Direct Diabetes

What happens when the diabetes app you desperately need doesn’t exist—so you build it yourself?

In this episode, Madi Cheever sits down with Drew Mendelow, founder of T1D1, the nonprofit behind the first FDA-cleared, completely free insulin dosing and diabetes management app designed specifically for people living with type 1 diabetes.

Diagnosed at just 13 years old, Drew turned an overwhelming diagnosis into a mission to re...

Living with type 1 diabetes doesn’t mean giving up adventure — it just means being prepared.

In this episode, Madi Cheever of TypeOneTypeFun.com, sits down with Paul Reid, the creator of TypeOneOutdoors.com, to talk about hiking, climbing, travel, and managing blood sugar far from home.

Paul shares his personal journey of being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a teenager, how outdoor adventure became a form of “wilderness th...

In this inspiring episode, host Madi Cheever sits down withMichelle Hale, founder of Global Diabetic, a global Type 1 diabetes advocate who has lived on five continents, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, and built a worldwide community proving that diabetes does not define limitations.
Michelle shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 14, navigating early feelings of isolation, and eventually transform...

✨ This episode gave us goosebumps — and it will give you hope. ✨

We spoke with Dr. Larry Deeb, a pediatric endocrinologist, longtime clinical trial leader, Florida State University faculty member, and former President of the American Diabetes Association. After more than 40 years caring for children with diabetes, Dr. Deeb shared something truly extraordinary: he believes he may have prevented type 1 diabetes from developing in ...

"Healthy Eating" doesn't have to mean restriction, guilt, or stress 🍎

In this episode, Madi Cheever, MPH, RD, LDN, CHES sits down with Ann Kent, RDN, CDCES, founder of Peas and Hoppiness, a meal planning app that makes real, nutritious food simple, fun, and satisfying for busy families. Ann shares how growing up on a Kansas farm shaped her relationship with food, how she turned her passion for practical nutrition into...

"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 thi...

Managing diabetes doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. 💙

In this episode, Madi (@TypeOneTypeFun) chats with Coach Ken, diabetes health coach and host of The Healthy Diabetic Podcast (@CoachK3n) about simplifying the mental load of diabetes, balancing workouts and blood sugars, and finding freedom with food (yes, even spaghetti tacos 🌮🍝).

🎧 Listen/Watch now and discover how to turn 180+ daily decisions into just a few simple habits.

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Madi Cheever of TypeOneTypeFun.com is joined by Tina Alexander, RDN, CDCES, founder of IntegralifeAZ.com, a multi-state diabetes education program that takes a whole-person approach to care.

Tina shares how her own health journey inspired her to create Integra Life, why sleep is the first thing she addresses with every patient, and how hydration, mental health, and small daily actions can completely transform outcomes.

Whether you’re...

What do island-hopping humanitarian missions and diabetes management have in common? A lot — if you ask Dr. Amir Harari. 👨‍⚕️⚓

In this episode, Dr. Harari shares:

✨ His 20+ years in the U.S. Navy & how he got to travel the world & bring care to remote islands

✨ How those experiences shaped his approach to helping patients with diabetes today

✨ The latest on tech like CGMs & pumps — and what’s coming in the next 5 years

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🤯 Ever feel like managing blood sugar is a full-time job? Now imagine adding gastroparesis to the mix. Gastroparesis, which causes delayed stomach emptying, can make meals unpredictable and blood sugars harder to manage.

In this week’s podcast, Madi Cheever sits down with Samantha Sauer, leader of G-PACT, to talk about:

📌 Living with T1D + gastroparesis

📌 The reality of delayed digestion

📌 Insulin timing tips from real-life exp...

🚀 Meet Glucosense – the AI-powered app making life with diabetes so much easier! It's FREE in the IOS/Android app stores.

💡 What it does:

✅ Connects with Dexcom & Freestyle Libre CGMs

✅ Combines your meals, sleep, insulin & exercise in one clear view

✅ Gives you a daily glucose score + tips to stay in range

👨‍💻 Created by Jonathan Fitch & Cole Chalab after a scary college experience, Glucosense is here to ...

Dive into the amazing world of the Diabetes Network of Arizona (DNAZ), founded by the inspiring Tara Krajnak. In this uplifting episode, you'll learn how DNAZ provides essential resources, heartfelt support, and community connections for individuals and families impacted by type 1 diabetes. 💙✨

Episode highlights include:

🌟 Tara’s personal journey—from a challenging childhood to her own type 1 diabetes diagnosis—and why communit...

In this inspiring (and mouthwatering!) episode, Madi Cheever MPH, RD, LDN, CHES sits down with the incredible Lynne Bowman—author of Brownies for Breakfast: A Cookbook for Diabetics and the People Who Love Them.

👉 Discover how Lynne’s journey with type 2 diabetes, a career in advertising, and life as a mom shaped her unique approach to healthy eating.
👉 Hear the story behind the name Brownies for Breakfast (hint: we all want th...

🎮💙 What if learning to manage type 1 diabetes felt more like playing a game than reading a terrifying instruction manual? In this episode, Madi Cheever, of TypeOneTypeFun.com interviews Video Game Creator, Sam Glassenberg.

When Sam’s 5-year-old daughter was diagnosed with T1D, his life changed overnight. As a video game developer (Star Wars, Hunger Games, Mission Impossible—yeah, that level), he quickly realized how broken the &qu...

✨ VIP Diabetes Care ✨What if your endocrinologist knew your daily routine… even what time you walk your dog? 🐾 What if you could call her for advice & insight any day of the week? In this episode of the Direct Diabetes Podcast, Dr. Heather Saran of Bright Endocrinology shares how her "Direct Care Model" brings back the personal touch—no insurance hassles, no rushed appointments, just real, customized care. 💬 From CGMs to GLP-...

Registered dietitian and certified diabetes care specialist Elise Marrs talks about gestational diabetes—what it is, why it happens, and how to manage it during pregnancy. Elise breaks down who’s most at risk, how blood sugar affects the baby, and why personalized nutrition and exercise plans can make a huge difference. She also talks about how quickly blood sugar levels typically return to normal after delivery, how to reduce your...

In this episode of The Direct Diabetes Podcast, we're joined by diabetes educator Bridget Wood, RD, LD, CDCES, who shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 17 and how it shaped her career. Bridget offers practical tips on managing blood sugar levels, staying prepared for highs and lows, and making the most of diabetes tech and new treatment options. 🎧 Listen now and take control of your diabetes journ...

Camp AZDA is the American Diabetes Association’s summer camp designed specifically for kids with Type 1 diabetes in Arizona.

For decades, this incredible camp has provided a place where children can have fun, build friendships, and gain confidence in managing their diabetes—all in a supportive environment with medical professionals on hand.

We're speaking with Emily Madison, The American Diabetes Assocation's Senior Camps Director an...