Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1710: Out of Shell – Part 1
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Janelle
Date: December 16, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode launches a two-part conversation with Janelle, a young mom of two—one of whom, Paxton, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age three. Janelle and host Scott Benner dig into her family’s backstory, her experiences navigating her son’s diagnosis, family dynamics, the emotional journey of parenting a child with diabetes, and how it has impacted her sense of self. The discussion is peppered with Scott’s trademark humor and banter, providing relatability and a candid glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of a diabetes caregiver. The episode balances personal narrative with practical insights and encouragement for parents living with diabetes in the family.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Getting to Know Janelle

• Janelle’s Background (03:33–06:53)

  • Age 28, married young to her high school sweetheart
  • Mother of two: a six-year-old son (Paxton, with type 1 diabetes) and a four-year-old daughter (Ember, a redhead)
  • Originally from Rochester, NY, now living in North Carolina due to husband’s military posting
  • Only child; supportive, close-knit family—parents relocated to be near grandkids

  "You're breaking all the paradigms. I love this." — Scott, impressed with Janelle’s unique backstory (05:07)

• Marriage & Family Dynamics (04:20–06:53)

  • Married at 19, husband in the Marine Corps, navigated early marriage while apart for deployment
  • Discusses support from family, the absence of drama or “broken home” stereotypes

• Personality and Upbringing

  • Janelle credits her grounded approach and maturity to both solid parenting and having to "grow up quick" in marriage and motherhood.

  "They were interested in you. / Yeah. / You felt loved. / Yeah." (20:35–20:39)
  Summary of Janelle’s core family experience—a sense of stability and support.

The Diagnosis Experience

• Initial Signs & Diagnosis Story (14:18–17:16)

  • Noticed excessive thirst and urination during a family visit to NY, especially when grandparental sugar was on offer
  • “Dr. Google” research planted suspicion of diabetes
  • Pediatrician found elevated blood sugar after animal crackers (170), then down to 130; confusion about “slowest onset” seen
  • Sent directly to children’s hospital; blood sugar spiked after eating a popsicle; diagnosis confirmed after a few hours

  "I saw that it could possibly be a sign of type 1 diabetes... But on our way, on our drive back...I had this nagging feeling in the back of my head that it wasn’t bladder issues." — Janelle (14:21–14:41)

  "People say Dr. Google like a pejorative, but it was perfectly figured out what was wrong with them." — Scott (17:20–17:26)

Navigating Early Diabetes Management

• Initial Adjustment & Emotional Response (24:27–26:39)

  • Janelle took on most of the early management: shots, pump changes, overnight care, etc.
  • First year was overwhelming, culminating in burnout
  • Husband took a more active role after the first year

  "I threw my whole being into figuring everything out...Then I hit my breaking point...That’s when my husband got into high gear and wanted to help..." — Janelle (24:27–25:29)

  • Discussion on why her husband was less involved initially—partly coping with his own emotions, partly because Janelle took charge
  • Reflection on how both personalities (her being type A, his laid-back) influenced roles in care

• Pump Choices & Algorithm Insights (27:41–31:47)

  • Started on Omnipod (user-friendly, but less aggressive algorithm)
  • Switched to Tandem Mobi for better glycemic control, especially after Paxton’s honeymoon phase ended

  "I just wanted more control...I had heard great things about the Control IQ algorithm...I was like, well, screw it, we’re just going to switch because it can’t get any worse, right? And it’s been amazing." — Janelle (29:02–29:46)

  • Balancing device convenience (tubeless vs. algorithm aggressiveness)
  • Acknowledgement that “what works for one doesn’t work for all”

• Honeymoon Phase Realities (30:54–31:47)

  • Difficulty distinguishing between device performance issues and lingering honeymoon insulin production
  • Validates that willingness to try new tech can be key:

    "It just didn’t work for Paxton, and I’m okay with that." — Janelle (31:47)

Family Support & Living Arrangements

• Proximity to Family (21:11–23:23)

  • Janelle’s parents moved nearby after grandkids were born; mother is a working RN, active caregiver
  • Emphasizes the value of family learning diabetes together and reliable backup support

