Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1663: Male Infertility and T1D Fire
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Kyle Kondoff
Date: October 27, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features a candid conversation with Kyle Kondoff, a firefighter, type 1 diabetic, and co-founder of the nonprofit T1D Fire. Kyle shares his deeply personal journey navigating male infertility as a person with T1D, the challenges and emotional strain of IVF, stigma around male infertility, and his work in diabetes community rescue. The conversation highlights the knowledge gap around male infertility linked to type 1 diabetes and provides hope, validation, and practical insights for listeners facing similar situations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Kyle’s Infertility Journey & Type 1 Diabetes

• Motivation for Speaking Out
  Kyle describes his frustration at the lack of information about T1D and male infertility, which motivated him to share his experience and normalize the conversation.

  “It's not very well known that male infertility is a common complication for male type 1 diabetics.” – Kyle (02:06)

• Early Realizations and Stigma
  Kyle had been trying for almost a decade to have a child with his wife. The journey led to both personal and relational struggles, amplified by societal taboos around male infertility.

  “We have more female infertility than male infertility talked about right now because it's an embarrassment for males.” – Kyle (06:47)

• Medical Investigation and Discovery
  It took several years and multiple doctors for Kyle to get clear answers. Ultimately, a urologist diagnosed him with retrograde ejaculation—a condition where semen travels into the bladder instead of exiting the urethra—linked to diabetes-related nerve damage.

  • Anecdotal, unusual diagnostic process, including bringing a urine sample after self-masturbation for analysis.

  “His exact words was, oh yeah, you've got swimmers all in that urine.” – Kyle (11:21)

  • Initial advice from doctors was dismissive regarding T1D as a cause, highlighting a critical gap in provider knowledge.

  “Online just shows how much, again, our healthcare system is failing us.” – Kyle (23:06)

• Treatments and Procedures

  • Tried medications (e.g., Sudafed) to help with the physical blockage.
  • Multiple rounds of IUI and, eventually, IVF with pre-implantation genetic testing.
  • Each procedure was costly and emotionally taxing (IUI ≈ $1,750 per attempt, IVF up to $30,000 not covered by insurance in Texas).
  • IVF journey complicated by both male and female factors, including “double infertility” and rare medication failures during cycles.

• Emotional and Marital Impact
  The couple faced mental, physical, and financial strain, navigating cycles of hope and disappointment, miscarriage, and considering when to stop trying.

  “It's caused financial burden, it's called mental burden, and it's caused a physical burden.” – Kyle (25:15)

  • Question of blame and stigma around being the “problem” partner.

  “You're a failure. Right. Because, I mean, again, in the, in the Bible and everything else... man and woman for so long has made a family...it's one of the things that we can do.” – Kyle (29:55)

• Handling Societal Pressure
  Kyle addresses the well-meaning but difficult comments from others, particularly the reflexive suggestion to “just adopt.”

  “So many people have pushed that out to us and believe me, we understand all the avenues of everything. This is our choice though.” – Kyle (27:32)

• Openness and Advocacy
  Kyle received private thanks from other men going through similar struggles and sees the importance in normalizing these conversations publicly.

The Nonprofit—T1D Fire

• Foundation and Mission
  T1D Fire’s mission: “Rescuing diabetics in their time of need.”

  • Originated from a “pay it forward” experience when Kyle was gifted insulin in a time of need.
  • Focuses on gathering and distributing diabetes supplies in emergencies, particularly during natural disasters, and fostering a support community.

• Growth and Logistics

  • Started locally (San Antonio, TX) and expanded nationally with help from the diabetes online community.
  • Stores and sorts donated diabetes supplies for redistribution (now 30 large totes full).
  • Coordinated aid during recent Texas floods, delivering supplies to affected individuals and clinics.

  “We have at least $300,000 worth of supplies. We have at least five boxes of Medtronic, five boxes of tandem supplies, two to three boxes of Omnipod supplies, G6s, G7s, freestyles...” – Kyle (51:55)

• Legal and Ethical Complications

  • Acknowledges the gray area (and in some cases, illegality) of redistributing prescription-only medical supplies in the US.
  • Is open about the risk but emphasizes the urgent need and lack of suitable alternatives for at-risk diabetics.

