Enjoy our fully animated Mystery podcast, Murder Plain As Vanilla, packed with excellent diabetes information, a fun whodunnit, and many crazy characters.
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 Visions of Vanilla competition will feature renowned culinary giants such as Lily Frost, Best-Selling Cookbook Author, Green Thumb Gourmet, Hazel Honeywell, and the Cannoli Countess. Max, who owes his mother a debt, accepts the invitation.
The competition will feature renowned culinary giants such as Lily Frost, Best-Selling Cookbook Author, 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.
Diabetic Mysteries: Murder Plain As Vanilla features Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Lorraine Brooks, Mama Rose Marie, MaryAnn Nicolay, 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
Eugenia won a lovely Gift Basket courtesy of Splenda at our recent Divabetic Sugarfree Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef.
Eugenia’s Splenda Gift Basket contains Splenda Naturals Stevia, Splenda Sweetener, Splenda Diabetes Care Shake (Milk Chocolate), an apron, a hot mitt, a strainer, measuring cups, and more.
Throughout the program, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chefdemonstrated how to make one of her famous sugar-free desserts, answered questions, and shared her favorite kitchen tools. Click HERE for her Sugarfree Strawberry Pie recipe.
Here’s Eugenia’s testimonial for the Splenda Gift Basket including the new Splenda Diabetes Care Shakes. She admits the Splenda Diabetes Care Shakes (Milk Chocolate) contains a lot less sugar than their competitors. Splenda Diabetes Care Shakescontain a diabetes-specific nutrition formula that has the right nutrient balance with 16 grams of high-quality protein, 15 grams of carbohydrate including 6 grams of fiber, and 6 grams of monounsaturated fats.
After two sips, Eugenia says, “this is a really good shake!”
Eugenia also tried the Salivation Snackfoods’ Keto Dark Chocolate Brownies. After one bite, Eugenia admits “I would definitely buy it. It’s a really good brownie!”
Salivation Snackfoods Brownies are rich, flavorful, and complex with only 3g net carbs.
During our Sugarfree Baking Party, we played baking trivia along with our participants. Here’s one of our questions:
Q: In the process of cake baking, which of the following is NOT a raising agent?
A. Steam
B. Yeast
C. Powdered Sugar
D. Baking Powder
Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, hosts another upcoming fun Virtual Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris, aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef, in September.
Divabetic Baking Party Question #1: ANSWER: C. Powdered Sugar
I find it fascinating that the New York Times bestselling author and Queen of the Beach Reads Mary Kay Andrewsnever fails to mention diabetes in her novels. I feel like she’s as obsessed with raising awareness for diabetes as I am.
Every one of her books that I have read has made some mention of diabetes. But, usually, there’s little to no information shared about living with diabetes past the initial reference which always bugs me.
One of the characters, Mrs. Lorraine DuBignon Conley, referred to as ‘G’mama,’ has prediabetes in her latest book, Hello, Summer.
The first reference to prediabetes comes on page 20. G’mama’s housekeeper, Winnie, tells G’mama’s youngest granddaughter, Conley, that her grandmother refuses to fill her prescription.
Conley asks her defiant G’mama if she has checked her sugar yet?
G’mama responds, “Not you too.” Then adds, “my blood sugar is perfectly fine.”
The following reference comes on page 156. G’mama says, “I’m a grown woman, and I can eat whatever I want.”
Thankfully, this time Mary Kay Andrews provides a bit more information about managing prediabetes.
Conley replies, “No. You can’t. According to your doctor, you’re prediabetic. You’ve got to limit your carb intake, eat protein, balance your diet, and drink plenty of fluids. Preferably not black coffee.
This sound advice is rather shocking since the author seldom educates her readers about diabetes self-care. I only wish there was more information sprinkled throughout the book.
Although recent statistics state that 88 million U.S. adults, or 1 in 3 – have prediabetes, most people don’t know what it is.
Prediabetes means a person’s blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes.
A quick Google search will inform you that normal blood glucose levels for adults without diabetes range from 90 to 110 mg/dL. However, every person is different, so it’s essential to have your doctor check your blood sugars.
