#1920 Jenna is 28 and Still Amazing

Summary

Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1920: Jenna is 28 and Still Amazing
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Jenna
Date: August 4, 2026

---

Episode Overview

In this episode, Scott Benner reconnects with Jenna, a previous guest who first appeared on the podcast at age 18. Now 28, Jenna shares her continued journey with type 1 diabetes, discussing her experiences with diagnosis, self-advocacy in healthcare and academia, her evolving approach to nutrition, and her current work toward a PhD in nutrition. The episode centers on practical strategies for living well with type 1 diabetes, the impact of technology, and the broader challenges around nutrition and healthcare systems.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Jenna's Diagnosis and Early Diabetes Journey

• Diagnosis at 13:

  • Developed symptoms (excessive thirst, fatigue, weight loss) during an active childhood in summer camp and rhythmic gymnastics.
  • A ballet teacher recognized she was unwell before her family fully noticed.
  • Had a prolonged honeymoon period (about 6 months with no insulin).

• Transition to Low-Carb/Ketogenic Diet:

  • Early logical experiment: “I used a very simple logic of like, well, if I eat fewer carbs, I need less insulin.” (12:32)
  • Currently follows a low-carb diet with fruit, avoids grains after realizing they worsened her insulin resistance and made her feel unwell.

Family Dynamics and Independence

• Independent Diabetes Management:

  • Parents were hands-off due to busy work schedules and Jenna's independent nature.
  • “I kind of learned how to take care of it myself really young, and that's always been my personality.” (14:37)

• Support without Overintervention:

  • Mom’s primary involvement was providing emotional reassurance rather than micromanagement, especially counteracting Jenna’s tendency to be overly anxious about glucose numbers.

• Siblings:

  • Jenna has a younger sister and older brother, but she’s the only one with type 1; her sister also has hypothyroidism.

Schooling, College, and Self-Advocacy

• Education Path:

  • Attended arts-focused private school and Waldorf school as a child; switched to homeschooling after a conflict involving her gymnastics schedule.
  • Homeschooling allowed her to focus on health and self-directed learning.

• Transition to College:

  • The move to a large university was “very shocking to the system.” (19:12)
  • Felt isolated at first but eventually found community through research and the College Diabetes Network.

• Self-Advocacy in Academia:

  • Regularly communicates with professors about her diabetes needs, securing accommodations in testing situations.

Career and Current Research

• Academic Focus:

  • Majored in nutritional science, conducted research on gut microbiome and diabetes, and is working toward a PhD at Emory University.

• Current Research Topic:

  • Hospital nutrition and shared decision-making in diabetes care.
  • Collecting data on what foods are served and issues around malnutrition: “There’s data that says there’s malnutrition, but there’s no data on why that’s happening or how.” (28:36)

• Long-term Goals:

  • Passionate about research, teaching, and continuing in the diabetes space but leaves her future trajectory open.

Living with Type 1 Diabetes as an Adult

• Technology:

  • Uses Omnipod 5 and Dexcom G6 (soon transitioning to G7).
  • Emphasizes how technological advances make diabetes management less intrusive: “I rely on the CGM... I cannot even imagine living my day to day life without it. It’s a godsend.” (46:31)

• Approach to Nutrition:

  • “I would call it a ketogenic diet plus fruit. And for me, that works... it keeps the insulin resistance down.” (32:33)
  • Sees no need to restrict herself from foods that make her feel unwell: “I prefer the way that I feel and can function... I don’t want that stuff anymore that messes me up.” (35:13)

• Advice for Others:

  • While hesitant to offer “one-size-fits-all” advice, she suggests experimentation and data tracking: “I would eat foods and see how it impacted things. If it wasn’t in a way that I liked, I would avoid them.” (34:10)

Broader Nutrition and Public Health Themes

• Cultural and Economic Challenges:

  • Processed, unhealthy foods are more accessible and affordable, making healthy eating hard for many: “It just creates a situation where it’s extremely difficult to know how to help people eat better, because a lot of it comes down to access.” (51:11)
  • Recommends nutrition education and “produce prescription programs,” where doctors can prescribe produce boxes for patients.

• Changing Habits:

  • Recognizes the powerful role of childhood foods, holiday traditions, and culture.
  • Discusses the possible role of medications like GLP-1s in shifting population dietary habits, while also acknowledging their limits.

Reflections, Identity, and Looking Ahead

• Perspective on Diabetes:

  • Credits diabetes with giving her a life focus and perspective: “I don’t think I would be as focused on my goals to help people if it weren’t for being diagnosed.” (61:41)
  • Balances acknowledging unavoidable stress with gratitude for the direction diabetes provided.

• Dating and Relationships:

  • Not currently in a relationship (“just been, like, so focused on school for the past, I don’t know, eight years” (63:07)).
  • Diabetes is brought up early with new people. Sees it as a “good screening tool.” (69:39)

• Podcast Reunion:

  • Reveals near the episode’s end that she was featured on the podcast ten years ago at age 18 (episode 34), surprising Scott and leading to a reflective, warm closing.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“I used a very simple logic of like, well, if I eat fewer carbs, I need less insulin.”
— Jenna (12:32)

“I kind of learned how to take care of it myself really young, and that’s always been my personality... I don’t think it would have worked well if my parents were, like, telling me what to do.”
— Jenna (14:37)

“I rely on the cgm, like in a way where I cannot even imagine living my day to day life without it. It’s a godsend.”
— Jenna (46:31)

“My issue in relation to type 1 has always been more like, being overly anxious about it... so my mom in particular has been super great at, you know, helping me be like, you know, it’s okay if your blood sugar goes into the two hundreds every once in a while.”
— Jenna (16:16)

“A lot of the foods that are very processed and have a lot of ingredients... are less expensive and more available. And it just creates a situation where it’s extremely difficult to know how to help people eat better, because a lot of it comes down to access.”
— Jenna (51:11)

“If someone has an issue [with diabetes], then I need to know asap. It’s a good screening tool.”
— Jenna (68:49, 69:39)

“I don’t think I would be as focused on, like, my goals to help people if it weren’t for being diagnosed with type one.”
— Jenna (61:41)

“It’s all the same. It’s all the same thing.”
— Scott (62:56)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Diagnosis story & childhood symptoms: 05:17 – 07:20
• Early independence and home management: 14:37 – 16:07
• Nutrition transition (low-carb/keto insight): 12:32 – 13:40
• Homeschooling and impact on self-management: 19:00 – 20:15
• College transition & self-advocacy: 19:12 – 23:25, 42:12 – 44:09
• Current academic research: 24:35 – 29:05
• Nutrition in hospitals discussion: 28:36 – 31:12
• Tech in diabetes management (Omnipod, Dexcom): 32:33 – 36:24, 46:09 – 48:29
• Reflection on processed foods, culture, and GLP/Obesity medications: 49:32 – 55:23
• Cultural food traditions, challenges for families: 55:23 – 59:12
• The impact of diabetes on identity and life trajectory: 61:41 – 62:56
• Dating with diabetes—disclosure and attitudes: 68:08 – 69:42
• Surprise past podcast episode and reunion segment: 70:13 – 73:54

---

Tone & Language

The conversation is thoughtful, warm, and often humorous, marked by Scott’s light, personable interviewing style and Jenna’s honest, reflective, and analytical insights. Both use storytelling to make both medical and psychological aspects of life with type 1 relatable and accessible.

---

Summary Takeaways

• Jenna’s story is defined by independence, self-experimentation, and consistent personal reflection, supported by advances in diabetes technology and science.
• She embodies a thoughtful, science-driven approach to nutrition and self-care, eschewing prescriptive advice in favor of careful self-observation and individualization.
• The challenges of eating well—both at home and within healthcare systems—are deeply intertwined with culture, education, and economics.
• Self-advocacy in school and medical settings is a learned and vital skill for people with chronic conditions.
• Technology has been transformative in backgrounding the daily burden of diabetes, empowering users like Jenna to focus on broader life and professional goals.

---

End note:
The episode ends on a fun, full-circle moment, revealing that Jenna’s journey was first shared a decade earlier, and highlights the ongoing growth and community-building at the heart of the Juicebox Podcast.

