Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Ep. 1785 - Running From Steagles

Release Date: February 27, 2026
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Sam Morrison, stand-up comedian and creator of "Sugar Daddy"

Episode Overview

This lively and engaging episode centers around the journey of Sam Morrison, a comedian whose type 1 diabetes diagnosis at age 27 radically shifted his approach to health and inspired his solo show, "Sugar Daddy." Host Scott Benner and Sam traverse topics from the struggles of young adults ignoring health, to life­-altering diagnoses, the comedy scene in New York vs. LA, the overlap of ADHD and diabetes, and the unique ways humor can break stigma around chronic illness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sam’s Diagnosis and Health Awakening

• Sam’s Background: Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 27, now 31, performing globally.
• Pre-diagnosis Health: Lived a typically chaotic comedian lifestyle—little sleep, bad food, low self-care.
  • “I would describe it as deeply fine... probably below average.” (04:44–05:03)
• Family Medical History: Sister with Crohn’s, grandmother with type 1 diabetes. Not something the family discussed as a possible risk.
• Diagnosis Story:
  • Saw improvement and worsening in urinary frequency (a typical type 1 symptom) due to honeymoon phase.
  • Primary doctor ordered a test, which came back with a blood sugar of 600 mg/dl.
  • “You might have some diabetes.” (Sam quoting a lab tech, 47:18)
  • Mom came to support him at the ER.
  • ER “sent him home” with little info: insulin pens, needles, basic packet—no immediate specialist appointment.
  • The early weeks post-diagnosis were described as deeply disorienting and unsupported.
• “It just feels like a trap… everything feels like a trap.” —Sam paraphrasing his experience and that of his newly-diagnosed friend (51:41–52:42)
• Struggled most with lack of education, support, and safe resources in the crucial first months.

2. From Ignorance to Advocacy

• Sam’s perspective switched from negligent (“no vitamins, no self-care”) to health-conscious because type 1 forced him to “go to med school to become your own nurse.”
• The podcast’s Bold Beginnings series was a major touchstone post-diagnosis.
  • “Bold Beginnings made me such a fan… such a lack of resources, so important.” (09:55–10:21)

3. ADHD, Comedy, and Disease Management

• Sam lives with ADHD, only medicated as an adult. Lost medical equipment “every day.”
• Both host and Sam share strategies for managing chaotic, creative, “art-brain” lives.
  • They riff on “object permanence” and how it worsens forgetting supplies and diabetes tools. (15:23–15:46)
  • “I thrive in chaos because that’s where I live most of the time… but also I need structure and discipline.” (17:16–17:52)
• Discussion on the frequent overlap of ADHD and autoimmune issues among podcast guests.

4. The Craft and Structure of Comedy

• Sam’s solo show “Sugar Daddy” opens in London on March 5 (through April 4, Underbelly Boulevard).
• “It’s really cool to… create something more meaningful… combine the art forms of standup and theatre.” (23:28–24:04)
• Comedy scenes:
  • NYC: Fast, intense, “training ground.” Multiple sets a night, rough crowds, constant feedback.
  • LA: More spaced out, relaxed, industry-heavy, with an emphasis on writing, networking, and acting.
  • “New York is like this training ground, almost like a batting cage… LA is just more spread out. Usually just one show a night.” (32:43–33:43)
• On his style:
  • “It can be very gay… irreverent, even intellectual… reckless and queer.” (37:23–37:58)
  • Storytelling focus in solo shows; tightly-written, punchy in clubs.
• Audience differences: Adjusted material for local context but sometimes steadfast about content regardless of expected reaction.

