In today’s episode, we’re excited to chat with Kelsey Bascom, a writer, actress, and passionate T1D advocate who spoke at our Rising Above T1D event in New York City last November. Kelsey is the creator and star of Quarter, an independent coming-of-age film about a 25-year-old woman navigating life with diabetes.

Kelsey opens up about her journey, including speaking up about living with diabetes, her diagnosis story, and her transition to diabetes technology. She shares advice for those considering tech options and explains why she chose Omnipod. We dive into the creative process behind Quarter, discuss the importance of representation in media, and how authentic storytelling can inspire change. This episode is full of valuable insights and inspiration—don’t miss it!

Time Stamps:  

03:29 Speaking Up About Having Diabetes 

06:43 The Impact of Diabetes on Life Choices and the Beginning Years of Diagnosis

12:17 Her Transition to Diabetes Technology

20:17 Advice for Those Considering Diabetes Tech

26:04 Creating 'Quarter': A Unique Film Experience

31:17 The Importance of Representation in Media

What to do now:

1. Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop.
2. Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve. 

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on the Reclaim your Rise podcast should be a substitute for personalized professional medical advice. Please always consult your physician or other medical professional before making any changes to your diet, insulin dosages, or healthcare plan. 

Risely coach and registered dietitian Elisabeth DiDonato is back again to open up a BIG can of worms: metabolic supplements. Should we take them? Do they really help with T1D? What do we look for? In this conversation, we specifically look at the supplements currently on the market for blood sugar control. Elisabeth breaks down the typical ingredients in popular brands, the difference between liquid or capsule form, the truth about apple cider vinegar, and we even tackle the controversial debate about cinnamon! 

Time Stamps:  

01:59 Elizabeth’s background

03:34 The Purpose of Supplements and Do They Really Help?

08:13 “Supplement Trends Are Like Fashion”

09:17 What is Metabolic Health?

09:58 Who are the Supplement Brands Mostly Targeting?

11:41 The Ingredients in Blood Sugar Supplements

16:00 Apple Cider Vinegar

16:54 Liquid or Capsule?

19:00 Cinnamon

21:60 Supplements for Type 1 vs Type 2 Diabetes

25:19 Third-Party Testing and What to Look for in Supplements

29:44 Lauren and Elizabeth’s PSAs

What to do now:

1. Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop.
2. Check out the Men’s Health study referenced in today’s episode: The Effect of Cinnamon Supplementation on Hemoglobin A1c in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
3. Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve. 

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on the Reclaim your Rise podcast should be a substitute for personalized professional medical advice. Please always consult your physician or other medical professional before making any changes to your diet, insulin dosages, or healthcare plan. 

In today’s episode, I’m joined by DCB graduate Barbara Nichols who was met with a shocking Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis in her retirement years. Barb is candid about her initial resentment towards diabetes education and how she just wanted to be told what to do which led to codependency on medical staff. Barb talks about how Risely filled a major gap for her in building self-reliance, as well as the vital role of having “diabuddies” to travel and do life with, including her adventures with the Diabetes Travelers Network. 

Time Stamps:  

01:43 Reclaiming Her Rise

03:17 Barb’s Retirement Diagnosis

06:01 “Fumbling Through”

08:12 “Is this what having diabetes means?”

10:17 What Was the Hardest Thing About Being Diagnosed Later in Life?

11:39 The Red Tent for Diabetes

12:52 Resentment and Outsourcing Responsibility vs. Being in the Drivers Seat

15:55 Diabetes Travelers Network

18:49 Diabuddies: Focusing on Community vs. Problems

21:36 What gap did Risely fill?

26:50 How She Found Balance

29:29 Educational Empowerment and Self Reliance

32:21 Barb’s Advice

34:56 Her Personal Goals Now That DCB is Over

What to do now:

1. Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop.
2. Doors are open for the January 2025 round of our signature group coaching program. Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve. 

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on the Reclaim your Rise podcast should be a substitute for personalized professional medical advice. Please always consult your physician or other medical professional before making any changes to your diet, insulin dosages, or healthcare plan.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing my third-trimester update, including how my insulin sensitivity has shifted during this time and the steps I’m taking to prepare for the hospital, labor, and delivery.

I’ve chosen to open up about my birth plan because, whether you share similar preferences or have a completely different approach, advocacy is such an important part of the process. I’ll talk about how I’ve been navigating conversations with my high-risk team and the hospital staff to stay aligned with my vision, even when their suggestions differ from my plan.

Birth plans are deeply personal, and I know not everyone will agree with all of my thoughts. But I believe it’s worth sharing my journey openly, especially when it comes to induction and other big decisions.

My hope is that this episode inspires you to trust your body, advocate for what feels right, and feel empowered in your own decisions—whatever they may be.

