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Insulin and diabetes technology help people manage type 1 diabetes (T1D), but what would it take to go beyond management?

In this episode of the Diabetes Nerd Podcast, I talk with Sernova CEO Jonathan Rigby, who has lived with T1D for more than 40 years. We discuss the company’s implantable cell pouch and its effort to create a functional cure.

Rigby explains how the approach works, what challenges remain, and why he believes the future of treatment may look very different.

Learn more about Sernova's work here: https://sernova.com/about-us/
Thanks for tuning in! Join the Diabetes Nerd Network.
Thanks to Eversense for sponsoring the Diabetes Nerd Podcast. Eversense is home to the world's only 365-Day CGM. See if it's right for you at eversensecgm.com/ginger.
DISCLAIMER: This video is not medical advice. Ginger Vieira is not a doctor. Please consult your healthcare team before making any changes to your healthcare regimen.
FIND MORE FROM GINGER VIEIRA
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GINGER's DIABETES BOOKS
🔥 NEW RELEASE: Every Day with Diabetes
Stop Overeating During Lows
Exercise with Diabetes
Dealing with Diabetes Burnout
Pregnancy with Type 1 Diabetes
Emotional Eating with Diabetes
When I Go Low
Ain't Gonna Hide my T1D
GINGER’S FAVE DIABETES-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS
Enjoy Donuts Guilt-free with Good Journey
Like Clean Protein Treats? Get 20% Off IQ Bars!
Treat Lows Fast with Glow Gummies: Get 10% Off with Code GINGERT1D!
SUPPORT INDEPENDENT DIABETES EDUCATION
👉 If you found value in today's episode and want to support independent diabetes education, advocacy, and storytelling, you can leave a tip at buymeacoffee.com/diabetesnerd. 
Every contribution helps keep the podcast going and allows us to continue bringing important conversations to the diabetes community. 
Thank you for being here. 🧡
DISCLOSURE: Ginger is an affiliate of Glow Gummies and Good Journey Donuts. By using her links to purchase, she may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Enjoy!
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I’ve spent years learning how to speak up for the diabetes care I need—and I know how frustrating it can be when a provider or insurance company says no.

In this episode of the Diabetes Nerd Podcast, I talk with Lily Mees and Paola Acevedo about how people with diabetes can advocate for themselves and navigate a complicated healthcare system. We discuss preparing for appointments, asking clear questions, finding a care team that listens, and what to do when insurance denies a medication or device.

Lily shares why self-advocacy is a skill you can practice and how to make the most of a short doctor’s visit. Paola explains formularies, prior authorizations, step therapy, appeals, and why detailed documentation can make a difference.

We also talk about diabetes technology and treatment options, including CGMs, pumps, and inhaled insulin. If you’ve ever felt dismissed, struggled to get coverage, or wondered what to ask your provider, this conversation offers practical ways to take a more active role in your care.

Want to get in touch with today's guests? Find them here: www.SteppingForward.net 
Thanks for tuning in! Join the Diabetes Nerd Network.
Thanks to Eversense for sponsoring the Diabetes Nerd Podcast. Eversense is home to the world's only 365-Day CGM. See if it's right for you at eversensecgm.com/ginger.
DISCLAIMER: This video is not medical advice. Ginger Vieira is not a doctor. Please consult your healthcare team before making any changes to your healthcare regimen.
FIND MORE FROM GINGER VIEIRA
YOUTUBE
BOOKS
ARTICLES 
INSTAGRAM 
LINKEDIN 
FACEBOOK
GINGER's DIABETES BOOKS
🔥 NEW RELEASE: Every Day with Diabetes
Stop Overeating During Lows
Exercise with Diabetes
Dealing with Diabetes Burnout
Pregnancy with Type 1 Diabetes
Emotional Eating with Diabetes
When I Go Low
Ain't Gonna Hide my T1D
GINGER’S FAVE DIABETES-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS
Enjoy Donuts Guilt-free with Good Journey
Like Clean Protein Treats? Get 20% Off IQ Bars!
Treat Lows Fast with Glow Gummies: Get 10% Off with Code GINGERT1D!
SUPPORT INDEPENDENT DIABETES EDUCATION
👉 If you found value in today's episode and want to support independent diabetes education, advocacy, and storytelling, you can leave a tip at buymeacoffee.com/diabetesnerd. 
Every contribution helps keep the podcast going and allows us to continue bringing important conversations to the diabetes community. 
Thank you for being here. 🧡
DISCLOSURE: Ginger is an affiliate of Glow Gummies and Good Journey Donuts. By using her links to purchase, she may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Enjoy!
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"A cure is five years away."

