Divabetic’s Mysteries podcast, Kill Me Madam, is packed with loads of diabetes information and self-care tips wrapped up in a cozy mystery radio drama.
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 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!
As if his life wasn’t crazy enough before, escaping a murderous mishap in New York and attempting a fresh start in Nantucket has become a complete and utter baking disaster.
Max, along with his friends and nosy mother, have to add tracking down a murderer to his To-Do list, too.
Can our team hunt down the real murderer before they strike again? Will he become the next victim? Can Max ever manage to bake an edible cake?
Stevia, acesulfame K, and sucralose are low-calorie sweeteners that can be 200–600 times sweeter than sugar. Our friend, Stacey Harris known as the The Diabetic Pastry Chef recommends using multiple sugar substance rather than just one substitute in your best recipes for the best results.
Almond or coconut flour are lower in carbohydrates and higher in fiber, which can help slow down the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream.
For more baking tips and a captivating murder mystery, tune in to Divabetic’s Mysteries podcast: Kill Me Madam on YouTube, Blog Talk Radio, iTunes and Spotify.
FEATURING Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek, USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, CoachThe Cure‘s Trisha Artman, Mama Rose Marie, and Seveda Williams.
Carb Kitty make carbohydrate counting fun! Carbohydrate counting, or “carb counting,” can help you manage your blood glucose levels. Foods that contain carbohydrates raise your blood glucose values. By monitoring the amount of carbohydrates you eat can help to better understand your blood glucose levels.
Carbohydrates (“carbs”) can be counted 2 ways: by grams or by carb choices. Remember: 1 carb choice = 15 grams of carbohydrate. Mr. Divabetic’s new educational game, Carb Kitty, makes counting carbs fun.
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 authorTonya 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.
Sade’s music has been a staple in the hearts of millions for five decades. With over 50 million records sold worldwide, Sade’s music has been a constant reminder that true talent doesn’t need to be loud or flashy. She has always let her music speak for itself.
Although her body of work is considered paltry by industry standards, her music has been covered by everyone from Frank Ocean and Lauryn Hill to Herbie Hancock. Sade and the band seem obsessed with less rather than more.
This dedication to her craft has made Sade a mystery to her fans even after all these years. She rarely does interviews and shares very little about her personal life, but her music has been covered by some of the biggest names in the industry.
If you have yet to experience Sade’s music live, you’re missing out. When I attended her Madison Square Garden concert, I was blown away. She and her band were positioned behind a scrim on stage, adding an air of mystery to the atmosphere. Although we could see through the scrim, her lighting technicians projected colors and images, providing an extra visual treat for the audience. The show was fantastic, from the mesmerizing visuals to the smooth, calming sounds.
I fell in love with Sade’s sophisticated jet-set, jazzy romance stories from her first album, Diamond Life. Whether it’s ‘Your Love Is King,’ ‘Smooth Operator,’ or ‘Hang on to Love,’ Their music transported me from the ordinary suburban to a swanky European cafe and the sands of St. Topez.
“Kiss Of Life” is my fantasy wedding song. Sade’s voice and the band’s sultry rhythm make it sound timeless to me.
“It’s strange because most bands are forgotten about when there is a long hiatus between albums, but with us, it seems the opposite, particularly in the last few years,” Sade told GQ Magazine.
Her music is a reminder that sometimes less is more and true talent always stays in style.
We’re talking about ‘THE SWEETEST TABOO’ aka ‘SUGAR’ with musical inspiration from Sade on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast.
Added sugar is everywhere. But do we understand the impact it has on our diabetes health? You may think of sweets, chocolate, sodas, table sugar, and perhaps fruit if asked to name sugary foods. However, sugar also appears in savory foods such as ready meals, soups, salads, sauces, and ‘healthy’ foods such as breakfast cereals and yogurt. Furthermore, starches such as bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes also convert to sugar in our bloodstream, having the same impact on our bodies. These ‘hidden sugars’ can add a surprising amount to our daily intake.
Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Tameka Milline, Catherine Schuller, Kathy Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage’, and Stephanie MacKendree. Throughout the podcast, we play music from ‘The Essential Sade’ album courtesy of SONY Music. If asked to name sugary foods, you may think of sweets, chocolate, sodas, table sugar, and perhaps fruit.
According to the State Journal-Register of Illinois, McDonald’s plans to phase out the do-it-yourself stations, eliminating them over the next decade as franchise owners cite hygiene, theft, and consumer eating habits.
Slashing soft drinks from your diet is a quick way to improve your health and lose weight. Sugar-sweetened soft drinks are the leading sources of added sugars in the American diet. Frequently drinking sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney diseases, non-alcoholic liver disease, tooth decay and cavities, and gout, a type of arthritis. But giving up your soda habit isn’t always an easy task. While some people can function just fine without soft drinks, others need their fix starting at breakfast.