Transcript

[A]

Hello, friends, and welcome back to the Juice Box Podcast. On today's episode of the podcast, there will be nothing that you should take as advice, medical or otherwise. So please, please consult a physician before making any changes to your health care plan or becoming bold with insulin. The T1D Exchange is looking for you. If you're a US resident, 18 and older, and you have type 1 diabetes, please go to T1D exchange.org juicebox and complete the survey. If you do, you will be helping type 1 diabetes research to move forward. Thank you. Foreign. I've got two OG sponsors for you today, Omnipod5 and Dexcom. That's right, the episode that you're about to enjoy was brought to you today by Dexcom and the Dexcom G7, the same CGM that my daughter wears. You can learn more and get started today with my link dexcom.com juicebox and this little slice of podcasting perfection is also brought to you today by the Omnipod 5. The Omnipod 5 is a tube free automated insulin delivery system that has been shown to significantly improve A1C and time and range for people with type 1 diabetes when they've switched from daily injections. You can learn more and get started today at my link omnipod.com juicebox@ that link you can get yourself a free starter kit right now. What did I just say? Free Terms and conditions apply. Eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions can be found@ omnipod.com juicebox. You'll find those links in the show Notes of the Podcast Player. You're listening in right now and@juicebox podcast.com testing, testing. I'm recording my voice. How about you?

[B]

Testing, testing.

[A]

You're good too. You can start whenever you're ready.

[B]

All right. Hi everybody. I am Jenna. I've had type 1 diabetes for 16 years now and excited to talk more about my experience.

[A]

16 years. And how old are you?

[B]

I am 28.

[A]

28. You've had diabetes for. Hold on a second. Since I'm doing it in my head. You were 12?

[B]

Yes, 13.

[A]

13.

[B]

13. I think I'm like, I'm coming up on 16.

[A]

You're coming up on 16.

[B]

Maybe at the end of tail end of 15 years.

[A]

That's an interesting time, huh? 12. 13.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, it is. I mean, it's like, it's one of those big transition times in life and it is definitely interesting to walk into it with a chronic illness diagnosis. So.

[A]

Yeah. Do you have any brothers or sisters?

[B]

Yes, I have a younger sister and an older Brother. No one else would type one in the family.

[A]

Okay. Other autoimmune stuff for you or them?

[B]

I have hypothyroid, but it's not autoimmune. And no other autoimmune stuff in the family.

[A]

Are you take. Taking Synthroid or something? Equivalent.

[B]

Yep. Okay. Yeah.

[A]

And do you feel like that's managed pretty well?

[B]

Yes. It's much simpler to manage than type one.

[A]

I mean, are your, Are your levels where you want them to be? Are you having any symptoms?

[B]

No symptoms, no. I'm good on that front, thankfully.

[A]

Yeah. Were you diagnosed as a child with that or was it later?

[B]

That was about a year later.

[A]

About a year later. And you don't have kids, Right?

[B]

Very similar. No.

[A]

You know how I know that?

[B]

How?

[A]

There's a lightness in your voice. I'm not kidding.

[B]

That's hilarious.

[A]

No, no, I'm not kidding. I can tell you don't have children. There's just that I don't know what happens. But you're. But life just takes you down an octave after you've had to raise a kid.

[B]

Wow. Well, you can say myself forewarned.

[A]

You can feel it in someone. You look around today, you'll. You'll see it real quickly. There's. There's a lightness. It says I don't have any real responsibilities and I'm not worried if another person dies. It's. It's. Yeah, yeah, that's something. Anyway, I knew immediately. I knew nothing about you. I could tell as soon as you started talking, I was like, well, she doesn't have any kids.

[B]

That's so funny. Yeah.

[A]

And you're either not in a relationship or in pretty, like light hearted one that you're happy with.

[B]

I am not in a relationship.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

No. Well, you're good. Scott.

[A]

Jenna, listen. It's a profession. It's a calling. You understand? Podcasting, it's not just. It's just not just. You don't just buy a microphone and you're a podcaster.

[B]

That's so funny.

[A]

Trust me, I know what's going on. All right, let's see what else I can figure out. What were the first signs of type 1? What got you and your family to a position?

[B]

I was, I was seeing rhythmic gymnastics at the time and I, I think the first symptom was drinking a ton of water. So it was summer camp and I remember noticing that I was drinking a ton of water, but I thought that it was just, you know, I'm in summer camp and I'm very active. Yeah, but Then I started to lose weight. And then a couple months later, I was super, super tired. And then I was just falling asleep in the car, which, like, I'm not a napper. That's not normal for me.

[A]

Like an old. You're like an old man on the sofa when you're like 13, just nodding out everywhere. Gotcha. Okay.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

I'm that old man. By the way, can I say, I tried to stay up and watch something with my son the other night and I just feel this, like, hand on my chest like this. He goes, are you asleep?

[B]

I was like, it's after midnight. After midnight. That's definitely fair.

[A]

I thought it was fair. Okay, I'm sorry. So you're peeing, drinking, falling asleep. Keep going.

[B]

And I think it was actually. I was in ballet at the time too. And it's actually my ballet teacher who told my mom, like, she is not okay, like, there's something wrong. And her brother actually also had Type 1. I don't think she suspected Type 1, but she was basically who cued my mom into like. I think it's hard because my mom saw me every day. You know, she wasn't picking up on the changes as much, but I was like, we would do. We would be doing some sort of dance routine and I would just have to sit down.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And my teacher was like, she's not okay. And then I also remember having really bad heartburn, which I had never had before.

[A]

So I was gonna say it's not a thing, you know, a thing you usually hear a 12 year old talk about.

[B]

Right, right. Yeah.

[A]

When you say rhythmic gymnastics, am I talking about like ribbons on sticks or. Yes, yes, I got the right thing.

[B]

Yep, you got it. You got it.

[A]

You still dance as an adult?

[B]

No, I don't. I would like to get back into it, but I have not yet.

[A]

Is there a way for kids or for adults to do that?

[B]

Not rhythmic? Like, most adults don't do rhythmic traffics because it's quite intense because they break

[A]

your old ass trying to do that, you know?

[B]

Yeah, that would be tough. But I did Ballerine Dance later my teenage years, and that's something I could do as an adult, which I think would be really fun.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

But I haven't. I haven't gotten back into it yet. I did do some swing dancing a couple years ago.

[A]

What got you out of like, all of that? Was it just age or did diabetes slow you down with just the dance and the ballet and everything? Can you believe the number one prescribed automated insulin delivery system is now even better, Omnipod 5 is now stronger than ever with algorithm updates in including a new lower 100 milligram per deciliter target glucose option designed for more time and range and with fewer interruptions for more time in automated mode. That's right, the number one prescribed automated insulin delivery system just got better. Request a 30 day Omnipod 5 trial today at omnipod.com juicebox and experience the enhancements firsthand. Terms and conditions apply, eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions and can be found@ omnipod.com juicebox the Dexcom G7 is sponsoring today's episode of the podcast and it features a lightning fast 30 minute warmup. 30 minute warmup time. That's right. From the time you put on the Dexcom G7 until the time you're getting readings. 30 minutes. That's pretty great. It also has a 12 hour grace period so you can swap your sensor when it's convenient for you. All that on top of being small, accurate, incredibly wearable and light. These things, in my opinion, make the Dexcom G7 a no brainer. The Dexcom G7 comes with way more than just this. Actually. Up to 10 people can follow you. You can use it with type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes. It's covered by all sorts of insurances. And this might be the best part. It has alerts and alarms that are customizable so that you can be alerted at the levels that make sense to you. Dexcom.com Juicebox links in the show notes links@juicebox podcast.com to Dexcom, Omnipod and all the sponsors. But you can remember it. Dexcom.com juicebox Check it out.

[B]

Yeah, after I was, I don't think ballet, arithmetic, gymnastics was what like I truly loved.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And so when I was diagnosed with type one, I think it did kind of set me on a different path in life in general.

[A]

How so?

[B]

And well, it, it definitely made me much more focus on health. And like now I'm, now I'm studying nutrition and that's a whole nother story that we can get into. But yeah, I became very focus on my health and very interested in like psychology and the human condition and things like that. Okay. And I think so. I think it's just kind of like.

[A]

You pivoted.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, I pivoted a little bit.

[A]

So is it fair to say that, you know, you were involved in these things as a child and maybe it's something even your parents put you into or you had an interest in when you Were younger, and then all of a sudden, when something slapped you in the face and your life shifted you. You cut away the things that didn't feel important to you.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Yeah. It's about what happened. Okay, well, that's interesting. What was it like? I'm so sorry. I know we've only been talking for five minutes, but did you have a period when you were diagnosed or does the thing you developed into type one and did that overlap with, like, any kind of a honeymoon or, like. I'm looking for how you handled hormones through that time.

[B]

I had a honeymoon period for. I actually had quite a long honeymoon period, so it was maybe like six months or so when I did not use insulin. At all.

[A]

At all?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

At all. And I think I. I very quickly also went onto a ketogenic diet, and so I think that helped a lot with that. But I had like, a very unusual experience with the honeymoon period, and it's pretty long.

