Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1664: Turning Tables
Date: October 28, 2025
Host: Scott Benner
Interviewer: High school (junior) student
Theme: Reflections on podcasting, diabetes community building, and continual learning in the world of type 1 diabetes.

Episode Overview

This unique episode offers a role reversal, as the host Scott Benner becomes the interviewee, questioned by a returning young podcaster. The conversation explores Scott’s personal evolution, the surprising growth and impact of the Juicebox Podcast, the essence of community-driven content, memorable collaborations, handling contradictions in diabetes advice, the influence of technology (especially AI), and practical insights for both diabetes management and podcasting.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Personal and Health Journey Updates

• Scott's Weight Loss:

  • Over the past two years, Scott has lost 70 pounds using GLP1 medication, shifting from a 2XL to a medium shirt.
  • He underscores that medication is only part of the journey:
  • “Some people would think that it isn’t because they think that this shot just does the whole thing, but it really doesn’t. There’s still a lot to do and a lot to stick to while you’re using it.” (04:00)

• Interviewer’s Growth:

  • The interviewer reflects on maturing both personally and as a podcaster, now in junior year and producing more consistent content.

2. Growth and Reach of the Podcast

• Surprising Developments:
  • Scott expresses astonishment at the podcast’s reach and the recent success of the Juicebox Cruise:
  • “I can’t believe a hundred people came on a cruise ship with me. That’s crazy…all gathered together and really just enjoying each other and enjoying being around each other. So … to watch what it meant to them to meet each other was special and a little transformative for me.” (08:00–10:00)
• Recognition at Events:
  • At in-person events, Scott realized the real-world impact of the podcast when attendees—and even his skeptical wife—noticed his recognition among participants.

3. Community and Collaboration

• Juicebox Cruise:
  • Created a supportive, multi-generational event for those with type 1 diabetes and their families.
  • Plan to repeat the cruise in 2026.
• Brand Collaborations and Speaking Engagements:
  • Recently partnered with Tandem at Friends for Life, interviewing young pump users for social media content.
  • Scott is set to increase his participation at diabetes conferences, often with industry partners.
  • “Tandem did and I thought that was really awesome...I don’t have diabetes, so I’d be a weird person to ... be somewhere. Tandem did and I thought that was really awesome.” (12:00)

4. Role and Approach as a Podcast Host

• Connector and Conduit:
  • Scott sees his superpower as curating and sharing lived experiences, acting as a connector for community wisdom:
  • “If I have a superpower in this space, it would be that I’ve had so many conversations with so many different people ... I’m trying very hard to learn something, to hear something, to share something that will be valuable for everybody.” (18:00)
• Handling Contradictions in Advice:
  • Emphasizes the value of letting multiple voices be heard, encouraging critical thinking among listeners:
  • “Let them talk. That’s been their experience. Take it or leave it. Like, who cares? … You gotta let people talk.” (24:00)
  • “If you treat the podcast and community like the real gem ... and you focus on is a never-ending engine ... it holds a mirror up to people.” (29:00)

5. Managing the Facebook Community

• Scale and Strategy:
  • The private group boasts 74,000 members, 45,000 daily active users, and up to 160 new posts per day.
  • Scott sets clear boundaries to prevent spam, promote respect, and avoid proselytizing.
• Moderation Philosophy:
  • “My goal is for that group to be valuable for everybody … it becomes that when you let everybody speak … smart people ... come up with some sort of an idea chain or a roadmap for themselves." (23:00–24:00)

6. Shaping Content by Listening

• Content Drivers:

  • Scott’s topics come from his curiosity, observation of what’s trending in the community, and guests’ stories.
  • Stays ahead of the curve on subjects like GLP1 medications despite early pushback.

• Nutrition Focus:

  • Lately, more episodes focus on nutrition—not to dictate choices, but to equip listeners with tools to understand their own diabetes.
  • “I don’t think people like to be told how to eat or what to do ... what would help them most, I think, is a firm understanding of how insulin works and how to use it.” (31:00)

7. Listener Impact and Motivation

• Fan Mail and Deep Connections:
  • Scott receives daily messages from listeners expressing gratitude for specific episodes and the podcast as a whole.
  • Shares powerful feedback:
  • “I wanted to reach out to say a big thank you for your episodes that focus on GLP1 with type 1 ... My 14-year-old started one ... She’s lost 20 pounds. She’s been much happier, more energetic, and generally feels better.” (35:00)
• Moving Listener Stories:
  • Recounts stories of listeners who made life-altering decisions or found solace in the podcast after tragedy.
  • “There was a woman ... who finally listened to her episode, heard herself, and decided that is not the kind of person she wanted to be and made a big change for herself.” (41:30)

