Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1700: "That About Sums It Up"
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Shannon ("Crazy Mom from Texas," now in East Tennessee)
Release Date: December 5, 2025
Theme: Living Well with Type 1 Diabetes – Parenting, Transitions, and Authentic Updates

Episode Overview

This episode reunites host Scott Benner with Shannon, previously dubbed the "Crazy Mom from Texas," for a candid update on her family, her son Nathan's type 1 diabetes journey, and her own health challenges. The conversation balances humor with heartfelt reflections on parenting through chronic illness, teenage transitions, ADHD, and personal health hurdles.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Catch Up with Shannon: From Texas to Tennessee

• Move and Identity Shift
  • Shannon has moved from Texas to East Tennessee and jokes about bringing her "crazy" with her (03:01).
  • The move was motivated by a desire for family closeness and a change in pace (64:01).
• Why "Crazy Mom"?
  • The nickname originated when she messaged Scott in desperation years ago:

    "Hey, I'm this crazy mom from Texas. I need help." (03:17)
    Scott recollects fondly offering timely advice—like how to bolus for Chick-fil-A.

2. Parenting a Teen with T1D & ADHD

• Nathan’s Journey
  • Diagnosed at age 9; now 16, a high school junior (06:03, 18:57).
  • ADHD complicates his self-management; she and her husband also have varying degrees of ADD/ADHD (06:28).
• Worries About Transition to Independence
  • Shannon feels the pressure of time running out before Nathan leaves home:

    "It’s a whole new level of, like, worry, concern. So that’s why I say the crazy’s still there." (06:09)

  • Anxiety about his diabetes self-care, especially as he’s moving toward trade school and adulthood (25:00).
• School and Social Struggles
  • Nathan was bullied at private school (nicknamed "Diabeto," devices tampered with) and now attends public school with a vocational track he enjoys (24:53-25:03).
• Diabetes Management Realities
  • Nathan has episodes of severe hyperglycemia when left alone, often due to ADHD-related inattention and resistance (19:02-22:10).
  • Shannon describes using tricks like "freezing the infusion set" to minimize cannula bending (21:31).

3. Shannon’s Health Update: Perimenopause, Hashimoto’s, and GLP Meds

• Personal Health Struggles
  • Deals with Hashimoto's thyroiditis – chronic fatigue persists despite labs being "in range" (07:30, 10:05).
  • Has undergone hysterectomy and is in perimenopause.
• GLP-1 Medication Experience
  • Has used semaglutide for about a year, lost 20 pounds ("food noise" diminished) but emphasizes it wasn’t fast or easy (07:49-08:55).
  • Scott and Shannon share relatable experiences of hunger vanishing (09:30–09:42).
• Lab Value Nuances
  • Scott questions lab "normal ranges" and encourages checking specific values (iron, ferritin) as possible fatigue culprits (12:06–13:29).

4. Parenting Styles, Communication, and Letting Go

• Communication with Nathan
  • Their relationship is "very joking," which sometimes blurs boundaries for serious topics (30:10).
  • Scott suggests a focused, intentional conversation—"go out together by yourselves, maybe to a lunch..." (30:45–31:30).
• Goal Setting for Independence
  • Focused on "pre-bolusing," simplifying diabetes priorities, and preparing for Nathan’s eventual autonomy (40:14).
• Sibling & Family Dynamics
  • Another son (19, studying criminal justice); husband is supportive but more the "threatener" in discipline (35:02, 37:00).
• Food & Diabetes Discipline
  • Ongoing struggles with Nathan sneaking food and not bolusing, despite tools to make it easier (kitchen scale, supportive attitude) (37:08–38:47).
  • Realistic acceptance: most kids aren't going to use every technological tool; good diabetes care comes back to basics—"timing and amount" (39:00–40:03).

5. CGM/Device Wear and Diabetes Burnout

• Infusion Set Challenges
  • Tips and anecdotes about preventing cannula bending; ADHD plays a role in skipped or careless device insertions (21:31–23:14).
• Device Layered Struggles
  • Discussion of CGMs, site adhesion, and product experiences appears—though some (Skingrip, Eversense365) are sponsor mentions.
• Caregiver Burnout & Camp Sweeney
  • Nathan attends diabetes camp annually for community, confidence, and independence; Shannon admits camp is also a "break" for caregivers (53:51–54:53).