• Practical Support and Homeschooling (32:00–32:44)

  • Chose to homeschool due to concerns about school nurse availability and children’s self-advocacy readiness
  • Homeschooling also aligned with pre-existing values, but diagnosis solidified decision

Janelle’s Emotional Growth and Self-Discovery

• Losing and Re-finding Herself (35:15–36:29)

  • Struggles with the “all-consuming” nature of diabetes caregiving; desire to reclaim her own interests and identity
  • Coming on the podcast is positioned as a deliberate step out of her “comfort zone” for self-growth

  "Something happens in your brain where the only reason you’re really living is to keep your kid alive...When they’re on insulin, they’re on life support to some degree...You kind of don’t think there’s really time for anything else." — Janelle (35:38–36:18)

• Type A, Anxiety, and Mom Guilt (36:22–39:19)

  • Janelle identifies as both type A and chronically anxious, tendencies exacerbated by her son’s diagnosis
  • Mom guilt was present before diabetes, intensified after
  • Recognizes patterns of “imposter syndrome” as a young mother

  "...If you’re that young and feeling like, ‘Oh, I’m probably failing at this,’ but you’re not...then you’re worried about something that doesn’t exist...that’s anxiety. So have you been anxious your whole life?" — Scott (39:00–39:19)

• Therapy Session Energy (throughout)

  • Scott employs his typical probing style to help Janelle articulate personal challenges, using vulnerability blended with humor
  • Janelle demonstrates self-awareness about her tendency to internalize pressure and understanding that working through discomfort is part of her journey forward

Lighthearted Banter and Memorable Moments

• Chameleon & Silkworm Story (08:52–13:14)

  • Interlude about Scott’s chameleon and a “circus-like” silkworm in the cage:

    "It’s this giant chameleon with this tiny little silkworm like, standing on it." — Scott (12:39)

• Naming Daughter Ember Before Discovering She’s a Redhead (34:05–34:24)

  • A serendipitous and humorous family anecdote:

    "We chose her name halfway through the pregnancy—and her name is Ember...and I don’t think this could have happened any other way." — Janelle (34:07–34:17)

• Spirited Discussion on Cremation vs. Burial (43:49–45:46)

  • The pair ponder what to do with their remains, including tree planting, Viking funerals, and the cost of posthumous services

Notable Quotes & Noteworthy Exchanges

• On Anxiety and Mom Guilt

  "Were you like that before the diabetes?—To some extent. I don’t think it was this bad, though." — Janelle (36:56–37:00)

• On Breaking Parental Stereotypes

  "Everything you’re saying is wrong. Oh, this is super interesting...you’re breaking all the little, like, preconceived notions I have about everything." — Scott (06:07)

• On Coping and Personal Growth

  "I think you have to accept that this is kind of the way you are before you can start to want to work on it and change it." — Janelle (40:36)

• Meta-podcast Moment

  "Are you a little surprised that I figured it out just through this conversation?—Not really. / You listen to the podcast then? / Yeah." — Scott and Janelle (41:00–41:08)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Janelle’s Family & Backstory: 03:33–06:53
• Paxton’s Diagnosis Story: 14:18–17:16
• Marital & Emotional Adjustments Post-Diagnosis: 24:27–26:39
• Pump Tech Choices and Info: 27:41–31:47
• Homeschool Discussion: 32:00–32:44
• Losing/Rediscovering Herself & Mental Health: 35:38–39:19
• Funeral/Cremation Banter: 43:49–45:46

Tone & Language

The episode is candid, conversational, and often self-deprecating with a healthy dose of humor. Janelle is authentic and relatable, sharing vulnerability about her struggles and journey with both poise and honesty. Scott provides encouragement, empathy, and his signature wit.

Conclusion

This first part of Janelle’s story provides a compelling, in-depth look at the early years of parenting a child with type 1 diabetes. It explores identity, relationships, and personal growth in the context of chronic illness. Janelle’s journey from overwhelmed new caregiver to self-aware advocate is both inspiring and practical—offering strategies of flexibility, family support, and the importance of seeking self-fulfillment alongside diligent diabetes management. The episode closes on a note of self-reflection and anticipation for further discussion in Part 2.