Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1732 – Squooshie Pushie (Jan 9, 2026)

Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Brenda

Episode Overview

This episode features Brenda, a candid and witty 71-year-old who shares her journey through a late-onset Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, navigating an often confusing medical system, and ultimately finding empowerment through self-education and technology. Brenda recounts her experiences with misdiagnosis, inadequate medical care, family health history riddled with autoimmune issues, and her personal strategies for living boldly with insulin and tech like the Omnipod and Dexcom CGM. The episode highlights the resilience required to thrive with diabetes and underscores the importance of patient advocacy, community, and never-ending learning.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Late-Onset Diagnosis & Initial Medical Confusion

• Brenda was diagnosed with diabetes around age 63, after a routine physical with no symptoms. Initially prescribed Metformin, her doctor assumed Type 2 because of her age.
  • Quote: "She looked at me and all of a sudden goes, oh, you’re diabetic? And I'm sitting there stunned." (03:04)
• Spent years being treated for Type 2 with minimal guidance or explanation.

2. Family Tragedies and Autoimmune History

• During her diagnosis, Brenda navigated significant family stresses: severe illnesses and the eventual loss of her brother.
• Family rife with autoimmune diseases: Crohn’s, thyroid disorders (Graves’), and Type 1 diabetes.
• Brenda describes years-long struggles for proper thyroid testing and diagnosis.

3. Healthcare System Challenges

• Multiple doctors, most of whom mismanaged or did not listen to Brenda, leading her to frequently "doctor shop" for proper care.
  • Quote on doctor experience: "She looked at me and goes, 'Oh, you're cured.' And I'm thinking, you are a lunatic lady. There is no cure for this." (14:55)

4. Transition to Insulin and Self-Education

• Eventual “panicked” re-diagnosis as Type 1 (not Type 2) with little to no instruction on insulin use.
  • Quote: "I basically had no training on what to do with the insulin. They just said, do this before you eat and then eat right away." (21:04)
• Realized that diabetes classes were geared for Type 2, not her situation.
• Learned by necessity: self-research, using online resources and communities, including the Juicebox Podcast.

5. Diabetes Technology Adoption

• After years with pens and finger sticks, Brenda discovered CGMs and insulin pumps late in her journey—first through seeing her doctor’s Libre, then ultimately using Dexcom and Omnipod 5.
• Describes the profound lack of patient education even during pump training; most relied on finding "a squishy spot," with little technical detail or guidance.
  • Quote: "'What you want to do is find a squishy spot and put it on. Okay, see you later.' That was it." (38:51)
• Omnipod changed her perspective, especially regarding quality of life, intimacy, and daily convenience.
  • Memorable moment/quote: "[About sex and the pump] 'How do you have sex with this thing on?' ... It's important! Every married person knows, if sex isn't important, you're out of your mind." (27:48)

6. Empowerment Through Community & the Podcast

• Brenda credits the Juicebox Podcast, especially the Pro Tip series, for her growing knowledge and confidence. She reinforces the value of community and peer support, especially for older adults or late diagnosers.
  • "Thank goodness for your podcast, to tell you the truth. I was doing research ... and that's when I finally learned you can control what these things do." (37:09)
• Joined relevant Facebook groups and found new resources for older T1Ds, e.g., t1d2100.com.

7. Living Boldly—Trial, Error, and Confidence

• Brenda has taught herself carb counting, correction factors, and maintenance by trial and error, embracing mistakes as part of the learning curve.
• Discusses being conservative but increasingly confident with advanced features like correction dosing.
  • Quote (on making corrections): "Because of your podcast, I have gotten more comfortable with doing corrections when I think I need them." (48:10)

8. Frustrations with Alarms, Software, and Support

• She candidly discusses annoyances with device software (Android vs. iPhone), unnecessary alarms, and the bureaucracy of support systems.
  • Quote (on software alerts): "If your controller knows you're in the Dexcom warm up period, stop giving me an alert every hour that you haven’t gotten a signal. Isn’t this obvious?" (42:03)

9. Managing Other Life & Family Challenges

• Family dynamics: financial and emotional strains due to a bipolar sibling, inheritance disputes, and lack of open discussion around both health and personal matters.
• The impact of aging: Brenda’s attitude is pragmatic yet bold, not shying from honest confrontation—"If you don't want an honest answer, why are you asking me the question?" (54:16)

10. Encouragement & Hope for Older T1Ds

• Brenda reflects that initially she thought her T1 diagnosis “took 20 years off her life," but stories from the diabetes community have offered hope.
  • "After I found your podcast... every time I hear one of those stories, it gives me encouragement." (76:38)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On receiving a diagnosis out of the blue:
  "If it's not on a piece of paper, it can't be real, right?" (03:09 – Brenda)
• On medical ‘cures’:
  "You are a lunatic lady. There is no cure for this." (14:55 – Brenda)
• On poor pump training:
  "'Find a squishy spot and put it on ... see you later.' That was it." (38:51 – Brenda)
• On importance of sex and pumps:
  "How the hell do you sleep with a cellphone attached to your body with a cord? ... How do you have sex with this thing on?" (27:24 – Brenda)
• On advocacy:
  "Don't call them, Mom!" 'By God, I am going to call them.'" (42:03 – Brenda on advocating fiercely for herself)
• On reaching her stride and future:
  "As long as I can keep walking around, I want to make it to at least 95." (77:13 – Brenda)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Diagnosis & Early Confusion – 02:10–05:00
• Family Autoimmunity & Tragedy – 05:01–10:30
• Doctor Shopping: Not Being Heard – 13:11–16:10
• Poor Education on Insulin/Type 1 – 20:29–22:16
• First Tech: CGMs & Pumps – 31:23–36:44
• Omnipod Training Fiasco – 36:45–39:10
• Sex, Quality of Life, and Devices – 27:24–28:13, 35:59–36:06
• Benefits of Podcast/Community – 46:21–48:10, 75:43–76:14
• Family Dynamics: Bipolar Sibling – 64:44–72:18
• Exercise & Hypoglycemia Worries – 75:11–79:25
• Reflections & Hope – 76:05–77:13

Brenda’s Takeaways & Tips

• Don’t settle for inadequate care. "You have to keep trying to figure it out for yourself."
• Value community and peer support—sometimes the best answers come from other patients.
• Insist on clear explanations. Doctors and educators won’t always provide details unless you ask (and ask again).
• It’s okay to be bold, even confrontational when necessary for your health.
• Self-education is crucial, especially as an older adult with T1D.
• Be open to new technology—it can radically increase freedom and quality of life, but may take time to master.
• Never assume you have all the answers. Keep learning and advocating.

Conclusion

Brenda's story is a testament to fortitude in the face of late-onset Type 1 diabetes, recurring family challenges, and an often-unhelpful healthcare system. Her humor, candor, and toughness shine through as she shares what it takes to finally live "bold with insulin," thanks in large part to online communities and podcasts like Juicebox. The episode is rich with real-life lessons for anyone, especially those diagnosed later in life, seeking to become a more empowered diabetes self-manager.

For resources, community, or more Pro Tips, visit: juiceboxpodcast.com
For older T1D support: t1d2100.com