Without intervention, many people with prediabetes could develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years, which puts them at risk of health complications such as heart issues, stroke, vision loss, and kidney failure.
Of those 88 million living with prediabetes, more than 8 in 10 of them don’t even know they have it.
The risk factors for prediabetes include:
Being 45 years or older.
Being overweight.
Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes.
Being physically active less than three times a week.
Having gestational diabetes.
Having polycystic ovary syndrome.
African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, and some Asian Americans are at higher risk.
Our special guest, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWWC, FANDfor Divabetic’s upcoming Salad-Making Party on Zoom scheduled for Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 7-8 PM, EST is the author of Prediabetes: A Complete Guide. This comprehensive guide will lead you through dozens of concrete steps you can take to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other lifestyle-related chronic diseases. Taking an individualized approach to your lifestyle reset, Prediabetes: A Complete Guide will allow you to choose your own path to wellness and help you gain a greater sense of wellbeing, boost confidence in your abilities to maintain a healthful lifestyle, and potentially even help you reverse prediabetes, avoid type 2 diabetes and other chronic illnesses, and have you feeling better than you have in years!
As obsessed as I am about finding misinformed references to diabetes in her books, I still enjoy Mary Kay Andrew’s storytelling. Her easy-to-read style and the blend of romance and mystery make for a winning combination.
Not surprisingly, I fell in love with the character, the Silver Bay Beacon’s society columnist, Rowena Meigs. Her ridiculously long narratives in which she describes the food and the fashion in glorious detail, along with each notable attendee’s family lineages at soirees happening around town, are delightful.
I remember watching the documentary, Bill Cunningham New York, about New York Times photographer Bill Cunningham, who said he was just as fascinated by who was talking to who at charity parties as he was in what anyone was wearing. For decades, this Schwinn-riding cultural anthropologist chronicled fashion trends and high-society charity soirées for the Times style section. His lens zoomed in on the ultrawealthy of New York and the Hamptons networking with one another.
Legendary New York Post celebrity and gossip columnist Cindy Adams also made a career writing about famous people networking with each other. But she’s not is a fan of the term “gossip” and admits she didn’t set out to be a newspaper writer.
“I don’t like the word gossip because it’s pejorative,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be nasty and biting. It should be chatty. It should be funny. It should be something you do over coffee in the morning,” she told Mo Rocca in an interview for “CBS Sunday Morning”.
Conley Hawkins left her family’s small-town newspaper, The Silver Bay Beacon, in the rearview mirror years ago. Now a star reporter for a big-city paper, Conley is exactly where she wants to be and is about to take a fancy new position in Washington, D.C. Or so she thinks.
For small town scandals…
When the new job goes up in smoke, Conley finds herself right back where she started, working for her sister, who is trying to keep The Silver Bay Beacon afloat—and she doesn’t exactly have warm feelings for Conley. Soon she is given the unenviable task of overseeing the local gossip column, “Hello, Summer.”
And big-time secrets. Then Conley witnesses an accident that ends in the death of a local congressman—a beloved war hero with a shady past. The more she digs into the story, the more dangerous it gets. As an old heartbreaker causes trouble and a new flame ignites, it soon looks like their sleepy beach town is the most scandalous hotspot of the summer.
What am I eating when I’m reading Hello, Summer? FIBER!
Did you know that fiber-rich foods slow down the delivery of glucose into the bloodstream? Your blood sugar levels will gradually rise. Even more, fiber-rich foods tend to keep us satiated for longer periods of time, which helps with weight loss.
New research finds that adding fiber to your diet can help combat the effects of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. But only 25 percent of adults get the recommended amount of fiber daily.
Are you struggling with ways to add more fiber to your diet?
Omega3NutraCleanse® is a delicious, gluten-free, organic flaxseed blend rich in fiber and nutrients. Recently their marketing team sent me a 14.8 oz sample to try. I love it! After I consulted with my doctor about adding it to my diet, I started adding it to my morning bowl of nonfat, plain yogurt, and berries. It has a nutty flavor that I enjoy. This product compliments Keto, 0 Net Carbs, Paleo, and Vegan lifestyles. And just like their website states: ‘O3NC is a simple way to get the right amount of fiber to keep your inside healthy’.
