Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes
Episode #1761: Kindness Goes a Long Way
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Lauren, Assistant Principal and T1D Parent
Date: February 5, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode is a candid and practical discussion about the challenges and strategies of living with Type 1 diabetes—especially as a parent and advocate in the school setting. Lauren, an assistant principal and mother to a six-year-old son with Type 1, joins Scott to share her journey from diagnosis confusion and overwhelm to confident advocacy, both for her own child and as a resource to her school community. The conversation centers on the power of communication, kindness, and building trust in the delicate dance between parents, educators, and medical realities. “Kindness goes a long way”—not just a cliché, but the underlying principle that can make living with diabetes and ensuring care in schools possible.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Lauren’s Diagnosis Journey
- Lauren shares the initial shock and mystery of her son's diagnosis at age 3.5, with no family history of autoimmune diseases.
- The overwhelming nature of post-diagnosis education—encountering unfamiliar terms (“bolus,” “MDI”) and feeling lost.
- Rapid self-education through social media and, notably, starting with the Juicebox Podcast Pro Tip series.
Quote:
“I turned on probably the first episode in the Pro Tip series, and there were words like bolus and MDI... and I thought, I think this is another language.” – Lauren [05:11]
- Lauren stresses that beginner-focused resources (“Bold Beginnings” and “Defining Diabetes” podcast series) are crucial but often hard to find right away.
2. Moving Beyond Hospital "Rules"
- Lauren and Scott discuss hospital-provided guidance (e.g., the rigid “15g of carbs/15-minute wait” for lows) and how it feels like an immovable rule at first.
- Realization that diabetes management is not always an "exact science"—and learning to thoughtfully adjust protocols through education and peer support.
“Doctors at the diagnosis level... don’t realize that you go home and now that's a rule in your head.” – Scott [08:24]
3. Emotional Reality of Managing Care
- The emotional toll of injecting a young child, especially one with ADHD, and the weight of guilt associated with multiple injections.
- The relief and flexibility provided by switching to an insulin pump.
“I felt guilt because he was really emotional about it... once we got on a pump... I was like, oh, now I can do what I want.” – Lauren [16:33]
4. Navigating School with a T1D Child
- Lauren applies her administrative skills to advocate for her child, starting with staff meetings and educational PowerPoints for teachers and nurses.
- Emphasis on open, ongoing communication and building a trusting, cooperative relationship with school staff.
“Keep advocating, keep educating, keep talking to the people in your child’s school... because they have no idea.” – Lauren [26:53]
-
Scott probes the realities: parents must educate school staff, regardless of how many T1D students they’ve had before, because everyone’s overwhelmed and may not prioritize diabetes knowledge.
-
The importance of not being “too pushy,” communicating with kindness, and recognizing the workload and humanity of teachers.
5. The Importance of Approach: Kindness, Tone & Strategy
- Lauren and Scott agree that approach matters—advocating with empathy, patience, and kindness is the most effective way to get needs met.
- Adversarial or aggressive tactics generally backfire, especially when teachers or administrators feel burdened or disrespected.
“If you come in and you’re hateful and ugly, we don’t want to do anything for you.” – Lauren [44:21]
- Practical advice: Start with educational materials, such as a one-page flyer and parent notes; include all adults who interact with your child.
6. School Policy, 504 Plans, and Handling Noncompliance
- Lauren advises that the 504 plan is a living document—parents should feel empowered to call meetings and update it as needed.
- If staff are non-compliant, Scott suggests using a “catch more flies with honey” strategy but also “pick your battles” and push harder only when necessary.
“After an ask has been made, the person who speaks first loses.” – Scott [68:15]
7. Child Autonomy & Technology
- Lauren encourages gradual independence, with goals for her son to take over more management by middle school.
- Kids with diabetes sometimes get phones for medical needs; new anti-phone policies in schools require 504 accommodations.
- Text threads between parent, nurse, and teacher are lifesavers for real-time communication.
8. Tough Moments & Humor
- Lauren shares school anecdotes, from handling difficult parents with security to navigating “everyone wants your money” moments with braces and preschool.
- Scott adds levity with personal rants and negotiation tips, but always returns to the central theme: kindness and contrition open more doors than confrontation or entitlement.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
- “This binder that I got from the hospital is not it. And so I really just started digging in anywhere I could.” – Lauren [07:21]
- “The emotional weight that goes with any kind of a fight like that is a lot.” – Lauren [17:19]
- “You have to convey in hopefully a very kind and understanding way that this is life or death.” – Lauren [27:55]
- “Some people are, is what you’re telling me. And I don’t know which ones are which. So be nice. Is that right?” – Scott [49:07]
- “My office... there was a counter... I stuck a sticker that only I could see that said ‘kind words’ on it. Because... I knew that it would get me so much further.” – Lauren [52:39]
- “Be nice. Just be overly nice. Be overly contrite. Just... always ask, never for permission. Don’t ask for permission.” – Scott [68:14]
- “After an ask has been made, the person who speaks first loses.” – Scott [68:15]
Timestamps for Major Topics
- Intro & Lauren’s background: [00:15] – [02:59]
- Diagnosis story and search for support: [03:04] – [06:56]
- Podcast as sanity and learning resource: [06:56] – [07:56]
- Hospital rules & early challenges: [08:18] – [09:58]
- Managing emotional burden of care: [16:32] – [18:53]
- School advocacy & prepping staff: [25:32] – [27:28]
- Trusting educators & realities of school: [27:42] – [31:28]
- Communication, kindness, and effective strategy: [41:22] – [44:13]
- Handling noncompliance at school: [41:49] – [46:51]
- Child independence & technology in schools: [57:07] – [59:05]
- Practical negotiation & human behavior: [55:07] – [55:56]
- Humor, stories, and real-life perspective: [65:03] – [68:14]
Overall Tone and Takeaways
Friendly and conversational, with Scott’s humor and directness complimented by Lauren’s candor and administrative insight. The episode is rich with actionable tips, encouragement to advocate gently but persistently, and a resounding message:
Kindness, calm advocacy, and strategic communication are your best tools—whether managing diabetes at home, advocating in the school system, or simply navigating everyday life with T1D.
For new or struggling T1D parents:
Start with the “Bold Beginnings” and “Defining Diabetes” podcast series for foundational information, and remember—no matter how overwhelmed you feel, kindness and community will get you much further than fear and confrontation.
For Further Listening & Resources
- Bold Beginnings Podcast Series
- Defining Diabetes Podcast Series
- Juicebox Podcast Community (Facebook Group)
- Sample 504 Plan Resources
- Touched by Type 1 (touchedbytype1.org)
Episode highlights the real-life, behind-the-scenes realities of T1D parenting and school navigation, with actionable wisdom summed up best by both host and guest: “Kindness goes a long way.”