[A]

Okay, well, I want to hear about that, but I first. Let me ask you who. How'd you get to a keto diet? Like, did. Is that a thing your parents figured out or you.

[B]

That was something that. I think my parents queued me into it a little bit. I was mostly. I was mostly the one in charge, though, so to speak, because my parents were pretty busy with work, and I. I guess I was interested in taking care of it to a certain extent. I mean, I guess I would have to be to have taken the reins. But I think I just used a very simple logic of like, well, if I eat fewer carbs, I need less insulin.

[A]

Then it led you to that idea.

[B]

Yeah. So that would make sense.

[A]

Is that a thing you still do today?

[B]

Now I eat. Let's see. It's basically like a low carb diet, except for I add fruit because that gives me energy, just like having some of those sugars in my system. But I. I still don't eat any, like, grains or wheat or things like that, so.

[A]

And that's just to keep the carbs down. It's not because you have celiac or anything like that?

[B]

Yeah, I mean, I don't. I don't have celiac. I've been tested for it. I don't have celiac, but I also don't feel good when I eat grains. Like, it gives me brain fog. It makes me bloated, it makes me very insulin resistant. So it just. It's never worked well for me. I don't know why, but because of that, I've always stayed away from.

[A]

Avoided it from It, Yeah. Smart. It's cool. It's interesting that you figured it out as a kid too, and you. And you stuck to it like that. It's pretty cool. Your parents were busy with work. Can we, like, pivot for a half a second? Was that bothersome to you? Did you need help and felt alone, or did you feel comfortable? And if so, were you actually having good outcomes or were you just having the outcomes of a. A 13 year old who was trying?

[B]

I, I think it was overall good because I kind of learned how to take care of it myself really young, and that's always been my personality. Like, I'm very independent and like to understand things myself and take charge of situations in general. And I don't think it would have worked well if my parents were, like, telling me what to do.

[A]

Would that, would that give me some insight into the rest of your life with your parents, or was it just around the diabetes that you would have felt that way?

[B]

I think that would be true overall, but my parents are very good at not doing that. Not like interjecting a lot. They give me a lot of freedom with what I do.

[A]

Jen, is that because you push back so much that they learned, or are they just, like, into it? Sounds like you might have beat them into submission. Is that, Was that what happened?

[B]

I think no, not quite. I mean, I have had some disagreements with them when there are. When they have strong opinions, because I also have strong opinions, but in general, they have really given me a lot of freedom and flexibility to do kind of whatever I want, and I think that works really well.

[A]

Yeah. Can you talk a little bit about what it meant to you as a kid to have them listen to you and, and kind of follow your lead a little bit?

[B]

Yeah, I guess. Let's see, my mom has been the main one who has been involved in that type 1 management, and I think overall, I've. I've always erred on the side of being, like, overly cautious with my management and just because, like, my health is super important to me, of course, and I want to be healthy as long as possible. And so I always really wanted to have my glucose numbers, like, as tight as possible. And I think that my, my issue in relation to type 1 has always been more like, being overly anxious about it. Like, overly cautious, overly anxious. And so my mom in particular has been super great at, you know, helping me be like, you know, it's okay. Like, it's okay if your blood sugar goes into the two hundreds every once in a while.

[A]

Jenna, are you anxious in General.

[B]

I would say so.

[A]

I would say so.

[B]

I would say so.

[A]

Looking back. Yeah, perhaps. So your mom's not. Is your dad or is your mom. But she's just good at telling you it's okay?

[B]

I think that's a good question.

[A]

Oh, I know. Don't worry.

[B]

No, I don't think either of my parents are that anxious. I'm probably more anxious than both my parents.

[A]

How about your sister, Your brother?

[B]

I. I still think I'm more anxious than that.

[A]

You win. I'm a. I win. Scott.

[B]

I think I win.

[A]

I'm the winner.

[B]

I think I win. On the anxiety front.

[A]

And you're the only one with type one?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Your. Anybody else have Hashimoto's or. Or. I'm sorry, hypothyroidism in your family?

[B]

My sister also has hypothyroid.

[A]

Okay. Is she anxious at all?

[B]

Not. I wouldn't say, like, intensely.

[A]

Not intensely. Okay.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. Like a normal level.

[A]

What is. What's a normal level of anxiety? I'd like to hear you describe that. That's awesome. Okay, so I. I get. I think I get the vibe, like your parents were a little hands off. You were doing a good job. Were you a good student, too?

[B]

Yeah, I wasn't. I wasn't all that, like, interested in school until college. I was homeschooled in high school.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Do you prefer that or did you. Had you. Have you ever gone to public school? Private?

[B]

I did not go to. I was not in the public school system at all until college.

[A]

Oh, wow. What. What was that like, making that shift?

[B]

It was very shocking. Very shocking to the system. It was. It was really. It was hard. It was a hard transition. I was at a private school when I was younger, so really young, like preschool and grade years. I went to the Washington Waldorf School in Bethesda, Maryland, and it was very much, like, focused on the arts and nature and things like that is very wholesome and very nice. And then I was. I was homeschooled all throughout the rest of middle school and high school. And it was. I think it was really good for me, especially in relation to type one, because I really got to focus on my health and figuring that out.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And then when I went to college, I had. I already kind of had it. Figure it out. And I mean, as much as you can ever figure out type one, but yeah, it was good rhythm, background.

[A]

You knew what you were doing in the background. All that stuff was this shift to homeschooling. Was that religious, political, like, situational? Do why did that. Was that just how your parents grew up? Like, how does that happen?

[B]

Well, it happened because my sister and I were doing rhythmic gymnastics when we were young, and one of my teachers one time got upset that I didn't do my homework in, like, fifth grade or something like that, and it was because I was at a gymnastics competition over the weekend, and she just. She kind of disciplined me about it, and I don't think my mom loved it. And so.

[A]

So your mom said, oh, you're not doing that. I'll just teach the kids myself for the next seven years.

[B]

Yeah, exactly.

[A]

So this is why you and your mom have disagreements sometimes. When you said strong opinions, that's. I mean, that's a fairly. You know what I mean? That would be like. It'd be like if I tried to park at the grocery store and I. Somebody, like, stole my spot, and I was like, that's it. I'm not eating anymore. I'll show all you. That's a big. That's a big. That's a big move. I would love to hear that from your mom's perspective. I bet you there was. She probably was pissed for a while about something. It might have put her over the edge.

[B]

Yeah, I think the. The school we went to when we were young is very much like, in your early years, they tried to have it not focused on, like, doing homework and.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

More focused on being outside and things like that. So I think my mom probably wanted to preserve some of that, so.

[A]

Sounds like she did. And. And. And you. And you headed off to college with a real firm idea of how to manage your diabetes, and then you have that shock. I. Can you just tell me one thing? Because you were like. It was very shocking. What's one thing about getting to college that really hit you in the face?

[B]

I think I just kind of felt like I was all of a sudden in this huge system that I had never experienced. And I just. I think if you're used to that growing up, like, you don't. It's probably not shocking, but for me, it was like, oh, my God, I'm in a class of now thousands of people. I really have to, you know, look out for myself, get help when I need it. Like, there's. There's just like this.

[A]

Everything about the way. Everything about the way it works was just different for you.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And it was much more like. I don't know. I mean,

[A]

did you enjoy it?

[B]

I did end up loving college. I mean, I found. I found smaller communities within college where. And that's how I got into research and some teaching and stuff like that. But my first semester and maybe even first year was very, very much a shock to the system. I had to adjust a lot.

[A]

Were you isolated?

[B]

I think a little bit, because I went into college as a transfer student, also because I was doing some community college on the side and so

[A]

little behind. Didn't come in with a group, like, that whole thing.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

Hey, did you maintain the person you are there, or is there, like, some crazy shift? Like, you know, some people get out of private school and, like, they cut their hair or grow their hair or do something crazy or, like, just start smoking or. You know what I mean? Like, did. Or. Or you just did. You just kept. Keep being Jenna?

[B]

I just kept being myself, but I very much kept to myself, so I think that's part of how that happened. I mean, I. In college, I was literally always in my apartment or in the library studying. I was. Yeah.

[A]

Okay, well, you sound. That's where I would want my kid, by the way, just hidden somewhere. But then you, you know, like you said, you found your communities, you branched out, and then what did you end up doing through college? And is that still what you're doing now as an adult?