Talk to your doctor before adding supplements to your diet.
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 Salad Making Party with special guest, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWWC, FANDon Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.
“Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the lining of your small intestine, causing inflammation, digestive distress, a decreased ability to absorb certain nutrients, and a propensity to develop other serious diseases,” says Dr. Vikki Peterson, Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Chiropractor, and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner.
Research has proven there is a genetic link between Type 1 diabetes and celiac disease. Developing one of the diseases increases the risk of developing the other. The prevalence of celiac disease in people with Type 1 diabetes is about 6% worldwide.
When you are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, your doctor should also check and see if you have celiac disease. However, you can develop celiac disease at any time, so if you think you are exhibiting symptoms of celiac disease, talk to your doctor about your concerns.
Dr. Vikki Petersen’s Top 4 Celiac Disease Myths
#1: Celiac Disease and wheat allergies are one-in-the-same
It is sometimes thought that celiac disease is the same as a wheat allergy. They are very different. Celiac is an autoimmune disease where one has to avoid gluten (wheat, rye, barley) for life. Celiac is quite common, affecting 1% of the population, making it one of the most common lifelong disorders in the U.S. and Europe. Wheat allergies are actually very rare.
#2: Small amounts of gluten won’t affect those with Celiac
A misconception is that a “bite” or “sip” of something containing gluten couldn’t possibly bother someone suffering from celiac disease. The fact is that the need to avoid gluten is not quantitative, but rather qualitative… meaning that a “crumb” of a bread crumb on a salad is enough to create very ill effects on someone with the disease.
#3: Gluten-free diet is a “fad”
A misconception is that avoiding gluten is a “fad” and not really necessary. Unfortunately, unhandled Celiac Disease (meaning the individual is not avoiding gluten completely) can lead to cancer (lymphoma), liver disease, thyroid disease, miscarriages, neurological diseases, and more. Symptoms and long-term manifestations go far beyond an “upset stomach”.
#4: Gluten sensitivity is different from celiac disease.
Celiac Disease, as we have said, is an autoimmune disease. The misconception that gluten sensitivity is not a “real” condition has been debunked by a number of world-renowned researchers. What both conditions have in common is the need to remove all gluten from one’s diet.
Looks like someone is coming but it’s too late to save Max. Millicent Merriweather turns around, intending to shoot our approaching team, but her numbed feet cause her to trip over a nail sticking out of the rotting deck. Peggy rushes forward and holds Millicent down as she tries to stand up. In the tussle, the stolen pearl handled pistol skids across the deck and Mama Rose Marie grabs it and points it at Millicent.
Mama Rose Marie: Where is my son?
Millicent: Swimming with the fishes.
Peggy: That’s not possible. He can’t be dead. I put blanks in that pistol after I found it behind Millicent’s cash register. Millicent is always threatening to kill anyone who uses a Groupon. There’s no way she should have access to a loaded gun.
Tonya: Look, there he is!
Narrator: Max’s head bobs up in the water. After climbing up the ladder, he is toweling off on deck.
Mama Rose Marie: Thank Goodness, you’re safe. Once you dry off, Bartholomew, you’ll be as good as new.
Max: New? Never. Different? Maybe. I’m not going to pretend to be someone else to win a contest. From now on, I’m staying true to who I am no matter how the chips may fall.
Tonya: Don’t you mean no matter how the dead bodies may fall?
Peggy: I’ve got some good news. We have a new DecadentDessertsonDeck Champion.
Max: I …I won?
Tonya: What? Was everyone else disqualified?
Peggy: I’m sorry Max – you never finished making your pie, so you WERE disqualified. But I think this check just might make up for it. Does this lift your spirits?
Max: Wow, what’s this for?
Peggy: Think of it as an advance on future pie orders. Your vegan key lime pie made with cashews and a pecan pie crust is such an interesting twist on the traditional recipe that I want to offer it to my customers.
Patricia: My patients who switch to vegan diets see their blood pressure decrease as well as their risk for heart disease.
MaryAnn: Max, you did it! You finally sold a recipe! Let’s celebrate.
Tonya: Hold your horses. We still haven’t found the stolen whales’ teeth!
