Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1783: Charlotte Must Hate You – Part 2
Date: February 25, 2026
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Jen

Brief Overview

This episode continues the candid, insightful conversation between host Scott Benner and Jen, a long-time type 1 diabetic, focusing on her late diagnosis, coming out story, real-world diabetes management with modern tools (Afrezza, pumps, algorithms like Trio), and the emotional effects of diabetes. Through humor, storytelling, and practical detail, Jen shares strategies and lived experiences for thriving with type 1—underscoring the podcast’s ethos: being “Bold With Insulin.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jen’s Coming Out Story (and Diabetes Intersection)

• Jen recounts being diagnosed with type 1 at 29, then coming to terms with her sexuality around the same time (“I didn’t come out to myself…until I was 30 or 31.” [02:27]).

  • Memorable “movie-like” story at a wedding in St. John, breaking up with a fiancé, and unexpectedly falling for a bridesmaid.
  • Hilariously awkward and heartfelt description of her first kiss with a woman ("In that moment, I went, this is what everybody's been talking about." – Jen [06:29]).

• The “diabetic cover” for teenage romance:

  • After being caught making out, Jen told her girlfriend: "Oh my God. Blame it on my diabetes. Like, tell them I've been sick." [08:16]

• Balancing personal milestones with diabetes management during a wild, emotional time:

  • Navigating hypo episodes, handling awkward family situations, and learning to advocate for herself.

Being Open with Partners about Type 1

• Always bringing partners into the diabetes conversation:

  • “The person dating me is going to understand it, so… I teach them. Yeah, yeah.” – Jen [16:29]
  • Taught her partner about carb counting, exercise impact, and the need for snacks and timing adjustments.

• Transition to more advanced management tools:

  • Discusses evolution from Animus pump, to MDI (multiple daily injections), to inhaled insulin (Afrezza), and algorithm-driven pumps (Trio).

Experimenting with Insulin Delivery Methods

Afrezza

• Adopted due to frustration with A1C (up to 7.9%) and hormone-related glycemic variability ([17:11]).
  • Remarkable improvement: “September of 2017, it was 7.9. March of ’18, it was 5.9.” – Jen [18:46]
  • Loved for its quick action and flexibility during exercise: “If we had quick liquid insulin, it would be amazing.” [26:22]
  • Drawback: “It's a lot of tracking… You inhale it and then need to keep track for layering protein/fat, so it was a constant having to take it.” – Jen [25:11]

Switching to the 'Trio' Algorithm

• Motivation: Sought better nighttime control and less manual intervention.

  • “I wanted to see if this algorithm could help me with my nighttime blood sugars. And that's why I'm at a 5.1 [A1C].” [25:53]

• Favorite Feature: Allows for logging external insulin, so she still uses Afrezza as a “rescue” when needed.

  • “If I miss, if I don't pre-bolus or whatever…then I'll take the smallest dose of Afrezza. I'll put it into the algorithm…” [21:37]

• Comparison: “If I made you choose between the two, you'd pick Trio over Afrezza for sure.” – Scott
  “Yes. I love it. Yeah, it's really great.” – Jen [26:22]

• Challenges: Adjusting to algorithmic insulin delivery, especially transitioning from Afrezza’s 'dose-and-go' to the predictive adjustments of an automated system. [24:29–26:22]

Navigating Algorithm Complexities

• Scott and Jen discuss frustrations in finding clear, user-friendly education on closed-loop systems like Trio.

  • “You have to have a technical understanding of it and be conversational about it at the same time…” – Scott [28:11]
  • They note differences between Trio and other algorithms (dynamic ISF, integrated handling of fat/protein, no explicit extended bolus setting but handled algorithmically).
  • “That is an extended bolus. It's just being extended by the algorithm.” – Scott [30:55]

• General message: “Take your general knowledge and apply it to the thing you’re doing... Don't overthink it.” – Scott [33:03]

The Emotional Reality of Lows & Living Alone

• Jen recounts a harrowing hypoglycemic episode while alone:

  • Disorientation, confusion, unable to respond to texts or alarms (“I literally was so low, I didn’t know what a text was.” – Jen [40:12])
  • Partner tries to intervene remotely via smart devices (“She was apparently trying to talk to…Alexa…[to say] ‘Jen, drink juice.’” [35:49])
  • Aftermath includes PTSD and panic attacks triggered by Dexcom alarms.

