Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1769: Top Dog (February 12, 2026)
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Kathleen (Computer Scientist, Dog Trainer, Longtime Diabetes Blogger)

Overview

In this candid, wide-ranging episode, Kathleen shares her journey living with type 2 diabetes managed with insulin and technology, her deep roots in both dog training and early diabetes blogging, and her experience with alert dogs versus CGMs. The conversation flows from personal history and clinical management to the unique value—and costs—of diabetes alert dogs, as well as the impact of online diabetes community, self-advocacy, and technical curiosity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Kathleen’s Diabetes Timeline & Management (02:35–13:00)

• Diagnosis & Family History:

  • Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2002 at age 42—the same age her father was diagnosed; father died at 48 from diabetes complications.
  • Heavy family history: both paternal grandparents and mother had type 2.

• Initial Treatment:

  • Started with metformin, which caused intolerable GI side effects as a high school teacher.
  • Switched to insulin at her cousin, a teaching pharmacist’s, suggestion (“That’s the gold standard.” – 05:49).

• Insulin Journey:

  • Began with Lilly’s 70/30 premixed insulin—problematic for her lifestyle (“You have to time your meals around it and it just doesn't work well.” – 05:50).
  • Transitioned to insulin pumps:
    • Animus pump improved management and quality of life
    • Used Medtronic when insurance required
    • Currently: Omnipod 5 and Dexcom G7 CGM.

• Type 2, Not Type 1 Confirmed:

  • Despite high insulin needs (80–100 units/day), C-peptide tests confirmed type 2 (09:11).

• Adjuvant Medications:

  • Metformin intolerant, uses Farsiga now.
  • Byetta, Victoza (helped with low awareness), Ozempic (gained weight, couldn’t get higher doses due to shortages), now on Manjaro (highest dose, 12.5 mg).

Weight and Lifestyle, Struggles and Successes (15:51–24:45)

• Weight Journey:

  • Highest: 320 lbs (“And I was running three dogs in agility, and that's about 40,000 steps a day.” – 19:09)
  • Lap-band surgery 12 years ago dropped her to 260, but weight plateaued
  • Manjaro catalyzed further loss: now under 220 lbs

• Lifestyle:

  • Lifelong gymgoer and dog agility competitor/practitioner
  • Sleep apnea (due to an old jaw injury–25:05), binge eating, and teaching stress contribute to metabolic challenges

• Exercise:

  • Follows Arnold Schwarzenegger's Pump Club routine (six days a week, 113 weeks and counting)

“I'm athletic. It's just a lot of me. And I've been doing Arnold Schwarzenegger's pump club for 113 weeks.” – Kathleen, 22:26

• Medical Goals:
  • A1C: 5.9
  • Aim: “I just want to live longer than my father, and I've managed to do that.” (58:50)

Diabetes Alert Dogs vs. CGMs (11:11–13:00, 52:23–54:21)

• Alert Dogs:

  • Has trained several alert dogs (notably Dulce the beagle, “Sweet Temptation”): “She always told me way before the Dexcom did.”
  • Dogs proved early warning, including during gym visits (“Don’t you ever come to this gym again without the dog.” – 12:31).

• Major Message:

  • Dogs are expensive—vet bills, training, and upkeep add up.
  • CGMs now reliably replace much of what alert dogs offer.

“People should not get diabetes alert dogs.” – Kathleen, 52:23
“CGMs work just as well as the dogs do now.” – Kathleen, 53:01

The Birth and Value of Diabetes Blogging (27:34–43:40)

• Early Blogger Status:

  • Claims to be “the oldest living diabetic blogger”—started in 2004 (Kweaver.org), mainly to document her technical and personal journey for herself and others.
  • “If you don’t write it down, you didn’t do it.” (32:13)

• Blog’s Impact:

  • Anonymously supported others, particularly in technology choices (“Any time I get into a problem, I document it so I can go back and don’t have to research it again.” – 28:47)
  • Collaborated and corresponded with major figures (e.g., Amy Tenderich/DiabetesMine, Scott Johnson, Scott Hanselman)

• Blog Community & Anonymity:

  • Shared stories of other medical bloggers (like “The Flea”) as cautionary tales about online disclosure.
  • “Nerds make money being nerdy. Dorks don’t.” – Kathleen, 32:43

• Blog Monetization:

  • Occasionally received advertising revenue; more for documentation and community than profit.

