| Diabetes Life
The Official Diabetes Victoria Podcast |
Diabetes Life is Diabetes Victoria’s new podcast series, sharing people’s experiences living with diabetes from all walks of life.
If you want to share your story or have any ideas for this podcast, write to us at podcasts@diabetesvic.org.au.
Diabetes Life - Episode 1
A new 10-year study will seek to answer important unanswered questions about diabetes. Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute is actively recruiting for the Prediction Study, which will track 2000 Victorians aged 15 to 39 with young-onset type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In this podcast episode, listen to the chat between Diabetes Victoria CEO Glen Noonan and Professor Dianna Magliano, who leads the Prediction Study. She is urging Victorians under 40 years with diabetes to sign up so the researchers can better understand why some people develop complications, and to help researchers better understand the aggressive nature of young-onset type 2 diabetes.
Please be aware this podcast episode discusses diabetes complications which may cause distress. If this information is new to you or causes you any distress, please speak with your health care team, contact the NDSS helpline on 1800 637 700 or visit the link here for mental health providers support.
Stay tuned for the next episode of Diabetes Life podcast!
The Living Well with Diabetes podcast series hosted by Jack Fitzpatrick has concluded after 30 wonderful episodes and 3 seasons. Listeners can now access the latest podcast series; Diabetes Life in all their podcast listening platform.
Episode 30
When Ben Sive was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes last year, he thought that his career as a passenger jet pilot was over. In this chat with podcast host Jack Fitzpatrick, Ben shares how this historically career-ending diagnosis hasn’t kept him grounded at all. Thanks to his determination, advances in aviation medicine and treatment of type 1 diabetes, Ben has become Australia’s first pilot with type 1 diabetes to be allowed to fly a commercial passenger jet.
Episode 29
Recently, some studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can be put into ‘remission’ in some people. In this episode, host Jack Fitzpatrick chats with Diabetes Victoria’s Catherine Amadio-Prochillo and Jane Robinson and, together, they explore what type 2 diabetes remission is and if you really can make type 2 diabetes ‘go away’.
Catherine Amadio-Prochillo is a credentialled diabetes nurse educator and registered nurse, and heads the diabetes education team at Diabetes Victoria. Accredited practising dietitian Jane Robinson is leading the team of dietitians at Diabetes Victoria. People with type 2 diabetes, who wish to attempt diabetes remission, need to do so in close consultation with their healthcare team.
For more information, get a copy of the position statement via
diabetesaustralia.com.au.
Episode 28
Ahead of Saturday’s Federal Election, all major parties have promised to provide subsidised access to continuous glucose monitoring and flash glucose monitoring technology for all people living with type 1 diabetes.
In this episode, host Jack Fitzpatrick unpacks this election commitment with Renza Scibilia from Diabetes Australia. Renza is a well-known diabetes and health advocate, who has a worked behind the scenes for many years to make this technology more accessible. Renza also explains what other election asks Diabetes Australia is wanting the newly elected government to tackle next:
diabetesaustralia.com.au/research-advocacy/advocacy/federal-election-platform-2022
Episode 27
After nine years, Diabetes Victoria says farewell to CEO Craig Bennett, who just retired from full-time work at the end of March.
Chatting with host Jack Fitzpatrick, Craig reflects on his time as CEO – the changes he’s seen, what they’ve meant for people living with diabetes, how Diabetes Victoria has evolved over the past nine years… and what are the main challenges that lie ahead.
Craig Bennett is well known to many in the health industry. He took up his appointment as the CEO of Diabetes Victoria in March 2013.
Craig is a health economist by training (University of York) and a Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management. He has held senior management positions in both the private and public health care sectors in Australia and overseas and also worked for an international consulting firm and as an academic economist.
We will all miss Craig’s dedication and his passionate commitment to supporting people affected by diabetes and wish him all the best as he moves into retirement and to the UK to spend more time with his family.
