Bad Diabetic Club – Details, episodes & analysis

Can you really eat brownies for breakfast when living with type 2 diabetes?
Author, advocate, and type 2 diabetes thriver Lynne Bowman says YES—and she’s made it her delicious mission to prove it.

In this inspiring and empowering episode, Madi Cheever, MPH, RD, LDN, CHES—a type 1 diabetes expert and founder of Type One Type Fun—sits down with Lynne to unpack her journey with type 2 diabetes, her no-BS nutrition philosophy, and her bestselling cookbook Brownies for Breakfast.

✨ What you’ll learn:

• Why Lynne believes eating for type 2 diabetes might just be the healthiest way to eat (and the tastiest!)

• How she uses sugar-free sweeteners like allulose and monk fruit without sacrificing flavor

• The role of simple habits like meal timing and sleep in supporting blood sugar balance

• How pink pumpkin donuts and a 2-ingredient salad dressing can make real food feel fun and doable

Whether you’re living with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, supporting someone who is, or just looking for real food recipes without the sugar spike—this episode is packed with tools, laughter, and lived experience.

📚 Grab Brownies for Breakfast on Amazon or Audible, and join Lynne’s mission to make type 2 diabetes-friendly food joyful again.

🎧 Listen on YouTube + all podcast platforms.

🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS:

Lynne Bowman

Instagram: @lynneparmiterbowman

Substack: lynnebowman.substack.com

Website: lynnebowman.com

Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/3UlooxB

Direct Diabetes

Website: directdiabetes.com

Instagram: @directdiabetes

Madi Cheever | Type One Type Fun

Website: typeonetypefun.com

Instagram: @type.one.type.fun

Ever feel like you're doing everything right, but your blood sugar still spikes hours after eating? You’re not alone, and you’re definitely not a bad diabetic. In this episode, I break down exactly why those delayed spikes happen after high-fat, high-protein meals (think pizza, pasta, burgers, takeout…), and the step-by-step strategy that’s helped hundreds of people with T1D finally take back control.

✨ Grab the free guide here: https://www.typeonetypefun.com/pl/2148681264

We’re diving into:

-Why this isn’t your fault (and why endo advice often falls short)

-The 2 biggest mistakes people make with these meals

-How to start learning the strategy that can actually fix it

-What’s inside my Blood Sugar Guide, and why it’s blowing people’s minds

This isn’t about restriction. It’s about strategy, clarity, and confidence, so you can enjoy your food without blood sugar chaos 3 hours later.

✨ Grab the free guide here: https://www.typeonetypefun.com/pl/2148681264

📣 Want to work together 1:1 or join the T1Dream Life Group?

DM me @TypeOneTypeFun or visit typeonetypefun.com

🎮 A FREE video game that teaches Type 1 Diabetes?! Yes, it’s real—and it’s changing lives.
In this episode, diabetes coach Madi Cheever (@TypeOneTypeFun) interviews game developer Sam Glassenberg, the dad behind Level One—a new, free diabetes education game built for kids, families, and caregivers.

When Sam’s 5-year-old daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D), he realized how broken the “onboarding experience” was for families. So, using his background building games like Star Wars, Hunger Games, and Mission Impossible, he created something better: a mobile game that teaches T1D through play.

📱 What is Level One?
It’s a mobile game that turns complex T1D concepts—carb counting, pre-bolusing, insulin timing, ketones—into fun, accessible mini-games for patients, parents, teachers, babysitters, and more.

💡 “What took me a year to learn, this game could’ve taught me in hours.” — Sam Glassenberg

👉 Learn more: https://playlevelone.com
📲 Search Level One Diabetes in the App Store or Google Play.
🎧 Listen to the full episode now!

🌟 Follow Madi for more T1D advocacy, education, and support:
Instagram, YouTube, and more: https://typeonetypefun.com

🎙️ Find more podcast episodes + diabetes news at: https://directdiabetes.com

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.

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.

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

✅ Follow Madi: https://www.instagram.com/type.one.type.fun

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.

