Global News Podcast: The Happy Pod – Diabetes Awareness Month Special (Nov 29, 2025)
Episode Overview
This edition of BBC World Service’s "The Happy Pod" is a Diabetes Awareness Month special, co-hosted by Harry Bly and Alex Ritson—both living with Type 1 diabetes themselves. The episode weaves together personal stories, advocacy, medical innovation, and global efforts to raise diabetes awareness and improve education, community, and care. Instead of focusing solely on challenges, the episode celebrates advancements, empowering narratives, and hope for the future.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Understanding Diabetes (02:04)
- Diabetes Defined: “It’s a range of conditions where there’s essentially too much sugar in your bloodstream.”
— Alex Ritson [02:04] - Types Explained: Type 1 (autoimmune, unknown cause), Type 2 (lifestyle-related, with additional risk factors), Gestational, and rarer types.
- Misconceptions & Risks: Symptoms of low blood sugar can be mistaken for drunkenness; fear of lows sometimes leads people to tolerate unhealthily high sugars, risking organ failure and blindness.
2. Stories of Innovation, Advocacy, and Education
a) Lea Leleta Suma and the Power of Representation (Bosnia) [04:00–09:08]
- Background: Lea wrote a children’s book, “Leia and Her Diabetes,” to help newly diagnosed children in Bosnia understand and accept their condition.
- Motivation: “There were no such resources for children in Bosnia...that was the initial push or spark for me.”
— Lea Leleta Suma [05:29] - Impact: Children use the book to educate classmates; parents report it helps their kids open up about diabetes.
“Through this project, I also healed little me because I didn’t know many people with diabetes growing up.”
— Lea Leleta Suma [08:13] - Memorable Excerpt:
“I asked my sisters, Irina and Anida, why they don’t have to do these things. They told me that I am special, so I have to do some special things. They also told me that my injections are actually magical and others don't get to have these magical injections.”
— Narrator [07:37]
b) A Barbie Doll with Type 1 Diabetes: Mainstream Representation at Play [09:45–14:25]
- Emily Mazreku’s Story: As both a person with diabetes and a representative from Breakthrough T1D, Emily helped design a Barbie doll with insulin tech.
- Visibility Message: “We see you. This collaboration is a shared commitment to make sure that the millions of people with type 1 diabetes are seen, heard, and empowered.”
— Emily Mazreku [11:22] - Personal Touch: Barbie’s CGM phone display is based on Emily’s own glucose monitor readouts.
- Impact on Children:
“It’s a Barbie and it has a pump like me. And a sensor on the arm there. I really like it... I’ve always wanted a doll that looks exactly like me, and I’m sure other kids have too.”
— Children’s reactions [13:36] - Emotional Response: “No words. Absolutely no words...I’m tearing up because that’s the feeling that we knew it would mean so much...”
— Emily Mazreku [13:50]
c) Sally Tiem: Drag, Art, and Diabetes Advocacy [15:11–19:16]
- Profile: Drag artist and “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” competitor Sally Tiem (diagnosed at age 10) openly discusses diabetes complications and stigmas.
- Acceptance and Ownership:
“I’m not surviving with diabetes. I’m living with diabetes. It’s not holding me down as an individual.”
— Sally Tiem [16:05] - Performance Challenges: “You could be the peak top athlete, but...a hypo could easily take you out of it.” [17:21]
- Art as Advocacy: Incorporates diabetic experiences into her outfits, e.g., dress printed with her retinal scans.
- Battling Stigma: “People are so misinformed and often make jokes about it—to the point where it’s like, please read a book or some form of information...” [18:39]
- Loneliness and Connection: “I remember being a child and literally feeling so alone because no one around me had diabetes.” [18:39]
d) Personal Stories from the Hosts [19:17–20:17]
- Low Blood Sugar on Air: Alex recalls experiencing hypoglycemia live on the BBC World Service—an event later used for global medical education.
“I went from fully sensible to incoherent in less than a minute...that tape is used by doctors all over the world.”
— Alex Ritson [19:36]
3. Global Progress: Screening and Policy
a) Italy’s Nationwide Type 1 Diabetes Screening [23:21–26:30]
- Interview with Prof. Emmanuel Bozzi:
- Screening detects pre-clinical autoantibodies, allowing early education and intervention.
- “If type 1 diabetes is not treated by insulin, it’s a lethal disease. There is still a residual mortality...because type 1 diabetes is not recognized.”
