This week, a conversation with Dexcom’s Chief Technical officer Jorge Valdes. Stacey talks with him about challenges and advances in 2016 and they look ahead to what's in the works for next year. Valdes shares what the FDA is currently considering and may approve for 2017, updates us on customer service issues and reacts to Medtronic's hybrid loop system coming out in the spring. 

This is our last episode of 2016; there will be no new show released next week.  Please check out our archives or search for your favorite topics or guests from the home page. And make sure you sign up for our newsletter (click here). If you didn't win our Sugar Linings Swag contest, we've got a coupon code going out before the end of the year.

Happy Holidays and a safe and happy New Year!!

This week, live TV, every day, with type 1 diabetes. What’s it like to do a morning show, getting up in the middle of the night to deliver the news of the day when you also have to think about where your blood sugar is? Cristina Frank shares her story, how she got to WMTW in Maine, how The Baby Sitter’s Club Books helped a cousin figure out she had T1D when she was 11, and how much the news business has changed in just the last few years.

Plus, last chance to enter our Sugar Linings Swag contest (ends 12/14). 

Sign up for the newsletter to receive a 15% off coupon code for Sugar Linings Swag products good through Dec 31, 2016.

Stacey's son, Benny, was diagnosed with T1D the first weekend of December 2006. It was one month before he turned two. His big sister, Lea, had just turned 5. This week, Stacey, her husband, Slade, Lea, and Benny all share their stories about how their family's life was changed and about how they've all managed over the last ten years. 

This episode also kicks off a contest with Sierra Sandison's Sugar Linings Swag company! We're partnering to give away four shirts for the holidays. Please go to https://www.facebook.com/diabetesconnections/ for all the information and enter!

This is a longer show than usual so it might be helpful to have a guide when the segments begin. You can refer back or skip ahead:

00:07:49 Stacey & Slade

00:27:20 Lea

00:43:43 Stacey & Slade (continued)

01:15:20 Benny

This week, living and thriving for 75 years with type 1 diabetes. Diagnosed in 1941, Judy Ball has seen incredible changes in diabetes management. There was a time before home monitoring when doctors weren’t sure people with diabetes could be trusted to even check their own blood sugar. We talk about how World War II affected Judy's initial care, her doctor’s connection to Banting & Best.. the scientists who unlocked the key to insulin, and how her great-nephew who also has type 1.. helped her change her routine.

Plus, a follow up on last week’s guest, Broadway performer Maddy Trumble and a little bit about Stacey's son managing diabetes during his first middle school play. 

This week, following a dream all the way to Broadway. Maddy Trumble has gone green in Wicked, been the King of NY in Newsies and toured the country as Mary Poppins, all while dancing in high heels and dealing with type 1 diabetes. Maddy shares her story, her family's love of theater and her passion for performing. We also hear about how she handles low blood sugars on stage and her concerns about health insurance.

Plus, Thanksgiving can be a wonderful time for family visits and great food, but it can be just a bit stressful (with or without T1D). Some good advice from Diabetes Hands Foundation's Mike Lawson as he explains "How to Eat Dinner with a Diabetic."

This week, help for T1D college students. Going away to school is a big milestone for any student.. but when a person with diabetes heads off to school there are unique and challenging issues. The College Diabetes Network offers help and support. You'll hear from three students involved in CDN along with Mindy Bartleson who is the Programs Assistant and an alum.

Stacey also talks about upcoming activities and appearances for Diabetes Awareness Month. 

This week, Stacey recently went to the West Coast to check out the JDRF OneWalk in Los Angeles. She was able to speak to actors Derek Theler from ABC Family's Baby Daddy and Brec Bassinger, from Nick's Bella & the Bulldogs. The actors who balance TV and movie careers while living with type 1 diabetes helped kick off the walk at the Rose Bowl Stadium. Stacey also spoke with KTLA News Anchor, OneWalk MC & D-Dad Frank Buckley. 

