Divabetic Mysteries: Gypsies, Tramps & Peas

Check out this delightful scene from Divabetic’s Gypsies, Tramps, and Peas murder mystery podcast, available on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, and BlogTalkRadio!

This isn’t just for the mystery enthusiasts; it’s a fun and engaging way to learn about diabetes and self-care. Between the vibrant characters, wild adventures, and intriguing settings, we sneak in health and wellness tips to help you take charge of your diabetes.

Next time you find yourself facing unexpected blood sugar changes, think like a detective! Look for clues, jot down your observations, chat with your support system, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare team for solutions.

A collaborative approach to managing diabetes can work wonders!

Synopsis: Meet Mr. Divabetic, a diabetes advocate turned amateur sleuth, as he takes a leap into his new role as a healthy caterer. With the help of his quirky co-workers and his nosy Italian mother, he heads to Coney Island to cater a party on a yacht for his old swim coach, Ted Rockow.

But things take a dark turn when the guest of honor turns up dead! Was it just an unfortunate accident, or is something more sinister at play?

Now, Mr. Divabetic is grilling a colorful cast of characters—a lively group of Burlesque dancers, a charming lifeguard, a mystical gypsy fortune teller, and even a few sparkling mermaids—each trying to keep their secrets hidden beneath the waves.

Can Mr. Divabetic conquer his fear of green peas and uncover the truth about his coach’s death: murder or mishap? Will he float to safety or sink into despair?

Tune in to see if he can crack the case with a bit of help from his loving Italian mother and his friends. Along the journey to unveil the murderer, he’ll share valuable diabetes self-care tips perfect for those sunny summer days!

Starring Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek, best-selling author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Asha Brown of We Are Diabetes, Chef Robert Lewis aka The Happy Diabetic, Mama Rose Marie, and Seveda Williams.

Enjoy the adventure!

Diabetes Murder Mystery: Murder Plain As Vanilla

Enjoy Divabetic’s animated 10th Annual Original Mystery podcast, “Murder Plain As Vanilla,” streaming on Spotify, iTunes, and BlogTalkRadio.

Our mystery podcast is not just for mystery lovers. It’s an engaging way to learn about diabetes and self-care. Amidst colorful characters, thrilling adventures, and delightful settings, we offer health and wellness tips to help you take charge of your diabetes self-care.

We also promote the idea of thinking like a detective when you experience unexpected blood sugar fluctuations. Look for clues, gather data, talk to witnesses (friends, co-workers, and family members ), and present your ideas to healthcare professionals for solutions.

A team approach to managing your diabetes is also a great idea.

Here is a summary of Divabetic’s 10th Annual Original Mystery podcast, “Murder Plan As Vanilla.” Mr. Divabetic, a baking enthusiast, is invited by his arch-nemesis, Renata Whisk, to participate in the Visions of Vanilla baking competition.

The competition will feature renowned culinary giants such as Best-Selling Cookbook Author Lily Frost, Green Thumb Gourmet, Hazel Honeywell, and the Cannoli Countess. Max, who owes his mother a debt, accepts the invitation.

However, before Max can start baking, he discovers the dead body of the Vanilla King of Madagascar. As luck would have it, Max was the last person to see the Vanilla King alive.

To prove his innocence, he seeks help from his team, USA Today’s best-selling author Tonya Kappes, health educator MaryAnn Nicolay MEd, NDTR, former FBI Agent Pauline, and his mother, Mama Rose Marie.

Things take a turn for the worse when another baker is found dead near Max’s station, raising suspicions about his involvement in the murders. Even Max’s mother is at risk.

Now, with only Renata Whisk’s Puffed Pastry recipe, a rolling pin, and his team’s expertise in solving murders and providing diabetes health information, Max must solve the mystery or die trying.

Divabetic Mysteries: “Murder Plain As Vanilla” features Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Dave Jones, Seveda Williams, Leisa Chester Weir, and Amparo Peterkin. Written by Max Szadek and Wendy Radford. Produced by Leisa Chester Weir. Animated by Max Szadek.

Shame And Diabetes

The bedrock of my advocacy work for the diabetes nonprofit Divabetic has been helping women and their loved ones affected by, at risk, and living with type 1, type 2, and prediabetes overcomes shame.

