Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1794: "Had Enough – Part 1"
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Justin
Date: March 10, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode explores the deep frustrations and challenges of living with type 1 diabetes through the lived experience of Justin, who was diagnosed as a child more than three decades ago. Justin shares his journey from childhood diagnosis in the late 1980s to embracing modern diabetes technology today, venting his anger and disappointment at the slow pace of progress and lack of quality care and information over the years. The conversation is honest, raw, and peppered with humor as both Scott and Justin dig into why so many with diabetes feel “let down,” and highlight the unpredictable ways new knowledge (and community) can transform outcomes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction and Justin’s Background

• Justin’s diabetes history: Diagnosed just prior to his 3rd birthday in 1987, now age 41.
• Theme of anger: Justin expresses frustration not just for himself, but for the community (03:13–04:04):

  "I'm pissed off at how let down we are as people with diabetes. ... I don't think we get good guidance from the people that we ought to." – Justin (03:30)

2. Early Memories and Parental Involvement

• Early treatment regimens: Started with NPH and regular insulin, requiring a strict daily schedule, managed primarily by his parents, both involved in emergency services (firefighting and EMS) (05:13–07:16).
• Transition to more modern management: Shifted to pump therapy in the mid-1990s; parents remained deeply involved until pump transition.
• Childhood support: Justin feels he had “a good amount” of family support but is saddened that technology and information were so limited back then (08:52–09:40).

3. On Being Diagnosed Young

• Diagnosis at an early age: Justin doesn’t remember life without insulin and feels, in retrospect, it’s “better” to not know any different—though he resents missing out on today’s technology as a child (09:11–09:40).
• Memorable quote:

  "I have disdain for not having the technology we have today back then." – Justin (09:29)

4. Frustration with Medical Guidance and Information Gaps

• Lack of actionable advice from providers:

  "Why is it that it takes you, some dope from Jersey ... to give me the best therapeutic decisions and strategies?" – Justin (10:17)

• Scott and Justin commiserate on the difficulties of getting real-world strategies from medical professionals and the power of peer-to-peer knowledge (10:10–11:32).

5. Discovering Community and Technology Through Serendipity

• Tour de Cure event: Justin describes a chance encounter at a diabetes fundraising event where he first witnessed “Loop” technology—a DIY closed-loop system using old Medtronic pumps and iPhones—and how this encounter was a turning point (12:20–18:38).

  “We’re like, what the hell is that? ... He shows us ... on his phone, we heard the Medtronic beep. ... Where the hell has this been?” – Justin (17:36–18:13)

• Barriers to Loop adoption: Despite being tech-savvy, Justin still needed community-driven documentation (from Katie DiSimone and the Looped group) to get started—highlighting how inaccessible this knowledge is for most (19:46–21:09).

6. Systemic Obstacles and Provider Reluctance

• Endocrinology office “no lifeguard on duty”: Providers often would not recommend or support DIY systems officially, leaving patients to navigate alone—a recurring frustration (19:31–21:55).
• Scott draws parallels to early tech adoption, likening word-of-mouth sharing to revolutionary products like TiVo—emphasizing the lack of institutional support (22:26–23:32).

7. The Importance of Real-Time Data (CGMs Over Pumps)

• Life before CGMs: Justin shares that pre-CGM, he was only testing 2–3 times a day, often “making guesses.” Seeing CGM graphs and real-time trends was transformative (32:24–33:33).

  “If you want to keep your health where it is without the CGM, you’re going to be testing all the time and trying to fill in those gaps ... with guesses.” – Scott (32:09)

• Both Scott and Justin agree: if forced to choose, they’d keep the CGM over the pump due to its life-changing insight (33:42–34:44).

8. Technological Progress and Emotional Impact

• Bitter about lost years: Justin laments the “lost time,” with decades at poor A1C levels due to inadequate tools and advice (29:26–30:07).
• College management: More minimal care, higher A1Cs (8–10), and only “better” compliance when doing sports. He felt endocrinology appointments were just routine finger-wagging (30:42–31:13).
• Quotable moment on CGM and pump:

  “Now they’re chocolate and peanut butter at this point, right? Like a pump and a CGM ... they belong together.” – Scott (35:21)

9. The Value—and Limits—of New Technology

• Personal milestones: Justin’s A1C dropped from highs in the 8–10 range to below 6 after starting Loop and CGM, along with increased support from his wife (43:59–44:19).
• Unexpected benefits: Improved daily wellbeing alongside lower A1C—e.g., warmer extremities in winter, possibly from improved nerve health (45:03–45:58).
• Humorous memory: Avoided a near-accident as a child by noticing his insulin mix “looked wrong” before an injection (37:16–38:30).

Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On finding the real help in peer community rather than healthcare:

  "Why the hell is it that it takes you, some dope from Jersey ... to give me the best therapeutic decisions?" – Justin (10:17)

• On the accidental luck of discovering Loop:

  "Dumb luck sitting next to that guy who's got ... one Omnipod looper and one MiniMed looper." – Justin (38:30–39:08)

• On the impact of CGMs:

  "That CGM is so valuable in just keeping your numbers in range ... if you had to give one up, I would give up the pump." – Justin (33:42–34:44)

• On experiencing modern diabetes care after years without:

  "I'm disappointed at the lost time, naturally." – Justin (29:26)

• On family and relationship impact:

  "My wife ... wanted to see me do better so that I’m here longer. When we were dating and newly married ... we would fight a lot [because of my blood sugars]." – Justin (42:31)

• Scott on the perfection of pump and CGM together:

  "Now they're chocolate and peanut butter at this point, right? Like a pump and a CGM ... they belong together." – Scott (35:21)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Justin’s Background & Anger at the System — 03:13–04:04
• Childhood Management and Family Support — 05:13–07:16
• First Brush with Technology Limitations — 09:11–09:40
• Discovering Loop & Serendipitous Connections — 12:20–18:38
• Provider Reluctance and DIY Diabetes — 19:31–21:55
• CGM vs. Pump—Which Would You Give Up? — 32:24–34:44
• How Modern Tools Changed Justin's Outcomes — 43:59–45:58
• Near Miss with Dangerous Insulin Mix as a Child — 37:16–38:30

Overall Tone

The tone is candid, passionate, and often humorous, marked by shared exasperation over the slow pace of diabetes care progress, mixed with the relief and excitement at discovering improved tools and a supportive community. Scott offers empathy and validation, while Justin brings lived intensity to the conversation, advocating for openness, better education, and gratitude for today’s advances—while not forgetting the often-pricey and imperfect journey toward them.

End of Part 1. Part 2 is available in the next episode for further discussion.