Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes
Episode #1627: Best of Juicebox — Danger Noodle
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Melissa, Preschool Teacher & T1D Mom
Date: September 13, 2025
Episode Overview
In this engaging episode of the Juicebox Podcast, Scott Benner talks with Melissa, a preschool teacher from Wisconsin and mother to Reese, her spirited nine-year-old daughter living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). The conversation weaves between lighthearted Midwest banter and deep insights into diagnosis, diabetes management, parenting, and the realities of balancing life with a chronic condition. Melissa shares her family’s diagnosis journey, strategies, the impact of technology (like the Omnipod 5), and stories from her experience as an educator and T1D mom.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Melissa’s Background and Family Life
- Location: Small town in Wisconsin, near Lake Superior.
- “My town has about 27,000 people in it, and we are like, I'm right on the tip of Lake Superior. ...Right across the bridge, which takes about five minutes. I'm in Minnesota.” — Melissa [02:45]
- Family: Married, two kids (Riker, 12; Reese, 9—with T1D), and a golden doodle named Riggs.
- Names follow an "R" theme, with amusing stories attached to each.
2. On Regional Culture, Weather, and Humor
- Scott pokes fun at Wisconsin accents, lake life, and the confusion between lakes and oceans.
- Humorous exchange about ice fishing, local climate swings, and Midwest sensibilities, culminating in the “danger noodle” (snake) thread—title inspiration.
- “Oh gosh. Danger Noodles.” — Melissa [18:05]
- Discussion on pet names and dreams, emphasizing Midwest family quirks and humor.
3. Reese’s Diagnosis Story
- Symptoms noted: Chronic bedwetting, lethargy, weight loss, thirst—initially confused with side effects of summer activity or trauma.
- Diagnosis Timeline:
- Pediatrician quickly recognized symptoms: “Your email literally is like, I could be reading it out of a textbook about juvenile diabetes. ...You need to take her in now.” — Melissa [24:23]
- Admitted for DKA; memorable ambulance ride.
- Official dx date: August 1st (with some debate due to late-night ER transfer).
- No family history of autoimmune disease.
- Melissa’s initial reaction: Cried, then quickly shifted to action and learning mode.
4. Transition to Diabetes Tech and Routine
- Rapid adoption of technology:
- Dexcom G6 within a month of diagnosis.
- Omnipod Dash by October.
- First in her area to use Omnipod 5 (OP5).
- Notable early results: Rapid reduction in A1C within months; latest A1C 8.4 down from 14.1 at dx, already trending lower with OP5.
- “She is the very first patient to be on the Omnipod 5 in our area.” — Melissa [41:47]
5. Parenting, Education, and Coping With T1D
- Balance of vigilance and self-forgiveness: Melissa struggled with “mom guilt” about symptoms she missed, but let go of blame.
- “When you don't know what to look for, there's nothing that you can do to, you know, feel. Be mad at yourself about it.” — Melissa [30:56]
- Managing school and T1D:
- Open communication and a responsive school nurse critical.
- Gradual fostering of Reese’s independence (handling her own boluses, learning carb counting).
- Teacher’s perspective on T1D in school: Emphasizes teamwork, transparency, and child-driven learning.
6. Living in a Small Town
- Everyone knows everyone—examples from her own life and connections: “My husband and I met in 1997...his little sister is my daughter's kindergarten first grade teacher.” — Melissa [61:01]
- Navigating small-town resources and the sometimes-problematic weather.
- Familial support is a major reason for staying in Wisconsin despite the difficult climate.
7. Experiences With Diabetes Management Devices—Omnipod 5
- Key Benefits:
- Less overnight hypoglycemia, better sleep for the family.
- More stable mornings—earlier “feet on the floor” spikes now better controlled.