Episode 26
Meet diabetes researcher Associate Professor John Wentworth. John receives funding from the Diabetes Australia Research Program (DARP) to develop an in-home islet autoantibody test for detecting type 1 diabetes. Similar to COVID-19 rapid antigen tests, this could mean a new way to identify type 1 diabetes in children and young adults who are at high risk quickly, easily, and at a lower cost.
John works with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and collaborates with Melbourne Health/the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Lions Diabetes Foundation and JDRF.
A great episode for anyone who is wondering what’s new in the world of diabetes research.
Episode 25
Meet the amazing Izzy Anstey who is living with type 1 diabetes and pursuing a professional basketball career. Izzy joined the famous UCLA women’s basketball team in late 2019, following the footsteps of her athlete parents Chris Anstey, a former professional NBA player, and Linley Frame, an elite swimmer who represented Australia at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
During this frank chat with host Jack Fitzpatrick, Izzy shares how and when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and how she won’t be stopped pursuing her dreams. The pair also talk about their recent experiences catching COVID-19. A terrific episode particularly for younger people living with diabetes as Jack and Izzy discuss how they navigate the world of dating, going out and managing to party safely!
Episode 24
In our special episode for World Diabetes Day, host Jack Fitzpatrick talks to Professor Peter Colman AM about the discovery of insulin 100 years ago – and how it has literally saved millions of lives. Professor Colman is a prominent Melbourne endocrinologist with the Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Professor Colman is also a Board Director of Diabetes Victoria and chairs the Clinical Advisory Committee.
Episode 23
In this edition, Diabetes Victoria Board Member, Emeritus Professor Trisha Dunning AM* reflects on her career as a leading nurse, diabetes clinician, qualitative methods researcher and educator.
Trisha has published widely and is acknowledged as an expert on diabetes management and care guidelines – particularly for older people and people receiving palliative or end-of-life care.
She has also been a significant contributor to many diabetes organisations, such as the International Diabetes Federation, Diabetes Australia and the Australian Diabetes Educators Association.
* Diabetes Victoria mourns the passing of our beloved Board Director: Trisha Dunning, who died on Thursday evening 14 October 2021 – peacefully, at home and surrounded by her family. She was 74. We have expressed our deepest sympathies to her husband John and family.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that the following podcast contains names and voices of people who have died.
Episode 22
To mark Women’s Health Week from 6 to 10 September, we spoke with endocrinologist Dr Sarah Price, who recently started as the Director of Chief Medicine at the Royal Women’s Hospital, and Liz Semmens, who was diagnosed with gestational diabetes in 2019 and completed the Life! program.
Episode 21
In recognising National Diabetes Week, our host Jack Fitzpatrick had a chat about diabetes stigma with Michael Taylor, who lives with type 1 diabetes, and Professor Jane Speight, Foundation Director of the Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes (ACBRD), who has completed some of the world’ first research in this area.
Episode 20
In recognising National Reconciliation Week, we spoke with Joe Day, a proud Yorta Yorta and Wamba Wamba man, about his journey living with type 2 diabetes and what National Reconciliation Week means to him.
Episode 19
26-year-old NSW Swifts' goalkeeper and netball's rising star, Sarah Klau, joined us to chat about her not so typical diagnosis story, travelling and playing with diabetes as well as where she finds support.
Episode 18
Renza Scibilia has worked for Diabetes Victoria and Diabetes Australia for over 8 years. She is a diabetes and health advocate, peer support and social media consultant, health writer, media spokesperson, workshop presenter and facilitator. Renza is a blogger - she is the owner, editor, and writer of Diabetogenic.
This podcast will highlight Renza’s career, how she uses technology to manage her diabetes and the ways she advocates for people living with diabetes.
Episode 17
Malcolm Gray has had many roles throughout his career; including chairman of the International Cricket Council and Cricket Australia, plus a director at Diabetes Victoria... just to name a few. In this episode, you’ll not only learn about Malcolm’s incredible career but how diabetes has touched his life and his experiences raising a son who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 5.
