Diabetes Squad

In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Dr Partha Kar for a refreshingly honest chat about Type 1 diabetes and the journey to motherhood, minus the fear, fluff, and scary Google searches.We talk about why now is actually one of the best times to think about pregnancy with Type 1 diabetes, how technology has changed the game, what really happens in pregnancy clinics, and why you’re never meant to do this alone. From pumps and closed loops to birth plans and a few “oh wow, that makes sense” moments.

This episode is for anyone with Type 1 diabetes thinking about having a baby, already on the journey, or just needing a calm, confidence-boosting reminder that motherhood is possible and you deserve the very best care while you get there.

* This episode was recorded earlier this year, from everyone at Diabetes Squad our deepest sympathies go to Dr Partha all his family.

In this episode, I’m joined by Virginia for a real, open chat about the postpartum period with Type 1 diabetes — the highs, the hard bits, and everything in between (including the moments where you’re running on snacks and very little sleep).

We talk about panic, hormones, wonky blood sugars, and the pressure to “do it all,” but also about laughter, learning as you go, and giving yourself a bit more grace. It’s an honest reminder that postpartum life with Type 1 diabetes is messy, human, and definitely not meant to be done alone.

This episode is for anyone navigating life after birth with Type 1 diabetes — especially if you need reassurance that you’re doing better than you think.

In this episode, we talk honestly about pregnancy, birth, and life after birth with Type 1 diabetes — and why informed, compassionate care matters.

I’m joined by Nina Willer, Specialist Diabetes Midwife at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, as we explore advocacy, birth choices, breastfeeding, and the emotional load many women carry but rarely say out loud.

This episode is for anyone with Type 1 diabetes navigating pregnancy, postpartum, or planning their next steps.

In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Dr. Chukwuma Uduku (Dr Chucks) — my consultant at Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital and one of the people who truly held my hand through pregnancy with Type 1 diabetes. We chat about all the things: showing up to appointments with a million questions, the magic of good tech, why blood sugars don’t define you, and how having the right doctor in your corner can make everything feel a little less overwhelming (and a lot more possible). 

This episode is for anyone with Type 1 diabetes thinking about motherhood, currently on the journey, or just needing a reassuring, no-judgement reminder that you don’t have to do this alone — and that doctors really aren’t as scary as we think. 

Motherhood changed me in ways I never expected. As a T1D mum, I’ve learned quickly that this journey comes with constant learning, advocating, and holding both fear and hope at the same time.

In this episode, I share an honest conversation about navigating motherhood alongside Type 1 diabetes — the emotional load, the strength you find along the way, and the deep love that carries you through. This one’s for the Type 1 mums, the parents figuring it out day by day, and anyone learning that motherhood isn’t just about raising a child, but becoming someone new.

 When Lisa’s son was diagnosed with Type 1 at age seven, she did what any parent would do: she searched for answers. But when she couldn’t find the book she needed — one that explained the history of insulin to kids and grown-ups, she decided to write it herself. That book became It 'Belongs to the World', a stunning picture book biography of Frederick Banting, co-creator of insulin, who sold the patent for $1. Lisa teamed up with Miss Diabetes to bring his story to life, turning a complex scientific breakthrough into something vibrant, human, and full of heart.  We talk about their collaboration, the emotional layers behind Banting’s legacy, and why the fight for insulin access still matters, maybe more now than ever before. This one’s for the teachers, the parents, the curious kids… and anyone who’s ever felt the weight (and wonder) of living with Type 1. @lisakatz17 @missdiabetes

Imagine being told you’re Type 1 - and finding out years later… you’re not. That’s exactly what happened to Uma. When I first met Uma on a DAFNE course all those years ago, I assumed - like me - she was living with Type 1. Turns out, things were more complex. Uma was diagnosed at 17, labelled T1, then re-labelled, misdiagnosed, and finally told she had early-onset Type 2. What followed was confusion, medication trial-and-error, stigma, and eventually… clarity. In this episode, we revisit that DAFNE room where it all started, and trace Uma’s journey through lifestyle changes, veganism, and a radical career shift. We talk about cultural food habits, fitness as healing, emotional eating, hypos that derail your day, and why sharing your load - especially as a South Asian woman - can be life-saving. This one’s about misdiagnosis, transformation, and learning to listen to your body - even when the world tells you not to trust it. 

@bodyandbeyonduk 

What if eating out didn’t have to mean guesswork, panic stations, or playing carb-count roulette? This week I’m joined by Chris Cheyette - the dietitian behind Carbs & Cals, aka the holy grail of visual carb counting. We talk about how a simple idea (snapping photos of real food) turned into books, an app, and a resource that’s helped thousands of us feel more in control, less restricted, and way less alone. Chris shares how it all began - DIY shoots in home kitchens,  and the lightbulb moment that changed everything. We dive into diabetes tech, food habits, cultural representation, fast food menus, subscription models, and the realities of building something that’s not just for Type 1s, but for anyone who wants to understand food better. This one’s about inclusion, confidence, and designing tools that meet us where we are... whether that’s a McDonald’s or a Michelin-starred restaurant. If you’ve ever panicked over pasta, this one’s for you.  

@carbsandcals

What if diabetes burnout could be softened by art - or better yet, a clever print that makes you look twice? I finally got to chat with Alex, a graphic designer and fellow Type 1, whose bold prints tackle diabetes with wit, colour, and soul. She was diagnosed in her thirties, right before a flight to New York. What followed? Denial, depression, and a creative rebellion against the isolation so many of us know too well. We get into propaganda, CGMs, mental health, and why diabetes feels more like a relationship than a condition (complete with shouting matches). Alex’s work doesn’t scream - it invites you in. And then flips everything you thought you knew. Her new project, Companion Cards, is something special: part game, part toolkit, all heart. If you’ve ever felt alone with Type 1 or needed help finding the words, these cards are pure gold. This one’s about burnout, design, and finding your people - even in the weirdest places. 

@diabetesbydesign

What if your insulin pump had a name, a voice… and a bit of attitude?In this episode, I chat with Amy — the brilliant mind behind Steven the Insulin Pump, a children’s book that somehow manages to make diabetes tech feel funny, emotional, and full of heart.Amy’s daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 at seven. What followed was fear, overwhelm — and eventually, a talking pump called Steven who beeps, nags, and does his best to keep her alive. We talk about how Steven became part of the family (even earning a seat at the dinner table), why tech isn’t just tech when it’s helping you survive, and how humour can carry you through even the hardest days.This one’s about parenting, resilience, and making peace with the relentless demands of Type 1. It's also about shouting "Did you cover that?" across the room — and meaning it with love.If you've ever sworn at your CGM, laughed through the chaos, or wanted to hug another T1D parent… this one’s for you. 

@_amychristie