#116: Sean Kramer | That’s the Million Dollar Question

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!

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#84: Craig Le Fevre | Temporarily Donating My Body To Science

After being rejected to join an insulin therapy clinical trial, I was determined to find someone who was able to participate. DDG’s newest team member, Cynthia Celt, connected the dots and hooked me up with Craig who shared his recent experience as a participant in a rather intense trial. Thank you Craig for temporarily donating your body to science to help fellow insulin dependent dia-peeps. Keep on trucking… jeeping you brave soul.

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#82: Kyle Kondoff | I’ve Found What Works Best For Me

I connected with Kyle on social media and like many of my past guests, he shoots it to you straight about diet, exercise and his diabetes hacks. He isn’t shy and shares his opinion on lifestyle and offers HIS take on things without offering up medical advice. I was a little squeamish when Kyle shared details about a current trial he’s participating in, but eager to learn more about the advancements in CGM technology from someone who is walking the walk. (more…)



#77: Monica Storozyszyn | Knowing the Difference Between a Constant and a Pest

I am wrapping up this decade with one last long episode, but I promise, it is worth listening to the very end and entertaining if nothing else. The theme of this episode is knowing the difference between being a constant, and being a pest. Monica backs this motto by providing actionable items and tips to help us relinquish fear and get involved. Her demeanor is calm and her voice is soft, but her words are powerful and changing lives for all people living with diabetes. (more…)



A Look Back at What I Learned and/or Overcame in 2018

It has been over a year since I last shared a post, but with two snow days I had plenty of time to reflect on what the past year has taught me. 2018 was full of new challenges, many of which were diabetes related. After 35+ years of living with T1D, you would think I’ve dealt with it all, but that is not the case. Below are a few highlights, lessons learned and things to ponder.

    • I became a Dexcom Warrior and had the privilege of trying the new G6 before it was released to the public.
    • I shared my T1D story, per the request of the Oklahoma Diabetes Legislative Caucus, to insurance providers in an effort to change future coverage for people living with the disease. It worked. Report to follow in a future post with my testimony.

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#55: Ryan Fightmaster | Ryan’s Fondest Farewell And Cheers

It’s funny how the thing you set out to do ends up being done to you. We had one goal when launching Diabetes Daily Grind back in 2014–give real support for the diabetes life (it was once ‘diabetic life’, but we got with the times, thanks to Kelly McKeever). I had it all figured out, the whole living with diabetes thing. I’d write articles for the website about how to run marathons or how to go vegan, dispelling all this great wisdom to help others, and it would be a fun, creative outlet. Turns out, I didn’t even know what real support was, because I’d been missing it all along: community. Turns out I needed the real support. (more…)



#51: Daniele Hargenrader, Diabetes Dominator | A Path Out of the Darker Places

Enthusiasm and authenticity are contagious. In just an hour of speaking with Daniele, we caught the wave of passion toward bettering our own diabetes management. Her own transformation–a completely authentic one driven by her own T1D experience–gives her a platform to coach from the heart. She gets the pitfalls. She understands the road to success. She has a balanced approach based upon a Nutritional Science degree, Personal Training certification, and 1000 hours of psychology training.  A conversation centered on how to craft an optimal attitude toward new habits, this podcast serves as the perfect launch into 2018. And, as no surprise to anyone, moments of ridiculousness and laughter are plentiful.

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#39: Ideen Tabatabai | Wearing Diabetes on My Sleeve… Even in Medical School

Diabetes is the best thing that ever happened to us. This guy, Ideen Tabatabai, lives out that mantra, and diabetes continues to shape his path as he exits medical school. Alongside Ryan, they explore the subtle, and not so subtle, ways that diabetes shaped their medical school experience, oftentimes in absurd, hilarious ways. Ideen is a 4th year medical student at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Oklahoma City. He’s been living with T1D for 18 years, with Dad and brother as fellow folks with diabetes. He plans to specialize in pediatrics, and to further sub-specialize in pediatric endocrinology (takes one to know one). We can’t wait to follow his path.

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#33: Amber & Ryan | Wisdom In Wichita (The 24 Hour Road Trip of Enlightenments)

The DDG hit the road and headed to Kansas for the Live Well Diabetes EXPO. We had less than 24 hours to spread the DDG love to the people of Wichita. Along the way, we picked up a few stories from folks in the great plains area who are living the real life – diabetes style. In this episode we share our take aways and life philosophies from our time with SO many fellow PWDs and their families.  (more…)