Episodes
March 31, 2025
The Critical Importance of Recognizing Diabetic Ketoacidosis Symptoms #27
The discourse presented within this episode of DiabeticReal delves into the intricate and often perilous nature of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a profound concern for individuals grappling with diabetes. The host, Deborah, ar...
March 17, 2025
Anorexia and Diabetes: Insights from Karen Carpenter's Life #26
This podcast episode delves into the complex interplay between diabetes, specifically diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and the tragic circumstances surrounding the late singer Karen Carpenter. Deborah E reflects on the significant misunderstanding surrounding DKA, emphasizing that it is not exclusively…
March 10, 2025
The Perils of Blind Trust in Medical Professionals #25
The salient point of this discourse underscores the paramount importance of individual responsibility in managing one’s health, particularly when it comes to the consumption of medication. Deborah emphasizes that, despite the trust we may place in medical professionals, it is incumbent upon us to …
March 3, 2025
The Power of Positivity: Overcoming Hurtful Words #24
The principal focus of this podcast episode revolves around the imperative of maintaining emotional and mental well-being amidst external negativity. Deborah reflects on a recent experience during a TikTok Live session, where she encountered individuals who resorted to unkind and derogatory remarks…
Feb. 24, 2025
Inspiring Resilience: How to Keep On Keepin #23
This episode emphasizes the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity, encapsulated in the phrase "keeping on, keeping on." We explore the universal challenges that individuals, particularly those with chronic conditions, encounter in their daily lives, and acknowledge that moments of des…
Feb. 17, 2025
Cultural Shifts in Restaurant Responses to Diabetes #22
The salient point of this discourse revolves around the evolving awareness of type 1 diabetes within the restaurant industry, observed over several decades. Deborah’s extensive experience with type 1 diabetes has afforded her a unique perspective on the gradual shift in how dining establishments re…
Feb. 10, 2025
Why Doctors Must Pay Attention to Medication Effects on Diabetes #21
The crux of this podcast episode centers on the significant and often overlooked impact that certain medications can have on the blood sugar levels of individuals utilizing insulin pumps, particularly those with Type 1 diabetes. Deborah shares her personal experience and extensive research conducte…
Feb. 3, 2025
Ready To Describe Diabetes In Any Language #20
The principal focus of this podcast episode is the significance of effectively communicating the complexities of diabetes to individuals unfamiliar with the condition. Deborah recounts a recent experience at a nail salon where a new technician displayed a profound curiosity regarding her insulin pu…
Jan. 20, 2025
Discrimination Behind the Smiles: A Diabetic's Journey #19
This podcast episode delves into the nuanced experiences of discrimination faced by individuals with challenges and disabilities, particularly medical challenges and in this case, diabetes and epilepsy. The examples use often involved professional settings, but do not necessarily involve corporate…
Jan. 13, 2025
TV Gets it Wrong in Will Trent: In Real Life, Will Sends Faith to Hospital or Death #18
This podcast episode delves into the representation of diabetes in media, sparked by a scene from the TV show "Will Trent," where a character's portrayal of high blood sugar symptoms raises concerns about accuracy. Deborah discusses the misconceptions about diabetes showcased in the scene, highligh…
Dec. 30, 2024
Evolution of Diabetes Management: From Old School to Insulin Pumps #17
This podcast episode delves into the evolution of diabetes management, focusing on the transition from traditional calorie counting and insulin injections to the use of insulin pumps. Deborah shares personal experiences, highlighting the challenges of adhering to strict dietary routines and the imp…
Dec. 9, 2024
The Reality of Chronic Illness: Acceptance and Adaptation #16
Deborah shares a deeply personal narrative about managing chronic illness, particularly focusing on her experiences with diabetes and epilepsy. She reflects on the challenges of others accepting her conditions and the impact that has on her life and projects. A significant moment discussed is when …
Dec. 2, 2024
Pie, Ice Cream, and Insulin: My Thanksgiving Experience as a Type 1 Diabetic #15
Join Deborah as she reflects on the Thanksgiving holiday from the perspective of a Type 1 Diabetic. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on family and gratitude rather than getting caught up in the food-centric aspects of the celebration. With a light-hearted approach, Deborah shares her perso…
Nov. 25, 2024
Diabetes: My Constant Companion, Not My Identity #14
This episode of DiabeticReal features Deborah E reflecting on her unique relationship with diabetes, emphasizing that it does not define her. She candidly discusses the importance of transparency and authenticity in sharing her journey, acknowledging that her feelings towards diabetes may differ fr…
Nov. 18, 2024
Are Diabetics Forgetful? Setting the Record Straight #13
Memory issues are often mistakenly attributed solely to diabetes, but this episode challenges that notion by exploring how various factors can influence memory. Deborah E shares a personal story about a well-meaning friend who suggested that her memory problems were related to her diabetes, prompti…
Nov. 11, 2024
The Week My Insulin Pump Tried to Kill Me #12
This podcast episode delves into a harrowing experience Deborah had with her insulin pump, which she humorously describes as trying to "kill" her. After a software upgrade to her Medtronic Minimed 780G insulin pump, the default settings dangerously miscalibrated her blood sugar levels, leading her …
Nov. 4, 2024
The Bully and the Baseball Bat #11
In a thought-provoking discussion, Deborah confronts the difficult realities faced by diabetics when dealing with healthcare providers. Her recent experience with her endocrinologist, who she once viewed as an ally, took a disheartening turn when the doctor’s approach felt more like bullying than s…
Oct. 27, 2024
The Real Complications of Diabetes #10
In this episode, we explore a comprehensive list of what the general public considers to be diabetes-related complications straight from Google, including heart disease, kidney issues, vision loss, and more. But hold on, ther...
March 4, 2024
Please Don’t Break My Baby! #09
This DiabeticReal episode is all about Deborah E's decision of whether to choose herself and her little girl dream of being “normal” or the possible dream of her unborn child. She knows what she wants, but what about her son?...
Feb. 26, 2024
Arguing with a Nutter When Pregnant #08
Deborah E shares the challenges she faced during the first high-risk pregnancy as a type 1 diabetic. She recounts her interactions with her highly-skilled and highly-intelligent perinatologist who had some strange ideas about...
Feb. 19, 2024
Feeling Like Being Gutted in a Dark Alley #07
In this episode of DiabeticReal, we continue to follow Deborah E's journey through the challenges of medical care as a diabetic in a small town. But, this time, she travels back to the familiarity of the big city, St. Paul. I...
Feb. 12, 2024
Rural Healthcare Nightmare #06
In this episode of DiabeticReal, host Deborah E shares the story of one (of many) events involving hospitals, this one while living in a rural town. Deborah recounts the challenge of not only having to deal with the medical i...
Feb. 5, 2024
Attention-Seeking Drama Queen #05
In this episode of DiabeticReal, Deborah E delves into the topic of attention-seeking behavior and the misconceptions surrounding it. Drawing from her personal experiences with Type 1 Diabetes and the misunderstandings she fa...
Jan. 29, 2024
Cooking Insulin in the Microwave - For Real? #04
In this emotional and eye-opening episode of DiabeticReal, Deborah E shares a harrowing experience of being hospitalized due to a horrifying discovery. She delves into a chilling incident where her insulin was inadvertently c...