Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1776 – Bear Attack Part 2
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Domino
Date: February 18, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode is the lively and heartfelt continuation of Domino’s diabetes journey—a tale of endurance, humor, and practical wisdom. Host Scott Benner and Domino discuss the personal and community aspects of life with diabetes, the challenge of long-term illness, the power of online support, and the value of sharing unspoken struggles (even the embarrassing ones). The conversation is as much about making peace with chronic health battles as it is about demystifying diabetes management and building honest connections.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Facing Mortality with Humor (03:52–06:40)

• Daily Risks and Humor
  Domino and Scott open with a candid discussion about the odd ways people worry about dying—like choking on gummy bears or slipping in the shower. They use humor as a tool for managing the seriousness of living with a chronic condition.
  • Quote:
    Domino: “20 years of fighting for my life and all these huge things, and that’s how I die.” (03:52)
  • Both acknowledge the emotional fatigue of life-threatening experiences and use humor as a coping mechanism.
  • Scott shares that he pays someone to clean his gutters yearly to avoid being “the guy who fell off the roof.”
  • Domino jokes about her husband calling her a cockroach because “life keeps trying to kill you, and you will not die.”

2. Endurance With Chronic Illness (06:07–08:27)

• Resilience and ‘Memento Mori’
  Domino reflects on constantly confronting mortality: “One of my favorite sayings, which I'm going to get tattooed, is memento mori, which is, remember, you die.” (06:07)
• Adapting and Advocating
  Recent experiences with a new endocrinologist; looking forward to personalized care (especially for her rare type 3C diabetes).
  • Scott suggests microdosing glucagon for severe lows and explains practical steps for getting supplies and learning new management strategies.

3. The Power and Complexities of Community (08:36–11:11)

• Online Groups as Lifelines
  Domino participates in the Juicebox Podcast Facebook group but is careful in giving advice, striving instead to make others feel less alone.
  • Quote:
    “I still have so much to learn... I just try to be encouraging and help people not feel alone.” – Domino (08:59)
  • Scott reveals Domino was considered for a “group expert” position based on her positivity and engagement.
• Building a Thoughtful Community
  Scott reflects on intentionally cultivating the group, moving away from attributing success to mere luck.

4. The Host’s Philosophy and Impact (11:21–16:13)

• Unique Skillset and Leadership
  Scott discusses his intuitive approach to helping people—trusting himself to know what works, even if unable to articulate why.
  • He shares the process of interviewing Medtronic’s CEO and crowd-sourcing thoughtful questions from the community.
  • He uses AI tools to analyze interviews and group conversations, ensuring accurate, community-relevant content lands in the right hands.

5. Bridging the Knowledge Gap (16:13–25:36)

• Tackling Misinformation and Misunderstandings
  Scott recounts a recent Facebook group incident where a physician spread incorrect advice about the Omnipod 5 settings.
  • Identifies the challenge of tactfully correcting experts; uses AI and cross-referencing with official resources to address confusion.
  • Outlines upcoming educational content planned with device manufacturers to clarify commonly misunderstood technologies.
  • Quote:
    “All you have to do is call out and ask questions, but that’s a hard thing to get past… how do you know if what you just heard is right, or right for you?” – Scott (26:06)

6. Navigating Medical Systems & Rare Diagnoses (25:36–28:31)

• The Frustrations of Medical Rarity
  Domino, living with type 3C diabetes and nesidioblastosis, often finds herself educating doctors about her condition.
  • Shares grief and anxiety over losing a trusted doctor and the struggle of restarting with new providers.

7. The Hidden Costs of Chronic Illness (28:31–33:36)

• Emotional Toll of Constant Misunderstanding
  Domino admits to having been labeled “crazy” due to the complexity of her history.
  • Quote:
    “I have to go to therapy because all of you guys [doctors] telling me I'm wrong all the time about the thing I live through, and I know for sure it's happening.” – Domino (28:39)
  • Balances the mental load with humor (e.g., sending Christmas cards in her therapist’s name).

8. Gummy Bears and Life’s Small Pleasures (29:25–33:36)

• Favorite Hypo Treatment Rituals
  A lighthearted exchange about the best gummy bear brands and mixing flavors for blood sugar lows.
  • Scott and Domino see these small rituals as necessary, even joyful, forms of diabetes ‘medicine.’

9. Intuition & Action in Support Work (31:33–36:13)

• Scott on Decision-Making
  Describes his “go with intuition” style—acting on what seems right, trusting in past thoughtful preparation.

10. Community Growth & Outreach (34:13–36:13)

• Surprised by Success
  Both marvel at the continued growth of the Juicebox community and the ripple effect of intentional outreach.
  • Anecdote: Podcast listeners successfully encouraged “internet famous” Dr. Beach Gem to appear as a guest.

11. The Power of Undiscussed Stories (36:28–49:56)

• The Responsibility to Share “Taboo” Topics
  Scott opens up about a long, hidden struggle with severe hemorrhoids, drawing a parallel to shame and silence around medical issues.
  • Details seeking a new, minimally invasive treatment (hemorrhoid arterial embolism), fighting insurance, and ultimately trading podcast exposure for a discounted procedure.
  • Encourages listeners: “If you’re struggling with this, it’s going to change your life. … I want other people to know about that.” (44:02)
  • Domino reciprocates, sharing her surgical experiences and reinforcing the exhaustion and mental toll such issues require.
  • Both agree: secrecy about suffering magnifies its burden—sharing can change (and save) lives.

Memorable Quotes

• “Twenty years of fighting for my life and all these huge things, and that’s how I die.”—Domino (03:52)
• “If I have any low symptoms in the shower, I’m like, oh gosh, I gotta get out because I’m not dying naked.”—Domino (04:29)
• “No matter what, you just… you will not die. Life keeps trying to kill you, and you will not die.”—Domino, quoting her husband (04:53)
• “I have to go to therapy because all of you guys [doctors] telling me I’m wrong all the time about the thing I live through, and I know for sure it’s happening.”—Domino (28:39)
• “I have a unique platform where I can tell you what happened to me and you can go decide for yourself. And that’s really all I’m trying to do.”—Scott (46:15)
• “Literally it’s saved my life. So I’m grateful.”—Domino, about the podcast (50:11)

Notable Segments & Timestamps

• Coping with Mortality and Humor – 03:52–06:40
• Microdosing Glucagon and Collaborative Care – 06:40–08:27
• Community, Learning, and Support Roles – 08:36–11:11
• The Role of Intuition and Podcast Leadership – 11:21–16:13
• Combating Diabetes Device Misinformation – 16:13–25:36
• Patient as Expert: Navigating Rare Diabetes – 25:36–28:31
• Therapeutic Humor and Mental Health – 28:31–33:36
• Unspoken Health Struggles and Advocacy – 36:28–49:56
• Closing Gratitude and Testimonial – 50:11

Tone & Style

• Open, conversational, and irreverent: Scott and Domino don’t shy away from uncomfortable realities, using humor and honesty to make space for deep, and sometimes taboo, discussion.
• Supportive and encouraging: Both encourage listeners to pursue knowledge, community, and self-advocacy regardless of how isolating their struggles feel.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is an authentic, wide-ranging exploration of coping with diabetes and chronic illness—full of practical insights, unfiltered personal stories, and a persistent thread of hope and humor. Scott and Domino show how real connection and forthright conversation (even about taboo topics) are critical for living well with diabetes and chronic health struggles. Whether you’re looking for tactical advice, emotional solidarity, or just a laugh that “gets it,” this conversation delivers.