Taking Control Of Your Diabetes® - The Podcast! – Détails, épisodes et analyse

The diagnosis of Cushing's Syndrome is often missed because its underlying cause, hypercortisolism, masks itself as 'just diabetes,' 'just stress,' or 'just getting older,' which can lead to serious problems. In this conversation, Dr. Steve Edelman talks with a military veteran named Phil and his wife Cherese about years of unexplained fatigue, tough-to-control blood sugars, and high blood pressure, and the one test that made everything make sense. This episode discusses the early warning signs, how to advocate for answers and the hypercortisolism treatments that helped Phil feel like himself again. You’ll also hear why targeted hypercortisolism treatments and diabetes-specific approvals are on their way.

You’ll learn why hypercortisolism is more common than most people realize, how it can hide behind type 2 diabetes, and what tests and treatments can make a life-changing difference.

• Why hypercortisolism is so often overlooked: Symptoms overlap with diabetes, stress, and other common health issues.
• Phil’s story of resilience: From managing diabetes with multiple medications to discovering hypercortisolism as the root cause.
• The partner’s perspective: How Cherese noticed the warning signs and pushed for further testing.
• The Catalyst Study: Why research shows up to 1 in 4 people with hard-to-control type 2 diabetes may have hypercortisolism.
• Diagnosis explained: The 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test and why it matters.
• Treatment and transformation: How targeted therapies improved Phil’s blood sugars, energy, sleep, and overall quality of life.
• Key takeaways: Be your own best advocate—if your numbers don’t add up, it’s worth asking why.

Timecodes: 
0:00 – What is Cushing's Syndrome (hypercortisolism) & guest setup

0:41 – Steroids & cortisol 101: why persistently high cortisol wreaks havoc

2:01 – Phil’s backstory: diabetes diagnosis and years of “uncontrolled” numbers

4:55 – Escalating meds, rising A1C, growing fatigue—when things stop making sense

7:25 – Cherese’s Story: lifestyle overhaul, then deeper testing when sugars don’t improve

10:47 – Classic signs of Cushing's Syndrome (buffalo hump, thin arms) & sleep issues

11:23 – CATALYST study: up to 1 in 4 with tough-to-control T2D show evidence of hypercortisolism

13:10 – Diagnosing Cushing's: The hypercortisolism suppression test

16:06 – Treatment wins: targeted therapy improves glucose, mood, sleep; “new era” in care

20:45 – Takeaways: Recognizing Cushing's, self-advocacy & red flags

Important Links:
Cortisol in Control website:
https://www.cortisolincontrol.com/ 
https://www.cortisolmatters.com/patient

Visit TCOYD's Website for more diabetes edutainment for people living with diabetes: tcoyd.org

**Tune in for two new episodes each month! Like what you hear and want to help us grow? Please rate and review this podcast so we can reach more people living with diabetes!**

Follow our social media channels to empower yourself with the essential areas of diabetes knowledge led by two endocrinologists living with type 1 diabetes: Facebook  |  Instagram  |  YouTube

Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions in the U.S., but it doesn’t have to define or limit your life. In this episode, Dr. Steve Edelman and Dr. Jeremy Pettus—two endocrinologists with decades of experience—break down practical strategies for living well with type 2. From the latest medications and tools to everyday lifestyle choices, they highlight what really makes a difference in the long run. Their goal? To show you that type 2 diabetes is not only manageable but that taking control can actually improve your health and quality of life.

• Get Educated About What’s Happening in Your Body: Understanding insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and why type 2 diabetes is more than just “high blood sugar.”
• Know Your Numbers: The key benchmarks for A1c, blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure—and why even small improvements matter.
• Build the Right Care Team: How to find and work with providers who can guide you through treatment options and keep you on track.
• Food and Drink That Work for You: Why portion control, balance, and smart substitutions matter more than strict diets or deprivation.
• Move Your Body (Without Overthinking Exercise): How realistic activity goals—walking, stretching, or even gardening—can improve insulin sensitivity and overall health.
• The Medications Changing the Game: Why GLP-1s, SGLT2 inhibitors, and CGMs are considered life-changing tools in type 2 diabetes care—and what you should know about them.

• And That’s Just the Start…: From mental health to long-term complication prevention, there are even more strategies in this episode to help you thrive with type 2 diabetes.

Managing diabetes isn't just about numbers—it's also about handling the emotional toll that comes with it. In this episode, Dr. Steve Edelman and Dr. Jeremy Pettus sit down with leading diabetes psychologist Dr. Bill Polonsky to unpack the mental health side of living with diabetes. From feeling overwhelmed by constant decision-making to dealing with burnout, they explore the real-life emotional challenges people with diabetes face every day. You'll learn how to recognize the signs of diabetes distress, how it's different from clinical depression, and where to find support that actually helps.

