Chris Ruden says he's the "only 7-fingered, diabetic speaker, adversity coach and elite Powerlifter you know!" Born with only two fingers on his left hand and a shorter left arm, Chris was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 19. Also a weight-loss and fitness coach, he can deadlift more than 600 lbs and is on track to be the world's strongest adaptive athlete. But within all that muscle is a story that starts with bullying and continues with overcoming others' expectations. Chris's sense of humor and refusal to accept limitations shine through a fun interview.

Stacey also talks about JDRF Walks in her area and looks back at her family's first walk 9 years ago. They may have broken a few rules at the amusement park they were supposed to be walking through...

This week, Meri Schuhmacher-Jackson shares her unique story. Three of her four sons have type 1 diabetes. Several years ago her first husband died after a short & intense battle with cancer. Incredibly, Meri found love again. She's remarried and she and her husband have nine children between them! Meri shares her story on her blog "Our Diabetic Life."

Plus.. a look at a high protein frozen treat called ProYo. This caught our eye after Stacey sampled it at a JDRF Walk and learned the company donates to diabetes causes. Founder Nathan Carey explains how he started the business.

And Diabetes Podcast Week may be over, but we hope you consider support Spare a Rose and our sponsor, Wildtree, all month long!

This week: OpenAPS, Looping, Happ - a bunch of weird sounding terms that are changing the way many manage diabetes. Tim Street has lived with type 1 for 28 years, he writes a blog called Diabettech. Tim talks about the DIY systems out there right now (he's tried almost all of them) and about all the new choices for people with diabetes available now an in the next few years. Lots of conversation in this show about the "art of the possible."

It's also Diabetes Podcast Week! This is the second year of Stacey's campaign to bring together podcasters and video bloggers to benefit Spare a Rose, Save a Child. Diabetes in developing countries can be a death sentence. This Valentine's day, considering donating the cost of just one rose. That can keep a child with type 1 alive for a month. A dozen roses? That cost can cover a year. Spare a Rose benefits Life for a Child, an International Diabetes Federation Program.

This week's guest, Julie De Vos has been skiing about since she could walk. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 11 she's now a coach with Riding on Insulin & program director for Connected in Motion. Julie was determined to keep skiing after her diagnosis and shares the challenges she faced as a young competitor. As an adult, a Google search led her to Connected in Motion, a Canadian diabetes athlete group and then Riding on Insulin, which encourages kids and adults with T1D to participate in action sports.

Julie talks about the importance of metal health in diabetes management, looks back on her years living with T1D and offers some advice for parents and caregivers of people with diabetes.

In this episode, Stacey also talks about the American Diabetes Association's new statement and petition in support of affordable insulin and previews Diabetes Podcast Week, which starts 2/6/2017.

Stacy Juba is a successful author & editor whose daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was six years old. Stacy shares how a book she put aside long ago helped her come to terms with her daughter's diagnosis and how finishing her current novel felt like a victory over T1D.

This episode also features the family behind Noah's March, a new effort to raise money for T1D research. 10-year-old Noah decided he wanted to walk across America to get attention and funding for diabetes; his parents share how it's been since the walk kicked off at the start of the year.

Wil Dubois has written a weekly diabetes advice column for DiabetesMine for more than ten years. Called "Ask D'Mine," Wil answers questions with straight-talk, a blunt attitude and understanding that comes from experience. Diagnosed type 1 as an adult (and first misdiagnosed) he's also a diabetes author and community educator.

Stacey & Will talk about the column, Wil's diagnosis and about working in an area of the country where diabetes educators and endos are few in number and access. Wil also shares which columns generated the strongest reactions from readers.

This episode also features information about Diabetes Podcast Week. Plus a way you or your business can help the Spare a Rose campaign get life-saving diabetes supplies to children in developing nations while also getting a mention on the show.

In 2011 Erin Spineto completed a five-day solo sail around the Florida Keys. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 19, she's since completed other adventures such as a relay swim around the Keys and a stand-up paddle along North Carolina's intra-coastal waterway. Her new book, Adventure On, offers advice to keep people with diabetes motivated to pursue their dreams and manage T1D day by day. Spineto is married with two children; she and Stacey talk about juggling family and work (and T1D) responsibilities, getting away from it all and whether Spineto's job as a middle school teacher is tougher than a solo sail!

Stacey also shares her family's recent adventures in the Galapagos Islands and how they managed her son's type 1 diabetes while snorkeling, hiking, eating new foods and spending a week at sea.

Victor Garber has starred on stage, screen and currently on television in the CW hit Legends of Tomorrow. Well known for Titanic, Alias & numerous roles on Broadway, Garber was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a teenager. He talks to Stacey about feeling "like a freak" at first, but still following his dream of performing and ultimately coming to terms with type 1. He answers listener questions about his routines (exercise, food, etc) and his newer experiences with an insulin pump and CGM. Plus, some fun behind the scenes show-biz stories!

Stacey also talks about the newly approved OneTouch Vibe Plus (Animas pump integrated with Dexcom's G5 Mobile CGM) and the FDA's separate okay of the Dexcom G5 for insulin dosing.

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.