As an openly gay man, I am acutely aware of how toxic shame can be in your life and the obstacles and barriers it can create to prohibit you from achieving your health and life goals.

In 2003, when I began my diabetes outreach efforts, I instantly recognized a similarity between my experience of accepting my sexuality and the experience of many people receiving their diagnosis. This connection pushed me to add layers of empowerment, self-love, and pride to traditional diabetes educational programming.

Accepting yourself (and your health) is a fluid, ongoing experience. After 30 years, I have good days and bad days. Being gay has been a superpower and a cross to bear. I can walk through life unnoticed or be the target of hate and blame for no apparent reason. At times, I still stumble with my confidence and resolve around my identity, so I can understand why, after two decades of dealing with the daily grind of diabetes, people throw up their hands rather than roll up their sleeves.

Recently, I was called out for being ‘obviously gay’ by two film reviewers who reviewed the Luther: Never Too Much documentary even though I made no mention of my sexuality. I was left scratching my head after hearing their comments about me. I can only hope that someone struggling with their sexuality sees me on screen and finds comfort and connection. I didn’t have many older role models to turn to when I was coming out during the AIDS crisis, so it would be a blessing to be one of the next generation.

Experts advise you to accept love and kindness from others, explore positive traits to help overcome feelings and thoughts related to shame, and share your experience living with diabetes to help conquer misinformation. This advice, taken as a whole, can be overwhelming. If you feel that way, you’re not alone. Hopefully, you will turn to Divabetic on the bad days for encouragement and be a source of encouragement for others by sharing your experience on the good days.

This week has been a source of celebration for some and distress for others in our community. I am laser-focused on continuing to build a bridge between all the different types of divas and their loved ones, creating strength through support and being a bright light in moments of despair for everyone. Shame has an insidious way of showing up at the absolutely wrong times in your life to knock you down and out.

Please continue to turn to us and allow us to turn to you to empower each other to dazzle in our diabetes lives.

Single-Use Plastics Are Overwhelming

According to the Los Angeles Times, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo misrepresent the environmental impact of their plastic bottles.

I used art, creating my Halloween displays with single-use plastic, to draw attention to the alarming prevalence of single-use plastics in our lives.

The two companies are among the world’s top plastic polluters. Currently, just 9% of the world’s plastics are recycled. The rest are incinerated and set to landfills or in rivers and oceans. Experts say that almost 3.5 billion bottles are left unaccounted for and can only be recycled once or twice.

One of the other major concerns related to the abundance of single-use plastics is our health. The tiny particles in plastics known as microplastics have been detected in every ecosystem on the planet. Microplastics have been found in the brain, heart, lungs, blood, and semen.  Microplastics have been linked to an increased risk of diabetes because they contain additives that act as endocrine disruptors (EDCs), which can alter the body’s hormone system and impair glucose homeostasis. 

Collecting my single-use plastics, including water bottles, take-out food containers, cups, straws, and food packages over two months, really opened my eyes to the staggering amount of trash I contribute to the environmental crisis.

My single-use plastic swamp comprises plastic bottles and cardboard packaging that I painted to resemble foliage.

Everything used to make my displays, except the wigs and crowns, is made from recycled materials – water bottles, pizza boxes, FedEx boxes, damaged comic books, broken lamp shades, paper towels, toilet paper rolls, New York Times newspapers, bubble wrap, coffee cans, lids, and packing foam. 

If you’re concerned about the abundance of single-use plastics and their harmful effects, focus on reducing or replacing one plastic item at a time, like your daily iced coffee container. You can also bring your reusable water bottle, coffee mug, and utensils when you go out. 

Avoid buying new clothing, especially polyester, which is spun from plastic. Instead, look for secondhand options or natural fibers like cotton, wool, rayon, or silk.


Plastic containers can be reused for years, but don’t use them for hot foods or liquids, and don’t microwave them.

Please do some research to learn more about the harmful effects of single-use plastics. 

Max Szadek Interviewed on Solar Radio’s Soul Life


I was thrilled to be interviewed by Richard Marzetti on his Soul Life show on the UK radio station Solar Radio. Richard’s show features an uplifting selection of the newest and contemporary soul releases, classics, and modern goodies.

I discussed my experience working for Luther Vandross. Thirty years ago, Luther changed my life when he relocated me from San Francisco to New York to become his full-time assistant. I was a big Luther fan before I started working for him, and I became an even bigger fan while working alongside him.

