The Diacast: A Podcast About Diabetes

Hello Diacast fans! As I’m sure you’ve noticed, Amy and Liz have been missing for a few months and there have been no new episodes. Our lives have become quite complicated over the summer, and we have not been able to put the time, energy, and heart into creating content for y’all. Unfortunately it looks like this is going to be our new normal, at least for a little while, so we have made the diff...

This episode is basically a family therapy session about growing up with diabetes (all parties consented to the recording). Clinical psychologist Dr. Mike Fulop returns to lead a discussion with Amy and her parents about overcoming some of the challenges of raising a child with diabetes and what they did to pull it off. Hear about some of the challenges with (lack) of local support networks and di...

With insulin and other diabetes med shortages on the rise, Liz, Amy, and Evan dive in to some of stated (and hypothetical) reasons for the shortages. While official explanations for insulin shortages are sparse, changes in the supply chain and manufacturing demands (and probably some good old fashioned corporate greed) are all at play. There’s no clear answer, but there are steps we can take to pl...

Liz and Amy dive into the basics and talk about treating hypos and their favorite low snacks. Not all treatments are created equal. And remember, the best low snack is the one you have on you - so stash them and carry them! Instagram @diacastpodcast ( https://www.instagram.com/diacastpodcast/ ) Facebook Diacast ( https://www.facebook.com/diacastpodcast ) Email us at contact@diacast.com Please feel...

Diabetes management is all about finding what works for you - and then implementing it. This month we dig into self-management and self-advocacy. Join Liz, Amy, and Kelly to discuss choosing the management methods that work best for you, benefits of MDI vs insulin pumps, use of medications for T2 management, and tips for getting what you want from your care team. Instagram @diacastpodcast ( https:...

Season 3 kicks off with a back-to-the-basics look at carbs. This being the Diacast, the basics include a discussion of different types of carbs, how they absorb, and why they’re important. Also a discussion on the link between low carb diets and increased insulin resistance.  Instagram @diacastpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/diacastpodcast/) Facebook Diacast (https://www.facebook.com/diacastpod...

Ever wondered how accurate your CGM and meter really are? Join Amy, Liz, DJ, and Paul as they discuss how accuracy is determined for blood glucose measurements, how CGM placement impacts readings, and how to restart different sensors. Plus what meters are the most accurate and other nifty tips. Instagram @diacastpodcast ( https://www.instagram.com/diacastpodcast/ ) Facebook Diacast ( https://www.f...

Use of diabetes medications in non-approved (aka off-label) ways is increasingly common. This month, Amy and Liz dig into common off-label usage of Type 2 medications in insulin-deficient diabetes. Meds like GLP-1s, SLGT2’s, and metformin have an established history as a treatment for improving insulin sensitivity in T1’s. Ever wonder how that works and what the potential down sides are? While the...

Liz and Amy are joined by friends-of-the-Diacast DJ and Evan to discuss the day-to-day decisions that go into living with diabetes. From the small habits and snack-stashing to timing of meds and decision fatigue, they talk about some of the multitude of things that they do every day. Just because diabetes is an invisible disability doesn’t mean it doesn’t significantly impact every aspect of our l...

It’s officially summer and that means time for Liz and Amy to sit down and talk about diabetes management during those fun summer parties, BBQ’s, and events. While they’re at it, they discuss how dehydration can increase your blood glucose levels (but maybe not the way you think it does) and how diabetes impacts our body’s ability to handle thermal stresses. Grab your sunscreen and drink with an u...

So many types of diabetes, so little time and so much confusion. This episode is those who have been confused by insulin resistance vs. insulin deficiency, what Type 3 diabetes actually is, and why Amy gets cranky when people claim you can have “double diabetes” (spoiler: it’s not a real thing). Join Amy and Liz as they provide a high-level rundown on the different types of diabetes, their causes,...

While Liz was away, Amy sat down with Dr. Irl Hirsch, an endocrinologist, researcher, and outspoken diabetes advocate (as well as an absolute legend). Join us for a discussion about the merits of A1C, access vs. cures, and the power of misinformation and well-placed ranting. Instagram @diacastpodcast ( https://www.instagram.com/diacastpodcast/ ) Facebook Diacast ( https://www.facebook.com/diacastp...