Key Topics:

• The difference between frustration, distress, burnout, and depression
• Why diabetes distress is often mistaken for depression
• How common burnout really is among people with diabetes
• Signs of disengagement with your diabetes management and when to take action
• Why antidepressants usually aren’t the solution
• What kinds of support actually help with diabetes distress
• Tools to assess your own level of distress
• Where to find mental health resources specific to diabetes burnout 

diabetesdistress.org
behavioraldiabetes.org

Visit TCOYD's Website for more diabetes edutainment for people living with diabetes: tcoyd.org

**Tune in for two new episodes each month! Like what you hear and want to help us grow? Please rate and review this podcast so we can reach more people living with diabetes!**

Follow our social media channels to empower yourself with the essential areas of diabetes knowledge led by two endocrinologists living with type 1 diabetes: Facebook  |  Instagram  |  YouTube

In this jam-packed episode, Dr. Jeremy Pettus and Dr. Steve Edelman team up with special guest Dr. David Ahn to break down the latest and greatest in diabetes technology for 2025. From extended-wear CGMs to fully automatic hybrid closed-loop pumps and dual-hormonal systems, this episode is your complete guide to what’s available now and what’s coming soon. Whether you’re on MDI, using a pump, or considering a tech upgrade, this conversation will help you navigate the expanding world of devices—and find the right setup for you.

Key Topics:

• Extended-Wear CGMs: The Dexcom G7 now lasts over 15 days—and the Eversense implantable sensor lasts a full year.
• Over-the-Counter CGMs: Learn about Dexcom Stelo and Abbott Lingo, designed for people without diabetes.
• New Pump Launches: Including Tandem Mobi, Beta Bionics iLet, Sequel Twist, and Medtronic’s MiniMed™ 780G with Simplera Sync sensor.
• Medtronic Simplera Sync: What to know about its U.S. launch, wear time, and integration with the 780G system.
• Dual-Hormone Systems: Explore how glucagon is being used alongside insulin to prevent lows and simplify diabetes management.
• Ketone Monitoring: Continuous ketone sensors are on the horizon, and they could change how we detect and prevent DKA.
• Improved App Integration: Discover updates in CGM and pump interfaces for iPhone and Android, including Libre 3+ and universal app platforms.
• Customizing Your Combo: Why matching the right CGM with the right pump (or sticking with MDI) is more doable—and more important—than ever.

Dexcom 15 Day sensor

Medtronic Simplera

Visit TCOYD's Website for more diabetes edutainment for people living with diabetes: tcoyd.org

**Tune in for two new episodes each month! Like what you hear and want to help us grow? Please rate and review this podcast so we can reach more people living with diabetes!**

Follow our social media channels to empower yourself with the essential areas of diabetes knowledge led by two endocrinologists living with type 1 diabetes: Facebook  |  Instagram  |  YouTube

In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Pettus and Dr. Steve Edelman go head-to-head in a friendly face-off between two of the most talked-about medications in diabetes and weight management: Ozempic and Mounjaro. Both are part of the powerful GLP-1 class, but which one might be better for you? From A1C reduction and weight loss to heart and kidney protection, ease of use, side effects, and insurance coverage—Drs. E & P walk you through a category-by-category comparison. They bring the clinical data and their own real-world patient experience to help you understand the key differences (and similarities) between these leading therapies. Whether you're managing type 2 diabetes, living with type 1, or exploring options for weight loss, this episode is designed to help you make an informed decision with your healthcare provider.

Key Topics:

• How These Medications Work: Learn the difference between GLP-1 and dual agonist therapies
• A1C Reduction: See which drug leads to greater blood sugar improvements based on head-to-head clinical trials.
• Weight Loss: Discover how much weight patients lose on each medication—and why Mounjaro often shows stronger results.
• Heart Health: Understand which medication has FDA approval for cardiovascular protection and what’s still under investigation.
• Kidney Protection: Explore the latest studies showing Ozempic’s ability to slow kidney disease progression.
• Side Effects: Get practical tips on managing common GI side effects and why titration matters.
• Ease of Use: Compare how the pens work, dosing flexibility, and what may be easier for patients day to day.
• Sleep Apnea: Find out how Mounjaro earned a new indication for reducing sleep apnea severity—especially through weight loss.
• Access for Type 1s: Learn why these meds aren’t yet approved for T1D and how some patients are still getting them.
• Emerging Indications: Hear about new uses for these meds, including fatty liver, osteoarthritis, and even alcohol reduction.
• How to Choose: Get expert guidance on which medication may be right for you based on your goals and health needs.

