Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1671 – Deez Nuts, Part 2
Date: November 5, 2025
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Kirby (parent of 8-year-old with Type 1 diabetes)

Overview:

This episode, the second part of an engaging and lively conversation, explores practical strategies and real-world challenges of raising a child with type 1 diabetes. Host Scott Benner and guest Kirby, a registered dietitian and parent, candidly discuss parenthood, diabetes management breakthroughs, the frustrations of incomplete education, and wider issues around community behavior, social media, and food philosophy. True to the “Bold With Insulin” ethos, the focus is on empowerment, honesty, and forging your own sustainable path.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Hidden Challenges of Managing Type 1 Diabetes in Kids

• Lack of Early Education on Complex Carb/Fat/Protein Bolusing

  • Kirby expresses frustration that nuanced bolusing strategies (for fat and protein) weren’t taught early on.
    • “It drives me nuts that that wasn’t one of the first things we learned about… Why is it almost a year later that these pieces are being put together for me?” (Kirby, 02:14)
  • Both agree that the “fat and protein” portion of dosing is often missed by providers, leaving parents to discover it on their own.
    • Scott recounts learning it from other parents, highlighting a gap in standard care instruction. (03:40-04:19)

• Medical Community Shortcomings

  • Stories of misinformation (docs saying, “that’s not real” about bolusing for fat/protein) and unrealistic expectations for doctors.
    • “Some of them are doctors… but because the fat and protein thing is real, your dog dying shouldn’t prevent you from acknowledging that.” (Scott, 05:35-06:13)

• The Value of Real-World, Community-Sourced Experience

  • The Juicebox approach—learning from lived experience, not just textbooks; the diabetes community as an evolving knowledge base.

2. Communicating and Navigating Online Diabetes Support

• Discord, Anxiety, and Mixed Messaging Online

  • Social media as both a vital resource and a source of confusion/anxiety—too many opinions, information not tailored to individuals, tone misread.
    • “What struck me a couple of times is when people say things so definitively… I’m so happy for you, you have found what works for you. But when you kind of say it like, ‘This is exactly what you need to do…’” (Kirby, 25:09)
    • “There’s something about the way the Internet works… it helps people who are already anxious to feel more anxious.” (Scott, 24:43)
  • The “loud minority” of aggressive online voices and the tendency to hyper-focus on negative feedback.
    • “It's like if you get a haircut and a million people tell you it looks great, but one person tells you it's not the best look…That’s the one you focus on.” (Kirby, 25:09)

• Advice for Navigating Online Spaces

  • Limit exposure when overwhelmed; recognize social media is not “the whole world.” (Kirby recounts advice from her therapist, 19:38)
  • Importance of disclaimers, tone, and remembering personal experiences are not universal solutions.

3. Food Philosophy in a Diabetic Household

• Balancing Nutrition Beliefs with Diabetes Reality

  • Kirby’s parenting philosophy: No “bad foods,” no food coercion (“I will never make you eat anything”). Real-world conflict—need to treat lows, and the challenge of keeping food a positive experience.
    • “In the very early days, he said, ‘Mom, you told me that you would never make me eat something if I didn’t want to…’” (Kirby, 34:46)
    • “It’s tough, when you start talking about the actual food with the kids… we’re still finding our way.” (Kirby, 35:33)
  • Discussion on messaging: Insulin is not “bad”—being “Bold With Insulin” is about learning, not reckless dosing.
    • “I think you should learn how insulin works so that you can use it very effectively… in the end, you need as much insulin as you need.” (Scott, 29:58)

• Nuanced View of Food and Insulin

  • Debates on high-carb vs. low-carb approaches, diet “tribalism,” and the futility of prescriptive messaging on eating style.
    • “You can’t tell people how to eat. No. That isn’t going to work. Even if they’re right…” (Scott, 31:31)
    • “People shouldn’t suffer. And no matter what pathway it takes to get them to that…if it’s eating low carb, if it’s running, if it’s a GLP medication...your life is very finite…I'd like people to be as happy as possible in that.” (Scott, 39:04)

