Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes
Episode #1720 – Valerie
Date: December 26, 2025
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Brooke (not "Valerie"—Valerie is Brooke’s baby)
Episode Overview
This episode features Brooke, a 29-year-old new mom diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes during her first pregnancy. Scott and Brooke delve into her unexpected diagnosis, the difference between gestational and Type 1 diabetes, navigating new motherhood alongside new diabetes management, and the emotional and practical realities of adjusting to both. Through open conversation, Brooke shares insight into her family's responses, building a support network, interacting with healthcare providers, and empowering herself through education and community. The episode is full of relatable, supportive moments for those adjusting to life with Type 1 in extraordinary circumstances.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
1. Diagnosis: The Unexpected Timing
- Brooke’s Background: Married in September 2024, pregnant three or four months later, no significant family history of gestational diabetes or major autoimmune disease (her great-grandmother had Crohn’s).
- Discovery:
- Late in her pregnancy (29 weeks), diagnosed with uncontrolled diabetes (A1C 8.1) following routine testing.
- Only mild symptoms—excessive thirst and urination—were dismissed as typical pregnancy issues.
- Originally planned a home birth; diagnosis led to switching to OB care and a hospital birth.
- Baby, Valerie, was born prematurely at 33 weeks and required a NICU stay.
"I was going to have a home birth... but my midwife decided to just check my A1C... it came back 8.1. ...I was pretty far in." – Brooke (04:23)
2. Differentiating Gestational and Type 1 Diabetes
- Initial Confusion: Brooke believed she had gestational diabetes or possibly Type 2; she didn’t think adults could develop Type 1.
- Antibody Testing: Confirmed multiple Type 1-related antibodies (possibly 3-5), cementing the Type 1 diagnosis.
- Emotional Reaction: Struggled with denial, as did her doctors, since Type 1 onset during pregnancy is rare and not commonly discussed in clinical circles.
"Because I didn't understand Type 1, I think I just was like there's no way that this just developed during pregnancy. And even the doctors seemed confused." – Brooke (16:54)
- Scott’s Clarification:
- Existence of five possible antibodies indicating increased risk of developing Type 1.
- Pregnancy’s immune changes can accelerate Type 1 where antibodies are present, though pregnancy does not "cause" it.
"Just because they haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. ... Pregnancy doesn't create type 1 diabetes, but it changes the immune system in ways that can maybe unmask or accelerate the progression." – Scott (17:14, 19:03)
3. Managing Diabetes During and After Pregnancy
- Hospital Transition:
- She moved from midwife-led care to high-risk OB with maternal-fetal medicine and a diabetes team.
- Started CGM (Libre 3 Plus), and learned about insulin, but delayed starting insulin in hopes diet would suffice.
- Eventually needed long-acting and rapid insulin, especially to meet strict pregnancy fasting targets.
"I did have to go on insulin. They set me up with a long lasting and a rapid, and that helped me manage it." – Brooke (12:42)
- Postpartum Management:
- After birth, the focus of care shifted to Brooke as an individual. Maternal-fetal team handed her off to an endocrinologist.
- Diagnosed officially as Type 1; currently in the honeymoon phase (producing some insulin naturally).
"My endocrinologist explained honeymoon...That confirmed that I was in the honeymoon stage because I still had some insulin being produced by my own body." – Brooke (28:21)
4. The Overwhelm of Motherhood and New Diagnosis
- Daily Realities:
- Managing diabetes sometimes takes a back seat to newborn care.
- Sometimes blood glucose checks or insulin doses must wait due to Valerie’s needs.
"There’s times where I don't always get to check what my blood sugar is and maybe not take insulin exactly when I wanted to. ...you really have to prioritize the baby." – Brooke (23:02)
- Support System:
- Husband is supportive but somewhat in denial or overly optimistic about the diagnosis.
- Family, especially her mom, offers help—particularly with meals—though mom herself struggles with pre-diabetes and nutritional awareness.
5. Self-Education and Community
- Finding Juicebox Podcast:
- Brooke discovered the show via a circuitous route—her husband was searching Reddit and Facebook for Type 1 support and resources.
- She appreciates the podcast’s patient stories, practical management tips, and sense of companionship—helpful during long, sometimes isolating days as a stay-at-home mom.
"I've been listening to your podcast, like, two episodes a day." – Brooke (24:50)
"I just love hearing other people's stories and relating to what they're going through." – Brooke (27:05)
- Implementing Management Concepts:
- Inspired by the podcast, Brooke feels empowered to adjust insulin doses as needed, even when providers are slow to act.