Visit TCOYD's Website for more diabetes edutainment for people living with diabetes: tcoyd.org

**Tune in for two new episodes each month! Like what you hear and want to help us grow? Please rate and review this podcast so we can reach more people living with diabetes!**

Follow our social media channels to empower yourself with the essential areas of diabetes knowledge led by two endocrinologists living with type 1 diabetes: Facebook  |  Instagram  |  YouTube

In this episode, Dr. Steve Edelman and Dr. Jeremy Pettus sit down with Sierra Werling, their first patient to ever receive Tzield, to discuss the groundbreaking therapy designed to delay the onset of type 1 diabetes. Sierra shares her personal journey, how she discovered she was at risk for type 1, what led her to pursue the Tzield treatment, and how her life has changed since receiving it. Steve and Jeremy also break down the science behind Tzield, how it works to preserve insulin-producing beta cells, and why early screening for type 1 diabetes is more important than ever. They discuss how delaying the disease can impact long-term health, providing individuals more time to prepare, access new treatments, and potentially reduce complications in the future. This episode highlights a major shift in diabetes care, one that moves beyond just managing type 1 diabetes to proactively delaying its onset. Tune in to hear Sierra’s experience, insights, and what this means for the future of diabetes prevention.

Key Topics:

• What is Tzield, and how does it work to delay type 1 diabetes?
• Sierra’s journey: From early screening to Tzield infusion
• Understanding the stages of type 1 diabetes, where does Tzield fit in?
• How delaying type 1 diabetes impacts long-term health and quality of life
• The emotional and practical benefits of early T1D intervention
• Why screening for type 1 diabetes is critical, even without a family history
• Sierra’s personal insights, what she learned from the process, and what she wants others to know
• What’s next for Tzield and other potential disease-modifying therapies?

Screen today: screenfortype1.com

Visit TCOYD's Website for more diabetes edutainment for people living with diabetes: tcoyd.org

**Tune in for two new episodes each month! Like what you hear and want to help us grow? Please rate and review this podcast so we can reach more people living with diabetes!**

Follow our social media channels to empower yourself with the essential areas of diabetes knowledge led by two endocrinologists living with type 1 diabetes: Facebook  |  Instagram  |  YouTube

In this episode, Dr. Steve Edelman sits down with Michael Killiam, Director of Clinical Services at Pacific Northwest Research Institute, to discuss two groundbreaking studies—TEDDY and Cascade—that have shaped our understanding of genetic and environmental triggers for type 1 diabetes. The TEDDY study, spanning over 20 years and involving nearly 8,800 participants, investigates why some genetically at-risk individuals develop type 1 diabetes while others do not. Cascade builds upon TEDDY’s findings, aiming to integrate early screening into standard healthcare and identify potential preventative interventions. Michael and Dr. Edelman break down the major findings of these studies, including the role of viruses, genetics, and immune responses, and what they mean for the future of type 1 diabetes prevention and treatment.

Key Topics:

• What is the TEDDY Study, and why is it so important?
• Can genetics alone determine who will develop type 1 diabetes?
• How do environmental factors influence the onset of type 1 diabetes?
• Do certain viruses trigger autoimmune attacks on beta cells?
• What did TEDDY reveal about the timing of early autoimmunity?
• Can diet or probiotics help lower the risk of type 1 diabetes?
• What is the Cascade Study, and how does it build on TEDDY’s research?
• How does newborn screening for type 1 diabetes risk work?
• Could vitamin D, Omega-3s, or other supplements slow or prevent type 1 diabetes?
• What’s next in research for type 1 diabetes prevention and treatment?

Teddy Study: teddy.epi.usf.edu

CASCDE study: cascadekids.org

Visit TCOYD's Website for more diabetes edutainment for people living with diabetes: tcoyd.org

**Tune in for two new episodes each month! Like what you hear and want to help us grow? Please rate and review this podcast so we can reach more people living with diabetes!**

Follow our social media channels to empower yourself with the essential areas of diabetes knowledge led by two endocrinologists living with type 1 diabetes: Facebook  |  Instagram  |  YouTube

In this episode, Dr. Steve Edelman and Dr. Jeremy Pettus dive into a little-known but critical complication of diabetes—fatty liver disease. They are joined by Dr. Juan Pablo Frias, an endocrinologist and metabolic disease expert, to explore why people with diabetes are at significantly higher risk of developing fatty liver and what can be done to prevent, detect, and treat it before it leads to serious complications. They discuss the direct connection between insulin resistance, obesity, and liver health, the silent progression of fatty liver disease, and why liver health should be a key part of diabetes management. The episode also highlights how diabetes medications like GLP-1 receptor agonists (Ozempic, Mounjaro) and SGLT2 inhibitors may help protect the liver in addition to their benefits for blood sugar, heart, and kidney health.