- “It's crazy. Like, no low alarms. It's very weird. I almost feel it. Like, I wake up in a panic every once in a while. Like, wait a second, I didn't wake up at all.” — Melissa [41:54]
- Ongoing Challenges:
- Figuring out changing basal needs, meal spikes, and the logistics of real life with a busy career and family.
- Discussion of how different families define “good” glycemic management, and how technology fits into their expectations.
8. Comparison of Strategies and Expectations
- Scott and Melissa discuss differences between striving for ultra-low A1Cs vs. gradual progress.
- “It's interesting...some people have an A1C in the fives, and others are just proud to get it from 14 to 8; both are victories in different contexts.” — Scott [46:05]
- “I know with what I'm seeing and how often she's in range now, compared to what we were seeing prior, it is an improvement. But again, I still know I can do better and we can do better.” — Melissa [71:04]
9. Learning by Doing (and Sometimes Making Mistakes)
- Melissa learned only recently that the Omnipod PDM does not need to stay next to the pod throughout delivery.
- “For her entire second grade year, you. Were standing there holding her next to it.” — Scott [62:25]
- Value of community knowledge, Facebook groups, and the Juicebox Podcast itself for troubleshooting.
10. Lighthearted Moments and Memorable Quotes
- Absurd Midwest weather science experiments (“cracked an egg on the recycling bin, and in 10 minutes, it froze” [52:07]).
- The “Danger Noodle” episode title comes from a playful exchange on snakes:
- “My sister calls them nope ropes, and I say, danger noodles.” — Melissa [18:21]
- Recurrent, comical explorations of soccer, curling, and regional rivalries, always with a dose of affectionate teasing.
- “If the catcher runs off the field during a baseball game, you got to stop playing.” — Scott [33:03]
- Scott marveling at Melissa’s younger husband, “You were like, that kid’s going to be draftable one day. I’m getting him now, before anybody else figures it out.” [87:18]
11. Community, Grief, and Growth
- Melissa shares about returning to work after her father passed, and how this prompted Reese’s increasing independence.
- Emphasizes the philosophy of “do better when you know better,” quoting Maya Angelou [58:17].
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- "Danger noodles." — Melissa [18:05]
- “Your email literally is like, I could be reading it out of a textbook about juvenile diabetes. ...You need to take her in now.” — Melissa recalling her pediatrician [24:23]
- “I turned and I faced the wall and I cried for about 30 seconds. And then I turned around and I was like, all right, let's do this.” — Melissa [24:23]
- “It's crazy. Like, no low alarms. It's very weird. I almost feel it. Like, I wake up in a panic every once in a while. Like, wait a second, I didn't wake up at all.” — Melissa [41:54]
- “I know with what I'm seeing and how often she's in range now, compared to what we were seeing prior, it is an improvement. But again, I still know I can do better and we can do better.” — Melissa [71:04]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [02:17] Melissa’s background, family, and Wisconsin living
- [08:35] Reese’s age and diagnosis timeline
- [24:23] Diagnosis story and initial emotions
- [41:47] Being the first in the area on Omnipod 5
- [58:17] On managing T1D as an educator and parent
- [62:25] Learning device tips via the community
- [71:04] Reflections on progress with Omnipod 5 and next goals
- [87:18] Humorous reflections on “drafting” her husband
Episode Tone and Final Thoughts
This episode strikes a warm, relatable, and often laugh-out-loud funny tone even as it addresses the serious complexities of managing T1D in childhood. Listeners walk away with:
- Attainable strategies and honest reflections from a real T1D parent
- A sense that progress in diabetes management comes in stages, and both small and big victories matter
- The reassurance that community, humor, and ongoing education are vital tools in the journey.
For New Listeners & T1D Families
If you are new to T1D management or school issues, this episode delivers:
- Realistic expectations (progress, not perfection)
- Importance of communication with school staff and nurses
- Encouragement to leverage modern diabetes technology
- Community wisdom: you don’t have to do it perfectly or alone
Visit JuiceboxPodcast.com for more episodes and resources.