Jason Gensler has the unique experience of being one of the longest users of one of the newest insulin pumps. He started in a pivotal trial of the Medtronic 670G two years ago and has been allowed to keep using it ever since. Jason shares his misgivings about going back to Medtronic; he had a bad experience with a previous pump and sensor. He also talks about why he feels this system is revolutionary and has given him a new way of looking at managing T1D.

This interview is the first we're sharing that was not conducted by Stacey. Jason is interviewed by Weston Nordren, Vice President of the Nightscout Foundation and Community Outreach for the Foundation. It was originally presented as a video (you can watch here)

Note: Jason Gensler does NOT work for Medtronic and is not compensated by them. He did not pay for the pump/sensor system as he received it as part of a clinical trial. 

This week, he’s traveled the world, despite type 1, and now Jeremy Larsen is back in the US, traveling to the US Parks and Monuments. Saying "You always find a way," he wants to inspire us to get out and have fun without fear as we travel with diabetes. Jeremy shares why he's back home in the US to travel the parks, after living and traveling abroad for many years. He also explains why he's made his trip a fund raiser for JDRF.

As of this episode air date, Jeremy will be about six weeks into his trip.  We caught up with him near the beginning. 

Stacey also talks about the new iPhone & Android apps available for Diabetes Connections. Now it's easier than ever to listen to the podcast and share it with friends and family touched by type 1 diabetes. 

Click here to get the iPhone App

Click here to get the Android App

This week, diabetes educator Heather Lage has a daughter with type 1 and a son who's tested positive through the screening service TrialNet. TrialNet offers a screening test that can detect markers for T1D called autoantibodies up to 10 years before diagnosis. What’s it like to know your child will get type 1 diabetes? What does her son think about it? Heather Lage shares her family’s story. 

TrialNet's ultimate goal is to learn enough about diabetes to prevent it. Many people who test positive are given the chance to enroll in clinical trials. 

Also this week, a look at the 8th annual Diabetes Blog Week. Stacey talks with Karen Graffeo who started this event and has been amazed at the growth. 

Plus, Stacey announces her partnership with Bike Beyond, a cross-country bike event from the people at Beyond Type 1. Stay tuned or more information and on the road reports from these incredible bikers, all of whom have T1D. 

This week, Ed Damiano talks about his Bionic Pancreas project. Using a pump called the iLet and a Dexcom CGM, the only information the Bionic Pancreas needs is the user's body weight. It adapts to you, no need to figure out insulin to carb ratios or correction factors. The iLet will eventually come to market using both insulin and glucagon, but the first version will be insulin-only.

Stacey & Ed talk about the long journey to get to this point, why he had to start a brand new kind of company (Beta Bionics) to help bring the iLet to market and just when he expects it to be available.

Stacey also shares some of what she learned at the recent HealthEVoices Conference and talks about the milestone of this episode: It's the 100th regularly scheduled show for Diabetes Connections!

This week, finding the humor in a life with diabetes. Stand-up comedian Chelcie Rice talks about the business of comedy and about using his own life with T1D, including eye surgery, in his act. Chelcie & Stacey also talk about his diagnosis as a young adult, how he uses the comedy circuit to raise money for diabetes causes and to educate about stereotypes.

Stacey also talks about Apple's "secret diabetes" plans and gives another tip of the week from a listener. How can you remember to take that extra vial of insulin from the hotel fridge? A very creative answer...

Roddy Riddle recently completed one of the most brutal & extreme races in the world. The 6633 Arctic Ultra is a 350 solo foot race through brutal cold, wind and isolation. Dozens enter and only a few finish ever year. Roddy is the first and only person with type 1 diabetes to enter the race so far, and the first T1D to finish it. He had to withdraw from the race in 2016. He shares why he was so motivated to finish and what he learned from last time around that helped him not only make it all the way, but come in second.

In our Community Connection this week, we check back in with the Elbow Bump Kid, Logan Merwin. He's raising money for several diabetes causes, including CWD Friends for Life Conference. His big news? He's got a sponsor! We'll talk about how a race truck team got involved.

Anthony Hightower has used Afrezza for the past two years. He credits it (along with a Toujeo, a newer basal insuin) with completely changing his T1D management. In addition to excellent numbers, Anthony shares what else Afrezza has to offer. He explains, he liked it so much, he went to work for Mannkind, the company that makes Afrezza. He and Stacey also talk about the challenges Anthony faced since his diagnosis as a teenager. He admits he spent 20 years trying to avoid thinking about diabetes and credits the online community & the Diabetes Unconference with saving his life.

Stacey also shares what those little "clips" are that come with some pump insets. Her family learned the hard way at the beach a while back! She shares how her husband McGyver'd a solution when they'd left the clips at home.

And, find out how to contribute to our 100th episode coming up soon!

Neil Greathouse has a fantastic Instagram account ("The Betes") where he posts videos of life with type 1 diabetes. It's an entertaining look at the ups and downs of T1D, but Neil wasn't always able to find humor in his situation. Diagnosed while in the very last stages of Air Force training, he had to put aside a life-long dream. Stacey & Neil talk about the path he wound up taking and how he's used his creativity to help people along the way. Neil has also produced a short film: Type1Day1. In collaboration with Beyond Type 1 and released on Word Diabetes Day in 2015, it highlights the strength of the diabetes community.

Stacey also talks about a new summer NHL program for kids in Canada with type 1 and discusses the JDRF Walks in her area, happening this week. 

Plus, a road trip to all the US National Parks to raise money and awareness around T1D.

This week's guest is on a mission. Ross Baker wants to run a marathon in every state in the US as well as DC and he is just two states away from meeting that incredible goal. He plans to conquer Alaska & Hawaii later this year. Diagnosed with type 1 at age 19, he was at first told not to run at all, that it would be dangerous for someone with diabetes! He didn’t listen and after running a few races, he felt called to try for something big. This is a story that involves determination, faith and some Bojangles sweet tea. 

Stacey also talks about "real people sick" and adjusting basal rates to deal with illness (and mistakes she's made in the past).

Plus, an update on Jack's insulin allergy.

This week, a new campaign to stop a dangerous problem: DKA before a diabetes diagnosis. Beyond Type 1 wants to educate about the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes in a new campaign involving pediatricians. Stacey talks to Tom Scher about the group's new multi-state campaign, how doctors are responding to it and what DKA actually is. 

Stacey also brings us up to date on how people with type 1 diabetes fared in the brutal Iditarod and 6633 Arctic Ultra races.

Plus, if you're a mom with type 1, Glu needs your help. Hear about a survey for women with T1D who've given birth.