5. Diabetes in the Act & Breaking Stigma with Humor

• Significant material comes from diabetes. Online videos attracted a sizeable type 1 fanbase.
• “It's such a funny disease… life threatening but managed with candy!” (38:20–39:20)
• Describes the absurdity: treating a possibly fatal condition on stage with candy or glucose tabs, sometimes while being attacked by seagulls (see memorable moments).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“It’s such a funny disease—life threatening, but it’s managed with candy. There’s all these contradictions.”
— Sam, on the inherent comedy of diabetes (39:20)

“You might have some diabetes… your blood sugar is 600.”
— Sam, quoting his lab tech at diagnosis (47:18)

“Everything feels like a trap. That’s what it feels like to get diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, with absolutely no guidance.”
— Sam (51:40)

“At the ER… they just give you an insulin pen, some needles, and a packet. You’re just guessing how much insulin to give yourself.”
— Sam, on the lack of post-diagnosis support (51:41–52:42)

“Dating and diabetes? Usually I have some video where I’m making a joke about my glucose monitor. So they kind of come pre-educated.”
— Sam, on how his comedy preps people he meets for his diabetes (42:52)

“I was attacked by seagulls while low. I had to explain type 1 diabetes to the seagulls that were attacking me.”
— Sam, on a true medical and comedic adventure (64:16–65:51)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |-------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:12–05:03 | Sam’s background & diagnosis age | | 05:25–07:26 | Health habits pre-diagnosis; family history (Crohn’s, T1D) | | 08:13–12:14 | ADHD diagnosis, coping, and how it interacts with diabetes management | | 12:36–17:52 | Host and guest compare productivity, chaos, coping strategies | | 20:45–23:56 | Stand-up vs. solo shows; “Sugar Daddy” background | | 31:58–33:43 | Comedy scene: differences between New York and LA | | 36:06–37:58 | Describing comedic style: “reckless and queer” | | 38:15–40:07 | Comedy as explanation/relief for diabetes stigma and contradictions | | 46:24–48:05 | Diagnosis story: symptoms, the “600 mg/dl” call, ER experience | | 51:40–53:00 | “Everything feels like a trap.” Lack of guidance for new patients | | 58:49–60:21 | “Almost dying” is the constant reality of type 1 | | 64:16–65:56 | Seagull attack at low blood sugar—turning trauma into comedy (“steagles” joke!) |

Sam’s Show & Contact

• Show: Sugar Daddy
  – March 5–April 4, Underbelly Boulevard, London
• Insta: @samuelhmorrison
• Site: www.samuelmorrison.com
• Tour Alert: Sign up to be texted when Sam’s coming to your city (link in his bio/website).

Highlights: Humor, Humanity, and Health

• Humor is therapy: Sam’s blend of honesty and irreverence around diabetes—“complaining” as comedy—is affirming to type 1s and their families.
• The reality of chronic illness: From ER diagnosis to “guessing” insulin doses, Sam underscores how isolating and DIY type 1 can be.
• ADHD x Diabetes: A recurring theme—the intersection of neurodivergence and chronic illness—speaks to many listeners.
• Finding flow: Shared reflections on “flow state” in performance and in diabetes care—how structure and chaos play off each other.
• Acceptance of help: As an adult, Sam is grateful for parental support through diagnosis—contrasting with the resistance a younger self may have had.
• Stigma and weirdness: The irony of life/death scenarios solved by candy and the confusion of others (and even medical professionals) is a goldmine for humor and empathy.

Final Takeaway

This episode spotlights both the chaos and the resilience of life with type 1 diabetes: personal narrative, comedy as catharsis, and the sometimes outrageous ways people with chronic illness navigate ignorance—both societal and medical. Sam’s perspective is bold, funny, and poignantly real.

Notable Quotables (with timestamps):

• “I was 27. I think at some point you got to take responsibility and say, hey buddy, take a vitamin.”
  — Sam (05:55)

• “I thrive in chaos because that’s where I live most of the time... but also chaos is like the enemy.”
  — Sam (17:16–17:52)

• “You have to learn how to do everything. Take your dog out, go... is all different [with T1D].”
  — Sam (53:00)

• “It's a ridiculous ... Willy Wonka-esque disease.”
  — Sam (40:09–40:13)

• “How am I supposed to sleep, eat? Everything feels like a trap.”
  — Scott & Sam (52:42)

Listen For…

• The full “running from seagulls while low” story (64:16)
• Sam and Scott’s banter about chaos, focus, and what makes for good (and “queer, reckless”) comedy
• Personal, vulnerable takes on the health system—but always with a punchline

For those seeking a blend of diabetes wisdom, dark humor, and authentic lived experience, this is an episode not to miss.