Peggy: Loretta told me she hasn’t had any luck finding them.
Max: Mom, why do you have a funny look on your face?
Mama Rose Marie: We need to go check the oven.
Max: In the prep kitchen? But I turned it off before we left this morning.
Mama Rose Marie: No, no, not that oven! C’mon. Follow me.
Narrator: Mama Rose Marie leads our team back to the fabled Hussey mansion overhanging the Nantucket Sound.
SOUND EFFECT: Sea gulls
Mama Rose Marie: Peggy, didn’t you say Britannia won ten First Place ribbons with her winning pie crust? Is that right?
Peggy: Do you mean what I said about ‘blind baking’?
Max: Mom, what do her baking skills have to do with the whales’ teeth?
Mama Rose Marie: Tanya, open that oven door.
Tonya: Well, I’ll be. The stolen whales’ teeth are right here in Britannia’s pie crusts!
Peggy: Only Britannia would think to hide them there. Let me call Loretta.
Patricia: Max, please don’t get any ideas about adding whales’ teeth to your next gluten free recipe!
MaryAnn: By the look on his face. I think he’s seriously considering it.
Max: No! Look at Peggy’s check. It’s the exact amount of the entry fee for the baking contest in Martha’s Vineyard.
Mama Rose Marie: How can you think of entering another baking contest after what happened?
Max: We don’t have any choice. I gave Britannia all my cash for the food processor and I maxed out my credit cards on these pirate costumes.
Patricia: You mean we’re stuck here?
Tonya: Yippee! I’m ready to sink my teeth into another murder!
MaryAnn: Let’s just cash the check and go home.
Max: But I can make a lot more money winning the grand prize in Martha’s Vineyard with a new recipe! How about a rhubarb quinoa brownie?
Mama Rose Marie: Oh, no, here we go again!
Narrator: Another mystery solved by our crack team of amateur sleuths. We’ve all learned a few things from this story. Running away from your diabetes-related problems can lead to bigger issues. Any warning signs that something’s not right concerning your diabetes health should not be ignored.
We are always grateful to Sony Music for allowing us to feature their music. Tonight’s music was from the original Broadway recording of ‘Call Me Madam’ starring Dinah Shore.
Can you solve Divabetic’s Mystery Phrase #35? Our phrase could be useful in preventing and treating Rheumatoid arthritis and insulin resistance.
If you have diabetes, you may be wondering if gluten is something you should avoid.
Gluten is a type of protein found in certain grains. These include wheat, barley, and rye. Gluten can cause inflammation of the small intestine in people with celiac disease. Roughly 10 % of people living with type 1 diabetes have celiac disease according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
Gluten-free foods are currently trendy, so the diet is easier than ever to follow. Still, it can present some challenges due to all those sneaky sources of gluten including soy sauce and some hot dogs. Unless you see a “gluten-free” label, assume most pastas, baked goods, beer, and snack foods have some gluten.
People with non-celiac gluten sensitivities might notice digestive problems, lethargy, headaches, joint pain, and other issues after ingesting gluten. The only way to keep symptoms at bay is sticking with a gluten-free diet. In this case, you should consult with a doctor or try temporarily removing gluten from your diet to see if it helps.
Solving the Mystery of Your A1C
Many people wonder how their hba1c number relates to their blood sugar levels. After all, daily diabetes self-care management can be a jumble of numbers: weight, blood sugar levels, carbohydrate counts, fat grams, serving sizes, etc. Hopefully, this handy chart will provide some clarification.
When it comes to the numbers, there’s no one-size-fits-all target. A1C target levels can vary by each person’s age and other factors, and your target may be different from someone else’s. If you feel your hbA1C number is on a higher side, say over 7 or 8%, do not worry! Knowledge is power. You can lower your hbA1C by creating your own personal self-care plan with your healthcare professional.
There’s a good indication that murder might be part of the recipe when Nantucket’s ten time reigning Baking Champion’s last name is ‘Coffin’. But resentment, greed and Britannia’s own bad dealings turn everyone into a suspect when she’s found dead in the parking lot just before the Annual Decadents on Deck! Bake Off competition is about to kick off.
