Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes
Episode #1815 "Mr. Pibb"
Host: Scott Benner | Guest: Julie (Pharmacist & Diabetes Educator)
Date: April 3, 2026

Episode Overview

In this candid conversation, Scott Benner sits down with Julie—a pharmacist, diabetes educator, and mother of a type 1 diabetic son—to explore strategies for living well with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. They discuss personal experiences, practical management tips, emotional realities, the food environment, and challenges in diabetes education. Their goal: help listeners “be bold with insulin” and take control of their health without fear.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Julie’s Family Journey with Type 1 Diabetes

• Introduction & Background

  • Julie is a pharmacist in Fayetteville, AR, diabetes educator, and mom to a 19-year-old son with T1D, diagnosed at 15 ([02:51]).
  • Limited family history of autoimmune disease, but some on her husband’s side (aunt with T2D, half-brother with T1D, husband with hypothyroidism/colitis).

• Diagnosis Story

  • Symptoms: Increased thirst, frequent urination, tiredness, weight loss, recognized retrospectively ([06:10]-[09:26]).
  • "I came home from work... and said, let’s just check your blood sugar. And we checked it, and it was 578." [Julie, 06:47]
  • Denial and shock at the diagnosis despite her professional background.
  • Immediate plan: headed to the ER (caught before DKA).

• Emotional Impact

  • Deep sense of grief and worry for her son’s future ([13:05]-[14:04]).
  • Immediate action as a pharmacist mom: got a Dexcom CGM despite insurance delays.

2. Adjusting to Life With Type 1 – A Family Perspective

• Transition & Challenges

  • Feelings of overwhelm, despite medical backgrounds (husband is a physician).
  • "I felt like I was bringing home a newborn baby from the hospital. Truly." [Julie, 12:01]

• Coping & Support

  • “He really took it in stride way more than his dad and I did. We were... our worlds were turned upside down.” [Julie, 11:43]
  • Three years later, son is a typical college freshman, playing tennis, enjoying life, but diabetes remains a daily undercurrent ([16:20]).
  • Ongoing concerns: management, independence, and parental involvement (CGM follow app, meal quality).

3. Diabetes Education – Professional & Personal Experiences

• Role as Diabetes Educator

  • Julie’s pharmacy became an Insulin Pump/Omnipod resource, leading to her certification ([10:00]-[11:18]).
  • Her own journey made her a more empathetic and effective educator, saying: "I get it. I did not get it before. I could talk about all the medications and the technical things... but in terms of just the coping and emotional side of it, I didn’t get that part." [Julie, 17:51]

• Practical Lessons & Patient Support

  • The reality of “not perfect” management: highs and lows are inevitable; perfection is not a prerequisite for wellness.
  • Insights from patients and diabetes parent groups, plus continuing self-education and sharing among families ([17:51]-[19:41]).

4. Food, Nutrition, and Habits: Overcoming the Modern Food Environment

• Teenager Eating Habits

  • Ongoing struggle with son’s food preferences: “If he’s gonna sit down and eat... half a bag of marshmallows or something... He does a pretty good job of pre-bolusing... So he does a pretty good job of managing for what he eats. It’s more just the quality of it.” [Julie, 26:04]
  • Challenges of influencing adult children’s food choices.

• Broader Population Challenges

  • Many Americans lack basic nutritional literacy; changing guidelines and confusing food fads contribute to uncertainty ([50:21]-[51:05]).
  • Financial and accessibility barriers often cited, but Scott pushes back: "Do you think they’re full of [it] and they just want to eat like a Ho Ho? Or do you think they really can’t afford a clementine?" [Scott, 48:43]

• Food Industry Tactics

  • “The people who... invented doom scrolling and, you know, and social media say, I don’t let my kids have a cell phone... I’m gonna bet... the company that owns the company that makes the cookies you love... if you go to their house, you won’t find one of those cookies there.” [Scott, 71:23]

5. The Broken System: Healthcare, Insurance, and Missing Supports

• Barriers to Access

  • Challenges for independent pharmacies and insurance coverage for devices and meds ([33:42]-[36:55]).

• Education Models

  • Current diabetes education models (esp. for T2D) are long and often poorly attended.
  • “Do you think it’s over people’s heads sometimes? Do you think that it’s overwhelming sometimes?” [Scott, 42:52]
  • Group support and shared experience increase engagement ([41:31]-[44:03]).
  • Many patients want the “Cliff Notes” (quick, simple advice), not 10 hours of education.

