Diabetech - Diabetes Tech, Research, and News

ATTD 2025: The Biggest Diabetes Tech Announcements

Endocrinologist David Ahn and I break down the biggest diabetes tech announcements from the ATTD conference in Amsterdam! We dive into the highly anticipated Twiist pump, the newly unveiled and more powerful Kaleido 2, Tandem’s game-changing Control IQ+ algorithm update, Dexcom’s 15-day sensor, and more. This was a HUGE week for diabetes innovation—What are you most excited for? Let us know on Youtube!
 
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DISCLAIMER: This podcast is not medical advice and is for educational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making changes to your health care. 
 
*10-day trial eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions apply. Visit omnipod.com/diabetech for clinical disclaimers, terms and important safety information. The Pod has an IP28 rating for up to 25 feet for 60 minutes. The Omnipod 5 Controller is not waterproof.

How the ADA Sets its Standards of Care for Diabetes

The ADA’s Standards of Care shape diabetes treatment, technology access, and insurance coverage worldwide. In this episode, we break down the latest updates, including a major new recommendation that all people with type 2 diabetes—regardless of insulin use—have access to CGM. We also explore the ADA’s stance on emerging diabetes technologies and why these guidelines are considered the “gold standard” for diabetes management. Joining me is Dr. Grazia Aleppo, a leading endocrinologist and former Chair of the ADA’s Diabetes Technology Section, who shares insights into how these recommendations are developed and their impact on diabetes care.
 
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DISCLAIMERS: This podcast is not medical advice. Always consult with your doctor before making changes to your health care.
*10-day trial eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions apply. Visit omnipod.com/diabetech for clinical disclaimers, terms and important safety information. The Pod has an IP28 rating for up to 25 feet for 60 minutes. The Omnipod 5 Controller is not waterproof.

Mastering Loop: The DIY Automated Insulin System

DIY Loop is one of the most powerful and customizable automated insulin delivery systems for type 1 diabetes, offering features like overrides, retroactive carb adjustments, and glycemic index logging. In this episode, fellow Loop user Jake Giles joins me to share our experiences getting started, the support (or lack thereof) from doctors, and a deep dive into key features like carb logging by glycemic index, creating custom overrides, and pre-meal targets. Since Loop isn’t FDA-approved or available on the App Store, we also discuss the challenges of building and maintaining it. Plus, we answer your Instagram questions in a Q&A segment! Have questions? Drop them on the YouTube video!
 
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DISCLAIMERS: This podcast is not medical advice. Always consult with your doctor before making changes to your health care. DIY Loop is experimental and not approved by the FDA or regulatory authorities at the time of this video. You take full responsibility for building and using DIY Loop and you do so at your own risk. Results will vary.
 
*10-day trial eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions apply. Visit omnipod.com/diabetech for clinical disclaimers, terms and important safety information. The Pod has an IP28 rating for up to 25 feet for 60 minutes. The Omnipod 5 Controller is not waterproof.

Sernova's Type 1 Diabetes Cure Explained

Sernova’s innovative Cell Pouch implants insulin-producing cells, and early trials have helped some people achieve full insulin independence for years. But challenges like immunosuppressants and scalability remain. In this episode, I’m joined by Jonathan Rigby, CEO of Sernova and a fellow T1D, to discuss how this technology works, the life-changing results from clinical trials, and the next steps in diabetes cure research. We explore stem cell-derived islet cells, gene-edited cells that could eliminate the need for immunosuppressants, and Sernova’s long-term vision for making a functional cure accessible.
 
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DISCLAIMERS: This podcast is not medical advice and is for educational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making changes to your health care.
 
*10-day trial eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions apply. Visit omnipod.com/diabetech for clinical disclaimers, terms and important safety information. The Pod has an IP28 rating for up to 25 feet for 60 minutes. The Omnipod 5 Controller is not waterproof.

How T1D Volunteers Led The Charge During the LA Fires

In the aftermath of the devastating January 2025 Los Angeles fires, a grassroots group of volunteers, led by You’re Just My Type, sprang into action to deliver life-saving medical supplies to people with type 1 diabetes. Liz Van Horhis, who had only planned to visit L.A. for a dog-sitting trip, found herself at the heart of the relief effort. She shares how a simple favor turned into a mission to get critical medications to those in need.
 
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Thank you Medtronic for supporting the production to help us share these stories!
 
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Crew & Special Thanks: Producer, Host - Justin Eastzer Director, DP - Dylan Leonard Producer - Morgan Lester Editor - Tobias Divine Sound - Fiona Gaye B Camera - Zack Patrick Production Asst. - Craig Low Management - Catherine Lawson Medtronic Rep. - Ashley Patterson Donated Footage - TJ Wait
 
All funding received for this documentary went directly to supporting the production of the film. It was important to both me and our Director, fellow T1D Dylan Leonard, that we did not accept compensation from this project.

