Mila Clarke, MS, NBC-HWC, joins Scott to talk about something many of us feel but don’t always say out loud: diabetes can be incredibly isolating, and community can change everything.

Mila shares her own diagnosis story, including years of being misdiagnosed and the exhausting fight to be believed. From there, the conversation explores what makes a community truly supportive (and what makes it feel unsafe), why “lurking” is a legitimate and valuable way to begin, and how to take one small step toward connection even if you’ve been managing diabetes alone for a long time.

What You'll Learn

• Why diabetes can feel so isolating, and why stigma makes it worse
• What it’s like to advocate for yourself when necessary
• How to spot a community that’s supportive (and avoid one that’s not)
• Why moderation and “tone-setting” matter in peer spaces
• The value of “lurking” as a low-pressure entry point to connection
• A simple first step to building peer support: one DM, one friend, one connection

Key Quotes

• “It took so much fighting, and it took so much energy and effort just trying to be believed in a system that already doesn't believe people who look like me.” – Mila Clarke
• “I felt like I'm in this like prison of my own body and I just wanna know what's wrong.” – Mila Clarke
• “I think that community is so vital, truly, like our shared experience means so, so much…” – Mila Clarke
• “Just don't give up on community because it can be so. Amazing.” – Mila Clarke

Resources & Links

• Mila’s recipes + work: https://hangrywoman.com/
• Glucose Guide community: https://glucoseguide.app/
• Community Partner Spotlight: You’re Just My Type
  • https://yourjustmytype.org/

What is Around the Circle: Living Well with T1D?

People with type 1 diabetes fight two wars: one against a relentless 24/7 condition, and another against a healthcare system that makes it difficult and expensive to stay alive. Around the Circle: Living Well with T1D brings together voices from across the type 1 diabetes community to share real stories, expert insight, and practical support for living well with T1D.

Hosted by the team at Blue Circle Health, a U.S.-based program transforming type 1 care, this podcast helps people go from just surviving to truly living well with type 1 diabetes. https://bluecirclehealth.org

Gary Scheiner, MS, CDCES, FADCES, joins Around the Circle: Living Well with T1D to unpack a powerful tool in diabetes management: exercise! An award-winning diabetes educator and the owner and founder of Integrated Diabetes Services, Gary brings deep clinical expertise and lived experience to the conversation.

Together, Scott and Gary talk about why exercise can feel intimidating with T1D and how to reframe physical activity as something that supports quality of life. From CGM lag time and insulin sensitivity to finding movement that’s actually enjoyable, this episode offers practical, reassuring guidance for anyone who wants to move more confidently with T1D.

Reminder: We are not providing medical advice. For personalized guidance, we'll always encourage you to talk with your personal healthcare team.

What You'll Learn

• Why exercise is about more than blood sugar — and why mental health matters just as much
• How consistent movement improves insulin sensitivity and predictability
• Practical ways to start exercising safely, even if you’ve been inactive or feel overwhelmed
• How to think about CGM lag time and trends during activity
• Why movement doesn’t have to look like a gym workout to “count”

Key Quotes

• “Physical activity is extremely valuable for so many aspects of our daily quality of life — not just blood sugar management, but our mental wellbeing and our physical health now and down the road.” – Gary Scheiner
• “I think it’s important to make exercise fun. Not a chore, not a task, not a painful thing you have to do.” – Gary Scheiner
• “Anything is doable. If you learn how to adjust for it accordingly, we can figure out a way to make it work.” – Gary Scheiner
• “Being active on a consistent basis keeps that insulin sensitivity amplifier dialed up — and that makes things more predictable.” – Gary Scheiner

Resources & Links

• Integrated Diabetes Services
• Think Like a Pancreas the Podcast:
• Community Partner Spotlight: This episode highlights Ginger Vieira and “Diabetes Nerd”
  • 🌐 Visit: https://diabetesnerd.com to learn more.

What is Around the Circle: Living Well with T1D?

People with type 1 diabetes fight two wars: one against a relentless 24/7 condition, and another against a healthcare system that makes it difficult and expensive to stay alive. Around the Circle: Living Well with T1D brings together voices from across the type 1 diabetes community to share real stories, expert insight, and practical support for living well with T1D.

Hosted by the team at Blue Circle Health, a U.S.-based program transforming type 1 care, this podcast helps people go from just surviving to truly living well with type 1 diabetes. https://bluecirclehealth.org

Anna Sabino, a social worker and diabetes educator who’s lived with type 1 diabetes for more than 30 years, joins the podcast to talk about self-advocacy. From unexpected questions at the gym to loaded comments from strangers, coworkers, or even healthcare providers, Anna and Scott unpack why these moments hit so hard and how people with T1D can respond in ways that protect both their emotional health and their energy.

Together, Anna and Scott explore the emotional side of explaining diabetes and practical tools for responding (or choosing not to respond) in everyday situations.

This episode isn’t about having the perfect response. It’s about permission, self-compassion, and recognizing that you are the captain of your own diabetes ship.

Learn more about Anna’s private practice at findingsmilescoaching.com, and her work with Integrated Diabetes Services at integrateddiabetes.com.

What You'll Learn

• Why self-advocacy can feel so draining, especially when it’s unexpected
• Common emotional reactions to diabetes comments: fear, shame, frustration, and grief
• The difference between effort and data and why numbers never tell the full story
• How to set boundaries around when, how, and whether you talk about diabetes
• Simple reframing tools (like “I wasn’t expecting that to happen”) to create emotional space
• The importance of mental health support as part of diabetes care — at any stage

Key Quotes

• "You are the captain of your own diabetes ship. When it comes to sharing information, you don’t owe anyone anything." – Anna Sabino, MSW, CDCES
• "The data doesn’t always represent the effort, and that’s where a lot of the shame gets internalized." – Anna Sabino, MSW, CDCES
• "It's not our job to figure out why every blood sugar shifts the way it does. That is just, it is impossible. And I think until we can accept that it's really hard for people to feel confident in having this, these self-advocacy skills" – Anna Sabino, MSW, CDCES
• "It's so important to process all of your emotions early and often when it comes to diabetes, because the more you understand yourself, the easier it's going to be to talk about it outwardly" – Anna Sabino, MSW, CDCES

Resources & Links

• Connect with Anna - findingsmilescoaching.com
• Integrated Diabetes Services - integrateddiabetes.com
• Community Partner Spotlight: CWD Journey Award

The CWD Journey Award recognizes the work and resilience required to live with type one diabetes. Learn more and request your free CWD Journey Award at https://childrenwithdiabetes.com/cwd-journey-award/.

• 🌐 Visit: https://childrenwithdiabetes.com/ to learn more.

What is Around the Circle: Living Well with T1D?

People with type 1 diabetes fight two wars: one against a relentless 24/7 condition, and another against a healthcare system that makes it difficult and expensive to stay alive. Around the Circle: Living Well with T1D brings together voices from across the type 1 diabetes community to share real stories, expert insight, and practical support for living well with T1D.

Hosted by the team at Blue Circle Health, a U.S.-based program transforming type 1 care, this podcast helps people go from just surviving to truly living well with type 1 diabetes. https://bluecirclehealth.org