  “We are absolutely breaking the law because you cannot give somebody else's prescription to somebody else.” – Kyle (56:48)

  • Host Scott confirms these challenges within Facebook groups and why posts requesting/soliciting supplies are not allowed.

• Community and Collaboration

  • Collaborates with firefighters, first responders, and medical professionals around the country, building a T1D Fire Rescue Network to respond quickly to emergencies.
  • Encourages people to donate supplies or join the rescue network if impacted by diabetes or medical professionals.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Stigma and Male Infertility

  “Not a problem. But we have to normalize the taboo topics conversation.” – Kyle (07:51)

• On Personal Impact

  “It was more difficult to go on calls. Having to deal with kids, having to deal with pregnancies, having to deal with pregnant women...there was a lot of different reasons.” – Kyle (31:01)

• On Breaking the Law for a Higher Good

  “I don't care if DEA comes knocking on my door, because I've watched people struggle as to whether or not they could feed their families or buy their kids insulin.” – Kyle (61:08)

• On Systemic Gaps

  “It's not nearly the first thing in my life that I say. There's a huge need here, and there's nothing set up to help people. And no one's coming, Right?” – Scott (73:58)

• A Moment of Honesty

  “I've come to terms myself with us not having a kid and being okay with that. I'm doing this with my wife because I love my wife and I will keep on doing whatever she wants to do.” – Kyle (42:10)

Timeline of Key Segments

| Time | Topic | |------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:06 | Kyle introduces himself and outlines episode topics | | 06:47 | Background: marriage, infertility journey, stigma | | 09:35 | Medical investigation into infertility; retrograde ejaculation | | 12:11 | Experience with IUI, IVF costs, and procedures | | 17:33 | IVF process, genetic testing, and grading of embryos | | 21:46 | Infertility diagnosis, both male and female contributing factors | | 23:06 | Online misinformation and lack of awareness in healthcare | | 25:15 | Emotional, marital, and financial burdens of infertility | | 27:32 | Societal expectations about adoption and personal choice | | 31:01 | Professional difficulties relating to infertility and trauma | | 40:52 | Raising niece; coming to terms with possibility of not having kids | | 43:35 | Starting T1D Fire nonprofit, mission, and growth | | 51:55 | Overview of supplies collected and scope of operations | | 56:48 | Legality of distributing prescription diabetes supplies | | 60:47 | Challenges of expanding impact and encountering roadblocks | | 61:08 | Willingness to take personal risk for the greater good | | 66:40 | Discussing the risk of legal repercussions vs. public necessity | | 72:52 | Logistical difficulties of disaster response and supply delivery | | 73:50 | Closing thoughts, honesty, and bravery in telling the story |

The Tone

The episode is deeply honest, sometimes raw, and often wryly humorous—balancing levity, vulnerability, and practical advice. Scott’s open, conversational questions create space for Kyle’s authenticity and for complex topics (sex, money, grief, legal gray areas) to be aired without shame. The underlying message is one of community, resourcefulness, and the pressing need for both public conversation and practical, grassroots action.

Takeaways for Listeners

• If you are struggling with infertility and T1D: You’re not alone. There are physical reasons related to T1D not widely understood by many medical professionals and a stigma that prevents many from talking openly. Kyle’s journey is validating, and his openness is a call to normalize these difficult conversations.
• If you need help with diabetes supplies or want to help: Visit t1dfire.org. The organization operates in a legally gray zone but is motivated by compassion and a recognition that official channels are often inadequate in an emergency.
• If you’re involved in the diabetes community: The T1D Fire Rescue Network is seeking connections with first responders and medical professionals who can help locally.
• On the system: Major gaps exist in support for T1Ds, especially in emergencies. Change happens when ordinary people step up and take risks.

T1D Fire Resources

• Website: t1dfire.org
• Facebook Group: T1D Fire (for discussions, donations, and involvement)
• Mission: “Rescuing diabetics in their time of need.”

End of summary.