After Luther had a stroke due to mismanaged type 2 diabetes, I became his caregiver. During that time, I began my work as a diabetes advocate, which led to the creation of Divabetic, the national diabetes organization. Through live programs, videos, podcasts, and Zoom programs, I aim to empower women and their loved ones to stay upbeat about their diabetes care and create an ‘entourage of care’ of friends, family members, and healthcare collaborators to help them stay on track with their self-care management.

Luther Vandross was an incredible entertainer with an exceptional eye for detail. Luther invested in his live shows to create memorable experiences for his fans.

From his beautifully designed, crystal-encrusted costumes and Art Deco-style stages to evocative lighting and elegant choreography, Luther, his band, and his vocalists took audiences on an emotional journey with his music.

Princess Frog Poems: Rapunzel

Finally, all four of my Princess Frog sculptures are displayed for Halloween at West 69th Street in New York City.

I was overjoyed when a young girl pointed at each frog and said, “Ribbit, Ribbit, Ribbit, Ribbit.”

West 69th Street is one of New York City’s iconic Halloween Streets, where over 2,000 children trick-or-treat annually.

Rapunzel 

Once upon a time, there was a little frog,
Who lives in a pond, in a cozy little bog
One day, she meets a prince who is lost in the woods,
And she asks him kindly If she can do him any good.

 “Please help me find my way to the tower up ahead,
Where my dear Rapunzel lives with her long, luscious hair, unfed.”
The smart little frog knows the way, and she hops along the road,
Leading the prince until they reach the tower of cobblestone

But when they find Rapunzel l, She is no longer a maid,
But a slimy green frog, who has been cursed and betrayed.
The prince is surprised, But he takes the frog in his hands,
And kisses her on the cheek, Breaking the witch’s spell demands.

 And lo and behold, The frog turns into a princess fair,
With golden locks of hair and eyes like the sun’s glare.
Hand in hand, the happy couple go on their merry way, 

leaving the little frog to deal with the tower’s disarray.

On the floor, the frog sees Rapunzels beautiful locks of hair

And decides to make a wig that she can wear
Next, she sees a big pile of pretty, lacy dresses
All of which seem fit for a Queen or Princess

Beautiful dresses covered with buttons and stripes, 

others with purple flowers in designs she likes 

The frog tries on a pink dress with long, pillowy sleeves
She looks in the mirror and decides it suits her to a tee
She hops to the bureau, where she finds a gold crown
She stares in the mirror, sees her reflection, and laughs out loud

Suddenly, she hears a creak when the couple opens the door
To find the little frog draped in velvet, pearls, and furs galore
Rapunzel and the Prince shriek at the frog in delight
Thrilled to see the frog beaming in jewels shining bright

Rapunzel runs to the little frog and gives her a squeeze
“You saved my life, little frog. Take whatever you please.”

Princess Frog Poems: Croak-A-Hontas

Slowly, I am staging my upcoming Princess Frogs displays for Halloween. After quickly staging all the display elements – the four Princess Frogs, handpainted signs, lily ponds, and foliage—together in a temporary location, I am relocating them to their permanent location on West 69th Street.

I was overjoyed when a young girl passing by screamed, “Princess Frogs!” when she spotted my display. Her mother told me that her daughter loves to dress up as a princess. My target audience gets me!! My display will be on one of New York City’s iconic Halloween Streets, where over 2,000 children trick-or-treat annually.

Everything, except the wigs and crowns, is made from recycled materials – water bottles, pizza boxes, FedEx boxes, paper towels, toilet paper rolls, New York Times newspapers, bubble wrap, coffee cans, lids, and packing foam. 

Croak-A- Hontas

Once upon a time, in a far-off  tranquil stream

Lives a princess frog named Croak-A- Hontas, with high self-esteem

She is green and slimy but oh so regal, 

And her croak is sweet and pure, like a golden eagle. 

 Her father is the king of all the reptiles

that live near the stream for miles and miles

And Croak-A- Hontas is friends with one and all

if there is a fight, she is quick to break up the brawl

But one day, an evil stork comes to the pond, 

And snatches her up, leaving her father beyond. 

Croak-A- Hontas is scared, but she doesn’t give up, 

She knows she can escape without a hiccup. 

