Whitney Houston smoked Newport menthol cigarettes. She admitted many times she could not quit even though she was aware of the damage to her voice caused by smoking. By the end of her life, her voice was shot.
Clive Davis recalls her admitting, “I understand I can’t just cut back. I’ve got to stop. I promise I will.”
Unfortunately, Whitney’s failure to quit smoking menthol cigarettes is not uncommon.
Menthol flavoring masks the harsh taste of cigarette smoke, and menthol smokers engage in more intense smoking behaviors than regular cigarettes.
Basically, menthol cigarettes numb your lungs. It has a cooling and painkilling effect, so people who smoke menthol tend to inhale more deeply and have a harder time quitting smoking. As a result, they suffer greater damage to their health.
About 18.5 million people in the United States are regular menthol smokers. That’s 37% of the cigarette market. Here’s a breakdown of their use by race in the United States:
85% of Black smokers smoke menthols
46% of Hispanic smokers smoke menthols
39% of Asian American smokers smoke menthols
The health effects of smoking disproportionately impact black and brown communities with a higher rate of menthol use.
One can speculate that a superstar like Whitney Houston had the means to seek professional support to help her overcome her menthol addiction. She even had an excellent reason to quit.
Clive Davisfeels that menthol cigarettes destroyed Whitney Houston’s voice. If they can damage a powerful voice like hers, imagine what they can do to your lungs.
“We were trying to get her to stop smoking,” Clive Davis told Playboy, WENN.com reports. “It was a serious problem because it affected her singing.”
Menthols and mint are also extremely popular among teenage smokers. More than half of cigarette smokers ages 12 to 17 use menthol cigarettes.
The more cigarettes you smoke, the higher your risk for type 2 diabetes. People who smoke cigarettes are 30%–40% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than people who don’t smoke. Smoking also makes it harder to manage your diabetes.
New York State Governor Hochul hopes to ban menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco while raising the tax on smokes by $1 — claiming it’ll fuel the black market, be hard to enforce and worsen police-community relations.
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in New York and the US. In 2020, 22.5% of youths used an e-cigarette. Every year, approximately 4,300 New Yorkers under 18 become daily smokers, statistics show.
About 280,000 New Yorkers under 18 are projected to die prematurely from smoking, while 28,200 New York adults die annually.
To get help to quit using tobacco products, can text VAPEFREETX to 88709. Parents can text QUIT to 202-899-7550 for tips and advice for helping teens and young adults quit using tobacco or vape products.
Learn how to become your own ‘Diabetes Bodyguard’ on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast with musical inspiration from one our all-time favorite divas, Whitney Houston.
Guests include Dr. Beverly S. AdlerPhD, CDCES, Constance Brown Riggs MSEd, RD, CDCES, CDN, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie Gentle RN, CDCES, Mindy Bartleson, T1D, blogger at “There’s More to the Story,” and author, Hairstylist & Salon Owner, Karline Ricketts, and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, Kathie Dolginaka ‘High Voltage’.
“Sharon (Paige) possessed one of the most unique female vocals that blended perfectly with the smooth singing and vocal prowess of Harold Melvin and Teddy Pendergrass,” said Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, founders of Philadelphia International Records, in a statement.
Singer Sharon Paige, who performed with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, died from cardiovascular disease and mismanaged diabetes in 2020 at 67.
“Cardiovascular disease” has three types and covers a broad term that covers a long list of conditions:
Atherosclerosis: This condition causes fatty plaque to build up in your blood vessels, which can lead to events like a heart attack or stroke.
Arrhythmia is also known as an “irregular heartbeat. This condition is caused by structural changes or damage to your heart.
Heart failure occurs when your heart muscles weaken and lack blood supply.
You and your family should be aware of the common signs and symptoms. However, many symptoms can be more or less severe than others, and some people may experience no symptoms.
Having type 2 diabetes means thinking about your heart because you’re twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke than someone who doesn’t have diabetes—and at a younger age.
Over time, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels and nerves that control your heart.
From daily blood sugar monitoring for managing your A1C to adding exercise and making smart food choices, these changes are important for helping you stay heart-healthy.
