Category: Diva TalkRadio

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Why We Need Weight-Neutral Approach For Diabetes Management

Plus-size Fashion and Travel Blogger, LGBTQ+ Influencer Alysse Dalessandro Santiago shares how seeking out a weight-neutral doctor’s approach helped her improve her diabetes self-care on October’s Divabetic Podcast with music from Carly Simon.

Alysse says, “It’s taken me a long time to be my own healthcare advocate and challenge the pervasive narrative around plus-size or larger-bodied people living with type 2 diabetes.”

Alysse told her doctor, “I am here for diabetes management. I understand that you have been trained to look at my weight as an indicator of my health. But I look at my A1C as an indicator of my health, so can we focus on that?”

She encourages other plus-size and larger-bodied people to advocate for their diabetes health. “Doctors are there to help and care for you. Their job is to care for you as an individual. When a doctor looks at you as a number on a chart or on the scale, they’re not looking at you as an individual. So if you don’t feel like they are listening to you, then you need to leave and find someone else.”

Alysse’s proactive approach to finding a weight-neutral doctor paid off! Finally, she can focus on the tools she needs to have tighter blood sugar management than the scale numbers. One self-care tool that she loves is the FreeStyle Libre Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) System. Alysse says the FreeStyle Libre has helped her to lower her A1C from 11 to a 7. But that’s not all! An added bonus of using the FreeStyle Libre for Alysse has been avoiding triggers related to her binge eating disorder.

“The FreeStyle Libre holds me accountable and tunes me in.” She adds, “The FreeStyle Libre’s alarms make me say, Hey, I emotionally feel like I want to eat, but physically I’m not actually hungry. My blood glucose levels are high, and I should not be eating right now. I’m emotionally hungry. What else can I do to self-soothe?“

The “weight-neutral” movement: a therapeutic approach to improving the health of individuals by focusing less on BMI and more on lifestyle behaviors. Studies suggest weight cycling is more strongly linked with specific adverse health outcomes than having an obese BMI. If your doctor’s appointments start and end with a phrase like: “You need to lose weight,” maybe it’s time to find a new doctor.

*The A1C test—also known as the hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c test—is a simple blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months.

Plus-Size Fashion and Tavel Blogger, LGBTQ+ Influencer, Alysse Dalessandro Santiago guests on Divabetic’s October podcast with musical inspiration from Carly Simon. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic.

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?

In honor of National Diabetes Awareness Month, the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic presents its Once In a Blue Moon program. This free, fun-filled, informative hour of diabetes outreach is intended to rejuvenate and reignite your attitude. The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, Maryann Nicolay MEd, NDTR, Wendy Satin Rapaport LCSW, PsyD, and Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller share expert ways to expand food choices, add sparkle, and boost spirits.

So have some fun spending time with us during our Once in A Blue Moon program on Thursday, November 11, 2021, 7 – 8 PM EST on Zoom.

 

REGISTER NOW – FREE PROGRAM

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Toni Braxton Shatters Expectations on Fox’s Masked Singer

One of the redeeming qualities of the TV Show, The Masked Singer is that vocalists have the opportunity to step out of their comfort zone and perform songs that aren’t necessarily expected.

For example, Toni Braxton as ‘Pufferfish’ performs Doja Cat‘s “Say So” in this YouTube clip and blows the minds of the judges and crowds. In a perfect world, vocalists wouldn’t have to put on masks to avoid being pigeonholed by skin color, gender, and/or age. But, maybe record executives also need to open their eyes and see that many artists’ talents and abilities far exceed the small boxes of playlist formats and music genres.

Fox Networks’ The Mask Singer is a celebrity talent-based program where celebrity contestants’ fates are determined by the audience. Unfortunately, Toni Braxton was quickly eliminated from the season premiere but not before a stellar performance of Dua Lipa‘s hit “Levitating”.

https://youtu.be/S8xl_kt_vHY

Our good friend, Lisa Fischer, gives new life to Rolling Stones’ ‘Gimme Shelter’ and Led Zepplin songs when she performs them in concert. Simply amazing!

 

Seven-time Grammy Award-winner Toni Braxton has sold over 70 million records and is one of the best-selling R&B artists of all time. Her music and courageous fight with multiple health conditions inspires this episode of Divabetic’s monthly podcast.