November 3, 2025 marks 13 years of living with Type 1 diabetes, and I'm sharing the 13 most powerful lessons I've learned—the ones I wish someone had told me from day one. These aren't just tips about carb counting or insulin ratios. These are the mindset shifts, permission slips, and real-world strategies that transformed me from surviving to thriving.

🎯 The 13 Lessons You'll Learn:

1️⃣ You Don't Have to Accept Limiting Narratives - Rewrite the rules that don't serve you2️⃣ You Have Permission to Eat Sugar - Carbs aren't the enemy, strategy is everything3️⃣ Fire Your Doctor If They Don't Serve You - You're NOT a burden4️⃣ You Need BOTH Education AND Empowerment - Technical skills + mindset = transformation5️⃣ Minimize the Work, Maximize the Rewards - My signature coaching philosophy6️⃣ From Surviving to Thriving - Freedom and great blood sugar control AREN'T mutually exclusive7️⃣ Your Struggle Is Your Superpower - How T1D shaped you into someone incredible8️⃣ Diabetes Education Should Be Accessible - Why I give my book away for free9️⃣ You're Not Failing—Your Settings Might Be Wrong - The difference between systems vs. settings🔟 From 180 Decisions to 20-25 Habits - Stanford research on simplifying the mental load1️⃣1️⃣ Find YOUR Blood Sugar Comfort Zone - Not what the ADA says, what works for YOU1️⃣2️⃣ Your Doctor Gives Ratios, You Learn Your Body - Becoming the expert on yourself1️⃣3️⃣ Find Your People - Why lived experience matters as much as textbook knowledge

💡 Key Takeaways:

• How to go from 180 daily decisions to just 20-25 sustainable habits
• Why a "good" A1C doesn't tell the whole story (and what to focus on instead)
• How to lower your average blood sugar by 50+ points without feeling deprived
• The difference between providers who see you as a number vs. those who see you as a person
• How to know if you need to change your SETTINGS or your SYSTEMS

This episode is for you if:✅ You're newly diagnosed and overwhelmed✅ You've been managing T1D for years but feel stuck✅ Your A1C "looks good" but you feel miserable✅ You're terrified of lows and running yourself high✅ Your endo makes you feel like a bad diabetic✅ You're ready to stop surviving and start THRIVING

Type 1 diabetes is TOUGH. So are you. You're surviving with a disease that requires constant management just to LIVE. Your gut feelings matter. Your struggles are valid. And you deserve providers, resources, and strategies that actually work for YOUR life.

🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms

📚 Get my FREE book at typeonetypefun.com/free-book✅ Follow https://www.instagram.com/type.one.type.fun🎙️ More episodes: TypeOneTypeFun.com & https://directdiabetes.com

Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction: 13 Years with Type 1 Diabetes1:15 - Lesson 1: Reject Limiting Narratives2:24 - Lesson 2: You Have Permission to Eat Sugar4:53 - Lesson 3: Fire Your Doctor If Needed7:21 - Lesson 4: Education + Empowerment9:34 - Lesson 5: Minimize Work, Maximize Rewards14:14 - Lesson 6: From Surviving to Thriving16:37 - Lesson 7: Your Struggle = Your Superpower19:00 - Lesson 8: Accessible Diabetes Education21:18 - Lesson 9: You're Not Failing23:38 - Lesson 10: From 180 to 20 Decisions26:03 - Lesson 11: Find Your Comfort Zone30:46 - Lesson 12: Learn Your Body33:09 - Lesson 13: Find Your People

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.

"I haven't taken insulin since October 2024." 💙

Imagine waking up without alarms. Drinking coffee without your blood sugar spiking. Swimming with your kids for hours without fear. Living life without insulin, pumps, or constant calculations.

For Robin Rybolt, this isn't a dream - it's her reality after receiving an islet cell transplant through a groundbreaking research study at the University of Chicago.

