We interrupt this month’s programming of our Women’s Health Episode for NDAM to bring you a new episode of the Rob and Eritrea show! In this episode Rob and Eritrea catch up on:

• Eritrea’s fourth NDAM on the DDT team

• Rob’s NDAM thread

• Our ongoing Women’s Health Series, the lack of online resources/conversations and why we’re digging more into it

• Diabetes technology has come so far: some young people haven’t ever even pricked their fingers

• Having a victim mindset vs a growth mindset as a person living with diabetes.

• NDAM and the hyperactivity of the community

• Rob’s continued journey on 780G and letting his system do its thang

• Eritrea’s travel to EASD, Germany, The Netherlands and Greece

• The difficulty of getting yourself additional supplies once you’ve run through all your extra diabetes gear and the cost of doing so

• The escalation of violence in Palestine

• Eritrea’s growing frustration and personal pain in being a displaced person watching others continue to be displaced

• Rob and Eritrea discuss being advocates while still trying to be real people living “normal lives”

• The process of living through grief while still trying to exist in the day-to-day

On this special episode of Diabetics Doing Things, Rob and Eritrea tackle episode two of our Women’s Health Series for National Diabetes Awareness Month. The team interviews Dr. Sarit Polsky, Director of the Women’s Health Clinic at the Barbara Diabetes Center. This episode explores: -

• How she became a subject matter expert in Women’s Health and Diabetes

• The research and experiences that fueled her passion to Women’s Health and Endocrinology

• Eritrea’s experience having her period for 18 days

• How menstruation impacts blood sugar levels with Type One diabetes

• The phases of menstruation and how they impact diabetes as well as temp rates that can be set with CGM/Pump technology

• How your body’s insulin needs can change based of what phase of life you are currently in (menstruating, pregnancy, menopausal, etc)

• Defining what the goal of your life is while menstruating, whether its trying to get pregnant or avoiding pregnancy

• The most important thing to do in pregnancy with diabetes can be planning ahead

• All the important planning and work that is valuable when considering pregnancy with your healthcare care provider.

• Your diabetes pregnancy team and what it should look like

• The main diabetes headline “ yes you can do anything - but you need help”

• Pregnancy and Diabetes Stigma; how modern medicine has debunked much of it

• How to best support your partner if you are someone without diabetes

• Hyperemesis and Diabetes, how difficult that can be

• Dr. Polsky article links - https://diatribe.org/managing-your-glucose-and-using-continuous-glucose-monitor-during-pregnancy https://diatribe.org/need-automated-insulin-delivery-systems-during-pregnancy-women-type-1-diabetes

It’s another National Diabetes Awareness Month, so you know what that means - A NEW SERIES. Over the next four episodes, Rob and Eritrea will have conversations with women's health experts in Diabetics Doing Things’ Women’s Health Series.

For Episode One of this series, we were thrilled to chat with Dawn Adams, PhD student, midwife, diabetes advocate, and mother of FOUR! The team talked about

• Dawn’s diagnosis in 1993 with a symptom we hadn’t yet heard of: bloody palms

• Being told she would never get pregnant because of diabetes

• Getting pregnant unexpectedly and being told that pregnancy with diabetes would probably not result in a good outcome

  • Being warned to only have two children; she had four!

• A career shift into midwifery after becoming a mom with T1D

• Understanding why women with diabetes have to see their doctor much more often than women living without diabetes

• How far we’ve come: meters used to take five minutes to give a reading!

• Diabetes and pregnancy isn’t neccesarily the pretty picture Instagram and social media paint it to be

• BEATING THE FINAL BOSS: The fourth trimester and the challenges that come after baby arrives, even when baby and mom are healthy

• What support looks like from the community around you

• Life after baby arrival can be hard: make space for the difficult moments as much as we cherish the good moments

• Advice for Partners: How can you better care for your spouse who is living with diabetes after they birthed a child?