[B]

Yeah, I majored in nutritional science, and I also did some research on the side. So I was in a lab studying viruses, and then I was doing some research on the gut microbiome, brain access, which was really cool. I really enjoyed that work. And I was thinking that I would go to medical school after college, but then I found, like, I just found this passion for what I was doing in college, which was really research and learning and teaching. And I thought, you know, I shouldn't let this go if I love it so much. And so then I did a couple more years of research at the National Institutes of Health and their post baccalaureate program, and then I decided to do a PhD in nutrition, which is where I am now.

[A]

So you're working on your PhD right now?

[B]

I'm working on my PhD right now.

[A]

Jenna, have you ever had a job?

[B]

I. Not.

[A]

I'm so jealous. Let me just be jealous for a second. Oh, my God, it's awesome.

[B]

For such a long time.

[A]

Do you think you'll. I mean, is it a thing that, like, how do you. How do you. Like, for people listening who don't understand that, like, is. How do you finance your life during this?

[B]

Well, I guess I'm just very lucky with family support.

[A]

Nice. And then I hear what you're saying, dad got bags Is that what you're telling me? We're good.

[B]

And then as a PhD student, you do got a little bit of a stipend.

[A]

Oh, wow. What do you think? How, how do you believe this will all culminate one day? Like, is there something like, what have you learned? What are you interested in? How do you think you'll point it at the world eventually? What do you think you are?

[B]

Great question. That's a great question.

[A]

It's like, I better figure it out. I'm 28.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. I, I, I do not know exactly how I'm going to point it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I am doing my dissertation work on diabetes care in the hospital, collecting data on nutrition in the hospital and shared decision making, which is part of person centered care. So that's kind of where my focus is right now, which I like. I love being involved and diabetes research. And I've always kind of tried to give myself the space to not go into diabetes, but it always keeps coming back. All throughout college. Like in college, I did the college Diabetes network.

[A]

Oh, they're awesome.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, they're great. And then I did their fellowship and my gap years and I did diabetes camp and it's just been a continuous thread, so I, I would love to stay in the diabetes space, but we'll see what happens.

[A]

Super interesting. How long did it take to collect the data about nutrition in the hospital?

[B]

Eight minutes, Because I'm still doing it.

[A]

I mean, what are you learning? Besides the food and hospital seems terrible.

[B]

So we haven't analyzed the data yet. I can, like, from seeing what they're serving in the hospital. Yeah, it's very, it's not ideal.

[A]

No.

[B]

But I started this study in November and we're still collecting data. I enrolled the 50th person yesterday, so.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

We're enrolling 80 people in that study just to.

[A]

And what's the goal of the study? Is it just to collect data and then you figure out what the data tells you afterwards, or does it have a specific goal?

[B]

So, yeah, the goal is really to just figure out what is actually, like, happening in the hospital because. Right. There's not good. There's, there's data that says there's malnutrition, there's hospital acquired malnutrition, and I think the latest statistic is around 25%, which is really shockingly high. But there's no data on, like, why that's happening or how that's happening.

[A]

Can I float a theory? Is it because they're buying crappy food?

[B]

Yeah, I mean, I'm Sure. But like, there's no. The thing about research is you have to show everything to change it.

[A]

Well then once you have that research, can you pressure hospital systems to do a better job? Like, how does the, like, what's the back end of this world? Like, you know what I mean? Like, once you have the information, like there, there's a, I have a feeling sometimes that people put all this effort into something, then they publish the paper and they go, there it is, do something with it, then nothing happens with it.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Like what?

[B]

No, that is a huge problem.

[A]

Research. Yeah. Like, so do you, like, how do you like go into the, like as an example, like, you know, diabetes type 2, for example. Like people I've watched my mom in the hospital with type 2 or pre diabetes and everything they gave her was ridiculous.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And so like, do you, I don't know, like, do you. How, like do you go to the ada, do you say, hey, we've got this research. Like, I just wonder about like, and how do you, and if you're not the person to answer that question, like, how do you meet a person who understands the other side of this, who can like take the research and go out in the world and you know, use it as a cudgel and bang it over people's heads till they make changes?

[B]

Yeah, I think that's what I'm trying to, I mean it's, it's, that's definitely something that our group is really trying to do, like make sure that all the research turns into changes that are.

[A]

Yeah. Useful for people action or something that somebody's using at least to make a decision down the road. I mean, it can't. Look, I'm just guessing, but I don't imagine the hospital believes that they're buying super healthy food and they're just being confused. They're confused about it. In your research, they'll go, oh, no, we didn't know, sorry. You know, like, so it's got to be about money. It's got to be about.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Preparation, about storage. Like I'm imagining it's that stuff. Also hospitals are, you know, I don't think they're really what we imagine them to be. Most of them, they're, you know, they're money making systems and they, they, they have a product and the product is trying to make you better. So.

[B]

Right.

[A]

You know, it's, it's really sad. Have you ever had to be in the hospital yourself?

[B]

Thankfully I haven't been in the hospital since I was diagnosed.

[A]

Nice.

[B]

So I'm lucky in that respect.

[A]

So, like, when you. Can you make any pronouncements about what you see, like, think about, like. Like, let's take your professional life and kind of stick it in the background for a second. You're a type one. You've been living with type one for 16 years. You. Are you having great outcomes? Do you have A1C's and the fives? Are you, like. Is your weight where you want it to be? You metabolically healthy?

[B]

Yeah, yeah, I am. I am, gratefully. You know, I mean, I've. I'm healthy. My A1C has been in the fives and sixes for years. I mean, I. I don't. I think I had some sevens and eights after I was diagnosed.

[A]

Yeah, I would imagine the most part. But what's your. What's your. As an adult now, the way you're living today? Tell me a little bit about your setup. Are you using technology? How are you eating? And what would you. If you bumped into another type 1 and they were like, look, Jenna, you can't hurt my feelings. Tell me what to do. How would you talk about it to people?

[B]

So I use the Omnipod 5, and I'm still using the Dexcom G6, although not much longer. Yeah, not much longer. But the G6 for me is like, I. I just prefer the Trend line and stuff, but I will have to switch to G7 soon. But, yeah, I use Omnipod 5 and Dexcom, and I. I think for me, nutrition is a super important part of my daily management. And so I basically eat like a. I would. I would call it a ketogenic diet plus fruit. And for me, that works really well because it keeps the insulin resistance down. And I find when I eat grains and stuff, I just go high and stay high, and it gets very sticky, and it takes a lot of insulin to get down. And then once it does get down, I crash. And to me, it's just a whole disaster. It doesn't work well for my body. Okay. I don't know if that would help everyone. You know? Like, I think it's really hard to give other people advice because I think it's super.

[A]

Jenna. I don't even give people movie reviews because I just assume they don't like the same stuff I do.

[B]

Yeah, but, but, but.

[A]

So interestingly enough, then. So if you're saying that you can't tell people, like, this is what I do, go do it and you'll be okay. What can they do to figure out what will work for them to Give them similar outcomes.

[B]

I. I mean, I just. I would eat foods and see how it impacted things. If it wasn't in a way that I liked, I would avoid them, you know, I mean, and I'm not perfect by any means. Like, you know, if I'm out with people or this or that, like, I might eat something that doesn't go perfectly, but in general, I try to, like, tell myself, you know, okay, if it's on a daily basis type of thing. And the meals that I'm eating on my own are going to be the ones that are, like, as good as possible for my health.

[A]

Can I ask a question about your. Can I ask a question about your eating?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Are there any things you're not eating right now because they don't work well for your diabetes, or even how you feel that you're just in the back of your head? Like, I want one of those. Like, are you. Are you limiting yourself in a way that's uncomfortable but necessary? You know what I mean? Or has it changed for you? Is it not a thing you think about anymore?

[B]

I think it's turned into a thing where I prefer the way that I feel and can function to such an extent with the way that I eat that I don't. I don't want that stuff anymore. That kind of messes me up.

[A]

Yeah. Do you. I have to tell you, I've. I. I might have. I. I think I've lost track now, but I might have been on a GLP for, like, three years now. And I think that is one of the absolute, like, gifts that it has given me, that now I can look at a. At a food item and say, I know that's not going to go well for me and not be tortured by it. And, you know, tortures may be a heavy word, but not, like, give in and just have it because I like it or because it's there or something like that. Like, I walk past food I like because it just doesn't feel like a good decision and it does not feel like a burden. But I think in the past, it. I would have had that feeling of, like, oh, something got, like, taken from me, if that makes sense. Yeah, but you just have that naturally.

[B]

I guess so, yeah.

[A]

You don't know because it's just how you are. You should test yourself, see if your GLP levels are naturally high. Are GLP levels a thing? Somebody get in there and figure that out. What do you. I mean, how is all this GLP medication impacting your research and your livelihood? Because it's Fundamentally changing how people eat.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. Are you bumping into it? Is it. Is it. Is it interesting, valuable, problematic for what you're trying to do?