In this powerful episode, Madi Cheever, MPH, RD, LDN, CHES sits down with Robin to explore her remarkable journey from decades of managing Type 1 diabetes to living insulin-free. Robin shares the medical process, the emotional toll, the unexpected challenges, and the life-changing freedom she's experiencing nearly a year later.

💡 What You'll Learn:

✅ How Robin's diabetes was discovered in an unexpected way✅ What an islet cell transplant is and how it differs from a pancreas transplant✅ The actual process, how islet cells from a donor pancreas are placed into the liver✅ The emotional reality of living with T1D and why Robin made this life-changing decision✅ What life looks like after living without insulin for nearly a year✅ The role of anti-rejection medications and what recovery actually involves✅ Why participating in medical research can open new doors for treatment✅ Robin's advice for others considering research-based medical care✅ The hardest part of her journey (spoiler: it wasn't the surgery)

The Reality:Robin opens up about the challenges too—missing time with her kids during recovery, the emotional toll when her husband said he didn't want to be with someone who was "sick," and fighting through heartbreak while healing from multiple surgeries.

But she'd "do it a thousand times over" because the freedom she's gained is worth every moment.

Whether you're curious about cutting-edge diabetes research, feeling burnt out from daily management, or simply want to hear a story of hope and possibility—this episode offers a powerful glimpse into what the future of Type 1 diabetes treatment might look like.

🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major podcast platforms

📋 Mentioned Resources:

• University of Chicago Diabetes Research Program: https://www.uchicago.edu
• Clinical Trials Registry: https://clinicaltrials.gov

🎙️ Presented by DirectDiabetes.comArizona's trusted local supplier for CGMs, insulin pumps, and diabetes supplies📞 480-998-5551

Registered Dietitian & T1D Coach Madi Cheever hosts this helpful/uplifting podcast:✅ Follow Madi https://www.instagram.com/type.one.type.fun
📚 Get her FREE book for practical T1D strategies & empowerment at https://www.typeonetypefun.com/free-book
🎙️ You can also watch episodes of this podcast on her platforms at TypeOneTypeFun.com
🎙️ Find more podcast episodes + diabetes news at: https://directdiabetes.com

Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your treatment or medication. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.

Living with diabetes doesn't have to mean living in constant chaos.

In this episode, Madi Cheever, MPH, RD, LDN, CHES sits down with Coach Ken, diabetes health coach and host of The Healthy Diabetic Podcast, to talk about practical ways to simplify diabetes management and take back control of your life.Research shows people with Type 1 diabetes make 180+ decisions every day. But what if you could turn that overwhelming mental load into just 20-25 consistent habits?💡

What You'll Learn:

✅ Simplifying Diabetes – How to reduce decision fatigue and create sustainable routines

✅ Mindset Shifts – Why acceptance, honesty, and aligning your identity are key to thriving

✅ Burnout & Mental Health – Recognizing the root causes and actionable steps to move forward

✅ Strength Training & Blood Sugar – How timing, insulin on board, and exercise type impact glucose levels

✅ Food Myths & Freedom – Why carbs aren't the enemy and how strategy beats restriction

✅ Finding Your Comfort Zone – How to set realistic blood sugar targets that work for YOUR life

✅ The Power of Coaching – Why working with someone who's lived it makes all the difference

Coach Ken and Madi remind you that it's not about perfection—it's about progress, sustainability, and finding what works for you. Your doctor gives you ratios, but it's your job to learn your body and make adjustments (with your healthcare team's support, of course).

Whether you're newly diagnosed, decades into your journey, or supporting someone you love, this conversation will help you simplify the chaos and start living life first—with diabetes management as the supporting role, not the star of the show.🎧

Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major podcast platforms - TypeOneTypeFun.com and DirectDiabetes.com🔗

Connect with Coach Ken:

🎧 Podcast: The Healthy Diabetic Podcast (available on all platforms)

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachk3n/

🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com

Registered Dietitian & T1D Coach Madi Cheever hosts this helpful/uplifting podcast:

✅ Follow Madi https://www.instagram.com/type.one.type.fun

📚 Get her FREE book for practical T1D strategies & empowerment at typeonetypefun.com/free-book

🎙️ You can also watch episodes of this podcast on her platforms at TypeOneTypeFun.com

🎙️ Find more podcast episodes + diabetes news at: https://directdiabetes.com

Disclaimer: The content provided in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health regimen. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.