4. Parenting, Community, and Cultural Observations

• Changing Times and Erosion of Social Norms

  • Scott shares observations about people’s declining public manners, parental disengagement, and the difference between generational upbringings.
    • “I walk around...this woman…she couldn't be in more people's way if she set out to be…and she is completely unaware…” (Scott, 06:34-08:43)
  • Reflection: Instead of “bugging out,” stay and model positive behavior for your community.
    • “I’ve got to keep going to the grocery store and just acting the way like a generation ago knew to act.” (Scott, 12:13)

• “Be the Change” Philosophy

  • Emphasis on advocacy—if you know something, share it; that’s how knowledge and culture progress, both in general life and in diabetes circles.
    • “All of our voices…everyone's got to do it.” (Scott, 16:51)

• The Impact of Messaging on Kids

  • Creating positive formative experiences around food and diabetes, and being cautious of inadvertently passing down harmful narratives.
    • “Though they won’t remember every single thing you said, you are creating their formative experiences around food, around their diabetes…with my kids and especially with our Type one, I won’t ever say…‘you shouldn’t eat that because of your diabetes.’ Those words will never leave my mouth.” (Kirby, 39:59)

5. Notable Quotes & Lighter Moments

• “Bold With Insulin” Origin Story
  • “At some point in the episode, I said, ‘that’s when I learned to be bold with insulin.’ I was like, oh, I'll call this episode Bold with Insulin... and it became a thing.” (Scott, 29:20)
• On Trying New Strategies:
  • “I hear something and then I try it and I see if it works, and then if it didn’t, I try to figure out why…you kind of keep trying new things until you find it.” (Kirby, 22:56)
• Parenting Wisdom:
  • “It's a learning process. I think as long as your intentions are good, that's the part that will stick.” (Kirby, 44:12)
• Humor—Football Banter
  • The episode ends with friendly trash talk about the Buffalo Bills, showing the rapport between host and guest.
    • “The Bills are terrible. I don't know what to tell you.” (Scott, 44:55)
    • “Bruce Smith, if you are listening, please tell Scott Benner that you are proud to be a Bill and that you wouldn't trade it for the world.” (Kirby, 46:09)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:14 – 05:11: Kirby’s struggle with late discovery of protein/fat bolusing; medical community knowledge gaps.
• 06:34 – 13:24: Scott’s social commentary on lost etiquette, generational shifts, and the ethics of “staying and modeling.”
• 16:14 – 18:23: Be the change, community action, and the importance of “saying something.”
• 19:38 – 21:40: Navigating anxiety from online diabetes forums; advice from therapy.
• 25:09 – 26:59: The problem with online diabetic groups—overconfident advice and personal experience.
• 29:20 – 31:46: The “Bold With Insulin” mantra and the pushback it receives.
• 34:46 – 36:38: The collision of food parenting philosophies and real diabetes management.
• 39:01 – 41:21: Insisting happiness for those with diabetes and the finite nature of life.
• 43:01 – 44:12: Real-life parenting slips and how intentions matter.
• 44:55 – End: Bills banter, humor, and the end of the episode.

Tone & Style

• Candid, empathetic, and informal, with a good dose of humor and self-deprecation.
• Both speakers are honest about their uncertainties, anxieties, and the non-linear reality of diabetes management and parenting.
• Key message: There are no perfect answers. Find, try, and adapt what works for you; share your voice, and remember you’re not alone.

Memorable Moments

• Kirby’s child reminding her of her own “never force you to eat” policy while treating a low (34:46).
• The playful wrangling over which football team is the most cursed—showing the value of humor in heavy conversations (44:55-49:55).
• The recurring exhortation to “be bold”—in insulin, advocacy, and the way you approach both diabetes and life.

Final Takeaways

• Diabetes management knowledge is still evolving; peer-to-peer learning is vital.
• Every person (and child) with diabetes requires customized care—what works for one might not for another.
• The diabetes community thrives on shared experience, transparency, support, and a willingness to challenge norms.
• Always filter advice—online or in person—through your own (and your doctor’s) lens.
• The way we talk about food, bodies, and health leaves a lasting legacy for our kids.
• Infuse this journey with humanity, patience, and, when possible, laughter.