When Toni Braxton was first diagnosed with systemic lupus in 2008, her doctors told her that she would need a heart transplant and might not ever perform again.

“I remember being petrified,” she said. “I was scared. I didn’t know anything about lupus.”

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect the joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels. It can also lead to heart disease and kidney disease.

Insulin resistance is increased in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).  Insulin resistance occurs when excess glucose in the blood reduces the ability of the cells to absorb and use blood sugar for energy. This increases the risk of developing prediabetes, and eventually, type 2 diabetes.

Divabetic podcast guests include Dr. Sara Reece, PharmD – NGMC, GME, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Keith Anthony Fluitt, and Sonya Hogans. Hosted by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.

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We’re Ready To Stare with Alysse Dalessandro Santiago on October’s Divabetic Podcast

Do you feel like the whole world is judging you for being plus-size and living with type 2 diabetes?

Alysse Dalessandro Santiago is brimming with confidence. She is a fierce diabetes advocate who is outspoken about her experience living with type 2 diabetes and depression.

Alysee joins us on Divabetic’s October podcast to talk about how the Freestyle Libre 2 helps her to keep confident about managing her diabetes on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at 6 PM, EST.

Alysse Dalessandro Santiago may be one of Instagram’s hottest influencers as a lifestyle and travel expert but that doesn’t mean she has it made in the shade. “Every day I wake up and take my medication and try to walk into the day with a new positive outlook. Having depression definitely makes that a challenge some days. And having diabetes makes me want to check out from everything. I’m not going to let diabetes or depression steal my shine!”, says Alysse.

We’re talking about how to get over the fear and anxiety about speaking publically about your diabetes and related health issues (including depression and sleep apnea) with musical inspiration from Carly Simon.

Grammy winner Carly Simon has recorded over 30 albums, won two Grammies, and an Academy Award. Carly Simon managed to accomplish her dreams by overcoming severe stuttering and painful migraines to achieve her success. When I was a young child,” Carly Simon has revealed, “I had a stammer. And the only time it went away was when I sang. One day, my mother said to me, ‘Don’t speak it, sing it.’ And that’s what I did.”

Leading advocates share their journeys and tools that help them: FreeStyle Libre 2 App, CPAP machines, and a new line of baked good mixes, TruEats.

The FreeStyle Libre system measures glucose levels through a small sensor applied to the back of your upper arm. It provides real-time glucose readings for up to 10 days, both day and night.

Sleep Apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, you might have sleep apnea.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP machine uses a hose and mask or nosepiece to deliver constant and steady air pressure.

TruEats Baking Mixes have 1g of Sugar or Less + Complex (Good) Carbs for great-tasting, steady energy that’s diabetic friendly. Guests include Marten Carlson,  Alysse Dalessandro Santiago, Surinder and Daven Kumar, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES.

October’s Divabetic podcast features music from Carly Simon’s Coming Around Again album courtesy of SONY Music.

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A Christmas Peril Debuts on Thursday, September 30, 2021

Join us for Divabetic’s Annual Mystery podcast, A Christmas Peril, scheduled for this Thursday, September 30, 2021, at 6 PM, EST.  This year’s live mystery drama stars Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek, USA Best Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Mama Rose Marie, Patricia Addie Gentle, Terri Seidman, MaryAnn Nicolay, Trisha Artman, Catherine Schuller, Chef Robert Lewis, Seveda Williams, and Wendy Radford.

Here’s a Short Synopsis:

The Holidays are full of surprises— especially after Mr. Divabetic gets a new job as the pastry chef at the St. Nicholas Nursing Home nestled in a cozy Christmas Village. But adjusting to life in a Christmas Village is not all sugarplums and candy canes. Especially when a cantankerous resident, a real-life Ebenezer Scrooge,  named Mr. Pincher almost dies——shortly after eating one of Max’s peanut butter swirl brownies. Despite all of the ingredients for danger, Mr. Divabetic along with our team of amateur sleuths and his overly protective mother — set out to find the real culprit in the hopes that his name isn’t on a lethal naughty list.

Our story was inspired by Kevin Houdeshell’s tragic true-life story. Thanks to the Houdeshell family for their advocacy efforts on behalf of the Emergency Insulin Act of 2019 and the emergency prescription refill legislation. Known as Kevin’s or Howdy’s Law, it allows pharmacists to dispense an emergency supply of a chronic maintenance medication if the doctor cannot be reached – a common-sense act that could save a life.

