Podcast Summary: Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster (Ep. 298: James Norton)

Release Date: June 9, 2025

Hosts: Ed Gamble and James Acaster
Guest: James Norton
Sponsor: Dexcom

1. Introduction and Guest Welcome

[00:13] Ed Gamble:
Ed opens the episode with his signature blend of humor, likening the podcast to a Caprese salad, infused with elements of conversation, friendship, and internet culture.

[00:37] James Acaster:
James introduces the concept of their "dream restaurant," where each guest selects their favorite starter, main course, side dish, dessert, and drink.

[00:47] James Acaster:
Announces James Norton as the special guest, praising him as "an unbelievable actor," and highlights his recent role in the "Happy Valley" stage production of A Little Life.

2. James Norton's Perfectionism in Dining

[03:32] James Norton:
James shares his perfectionist tendencies, especially regarding food and restaurants. He describes his meticulous process of selecting the perfect table and his anxiety about ordering his dream meal correctly.

"I'm terrified that I'm gonna get it wrong. As if this is my one opportunity to." [03:32]

[05:01] James Norton:
Expounds on his drive for perfection in dining, admitting he often changes his orders to achieve the ideal meal.

"There is a version of this experience which is better and... I'm like, terrified that I'm gonna get it wrong." [05:03]

3. Managing Type 1 Diabetes with Dexcom

[02:30] Ed Gamble:
Ed introduces Dexcom, emphasizing its importance in monitoring blood glucose levels for both him and James Norton, who are Type 1 diabetics.

[04:31] James Acaster:
Clarifies that he is not diabetic but is an ally supporting the conversation.

"I am James A. You're not a diabetic." [04:31]

[38:02 - 43:44] Discussion on Dexcom and Diabetes:

• [38:08] Ed Gamble:
  Ed explains Dexcom's Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system, likening it to being a "cyborg," which continuously tracks glucose levels via a skin sensor.

  "[...] it's a small skin sensor that measures our glucose every few minutes via a tiny wire beneath the skin, sending readings to our phone through Bluetooth." [38:08]

• [38:24] James Norton:
  Highlights how Dexcom has revolutionized diabetes management, reducing anxiety and improving sleep quality by providing real-time glucose data.

  "Dexcom has genuinely made me more chic." [43:26]

• [39:33] Ed Gamble:
  Reflects on how Dexcom has helped him understand the impact of diet and exercise on his glucose levels, leading to better diabetes management.

  "Turns out if I eat more nutritionally and more balanced and do loads of exercise, then it's much, much easier to manage my diabetes." [39:33]

• [40:08] James Norton:
  Shares his experience using Dexcom during a demanding four-hour play, demonstrating how the device aids him in maintaining stable glucose levels in high-pressure situations.

  "Awareness and knowledge about your glucose levels is power." [40:08]

• [43:46] James Acaster:
  Discusses common misconceptions about diabetes, such as the belief that diabetics can't enjoy sweet foods or that managing diabetes severely limits one's lifestyle.

  "People thinking that you guys can't eat sugar or sweet things at all is number one." [43:46]

4. Crafting the Dream Restaurant Menu

Starter: Steamed Asparagus with Parmesan and Olive Oil

[30:57] James Norton:
Describes his ideal starter:

"Best asparagus in season asparagus in the world. Cooked like steamed with the best parmesan in the world with olive oil." [30:57]

James Acaster's Choice:
Ed and James exchange jokes about emphasizing "the best in the world" for ingredients, showcasing James Norton's pursuit of perfection.

Main Course: Grilled Halibut Steak and Prawns on the Beach

[46:48] James Norton:
Details his main course preference, envisioning a serene beach setting in Jamaica with perfectly grilled fish:

"Some halibut steak, some prawns, maybe some scallops... sitting on the beach with friends." [46:48]

Side Dish: Fresh Salad with Seeds and Perfect Fries

[57:37] James Norton:
Outlines his ideal side dish:

"A salad with lettuce, avocado, seeds, pine nuts, and well-dressed, accompanied by fries with ketchup, mayonnaise, and vinegar." [57:37]

Dessert: Chocolate Mousse with Vanilla Gelato and Raspberry Coulis

[76:18] James Norton:
Envisions his perfect dessert:

"A chocolate mousse with at least 80% cocoa, a bit of chili, cacao nibs for crunch, vanilla gelato, and raspberry coulis." [76:18]

Drink: Casa Belfi Bianco Frizante

[77:08] James Norton:
Chooses a natural white wine with a slight frizzante to complement his meal.