This episode also features Walk a Mile Cards. During this Diabetes Awareness Month, you may find yourself trying to explain what T1D is, but this project hopes to explain what diabetes feels like. It's a unique set of cards to convey empathy through simple but effective exercises. Stacey speaks with Kerri Sparling, Bennet Dunlap and Justin Masterson, three of co-creators of the project.

This week, Real Life Diabetes is a podcast hosted by the people behind Diabetes Daily Grind. Amber Clour & Ryan Fightmaster are two adults with type 1 who found the “grind” is a lot easier with someone who understands. Amber & Ryan share what inspired them to start their podcast, what they’ve learned and why they did an episode from a hot tub.

Plus, a group of friends had so much fun at obstacle course races.. they decided to start their own. We meet the group Type One and hear about their event, The Renegade Run

And a big name in country makes a big donation to diabetes research. Stacey shares her experience at a recent JDRF Gala; she was in the room when Eric Church donated one million dollars!

This week, a big step forward for diabetes technology. The FDA recently approved the very first hybrid closed loop insulin system: the Medtronic MiniMed 670G. Medtronic's Chief Patient Officer Louis Dias and Social Media Manager Karrie Hawbaker talk to Stacey about what this product is, what it isn’t, access to it and what comes next.

Our Community Connection this week features a unique fundraiser, The Elbow Bump Challenge. Find out how 9-year-old Logan hopes to help out his favorite conference, Children with Diabetes, Friends For Life. 

And Stacey talks about the Joslin Medalist Study for people living with type 1 for more than 25 years. 

Important information this week about Glucagon, emergency treatment for severe low blood sugar. Stacey talks to Julie Settles, the US Medical Lead for Glucagon at Lilly. We find out more about how Glucagon works, when to use it (and when not to) and what the company is working on to make the delivery easier.

Community Connection this week is with James Wedding who convinced an academic summer program to change their Glucagon emergency use policy.

Plus, learn about the Big Blue Test from Diabetes Hands Foundation.

The Type Zero Technologies artificial pancreas project is one of the many racing to market. Their technology comes from years of research, still ongoing, at the University of Virginia. This summer, they announced a new partnership with Tandem. Molly McElwee Malloy, who has type 1 herself, is the head of patient engagement for Type Zero. She talks about the studies, the progress and the emotional and mental side of artificial pancreas projects.

Plus, necessity is the mother of invention and diabetes moms are nothing if not resourceful. In our Community Connection, the inventor of Diabetic Dabs talks about how she come up with this idea. Liz Sacco shares the story of how her son's diagnosis led her to find a why to clean up after finger sticks.

This week, Animas sent a letter to patients and talked to news media about a potential security issue. You can read more here.

Stacey speaks to endocrinologist Dr. Brian Levy, the chief medical officer with Animas. 

This week, a conversation with some of the top executives at Animas, checking in on their newest products in development, the latest research and their company plans. Stacey talks to John Wilson, the Worldwide Vice President, Insulin Delivery for Johnson & Johnson and Krishna Venugopalan, the Worldwide Director of Research & Development, Insulin Delivery. They talk about Animas’s version of a hybrid closed loop, further Dexcom integration, remote capabilities and much more.

Stacey also gives her take on all the talk around the "Artificial Pancreas" vs "Hybrid Closed Loop" language that came with the announcement that Medtronic received approval for a first of its kind device.

And we mention the Diabetes Dance Dare, a new social media challenge from the American Diabetes Association.

Scott Scolnick was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes more than 40 years ago. He shares his experience living with type 1 as a teen in the 1970s and the emotional moment when he walked his daughter down the aisle, knowing he'd worked so hard to stay healthy for that very special day.

Scott was one of the first people to try the Bionic Pancreas. He talks about what it was like to not worry about his blood glucose and how hard it was to go back to "normal" after the trial. Scott now works with Dario and explains its new meter, which connections to a smartphone.