- She cherry-picks management episodes (Bold Beginnings, Pro Tips, Bolus episodes) to match her learning needs.
"I kind of ignored [the endo’s] advice and started adding more Lantus...I’m staying pretty stable. I usually don’t go over 140, 150." – Brooke (35:14)
6. Family Dynamics and Cultural Attitudes
- Brooke’s Husband:
- Optimistic or in denial about permanence of Type 1; believes low-carb or minimal-insulin could be lifelong solutions, influenced by Dr. Bernstein’s philosophy.
- Scott gently advises a balanced, individualized, open approach.
"He keeps saying, like, 'maybe it’ll go away'. …I think he just doesn't have as much education on it that I do at this point." – Brooke (29:58)
- Brooke’s Mom:
- Has been prediabetic for years, is unconcerned or misinformed about nutrition, prefers quick/easy foods (toast, cereal, fast food).
"I've tried. I think she just isn't very knowledgeable in nutrition...she just loves her sweets." – Brooke (63:33)
- Feeding the Next Generation:
- Brooke hopes her experience motivates her mom to avoid similar health outcomes.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
-
On Receiving the Diagnosis during Pregnancy:
"You get married, get pregnant pretty quickly...Did you do it on purpose?"
"We did." — (04:16) -
Scott’s Take on Optimism vs. Denial:
"I’m sad that this is the situation...There are people who don’t care for themselves as well because that feeling of, like, hopefulness can turn into...well, I'll just ignore it because this isn't going to be my life." — Scott (31:22) -
On Prioritizing as a New Mom:
"You don't have a choice. And so I just have to put my baby first at this point...I have to take care of myself too. Cause if I’m not healthy, then she doesn’t have anyone to take care of her." — Brooke (39:08, 39:28) -
Brooke’s Attitude:
"I have...I'm in the honeymoon phase, and it's gradually ramping up. ...But yeah, we're just taking it day by day." — Brooke (38:40) -
On Community and Podcast Culture:
"It's kind of comforting having, like, chit chat in the background...you're just by yourself all day with a little baby." — Brooke (44:30) -
Scott on Information Overload and Finding Your People:
"There’s just some basic truths about type 1 diabetes. Right? You have type 1 diabetes. You need man made insulin. You will die without it." — Scott (53:29) -
On Individual Diabetes Management Choices:
"The lower carb you eat, the better off you know, you’re going to be as far as the amount of insulin you [need], but...I'm not here telling you not to eat candy or not to do anything." — Scott (57:28) -
Humor in the Face of Challenge:
"Would you like to renounce your father and accept me as your father?" — Scott (40:22)
Key Timestamps
- 02:30–06:43 – Diagnosis story and pregnancy
- 11:55–14:20 – Transition to high-risk OB/diabetes care, initial management
- 16:54–19:26 – Emotional adjustment, antibody testing, clarifying pregnancy/Type 1 link
- 23:02–24:01 – Reality of new motherhood with new diabetes
- 28:21–29:04 – Understanding the honeymoon phase
- 32:13–33:21 – Postpartum baby health and what it suggests about diagnosis
- 34:44–37:00 – CGM data, self-directed adjustments, feeling empowered
- 46:20–47:34 – Cherry-picking educational podcast content
- 51:26–55:46 – Husband’s worldview, skeptical attitudes, both supportive and challenging
- 61:16–64:12 – Discussing mom's prediabetes, nutrition, and generational attitudes
Takeaways & Practical Strategies
- Be proactive: Don’t be afraid to self-advocate and learn—question and verify provider advice, and adjust as needed with proper understanding and monitoring.
- Use community: Seek out the patient community for emotional, practical, and social support—everyone’s experience can provide new insight.
- Balance reality and optimism: Hope is important, but face the medical facts head-on for best outcomes.
- Education is fluid: Whether technical management, emotional endurance, or cooking tips, keep learning from a variety of sources.
- Family matters: Spouses and relatives will respond differently; patience and education are key, but responsibilities as caregiver and person with diabetes must be balanced.
Tone and Style Summary
The tone is honest, warm, lightly humorous, practical, and supportive. Scott is empathetic and dry-witted, while Brooke is calm, flexible, self-aware, and open. The conversation moves between personal anecdote, management tips, and cultural commentary—always circling back to encouragement and readiness for new challenges.
For listeners who are:
- Adjusting to a new Type 1 diabetes diagnosis (especially those diagnosed as adults or during pregnancy)
- Navigating parenthood and chronic health
- Seeking real-life, no-judgment stories of living “Bold With Insulin”
This episode delivers practical ideas, honest emotional discussion, and the constant message that you’re not alone.