In the spirit of Scrooge’s awakening at the end of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, we encourage you to honor Christmas in your heart by living in the Past, The Present, and the Future. Try to embrace the Spirits of all Three and the lessons that they teach.

Special thanks to the Houdeshell family, and Pharmacist Mandy Reece. Original music by Ivan Hampden Jr., Celine Dion’s vocals courtesy of SONY Music. Produced by Leisa Chester Weir

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Divabetic Mysteries: A Christmas Peril

Join us for Divabetic’s Annual Mystery podcast: A Christmas Peril scheduled for Thursday, September 30, 2021, 6 PM, EST.

The holidays are full of surprises after Mr. Divabetic becomes the new pastry chef at the St. Nicholas Nursing Home. But adjusting to life in a Christmas Village is not all sugarplums and candy canes. Especially when a cantankerous resident, a real-life Ebenezer Scrooge, named Mr. Pincher almost dies——shortly after eating one of Max’s peanut butter swirl brownies. So despite all of the ingredients for danger, Mr. Divabetic, our team of amateur sleuths, and his overly protective mother must set out to find the real culprit. Or will his name end up on a lethally naughty list?

This year’s Divabetic Mysteries: A Christmas Peril is based on the real-life story of 36-year-old Kevin Houdeshell who ran out of insulin over the New Year’s holiday in January 2014. He ended up with dangerously high blood sugars that spiraled into diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), leading to him die alone in his apartment.

Thanks to the Houdeshell family for their advocacy with the Emergency Insulin Act of 2019 and the emergency prescription refill legislation, what happened to Kevin doesn’t have to happen to anyone else in several states. Known as Kevin’s or Howdy’s Law, it allows pharmacists to dispense an emergency supply of a chronic maintenance medication if the doctor cannot be reached. States that have passed Kevin’s Law include Ohio and Florida in 2016; Arkansas, Arizona, Illinois, and Wisconsin in 2017; Idaho, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee in 2018; and Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Utah, and West Virginia in 2019. In many states, votes in favor of the legislation were unanimous.

Starring Mr. Divabetic. Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Mama Rose Marie, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Maryann Nicolay  BA, DTR, Catherine Schuller, Terri Seidman, Wendy Radford, Seveda Williams, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, and Trisha Artman.

 

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We’re Coming Around Again with Carly Simon on October’s Podcast 2021

We’re talking about the new FreeStyle Libre 2 App, Sleep Apnea, CPAP machines, and a new line of make-at-home baked good mixes, TruEats, designed for diabetes lifestyles with musical inspiration from Carly Simon.

  • The FreeStyle Libre system measures glucose levels through a small sensor — the size of two stacked quarters — applied to the back of your upper arm. It provides real-time glucose readings for up to 10 days, both day and night.

https://youtu.be/QKi5T4uTGXk

  • Sleep Apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, you might have sleep apnea.

  • Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP machine uses a hose and mask or nosepiece to deliver constant and steady air pressure.
  • TruEats Baking Mixes have 1g of Sugar or Less + Complex (Good) Carbs for great-tasting, steady energy that’s diabetic friendly. Nutritious alternatives for the modern, health-conscious consumer.

 

 

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A post shared by TruEats (@trueatsbaking)

Grammy winner Carly Simon was one of the most prominent singer-songwriters in the 1970s. She has recorded over 30 albums, won two Grammies and an Academy Award. Her music has given a voice to the experiences and desires of women who came of age in the 1960s. Carly Simon managed to accomplish her dreams by overcoming severe stuttering and painful migraines to achieve her success. When I was a young child,” Carly Simon has revealed, “I had a stammer. And the only time it went away was when I sang. One day, my mother said to me, ‘Don’t speak it, sing it.’ And that’s what I did.”

Guests include Marten Carlson, Surinder, and Daven Kumar, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES.

October’s Divabetic podcast features music from Carly Simon’s Coming Around Again album courtesy of SONY Music. The title track is in Mike Nichols’ 1986 film Heartburn, and Let The River Run, from Mike Nichols film, Working Girl, won Carly Simon the Best Original Song Oscar at the 1989 Academy Awards.