• Mentioned: The HAPO Trial - https://www.2minutemedicine.com/the-hapo-trial-hyperglycemia-and-adverse-pregnancy-outcomes-classics-series/#:~:text=This landmark study demonstrated that,risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

  Find Dawn on IG @T1dawnie

It’s not often that we get to talk to the partners that help us to be able to create this podcast. On this episode, Rob talks to the CEO of MannKind Corporation, Michael Castagna. They discuss:

• Being a doctor of pharmacy and then getting an MBA at a top-tier school

• Working on the HIV drug that became the first once-a-day one pill regimen

• Becoming a CEO of a pharma company could expand his ability to help more people

• Having doubts in self-confidence from being a kid who grew up in poverty

• Being an expert in two fields

• Inhaled insulin still not being widely known

• Becoming a patient himself

• The legacy of Alfred Mann and the continued mission to help patients

• Mission to help patients vs. the money going to middlemen

• What’s coming up for MannKind in 2024

  • More tools and options for patients

Like he said in the episode, if you have access issues - you can get help here to find a doctor or you can email him directly at mcastagna@mannkindcorp.com

We are lucky at Diabetics Doing Things to have friends all over the globe. We are very lucky to have friend of the pod, Mohammed Seyam, on this episode. Mohammed has previously done an IG takeover for Diabetics Doing Things, and has written a blog, which you can read here for a perspective of Gaza in 2020.

With Gaza under siege, we felt it was important time to bring him back.

Rob and Eritrea talk to Mohammed about:

• Diabetes in the Gaza Strip with limited resources and limited support

• The perception of diabetes in the Arab community

  • and the pledge to end diabetes stigma and misinformation

• The fear of being a burden that happens to people in all cultures

• The connection of the diabetes community that transcends culture and background

• His diagnosis story

• Finding the passion for advocacy, changing systems, and not just being a “normal clinical doctor”

• Growing up in Gaza without access to diabetes technology or supplies

  • The challenge of storing insulin with frequent power cuts

  • The choice between food and medicine

  • Stress and lack of consistency when managing diabetes

• Understanding that anyone of us could be in a moment of crisis, and compassion is crucial

• The current situation in Palestine and how to help

  • http://www.diabeteshumanitarianaidcoalition.org/

Thank you to Mohammed for reminding us that positivity shines in the darkest of moments.

While we often feature the stories of people living with diabetes, our guest for this episode Dr. Ananta Addala makes a big impact on the world of diabetes. Dr. Ananta Addala is a pediatric endocrinologist and physician scientist at Stanford University addressing disparities in pediatric type 1 diabetes management and outcomes.

Eritrea and Rob talk to Dr. Addala about:

• Dr. Addala and Eritrea’s first meet

• Her origin story and path to becoming a doctor

• Studying inequities and social barriers

• Choosing endocrinology as a focus

• Working in public health

• The system-level differences in care for black and brown populations

• BEAD Study: Building the Evidence to Address Disparities

• Building resilient systems so people don’t have to be

• Advice for building relationships with your care team

Find out more about the studies @AddalaLab on X and IG.

To participate in BEAD-T1D, fill out the Survey. Para participar en BEAD-T1D, complete la encuesta.

CONTENT WARNING: Death, Displacement, War, Occupation, Dehumanization

This episode is from 2021 with an updated introduction and edit for 2023.

We felt it was important to revisit and repost our episode on Palestine with Noor Al Ramahi from 2021, shortly following the 2021 Israel-Palestine crisis. This conversation was especially relevant during the days immediately following the 2023 humanitarian crisis in the wake of attacks on Israel and Israel’s military response bombings and evacuation order in Gaza and Palestine.

Petition for Humanitarian Aid in Palestine: https://www.change.org/p/diabetes-humanitarian-aid-coalition-call-to-action

Our guest is Noor Al Ramahi, (@n_ramahi on Instagram).

Noor lives with T1D in California, US.