[B]

It is. It is. Well, I don't know. I'm not that focused on it, honestly, because I'm more focused on the, like, what is being given to people in the hospital. And I guess medication stuff isn't as interesting to me in general. And I. I think that would be because my research is mostly on, like, the nutrition content of the food in the hospital. But I think that if I were more looking at, you know, like, what people are choosing to eat and not choosing to eat, that would be a much larger consideration.

[A]

Yeah. Okay. So it's interesting, actually, because I'm wondering if the GLPs, I mean, they're now people in the hospital, right? They get sick for other reasons. They're on GLPs, and they probably haven't been eating a certain way, but then they. Everyone at the. At the moment, like, the standard of care is like, they make you stop taking it for most stuff that you go into the hospital for. And I want. But I. It's interesting to me, like, if you don't have context for it, I'm thinking of a hospital like Trey, right? And right now, Scott, on day three of his shot, I don't think I could, like, stomach any of that. And I don't mean, like, it would make me sick. I think I'd look at him, be like, I prefer not to eat this, right? But if you took me off of that for a week or two and threw it in front of me, I'd probably be like, oh, chocolate pudding. Like, you know what I mean? And it would. I wonder if there are people in the hospital who are, like, in there having lived one way, but now all of a sudden another way, and I wonder if that will drag them back in that direction when they leave or. I mean, I don't know. Not a question you can answer. But it is just interesting to think that, you know, like, I don't know how. I guess. Let me ask you this. Like, what's the average hospital stay for a person? How long somebody average in the hospital for?

[B]

That really depends on why they're in and what's going on. I mean, like, if someone's waiting for a procedure, like a surgery or something like that, they'll be in longer. You know, if they're. If, you know, they have something that requires they wait for dialysis or. I don't know. There are. There are so many variables. That impact that. And that's actually a very tricky part of doing inpatient research studies because my study has a requirement that they're in the study for two to 10 days. And it can be really difficult to gauge. Like the one day it might be saying they'll be in for four more days and then they end up, you know, plans change and they're discharged the next day, or they end up saying for 10 days. Like it's very variable and it's, it's a little. It's a very tricky part of inpatient research studies.

[A]

Oh, no kidding. Yeah. I mean, it doesn't sound easy. How many people are in your. Like you have like a group of people doing this.

[B]

Yeah, so our group is maybe around, like immediate group is maybe around 7 to 8 or so people. But for my dissertation research, right now it's mostly me doing it. I have. One of the postdoctoral researchers was helping me a couple months back, but now we have a lot of other studies going on and so is. It's a relatively small group, but then there's also a ton of collaboration. So that's, that's kind of expands the number of people are. That are involved, but those here are, you know, like on the ground and doing the data collection as a smaller number of people.

[A]

I see. I want to ask you, in a second, I'd like to ask you about. You wrote in your note about how, how you learn to advocate for yourself. And I want to hear about the ways that that came up. But I'm going to ask one last question about your research first thing, because based on what you just said about how the collaboration works, how much, if at all, are you using AI models to help you

[B]

with the research? Right now, not much. I do. We are looking into, you know, like, AI to detect macronutrient content and food. That's kind of a big thing right now and maybe making some twists on that and developing a sort of app or something like that. But right now, not much.

[A]

But even the backend work about like keeping. Keeping everything straight or being able to query your own research or using it for any of that.

[B]

No, no, not right now. I think in the, the electronic health record system, it's, you know, they're very protective over.

[A]

Oh, what you can attach it to. I see. Oh, oh, yeah.

[B]

Oh, yeah, yeah. There's a lot of like, phi considerations when, of course, when you're working with people. So it's. You have to be really, really careful.

[A]

Tell people. Phi phi means protected health information. Okay. Okay.

[B]

So.

[A]

So I'M pivoting here. But, like, what, what happened in your past that you thought, like, I have to advocate for myself or I'm not going to get what I want?

[B]

I think that I learned a lot of that through, I think through college was a big time for that for me. When I was getting accommodations and talking to professors about it and just going through that process. I think every semester with every professor, you know, emailing them and sitting down with them and telling them what I need, and, you know, of course, you have to be willing to tell them what you need and not settle for anything less than what you need. And I think that was a really good experience for me.

[A]

I said, just, just having to, like, have the conversation. I have type 1 diabetes. This is what it might entail. I could use help here. Did anybody ever push back, say, well, I don't care if you have type 1 diabetes. Too bad

[B]

I can't remember any experiences like that? No, it was great. I mean, I. They were really, really awesome. And I would usually take my exams in the testing center where, you know, I could, I could have access to whatever I needed. I think that having access to a phone with the CGM was always a little bit. You know, people would ask about it, of course, which is understandable, but I never got a ton of pushback on it.

[A]

Yeah, they were. They worried you're going to cheat, right?

[B]

Probably. I mean, if you have access to an iPhone. Yeah.

[A]

Janet, you would never cheat. Tell them.

[B]

I would never.

[A]

Of course not. This was. You didn't even have to look at me. I was never going to cheat. Oh, my God. What do you. Have you lived with and without a CGM or. No. Have you always had one?

[B]

I didn't have a CGM for the first five years, which is now looking back, I have no idea how I did it. I mean, I would poke myself, like, 20 times per day. It was. Yeah, it was very intense.

[A]

Yeah. No, because you were taking, like, really careful care. You were younger, you were on your own, and so you were creating your own data points even then with your blood sugars.

[B]

Yeah. And I, I, I always joke around with people that I was like, my own cgm.

[A]

Yeah, I know. I, you know, we actually, one time, it was during COVID you know, everybody did this, but during COVID I would do, like, weekly zooms with people, and at one point, they got up to, like, there was, like, 300 people in there. It was crazy. And this one lady, I don't remember her name, she was like, I only have a Meter. And we had her like draw out a graph and then just plot her blood sugars and then she connected the lines and I'm like, it's not perfect, but it gives you an idea of which way your blood sugars are moving. And it was really helpful. It was like super helpful for like, she came back the next week and she's like, hey, that made a big difference. I was like, awesome. But yeah, I mean, cgm, I mean, it's another level, right, of, of being able to see, you know, get ahead of, stop things before they happen. I mean, it's such a big deal. I, I really hope that. Yeah, I, I, you know, I was listening to an interview with Lily's CEO the other day where he, he was talking about jlps, but he was talking about that what he would like to do is get it to like more scale. Like, he's like, I don't know if he means what he said, but he was like, I don't need to make as much money on it. I need to get it more hands was the idea. And I thought, boy, I would love if, if some diabetes device manufacturers thought like that, like, maybe we can take a little less for it, but make the money up on, you know, on selling more of it, that kind of thing. I don't know enough about business to know how to do that, but boy, you know, you know, just imagine not have, imagine if I came and took it from you right now. Like, how would that change your life today?

[B]

The cgm?

[A]

Yeah, I guess come I go. You can't have it anymore, Jenna. There's no more CGM for you. What? I mean, you lose your automation, you lose all of your reference points. Your A1C probably goes up a point, I would imagine, and adds a ton more work to your life. Right?

[B]

I mean, I rely on the cgm, like in a way where I cannot even imagine living my day to day life without it. It's, it's a godsend. I mean, especially with sleep and you know, my mom still follows me and being, you know, running around on the hospital floors and like, I just, I have to have it. And then, yeah, with aid, I mean.

[A]

Yeah, you just don't want to lose it. You know what I mean? It's so awesome.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

I was just thinking now like Arden went out last night, so I'm, I'm, I haven't looked, but try to imagine like, I mean, she's 22, don't get me wrong, but she went out last night. I think, you know, she Went to a club. She went with friends. Like, you know, like, she's, you know, she was out for a while. I think she got home maybe around midnight or so. And I'm looking here, she got a little low before she left and then she ate dinner around 6:30 or 7:00'. Clock. And since then, and now it's 10:00 in the morning. Her blood sugar's 71. It has not been under 70 or over 110 in the last 16 hours. Yeah. You know what I mean? Like, and that's all just technology, really. It's.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Algorithms and CGMs. And it's a. It's just. It's a. It's astonishing how good it is.

[B]

No, it's so. It's. It's incredible. I mean, that's what allows it to be much more background for me these days too. I mean, part of the reason why I think homeschooling was good and, you know, it's great for my health is at the time I was doing finger sticks and pen injections. And so, I mean, that just requires so much more oversight than having aid and, you know, a cgm.