According to her son, Jean-Baptiste, Sharon Paige stopped performing in the last decade of her life due to diabetes.
I speculate that the grueling touring schedule prohibited her from performing, especially if she was coping with diabetes health-related complications such as nerve damage (neuropathy,) loss of vision, or ambulatory issues.
It could have been challenging to stay on stage for long periods if Sharon Paige suffered from the most common diabetes complication, nerve damage. Nerve damage causes numbness and pain, often affecting the feet and legs, but it can also affect your digestion, blood vessels, and heart.
Sadly, there’s a lack of information regarding her diabetes mismanagement, similar to many celebrity health articles, to provide readers with a greater understanding.
We’re celebrating Divabetic’s 12th Year Anniversary of Podcasting with musical inspiration from Babyface and music from his A Closer Look album courtesy of SONY Music. Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks,Susan WeinerMS, RDN, CDCES,FADCES, Ivan Hampden Jr., and Collage Artist Tom Cocotos. Hosted by Max “Mr. Divabetic” Szadek.
Tune in to Divabetic’s Bride’s Guide to Diabetes podcast.
If you’re living with, at risk of, or affected by diabetes, planning or attending a wedding, this inside guide to one of life’s most significant celebrations is for you!
Mr. Divabetic officiates a full hour of diabetes information and inspiration featuring a guest list of wedding, food and fashion experts offering tips and suggestions for brides, grooms, attendants, and attendees. Brides living with type 1 diabetes share how they juggled blood sugars and last-minute nerves.
Guests include Jessica Issler RD, CDCES, Judi Wilcox RD, CDCES, Wedding Cake Designer Christine Campanelli, Celebrity Cookbook Author Holly Clegg, Divabetic Style Expert Catherine Schuller, and Former Brides.
Divabetic inspiration, Luther Vandross has been a choice of music for many brides and grooms. Many of his songs are still being played today. His emotion and topic of love are perfect for wedding music.
Released in 1989 on the album The Best of Luther Vandross: The Best of Love, “Here and Now” was a wedding super hit in the 1990s and was played at thousands of weddings as the first dance song for wedding couples. Here and Now peaked and number six on the Billboard Hot 100.
In her 77 years on this earth, Dolly Parton has taught us many lessons—like never skimp on hair spray. So, in honor of the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, Oscar/Emmy/Tony–nominated actress, and philanthropist extraordinaire, we dedicate this Divabetic podcast to her.
If you’re ever experiencing a bout of self-doubt or lacking in the self-love department, there maybe you need a dose of Dolly Parton. As referenced in The New York Times, one fan summed up her appreciation like this: “I’ll tell you why I love her… Dolly is everything I never dared to be. Sure, she’s outrageous looking. But just once, didn’t you ever want to do something outlandish — without worrying what everyone will say?”
https://youtu.be/J-5kAo2B5wo
She doesn’t let age slow her down. Dolly says she’s still “the same girl that wants to squeeze every little drop out of life that I can.”
Dolly is a big advocate for keeping a positive mindset and finding beauty in even the smallest aspects of everyday life. She says “I make a point to appreciate all the little things in my life. I go out and smell the air after a good, hard rain. These small actions help remind me that there are so many great, glorious pieces of good in the world.”\
“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you got to put up with the rain.” — Dolly Parton
Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr.Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDCES, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Catherine Schuller, Lisa R Young, PhD, RDN, and Type 2 Diabetes – What To Know Facebook Community member Crystal.
Throughout the podcast, we feature music from Dolly Parton’sDumplin’ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack courtesy of SONY Music.
Mr. Divabetic talks with international yoga teacher and author Rachel Zinman, living with LADA diabetes, on Divabetic’s popular podcast on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at 6 PM, EST.
Rachel shares how she overcame the years of frustration and confusion associated with a misdiagnosis.
There have been many bumps in the road on Rachel’s journey with LADA diabetes (latent autoimmune diabetes in adults) related to her initial misdiagnosis. She was initially misdiagnosis with type 2 diabetes. Although many of her symptoms were similar to type 2 diabetes, she has another condition that may be more closely related to type 1 diabetes called latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).