Time Stamps:  

04:12 My Blood Sugar Management in 3rd Trimester - why it’s been easier

11:40 My Birth Plan, Intuition, and to Induce or Not

25:44 Advocating for Your Birth Choices

31:27 Three Notes from My Birth Plan and Reflections

What to do now:

1. Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop.
2. Preparing for pregnancy in 2025? Access our Pregnancy + T1D Workshop on demand HERE.
3. Doors are open for the January 2025 round of our signature group coaching program. Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve. 

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on the Reclaim your Rise podcast should be a substitute for personalized professional medical advice. Please always consult your physician or other medical professional before making any changes to your diet, insulin dosages, or healthcare plan. 

Happy New Year! In this first episode of 2025, Abby and I hope to not just motivate you, but ground you in your goals with strategic systems. New Years can feel very loud with all the talk of resolutions, so we are breaking down a favorite book, Atomic Habits, with practical tips and systems that actually stick. By the end of this episode, you’ll feel excited to approach 2025 with smart, sustainable changes to start implementing right away, let go of chasing outcomes, and know how to bounce back when you get off course!

Time Stamps:  

04:20 On “Atomic Habits” the Book, Habit Formation, and Systems Over Goals for Sustainability 

07:55 Identity Change vs. Focusing On Outcomes

19:18 The Four Laws of Atomic Habits: Practical Applications for Type 1 Diabetes

25:00 Temptation Bundling 

28:45 Lowering the Barrier to Action

28:56 Outsourcing

29:17 The Importance of Starting Small

29:25 Avoidance and Its Consequences

31:39: Making It Easy: Building Momentum

33:33: Tracking Progress and Immediate Rewards

35:41: Reclaiming Habits After Setbacks

38:50: The Role of Systems in Managing Diabetes

41:43: The Power of Social Influence on Habits

What to do now:

1. Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop.
2. Doors are open for the January 2025 round of our signature group coaching program. Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve. 

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on the Reclaim your Rise podcast should be a substitute for personalized professional medical advice. Please always consult your physician or other medical professional before making any changes to your diet, insulin dosages, or healthcare plan. 

In this final episode of 2024, I’m taking you through my annual reflective journaling process to close out the year and set intentions for 2025. I’ll guide you through five prompts, help you choose a word of the year, and go over three core principles for living with diabetes. We also cover a self-assessment with eight pillars of well-being. By the end of this episode, you’ll feel encouraged to take responsibility for your well-being and make 2025 one for the books! 

Time Stamps:  

• 05:25 On Journaling
• 07:21 Prompt 1: Energy Creators and Drainers
• 11:03 Prompt 2: Greatest Hits and Misses
• 15:13 Prompt 3: Beliefs
• 19:10 Prompt 4: Lessons Learned
• 21:14 Prompt 5: Self-Report: 8 Pillars 
• 23:00 Choosing a Word
• 26:45 3 Core Principles for Living With Diabetes 
• 36:15 Getting Through the Blocks Together 

What to do now:

1. Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop.
2. Doors are open for the January 2025 round of our signature group coaching program. Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve. 
3. Get involved with Tk Type 1 foundation for families HERE.
4. Check out the world's smallest, durable automated insulin delivery system, the Tandem Mobi HERE.

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on the Reclaim your Rise podcast should be a substitute for personalized professional medical advice. Please always consult your physician or other medical professional before making any changes to your diet, insulin dosages, or healthcare plan. 

Sit down with me and the Mallia family as they share their journey with their daughter’s Type 1 diagnosis at the age of four. From navigating diagnosis at such a young age, to creating TK Type1, a foundation supporting families like theirs both financially and educationally, we discuss building confidence in kids with diabetes, fostering open communication with your spouse (even when you don’t always agree), managing dietary choices, and empowering independence in your child with diabetes. This episode is packed is a heartfelt guide for families moving through life with diabetes. 

Time Stamps:  

• 01:14 Introducing the Mallia Family's Journey to Risely 
• 06:13 Navigating the First Hospital Experience
• 12:20 A Family Affair 
• 15:27 The Birth of a Foundation
• 18:14 The Ripple Effect of Support: Risely Partners with TK Type1
• 20:43 Kids Growth in Confidence with Diabetes
• 23:40 Communication as Parents
• 25:21 Navigating Dietary Choices for Kids with Diabetes
• 31:04 Kaylee's Growing Independence in Diabetes Management
• 35:56 Sleepovers
• 41:58 Advice for Parents of Newly Diagnosed Children
• 46:05 Dreams for TK Type1

What to do now:

1. Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop.
2. Doors are open for the January 2025 round of our signature group coaching program. Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve. 
3. Get involved with Tk Type 1 HERE.