[A]

Oh my gosh. Hey.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Thinking about nutrition. So I don't know if you've ever heard it, but like, Jenny and I, like, Jenny's a CDC. Yes. And she's got type one for like 38 years. Right. And she's a nutritionist too, or whatever. She. I don't. Rd. Registered dietitian, maybe. Sorry. Jenny. I've only known her for like 15 years. I'll commit it to memory eventually. But. But, you know, we've been doing these like, Bolus 4 episodes recently where it's a thing I avoided for a long time, but people are always like, I just want you to tell me how to bolus for this. And, you know, so we kind of talk. We talk our way through it, but as we talk our way through it, you know, we're picking through the nutrition of these items, like, live online while we're doing it. And a lot of food is astonishingly horrible. Like, like really, like genuinely, like, I don't know, like, sometimes I'll read the ingredients. Mike, I don't know what any of this is like, any of it. Or they're. They sound like chemicals or, you know, binding agents or thickeners and stuff like that. It's just crazy, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But my takeaway has been that generally I don't think that's what people think. Like, you know what I mean? Like, when somebody takes a. I Usually say ho ho because I think it's funny. But when, like, someone takes a ho ho and takes a bite of it, I don't think that they're thinking, I'm eating thickeners and shelf stabilizers and colors and chemicals. And I know this is wrong and really unhealthy for me, but damn it, I'm just gonna do it anyway. Like, I don't think that's. I don't think that's how it works. So, like, I find myself thinking all the time, I don't know. You have an answer to this? Cause I don't either. It's like, I wonder how you could, like, meaningfully help people to understand what it is that they're fueling themselves with. And if. And even if they knew if that would. Would make a change for them or. I mean, is it going to take something like a GLP to change, like, the population's, like, addiction to, like, some of these foods? Do you have thoughts on any of that?

[B]

I mean, this. I actually think about this a lot because it's, It's. It's a big impediment to people eating. Well, like, the addictiveness of food, and these foods are designed to be addictive. And, like, how do you fight that? Especially because a lot of the foods that are very processed and have a lot of ingredients that could be harmful to people are less expensive.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And more available. And it just creates a situation where it's extremely difficult to know how to help people eat better, because a lot of it comes down to access, because eating well is really expensive and inconvenient because it takes time and money and stuff like that. So I. I think that there needs to be way better nutrition education just to start. Like, that should be a part of education schools for sure.

[A]

I just, I don't feel like it's going to be like, there's got to be. You'd have to reach people at a certain age before it's just, like, ingrained in you. Like, because, look. Yeah, I mean, listen, you have to. Family events at holidays. Everybody does. And there's some stuff at these events. Like, you know, when you start mixing your family, like when you, you know, you get married or something, you end up at some, you know, some guy's house for Thanksgiving and someone brings into the room. I'll tell you the one thing that shocked me. Sweet potatoes with marshmallows melted over top of it at Thanksgiving, like, is an example. Like, someone brought that in, like, Simba. They were like, like, it's Here, you know, and everybody's like, oh. And I was like, what, did you melt marshmallows on food? And, like, you know, like, that. Just one of those things where I was like. And no disrespect to anybody, if that's what they do or anything. My point is, is that they grew up with it. They think it's an imperative. Almost like, it's not Thanksgiving if we don't. If we don't soak sweet potatoes, a generally healthy food, in brown sugar and then melt marshmallows over top of it. If we don't do that, then. Then the pilgrims lost. Like, is. Is that. What did they do any of this for? And so when you, like. You know what I mean? Like, when someone starts a thing and makes it part of your life, like, you imagine Jenna comes on, goes, oh, don't eat those. They're going to be like, go to hell. It's Thanksgiving. And. And I don't know that it's ever done on purpose. Like, again, I don't think someone made the sweet potatoes with marshmallows. And what, I'm going to poison my family? Just like when my mom went to the. To the dollar grocery store because we were broke, and would buy a canister, and canister is the right word for it, of powder. And then she'd mix it with a gallon of water and be like, here's juice. Or. Or they'd call it fruit juice or lemonade or something like that. And then, you know, like, you're supposed to put, like, I don't know, 10 scoops in for a gallon, but, you know, it was sweeter if you put in 12. And then, like. And then that just sat in my refrigerator for my whole life. And every time you were thirsty, that's what you drank. You know what I mean? If you go find my mom, Jenna, and say, hey, did you know you were poisoning Scott? She'd say, no, I bought it. Said, like, real fruit juice on the front of it. Like, I swear to you, I don't think it's a thing she did on purpose.

[B]

Oh, for sure not. Yeah, no, it's what's. It's what's accessible. And it's also very cultural. And.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, it's just. It's social. I don't think you're beating it, is what I'm saying. I. I'm. Listen, I'm. I'm on board. Like, I've said it before. I'll say it again. I spray the GLP out of planes. Like, just put it on everybody and, and give them a month of not, like, wanting that stuff and see if it does for them what it's done for me and a lot of other people, which is just like, really. I, I can't. I can't say it's rewired me because I, I have not been off of it. I wouldn't know what happened if I stopped taking it for a month. Like, if a month from now I would just be like, I'm gonna eat a bag of jelly beans now. Like, I don't know. You know what I mean? But I don't know. I. I just. I wonder if there's an actual, like, pathway that goes. Education, you know, more stability financially for food. Like that sounds nice. Like, it sounds academic. It doesn't sound real world to me. You know what I mean? Like, I don't know, but maybe you'll figure it out. Is it going to be you?

[B]

Yeah, it's very tricky. It's very tricky. I mean, there's a lot to work through and nutrition is always difficult because it's, it's so cultural and.

[A]

No, for sure.

[B]

And it's comfort and everything, but I think there, I think there really is room. And like, for example, produce prescription programs are a super great thing. Are you familiar with them at all?

[A]

I've heard those words, but if you explain it to me, I would appreciate it.

[B]

Yeah. So it's basically where people's doctors essentially can give them prescriptions to get a box of produce every week. And they're becoming more widespread. And when you talk to people who are in these programs, they really like it. Like, they, they love having access to more produce. And so I think that people like it. It just needs to be prioritized at a higher level. And then, you know, there will be more access to that type of thing and I'll be able to help people more. But, yeah, as long as they don't

[A]

put brown sugar on the sweet potatoes. That comes in the.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

I mean, honestly, brown sugar and marshmallows. Think about it. Sugar, sugar, and then a different sugar. Like, we'll just put it on the potatoes. So what's the point? Just eat the marshmallows, for God's sakes.

[B]

I have come across that dish at Thanksgiving. I don't know that I've ever had it, but I have seen it.

[A]

Yeah, I. Me. Listen, I'm not a philistine. I. I've eaten some crappy food in my life, but, like, that was just one that, like, I'm using it as an Example did not exist in my life. And then I went to someone else's house and, you know, the, the, you know, the takeaway was like, this is. This is Mecca right here. Like, we don't have Thanksgiving if this doesn't exist. I was like, yeah. Oh, okay.

[B]

Well, exactly. That. That's the cultural component, you know?

[A]

Yeah. You know those crappy. Sorry. For everybody listening. There's like the, like the, the, you know, the, the rolls that come in the roll and you crack them open and they expand.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Jenna's like, I know them. I don't eat them. But like. Yeah, yeah, but like. And then there's some that are like more like cinnamon buns, and they come with icing. Right. The way my wife grew up, it was not the morning of a holiday if they didn't exist. Like, that was a treat in her life. And so now once we're married and have kids, she's like, well, we, you know, it's Christmas morning. Like, we need to have these, like, poison bombs on Christmas morning. And then. And then. And they are tasty. Like, I'm not going to say otherwise. They're not a high quality, like, tasty, but, like, it's sugary and sweet and. Etc. And then art. Now Arden has diabetes, you know, and every morning on Christmas, I'm like, pre bolusing, like, while she's asleep and cooking the muffin thing so that when it comes out, I can actually, like, intersect the insulin with the. The hit from the stuff. And. And I became really good at it. But point being is, it would have been way cooler if we didn't do it, but we couldn't stop doing it because it was like telling my wife it wasn't. Christmas is really interesting. She's a bright lady. If you met my wife, and if you met my wife, talked to her for three hours and then I told you that story about her, you'd be flabbergasted. You'd be like, that intelligent woman thinks this about these muffins. But it's how she. It's beaten into her head from growing up, you know?

[B]

Yeah, yeah, no, I know. It's tricky. I actually feel kind of bad for my siblings because after I was diagnosed, Christmas completely changed for us. My. My mom was very adamant that we would do much less sugar.

[A]

You know, they probably looked at you like, that's the girl that killed it right there. She ruined it for everybody.