When you deal with diabetes you deal with a lot of numbers and a lot of data. This week's guest is Dexcom's Senior Vice President of Data Annika Jimenez. She joined the company in 2015 with a Silicon Valley background and brings us up to date on Dexcom's Clarity software program, developments to come and Dexcom's relationship with Nightscout and OpenAPS developers.

In our Community Connection segment, Stacey talks to Sarah Harmon, founder of Poppy Medical ID. As a teenager, Sarah hated wearing a clunky medical bracelet, so she created a new line of ID jewelry. Poppy Medical ID is currently featured on Kickstarter.

Stacey also explains that her contest continues. Leave a review and you could win a gift card. Details here - contest ends September 27, 2016

Next month, women from all over the southeast will gather in Columbia, SC for a unique JDRF retreat. The Women of Type 1 is a new conference for all women touched by type 1 diabetes: adult T1D women, teens with type 1, moms or grandmothers of kids with type 1 and women who are spouses and partners of people with type 1 diabetes. Stacey talks to Anne Sutton, who created the conference in early 2016 for the JDRF Greater Carolinas Chapter and Elizabeth McCrary who is organizing it for the JDRF Palmetto Chapter in October.

Stacey will appear at the conference along with keynote speakers Moira McCarthy and Sierra Sandison. You'll hear from both of these powerhouse women in this episode as well. Stacey shares a bit about her presentation for moms and daughters called "She Just Doesn't Get It" and reminds you to enter our latest contest (click here for details).

This week we feature an outstanding family that lives life with never a dull moment. Meet Greg and Kristina Dooley, parents of triplets, Max, Mia & Isabella. Isa, as they call her, was diagnosed with type 1 just when she was two years old. At the time, the family was living abroad. We talk about Isa’s diagnosis, living with type 1 and raising triplets and how as a family they’ve reached out to, and been embraced by, the diabetes community. All three children started Kindergarten this year.

This episode also marks a milestone, as the podcast passes 50,000 downloads! To celebrate we're giving away two gift cards, but we also want to hear from you! Please leave a review on iTunes or on the Diabetes Connections home page by 9/27/2016. Two winners will be selected by random. Full information at www.diabetes-connections.com and click on "Helpful Links" for this episode.

Thanks for listening and for helping us share stories like that of the Dooley family to more and more people!

It's one of the challenges of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors: how to keep them on in water, hot weather and sweaty situations. This week, advice from the experts and from listeners about what works. Stacey talks to Certified Diabetes Educator Lisa Foster-McNulty, the director of patient care and education for Integrated Diabetes Services. We also hear from listeners who explain what works for them in the pool, during hot yoga(!) and through sweaty sports.

Stacey also gives an update on the start of middle school for her son and how their new communication system is working. 

Two very different guests this week, each of whom is educating about type 1 diabetes in their own way. When an FDA panel considered allowing a labeling change for the Dexcom CGM, 15-year-old Caroline Dorn testified about her experience. Dorn joined advocates and health professionals telling the panel why it should allow insulin dosing off the Dexcom G5 without a confirming fingerstick. Stacey talks to Caroline and her mother about why they traveled to Washington DC to do this and gets their reaction to the FDA panel approving the change (it now goes to the full FDA).

Brandon Denson was diagnosed with type 1 as a high school senior and went on to play college and professional football. He also had an appearance on American Ninja Warrior, with his insulin pump site and CGM sensor in full view. Stacey talks to Brandon about how he continues to inspire and his work with children both with and without type 1.

Plus, a close call for Stacey. What happens when the mail-order insulin box is mistaken for a frozen delivery? After almost ten years of dealing with type 1, Stacey explains you can still be sure to expect the unexpected!