• Jen’s advice: Scary lows have lasting psychological effects—she changed Dexcom alerts, and emphasizes value of having support network or safety nets (neighbors with access, etc.)

• “There’s something to be said for a thing that is taking away insulin when it thinks you're going to get low, that's pretty damn valuable.” – Scott [42:00]

The Role of Hormones, Weight, and GLP-1 Medications

• Menopause & weight gain threw off diabetes control, despite healthy lifestyle.
• GLP-1 (Zepbound): Helped restore insulin sensitivity, normalize blood sugar, and lose stubborn weight (“I went down to about 30 to 35 [units per day] including basal on the [Trio].” [43:58])
  • “And the amount of Afrezza, I was using probably 100 units a day…as soon as I got on the GLP1, I went back down to about 45 to 50 units. And now, today, I use about 30 to 35…” – Jen [43:58]
• Dosing tips: Splits her dose twice weekly for more stable effect.

Living Boldly—Advocacy, Adaptation, and Humor

• Jen’s story is threaded with humor about relationships, sexuality, and diabetes mishaps.
  • “I got married to a lady who doesn't go ‘ew’ when I get near her.” – Scott [32:32]
  • “My blood sugar is tanking because I’ve had no food…I'm about to pass out, going, excuse me, I need a juice.” – Jen [11:00]
  • On early gaydar: “How did I not know I was a gay?” – Jen [05:01]
• She actively seeks and adapts new information—using the Pro Tip Series, Facebook groups, etc.—and advocates for others to keep learning and experimenting.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Coming Out Epiphany
  “In that moment, I went, this is what everybody's been talking about. I was like, oh, my gosh.”
  – Jen [06:29]

• On living alone with type 1 and scary lows
  “I literally was so low, I didn't know what a text was…I just kept pacing and pacing…My wife was trying to get Alexa to make an announcement: ‘Jen, drink juice.’”
  – Jen [35:49–40:12]

• On hormone replacement and diabetes
  “As soon as I got on the estrogen progesterone, my blood sugar stopped going from two hours up to two hours down for no reason. And now it was just more normal again.”
  – Jen [42:06]

• Comparing Afrezza and algorithms
  “It was like a constant having to take it…So I wanted to see if this algorithm could help me with my nighttime blood sugars. And that's why I'm at a 5.1.”
  – Jen [25:11 & 25:53]

• On not fitting gay stereotypes
  “You can tell when someone looks a little gay…But look, I'm more of an athletic tomboy, but I'm cute…”
  – Jen [09:34]

• Lighthearted banter
  “I got married to a lady who doesn't go ew when I get near her.”
  – Scott [32:32]

• On information overload in diabetes tech
  “There's a… there's an X factor about people who can just kind of like, bounce through it and talk about it, and… you don't know who it is right away.”
  – Scott [29:31]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jen’s Coming Out Story: [02:27] – [11:00]
• Sharing Type 1 with Partners: [13:04] – [16:29]
• Transition to Afrezza: [17:19] – [18:46]
• Algorithm Experiences (Trio & others): [19:25] – [30:58]
• Comparing Algorithm Features and Challenges: [30:00] – [33:01]
• Harsh Low while Alone, PTSD and Panic: [35:49] – [41:20]
• Hormonal Shifts, GLP-1, and Weight Management: [42:00] – [45:49]
• Life & Diabetes—Closing Banter and Cruise Promo: [47:00] – [48:42]

Tone & Style

• Warm, irreverent, often humorous yet deeply honest—both host and guest use colloquialisms (“dude,” “totally,” etc.) and playful teasing.
• Stories flow with laughter, but address the real vulnerabilities (relationship gaffes, dangerous lows, medical gaslighting during menopause).
• Conversation encourages listeners to be proactive, bold, and unashamed in both diabetes and life decisions.

Additional Observations

• Strong advocacy for self-education (Pro Tip Series praised as helpful even for algorithm users).
• Community & connection are crucial (multiple references to Facebook groups, the value of supportive partners, and upcoming community cruise).
• Continuous adaptation: Jen’s approach embodies ongoing experimentation, willingness to try new tech or strategies, and honest assessment of what works.

For listeners seeking practical peer wisdom, this episode is a lively, relatable, and deeply informative journey into managing not just blood sugars, but a joyful life with type 1 diabetes.