[B]

It was like, we made a lot of changes right away.

[A]

And, you know, so you were happy about them.

[B]

Everybody wasn't I don't know, like, I don't feel, I don't remember having a strong opinion about it at the time. Now of course I'm grateful for it, but at the time I don't remember having a super strong opinion about it. And I, I always used nutrition as a way to help myself through diabetes. So I think I just kind of saw what they were doing and thought, okay, I should, I should focus more on nutrition.

[A]

Has the diabetes been difficult for you over the years? And if so, in what ways?

[B]

I think, yeah, I think that of course there's some anxiety associated with it. I don't know that it's more anxiety than you would really expect. I mean, if you're asking someone to live with a chronic illness that requires a lot of monitoring, I think it's normal to have some anxiety with that. So I think for me, it's probably mostly been a stress thing. Like, I certainly carry more stress than I would otherwise, although I think it's hard to kind of parse it apart at the same time because I think it also gives me a lot more perspective, so. And then I'm less stressed about small things. And so I don't know.

[A]

I take your point overall.

[B]

Yeah, go ahead.

[A]

I, I take your point being that like I don't freak out about little stuff anymore. Like, I feel like I've, I feel like I've said before, I feel like I have the perspective of like a hundred year old person because of the diet, because of the diabetes. You're like, you're like, you know, something, something other people freak out about. I'm like, oh my God, I don't even have the time to be upset about that. So. Yeah, yeah, it does that for you. What I'm hearing you say is that like the, the focus is ramped up and this isn't maybe how you would be living your life if it wasn't for diabetes. Or do you think you would have, do you think this is who you are and you just would have pointed this at something else if it wasn't type one.

[B]

I don't think I would be as focused on like my goals to help people if it weren't for being diagnosed with type one. Like, it just. I felt like I was a little bit lost. I mean, granted I was like 13, but I don't remember having a super strong kind of focal point. I think it's giving me a stronger focal point in life in general.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And a lot more perspective.

[A]

And that's a positive. That's a positive for you, you don't feel like you were drugged down a path you wouldn't have chosen. You just. You feel happy that it kind of showed it to you and you were drawn towards it.

[B]

Yes. Yeah, I do. I, I'm really. I'm really happy with what I'm doing right now, so. Yeah. And of course, it's. It's challenging to live with in many ways, but, you know, there are also ways that it makes the rest of life less stressful. I don't know. It's. It's interesting. I, I, it's very. I always think Type one impacts every single part of life, so it's hard to parse apart what's type 1? What's life? What's me?

[A]

Because it's all the same. It's all the same thing.

[B]

It's all the same.

[A]

Yeah. Kind of gives with one hand. Takes from the other, too.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. Has it. You said you're not dating right now. Is that a type one thing? Is that a time thing, or is that a preference?

[B]

I think that's a time thing. I've just been, like, so focused on school for the past, I don't know, eight years or something.

[A]

Jenna. Eight years? When's the last time you were on a date, went out and had a good time?

[B]

I go on dates. I go on dates.

[A]

You do? Okay.

[B]

You do those.

[A]

You know, you do it the way the kids do it nowadays.

[B]

Yes. Oh, absolutely.

[A]

You just swipe, and then you show up somewhere and you're like, you don't seem like you're gonna murder me, and then you stay. That kind of thing. Is that about it?

[B]

That's about it.

[A]

Are you in, Are you in the D.C. area?

[B]

No, I'm in Atlanta.

[A]

Oh, you're in Atlanta. I was just there. I did a talk for Touch by Type one there. Yeah.

[B]

Oh, nice, nice.

[A]

My son lived there for a year.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And so you're at school there. Will you tell me what school you're at, or would you prefer not to say?

[B]

I'm at Emory. Emory University.

[A]

Oh, okay. Awesome. It's about to get hot there. You're gonna be all right.

[B]

I love the heat.

[A]

Oh, nice. Oh, you're a perfect place there.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Perfect.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You think you'll stay there even after school?

[B]

We will see. We will see. I'm not quite sure. I do really like it here, so I would. I would be very happy to say, but I'll have to. I have. I'll have to see what's going on at that point. I'll probably graduate In a year or two and then figure it out.

[A]

Let me ask you a very Atlanta specific question. Do you ignore the boys with the bottle of water or do you buy them or do you not drive in Atlanta?

[B]

I ignore.

[A]

I do, too. I look away. I feel bad.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I think it's because they're holding a single bottle and I'm like, I don't know. Doesn't seem like it's in a package.

[B]

That's fair. That's fair.

[A]

By the way, I've seen the most horrendous traffic I've ever seen in my life is in Atlanta. And I once saw someone in a four wheel drive vehicle get annoyed at the pace of traffic, and they wanted to go from the middle lane to the left lane, but they went too soon, too fast, cut it too late, and drove up and over the back end of a small car. Leaving that car just. I swear to you, it all happened right in front of me. Leaving that car disabled. They got in the left lane, zoomed away. About 200ft later, I realized there was an officer in the middle. I pulled over and I said, hey. I just. I pointed. I was like. I just watched that truck hit that car back there. They're disabled and you could get them, and I'd be happy to be a witness. And he looked at me and he goes, not my job. And I was like, okay.

[B]

I know the driving in Atlanta is crazy, and I kind of. I'm lucky in that I don't drive that much. Like everything. I live very close to work and everything. But Atlanta does have a reputation for its traffic.

[A]

I mean, it's been my experience, and I was there on and off a number of times for a year. Also, there's that little open air mall where the theater is. You know what I mean? Like that big AMC theater. And it's sort of like, am I.

[B]

What area is that? It.

[A]

It's right. I mean, it's right near where they made the Walking Dead. That's all I know.

[B]

I think I know. I think I know what you're talking about.

[A]

Anyway, I like it. I think it's nicer.

[B]

Although maybe not. I'm not sure. I like, I feel like I only know school and the hospitals here.

[A]

No kidding. How long have you been there? How long have you been there? Janet? I lose you. We lost her. She's there, but she's not there.

[B]

Oh, sorry.

[A]

There you are. You're back.

[B]

One second.

[A]

You're fine.

[B]

Can you hear me?

[A]

Yeah, I can.

[B]

Okay, sorry. I got a call and everything went A little messy.

[A]

Got messy. That's okay. How long have you been in Atlanta?

[B]

I moved here in 2023 to start my program. So it's been about three years now.

[A]

Okay. All right, well, I want you. I want you out in the world more, meeting people. But, um, if that happens eventually. Are you interested in having kids and do you ever think about them having type one?

[B]

If so, yeah, I do want kids and I guess it ha. Yeah, I. I've thought about it, but it doesn't deter me. Um, I don't know, like I. What can you do at a certain point? You know?

[A]

I mean, you just gotta live, right?

[B]

Yeah. If I do have kids with type 1, at least I know how to manage it.

[A]

Yeah, No, I hear that. Okay, so I have one last question for you then I'll make sure I've covered what you want to talk about and I'll let you go. So when you date people and you meet them for the first time, you're not sure if you're ever going to see them again. Do you even tell them about the diabetes?

[B]

It usually comes up in conversation just because it's so tied into what I do.

[A]

Okay. And you're at a meal sometimes when this is happening too, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. Now do coin flip. And I'm not trying to make it sound like you're going out with a ton of people, but like, for every 10 people that you have a first date with, how many of them do you think, oh, I'm not interested. After they hear that, does it shut some people off?

[B]

I don't know. But I, you know, that's one reason why I like to bring it up early.

[A]

Yeah. Just, you know, because.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, if someone has an issue with that, then I need to know asap.

[A]

So you don't waste time.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Gotcha.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then are there some people who over mother it? Do they. Do they get too interested too fast? You're like, hey, hey, hey, easy. It's kind of private.

[B]

I don't really mind it if someone has a lot of interest in it,

[A]

so you wouldn't notice it that way.

[B]

Yeah. But also, I don't think I've had that experience too much. Most people are pretty. Pretty respectful about it, so.

[A]

That's awesome.

[B]

Yeah, that's cool.

[A]

Well, I. I always help people. Like, I think when you find somebody who really gets it is interested, it's not off putting to them. Like that's a good indication you might be with a reasonable person, you know, so.

[B]

Right. Yeah. It's A good. It's a good screening tool.

[A]

Awesome. Oh, it's pretty cool. Is there anything that I didn't ask you that I should have or anything that didn't come up that you'd be disappointed later when you think back on this?

[B]

No, I think we just about covered it.

[A]

Did you have a good time?

[B]

Yeah, that was awesome.

[A]

Oh, cool. Well, I'm glad. Thank you. What made you reach out? Do you listen to podcasts?

