Welcome to The Bad Diabetic Club — the podcast for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re doing diabetes “wrong” or tired of one-size-fits-all advice.
Hosted by Madi Cheever, a girlie with type 1 diabetes, dietitian nutritionist, and a type 1 diabetes expert coach, this show is all about ditching outdated rules, personalizing your care, and building a life you actually love.
If the standard advice isn’t cutting it, your blood sugars feel chaotic, and you’re craving support that actually gets it — pull up a chair. You’re one of us now.
Leave each episode feeling seen, supported, and empowered.
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Données mises à jour le 15/10/2026
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what burnout taught us about decisions, doctors, and doing less
Saison 1 · Épisode 26
mercredi 16 septembre 2026 • Durée 57:34
Madi's back on the Healthy Diabetic Podcast with Coach Ken after about a year away, and this one goes straight into what that year actually looked like.
A trip to Japan. Getting sicker than she's ever been. A 300-person conference. Her first time as the solo dietitian at camp. A breakup. A move across the country. All of it stacking up until the cup was empty.
Then the two of them do something they didn't expect to do: fact-check a statistic they've both repeated.
In this episode, you'll learn:
What burnout looks like when helping folks is your actual job
Why the 180-decisions-a-day number might not hold up, and what Ken found when he tracked his own
How fear and low confidence can quietly inflate the number of decisions you make
What to say when a provider changes something that was working and won't hear you
Why asking a provider to note their reasoning in your chart is worth doing
How to build up to a food you're nervous about, one small step at a time
The three things that make any of this sustainable: education, community, accountability
The line that stuck: you can't pour from an empty cup, even when pouring is the whole job.
This episode also airs on the Healthy Diabetic Podcast, so you get to hear it twice.
📚 Get my free book: typeonetypefun.com/free-book 🎙️ More episodes: TypeOneTypeFun.com
Coach Ken: SimplifyingDiabetes.com, and the Healthy Diabetic Podcast wherever you listen
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not replace personalized medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Why eating better and exercising isn't fixing your blood sugar (and what is) - Type 2 Diabetes
jeudi 10 septembre 2026 • Durée 47:07
Quick note before we start: this conversation is about type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. Type 1 diabetes is a different condition, and there is no cure for type 1. If you live with t1d, there's still plenty here for you, especially if you've ever been handed advice that didn't fit your body.
You cleaned up your food.
You started moving more.
You did the thing your doctor told you to do.
And your numbers still won't budge.
Dr. Jason Shumard has spent over 20 years in functional medicine working with folks in exactly that spot. In this episode, he breaks down what might be happening underneath, and why the standard advice can be true and still not be enough.
In this episode, you'll learn:
What insulin resistance actually is, explained with a car, a gas tank, and a fuel line
Why your a1c can look fine while something else is off
The cholesterol panel ratio that may flag insulin resistance early, using labs you probably already have
Why fixing 3 problems out of 10 rarely moves the number
What high insulin might be doing at the cell level
Why symptoms tend to show up late in the process
How to start with one change instead of twenty
The reframe that stuck with me most: if there are ten things driving someone's blood sugar and they fix three, that's not failure. That's three fixed. It takes so much blame off folks who have been trying hard for years and getting told to try harder.
One step at a time still works. It just helps to know what you're stepping toward.
📚 Get my free book: typeonetypefun.com/free-book🎙️ More episodes: TypeOneTypeFun.com
Guest: Dr. Jason Shumard, DrShumard.com
Dr. Shumard would like to offer YOU 50% off using the code: BADDIABETICCLUB50
Access the offer here:
What Actually Changes When You Finally Understand Your Blood Sugar
Saison 1 · Épisode 25
mercredi 25 mars 2026 • Durée 17:15
Most people with t1d aren’t missing effort. They’re missing explanation.
In this episode, I share a personal story that helped shape everything I do in diabetes education today.
Early in my T1D journey, I was told to start adjusting my pump settings every two weeks. But no one explained how to do it or why those changes mattered.
So I taught myself.
I studied reports, experimented with settings, and slowly improved my time in range and A1C. But when I proudly showed the progress at my next appointment, the response shocked me.
I was told to stop.
That moment revealed something much bigger than one frustrating appointment.
For many people living with t1d, the issue may not be effort or discipline. In many cases, it might be the system itself.
Most diabetes care is designed for short medical appointments and medication management. But managing t1d often requires something different: ongoing education, pattern recognition, and real understanding of how blood sugar actually works.
In this conversation, I explore why so many people might feel confused, blamed, or stuck when it comes to their numbers and what can change when someone finally understands the why behind blood sugar patterns.