It’s not uncommon for someone with LADA to be initially misdiagnosed. Unfortunately, the years spent treating the wrong condition without success can take a toll on your mind, body, and spirit. She shares how yoga and meditation helped her to overcome years of frustration and confusion.
Rachel shares a guided meditation, “Compassion Meditation,” focusing on self-love and compassion to help you live well with diabetes. Rachel’s meditation references Tara, a female deity in both Hinduism and Buddhism. Tara personifies compassion and offers salvation from suffering. She is thought to have been born of empathy for the suffering world and is regularly invoked for protection, guidance, and deliverance from difficult situations.
In Hinduism, she is the second of the ten Mahavidyas, avatars of the great Mother Goddess Mahadevi.
In Buddhism, Tara is a savior deity who liberates souls from suffering. According to origin tales, she emerged from the tear of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara who cried when looking upon the suffering world. She is therefore associated primarily with compassion but can take on many forms to help and protect her devotees.
“If you are at all open or curious to learn about an ancient holistic way of healing and supporting the body, this book is for you. Zinman is clearly an expert and looks so glowingly healthy at 50 years old, one may wonder just how much benefit we too can get from incorporating some yoga into our lives.”—Diabetes Daily
Divabetic’s podcast focuses on ACCEPTANCE with musical inspiration from the iconic musical group, TheIsley Brothers.
The youngest member and bass guitarist of the Isley Brothers, Marvin Isley, was living with type 2 diabetes. He remained a group member until complications from his longtime battle with mismanaged diabetes forced him into retirement in 1997. Before his death, he had to amputate both legs.
In a 2001 interview, Marvin Isley told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he regretted the decades he spent ignoring his diabetes. “If I would have listened, if I would have understood diabetes like I understood music, maybe these things wouldn’t have happened.”
A diabetes diagnosis can be scary, but ignoring it won’t prevent it. Learning to accept your diabetes takes time, energy, and attitude. The transition from denial to acceptance and all the stages vary for everyone. Seeking a support group, online community, or a trained professional therapist can help you navigate your emotions. Once you learn how to accept your diabetes, you make unlock the key to a healthier and happier way of life.
Mr. Divabetic explores the process of ‘ACCEPTANCE’ with Dr. Beverly S. Adler, PhD, CDCES, in the final installment of our series on the emotional side of living with diabetes.
Additionally, ‘New York Times bestselling co-author and former Senior Writer for People Magazine Mark Dagostino. His book Ellie & Coachtells the endearing true story of a type-A mom caring for a daughter with type 1 diabetes – and the incredible service dog who changes their lives for the better.
Are you considering getting a diabetes-alert dog or training your own dog? Professional Animal Trainer, and Dog Detection Expert Debby Kay, who specializes in scent detection work with dogs, discusses the do’s and don’ts to diabetes-alert dogs. She also shares how the power of the human-animal connection changes hearts and lives with Terri Seidman and Mama Rose Marie.
Plus, Dr. Beverly Adler, PhD, CDCES and shares insightful advice about the learning curve of accepting a diabetes diagnosis.
Throughout the podcast, we feature elected songs from The Isley Brothers: The RCA Victor and T-Neck Album Masters (1959-1983), a monumental 23-disc box set collection chronicling the sonic evolution and abiding achievements of the unprecedented R&B ensemble courtesy of SONY MUSIC. This box set follows The Isley Brothers through their transformation from a 1950’s doo-wop/gospel vocal group into the world’s preeminent R&B rock ‘n’ soul powerhouse party band.
“Imagine a fighter with a centerfold face.” is one of singer-songwriter Miranda Lambert’s favorite lyrics. “That’s how I picture all of my friends. They’re strong — and gorgeous. They make me proud.”
Miranda might sing about the bathroom sink but if you’re using insulin therapy to manage your diabetes, do not store insulin in the bathroom. Bathrooms tend to get overheated and can be too hot for insulin. Choose a temperature-controlled closet or cabinet that is easy to access.
