Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1756 — Tandem Kids: Connor

Host: Scott Benner
Release Date: February 1, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Juicebox Podcast, hosted by Scott Benner, features a candid conversation with Connor, a 13-year-old living with type 1 diabetes since age three. Recorded at the Friends for Life conference in July 2025, the episode is part of a special series highlighting young people who use the Tandem insulin pump. The discussion centers on Connor's personal experiences, strategies for diabetes management, life with the Tandem pump, involvement in sports, peer support, and perspectives on growing up with diabetes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Diagnosis and Memory of Onset

• Connor’s Diagnosis Story (01:16–01:52)
  • Diagnosed at age three while on vacation in Daytona.
  • Vivid memories: needing frequent bathroom trips, vomiting, and passing out after eating ice cream.
  • Parental anxiety remembered: “Yeah, definitely a little bit scared.” (02:01)

Family & Support System

• Connor is the oldest of three siblings; no other immediate family with type 1, but an uncle (by marriage) has diabetes and uses shots, not a pump.
• Discusses open family conversations about diabetes management.

Diabetes Technology & Tandem Experience

• Tandem Pump & Control IQ (02:30–02:54, 11:09–11:22)
  • Has used Tandem pump with Control IQ since upgrade; appreciates the improved time in range:
    “I just stay in range a little bit.” (02:43)
  • Enjoys using the phone app: “I can go on my phone and I can go through the app on my phone.” (11:17)
• Switch from Previous Pumps (15:22–18:13)
  • Initially used shots, then Omnipod, which led to two severe lows and seizures.
  • Describes switching to Tandem as greatly improving control:
    “Switching the Tandem, I’ve been amazing. Like, my control has been so much better.” (18:13)

Managing Lows and Snacks

• Preferred Low Snacks (02:58–03:16)
  • Favors cheese crackers or a strawberry wafer bar.
  • Smart approach: opts for lower-carb snacks to avoid rebound highs:
    “I don't go for, like, super high carbs, so I don't rise a lot.” (03:26)

Sports, Activity, and Blood Sugar Management

• Active Lifestyle (03:44–05:23)

  • Plays baseball (catcher/third base), football (center/defensive end), basketball, and enjoys fishing.
  • Adjusts insulin use for sports, keeps pump on during activity:
    “Usually when I'm like, super active... the adrenaline gets to me. So I go a little bit high.” (04:37)
  • Manages different needs for each sport (e.g., more lows in football due to running).

• Prepping for Sports (05:23–06:13, 19:31–20:17)

  • Eats protein bars or Subway before games; drinks water post-game to avoid dehydration.
  • Brings a fanny pack with juice boxes and snacks for lows:
    “I pack, like two juice boxes and then, like, some fruit snacks in it just in case I go low.” (20:10)

Daily Mentality and Coping

• Routine Acceptance (06:11–06:13)
  • “It's kind of part of my life now.”
• Handling and Overcoming Setbacks (17:41–18:22)
  • Candid about the fear and lessons from past severe lows: “It definitely scares me, like, from now going to like the rest of my life.”

Peer Support & School

• Helping Friends with Diabetes (07:13–08:46)
  • Assisted two friends newly diagnosed with T1D; shares supplies, provides advice.
  • Finds fulfillment in supporting others:
    “Something that I'm really proud of is... helping my buddies out who have diabetes.” (08:37)
• Supportive Social Network (07:47–08:14)
  • Friends check in, offer to help during sports.
  • Appreciates their concern: “I think it's kind of nice having supportive friends and caring friends.” (08:09)

Routine, Discipline, and Family Dynamics

• Pre-bolusing & Parental Reminders (09:01–09:29)
  • Remembers to pre-bolus most meals, often due to his mom’s reminders.
  • Family is highly supportive:
    “They're with me 100% of the time, supporting me, guiding me through everything I need to do.” (11:25)
• Listens to the podcast with his mom for tips and encouragement.

Role Models & Aspirations

• Favorite Athlete with Diabetes (09:55–10:15)

  • Inspired by Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens):
    “He inspires me to... not have diabetes stop me from what I like to do.” (10:01)

• Dreams for the Future (06:16–06:29)

  • Hopes to play golf or basketball professionally; wishes to grow tall enough for basketball.

• Outlook on College & Independence (13:25–13:28)

  • Plans to attend Purdue; joking reference to his mom’s continued, caring oversight.

Handling Self-Advocacy and Independence

• Texting with Parents (13:05–13:19)
  • Exchanges reassuring “I’m fine/I got it” messages with his mom, reflecting typical growing independence.

Emotional Health & Community

• Value of Diabetes Community (11:43–12:28)

  • Feels comfortable and not alone at Friends for Life conference, especially compared with feeling stared at in public pools/water parks:
    “It definitely makes me feel safer being around people who is going through the same thing as me...” (11:43)
  • On community and comfort: “Well, comfort is safety.” (12:00)

• Personal Philosophies (14:24–14:34)

  • On being kind: “Treat others how you want to be treated. Really means something to me.”

Memorable Quotes

• On Smart Low Treatments:
  “I don't go for, like, super high carbs, so I don't rise a lot.” (03:26, Connor)
• On Helping Others with T1D:
  “Something that I'm really proud of is what I was talking about, like, helping my buddies out who have diabetes, like, telling them what they need to do.” (08:37, Connor)
• On the Value of Support:
  “I think it's kind of nice having supportive friends and caring friends.” (08:09, Connor)
• Describing Life with Diabetes:
  “It's kind of part of my life now.” (06:11, Connor)
• On Family Support:
  “They're with me 100% of the time, supporting me, guiding me through everything I need to do.” (11:25, Connor)
• Feeling at Friends for Life:
  “It definitely makes me feel safer being around people who is going through the same thing as me...” (11:43, Connor)
• Personal Motto:
  “Treat others how you want to be treated. Really means something to me.” (14:32, Connor)
• Message to His Mom:
  “She’s holding you back. No, I never really try and blame my parents for anything.” (06:46, Connor)
• On Mark Andrews:
  “He inspires me to, like, keep pushing, keep doing what I’m doing to not have diabetes, stop me from what I like to do...” (10:01, Connor)

Noteworthy Timestamps

• Introduction & Diagnosis: 01:08–02:01
• Family Support & Diabetes Tech: 02:09–02:54, 11:09–11:22, 17:41–18:22
• Low Snack Choices: 02:58–03:16
• Sports & In-Game Management: 03:44–06:13, 19:31–20:17
• Peer Support at School: 07:13–08:46
• Pre-bolusing and Parental Reminders: 09:01–09:29
• Diabetes Role Models: 09:55–10:15
• Community Comfort: 11:43–12:28
• Family Values: 14:24–14:34
• Severe Hypoglycemia Experiences: 15:22–18:13

Tone & Takeaways

Connor’s story is shared in a conversational, encouraging, and relatable tone, typical of Juicebox Podcast’s style. The episode emphasizes capability, community, and a proactive attitude. Connor’s experiences showcase not only the technical and practical aspects of life with T1D, but also the deeply human side — resilience, peer support, and optimism—making this episode valuable for children, parents, and anyone impacted by type 1 diabetes.