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on the Reclaim your Rise podcast should be a substitute for personalized professional medical advice. Please always consult your physician or other 

In this episode, Joe Solowiejczyk—diabetes nurse educator, family therapist, and type 1 diabetes advocate for 63 years—shares his transformative experience with the iLet bionic pancreas. Joe opens up about how this groundbreaking technology has given him a glimpse of life without the relentless demands of diabetes management. He describes the mental relief and emotional distance the device provides, explaining how it’s reshaped his day-to-day life. Joe addresses common misconceptions, highlighting that the iLet isn’t solely for those facing management challenges—it’s for anyone looking to ease the daily demands of diabetes care. He also explores how the device can empower families, particularly teenagers, by fostering confidence and self-efficacy in managing diabetes together. Whether you're a person with diabetes, a parent, or a healthcare professional, this conversation will change the way you think about diabetes technology and self-care.

Time Stamps:  

• 03:01 Joe's Diagnosis and Early Experiences with Diabetes
• 06:55 The Impact of Family Dynamics on Diabetes Management
• 12:39 Understanding Family Support and Its Role in Diabetes
• 18:00 Operating as a Family: The Role of Parents in Managing a Child's Diabetes
• 20:52 The iLet Bionic Pancreas: A Game Changer
• 26:50 Daily Life Before & After the iLet Bionic Pancreas
• 31:37 What the iLet Looks Like
• 35:00 Whe the iLet is Best For 
• 34:11 The Impact of Technology on Diabetes Care
• 36:11 Empowering Youth with Diabetes
• 38:50 Ownership and Acceptance in Diabetes Management
• 43:28 Understanding Patient Perspectives on New Technology and the Adaptation Curve
• 48:57 The Balance of Knowledge and Letting Go of Control
• 50:32 Having Patience in Change, Redefining Perfection, and Surrendering 

What to do now:

1. Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop.
2. Doors are open for the January 2025 round of our signature group coaching program. Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve. 
3. Find out if the iLet Bionic Pancreas is right for you:  https://bit.ly/iLetReclaimYourRise

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on the Reclaim your Rise podcast should be a substitute for personalized professional medical advice. Please always consult your physician or other medical professional before making any changes to your diet, insulin dosages, or healthcare plan. 

Join me as I chat with Dr. Laurel Messer, Tandem’s Senior Director of Medical Affairs, who brings 20+ years of experience in diabetes care, education, and research. 75% of clients coming to Risely are already using automated insulin delivery systems, which shows us that technology doesn’t necessarily solve all of our problems living with T1D, right? Today’s conversation with Dr. Messer offers insights on why users love Mobi, how to overcome barriers of use to Control IQ technology, what critical mindset shift is needed with automated insulin delivery, plus how to optimize technology and break old, unhelpful habits. With a deep understanding of patient care and technology, Dr. Messer offers a glimpse into the future of diabetes innovation that you can start being a part of now!

Time Stamps:  

• (03:58) “I was a nurse first - nurses bear witness to the human experience”
• (06:25) What Surprised Her the Most About People Living with Diabetes 
• (08:26) Her Role at Tandem 
• (09:47) Control IQ Technology 
• (11:20) User Feedback on Mobi Wearability, Ease of Use, and Control IQ
• (15:54) Tandem’s Development of Mobi and Overcoming Barriers to Using Tech
• (17:51) Shifting Mindsets on Automated Insulin Delivery
• (21:50) Optimizing the Technology and Knowing Your Body’s Patterns
• (26:08) How Old Habits Block Tech Optimization
• (31:09) Who is a Good Candidate for Automated Insulin Delivery Systems?
• (35:05) Where is Tandem and Technology Going?

What to do now:

1. Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop.
2. Doors are open for the January 2025 round of our signature group coaching program. Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve. 
3. Check out the world's smallest, durable automated insulin delivery system, the Tandem Mobi HERE.

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on the Reclaim your Rise podcast should be a substitute for personalized professional medical advice. Please always consult your physician or other medical professional before making any changes to your diet, insulin dosages, or healthcare plan. 

After a traumatic pump recall and malfunction, today’s guest and 2024 Risely graduate, Emily Hawkinson, shares how she overcame her debilitating fear of lows and technology failures. From the time she would carry jugs of juice wherever she went to discovering sustainable diabetes management, Emily gets real about what living with trauma was like. She shares how, after 25 years of living with type 1, finding community and coaching helped her finally reclaim hope, freedom, and confidence.

Time Stamps:  

• (03:43) The Turning Point
• (06:22) Traumatic Pump Malfunction and the Psychological Impact
• (11:10) Navigating Conversations with Her Endocrinologist 
• (14:11) The Role of Fear in Daily Life 
• (17:24) Community and Vulnerability in Diabetes Management
• (20:25) Finding Hope and Empowerment Instead of Shame
• (30:51) Integrating Mind and Body in Coaching 
• (34:08) Sustainable Management and Overcoming Perfectionism 
• (41:10) Rewire Your Brain for Success
• (47:45) Overcoming 35 and Miracles of Transformation

What to do now:

1. Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop.
2. Doors are open for the January 2025 round of our signature group coaching program. Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve. 

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on the Reclaim your Rise podcast should be a substitute for personalized professional medical advice. Please always consult your physician or other medical professional before making any changes to your diet, insulin dosages, or healthcare plan.