Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1646: Engineering Mind
Date: October 7, 2025
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Mitch, parent of an 18-year-old daughter with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)

Overview

This episode features Mitch, an engineer and parent of a college-aged daughter recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Together with host Scott Benner, they delve into the intense early days post-diagnosis, the journey from panic to competence, and the evolution of family roles and mindsets for navigating T1D. Mitch’s engineering approach, practical strategies, emotional reflections, and experiences with both diabetes management technologies and personal weight loss (via Zepbound) provide a compelling, relatable narrative for families living with T1D.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Diagnosis and Family Impact

• Sudden Onset and Hospitalization
  • Mitch’s daughter was diagnosed at 14, amid intense physical activity and a streak of non-specific symptoms (weight loss, excessive thirst, urination, fatigue).
  • Diagnosis led to a severe DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) episode requiring emergency care. A Type 1 diabetic doctor provided crucial reassurance that "your daughter will live a normal life" (15:53), a turning point for the family.
• Emotional Toll and Familial Changes
  • The diagnosis came during fraught family times, accelerating existing marital stress and eventually leading to a divorce (04:57).
  • Mitch became the primary caregiver, pouring his "engineering mind" into learning diabetes management—a role that led to sleepless nights, meticulous data logging, and, eventually, empowerment.

2. The Engineering Mindset: Data, Tools, and Problem-Solving

• Proactive Learning and Research
  • Mitch quickly immersed himself in the technical aspects of diabetes: carb calculations, glucose patterns, insulin actions.
  • Before obtaining a CGM (Dexcom), he manually charted numbers to visualize trends, echoing DIY analog solutions before transitioning to technological aids (06:07).
• Transitioning to Technology
  • The Dexcom CGM and Omnipod pump were game changers, reducing manual calculations and midnight worry (28:53; 33:01).
  • Insurance and bureaucracy posed barriers—overcome via persistence and learning from the podcast’s advice (29:18).

3. Learning, Teaching, and Independence

• Information Sources & Podcast Influence
  • Mitch, initially "not a podcast guy," was recommended the Juicebox Podcast by a hospital nurse. The "Pro Tip" series, particularly "bump and nudge" discussions, changed his thinking on treating lows and bolusing for meals (35:13).
  • He credits the podcast for giving direction during overwhelming initial weeks and helping him learn "enough to ask the good questions" at each stage (28:31).
• Supporting Daughter’s Self-Reliance
  • Mitch’s daughter’s rapid learning, open attitude, and willingness to self-advocate paved the way for gradual independence—culminating in her adept handling of a recent diabetes issue at college without needing direct parental intervention (39:42).
  • "Before I could even get a hold of her, she contacted her endo to see what to do about it. That must have made you feel awesome." — Host (39:41)

4. Balancing Diabetes and "Normal" Life

• Managing the Conversation
  • Mitch and Scott discuss not letting diabetes dominate family life, aiming for "just everyday life" rather than persistent anxiety or over-focus (39:10; 61:14).
  • "You just...it becomes the new norm." — Mitch (61:14)
• Advocating at School
  • Quick communication with school staff and awareness-building among friends and coaches were critical to safe integration into sports and academics (24:24; 41:26).

5. Practical Strategies Shared

• Flexible, Incremental Management ("Bump and Nudge")
  • Instead of always following standard prescriptions (e.g., 15g carbs for lows), Mitch learned to experiment with smaller interventions, tracking individual responses using real-time data (35:13).
• Meal Approaches & Anticipating Glycemic Responses
  • Understanding and planning for food glycemic loads (e.g., pasta, Chinese food) were key to avoiding unpredictable swings (35:13).
• Team Communication
  • Maintaining lines to teachers, friends’ parents, and healthcare providers enabled a support network and a gradual delegation of responsibility as his daughter gained confidence (41:26).

6. Broader Reflections—the Mindset Gap

• Contrasting Processing Styles
  • Mitch’s methodical, engineer’s approach (details, data, processes) sparked discussion with Scott about how people "think" and solve problems differently (43:30–45:57).
• Value of Diverse Approaches
  • Despite the host’s more intuitive style, both found connection and success in diabetes management, highlighting that effective care comes from adapting strategies to one’s cognitive strengths.