Diabetes in a hospital setting is an experience unto itself. Ever wonder why your blood glucose levels spike when you visit the doctor? Turns out there’s a name for that phenomenon. What about glycemic control leading up to and after a procedure? Did you know that CGM’s have limitations when under anesthesia, and insulin resistance does things that actually have a physiological reason. Join Amy an...

Diabetes management has come a long way from being a wasting sickness/death sentence and tasting urine to measure blood glucose. This month, Liz, Amy, and Evan (an actual teacher) take a walk down history lane to talk about how diabetes management has evolved over the years. From the advent of home glucose monitoring, metformin, and insulin to CGMs and automated insulin delivery systems, things ha...

It finally happened - Amy and DJ sat down to talk (in detail) about diabetes-related complications and comorbidities. For starters, what’s the difference between them (hint: they are not the same), how can you reduce your chances of getting them (you can’t always), and how do you manage/treat them. The good news is management and treatment options have improved dramatically over the past 30 years....

Boundaries around diabetes are tricky but necessary. Be it family, friends, medical providers, or complete strangers, establishing healthy, sustainable boundaries is hard. Liz and Amy are joined by clinical psychologist Dr Mike Fulop to talk about what makes self-efficacy so challenging and the components of healthy communication (nothing productive happens in the heat of the moment, avoid using a...

Traveling with medical supplies, regardless of if they're for diabetes or not, can be a daunting prospect. We often find ourselves asking what extra steps we need to take to make sure our insulin doesn’t lose potency during road trips or long plane rides, how do you take supplies through airport security, and what the heck do you do if you run out of something? Amy and Liz talk about general...

One day, in a fit of time-zones and sleep deprivation, Liz, Amy, and Cas sat down to talk about automated insulin delivery (AID), also known as looping. They talk about the commercially available systems and then dig in to the DIY looping systems and algorithms. It’s a throw-back to the original Diacast in celebration of the reboot’s 1 year anniversary. https://beyondtype1.org/the-guide-to-diy-loo...

Liz and Amy sit down with diabetes advocate, 2-time World Record Holder, and 10-time Olympic medalist Gary Hall Jr to talk about his experiences swimming at an elite level with a new T1 diabetes diagnosis, the mental stresses of diabetes, training, and competition, and his advocacy efforts since retirement. The moral of this episode? Meet your heroes because they can be incredibly inspirational in...

An unexpected hiatus due to (drumroll please) covid. But don't worry, we have some exciting content in the works! We'll see you in August with a super awesome episode with a very special guest (spoiler: Amy is way too excited for her own good).

Liz and Amy talk with Dr. Charles Steiner about how he diagnosed and managed diabetes in patients, what lab tests he used (and why), and what kind of management methods he recommended. Learn about glucose toxicity (which can occur in all types of diabetics) and what is considered a red flag by a medical provider. Finally, we talk about what he wishes he’d known when he was first exposed to diabete...

Liz and Amy dive into the Americans with Disabilities Act (and other international laws as they pertain to diabetes) and discuss what is and isn’t protected during the hiring and employment onboarding process. Disclosing diabetes is only necessary if you require (or desire) reasonable accommodations, and you have a lot more legal protection than you may think when it comes to what you are and aren...

No, not the drugs we take to manage our diabetes. The rest of the drugs. You know, NSAIDs, pain meds, opioids, steroids, antidepressants, ADHD meds... and the less-than-legal ones, too. Liz, Amy, DJ, Sanne, and Greg dive into how different medications and drugs affect diabetes and share some personal anecdotes so others can learn from their experiences. Taking drugs of any variety is extra tricky...

Liz and Amy are joined by diabetic and pediatric nurse Paige to talk about their experiences interacting with other people when it comes to talking about diabetes. Dispelling misinformation, combined with the (perceived) need to educate others about diabetes can be exhausting and frustrating. The gang shares how they deal with other people’s misguided “helpfulness” and discuss the misinformation r...

Liz and Amy are joined by Sanne and DJ to talk about how contraceptives and hormones impact diabetes, junk-related complications, and how exactly to have sex with an insulin pump. You’ll get to hear about the direct impact of contraceptives on diabetes (there really aren’t any), get the scoop on metformin and sperm, tales of ED from poor management, plus maybe the worst diabetes sex story of all t...