📌 In this episode, you might learn:
The “Gluc-Coaster”: Why Your Blood Sugar Feels So Chaotic
Saison 1 · Épisode 24
jeudi 19 mars 2026 • Durée 14:45
Blood sugar with type 1 diabetes can sometimes feel unpredictable.
You count carbs
You take insulin
You follow the plan.
And your numbers still do something completely different.
If that experience feels familiar, you’re not alone in it.
In this episode I break down something that many people with t1d were never fully taught:
Blood sugar often follows patterns. And those patterns can sometimes be understood.
One concept that comes up again and again in diabetes management is this:
Blood sugar has momentum
And insulin has momentum too.
When those two things aren’t aligned, it can create the cycle many people experience:
High → correction → low → treatment → spike again.
What I call the “Gluc-Coaster.”
For many people living with type 1 diabetes, the hardest part isn’t just managing blood sugar. It’s feeling like the numbers don’t make sense.
And when the numbers don’t make sense, it’s easy to start believing that you’re doing something wrong.
How To Make Insulin Math Easy for More Peaceful Blood Sugar
Saison 1 · Épisode 23
mercredi 4 mars 2026 • Durée 19:47
Diagnosed at 13, he built the tool he wished existed.In this episode, Madi sits down with Drew Mendelow, founder of T1D1, a free, FDA-cleared insulin dosing and diabetes management app designed specifically for people living with type 1 diabetes.Drew quickly realized there was no simple, free tool to help with insulin calculations right from day one. So he decided to build one himself.What started as a summer coding project now supports around 50,000 users.And it is just getting started.Rather than creating something overly complicated, Drew focused on simplicity. T1D1 helps users:✨ calculate insulin doses using personalized settings✨ log blood sugars and insulin in one place✨ send reports directly to medical providers✨ store common foods for easier carb counting✨ access the app even without wifi✨ use mg/dL or mmol/L unitsThe app is completely free, with no ads.After being temporarily removed from the App Store for regulatory reasons, Drew spent five years working toward FDA clearance. That process may increase trust and confidence for users, families, schools, and healthcare providers.For many people living with t1d, daily calculations can feel overwhelming, especially at diagnosis.In some cases, having a simple, accessible tool might help reduce anxiety and create a little more confidence in daily care.Learn more about T1D1:https://www.t1d1.org🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms🩷 Doors are OPEN for the Bad Diabetic ACADEMY waitlist - https://www.typeonetypefun.com/pl/2148742669✅ Follow Madi: https://www.instagram.com/type.one.type.funDisclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not replace personalized medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diabetes management.
Weight loss with Type 1 Diabetes can feel like a lot. Let’s talk about it.
Saison 1 · Épisode 21
mercredi 18 février 2026 • Durée 27:24
In this episode, Madi sits down with registered dietitian and diabetes care specialist Sarah Hormachea for an honest, practical conversation about weight management with t1d.
If you’ve ever felt confused, frustrated, or stuck when it comes to weight changes, insulin needs, or conflicting advice, you’re not alone.
In many cases, weight loss with type 1 diabetes isn’t just about calories or willpower. It might involve hormones, insulin sensitivity, lows that force you to eat, tech adjustments, and a whole lot of mental load.
Sarah helps break down what’s actually going on, and why traditional dieting advice doesn’t always translate well to t1d.
Together, Madi and Sarah explore how a more personalized, compassionate approach might help many people feel safer, more supported, and more confident in their bodies.
📌 In this episode, you’ll learn:
✨ why weight management can look different with type 1 diabetes
✨ how insulin resistance can show up in t1d
✨ why aggressive calorie cutting or ultra low carb approaches might backfire for some people
✨ what “don’t feed the insulin” really means in real life
✨ how GLP-1 medications and microdosing are being discussed in the t1d community
✨ why backups, flexibility, and individualized care often matter more than perfection
✨ how mindset, support, and evidence-based guidance might reduce overwhelm
Sarah also shares how clinical bias can affect care, why one-size-fits-all plans often miss the mark, and how clinicians and people living with t1d alike might benefit from looking at the whole picture, not just blood sugar or the scale.
What Living Off Grid Taught Him About Managing Type 1 Diabetes
Saison 1 · Épisode 21
mercredi 11 février 2026 • Durée 27:25
Living with type 1 diabetes doesn’t automatically mean giving up adventure, travel, or time outdoors. In many cases, it just means learning how to prepare differently.
