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Sugar numbers don’t live in a lab; they live in our kitchens, routines, stress, and sleep. We open up about what diabetes really looks like day to day—one of us reversing type 2 after major weight loss, the other managing prediabetes while navigating disability and recovery. From there, we map the landscape clearly: type 1, type 2, gestational, and the often-misunderstood prediabetes stage where access to monitoring can be frustratingly limited.

We go deeper into food that works in real life. Fiber becomes the hero—beans, oats, chia, vegetables—because slowing absorption beats chasing spikes. We share hydration goals, practical snack swaps, and how to enjoy flavor without loading up on sugar. Movement gets the adaptive treatment: building strength without aggravating injuries, using small, safe sessions to keep insulin sensitivity high, and pairing activity with better sleep to stabilize hormones. Along the way, we address alcohol, smoking, and the sneaky toll of stress on blood sugar.

You’ll also hear two big topics flying under the radar. First, the global recognition of malnutrition-related “type 5” diabetes—insulin deficient but not insulin resistant—prevalent in low-resource settings and historically misclassified. Second, the strengthening link between diabetes and dementia through vascular damage and brain insulin resistance. We connect these dots with a quick tour through the history of insulin, why prices rose, and how coverage and CGMs can make or break daily management.

If this conversation helps you rethink one habit—adding a cup of beans, aiming for 75 ounces of water, or setting a sleep boundary—then we’ve done our job. Subscribe for more grounded health talk, share this episode with someone who needs a hopeful nudge, and tell us where you stand on the great debate: sweet tea or unsweet?

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A thought can become action faster than a mouse click—imagine what that means for someone who can’t move their hands. We take you inside Neuralink’s fast-evolving brain computer interface, translating neural activity into cursor control and exploring how this tech could restore independence for people living with paralysis, ALS, and other neurological conditions. From our lived experience with disability, we unpack the promise, the limits, and the real-world milestones that matter.

We walk through the N1 implant and the R1 surgical robot: 1,024 electrodes on flexible threads placed with micrometer precision, a wireless implant powered under the scalp, and software that decodes intention into on-screen actions. Beyond movement, we dive into Operation Blindside—research aimed at delivering visual information directly to the brain by encoding the patterns the cortex understands, much like cochlear implants translate sound. That opens the door to visual restoration and, one day, augmented vision across spectra like infrared or ultraviolet, raising big questions about ethics, access, and design.

Trials are under way, with two human participants publicly noted and careful updates shared across blog posts and videos. We talk candidly about eligibility, costs, and why experimental procedures rely on study sponsorship, not insurance. We also share practical steps for getting involved through patient registries and advisory boards, and how remote metrics help researchers track function changes without constant clinic visits. For the disability community, the stakes are clear: credible progress toward autonomy, measured not by flashy demos but by everyday tasks becoming doable again.

If this conversation resonates, tap follow, share the episode with someone who could benefit, and leave a review to help more listeners find it. Got questions or a different view? Send us a note—we’re building this dialogue with you.

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What happens when the only elevator is “out of order” and there’s no plan to fix it? We dig into the everyday barriers that turn a simple night at the movies—or a weekend away—into a logistical and emotional gauntlet for disabled people and their families. From misleading “accessible” listings to public buildings that let essential features decay, we ask a hard question: if the ADA sets the rules, who makes sure the rules actually work?

We walk through a concrete, five-part enforcement model inspired by a recent report: monitor and audit public spaces for compliance, help cities and businesses fix access gaps, investigate complaints with trained neutral experts, deliver real-world training, and educate the public about rights and reporting. Along the way, we share lived experiences that show why maintenance matters more than press releases—and why truth in accessibility claims is non-negotiable. Listeners will hear how simple changes like service contracts for elevators, verified accessibility tags for rentals, and clear complaint channels can transform daily life.

We also wrestle with the tough stuff: the federal debt, skepticism about building a new DOJ unit, and whether states might be the faster path to real results. You’ll hear two perspectives: one favoring state-led pilots that plug into existing aging and accessibility offices, and one pushing for urgency because delayed access is denied access. Either way, the destination matches the promise of the ADA—reliable, verified access in the places people live, work, and gather.

If this conversation resonates, help us keep it going. Subscribe, share the episode with someone who cares about accessibility, and leave a rating or review on your podcast app so more listeners can find it. Then tell us: should enforcement start with the states, the feds, or both? Your thoughts shape where we go next.

Yes, this title is a quote from Blazing Saddles. Please don't sue me!

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