7. Mitch’s Weight Loss Journey with Zepbound (Tirzepatide)

• Initiation and Results
  • After decades of failed diets, Mitch, inspired by podcast episodes on GLP-1s, started Zepbound with his doctor’s support: "Food noise for me was loud. It was silenced." (47:44)
  • In roughly six months, he lost 36 lbs, moved from a 38" to 32" waist, and described feeling "better than I thought I ever would." (47:43–52:10)
• Behavioral Changes and Reflections
  • The medication allowed Mitch to shift eating patterns, resist comfort food, and appreciate new experiences (enjoying salads at restaurants, caring about clothing again).
  • Both host and guest shared examples where the medication provided new clarity and control vs. prior compulsive eating ("It's amazing to me how it makes your brain make sense of that instead of your brain trying to talk yourself into saying it's okay to eat it." — Mitch, 55:51).
• Dealing with Plateaus & Mindful Reliance
  • Mitch expressed a desire not to be "spoiled by the medicine," wanting effort to remain central to his success, a sentiment echoed by Scott (51:03–51:04).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Diagnosis by a Doctor with T1D:
  -"He points to his Dexcom. He says, 'I'm a type 1 diabetic...Your daughter is going to live a normal life.'" — Mitch (15:53)
• On Taking Charge as a Caregiver:
  -"I'm an engineer, so I dug deep into this disease and said, I'm going to figure this out..." — Mitch (05:28)
• On Technology as a Lifeline:
  -"Before I even knew what a Dexcom was, I was writing numbers down and visualizing." — Mitch (06:08)
• On Empowering Independence:
  -"She took care of that herself and talked to the nurse very quickly...made me very proud." — Mitch (03:00)
• On Learning through the Podcast:
  -"Your podcast saved me...Because of your podcast, we have had these [important] conversations." — Mitch (15:18; 40:02)
• On Family Mindsets:
  -"You just, it just becomes the new norm." — Mitch (61:14) -"I want my daughter to be able to live the life she wants to live." — Host (39:11)
• On the Power of Sharing:
  -"My main purpose was just to share with you...watch your kids. If you have an idea to check their blood sugar, just check it." — Mitch (58:50)
• On Growth and Next Steps:
  -"There's a lot still coming, man. So it sounds like you're ready for it, though." — Host (61:10)
• On Perspective After Crisis:
  -"The first four months...very, very stressful...But after that, it was just everyday life." — Mitch (61:14)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:00] Daughter’s transition to independent care
• [05:28] Mitch’s "engineering" approach to disease management
• [06:08] Early charting and use of CGM data
• [15:53] Doctor with T1D delivers diagnosis & reassurance
• [21:26] Emotional recall: host relates own daughter’s diagnosis
• [24:24] Advocating at high school; leveraging the school nurse and community
• [29:18] Navigating insurance for Dexcom approval
• [33:01] Timeline for getting CGM and pump
• [35:13] "Bump and nudge" episode impact; flexibility treating lows
• [39:10] Striving for "normal" and not making diabetes the constant topic
• [41:26] Importance of proactive communication with friends’ parents, school
• [43:30–45:57] Discussion about thinking styles (engineer vs. intuitive)
• [46:42] Transition: Mitch’s weight loss journey with Zepbound
• [47:43–52:10] Detailed reflections on weight loss, food noise, and shifting self-image
• [55:51] Recognizing and derailing old patterns with new tools
• [58:50] Final reflections: sharing experience, warning other parents, gratitude
• [61:14] Adjusting family routines after diagnosis; finding "the new norm"

Final Reflections

Takeaways for Listeners:

• Early diagnosis can be missed due to subtle symptoms; persistent observation and trust in parental instincts are critical.
• Practical problem-solving—whether via engineering, research, or community advice—transforms overwhelming crisis into manageable routines.
• Technology offers safety and peace of mind but requires persistence to access and optimize.
• Empowering children with tools and independence prepares them for the real world, boosting family confidence.
• Support networks, like the Juicebox Podcast and its community, provide invaluable lessons, emotional relief, and a sense of not being alone.

For Families & Individuals touched by T1D:
The first months may be harrowing, but "it becomes the new norm." Lean into learning, build your team, and remember: with the right strategies, support, and self-compassion, thriving is not only possible but likely.

[For more resources, check out the Pro Tip Series (ep. 1000–1025) and community groups at JuiceboxPodcast.com.]