Episode 16
To kick us off for 2021, we spoke with Tom Browne, one of Australia’s most recognisable journalists particularly in the world of sport, about his experiences living with type 1 diabetes. Tom shares his diagnosis story, how he manages diabetes while working through a busy schedule on radio and television, and a whole lot more!
Episode 15
Sponsored episode
In this new episode of the Diabetes Victoria podcast, host Jack Fitzpatrick speaks with Karen Crawford about her experience of living with type 1 diabetes and using FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring.
Episode 14
To mark World Diabetes Day on 14 November, we spoke with Deb Gooley about her incredible career as a diabetes nurse educator and a midwife, and how she has supported people living with, or affected by, diabetes in these roles.
Episode 13
To mark World Mental Health Day on 10 October we speak with registered psychologist and research fellow at the Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes (ACBRD), Dr Shikha Gray, about mental health and diabetes. Shikha helps us unpack the link between diabetes and depression, or other mental illnesses. She also talks about how people living with diabetes are affected by stigma, plus loads more!
Episode 12
To mark Women’s Health Week from 7-11 September we spoke with Women’s National Basketball League player, Lara McSpadden, about her journey as a woman living with type 1 diabetes while playing elite level sport. Lara discusses the challenges and triumphs she has faced, and what advice she would give her younger self knowing what she knows now.
Episode 11
To mark International Youth Day on 12 August we spoke with Blair Gould and Lochie Noonan about their experiences growing up with type 1 diabetes. Blair and Lochie share their thoughts on managing diabetes while studying and being active, even at an elite athlete level. They also share how they look after their mental health, changes in their hormones, socialising and where they find support.
Episode 10
Meet 80-year Kellion Victory Medal recipient Anna Moresby. Anna has experienced dramatic changes in diabetes management over eight decades, has been an eye witness of life-changing developments in the diabetes world and has significantly contributed to establishing Victoria’s peer support network.
Sadly, Anna Moresby passed away in June 2021, aged 85. Anna was a delight to be around. She provided us with many insights into living so well for such a long time with diabetes and we are grateful to have known her. Diabetes Victoria extends our sympathy to her family and friends. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that the following podcast contains names and voices of people who have died.
Episode 9
To promote eye health awareness, we spoke with ophthalmologist and Associate Professor Peter van Wijngaarden about the impacts of diabetes on eye health. Peter provides a wealth of information including who is at risk, what treatment options are available and the importance of getting regular eye checks.
Episode 8
Today, on International Nurses Day (12 May every year) during the 2020 International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, as proclaimed by the World Health Organization (WHO), we are speaking to diabetes nurse educator Michelle Cox. Michelle has been working at Diabetes Victoria for seven years and talks about the important role of diabetes nurse educators within the diabetes care team.
Episode 7
In a special edition podcast, advocacy coordinator Susanne Baxandall is explaining how Diabetes Victoria is here to help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Episode 6
In this episode, we meet Steve McGhie, Victorian MP and former State Secretary of Ambulance Employees Australia. Steve was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which came as a surprise to him
Episode 5
In this episode, we meet accredited exercise physiologist Nicole French. Nicole will share her passion for exercise physiology which uses exercise as a treatment for people living with complex and chronic health conditions.
Episode 4
In this episode, we meet Jade Erickson and her son Justin, who is living with type 1 diabetes. They are talking about the challenges the condition poses on their everyday family life.
Episode 3
In this episode, we meet Tim McMaster, one of Diabetes Victoria's dietitians, and discuss strategies for eating during the festive season.
Episode 2
In this episode, we speak with Tiffany Johnson and hear her amazing story of survival, how it lead to the onset of diabetes, and her role as an advocate for healthy living.
Episode 1
The Living Well with Diabetes podcast series aims to provide our audience with relatable, accessible and interesting stories about the varied human experiences of living with or caring for people with diabetes. These podcasts will showcase interesting people offering tips and stories for the diabetes community.