Diabetes Cures In The Works & What Comes Next

For decades, people with type 1 diabetes have heard that a cure is just “5-10 years away” – yet here we are, still waiting. Many have grown skeptical, but after this conversation, you might just walk away with hope! Journalist and fellow T1D Ginger Vieira joins me to break down the latest breakthroughs in diabetes cure research. From companies that have already cured people to game-changing innovations that eliminate the need for immunosuppressants, Ginger dives into why there is real incentive for a cure, and why we might be closer than ever before.
 
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Breakthrough T1D
 
DISCLAIMERS: This podcast is not medical advice and is for educational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making changes to your health care.
 
*10-day trial eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions apply. Visit omnipod.com/diabetech for clinical disclaimers, terms and important safety information. The Pod has an IP28 rating for up to 25 feet for 60 minutes. The Omnipod 5 Controller is not waterproof.

Diabetes Innovations We Expect in 2025 & Beyond

2025 is set to bring major advancements in diabetes technology, from AI-driven CGMs to new insulin pumps like Medtronic’s upcoming 8-series and patch pump, and the Tidepool Loop-based twiist pump. I spoke with Gary Scheiner, a CDCES and author of Think Like a Pancreas, to break down what these innovations mean for diabetes management.
 
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DISCLAIMERS: This podcast is not medical advice and is for educational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making changes to your health care.
 
*10-day trial eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions apply. Visit omnipod.com/diabetech for clinical disclaimers, terms and important safety information. The Pod has an IP28 rating for up to 25 feet for 60 minutes. The Omnipod 5 Controller is not waterproof.

The New Beta Bionics iLet Upgrades & Future Innovations

The Beta Bionics iLet insulin pump continues to impress with rapid updates like an upgraded design, expanded CGM integrations, and the sleek Blue Circle Follower App. I sit down with Beta Bionics’ Chief Product Officer, Mike Mensinger—known for his work on the Dexcom Follow feature and InPen smart insulin pen—to explore the iLet’s new features, including Libre 3 Plus integration, and exciting future plans like tubeless pump technology, a fully closed-loop algorithm, and a bi-hormonal pump with glucagon. Let us know your comments on Youtube!
 
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DISCLAIMERS: This podcast is not medical advice and is for educational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making changes to your health care.
 
*10-day trial eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions apply. Visit omnipod.com/diabetech for clinical disclaimers, terms and important safety information. The Pod has an IP28 rating for up to 25 feet for 60 minutes. The Omnipod 5 Controller is not waterproof.

Raising A Child with Type 1 Diabetes

Parenting a child with type 1 diabetes is no easy feat, and in this episode, Shannon Boggs shares her journey raising her 10-year-old daughter. From diagnosis to navigating school, sports, and independence, Shannon offers insights into fostering resilience and managing challenges like 504 plans and emotions. We also explore the role their diabetes alert dog plays in their care team. Whether it’s cheering Raylin on at all-star softball games or building healthy habits, Shannon’s story is one of love, empowerment, and inspiration for any family navigating T1D.
 
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DISCLAIMERS: This podcast is not medical advice and is for educational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making changes to your health care.
 
*10-day trial eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions apply. Visit omnipod.com/diabetech for clinical disclaimers, terms and important safety information. The Pod has an IP28 rating for up to 25 feet for 60 minutes. The Omnipod 5 Controller is not waterproof.

Coming Out Again As T1D

In this episode, we dive into the mental and social toll of living with type 1 diabetes, exploring the feelings of stigma, shame, and constant need for explanation that often accompany the condition. Joining me is my friend Jake Giles, who has lived with T1D since age 16 and wrote a powerful piece for Beyond Type 1 about the isolation and embarrassment that can come with managing diabetes in social situations. Together, we discuss our shared experiences navigating diabetes, acceptance as gay men, and how the highs and lows of the condition can disrupt life’s most meaningful moments. This heartfelt conversation brought me to tears, and I hope it resonates with others facing similar challenges.
 
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DISCLAIMERS: This podcast is not medical advice and is for educational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making changes to your health care.
 
*10-day trial eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions apply. Visit omnipod.com/diabetech for clinical disclaimers, terms and important safety information. The Pod has an IP28 rating for up to 25 feet for 60 minutes. The Omnipod 5 Controller is not waterproof.

Revolutionizing A1C and Biomarker Testing with the Q-Pad

I sat down the Founder of Qvin to explore a groundbreaking device that uses menstrual blood to monitor biomarkers for conditions like cervical cancer, fertility, thyroid health, STIs, and more. Already making waves, Qvin’s FDA-cleared test for A1C measures average blood glucose over three months using a pad-like device during a menstrual cycle, with results sent to a smartphone app. We dive into how this innovation is transforming early diagnostics, its current use for cervical cancer screening in Southeast Asia, and Dr. Naser’s journey—from developing a molecule to block skin cancer to simulating cycles with a robot named Betty.
 