In this episode of The Bad Diabetic Club, Madi sits down with Paul Reed, founder of Type 1 Outdoors and someone who has lived with type 1 diabetes for nearly 40 years.
From hiking and mountaineering to managing blood sugar miles from home, Paul shares what actually helps people build confidence outside, especially when fear has kept them stuck.
Rather than focusing on restriction, this conversation explores how planning, mindset, and simple systems might make adventure feel more accessible for many people living with t1d.
📌In this episode, you’ll learn:
✨why preparation often matters more than courage with type 1 diabetes
✨how small, manageable steps might help rebuild confidence after fear or burnout
✨what to pack for outdoor activities, from short hikes to multi day trips
✨why backups for your backups can reduce mental load
✨how nature and time outdoors might support mental health for some people with chronic conditions
✨why living with type 1 diabetes does not have to mean living smaller
Paul also shares how Type 1 Outdoors was created, what he’s seen help others feel more capable, and why community can play a powerful role in confidence and sustainability.
If you’ve ever felt held back by fear of lows, tech failure, or being far from help, this conversation might help you think differently about what’s possible.
Learn more about Paul and Type 1 Outdoors: https://www.typeoneoutdoors.com
🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms
17 Years Managing Type 1 Diabetes Alone - The ONE Thing That Changed Everything
Saison 1 · Épisode 20
mercredi 4 février 2026 • Durée 22:38
In this episode, Madi sits down with Michelle Hale, founder of Global Diabetic, to talk about what it was like managing diabetes in silence for nearly two decades and the one shift that changed everything.
Michelle shares how hiding her diabetes didn’t actually make life easier. In many cases, it made the mental load heavier. From learning how to speak up for herself, to preparing for adventures like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, to navigating pregnancy and motherhood with type 1 diabetes, this conversation explores what it really means to live fully while managing a chronic condition.
They also talk about why visibility matters, how community can reduce shame, and why diabetes does not get to decide what kind of life you are allowed to live.
Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a teenager can feel isolating. You are expected to grow up fast, manage complex decisions on your own, and explain your condition to people who often do not understand it.
Here’s what you’ll walk away with: ✨What it’s really like managing type 1 diabetes alone for 17 years
✨Why hiding diabetes often increases the mental load instead of protecting you ✨How finding community can completely change your confidence and quality of life ✨Why speaking up for yourself is one of the most powerful diabetes tools you have ✨How preparation creates freedom, not restriction ✨The difference between living WITH diabetes vs. living FOR diabetes
This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like they had to manage diabetes quietly, perfectly, or alone.
It is a reminder that thriving does not mean doing everything right.
It means showing up, asking for support, and giving yourself permission to be human.
🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms
🩷 DOORS are OPEN for the Bad Diabetic Club Academy - https://www.typeonetypefun.com/pl/2148742669
Doctor Prevented Type 1 Diabetes After 40 Years - What Worked and What Every Family Should Know
Saison 1 · Épisode 19
lundi 26 janvier 2026 • Durée 33:29
In this episode, Madi sits down with Dr. Larry Deeb, a pediatric endocrinologist with more than 40 years of experience caring for children with diabetes and a former president of the American Diabetes Association.
Over 4 decades in practice, Dr. Deeb has witnessed diabetes care evolve from urine glucose testing to automated insulin delivery systems. But what he shares in this conversation goes far beyond technology. He walks through a recent case that may suggest type 1 diabetes can be delayed, and possibly prevented, in certain high risk situations when families are identified early and closely monitored.
They discuss what antibody screening can reveal, how TrialNet works, and why early detection may matter for some families with a history of type 1 diabetes. Dr. Deeb also shares lessons learned from global diabetes care through Life for a Child, highlights the importance of collaboration between providers and patients, and explains why curiosity may be one of the most important traits in medicine.
This conversation also explores the differences between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes in children, how early signs may sometimes be overlooked, and why perfection is never the goal when managing blood sugar. Dr. Deeb offers a powerful mindset shift that many people living with diabetes may find grounding, focusing on living with diabetes rather than for it.