If you've lived with type 1 diabetes for any length of time, you've heard it. Maybe at diagnosis, maybe from a well-meaning doctor, maybe on repeat for decades. Then five years pass, and five more, and the question gets harder to ignore: where is it?

That frustration is fair. So is the skepticism. But Seraxis CEO Will Rust believes we are closer to a cure for T1D than we've ever been, and he makes his case in this episode.

We dig into what Seraxis is actually building, how its approach differs from Eledon's, what FDA approval would really mean for people living with T1D, and why he thinks hope is warranted this time rather than naive.

Could a cure happen in our lifetime? Listen, and decide for yourself.

I've been living with type 1 for most of my life, and I've heard the five-year promise more times than I can count. This conversation left me feeling something I don't feel often about cure research: cautiously, genuinely optimistic. I hope it does the same for you.

Thanks for tuning in! Join the Diabetes Nerd Network.
Thanks to Eversense for sponsoring the Diabetes Nerd Podcast. Eversense is home to the world's only 365-Day CGM. See if it's right for you at eversensecgm.com/ginger.
Thanks to IQ Bars for sponsoring this episode! Use this link to get 20% off your next purchase of these clean & yummy treats.
DISCLAIMER: This video is not medical advice. Ginger Vieira is not a doctor. Please consult your healthcare team before making any changes to your healthcare regimen.
FIND MORE FROM GINGER VIEIRA
YOUTUBE
BOOKS
ARTICLES 
INSTAGRAM 
LINKEDIN 
FACEBOOK
GINGER's DIABETES BOOKS
🔥 NEW RELEASE: Every Day with Diabetes
Stop Overeating During Lows
Exercise with Diabetes
Dealing with Diabetes Burnout
Pregnancy with Type 1 Diabetes
Emotional Eating with Diabetes
When I Go Low
Ain't Gonna Hide my T1D
GINGER’S FAVE DIABETES-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS
Enjoy Donuts Guilt-free with Good Journey
Like Clean Protein Treats? Get 20% Off IQ Bars!
Treat Lows Fast with Glow Gummies: Get 10% Off with Code GINGERT1D!
SUPPORT INDEPENDENT DIABETES EDUCATION
👉 If you found value in today's episode and want to support independent diabetes education, advocacy, and storytelling, you can leave a tip at buymeacoffee.com/diabetesnerd. 
Every contribution helps keep the podcast going and allows us to continue bringing important conversations to the diabetes community. 
Thank you for being here. 🧡
DISCLOSURE: Ginger is an affiliate of Glow Gummies and Good Journey Donuts. By using her links to purchase, she may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Enjoy!
Support the show

Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of The Diabetes Nerd Podcast, Tara Mayo and I talk with Dr. Beth Braun about the parts of type 1 diabetes (T1D) that people rarely see. 

Beth shares what it’s like to hit 40 mg/dL twice in one night, how severe lows can affect the body and mind long after they’re treated, and why people with diabetes need support instead of judgment.

Watch this episode for an honest conversation about diabetes burnout, relationships, self-advocacy, cure research, and the emotional work of managing blood sugar every day. 