Divabetic’s Mystery podcast cast includes USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Coach The Cure‘s Trisha Artman, Mama Rose Marie, Seveda Williams, and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir.
Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Broadway Cast Album of ‘Call Me Madam’ courtesy of SONY Music.
Divabetic’s 7th Annual Mystery Podcast: Kill Me Madam Premieres Tonight
Click HERE for LIVE BROADCAST starting at 6 PM, EST
There’s a good indication that murder might be part of the recipe when Nantucket’s ten time reigning Baking Champion’s last name is ‘Coffin’.
But resentment, greed and Britannia’s own bad dealings turn everyone into a suspect when she’s found dead in the parking lot just before the Annual Decadents on Deck! Bake Off competition is about to kick off. Delusional baker and amateur sleuth Mr. Divabetic is even shocked to find himself being treated as a suspect in the case by the local police, after meeting her just once! Can our team hunt down the real murderer before they strike again? Will Mr. Divabetic become the next victim?
Featuring USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Coach The Cure‘s Trisha Artman, Mama Rose Marie, Seveda Williams, and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Broadway Cast Album of ‘Call Me Madam’ courtesy of SONY Music.
Mr. Divabetic’s gluten free cheesecake is so terrible that it gets him into deep trouble (including MURDER!) in our 5th Annual Diabetes Mystery podcast, ‘Swan Wake’.
Preheat oven to 350*. Coat the bottom and sides of a 9-inch spring form pan with non-stick cooking spray. Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, SPLENDA® Brown Sugar Blend, and Splenda Naturals® until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time. Blend in pumpkin, yogurt, almond flour, cinnamon, ground ginger, maple flavoring, and vanilla. Pour filling into prepared pan. Mix the topping ingredients by hand or in a food processor until crumbly. Sprinkle on top of cheesecake. Bake until firm, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Remove from oven and run a butter knife around the inner edge but do not remove the pan side. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Refrigerate.
Servings/Yield: 16 servings
*NUTRITION FACTS: Per Serving: Calories: 312, Total Fat: 21.68g, Cholesterol: 77mg, Sodium: 336 mg, Total Carbohydrates: 17.71g, Dietary Fiber: 3.09g, Sugars: 4.20g, Protein: 8.13g
LISTEN NOW: Divabetic’s 5th Annual Diabetes Mystery podcast “SWAN WAKE” starring Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, We Are Diabetes organization founder Asha Brown, Seveda Williams, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Mary Ann Nicolay MEd, DTR, Mama Rose Marie, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ and Poet Lorraine Brooks.
Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Leonard Berstein’s recording of ‘Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake, Op. 20″ in celebration of the centennial of America’s greatest classical composer and conductor courtesy of SONY Music.
Join us for Divabetic’s fifth annual Diabetes Mystery podcast, ‘Swan Wake’ debuting on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, 6 – 7:30 PM, EST.
This year’s whodunnit tackles diabetes wellness issues related toPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), smoking, drugs and medication interactions and gluten-free foods.
Here’s a quick synopsis:When the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic heads to the Gotham City Ballet Company’s box office to fix a mix up with his ‘Swan Lake’ tickets he’s faced with a even bigger problem – a murder. To make matters worse, one of his latest culinary creations, a gluten free cheesecake, seems to be covering the victim’s face. Even more shocking are the numerous scandals swirling around the Gotham City Ballet and it’s members that have everyone walking around on tip toes. Could our happy healthcare host’s questionable culinary skills make him an accessory to the crime or even a possible side dish? Now Mr. Divabetic with the help of his team of whip smart Diabetes Educators, a Best-Selling Mystery writer and his own nosy Italian Mom must whip up his own crime-solving recipe, and fast–before a hearty dose of intrigue and a deadly dash of danger ends his diabetes advocacy and healthy catering career once and for all.
Our Swan Wake cast features Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, We Are Diabetes organization founder Asha Brown, Seveda Williams, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Mary Ann Nicolay MEd, DTR , Mama Rose Marie and Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ and Poet Lorraine Brooks.
Throughout Divabetic’s fifth annual Diabetes Mystery podcast we will be featuring music from Leonard Berstein‘s recording of ‘Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake, Op. 20’ in celebration of the centennial of America’s greatest classical composer and conductor courtesy of SONY Music.