8. Technology, AI, and the Future

• Evolution in Diabetes Tech:
  • From basic meters and syringes in 2006 to today’s CGMs, pumps, and GLP1s.
  • Excited by DIY and AI tools:
  • “People are working on ... take a picture of your food, it estimates your carbs. That AI stuff ... There's not long before you’re taking pictures of everything you’re eating, it’s getting logged. The AI is remembering ...” (53:00)
• Risks:
  • Warns of overreliance:
  • “There’s a reasonable concern that an entire generation ... will get type 1 diabetes and not fundamentally understand anything about it because the machine is taking care of it for them.” (56:00)

9. Favorite and Dream Series

• Most Impactful Series:
  • Pro Tips (for the reasonably comfortable), Bold Beginnings (for newer listeners), and Small Sips (short episodes with practical takeaways).
  • Community involvement informs series direction—he collects and synthesizes listener feedback for continued content refinement.
  • “I’m trying to find more people who are lost and who could potentially spend an entire life lost ... I’d like those people to just be as successful as early on as possible...” (58:00)

10. Reflections on the Role and Identity as a Host

• Fluidity of Role:
  • Scott’s role shifts based on what listeners need: connector, educator, community builder.
  • Recognizes both admiration and criticism, attributing reactions to listeners’ perspectives rather than strictly his actions.
  • “Whether you like me or you don’t ... what you think of me has very little to do with me and a lot to do with who you are.” (45:40)
• Empathy for Parents:
  • Having started as a parent to a newly-diagnosed child, Scott continues to center parents’ concerns and help guide families beyond the initial crisis.
  • “A lot of the listeners ... are more newly diagnosed people ... If there’s a path we’re all walking, I’m out ahead of them ... able to hear their concerns quickly, point them to stuff that will help them...” (48:00)

11. Podcasting Insights and Soft Skills

• Scott and the interviewer discuss the craft of podcasting—balancing direction and flow, letting guests speak, and developing key soft skills.
• “You can’t be reading ... there are plenty of people who make the mistake that most people make with their podcasts ... they don’t recognize that they need to be listenable, not just informative.” (67:46)

12. Behind the Scenes: Personal Touches

• Chameleons and Connection:
  • Scott ends with an anecdote about his pet chameleons, unexpectedly linked to diabetes via their breeders' families.
  • Cites mindfulness and the calming influence of his pets.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• On Transformation and Perseverance:

  • “I'm sitting here in a medium T-shirt, and the last time you talked to me, I would have been in a 2XL T-shirt.” (03:48)

• On Letting Others Speak:

  • “Let them talk. That’s been their experience. Take it or leave it. Like, who cares?” (24:33)

• On Community Moderation:

  • “In the end, I end up being the bad guy. And I was just trying to stick up for something. I was trying to stick up for the entire group…” (27:54)

• On Serving the Community:

  • “I really do believe... I’m just the person having conversations. I’m ... the magnet in the middle. ... Without all these people and their stories ... you’re writing to me to say that I helped, but all I did was ... gave you all a place to go to hear the thing, really...” (43:00)

• On Staying Listenably Human:

  • “I try to be funny…because I think if this stuff’s not interesting, like, who the hell is going to listen to it? I genuinely think that that’s a mistake that most people make with their podcasts... they need to be listenable, not just informative.” (67:13)

Timestamps & Segment Highlights

• 03:23 Scott touches on health changes—weight loss with GLP1s
• 08:00–10:00 Surprising impact of the podcast (cruise, community recognition)
• 11:09 Memorable collaborations and first-time speaking engagements
• 18:00 Scott’s “superpower”—conveying community experience
• 23:00–24:00 Moderating a massive, diverse Facebook group
• 29:00 How his content evolves from curiosity, observation, and listener stories
• 35:00 Reading moving listener feedback
• 41:30 Listener stories that changed lives or provided solace in grief
• 53:00–54:30 The potential of AI and new tech for diabetes
• 58:00 Mission to reach those at risk of being “lost”
• 67:13 Reflections on podcasting, flow, and listenability

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a rich, deeply human look into the art and craft of community-driven podcasting in the diabetes space. Scott Benner’s humility, humor, and purpose-driven approach shine, both in his candid reflections and his practical insights into community-building, managing differences, and fostering an environment where stories transform lives. For new and long-time listeners alike, Scott’s message is clear: be bold, stay curious, and never underestimate the power of sharing your story.

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