Miranda Lambert is one of the biggest names in the industry, but she knows she isn’t perfect. The multi-time Female Vocalist of the Year winner says not winning ‘Nashville Star’ in 2003 was the best thing that could have happened. It gave her time to mature as an artist and to write and record songs that she believed in.
“When you’re in the industry and you hear ‘platinum’ you think of platinum album,” says Miranda. “But platinum is a lot of things: its hair, it’s diamonds and platinum, it’s Bud Light Platinum, it’s the color of an Airstream.”
Platinum is a double-meaning title. First, it refers to Miranda Lambert’s hair — as she sings on the title track, “what doesn’t kill you only makes you blonder” — the second meaning refers to her fame, a topic she returns to often throughout her fifth record.
The old-time shuffle Gravity’s a Bitch is a riotous admission that there’s no denying the ravages of old age. Aging with diabetes isn’t easy but it is doable.
Sure, over time, the effects of diabetes can become much more complicated. The disease can lead to serious, even life-threatening problems from your head to your toes. But with age comes wisdom. Some aspects of your self-care that were daunting at first become automatic. Most divas with diabetes we talk to, admit that sticking with a plan is solid advice.
Miranda Lambert and her album Platinumare inspiring us to talk about the high cost of living with diabetes on our popular monthly podcast.
TheInternational Diabetes Federation is leading a three-year World Diabetes Day campaign to improve access to diabetes care and highlight the need for increased action to prevent diabetes and its complications. Securing universal access to insulin for all remains a global challenge. The barriers to access and affordability are complicated. The multiple steps involved in the production, distribution, and pricing, as well as the infrastructure required to ensure the appropriate and safe use of insulin are laced with greed. Get involved in the #insulin4all campaign to unite the diabetes community to fight together for access to diabetes supplies, care, and treatment for everyone.
Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDCES, Neva White DNP, CRNP, CDCES, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Best-Selling Author Kim Boykin, Marina Tsaplina, and Mama Rose Marie.
We’re playing selected songs from Miranda Lambert’s album, Platinumcourtesy of SONY MUSIC.
Divabetic Mysteries podcast: A Christmas Peril is 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.
I was thrilled to be a guest on my friend, Chef Robert Lewis, The Happy Diabetic‘s Kitchen Podcast. I had the chance to reflect on my twentieth anniversary of presenting diabetes outreach diva-style.
Several years after graduating from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in 1976, Chef Robert Lewis was diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes. His love of food and cooking motivated to alter his recipes to achieve diabetes wellness.
“I suspected that my days of good eating were over; yet as I worked through my ups and downs, I came to realize that the selection of foods I could and should eat was vast and included many of my favorites,” he says. “This motivated me to attempt to create delicious, diabetic-friendly dishes that were also easy to prepare.”
As a nationally recognized author, public speaker, and spokesperson for all people affected with diabetes, he travels the country, speaking on the benefits of healthy eating not only for people affected with diabetes but also for anyone who would like to eat well and live a healthy lifestyle.
The Happy Diabetic’s Oven Roasted Salmon with Fruit Salsa Recipe
Ingredients
1⁄4 Cup of Fresh Mango diced (or use canned)
1⁄4 Cup of Fresh Pineapple diced (or use canned)
2 Fresh Strawberries diced
1 Kiwi peeled and diced
1 Teaspoon fresh lime juice
1 Tablespoon leaf fresh cilantro chopped
4-5- 6 oz salmon filets
2 Tablespoon of Splenda
Ground Pepper
Balsamic Glaze
Directions
Peel and dice the mango, strawberries, kiwi, and pineapple. Place them into a bowl. Add the lime juice and cilantro. Set aside.
Season the salmon with cracked pepper and a dusting of Splenda. Place the fish into a non-stick oven pan lightly coated with canola oil on med heat (heat the pan first).
Place the salmon in a preheated 425-degree oven. Roast the tuna for about 10-12 minutes. The cooked fish will be firm to the touch, and the internal temperature will be about 140 degrees.