6. Letting Go of Perfection and the Evolving Role of Diabetes Parenting

• A1C Results and Perspective Shift
  • Nathan’s A1C is low 5s, sometimes even high 4s—once due to excess lows from overcompensation, now more balanced (40:28–42:02).
  • Scott encourages Shannon to see value in current independence, even if control isn’t perfect:

    "Wouldn’t you rather him have a 230 blood sugar now where you’re around and can continue to help guide him so that one day when he’ll never tell you his blood sugar ever again, you know that he knows what to do, right?" (46:20)

• Role of Conversation and Planning
  • Stresses that truly critical parent-child conversations require intention, not just being slotted in around other business (52:26–53:51).
  • Shannon acknowledges the truth:

    "Sometimes life and just busyness and things just kind of get in the way..." (52:05)

7. Humor, Self-Deprecation, and Life's Chaos

• Scott and Shannon’s Banter
  • The two veer into discussions about cheddar rounds, the merits of diners, moving states, property prices, marriage longevity, even the TV movie "The Boy in the Plastic Bubble" as comic relief.
• Relationship Reflections
  • Both joke about long marriages, possible futures, the impossibility of retraining a new partner at their age—mixing real vulnerability with sharp wit (48:25–51:43).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the transition from panicked parenting:
  "Things have gotten better. I mean, I still own my level of crazy but… we moved to East Tennessee." (05:09)
• On parenting a teen with T1D & ADHD:
  "He wants to do it himself." (21:18)
• On device issues:
  "We put the infusion site in the freezer...98% of the time, it works beautifully." (21:31–22:10)
• On controlling perfection:
  "The podcast should be eight seconds long. It should be like, hey, get the timing and amount of your insulin right. You’ll be fine." (39:00)
• On A1C perspective:
  Shannon: "His A1C stays between 5.3, 5.4."
  Scott: "No one’s listening anymore because you said 5.3, 5.4. And everybody’s like, 'Oh, this lady is crazy,' and they shut the podcast player off." (41:06)
• On real family worries:
  "You only have so much time to get him to a place..." (26:27)
• On camp as freedom:
  "He feels like he can breathe… He obviously can’t get away from diabetes, but when he goes there, he just feels like it’s less of a burden." (54:33)
• On letting go:
  "At some point, that kid is going to live by himself." (46:01)

Important Timestamps

• 00:17 – Shannon reintroduces herself; origins of "crazy mom" nickname.
• 06:03 – Nathan’s diagnosis and age update.
• 07:30–09:42 – Shannon’s personal health: Hashimoto's, menopause, semaglutide.
• 12:06–13:29 – Thyroid and iron labs; the pitfalls of "normal" ranges.
• 19:02–22:10 – Real-world diabetes struggles: bent cannulas, high blood sugars, ADHD issues.
• 24:53–25:03 – Bullying at private Christian school; switching to public and vocational focus.
• 30:45–31:30 – Scott’s suggestion for intentional, earnest parent-child talks.
• 35:02, 37:00 – Older sibling, husband’s role in family discipline.
• 39:00–40:14 – Simplifying T1D focus: pre-bolus, timing, and amount.
• 41:06–42:02 – Humor about "crazy" A1Cs and letting go of perfectionism.
• 46:20 – The value of learning diabetes independence before complete autonomy.
• 53:51–54:53 – Importance and impact of Camp Sweeney for families and kids.
• 64:01 – Why the family moved from Texas to Tennessee; life changes.
• 69:44 – Closing: gratitude for updates, podcast community notes.

Final Reflections

This episode is a deeply honest, often hilarious, and sometimes poignant check-in about the real everyday obstacles—and triumphs—of raising a T1D teen. It’s as much about learning to let go as it is about learning to adapt. Listeners walk away reminded that perfection in diabetes (and parenting) is a myth—but intention, conversation, love, and laughter make for the best strategies.

For even more stories and support, join the Juicebox Podcast Type 1 Diabetes Facebook group and check out Camp Sweeney if camp might help your family.