Key Topics:

• Why fatty liver disease is a major but often overlooked complication of diabetes and why doctors are just starting to take it seriously.
• How insulin resistance drives fat accumulation in the liver and why people with type 2 diabetes are at much higher risk.
• The silent progression of fatty liver disease, why most people don’t have symptoms until it’s too late.
• How fatty liver impacts blood sugar control, and why treating your liver could actually improve your diabetes management.
• Why people with diabetes should ask their doctors about liver screening, and how simple lab tests like FIB-4 can detect early signs of trouble.
• The growing connection between diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and fatty liver, and why experts now see them as part of the same metabolic syndrome.
• Can diabetes medications also treat fatty liver? The exciting potential of GLP-1s, SGLT2 inhibitors, and new liver-specific treatments like Rezdiffra.
• What lifestyle changes really make a difference? How weight loss, diet, and exercise can help reverse fatty liver and improve diabetes at the same time.

Visit TCOYD's Website for more diabetes edutainment for people living with diabetes: tcoyd.org

**Tune in for two new episodes each month! Like what you hear and want to help us grow? Please rate and review this podcast so we can reach more people living with diabetes!**

Follow our social media channels to empower yourself with the essential areas of diabetes knowledge led by two endocrinologists living with type 1 diabetes: Facebook  |  Instagram  |  YouTube

In this episode, Dr. Steve Edelman and Dr. Jeremy Pettus explore the critical connection between heart health, kidney function, and diabetes, known as the Cardiorenal Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome. They are joined by Dr. Jennifer Green, an expert in endocrinology and cardiology from Duke University, to discuss how diabetes impacts multiple organs, the latest advancements in treatment, and what individuals can do to protect their heart and kidneys. They break down why heart and kidney health should not be thought of in isolation, how specialists are now working together more than ever, and the game-changing new medications that benefit both diabetes management and overall organ health. Dr. Green also highlights the importance of patient self-advocacy, ensuring the right tests and treatments are being considered.

Key Topics:

• What is Cardiorenal Metabolic Syndrome? 
• How diabetes can impact the heart and kidneys over time – and what can you do to slow or prevent damage?
• How doctors are breaking down medical silos and specialists are working together more than ever to manage diabetes complications
• The new era of diabetes medications – how SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists are revolutionizing diabetes care
• Why is it critical to get annual kidney function tests – and why don’t many doctors routinely check for albumin in urine?
• How to be your own health advocate – what patients should ask their doctors to ensure they’re receiving optimal care?
• What is the challenge of staying on long-term medications – how to frame these life-saving treatments as an ongoing investment in health
• What’s next for diabetes research and what new trials are underway, especially for those with type 1 diabetes, to see if these treatments can offer more benefits?

Visit TCOYD's Website for more diabetes edutainment for people living with diabetes: tcoyd.org

**Tune in for two new episodes each month! Like what you hear and want to help us grow? Please rate and review this podcast so we can reach more people living with diabetes!**

Follow our social media channels to empower yourself with the essential areas of diabetes knowledge led by two endocrinologists living with type 1 diabetes: Facebook  |  Instagram  |  YouTube

In this episode, Dr. Steve Edelman and Dr. Jeremy Pettus speak with former NBA player Gary Forbes, one of only three NBA athletes with type 1 diabetes. Gary shares his powerful story of being diagnosed with diabetes during college, overcoming misdiagnoses, and achieving his dream of playing professional basketball despite the challenges of living with diabetes. He provides invaluable insights into the importance of mindset, perseverance, and building a support system while navigating life as an athlete with type 1 diabetes. Gary also discusses his passion project, The Soul Survivors comic series, which empowers children with chronic health challenges through superhero storytelling. This episode is an inspiring must-listen for anyone facing diabetes or other health challenges.

Key Topics:

• How did Gary navigate his initial misdiagnosis and eventual correct diagnosis with type 1 diabetes?
• What challenges did he face balancing intense NBA-level athletics and diabetes management?
• How can setting a routine, like consistent workouts or meal plans, improve diabetes control?
• What role does a strong support system, including coaches and teammates, play in managing diabetes?
• Why is having the right healthcare team critical for thriving with diabetes, especially in high-pressure environments?
• How does Gary's comic series, The Soul Survivors, inspire children with chronic health challenges to see themselves as superheroes?
• What mindset shifts helped Gary overcome adversity and maintain an optimistic outlook on life?

Gary is a T1D former professional NBA basketball player, having played for the Rockets, Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, and Brooklyn Nets. He is also the founder and publisher of The Sole Survivors, a comic book series that empowers children facing chronic health challenges.  

Follow Gary on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garyforbes_/ 

Discover his comic book series: https://www.instagram.com/thesolesurvivors/

Visit Website: www.thesolesurvivors.com

Visit TCOYD's Website for more diabetes edutainment for people living with diabetes: https://tcoyd.org/

**Tune in for two new episodes each month! Like what you hear and want to help us grow? Please rate and review this podcast so we can reach more people living with diabetes!**

Follow our social media channels to empower yourself with the essential areas of diabetes knowledge led by two endocrinologists living with type 1 diabetes:
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