The episode includes references to the following:

• Intro from 10/13/23 from Eritrea and Noor

• Lending the platform to Palestinian voices

• Evacuation order for 1.1 People to travel 30 KM

• Bombings on the evacuation path

• Friends in danger

• Discussion on life in modern day Palestine

• The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine by Ilan Pappé

• Except for Palestine by Marc Lamont Hill and Mitchell Plitnick

• Russell Peters interview with Gabor Mate on his podcast Under The Skin: Episode #187, here

• Noor's reference to international treaties and laws, here - the Israeli's responsibility that people with Diabetes have access to healthcare.

Rob and Ertirea are back with anotther episode of the Rob & Eritrea Show! This month their diving into:

• Recapping the Diabetes Legends Basketball camp

• DC Berne Innovation Challenge

• Diabetes Creator Collective

• Health moments: the highs and the low moments

• “It’s okay to not be okay” especially if Megan Thee Stallion is not always okay, right?

• Eritrea’s fall travel plans

• Women’s Health Series

• Inaugural Pickleball Classic diabetics-doing-things-61979761433

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

Recorded live from Diabetics Doing Things first ever Diabetes Legends Basketball Clinic! Rob talks to Gary Forbes and takes questions from the kiddos covering a wide range of topics:

• Gary is the last NBA player to have played with T1D (and was a huge inspiration to Rob!)

• Tough diabetes days

• The importance for everyone to share your story; you never know who you’ll impact

• Gary’s book, The Sole Survivors about real-life superheroes, kids with chronic health conditions

• Gary’s Olympian father

• The power of having friends with diabetes

• Playing with NBA legends like Kobe Bryant and Steph Curry

• Managing diabetes while being an athlete

Special shoutout to Basketball Social House in Denver, Colorado where this episode was recorded. And a big thanks to the coaches, the Medtronic team, the campers, the parents, and everyone who helped out during this big day for Diabetics Doing Things!

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

It’s a special minisode with friend of the pod, Stacy Simms! Rob talks to Stacy, the diabetes mom that has got it going on about:

• The transition of making the diabetes decisions for your child to letting them grow up and go off to college

• Inception of Moms’ Night Out

  • First started in Charlotte, NC with sometimes two people, sometimes 30 people, it varies.

  • Stacey planned it originally as a book launch, but it evolved into a place for moms to meet with Diabetes educators, industry, and technology companies.

• Upcoming Moms’ Night Out happening in Frisco, Texas with Rob Howe as a speaker, and educators from Intergrated Diabetes Services

  • Use code “diabeticsdoingthings” at registration for a big discount

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

We’re bringing founder of @typeonetogether Raquel Baron to the pod! After catching up at FFL this summer, Raquel joined Rob and Eritrea as they get into:

• Her first time on the pod (lost files of 2020)

• Being the first person who ever recognized Rob IN THE WILD with T1D!

• Her transition across the country, out of a long-term relationship, and letting go of what wasn't serving her

• A LIVE DIABETES ROLL CALL!

• Being a Diabetes Founder

• Founding @typeonetogether, a virtual and IRL resourced community of babysitters and families living with diabetes

• Dedicating a certain amount of time to move forward at something instead of giving up

• Being a Jewish person and representing for other Jewish people living with diabetes.

• You can find Raquel on instagram at @typeoneday or check her out @typeonetogether or her podcasts or more info about Type One Together.

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

Policy and Advocacy Director at T1International, Shaina Kasper, joins Rob and Eritrea on the show to discuss a wide range of topics, including:

• What $35 dollar insulin really means for people living with diabetes

• It’s been six months since insulin manufacturers announced that programs were being rolled out for co-pay caps but many patients are struggling to qualify for these benefits - whats going on?

• Shaina’s sister T1D diagnosis which led to her being in a clinical trial that actually diagnosed her with T1D as well

• How rationing insulin led Shaina to looking for a diabetes community

• Accessibility being easier in countries like Canada, Mexico and Europe

• Rationing insulin with diabetes is not rare. Globally 1 in 4 patients with diabetes has rationed insulin

• Policies like Affordable Insulin Now Act being introduced by Sen. Kennedy of Louisiana brings up $35 insulin caps for people who have private insurance, not just Medicare

• The biggest issue with copay cap policies is that they don’t always include private insurance, and it can create a reverse incentive for large manufacturers to raise cost of insulin because they know insurance will cover the difference

• A price cap on insulin is the most important thing to help most people living with diabetes get access to these medications we need

• If you have experience going into the pharmacy and are unable to get the lower priced insulin - write to your senator!