"Casa Belfi Bianco Frizante, crisp and perfect with the fish." [77:08]

5. Culinary Preferences and Anecdotes

[07:36] James Norton:
Shares his passion for cooking, particularly tagine, and his insistence on specific ingredients like argan oil, highlighting his attention to detail.

"If I'm making a tagine and there's an argan oil, I'll make absolutely no difference to the dish." [07:36]

[08:01] Ed Gamble:
Recounts a personal cooking mishap involving evaporated milk instead of condensed milk, illustrating the challenges of following precise recipes.

"I thought they must be the same man. I put in condensed milk and it came up with evaporated milk." [08:01]

[17:18] James Norton:
Discusses his love for bread and the administrative aspect of managing his diabetes when indulging in carbohydrates.

"Bread is big for me. And as a diabetic, that's problematic because it's just not great to eat a huge loaf." [17:18]

[49:19] James Norton & Ed Gamble:
Exchange tips on handling leftovers, with James emphasizing the importance of efficient meal planning to avoid waste.

"I'll make a massive soup at the beginning of the week or a massive salad. And it will accompany all meals for the rest of the week." [49:19]

6. Addressing Misconceptions and Stigmas

[43:44] James.Acaster:
Expresses frustration over common misunderstandings about diabetes, such as the inability to enjoy desserts or the confusion between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

"People just kind of lump everyone together and don't appreciate that everyone's got their own journey." [43:44]

[44:40] James Norton:
Clarifies the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, emphasizing that both can benefit from Dexcom CGMs.

"Type one is autoimmune and we don't produce any insulin. Type two is a more sliding scale." [44:40]

[45:25] James Norton:
Debunks myths about diabetes limiting one's lifestyle, highlighting the practicality and non-intrusiveness of modern diabetes management tools like Dexcom.

"It's weird. You put it on every 10 days and it stays on there and you don't really think about it at all." [45:25]

7. Personal Experiences and Humor

[56:00] James Norton:
Shares a humorous anecdote about managing diabetes during the GQ "Man of the Year" awards, illustrating the challenges of maintaining glucose levels in high-pressure, public settings.

"I was fuming at that point... I had to go and speak to someone. So I went and sat down." [56:00]

[65:22] James Norton & Ed Gamble:
Engage in playful banter about their mutual experiences with natural wine, emphasizing the unpredictable nature and personal preferences involved.

"We have to chat about some stuff, James. You can't just say, best wine in the world, and we go, right, yeah, move on." [65:22]

[82:21] Ed Gamble:
Wraps up the episode with light-hearted remarks, reinforcing the collaborative and humorous nature of the podcast.

"What we're doing here is good. It's good for us to have a guest who cares about their menu." [82:21]

8. Conclusion and Sponsor Message

[37:21] Ed Gamble:
Highlights Dexcom's role in supporting diabetics, emphasizing its accessibility through the NHS and online purchases.

"Dexcom sensors are available on the NHS for some people living with diabetes and also are available to buy online." [37:21]

[83:27] Ed Gamble:
Concludes the episode by recommending listeners to watch James Norton's work and reminding them of the Dexcom sponsorship.

"James Norton has a wonderful body of work which must all go and watch immediately." [83:27]

[84:07] James Acaster & Ed Gamble:
Promote their other podcast, "Single Ladies in your Area," inviting listeners to tune in for more engaging content.

"If you like the sound of Dexcom, you can take a look online@dexcom.com." [84:07]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "I'm terrified that I'm gonna get it wrong. As if this is my one opportunity to." — James Norton [03:32]

• "Dexcom has made my diabetes management so much easier. It's a game changer." — Ed Gamble [38:22]

• "People thinking that you guys can't eat sugar or sweet things at all is number one." — James Acaster [43:46]

• "Best asparagus in season asparagus in the world... with the best parmesan in the world." — James Norton [30:57]

• "Continuous glucose monitoring is power. It gives you freedom from diabetes." — James Norton [40:08]

Key Takeaways

1. Perfectionism in Dining: James Norton’s meticulous approach to food selection underscores the challenges of striving for perfection, especially when managing health conditions like diabetes.

2. Diabetes Management with Dexcom: The Dexcom CGM system plays a pivotal role in enabling James and Ed to maintain stable glucose levels, enhancing their quality of life and allowing them to enjoy meals without constant worry.

3. Dream Menu Insights: The detailed discussion of James Norton’s ideal meal provides a glimpse into his culinary preferences and the balance he seeks between indulgence and health management.

4. Challenging Misconceptions: Both hosts and the guest address common myths about diabetes, advocating for better understanding and acceptance of individual experiences and management strategies.

5. Humor and Relatability: The episode seamlessly blends humor with serious discussions about health, making the conversation engaging and relatable for listeners who may share similar experiences.

End of Summary