So she kicks, and she wriggles and finally breaks free, 

And lands with a splash in a nearby tree. 

There, she meets a nervous snake

with a rattle on his tail, he likes to shake

She comforts him as best she can

and promises to take him back to her land

Together, they begin to trek across the valley

making new friends and often stopping to dillydally

Croak-A- Hontas is fascinated by all that she sees

Her mind fills with a boundless curiosity

For every rock and tree and creature 

has a life, has a spirit, has a name that can teach her

My Princess Frogs display is a twist on the perennial tale Frog Prince. Instead of a woman kissing a frog to break the spell and turn it back into a prince, I wondered if a man would be willing to kiss a frog and turn it back into a princess.

If a man was willing to kiss a frog, would the frog want to be turned back into a Princess? Sarah FergusonDiana Spencer, and Meghan Markle‘s comments about a princess’s real life make it clear it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Life as a frog might be much easier than life as a princess.

Halloween Extravaganza at the Cathedral Of St. John the Divine

Last night, I attended the Cathedral of St. John the Divine‘s beloved annual Halloween celebration, 

The night started with a ‘cello-ween’ performance by a scary skeleton musician. The haunting melodies filled the cathedral’s amber-hued walls, creating an eerie atmosphere.  Next, we enjoyed a screening of the silent film The Phantom of the Opera, from 1925, starring the incomparable Lon Chaney. I always thought Lon Chaney was a one-note performer best known for scary roles, but his performance as the Phantom was masterful. 

The film remains most famous for Lon Chaney’s ghastly, self-devised make-up, which was kept a studio secret until the film’s premiere.  The lighting design filled with shadows, the mythic Grand Opera House stage, cellar and river, the enormous cast, and the superb editing of this film make it a must-see movie.  


TV guide said, “One of the most famous horror movies of all time, The Phantom of the Opera, still manages to frighten after more than 60 years.”

Our screening featured a live organ accompaniment that heightened the horror and drama. After the film finished, we were treated to a parade of ghouls and goblins from the Mettawee River Theater Company. Performers emerged from the smile of a gigantic, grotesque clown to scare and delight us. 

The Mettawee River Theatre Company dramatizes myths, folk tales, and legends from diverse cultures. Their original theatre productions incorporate masks, puppets, and giant figures with music, movement, and text.  

Under the Artistic Direction of mask maker, designer, and director Ralph Lee, the Mettawee River Company experimented with means of presenting masks, puppetry, mythology, and theater in ways that led an audience to experience the powerful relationship between human beings, their ancestry, and the natural environment.

Janet and Rosetta Van der Voort, born in the 1800s, were two wealthy sisters whose father rarely let them leave the house unaccompanied. The one place they were allowed to visit was Central Park’s Wollman Rink, where they went ice skating in the winter. The two sisters never married, were lifelong best friends, and died a few months apart. Since their death, their ghostly spirits have been seen periodically skating together on the Central Park Pond, wearing the same red and purple outfits they wore over 100 years ago.

Divabetic pays tribute to the sisters’ spirits, hoping to encourage you to indulge in the creativity associated with Halloween instead of candy. Halloween’s record-breaking sugar consumption and its detrimental effects on overall health are scarier than any ghost story.

It’s been reported that consumers gobbled up a record $36.9 billion in candy, gum, mints, chocolate, and other confections in 2021. High dietary sugar intakes in the context of a worldwide pandemic of obesity and cardiovascular disease have heightened concerns about the adverse effects of excessive sugar consumption.

The American Heart Association suggests limiting added sugars to less than 100 calories per day (about 6 teaspoons or 24 grams) for most adult women and no more than 150 calories per day (about 9 teaspoons or 36 grams of sugar) for most men.

Don’t Miss Max Szadek On Solar Radio

Wow, Wow, Wow! I’m excited to be a guest on Richard Marzettis upcoming Soul Life program on Solar Radio! I can’t wait to share my memories of working for Luther Vandross.

Growing up, I listened nonstop to Rochester, New York’s WDKX. Sometimes, I pinch myself when I realize I worked for one of R&B’s biggest stars. I owned every Luther album! To this day, it still seems unreal that a kid from Rochester would one day get the opportunity to work for Luther Vandross.

Amazingly, I started working on the Never Let Me Go tour thirty years ago.