• Most people believe that affordability problem around insulin has been solved, but were learning this isn’t the case

• Coupon cards and insulin savings cards don’t always work; they’re not replacements for good public policy

• T1International is working on expanding Alex Law’s at the state level to get emergency access to drugs and with expanding Kevin’s Law to expand past the 42 states who have accepted it

• If you are interested in sharing your personal diabetes-rationing story, please reach out to T1International who can help guide you on how to to share your story with your Senator.

• Learn more about the T1International #insulin4all Summit happening on September 30, 2023.

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

We’re back with another episode of The Rob & Eritrea Show. August got a little busy, but we’re catching up. We’re here. We’re doing bits. We’re getting serious. We’re digging into all sorts of topics:

• Big Tex and the State Fair of Texas

• Diabetes conference circuit

• Road trips with diabetes

• Being chronically ill and chronically busy

• Meeting internet friends IRL

• Top 20 for DCBerne Innovation Challenge

• Diabetes Legends Basketball Camp this weekend in Denver

• Inaugural Pickleball Classic

• Getting Started with Diabetes, our programming with North Texas Food Bank

• Eritrea’s health updates

• Answering the Mailbag and making some corrections:

  • Feet on the Floor Phenomenon

  • Dawn Phenomenon

• A new sign-off from Rob

• and so MUCH MORE!

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

Ginger Vieira is here! You may know her from her work with T1DExchange or her several books on diabetes including her newest book, Exercise with Type 1 Diabetes. On this episode, Ginger talks to Rob about:

• Challenges of diabetes and exercise

• Starting with a mindset shift

• Diagnosing herself at a school health fair!

• Weightlifting and as Nike says, “If you have a body, you’re an athlete.”

• Having insulin on board for exercise

• Handling binges during lows

• Being okay making imperfect decisions

• Atomic Habits - you are what you consistently do

• and so MUCH MORE!

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

For the first time on the pod, we have a guest living with MODY 5 (Mature-Onset of the Young Type 5) diabetes: Rena Rossi aka @renatherockharddiabetic on Instagram. Rob and Eritrea talk to Rena about:

• Initial diagnosis of gestational diabetes during her pregnancy in 2007

• A diagnosis of a polycystic kidney disease while running marathons

• Being in limbo between a Type 1 and Type 2 diagnosis

• Having a primary care team that had a personal relationship with her and diabetes knowledge

• Not noticing symptoms because they align with getting into shape

• Having a personality to jump in and advocate for herself

• Advocating for a MODY diagnosis when complications were occurring

• Different types of MODY

• Diabetes being a genetic ticking time bomb for some

• Being a Special Ed teacher and Her Amazon Wishlist

• and so MUCH MORE!

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

We are very rooted in GRATITUDE THIS EPISODE! Recorded on the 8th year anniversary of the conception of Diabetics Doing Things, we have third-time guest and friend of the pod, Lauren Bongiorno!

• Changes and updates to routine and diabetes management even after 23 years of managing!

• Growing, changing but staying the same especially when it comes to relationships and marriage

• Marrying her high school sweetheart Chris last fall

• How diabetes can impact interactions with friends, family and peers; the impact of how a better relationship with diabetes can improve lives

• The importance of language in treating people with diabetes and the difference the right support can make

• Why outsourcing your authority isn’t helpful to you as active member of your diabetes care

• Actionable and accessible management changes when not feeling motivated or have too many other things going on

• Looking at yourself without judgment and where to start with that

• Leaving firsts in her 20’s: happy firsts and devastating ones

• Goals are for people who want to win once, systems are for people who want to grow repeatedly