Remove from the oven and let the fish rest for 2-3 min. Place the fish on the plate. Top with fruit salsa.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 196 Fat: 4.31 g Sugar: 18.53 Fiber: 5.81 g Protein: 12.97 g
The Happy Diabetic Kitchen Podcast: A Conversation with Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek LISTEN NOW
Are you a Picky Eater? The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic plays his food game, Serve, Taste or Trash! at Central Farm Market in Bethesda, MD.
Chef Robert Lewis, The Happy Diabetic, stars with Mr. Divabetic in Divabetic Mysteries: Gypsies, Tramps & Peas podcast. Tune in to find out if Mr. Divabetic can solve the murder of his former swim coach with the help of his nosey Italian mother and friends. Along the way to revealing the identity of the murderer, he uncovers expert tips for diabetes self-care during the Summer months.
Many people find the phrase “reversing diabetes” misleading.
I know I do. First, there are many types of diabetes – which one are they talking about? Unfortunately, you cannot reverse type 1 diabetes, so making a blanket statement about ‘reversing diabetes’ is wrong and upsetting to anyone with type 1 diabetes.
Regarding type 2 diabetes, I remember being told that my boss Luther Vandrosswas no longer living with type 2 diabetes because he had lost weight. Looking back, I assumed they meant he didn’t need oral medications. However, their misleading comments had me convinced he was cured.
I lived in that bubble until he suffered a devasting stroke in 2003. Sitting in a chair in ICU, his doctors told me that he still lived with diabetes even when his weight changed. Throughout the over twenty years of living with diabetes, Luther had periods of well-managed and mismanaged diabetes. Like many people, who gain a significant amount of weight, he routinely gained or lost a hundred pounds or more; he stopped managing his diabetes. The damage he did to his capillaries during these periods of mismanaged diabetes was nonreversible.
Maybe he fully recovered from the stroke, returned to the stage, and continued to entertain fans worldwide; I would have a different opinion about ‘reversing diabetes.’ But given my life experience, I don’t like or use the phrase ‘reversing diabetes’ because it fuels the chaos or confusion regarding self-care.
Reversing diabetes is a term that usually refers to a significant long-term improvement in insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes who get their HbA1c below 42 mmol/mol (6%) without taking oral diabetes medication are said to have reversed or resolved their diabetes.
I prefer the phrase “moving forward with diabetes” much more inspiring and motivating.
How about you? Does the phrase ‘reversing diabetes’ motivate you or annoy you?
Whether or not you embrace the term ‘reversing diabetes,’ you shouldn’t deny your living with diabetes.
More than 37 million people in the United States have diabetes, and 1 in 5 don’t know it. 96 million US adults, over a third, have prediabetes, and more than 8 in 10 don’t know they have it.
Although it’s not always possible to reverse type 2 diabetes, you can manage it. Seek help managing your blood sugar levels, lifestyle choices, oral medications, or insulin therapy to prevent complications from developing. One thing I learned from Luther was trying to manage your diabetes alone is a risky business. Luther had over twenty people helping him with his musical career. However, he tried to go ‘solo’ when managing his diabetes. After his devasting stroke, related to mismanaged type 2 diabetes, I realized the importance of a team approach to diabetes self-care.
Let Lisa Stansfield inspire you to live loud and proud with diabetes. You Can’t Deny it!
Helpful Ways to Begin Accepting Your Diabetes
Enlist the help of a mental health professional like our friend, Dr. Bevery S. Adler PhD, CDCES. She’s a licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist, Author, and Speaker. Not only is “Dr. Bev” a fantastic therapist, but she’s also been living well with type 1 diabetes for over 50 years. She walks the talk. Take the time to interview therapists to find the one that best fits your needs.
Make an appointment with a certified diabetes care and education specialist to learn more about diabetes and how to manage it. Our friend, Rachel Zinman, living with LADA diabetes, said the ‘AH HA’ moment leading her to go from ‘survive to thrive’ with diabetes came after meeting with a diabetes educator.
