Chronic Boss Unfiltered

Turning Pain Into Punchlines: Life As A Comedian With Type 1 Diabetes with Ivana Bonetti

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“I make fun of it on stage. I call it the “Betes”. The pump doesn’t wear me—I wear the pump.”

In this hilarious and heartfelt episode of Chronic Boss Unfiltered, host Lilly Stairs sits down with Ivana Bonetti, Italian-American stand-up comedian, storyteller, and proud Type 1 diabetic. A Boston native from the North End, Ivana brings her sharp wit and resilience to the stage—transforming her chronic illness into comedy gold.

Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 17, Ivana’s world shifted overnight. What began as a medical challenge became the foundation for her humor, advocacy, and perspective on life. From growing up in a food-loving Italian family to performing at legendary venues like the Laugh Factory and Apollo Theater, Ivana shares how she’s turned her “sweet” condition into a superpower.

Together, Lilly and Ivana dive into the healing power of laughter, the importance of representation in chronic illness spaces, and how comedy can bridge the gap between vulnerability and empowerment. This episode is a beautiful mix of humor, heart, and hard-earned wisdom—proof that even life’s toughest moments can be punchlines in disguise.

 What You’ll Learn:

  • How Ivana transformed her Type 1 diabetes diagnosis into comedic inspiration

  • The cultural role of food in her Italian-American upbringing—and how she navigates it with diabetes

  • Why support from family and community is essential for chronic illness management

  • How humor builds resilience and breaks down stigma

  • The lessons chronic illness teaches about adaptability, identity, and authenticity

  • Why embracing your story—messy parts and all—can empower both you and your audience

  • What it means to be a Chronic Boss when your life literally depends on balance

    • Timestamps:

    (00:00) – Introduction: Meet Ivana Bonetti, comedian, storyteller, and Chronic Boss.

    (04:47) – Navigating Life with Type 1 Diabetes: Diagnosis, shock, and self-discovery.
    (10:08) – From Medicine to Microphone: The career pivot that changed everything.
    (14:54) – Building a Comedy Career: Finding her voice, her audience, and her punchlines.
    (19:54) – Living with Diabetes: Daily management and emotional resilience.
    (25:00) – Comedy as Advocacy: Turning medical moments into laughter and awareness.
    (30:11) – The Secret Sauce of a Chronic Boss: Humor, heart, and unshakable grit.

     Connect with Ivana:

     

    ✨Instagram

    ✨Tik Tok

    ✨Youtube

     

    Connect with Chronic Boss:

    🖤 chronicboss.com

    🖤 Instagram
    🖤 LinkedIn
    🖤 TikTok

     

    Connect with Lilly:

    🖤 lillystairs.com

    🖤 LinkedIn
    🖤 Instagram

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    Chronic Boss UnfilteredBy Lilly Stairs