• How being an athlete can be a huge part of your identity and life after sports

• T1D Starter Kit

About Lauren

"Lauren Bongiorno, diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 7, is the founder and CEO of Risely Health, a leading virtual Type 1 Diabetes Health Coaching company. Guided by a team of Nationally Board Certified coaches who live with T1D, Risely elevates beyond the traditional standard of diabetes care through innovative coaching programs and communities that empower T1D individuals and families to live with more freedom and confidence.As of 2023, Lauren and the Risely team have coached over 600 people and Georgetown medical school is publishing a study on the quantitative and qualitative results clients see in their programs.Lauren has been featured on the TODAY Show and has partnered with renowned brands such as Omnipod, Dexcom, Abott, Lululemon, and Nike. To connect with her more, you can find Lauren on various social media platforms, listen to the Reclaim Your Rise podcast, and dive deeper by visiting Riselyhealth.com."

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

Content Warning for this episode for anyone sensitive to eating disorders or anyone with a fear of flying.

First flight attendant to come on the podcast is here, Kesha Carter! She talks to Rob and Eritrea about:

• Diagnosed at Cook’s Children’s Hospital in Ft. Worth but still a Dallas baby, born at Parkland!

• Being air flighted to Cook’s when she slipped into a diabetic coma

• Being low and fiending for food

• Diabetes doesn’t stop her from being a flight attendant

• Being a professional diabetic and being the person you need to be in the midst of it

• Using humor as a trauma response

• The importance of not touching the flight attendant and other things that will get you on the no fly list

• Meeting her soulmate, Nick Jonas

• Find Kesha on YouTube @kickinitwithkeesh or on Instagram @instakeesh

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

We’re going Back to School with Mary Type 1! Mary was diagnosed with t1d right before jumping into her teaching career. In this episode, Rob, Eritrea, and Mary talk about:

• Diagnosis as an adult and being sent home confused

• Figuring out teaching and diabetes at the same time

• Joining the DOC 2 weeks after diagnosis

• Navigating a huge following and meeting people IRL

• Teaching with diabetes and being prepared for anything!

• Advice for parents with kiddos living with T1D

• This book written by Sonia Sotomayor

• Follow Mary on Instagram and TikTok @mary.type1

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

Nick Callas is on the pod! He’s a multi-hyphenate entertainer, stand-up comedian, actor, writer, director, etc. etc.! He chatted with Rob and Eritrea about:

• His at age 6 and how that compounded his separation anxiety at a young age

• Understanding that diabetes (and comedy) can really humble you and force you to be self aware more often that you’d like

• Setting himself up for success with foods so he can perform at his best

• Placing the thing he really wants to do behind all of the things he needs to do

• Touring when you’re dealing with a frustrating healthcare system

• Follow him on Instagram @mrnickcallas

• See him live on tour especially while he tapes his special in Austin in September!

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

Welcome to the July episode of the Rob and Eritrea Show! Its been a month full of travels and growth. The two dive into it:

• Eritrea’s 3 year anniversary of being at DiabeticsDoingThings

• Diabetes Conference Season

  • Rob attending the American Diabetes Association 82nd yearly conference with Medtronic, Eritrea attended as industry with diaTribe and their perspectives on patient voices at these events.

  • Diabetics Doing Things’ first time attending Friends For Life and all the incredible industry friends who also attended!

  • Access to conferences can be expensive but where theres a will theres a way. Don’t be afraid to ask hosting institutions about financial aid or what options are available to you.

• MERCH IS COMING. Stay Tuned

• Pre bolus-ing blues and loving ourselves thru our lows.

• Rob’s 780G experience and his time in range!

• Rob’s current supplement stack

• Breaking down Rob’s morning routine, the importance of intention and how you can jumpstart your own morning routine!

• Eritrea’s diabetes adventure trapped in a wetsuit on a kayak in the middle of the ocean, while struggling with hypoglycemia and anxiety!

• Eritrea breaks down her thoughts around Mounjaro, weight loss, and being a woman.

• Answering your Mailbag questions!

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