📌 In this episode, you will learn
✨How diabetes treatment has changed over the last 40 years
✨What antibody screening may reveal before diagnosis
✨Why not everyone with antibodies develops type 1 diabetes
✨How early intervention might delay progression in some cases
✨The role of TrialNet for families with a history of type 1 diabetes
✨Key differences between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes in children
✨Why collaboration and perspective matter in diabetes care
The One Lesson You HAVE to know That Will Change Everything About Type 1 Diabetes
Saison 1 · Épisode 19
mercredi 7 janvier 2026 • Durée 19:59
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why "progress over perfection" isn't just a phrase - it's a survival strategy for Type 1 diabetes
How to stop chasing perfect A1Cs and start celebrating better
The difference between goals, intentions, and systems (and why only systems actually work)
Why you're not failing - your settings or your systems might just be wrong
How to redefine success on YOUR terms, not your endo's or Instagram's
The one mindset shift that changed how Madi manages diabetes, shows up for T1D clients, and lives her life
This episode is for you if:
You're tired of feeling like you're failing at diabetes
You're chasing perfect numbers but losing yourself
You're burned out from 180+ daily diabetes decisions
You're doing this alone and exhausted
You want to stop surviving and start thriving
The Reality:
Madi's a professional diabetic - registered dietitian, diabetes educator, 13 years with T1D. And she STILL has diabetes support. She still has 400 & 40 blood sugars. She still struggles.
This disease doesn't care about credentials.
It humbles all of us.
But here's what changed everything this year: she stopped expecting herself to be perfect and started celebrating BETTER. Better than yesterday. Better than last month. Better than where she started.
That's it. That's the whole lesson.
And when she let go of perfection, she actually got better results. Her stress went down. Her blood sugar improved. She enjoyed life more.
Here's what you'll walk away with:
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This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not replace personalized medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider. Views shared by guests are their own.
✨ why diabetes education often leaves people feeling unsupported
✨ why most appointments simply don’t have enough time for deep education
✨ why advice like “eat fewer carbs” may not solve the real problem
✨ how understanding insulin timing and CGM patterns might change how you approach blood sugar
✨ why confidence and trust in your own decision making can be one of the biggest transformations
I also share real examples from people I have worked with who went from fear and frustration to greater clarity and confidence in their diabetes management.
In many cases, the biggest change isn’t a specific number.
It’s understanding.
When blood sugar finally starts to make sense, diabetes management may begin to feel less like guessing and more like strategy.
And for many people living with t1d, that shift can be powerful.
🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms
🩷 Doors are OPEN for the Bad Diabetic ACADEMY waitlist - https://www.typeonetypefun.com/pl/2148742669
Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not replace personalized medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diabetes management.
But in many cases, blood sugar changes are responding to real physiological factors like:
✨ hormone shifts in the morning
✨ insulin timing relative to meals
✨ digestion patterns from certain foods
✨ stress, sleep, or illness
✨ the natural delay between CGM data and real-time blood sugar
When these factors aren’t explained clearly, diabetes management can start to feel like guesswork.
I walk through several experiences many people with t1d recognize, including:
📌 why blood sugar may spike at breakfast even when you “do everything right”
📌 why correcting highs can sometimes lead to later lows
📌 why overnight spikes often have traceable explanations📌 why insulin timing can influence blood sugar more than many people realize
Most importantly, this conversation highlights something that can be easy to forget when living with diabetes every day:
Your blood sugar is information.
In many cases, it’s not random, and it’s not a reflection of your effort.
Understanding the patterns behind your numbers can sometimes make diabetes feel a little less overwhelming and a little more manageable over time.
🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms
🩷 Doors are OPEN for the Bad Diabetic ACADEMY waitlist - https://www.typeonetypefun.com/pl/2148742669
Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not replace personalized medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diabetes management.
If you’ve ever felt like your body isn’t responding the way it “should,” this episode might help you feel seen, validated, and a little less alone.
🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms
🩷 Doors are OPEN for the Bad Diabetic ACADEMY waitlist - https://www.typeonetypefun.com/pl/2148742669
Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not replace personalized medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diabetes management.
🩷 Doors are OPEN for the Bad Diabetic ACADEMY waitlist - https://www.typeonetypefun.com/pl/2148742669
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your treatment or medication.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your treatment or medication.
✨How technology may continue to reduce the daily burden of management
✨Why time in range matters more than perfection
✨What it really means to live with diabetes instead of for it
🔗 Resources mentioned:
TrialNet screening information may be helpful for families with a loved one who has type 1 diabetes. More information can be found at https://www.trialnet.org
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your treatment or medication.
How to redefine what success means to YOU (not what your A1C says)
Why celebrating small wins matters (yes, even pre-bolusing counts)
How to stop comparing your chapter 3 to someone else's chapter 20
Why you need a support system (and how to find yours)
The difference between living WITH diabetes vs. living FOR diabetes
T1Ds who thrive aren't the ones doing everything perfectly. They're the ones who keep going even when it's messy.
Give yourself permission to be human. You're doing hard things every single day.
🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your treatment or medication.