Consider joining a diabetes support group. There’s nothing quite like being surrounded by people who know exactly what you’re dealing with. Many people hesitate about joining a diabetes support group. Still, the truth is that anyone who has ever attended a Divabetic Support meeting walks away with a better attitude about living with diabetes. Make sure you find a group with a qualified moderator. No one wants to sit in a room and be judged.
While you may not be able to reverse diabetes, you can reverse some things in life, like your car, DVD, or even this podcast!
We’re flipping the script on this podcast and presenting our regular show format from back to front because we hope to inspire you to look back at past mistakes with a new attitude. Mistakes teach important lessons. Every time you make one, you’re one step closer to your goal: optimum health. There’s no room for shame or blame when you’re able to accept your diagnosis. Let us help empower you to look back at your life with the satisfaction of knowing that diabetes didn’t dim your dazzle!
Singer-songwriter Lisa Stansfield inspires us to ‘throwback’ and discuss the concept of ‘reversing diabetes’ on this podcast.
In the late ’80s and throughout the ’90s, Lisa Stansfield was one of the coolest popstars on the planet. Her seductive, soulful vocals and timeless dance-pop songs took her to the top of the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. Four of her albums were international hits selling more than 15 million copies and spawning over 20 hit singles.
Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Kathy Gold RN, CDCES, Neva White DNP, CRNP, CDCES, the Digital Divas, Jessica Issler RD, CDCES, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Mama Rose Marie and special guest Cheri from Long Island, NY.
In tribute to Lisa Stansfield, we will be playing many of her biggest hits courtesy of SONY MUSIC.
By the way, we printed t-shirts with the phrase ‘Denial’s Not My Style’ over 20 years ago. We still stand behind every word in the phrase. There’s nothing new about the positive attitude we promoted in 2003 and will continue to promote in 2023. We might have to reprint some t-shirts to celebrate our 20th anniversary.
The Queen of Funk, Chaka Khan, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure in 2011.
Experts say over time, diabetes damages the small blood vessels in your body, causing the walls of the blood vessels to stiffen. This increases pressure, which leads to high blood pressure.
Chaka Khan decided to give up on meat and dairy after her diagnosis.
“I went on a radical change in lifestyle,” she says. “I was on liquids for a year, and that gave me a good jump-start.”
Her new meal plan helped her drop 60 pounds and stop using her oral medications to manage her diabetes.
Last year marked Chaka Khan’s fiftieth year in the music industry. “I ran away from home and quit school. I knew what I wanted to do,” she told Jennifer Hudson on Jennifer Hudson’s talk show.
A lot of people know about Chaka Khan’s life of excess. Many speculate that her strange behavior on Versuz with Stephanie Mills was caused by substance abuse. However, the star vehemently denies the allegations even though the superstar almost died mixing sleeping pills and cocaine once and suffered from alcohol addiction, which she eventually recovered.
Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure. Having more than three drinks in one sitting temporarily raises blood pressure. Repeated binge drinking can lead to long-term increases in blood pressure.
Her latest song, Woman Like Me, hints at an earlier classic, I’m Every Woman, which she made famous but with a sharper edge. It’s her first single on Sono Recording Group SRG-ILS Group. It was produced by Gregg Pagani, who also co-wrote it with Francesca Richard and Jeffrey Anderson.
“My song, Woman Like Me,addresses the women of today. And a lot of the tribulations women are going through,” she told Jennifer Hudson. “Much of it is based on insecurities and looking outside yourself for gold when you are the gold.”
Chaka Khan’s I’m Every Womanwas her debut solo single from her first album, Chaka (1978). It was Khan’s first hit outside her recordings with the funk band Rufus. “I’m Every Woman” was produced by Arif Mardin and written by the successful songwriting team Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson.
The Queen of Funk, Chaka Khan, is inspiring Divabetic’s podcast. Mr. Divabetic interviews Chaka Khan’s former bandmember and producer, Ivan Hampden Jr., Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Pam Butler MS, CDE, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDCES, CDN, Holly Clegg, the author of six cookbooks including Kitchen 101, Mama Rose Marie and real-life diva, Ginger Vieira, who is the author of Your Diabetes Science Experimentand record-setting competitive powerlifter living with type 1 diabetes.