What is PCOS?Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone (androgen) levels. The ovaries may develop numerous small collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to regularly release eggs. PCOS) is associated with a high-risk of development of Type 2 diabetes. Both conditions share insulin resistance as an important pathogenic factor.
We’re excited to announce that rehearsals start today for Divabetic’s 5th Annual Diabetes Mystery podcast, ‘Swan Wake’ on Thursday, February 22, 2018.
“Our annual diabetes mystery podcast is the highpoint of the year for the Diabetes Late Nite team,” says Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. ”It brings us closer together because everyone’s forced to step out of their ‘comfort zone’ on this podcast. We’re not ‘actors’ and I’m not a ‘writer’ so there’s a great deal of trust involved in the process. I love it.”
“After turning 50 I realized that I don’t get as many opportunities to try new things or challenge myself. But our mystery podcast gives me this incredible opportunity to become a ‘writer’, a ‘director’ and a ‘actor’ for one day with the people I love. The whole expeience makes me feel alive! I love the challenge of trying to educate, empower and entertain our listeners.”
The writing process for this year’s mystery, ‘Swan Wake’ began shortly after the live broadcast of ‘Gypsies, Tramps & Peas’ in September.
“I was so naive when we first started writing our mystery podcasts five years ago. It never occurred to me that it might take longer than three weeks to finish a script!But I learned the hard way that to be happy with the end result actually takes months of writing and rewriting. Last year I started about seven months earlier and the extra writing and rehearsal time paid off big time in the ratings. Our listeners really loved it,” says Max Szadek. “My big ‘Ah Ha’ moment as a ‘writer’ came when I realized that it doesn’t matter how many times you edit a script before rehearsals start, once you hear it out loud, everything changes.”
Ballerina, Author, Zippora Karzis the inspiration behind why this year’s diabetes mystery’s setting is the ballet.
“A few years ago, I interviewed Zippora, who is living with type 1 diabetes, on our Diabetes Late Nitepodcast about her wonderful book, ‘The Sugarless Plum’ says Max. “After she shared her experience as a ballet dancer living with diabetes it occurred to me that there is a strong connection between the regimens of managing diabetes and ballet.”
“True to my character, ‘Mr. Divabetic’, I jumped headfirst into writing this year’s mystery without knowing much about ballet. I quickly learned that as a writer you can’t be ‘clueless’ on the topic you’re writing about. I needed to do a considerable amount research which proved to be a lot of fun. I attended performances of ‘Swan Lake’ and ‘Whipped Cream’ (with Misty Copeland) at Lincoln Center, watched numerous ballet videos ( Actress Sarah Jessica Parker touring the American Ballet Theater (ABT) shoe closet on YouTube) and ballet documentaries (‘Bolshoi Ballet’), read excerpts from various Balanchine biographies and scanned every article mentioning ballet I could find in the paper. I also interviewed Zippora several times about the basics in ballet.”
Here’s the radio drama’s synopsis: When the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic heads to the Gotham City Ballet Company’s box office to fix a mix up with his ‘Swan Lake’ tickets he’s faced with a even bigger problem – a murder. To make matters worse, one of his gooey gluten-free cheesecakes seems to be covering the victim’s face. Even more shocking are the numerous scandals swirling around the Gotham City Ballet and it’s members that have everyone walking around on tip toes. Could our happy healthcare host’s insipid culinary creations make him an accessory to the crime or even a possible side dish? Now Mr. Divabetic with the help of his team of whip smart Diabetes Educators, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Nicolay BA, DTR, a Best-selling Mystery Writer, Tonya Kappes and his own nosey Italian Mom, Mama Rose Marie must whip up his own crime-solving recipe, and fast–before a hearty dose of intrigue and a deadly dash of danger ends his diabetes advocacy and healthy catering career once and for all.
Divabetic’s 5th Annual Diabetes Mystery podcast, ‘Swan Wake’debuts in September 2018. Cast members include Asha Brown, Chef Robert Lewis, Seveda Williams, Catherine Schuller AICI CIP, Zippora Karz and Lorraine Brooks.