[B]

I was on it when I was 18 and then. Yeah, and then we were. We did this, like, you know, ten year follow up.

[A]

Jenna, how did you not mention that the entire time we were talking? What episode were you on when you were 18?

[B]

Oh, my gosh. Which episode was it? Let me see. 35.

[A]

We were on episode 30. Jenna, are you serious?

[B]

It's not. Wait, is it the one before it was 34? 34.

[A]

Wait, I'm looking it up on my website right now. Which, by the way, has a new and improved search tool. Jenna is 18 and amazing. This is insane. I. All right, you got. You got to give me a couple more minutes. Now, hold on. Jenna is an 18 year old college student who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 13. To say that Jenna has it together is, well, the understatement of all understatements. Seriously, I hope my kids turn out half as well. Heck, I wish her parents raised me. That's what it says on the website. And now you're. Oh, my God. Like, I'm so sorry. Like, you know, in your note, you didn't mention that at all, right? You know, I don't. You listen. You know, I don't know what I'm doing. Like, you can't leave it. I'm not an adult. You can't leave it to me.

[B]

I'm sorry, Scott. I thought you knew.

[A]

No, I have to tell you something. I like better that it went this way. Yeah, I really do. Did you at any point while you were talking think, he does not remember me?

[B]

It's across my mind.

[A]

Well, you were right. Oh, my God. How are you? How you been?

[B]

You know, it's. It's been crazy. It's been 10 years, which is honestly bizarre. Like, I can't believe it's been 10 years.

[A]

Well, not only that, but it was. I mean, I have to look now to tell you when it, like, let me find out when episode 34 went up. I gotta go into a different system to find that out, but give me one second. Hold on. Oh, a lot of downloads today. All right, hold on. Sorry, that's not why we're here. Wait one second. Good day. Thanks, everybody, for listening. Episode 34. I've been making this so long, there's, like, 20 episodes that have the number 34 in it. You were on. Holy hell, Jenna, you were on this podcast in October of 2015.

[B]

Isn't that crazy?

[A]

I started making it in January of 2015.

[B]

Oh, really?

[A]

No kidding. How did you end up on the podcast back then? Do you have any recollection?

[B]

I think I reached out to you.

[A]

No kidding. A little go getter. Yeah, yeah, I see what's going on. Okay. And then. Oh, my God, like, you're making me feel, like, accomplished. I appreciate that. Thank you very much. Like, if it feels like I, like, did something, keep it going and tying it back together like this.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. No, you did.

[A]

Janet is 28 and still amazing is definitely a good. A good title for this one. What do you think you'll be doing when you're 38?

[B]

We'll have to see. I'll have to be back on, and. We'll have to see.

[A]

You don't have one guess. You don't know where you'll be in 10 years?

[B]

I don't want to make any guesses because I always see something I can't predict. But. Yeah, so I don't know. But I'm thinking right now to stay in academia, so we'll see. We'll see what happens.

[A]

You like teaching people or you just like the learning part?

[B]

I like all of it. I like the research, I like the learning. I like the teaching.

[A]

So, yeah, that's pretty awesome. Well, I'll be down. This is, like, such a genuinely nice little surprise at the end. You know, if I wouldn't have asked you that last question, I never would have put this together.

[B]

That's so funny.

[A]

Okay, well, I mean, we started strong with me impressing you with my knowledge of your life just by the tone of your voice, and we've ended it with, I would imagine, a fairly disappointing moment for my. For my organizational skills. Oh, my God, that's awesome. Well, it's nice to talk to you again. Seriously, this has really been really cool. I. I really do like that it happened this way. I know most people won't believe that, but I like that it happened this way because I would have gotten. I would have gotten too focused on the what's changed thing instead of just talking to you, so.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, I really like this. Okay, well, I'm gonna let you go. You probably have, I don't know, hospital Food to, like, vomit while you look at what's the most vile. What's the most vile thing? They make it up. They give in a hospital or something. What's the thing that, when you look at it, you go, I don't understand why they would hand this to a person, let alone a person in a hospital.

[B]

Well, I. I think the thing that always surprises me is the number of, like, white dinner rolls and desserts, like, cakes, like, chocolate cake or chocolate pudding for dessert. Yeah. Like, the dinner rolls with.

[A]

Yeah. You're not moving around. Your body's ill. You're in a pan. Would you like a piece of chocolate cake to sit in your gullet for a while? Awesome. Like, yeah. You know, I want to get out of the hospital. Thank you. What gets me out of here? Give me quinoa.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. I gotta go. I don't like quinoa. I don't know what the hell it is, but you feed it to me and get me the hell out of here.

[B]

Oh, my God. Yeah.

[A]

Oh, this is fascinating.

[B]

It needs a lot of help, so.

[A]

Well, I appreciate your time very much, and I. I can't thank you enough for doing this. I guess I'll. I'll see you in 2036.

[B]

There you go. All right, let's do it. Cool calendar.

[A]

Okay, put it on the count. Listen, if I can keep this thing going 10 more years, I would 100 do that, first of all. And secondly, that would be quite an accomplishment. Do you know, Apropos nothing, I. This podcast is one of probably fewer than 200 podcasts that has been going as long as it is and has as many episodes as it does. It's really incredibly uncommon. So maybe.

[B]

Congrats.

[A]

Yeah, maybe I will do it. Although I will be 64 at that

[B]

point, so I think you can do it.

[A]

I don't know, John. Did I seem like the same person? That is a good example. Like, do you rem. Are you experiencing me the way you remembered, or do you not have much memory of it?

[B]

I. I feel like you're the same person. Yeah.

[A]

Awesome.

[B]

I do. And I've listened to a lot of the episodes, so.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Thank you. Oh. That's how I make my listeners. I just have them on the podcast. It's basically like a Ponzi pyramid scheme. I'm just. I just. I make listeners by interviewing them.

[B]

I mean, it's a good way to do it.

[A]

Hey, what works, works, you know? All right, I will. Hold on one second. I need to talk to you when we're done. I'm gonna hit stop now. Thanks again.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

Heck of an episode today, wouldn't you say? Let's thank Dexcom and the Omnipod 5 for sponsoring. That's right, my friends. We were sponsored today by the Dexcom G7 dexcom.com juicebox head over there right now. Look into that 15 day Dexcom G7. 15 days, a long time. It's like half a month. Don't check my math, but I'm pretty sure I'm right. And let's also thank the Omnipod 5. My goodness gracious. Omnipod 5 tubeless. That beautiful algorithms updated now with that new 100 target. Get in there. Find out more about it. Omnipod.com juicebox you want some tubeless insulin pumping? Yeah, you do. By any chance have you tried the Small Sip series? Its curated takeaways from the Juice Box podcast? Voted on by listeners as the most helpful insights for managing their diabetes. These bite sized pieces of wisdom cover essential topics like insulin timing, carb management and balancing highs and lows, making it easier for you to incorporate real life strategies into your daily routine. Take a deep dive, take a sip and discover what our community finds most valuable on the journey to better diabetes management. For more information on small sips, go to juiceboxpodcast.com and then go. Oh, actually we changed the website. Let me say go to juiceboxpodcast.com and from there there's these two little lines on the right side top, that's the menu and click that. Then click series. Then there's protein. There's small sips right there. Pro tips at the top. Bold beginnings Bolus for ask. There's a lot of them there. There's actually a little search there too. Could you just type small sips into the search? Oh wow, that search works great. Look at that. And then you could go right to like all results for small sips. Oh, and that takes you to the FAQ. You should check out the FAQ page too. I think that's juicebox podcast.com forward/jbfaq. Seriously, that thing's amazing. Actually, the whole website is. I mean have you like seen it? You should, you should go check out the website. The website rocks. It is a potpourri. A never ending cornucopia of support for you and your diabetes journey. That's right, it really is. What else we got over here? Oh, I don't like the way that works. I'm going to fix that. Note to self change the change the masthead on the frequently asked questions page. Yeah, I don't like that. Fix that. Oh, Claude. Oh, hell, I forgot to say thank you. Thank you so much for listening. I'll be back again very, very soon. What is that noise? Stop it. Stop. Can you hear that? It's my chameleon squeaking. Are you squeaking? What are you rubbing the branch against? The. Don't tell people I have reptiles. They'll think I'm weird. Thanks so much for listening. I'll be back very soon with another episode of the Juice Box Podcast. Look at me get all deep in there with another episode of the Juice Box Podcast. You can hear it. What was that? Oh, I'm getting alarms and alerts on my phone. I was going to get real deep and tell you about the Juice Box Podcast.