Reflections on the Diabetes Online Community (41:14–51:11)

• Community Dynamics:

  • Scott reflects on feeling isolated from early diabetes blog conversations (“I just started to write. I wasn’t aware of a community or an idea.” – 40:41)
  • Kathleen and Scott reminisce about the era of diabetes blog rings, early social media outreach, and the rise of “diabetes Scots.”

• Tech Evolution & Podcasting:

  • Both note how the audience and technology have evolved (from raw technical blogging to accessible podcasts and social media).
  • Scott simplifies modern episode descriptions with AI due to the scale and feedback from listeners (51:11).

Training & Dog Show Anecdotes (57:05–62:13)

• Dog Training Credentials:
  • Top obedience beagle trainer (8x National Specialty obedience winner)
  • Frequently asked to handle other people’s dogs at shows

“By the time the weekend was done, I had this dog showing to where it could win. And she was able to sell it at the national specialty for more money. Because I had trained her dog …” – 60:53

• No Profit Motive:
  • Despite adding value, Kathleen does not profit from training (joking exchanges on whether she should get “a taste”).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On early pump therapy:
  “Medtronic was not interested in dealing with the type 2 at all, but Animus was.” (07:12)
• On dog training:
  “Every time someone gives me a dog or beagle, they give me a worse one than the one before. She was bouncing off the wall.” (11:03)
• On CGMs vs. Alert Dogs:
  “CGMs work just as well as the dogs do now.” (53:01)
• On starting her blog:
  “Anytime we turn things in, we had to write documentation for it, and I make kids do that. … If you don’t write it down, you didn’t do it.” (32:13, 49:36)
• On the diabetes online community:
  “I knew I was first and I didn’t care.” (42:52)
• “Nerds make money being nerdy. Dorks don’t.” (32:43)
• On dealing with parents vs. children:
  “I have no patience for parents. I have plenty of patience for kids, but I have absolutely no patience for parents.” (45:35)
• On professional vs. personal motivation:
  “I’m not in it for money. I’m just a nice person.” (62:23)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:35] Kathleen’s diagnosis, family history, initial treatment
• [05:50] Metformin, switch to insulin, beginning with 70/30, early insulin pump experience
• [11:00] Diabetes alert dog stories
• [15:51] GLP-1 medications, weight and lifestyle changes
• [22:26] Exercise routine and motivation
• [27:34] Kathleen’s history as a diabetes blogger, blog’s original purpose
• [31:01] The “Flea” story and medical blog cautionary tales
• [40:41] Early diabetes online community, personal recollections
• [52:23] Core message: “People should not get diabetes alert dogs.”
• [57:05] Dog show experiences, top obedience beagle accolades
• [58:50] Medical outcomes and goals: A1C “just want to live longer than my father … and I have.”

Takeaways & Closing Reflections

• Kathleen’s message: The value of technology (CGMs and pumps) in diabetes management has now surpassed the utility of diabetes alert dogs for most; much of what once required a trained service animal can now be accomplished, more economically and efficiently, with modern devices.
• Community and Advocacy: Documenting and sharing your own diabetes journey (through blogging, podcasting, or other means) can help you—and others—navigate the complex realities of chronic disease.
• Persistence & Resilience: Kathleen’s story is one of perseverance through changing therapies, technology, and medical understanding, underscoring the importance of individualized care and staying engaged—however “nerdy” that may be.

For more resources from Kathleen, visit her original blog:
kweaver.org

For more on diabetes technology and experiences:
JuiceboxPodcast.com