This episode is sponsored by Gvoke HypoPen® (glucagon injection). Gvoke HypoPen® is an emergency glucagon for very low blood sugar in a convenient auto injector that is available in 2 pre-measured doses for adults and children. 

Note from Rob:

I have partnered with Gvoke® before, and I’ve been working with Xeris Pharmaceuticals® since 2018 - I even interviewed their CEO back in March 2020. If you want to hear that interview with Xeris President & CEO, Paul Edick, from March 2020, check out episode 143 of Diabetics Doing Things. 

I’m also really careful not to promote products that I don’t personally use and I have used 

Gvoke HypoPen® for very low blood sugar before. I’ve told the story on this podcast before and I am convinced that if you are on insulin, you should have emergency glucagon around, just in case of a very low blood sugar, and I use Gvoke HypoPen®. Gvoke shouldn’t be used in patients with pheochromocytoma or insulinoma – visit gvokeglucagon.com/risk.

I also want to address that I will not promote pharmaceutical products without the opportunity to promote patient assistance programs because if my listeners can’t access glucagon, how can they use it to treat their very low blood sugar? So, if you visit the savings and support tab on GvokeGlucagon.com, you can get a $25 coupon for patients on commercial insurance plans, and there is a contact form to fill out for people not on commercial plans. 

Now onto the show: Christina Roth has returned to the pod! In this episode, Christina and Rob talk about:

• The evolution from College Diabetes Network to The Diabetes Link

• Expanding the reach of resources, programming, and community beyond college campuses

• Deepening the connections that existed before COVID, but now in a hybrid way e.g. Discord community and digital platforms like The Resource Hub

• 12 years as a Founder and big family announcements

• Tools and technology continue to grow, but so does the need for support and community

• Taking the time to digest the impact on the community when there’s so much more to do

• Diabetes and motherhood

• No matter where you are in your Diabetes journey, remember that you are not alone

For more details and important safety information, visit GvokeGlucagon.com. 

This episode is sponsored by Gvoke HypoPen® (glucagon injection). Gvoke HypoPen® is an emergency glucagon for very low blood sugar in a convenient auto injector that is available in 2 pre-measured doses for adults and children. 

Note from Rob:

I have partnered with Gvoke® before, and I’ve been working with Xeris Pharmaceuticals® since 2018 - I even interviewed their CEO back in March 2020. If you want to hear that interview with Xeris President & CEO, Paul Edick, from March 2020, check out episode 143 of Diabetics Doing Things. 

I’m also really careful not to promote products that I don’t personally use and I have used 

Gvoke HypoPen® for very low blood sugar before. I’ve told the story on this podcast before and I am convinced that if you are on insulin, you should have emergency glucagon around, just in case of a very low blood sugar, and I use Gvoke HypoPen®. Gvoke shouldn’t be used in patients with pheochromocytoma or insulinoma – visit gvokeglucagon.com/risk.

I also want to address that I will not promote pharmaceutical products without the opportunity to promote patient assistance programs because if my listeners can’t access glucagon, how can they use it to treat their very low blood sugar? So, if you visit the savings and support tab on GvokeGlucagon.com, you can get a $25 coupon for patients on commercial insurance plans, and there is a contact form to fill out for people not on commercial plans. 

Now onto the show: Gary Forbes is back on the pod! In this episode, Gary and Rob talk about:

• The transition from professional basketball player to author

• Being the most recent player in the NBA with T1D

• The Sole Survivors , a comic series about heroes with chronic illnesses

• The superpower of words and attitude

• His father, an Olympic athlete living with diabetes

• Playing with Team Defeat Diabetes

For more details and important safety information, visit GvokeGlucagon.com. 

This episode is sponsored by Gvoke HypoPen® (glucagon injection). Gvoke HypoPen® is an emergency glucagon for very low blood sugar in a convenient auto injector that is available in 2 pre-measured doses for adults and children. 