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Andre “Doctor Dre” Brown Guests On Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Tribute Podcast

“I’m a type 2 diabetic who lost his vision, ” says André “Doctor Dré” Brown, who guests on Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Tribute podcast.

Diabetic eye disease, caused by diabetes, is a leading cause of blindness and vision loss. Because of the high risk for eye disease, all people with type 2 diabetes should receive an annual dilated eye exam.

Doctor Dré developed Type 2 diabetes in 2007. Since that time, he has suffered many health setbacks, including an amputated toe, multiple leg injuries, and blindness. Far from sullen, though, the hip-hop pioneer remains optimistic while trying to stay diligent to a healthy lifestyle routine that reduces the severity of some of his ailments.

Doctor Dré has been a vital part of hip-hop culture and a crucial catalyst for its global popularity since its inception. A former DJ for Beastie Boys and co-founder of 1980s rap group Original Concept, Doctor Dré co-hosted (alongside Ed Lover and Fab 5 Freddy) Yo! MTV Raps, the landmark program that introduced a generation of hip-hop fans to their favorite rappers and the culture.

Regardless of his multiple diabetes health-related challenges, his attitude remains upbeat and inspiring.

“I’ve been going through a whole different resurgence in my life,” Dre said. “I stopped at one point, and now I’m doing this. Through the blessings of the late great Dick Gregory, I’ve worked through holistic doctors to change what goes in my body.”

Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Tribute Podcast

We’re celebrating the musical legacy of Luther Vandross and raising awareness for diabetes health-related complications (such as vision loss) on Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Tribute podcast.

Guests include Andre “Doctor Dre” Brown, Nat Adderley Jr.,  Dr. Khoshnevis, Danny Clay, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE.

Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Luther Vandross’s album, The Night I Fell In Love courtesy of SONY Music.

Please join us for Divabetic’s free Baking Party with  Stacey Harris aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’ on Thursday, September 23, 2021, 7-8 PM. Stacey will be sharing tips for how to cut back on the sugar in recipes, using sugar substitutes and alternative flours, and cutting back on the carbs without losing any flavor, and demonstrating one of her most popular Sugar-Free baking recipes.

REGISTER NOW

Divabetic® (divabetic.org) is a national nonprofit diabetes outreach organization committed to changing attitudes in people at risk, affected by and living with diabetes. We strive to encourage prevention, early action, and above all, education. Check out our free monthly podcasts (available on iTunes and BlogTalkRadio) and our free Zoom outreach programs.

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Angela Bofill Talks About Her Stroke

Angela Bofill suffered two strokes but neither stroke could take away her positive, humorous personality and her fighter spirit.

After she lost the ability to sing, she returned to the stage for “The Angela Bofill Experience” in which she skillfully narrated her life story, while her band and other singers.

With her strong, distinctive alto, Angela Bofill carved a niche as an outstanding interpreter of soul ballads and became a mainstay on the Quiet Storm radio format. Check out her Live From Manila album featuring all of her biggest hits.

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the US. As many as 5 to 14 percent of stroke survivors have a second stroke within one year.

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Virtual Baking Party with Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Thursday, September 23, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

During this virtual Baking Party on Zoom, The Diabetic Pastry Chef will prepare a Sugar-Free Dessert recipe and share expert baking tips for using sugar substitutes in your favorite recipes.

After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Stacey Harris (The Diabetic Pastry Chef) taught herself how to make pound cake, pecan rolls, pies, muffins, cupcakes, and other baked goods with about half the carbs you’d get from a traditional bakery item.

REGISTER NOW – FREE REGISTRATION 

Divabetic® (divabetic.org) is a national nonprofit diabetes outreach organization committed to changing attitudes in people at risk, affected by and living with diabetes. We strive to encourage prevention, early action, and above all, education. Check out our free monthly podcasts and our free Zoom outreach programs.

Divabetic® was inspired by the late R & B legend, Luther Vandross, and created and founded by his long-time assistant, Max Szadek. Divabetic®, a combination of the word ‘diabetic’ with the letter ‘V’ inserted for Vandross, evokes feelings of power and the positive attitude associated with the great DIVAS Luther loved like Patti LaBelle.