Just so you know, I was a big Luther fan, just like the listeners of Solar Radio, before I began working for him. I’m really thankful to his fans for keeping Luther’s music legacy alive and for those new and old fans who strive to prevent mismanaged diabetes complications such as stroke from occurring by managing their diabetes daily to ‘keep their house a home.’

Being featured in the Luther: Never Too Much documentary is an honor, and I feel privileged to represent the hardworking, talented, caring, and supportive people who worked behind the scenes for Luther. Working on a tour in the wardrobe department for Luther was indeed the gold standard.

I’ve been hooked since my friend Mark Love introduced me to the UK’s Solar Radio a few years ago. Their fantastic mix of new and classic R&B, gospel, and dance music is incredible!

It’s been a joy to hear Richard Marzetti feature my music, Mama’s Kitchen Table by Ivan Hampden Jr. and Paulette McWilliams, and Standards by Crystal Penny on previous programs.

Sharing a new unreleased, hidden gem by Luther on this program (thanks to SONY Legacy) and a song by a good friend is just the cherry on top! I hope you can tune in on Friday!! I’ll post a link in the comments section.

The Palace and America’s Most Beautiful Historic Theaters

Throughout the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to visit several stunning historic theaters across the country. Some of my favorite theaters include the Carpenter Theater in Richmond, the Temple Theatre in Saginaw, the Granada Theater in Santa Barbara, and the Palace Theater in Waterbury. While many may not consider touring theaters when visiting cities, these venues offer a remarkable insight into entertainment history. Most of these theaters were constructed in the 1920s, initially serving as vaudeville houses before transitioning into movie theaters with Wurlitzer organs accompanying silent films and eventually returning to hosting live performances.

The Palace Theater, with its luxurious tomato-red velvet curtain, has hosted a myriad of iconic performers over the years, from Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Jackie Gleason to Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, and the Grateful Dead.

In 1924, during a performance by magician Harry Houdini, a crew had to cut an 8-foot-wide hole in the stage floor for a trap door. The hole was later patched up. Unfortunately, when Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus visited, an elephant named Shirley fell through the patched hole from Houdini’s act several years earlier. Sadly, the management had to put the animal down as they could not rescue it. Shirley, the elephant, is now part of Palace Theater lore as one of the four friendly spirits that supposedly haunt the theater.

In contrast to today’s black box-style theaters designed to accommodate various stage productions, these historic theaters, with their gleaming neon marquees, elegant lobbies, gold detailing, crystal chandeliers, and Art Deco carvings, were solely intended to transport their audiences from the mundane of everyday life to a magical world. The sumptuous plushness of the velvet seats instantly makes you feel like you’re about to experience something extraordinary.

During the pandemic, people stopped attending live shows for health and financial reasons. Still, they continued to stream music, films, and TV in record numbers, proving that entertainment is a necessary commodity. Divabetic’s podcasts, virtual workshops, and YouTube videos also experienced an uptick. There was a prevailing notion that live theater was a luxury. If that notion still holds, creating elaborate, glamorous theater spaces that encourage people to dress up, celebrate, and experience the joys of life is truly invaluable.

Watching performances by Itzhak Perlman and Rohan De Silva in these beautiful settings is a treasure.

We’re talking about movie characters with diabetes, including Steel MagnoliasSoul FoodMad MoneyThe Baby-Sitter Club, and Nothing In Common. How realistic are these portrayals? How accurate is information about diabetes and diabetes self-care?  And how do we feel after viewing them?  With all the emotional and physical complications comes drama, making characters with the condition a good plot point on the silver screen.

Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Glucose SOS founder Pamela Heyward, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, Kent Gash, Jessica Clark, and Muniq Gut Health Shakes Founder Marc Washington.  

Throughout this podcast, we will feature music from the album Score by 2Cellos, courtesy of SONY Music.

Divabetic’s monthly podcasts are dedicated to Music Lovers living with, at risk, and/or affected by diabetes. We aim to be the epicenter of the circle of care, a link between patients and their healthcare providers, a translator of clinical speak, and a bridge between denial and acceptance, fear and confidence.

Divabetic was inspired by the late music legend, Luther Vandross and created in 2005 by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic Szadek, who, as Vandross’ assistant of 14 years, witnessed his boss, mentor, and friend struggle in silence and solitude with diabetes and its related complications.