What if the key to better blood sugar control isn't another medication - it's getting better sleep? 😴💡

In this episode, I'm sitting down with Tina Alexander, RDN, CDCES, founder of @integralifeaz, and we're diving into something most healthcare providers skip right over: the whole-person approach to diabetes care 🌟

Tina didn't just stumble into this work - her own health journey showed her that traditional diabetes education was missing something crucial: the connection between sleep quality, hydration, mental health, and blood sugar outcomes 🔗

Here's what makes this conversation different:

🛏️ Why sleep is step one for better blood sugars - Tina addresses this with every single patient first (and how it impacts insulin resistance more than you might think)

☕ Breaking the caffeine-fatigue cycle that keeps you exhausted and your blood sugars unpredictable

😰 What diabetes distress really is - and practical ways to handle it (because it's different from burnout and needs different support)

💧 The hydration factor most people overlook - and how it directly affects your CGM readings

🎯 Simple steps to feel better TODAY - no perfection required, just progress

This episode is for you if:✅ You're newly diagnosed and don't know where to start
✅ You've been managing diabetes for decades but feel stuck
✅ You're supporting someone with diabetes and want to understand the bigger picture
✅ You're tired of one-size-fits-all approaches that don't work for YOUR life
✅ You're exhausted from trying to be "perfect" and need permission to focus on progress instead

Tina's multi-state diabetes education program, Integra Life, proves that when we address the whole person—not just blood sugar numbers—real, lasting change happens 📈✨

This conversation is packed with tips to put you back in control of your health 💪 One doable step at a time.

Ready to stay connected?
✅ Follow IntegraLife at IntegraLifeAZ.com and on socials at @integralifeaz
✅ Follow @type.one.type.fun and @DirectDiabetes for more diabetes conversations
📚 Get my free book at typeonetypefun.com/free-book
🎙️ More episodes at DirectDiabetes.com

What's the one thing you wish your healthcare team addressed more?

Disclaimer: The content provided in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health regimen. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.

Get the strategies that changed everything - grab your FREE copy of You Have Permission: Eat Sugar, Fire Your Doctor, and Rewrite the Rules of T1D at 📚: typeonetypefun.com/free-book

Whether you're newly diagnosed and overwhelmed, decades in with diabetes burnout, or supporting someone with Type 1 diabetes - this episode gives you permission to rewrite the rules that aren't serving you.

In this raw, vulnerable solo episode, Madi shares her T1D diagnosis story from Halloween night as a terrified 14-year-old to the doctor who told her she'd "never again have a perfect record of health." But this isn't just storytelling - it's about giving you practical tools for diabetes management you can use today.

What you'll discover:

• The real story behind Madi's Type 1 diabetes diagnosis (and why timing matters more than you think)

• Why this book works for anyone - whether you're 2 weeks or 20 years into your T1D journey

• How repetition and diabetes education build genuine insulin confidence

• Practical strategies for carb counting, exercise with T1D, and blood sugar management

• Why healthcare providers, family members, and diabetes supporters need these tools too

This episode transforms a personal story into actionable strategies around diabetes burnout, T1D support, and building confidence with insulin management.

Ready to rewrite your T1D rules? Your free copy of You Have Permission is waiting at typeonetypefun.com/free-book

Connect with Madi:

✅ Instagram: @type.one.type.fun for daily T1D support and education

🎙️ More episodes and diabetes resources: DirectDiabetes.com

📚 Free book and T1D strategies: typeonetypefun.com/free-book

#Type1Diabetes #T1D #DiabetesDiagnosis #InsulinConfidence #T1DSupport #DiabetesManagement #DiabetesBurnout #T1DEducation