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Hip-Hop Pioneer André “Doctor Dré” Brown Appears on Divabetic’s Luther Vandross Tribute Podcast

André “Doctor Dré” Brown appears on Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Tribute podcast. Doctor Dré has been a vital part of hip-hop culture and a crucial catalyst for its global popularity since its inception. A former DJ for Beastie Boys and co-founder of 1980s rap group Original Concept, Doctor Dré co-hosted (alongside Ed Lover and Fab 5 Freddy) Yo! MTV Raps, the landmark program that introduced a generation of hip-hop fans to their favorite rappers and the culture. Doctor Dré developed Type 2 diabetes in 2007.

Since that time he has suffered a series of health setbacks including an amputated toe, charcot foot, and blindness. Far from sullen, though, the hip-hop pioneer remains optimistic while trying to stay diligent to a healthy lifestyle routine that reduces the severity of some of his ailments.

Divabetic® (divabetic.org) is a national nonprofit diabetes outreach organization committed to changing attitudes in people at risk, affected by and living with diabetes. We strive to encourage prevention, early action, and above all, education. Check out our free monthly podcasts (available on iTunes and BlogTalkRadio) and our free Zoom outreach programs.

Divabetic® was inspired by the late R & B legend, Luther Vandross, and created and founded by his long-time assistant, Max Szadek. Divabetic®, a combination of the word ‘diabetic’ with the letter ‘V’ inserted for Vandross, evokes feelings of power and the positive attitude associated with the great DIVAS Luther loved like Patti LaBelle.

We’re celebrating the musical legacy of Luther Vandross and raising awareness for diabetes health-related complications (such as vision loss) on Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Tribute podcast.

Guests include Andre “Doctor Dre” Brown, Nat Adderley Jr.,  Dr. Khoshnevis, Danny Clay, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE.  Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Luther Vandross’s album, The Night I Fell In Love courtesy of SONY Music.

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Disordered Eating Warning Signs on Divabetic’s Podcast

Barbra Streisand‘s The Broadway Album inspires us to stage a scene between 2 friends, starring Asha Brown & Trisha Artman, to bring attention to the warning signs of a disordered eating behavior related to diabetes known as diabulimia on this podcast. 

The term “diabulimia” (ED-DMT1) refers to this life-threatening combination and the unhealthy practice of withholding insulin to manipulate or lose weight. People suffering from ED-DMT1 may exhibit eating disorder behaviors, or they may only manipulate their insulin and otherwise have normal eating patterns.

This risky practice can have catastrophic health consequences ranging from blindness and nerve disorders to kidney failure and diabetic ketoacidosis (an acidic buildup in the blood resulting from inadequate insulin levels).

Unfortunately, ED-DMT1  is vastly underdiagnosed. Therefore, the first step in treating this dangerous disorder is understanding the causes and symptoms.

In this scripted scene, two good friends are shopping for bridesmaid’s dresses. Their candid conversation highlights some common warning signs of disordered behaviors. A roundtable discussion immediately follows the scene to offer further insight and resources.

 

One of our actresses, Asha Brown, founded the fantastic nonprofit organization, We Are Diabetes (wearediabetes.org). We Are Diabetes is devoted to providing support, education, guidance, and hope to individuals living with type 1 diabetes who struggle with disordered eating behaviors. The other actress, Trisha Artman offers health coaching for people with type 1 diabetes through her company, Coach The Cure. With personal diabetes experience, compassion, and professionalism, Trisha nurtures trusting relationships—promoting healthy changes in an empowered environment.

Divabetic’s podcast guests are We Are Diabetes founder Asha Brown, Maximize Your Metabolism Co-Authors Dr. Noel Maclaren and Sunita Singh Maclaren, Coach The Cure owner Trisha Artman, Dana B. Roseman, MPH, CDCES, RDN, American Heart Association’s Know Diabetes By Heart Advocate Karen Dawson and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES.

In 1985, Barbra Streisand returned to her roots with her twenty-fourth album, The Broadway Album. This return to her theater roots was a massive success, both critically and commercially.

Throughout the podcast, we will be featuring music from Barbra Streisand’s The Broadway Album courtesy of SONY Music.

Tune in over 140 Diva TalkRadio podcasts available for free on i-tunes (‘Divabetic’). Also, get the latest in diva news, diabetes headlines, and inspiration by joining our Divabetic Facebook page.

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