T1D Talks - Diabetes Podcast with DHF
Welcome to T1D Talks, the official podcast of Diabetes Hope Foundation. Each episode brings real conversations, practical insights, and inspiring stories for the type 1 diabetes community. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting a loved one, or navigating life with T1D, this is your space to learn, connect, and feel supported.
Our episodes feature these key themes:
🎙️ T1D Talks: Real-life tips, stories, and support to help you thrive with Type 1—through everyday moments and life’s big changes.
🤝 Diabuddy Dialogue: Peer-to-peer chats with youth and young adults living life with T1D.
Join us as we break down barriers, share lived experiences, and empower the T1D community—one conversation at a time.
Podcast written & produced by the DHF Community
Podcast music written & produced by Heather J. & Nathaniel K.
Episodes
Thursday Feb 05, 2026
Thursday Feb 05, 2026
Episode 6: Travelling with T1DÂ Our panellists share real-life experiences of travelling with T1D, along with practical, insightful tips to help you navigate travel with confidence.Hosts: Heather Miller (Executive Director, Diabetes Hope Foundation), Nathaniel K. (Programs Facilitator)Guests: Andrea & Aryelle (mother/daughter), Laine & Jae (sisters)
Friday Jan 16, 2026
Friday Jan 16, 2026
Episode 5: Don't Sugar Coat It! Type 1 Diabetes and Mental Health Awareness
This episode features a panel discussion on how type 1 diabetes impacts mental health.Hosted by: Heather Miller, Executive Director, DHF Guests: Kristin Herriott-Rivard, Heather Choi, Kirsten Davidson, Registered PsychotherapistPresented by DHF in collaboration with university clubs:McMaster Diabetes Association, uOttawa Team Diabetes, Diabetes on Campus and Diabetes Awareness Society.
Tuesday Dec 02, 2025
Tuesday Dec 02, 2025
Episode 6: Understanding Type 1 Diabetes Stigma and its Impact
In collaboration with university diabetes campus clubs, DHF hosts and panelists explore media representation of diabetes and discusses effective strategies for self-advocating and reducing type 1 diabetes stigma.
Hosts: Rav Samra, Aastha Relan (McMaster Diabetes Association), Heather MillerPanelists: Tasfia (Diabetes Awareness Society at UofT Scarborough), Amal (DHF Scholarship recipient), Nathaniel (DHF Program Facilitator), Makayla (uOttawa Team Diabetes), Geoffry (The Diabetes Link uWindsor), Carmel (The Diabetes Link uWindsor)Â
Sunday Nov 16, 2025
Sunday Nov 16, 2025
Episode 5: Don't Sugar Coat It - Diabetes, Identity and the Media
Join us for an unfiltered conversation, exploring how T1D is portrayed in the media and how those portrayals shape how we see ourselves.
Don’t Sugar Coat It is a collaborative event by Diabetes Hope Foundation with university Campus Clubs: Type 1 Diabetes Awareness UofT, The Diabetes Awareness Society, University of Toronto Scarborough, The Diabetes Link UofT, Dalhousie Diabetes Awareness Society, UW Diabetes Association, The Diabetes Link TMU, The Diabetes Link @ Western, Western Diabetes Association and Project Glycore.Hosted by: Rav Samra and Afreen Nagra
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Wednesday Nov 12, 2025
Wednesday Nov 12, 2025
Episode 4: Unique Careers with T1d
This webinar features retired Toronto Districe Fire Chief Peter Atkins, marine biologist Scotia Brailsford, ski instructor Camille Vibert, and ballet dancer/massage therapist David Campbell!
Our guest speakers share their experiences managing T1D in physically demanding and unconventional careers - the challenges, strategies, and tips that help them thrive.
Host: Abbi Cloth, Diabetes Hope Foundation Program Facilitator
Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
Episode 4: Get to know Alex, an emergency department nurse who works on the front-lines and lives with T1D, in this episode of Diabuddy Dialogue. Alex shares how she got into nursing and how she strikes a balance between her personal health and patient care. This discussion, which covers topics such as burnout, technology, self-advocacy, and educating others, is an important reminder that T1Ds are the experts on their own bodies and that their voice matters.
Hosted by: Aastha and Rav
Guest speaker: Alex Kupferschmidt
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
Episode 3: In this Diabuddy Dialogue episode, we speak with Rugia, who became an advocate for maternal health because of her experience navigating pregnancy with T1D. She highlights important gaps in maternal healthcare and education that are all too frequently overlooked. We explore the importance of equity and access for pregnant folks living with diabetes, as well as what actual change might look like. This examination of advocacy, resiliency, and the struggle for improved maternal care is compelling - and necessary.
Hosted by: Aastha and AfreenGuest speaker: Rugia Malik
Resources:
Research article
Healthy Moms diabetes website
Closed loop therapy improves glycemic control in pregnant women with T1D
Thursday Oct 09, 2025
Thursday Oct 09, 2025
Part 2 of this podcast features a panel of Diabetes Hope Scholarship recipients—some living with multiple diagnoses—who share their insights on managing diabetes alongside other health conditions.
Dr. Vallis explores the gap between mental wellness and physical health, emphasizing the importance of empowering adults with type 1 diabetes within the healthcare system. He offers strategies to help individuals experiencing distress or managing complex conditions advocate for themselves, build supportive relationships with their healthcare team, and ensure their voices are heard.Sponsored by Abbott Diabetes Care. Hosts: Barbara Pasternak (CEO, Founder, Diabetes Hope Foundation) and Alexx B.DHF Alumni Panel: Kristin H., Allie M., Logan B., Janet B., and Ki S.
Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
Episode 2 (T1D Talks): "Unpacking T1D with Dr. Michael Vallis" - Part 1
Dr. Vallis discusses the emotional burden of managing type 1 diabetes, how to manage distress, how to overcome barriers to change while promoting self-compassion, and how to communicate to those around you - family, friends and medical professionals - how to best support you. Featuring a panel of Diabetes Hope Scholarship recipients, some with multiple diagnoses.Dr. Vallis is a registered health psychologist based in Halifax, Canada. he is a Health Behaviour change Consultant and Associate Professor in Family Medicine at Dalhousie University. His main area of expertise is adult health psychology, with an emphasis on obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular risk and gastroenterology. He spends most of his time training healthcare providers in behaviour change for chronic disease management. He was recently awarded a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Government of Canada.Â
Sponsored by Abbott Diabetes Care. Moderators: Barbara Pasternak (CEO, Founder, Diabetes Hope Foundation) and Alexx B.
Friday Sep 19, 2025
Friday Sep 19, 2025
Episode 2: In this episode of Diabuddy Dialogue, we chat with our guest, Tasfia, about having T1D and how it affects her family relationships, her mom’s shared but different experiences, and how she dealt with stigma in the South Asian community. We discuss how labels can shape our lives and we also look at the flip side: how to find meaning in navigating T1D, creating communities, and empowering others. Do we define diabetes, or does it define us? Hosted by names: Aastha and AfreenGuest speaker: Tasfia Rayhan