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DISCLAIMERS: This podcast is not medical advice and is for educational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making changes to your health care.
 
*10-day trial eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions apply. Visit omnipod.com/diabetech for clinical disclaimers, terms and important safety information. The Pod has an IP28 rating for up to 25 feet for 60 minutes. The Omnipod 5 Controller is not waterproof.

Switching from Tandem t:slim X2 to Medtronic 780g - The Pros & Cons

Today we dive into a head-to-head comparison of two leading automated insulin delivery (AID) systems, viewed through the lens of someone who has lived with diabetes since the 1950s. Our guest, Michael Dardenelle, shares his firsthand experience transitioning from the Tandem t:slim X2 and Dexcom G7 to the Medtronic 780g and Guardian 4 CGM, offering insights into how the Medtronic system has performed, his results with the new algorithm, and the features he misses from the Tandem system.
Last week, we aired one of my favorite episodes featuring Michael’s incredible journey. At 78 years old, he has faced numerous health challenges since his adolescence with type 1 diabetes but has remained a source of strength and inspiration for the diabetes community. If you haven’t heard his story yet, I highly encourage you to check it out next—it’s a moving and unforgettable interview. You can listen to that episode here.
 
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Learn about Omnipod 5 (today's sponsor)*
 
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DISCLAIMERS: This podcast is not medical advice and is for educational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making changes to your health care.
 
*10-day trial eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions apply. Visit omnipod.com/diabetech for clinical disclaimers, terms and important safety information. The Pod has an IP28 rating for up to 25 feet for 60 minutes. The Omnipod 5 Controller is not waterproof.

Diabetes Care Since 1950: An Inspiring Journey Through Time

Michael Dardenelle was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1956. In this episode, he reflects on the remarkable evolution of diabetes treatment and technology over the decades, while sharing his personal health challenges, including living with neuropathy. Michael’s journey is both inspiring and insightful—a must-watch for anyone interested in diabetes care.
Be sure to tune in next week as Michael returns to discuss his transition from the Tandem t:slim X2 to the Medtronic 780G!
 
Please fill out our 2024 Diabetech Podcast Survey
 
Learn about Omnipod 5 (today's sponsor)*
 
T1D Exchange Registry Sign up  (US only)
 
Read our Blog + Join the Newsletter 
 
Support Diabetech on Patreon  | Diabetech Community Discord
 
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Watch the Podcast on Youtube
 
DISCLAIMERS: This podcast is not medical advice and is for educational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making changes to your health care.
 
*10-day trial eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions apply. Visit omnipod.com/diabetech for clinical disclaimers, terms and important safety information. The Pod has an IP28 rating for up to 25 feet for 60 minutes. The Omnipod 5 Controller is not waterproof.

Why US Healthcare is Broken - Today’s Issues & AI Solutions Ahead

From skyrocketing insurance premiums to record-high coverage denials by companies like United Healthcare, we explore why the $5 trillion US healthcare system lacks transparency and leaves consumers paying more for less. I'm joined by Jeff Delverne, Director of Payer Relations at Beta Bionics to unpack industry consolidation, the role of PBMs in driving profits, the impact of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), and the potential of AI to revolutionize healthcare—highlighting Microsoft’s partnership with Epic to integrate generative AI into electronic health records.
 
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DISCLAIMERS: This podcast is not medical advice and is for educational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making changes to your health care.
 
*10-day trial eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions apply. Visit omnipod.com/diabetech for clinical disclaimers, terms and important safety information. The Pod has an IP28 rating for up to 25 feet for 60 minutes. The Omnipod 5 Controller is not waterproof.

The Biggest Diabetes Tech Stories of 2024

From big partnerships like Dexcom and Oura, and Abbott with Medtronic, to the development of an all-in-one insulin pump, 2024 was a year of major advancements in diabetes technology. In this episode, I explore the game-changing collaborations between industry giants and their potential impact, a new insulin pump bringing a DIY algorithm to the mainstream, the increasing accessibility of CGMs, and a significant legal victory for Insulet, the makers of Omnipod. Don't miss this deep dive into the stories shaping the future of diabetes tech!
 
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DISCLAIMERS: This podcast is not medical advice and is for educational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making changes to your health care.
 
*10-day trial eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions apply. Visit omnipod.com/diabetech for clinical disclaimers, terms and important safety information. The Pod has an IP28 rating for up to 25 feet for 60 minutes. The Omnipod 5 Controller is not waterproof.