We also discuss what family members, friends, and partners can do to offer meaningful support—and why realistic hope matters for the future of T1D treatment.

Thanks for tuning in! 
And thanks to Eversense for sponsoring the Diabetes Nerd Podcast. See if Eversense is right for you at EversenseCGM.com/Ginger. Thanks to IQ Bar for sponsoring this episode!
DISCLAIMER: This video is not medical advice. Ginger Vieira is not a doctor. Please consult your healthcare team before making any changes to your healthcare regimen.
FIND MORE FROM GINGER VIEIRA
YOUTUBE
BOOKS
ARTICLES 
INSTAGRAM 
LINKEDIN 
FACEBOOK
GINGER's DIABETES BOOKS
🔥 NEW RELEASE: Every Day with Diabetes
Stop Overeating During Lows
Exercise with Diabetes
Dealing with Diabetes Burnout
Pregnancy with Type 1 Diabetes
Emotional Eating with Diabetes
When I Go Low
Ain't Gonna Hide my T1D
GINGER’S FAVE DIABETES-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS
Enjoy Donuts Guilt-free with Good Journey
Like Clean Protein Treats? Get 20% Off IQ Bars!
Treat Lows Fast with Glow Gummies: Get 10% Off with Code GINGERT1D!
SUPPORT INDEPENDENT DIABETES EDUCATION
👉 If you found value in today's episode and want to support independent diabetes education, advocacy, and storytelling, you can leave a tip at buymeacoffee.com/diabetesnerd. 
Every contribution helps keep the podcast going and allows us to continue bringing important conversations to the diabetes community. 
Thank you for being here. 🧡
DISCLOSURE: Ginger is an affiliate of Glow Gummies and Good Journey Donuts. By using her links to purchase, she may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Enjoy!
Support the show

Send us Fan Mail
Living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) requires resilience every day. In this episode, I speak with therapist Lacee Musgrove about diabetes burnout, anxiety, self-compassion, perfectionism, and the pressure to manage everything perfectly.

We discuss how to navigate difficult moments, learn from mistakes, ask for help, and recognize the strength people with type 1 diabetes already have. 

Lacee also shares how parents can support children and teens with more connection and less shame. I think we could all use more of that.

What's something about chronic illness resilience you're trying to work through right now? Share it below if you feel inclined! 

Need personal support? Find Lacee here: WarriorMentalHealth.com
Thanks for tuning in! Join the Diabetes Nerd Network.
Thanks to Eversense for sponsoring the Diabetes Nerd Podcast. Eversense is home to the world's only 365-Day CGM. See if it's right for you at eversensecgm.com/ginger.
DISCLAIMER: This video is not medical advice. Ginger Vieira is not a doctor. Please consult your healthcare team before making any changes to your healthcare regimen.
FIND MORE FROM GINGER VIEIRA
YOUTUBE
BOOKS
ARTICLES 
INSTAGRAM 
LINKEDIN 
FACEBOOK
GINGER's DIABETES BOOKS
🔥 NEW RELEASE: Every Day with Diabetes
Stop Overeating During Lows
Exercise with Diabetes
Dealing with Diabetes Burnout
Pregnancy with Type 1 Diabetes
Emotional Eating with Diabetes
When I Go Low
Ain't Gonna Hide my T1D
GINGER’S FAVE DIABETES-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS
Treat Lows Fast with Glow Gummies 
Enjoy Donuts Guilt-free with Good Journey
SUPPORT INDEPENDENT DIABETES EDUCATION
👉 If you found value in today's episode and want to support independent diabetes education, advocacy, and storytelling, you can leave a tip at buymeacoffee.com/diabetesnerd. 
Every contribution helps keep the podcast going and allows us to continue bringing important conversations to the diabetes community. 
Thank you for being here. 🧡
DISCLOSURE: Ginger is an affiliate of Glow Gummies and Good Journey Donuts. If you use her links to purchase, she may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Enjoy!
Support the show