Note from Rob:

I have partnered with Gvoke® before, and I’ve been working with Xeris Pharmaceuticals® since 2018 - I even interviewed their CEO back in March 2020. If you want to hear that interview with Xeris President & CEO, Paul Edick, from March 2020, check out episode 143 of Diabetics Doing Things. 

I’m also really careful not to promote products that I don’t personally use and I have used 

Gvoke HypoPen® for very low blood sugar before. I’ve told the story on this podcast before and I am convinced that if you are on insulin, you should have emergency glucagon around, just in case of a very low blood sugar, and I use Gvoke HypoPen®. Gvoke shouldn’t be used in patients with pheochromocytoma or insulinoma – visit gvokeglucagon.com/risk.

I also want to address that I will not promote pharmaceutical products without the opportunity to promote patient assistance programs because if my listeners can’t access glucagon, how can they use it to treat their very low blood sugar? So, if you visit the savings and support tab on GvokeGlucagon.com, you can get a $25 coupon for patients on commercial insurance plans, and there is a contact form to fill out for people not on commercial plans. 

Content Warning: Rob and Ben discussing eating disorders in this episode.

Now onto the show notes: Ben Tzeel is back on the pod! In this episode, Rob talks to Ben about:

• Eating disorders from both a Diabetic and male perspective

  • Rob’s Hot Take: if you live with Diabetes, you live with disordered eating

  • Being present in eating culture vs. the mental calculus of eating with Diabetes

• Carb counting is just the base knowledge level. Next level is fiber subtraction along with factoring in protein and fat.

• Navigating the high fat, high carb bombs with “now and later dosing”

• Having an eating plan in the face of external social pressure

• Diabulimia Helpline and for more information, check out episode 57 of the pod with Erin Akers

• The C-word, complications, of intentionally running high blood sugars high

• The difficulty of opening up to your feelings as a bro

• The myth of insulin-caused weight gain

• Balance and homeostasis over perfection

• Reach out to Ben and Ben’s team at Your Diabetes Insider or check him out on IG @manoftzeel

For more details and important safety information, visit GvokeGlucagon.com. 

For National Diabetes Awareness Month, we’re doing a special five-part Mental Health series with friend of the pod, Mary Mosier.

This episode is Part 3: Grief

In this episode, Rob and Eritrea talk to Mary about:

• Its normal for grief to awaken all emotions not just sadness.

• There are stages to grief and cycling thru them is also a part of the grief process, but It’s not a linear process for anyone.

• It’s important to acknowledge grief , but it’s normal to deny it. Denial is often a way to cope.

• Stay aware of the things that nurture you, this is/can be different for all people living with Diabetes. Staying hydrated, exercise, sleep: these can all affect how you feel.

• There are times with Diabetes that we need extra help and extra resources.

• Not everything happens for a reason, like a high blood sugar or a low blood sugar, and that’s okay.

To learn more about this Mental Health Series or to learn more about the Mental Health therapy giveaway, check out diabeticsdoingthings.com/mental-health

For National Diabetes Awareness Month, we’re doing a special five-part Mental Health series with friend of the pod, Mary Mosier.

This episode is Part 3: Diabetes, Anxiety & Depression

In this episode, Rob and Eritrea talk to Mary about:

• People living with Diabetes are 3x as likely to suffer from anxiety and depression than those not living with Diabetes

• Living with Depression and Anxiety living with Diabetes can look like -

  • Anxiety around hypo’s

  • Stress around Diagnosis

  • Anxiety around Access

• Normal human emotions or affecting our functioning?

• Building curiosity and awareness

• Stressors and survival mode

• Self-advocacy takes work

• There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach

• Co-piloting with your therapist

• Tips on finding a therapist

• How to be a good friend/ally without being overbearing

To learn more about this Mental Health Series or to learn more about the Mental Health therapy giveaway, check out diabeticsdoingthings.com/mental-health