When the Miss America Competition gets underway on September 11, our eyes will be on Miss New Hampshire Caroline Carter. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 10, her first passions were basketball and theater. Pageants came along later and she found great success, becoming Miss America Outstanding Teen New Hampshire in 2014 and then Miss New Hampshire 2016 in May. 

Caroline talks to Stacey about wearing her diabetes tech (pump and cgm) during pageants and how she prepares for the long hours and constant travel. She talks about her friendships with Miss America 1999 Nicole Johnson and Miss Idaho 2015 Sierra Sandison, both of whom have T1D. 

You can vote for Caroline as the People's Choice for the Miss America Competition in the link below. The winner of this voting moves onto the pageant finals.

Stacey also shares her advice for parents with children going back to school right now, including a letter/email she sent home to parents when her son was in elementary school.

After years of rejecting his family's love of running, Casey Boren "got talked into" a mini-triathlon and found his passion. He trained for and successfully finished an IRONMAN triathlon at the age of 35 but was almost immediately after diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He talks to Stacey about learning to train with T1D and how he not only finished more IRONMAN races, but competed at the World Championship in Hawaii. Casey and other elite athletes with type 1 started the Diabetes Sports Project last year. It's a way to inspire and share stories in order to help others live active healthy lives with diabetes.

You can vote for Casey this week in the Runner's World Cover Search contest. He is one of 100 semifinalists and needs your vote by 8/21/16. (Vote here)

Stacey also talks to 16-year-old Canadian soccer phenom Michael Thornton. He and his family moved to Spain in 2013 to allow Michael to compete among the best in the world. He talks about learning the language and managing diabetes in a completely new environment. Diagnosed at age six, Michael and his family are back in Canada. Stacey caught up to him at this summer's Friends for Life conference in Florida.

Bigfoot Biomedical came on the scene in 2014 determined to change the way companies look at diabetes technology. They've moved forward quickly and are now starting their first clinical trial for their "Smartloop" automated insulin delivery system. Stacey talks to Bigfoot Chief Engineer Lane Desborough about what this system is, what the trial is testing, and how you can find out if you're eligible to enroll.

Desborough is also the co-creator of Nightscout, the free, open source CGM remote monitoring system and is credited with coining the term "We are not waiting." Like all four founders of Bigfoot, Desborough has a child with type 1 diabetes.

This week, the American Association of Diabetes Educators holds its annual conference. Do you have a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)? We'll talk about the help they provide and how to get the most out of your relationship. AADE President Hope Warshaw shares her message to people with diabetes and to educators. 

Hope is also the author of many books including Eat out Eat Well, the Guide to Healthy Eating in Any Restaurant and Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easy. She is a registered dietitian, a certified diabetes educator and a sought-after consultant.

This year’s AADE conference will see something new, a live Twitter chat hosted by DSMA. Diabetes Social Media Advocacy is a powerhouse when it comes to connected people within the diabetes online community. Stacey talks about DSMA and more with advocate and blogger Scott Johnson. 

Many parents of young children with type 1 diabetes have found childcare very difficult to navigate. But rarely are children with type 1 excluded, in writing, from daycare, camp and before and after school programs. That’s the case right now, though, in the US Military. An Army policy dictates that T1D kids can’t be cared for in those programs. Recently, the American Diabetes Association joined a lawsuit to try and change that. Stacey talks to Sarah Fech-Baughman, the director of litigation for the American Diabetes Association. Find out more about this case, what you can do if you have trouble finding childcare and Sarah’s unique connection to type 1.

Imagine a social media network where what we say about our lives with diabetes actually drives research. It’s out there, and it’s called Glu. Outreach manager Anna Floreen explains what Glu, and the T1D Exchange are, and how they help researchers focus on what really matters to people living with diabetes and their loved ones. Anna was diagnosed with type 1 at the age of 6. She found great support at camp and recently took part in one of the Bionic Pancreas trials. She tells Stacey how surprised she was at how much of the mental burden of diabetes was lifted, and how difficult it was at the end of the trial to give that up.