— Professor Bozzi [24:16] - Economic perspective: up-front costs outweighed by reduced hospitalizations and complications. “In the long term, certainly...invariably require hospitalization and sometimes even intensive care.”
— Professor Bozzi [26:19]
- Key Symptom Reminder: “If ever someone in your life complains of an unquenchable thirst, it could well be diabetes. Get them to go to the doctor right away.”
— Alex Ritson [26:30]
4. Celebrating Achievement and Changing Perceptions
a) Breaking Records: Nathan Kilcorse’s Marathon [26:57–30:08]
- Nathan Kilcorse: British teacher sets Guinness World Record for fastest marathon by a male with Type 1 diabetes (2:28:05).
- “It was tough...I had to run pretty much the whole marathon on high blood sugar levels.”
— Nathan Kilcorse [28:58] - Raised over $2,600 for Diabetes UK; impact extends to students and charity.
- “It was tough...I had to run pretty much the whole marathon on high blood sugar levels.”
5. Technology, Hope, and the Road Ahead
a) Personal Experiences with Tech [30:34–31:40]
- Advances: Hybrid closed-loop insulin systems, continuous glucose monitoring, and automated insulin delivery transforming lives.
- Challenges: Adapting to trust the technology; desire for access everywhere.
- Hope: “Reducing the constant decision making would make such a difference.”
— Emily Mazreku [31:35]
b) Expert Perspective: Professor Partha Carr [32:14–36:11]
- Tech Evolution:
- Automated sensors and pumps now handle most daily tasks.
- Driven by the principle: “If any of my loved ones had Type 1 diabetes, this is what I would want them to be on. And if that’s what I want for my loved one, it’s my job to get it to you.”
— Prof. Partha Carr [34:10]
- Access and Equity: Global charities and advocacy are key; worldwide expansion is optimistic but ongoing.
- What’s Next?: Smaller, more accurate sensors; early detection via immunotherapy; cautious optimism for a cure.
c) Diabetes in Art: Sarah Warren’s Musical Work [36:11–36:48]
- Creative Reflection: Sarah Warren, living with diabetes, turns glucose readings and pump sounds into music.
- Hosts’ Reactions: They find it relatable and moving—a unique “soundtrack of reality.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Through this project, I also healed little me because I didn’t know many people with diabetes growing up.”
— Lea Leleta Suma [08:13] - “When I look at that doll, I see me. I see my daily burdens, from mental to physical...I see that newly diagnosed 22-year-old, not sure where she would go in life and what this condition would mean for her life. I see that person and I see, wow, look at all of the things that we can do, look at all of the things we’ve done.”
— Emily Mazreku [12:44] - “I’m not surviving with diabetes. I’m living with diabetes. It’s not holding me down as an individual.”
— Sally Tiem [16:05] - “I went from fully sensible to incoherent in less than a minute...that tape is used by doctors all over the world.”
— Alex Ritson [19:36] - “If ever someone in your life complains of an unquenchable thirst, it could well be diabetes. Get them to go to the doctor right away.”
— Alex Ritson [26:30] - “If any of my loved ones had Type 1 diabetes, this is what I would want them to be on. And if that’s what I want for my loved one, it’s my job to get it to you.”
— Professor Partha Carr [34:10]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [02:04] – What is diabetes?
- [04:00–09:08] – Lea Leleta Suma: Children’s Book and Bosnian Advocacy
- [09:45–14:25] – Barbie with Type 1 Diabetes: Emily Mazreku and Representation
- [15:11–19:16] – Sally Tiem: Drag Performance, Disability Advocacy, and Stigma
- [19:17–20:17] – Alex Ritson’s On-Air Hypoglycemia
- [23:21–26:30] – Italy’s Nationwide Screening: Prof. Emmanuel Bozzi
- [26:57–30:08] – Nathan Kilcorse: Guinness World Record Marathon
- [30:34–31:40] – Wearable Tech and Patient Hopes
- [32:14–36:11] – Prof. Partha Carr: Tech Progress and Future Horizons
- [36:11–36:48] – Diabetes in Art: Sarah Warren’s Music
Tone and Final Impressions
The episode feels open, supportive, and hopeful—balancing candid, sometimes tough realities with stories of empowerment and progress. The hosts and guests are witty, direct, and compassionate, contributing to a lively and deeply human conversation. This special is a testament to the power of representation, evolving technology, dedicated advocacy, and global community—making it uplifting and illuminating for those living with diabetes, their loved ones, and anyone interested in public health progress.