6. GLP-1 Agonists & the Realities of Change

• GLP-1 Use in Type 2 and Insulin-Resistant Type 1

  • Widespread use but plagued by insurance and cost challenges; side effects include GI upset, muscle and bone loss ([36:07]-[63:25]).
  • Debate: Behavioral change vs. pharmaceutical intervention.
  • “If you told me I was going to live for a thousand years, then I’ll walk to the mailbox for a hundred years and see what happens. But...I don’t have that kind of time.” [Scott, 64:00]

• The Cycle of Environment and Choice

  • “You’re being fed with one hand, and then the other hand’s telling you to, you know, go for a walk.” [Scott, 69:31]
  • “You’re not in the same game anymore that your brain’s telling you you’re in.” [Scott, 74:06]

7. The “Bullet Points” Approach: If You Could Teach Only Two Lessons

• Scott’s Quick Lessons for Type 2

  • "Move your body every day in some way... Just move." [Julie, 46:19]
  • Prioritize mindful eating, swap in real foods, avoid extremes, and adjust slowly ([55:15])
  • For interventions: acknowledge that some may do best with a 'reset' (GLP or other), and that effort pays off later ([74:36])

• For Type 1s (and Young Adults)

  • Foundational skills: Timing and amount of insulin, understanding food’s impact, and prebolusing ([76:13]):
    • "A little bit of effort now takes away the need for a lot of effort later."
    • "Get ahead, stay ahead... do your part." [Scott, 77:07]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Diagnosis Shock
  "I was truly in denial. I mean, I knew the first time I was like, this explains a lot. But I didn’t want to really admit it to myself."
  — Julie ([07:40])

• On Emotional Toll
  "It was almost kind of a sense of grief, I would say... he can't just be a regular kid anymore."
  — Julie ([13:11])

• On Support and Frustration
  “We bug him, we’ll text him at three o’clock, ‘Hey, are you up getting something to eat or drink?’... I’m surprised he didn’t send us just a bunch of eye roll emojis.”
  — Julie ([21:18])

• Food System Reality Check "You're being fed with one hand, and then the other hand’s telling you to, you know, go for a walk. All right, that's not going to help me. That walk is to keep you busy so you don't notice that they're draining your pocket with Oreos."
  — Scott ([69:31])

• Behavioral Change vs. Medical Intervention
  "If there's a way to help you, whether it's pharmaceutical... or another way... then why not try to put a foot in the ground, stop, and start over again?"
  — Scott ([67:51])

• On Education
  "If you come to this class, I’ll teach you about food. I will teach you about nutrition. I’ll teach you about what it’s doing to you… But at this point, right now, you’re in too deep... I think we need to throw a flashlight and a ladder down there and help you get out."
  — Scott ([74:40])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Julie’s Story, Diagnosis & Family Background: [02:38]–[14:04]
• Coping as a Family/Emotion & Support: [12:01]–[16:20]
• Living “Normal” After Type 1 Diagnosis: [16:20]–[17:27]
• Diabetes Education & Professional Reflections: [17:51]–[23:15]
• Food Habits, Nutrition, Parenting Struggles: [23:15]–[28:19]
• Frustrations with the Health Care System/Insurance: [32:09]–[36:55]
• GLP-1 Discussion & The Role of Medication: [36:01]–[65:19]
• Cycle of Food Addiction, Behavioral Insight: [51:09]–[57:10]
• Realistic Education Advice (“Bullet Point” Tips): [46:13], [74:36]
• Scott’s Direct Advice for T1D Young Adults: [76:13]–[77:34]

Conclusion

This episode offers listeners an unvarnished look at the day-to-day realities of diabetes: the messiness of family life, the strengths and weaknesses of our health systems and educational approaches, and the nearly impossible food landscape of modern America. Through humor, empathy, and lived experience, Scott and Julie highlight both practical strategies and deep systemic challenges—reminding us that, even in a tornado of obstacles, a combination of boldness, small steps, and support is the way forward.

Recommended Action for Listeners:

• Parents and teens: Check out the “Small Sips” and “Pro Tip” series for foundational, actionable Type 1 diabetes management ([76:13]).
• For all listeners: Focus on mindful eating, gradual habit change, and community or professional support.
• Don’t expect perfection—just progress!