When a past podcast guest mentioned fasting for Yom Kippur, I wanted to learn more — and that curiosity led me to Willa Spalter who has spent much of her young adult life living, studying, and traveling throughout the Middle East. In this episode we talk faith, fasting, self-reflection, pump failures abroad, traveling with diabetes supplies, food, social life, and what it really looks like to take T1D along for the adventure.
Watching my friends’ kids navigate college, rush week, and all the new beginnings that come with it made me think back to my own experience — and how, with Type 1 diabetes, there’s always a little more going on behind the scenes. So I went looking for the perfect guest to talk about what it really takes to show up for college life, from rush week and new roommates to dating, exercise, finding your people, and managing diabetes through it all.
Brandon Essex first caught my attention when I saw a post about an MMA fight where he was matched with a fellow person living with Type 1 diabetes. I’ll be honest—I knew very little about MMA, but I had plenty of questions. I wanted to learn more about Brandon’s journey, what inspired him to step into the ring, and how Type 1 diabetes played a role throughout the experience.
After a short break, I thought it was time to dust off the microphone and get back to what I enjoy the most – real life diabetes conversations. In this episode we discuss the importance of the patient’s voice and dive into details of our recent advocacy trip to Washington D.C.
Every change that our body experiences as we age is connected to hormones, and should not be neglected. In this episode we discuss the changes our T1D bodies are experiencing in our forties. Azure also speaks passionately about the importance of connecting with others who are living with diabetes to support one another and recommends a community approach to diabetes management.
You might think fashion is the last thing people living with diabetes have on their mind, but in reality, PWDs could benefit a great deal from clothing that is designed with both utility and style in mind. Naomi Kinnamon, who has lived with Type 1 diabetes since age 11, brings us those solutions that accommodate insulin pumps and injection sites.
Noah Averbach-Katz blew the doors off a recent Kickstarter campaign for a film that just began production. I believe his experience with live theater AND as a professional actor gave him the upper hand on creating TYPE 1, a short film chosen as one of Kickstarter “projects we love” after it was fully funded in under 8 hours. Stay tuned for more information on the release date and screening opportunities.
Isn’t it time to start injecting some much-needed diabetes humor to cut through the doom and gloom we face? Kalex Williams is a master at extracting positivity and he has to be one of the coolest people I’ve met! In this episode, you will get a taste of Kalex’s resilience in the face of his diagnosis and how he didn’t sit on his pity party, but makes light of it and connects to attendees from across the globe.
People living with diabetes are tired of waiting for a cure, but it’s not time to throw in the towel. Sean Kramer knows about this all too well. Sean is the fourth generation in his family to be living with diabetes. Today, he serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation in Florida, the only national organization solely dedicated to finding a cure for diabetes with expert sources and human interest stories. In this episode, we learn more about Sean and confront the notion of hope-fatigue; it’s not time to give up!
Demanding better care and not being afraid to ask for it, Esi Akyere Mali Arthur Snodgrass is helping others find their voice and live life knowing they are complete and whole. You got to get to know this dynamic woman! Dive into this action-packed episode and find out Esi’s story, diabetes management, and advocacy for those who aren’t getting the diabetes care they deserve!
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