Soda Is Engineered To Make You Drink More
According to Gary Wenk, director of neuroscience undergraduate programs at Ohio State University and author of “Your Brain on Food,” it’s all in the beverage’s design.” He believes your favorite soft drink brand is engineered with enough sweetener, caffeine, and carbonation to make you continuously want to grab and gulp.
“Free refills are a big draw for people,” Kim Derringer, who operates three McDonald’s franchises in Springfield, Ill., told The State-Journal Register.
“I don’t see anything taking that away.”
Most People Don’t Know How Many Calories Are In Soda
Even though it’s widely known that soda can contribute to weight gain, most adults don’t know how many calories are in a bottle of soda, a new study reveals.
The research, published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and based on data from 3,926 adults, shows that eight in 10 adults — 84.4 percent — know that sugar-sweetened beverages can promote weight gain. However, nearly the same percentage of adults — 81 percent — did not know (or inaccurately stated) the number of calories in 24 ounces of soda. (There are 251 to 350 calories in a 24-ounce soda).
If you’re having a soft drink on occasion – say a few times per month – there’s no need for concern. But if you’re having more than one soda per day, you could be putting yourself at risk for health conditions, stroke, and dementia.
“The key is finding (another) beverage you enjoy,” Msora-Kasago said. “Unsweetened milk is always a great place to start because in addition to quenching thirst, milk provides many important nutrients such as protein and calcium.”
We’re talking about ‘THE SWEETEST TABOO’ aka ‘SUGAR’ with musical inspiration from Sade on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast.
Added sugar is everywhere. But do we understand the impact it has on our diabetes health?
You may think of sweets, chocolate, sodas, table sugar, and perhaps fruit if asked to name sugary foods. But sugar also appears in savory foods such as ready meals, soups, salads, sauces, and ‘healthy’ foods such as breakfast cereals and yogurt. Furthermore, starches such as bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes also convert to sugar in our bloodstream, having the same impact on our bodies. These ‘hidden sugars’ can add a surprising amount to our daily intake.
Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Tameka Milline, Catherine Schuller, Kathy Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage’, and Stephanie MacKendree. Throughout the podcast, we play music from The Essential Sade album courtesy of SONY Music.
Help Us Light the Way During National Diabetes Awareness Month (November)
Approximately 96 million American adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes. Did you know that over 80% don’t know they have it? Prediabetes increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
This November, join Divabetic’s Blue Candle initiative and encourage your friends, co-workers, and family members to be screened for pre-diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers a quick, easy online Pre-Diabetes risk test.
Be by their side when they check, and share your experience of living well with diabetes so they can see that living well with diabetes is possible. Together, we can help others come out of the dark, address their diabetes health status, and start living their lives to the fullest.
Over 37 million Americans have diabetes, and 96 million have prediabetes. This includes people identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQAI+). About 25% of gay or bisexual men and 14% of lesbian or bisexual women have been diagnosed with diabetes, compared to about 10% of the general population.
If you’re a member of the LGBTQAI+ community, learn about factors that may put you at a higher risk of developing diabetes. Divabetic can help you take charge of your health. You are not alone; we see and hear you.
Mr. Divabetic is an openly cisgender gay man who advocates for diabetes. He sees similarities between accepting your sexual identity and accepting a diabetes diagnosis. Both identities seem steeped in shame and blame by the general public. Coming to terms with who you are and/or your health status is a powerful journey in self-love and self-acceptance.
“My coming out journey transformed my life,” says Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. “It was a powerful act of courage, self-love, and acceptance. Not everyone chooses to do it, and that’s okay. I traveled across the country to California to seek my truth. I needed that much distance from friends and relatives to feel safe. At the time, I felt I could resume my life on the East Coast if no one knew what happened on the West Coast. However, I realized once I kissed another man that I was gay and began the lifelong process of coming out to my friends, my family, my co-workers, and acquaintances. There were many difficult and awkward conversations. I have been shamed and have lost work because of it, but I don’t regret it. Coming out is a lifelong process because every time I meet and become friends with someone new, there’s a feeling inside me urging me to speak my truth. Keeping my sexuality a secret feels toxic.”
Poet Lorraine Brooks shares this beautiful poem, Out Gay & Here, to celebrate Pride Month.
Out Gay And Here by Lorraine Brooks
so tell me what it meant to you
in all your human glory
the fears, the chance, the honesty,
the day you told your story.
was shame the thing that kept you from
revealing your true wants?
were you afraid of hearing
all the ridicule and taunts?
or did you hold your head up, high
defying any doubt…
and did you shout with confidence
I’m here, I’m gay, I’m OUT?!?
did parents, friends, and foes alike
recoil in true disgust,
or did your people smile and say
we thank you for, your trust?
did you feel better having said
what some already knew,
and were you now beginning to
explore a better “you”?
is being out the best thing
that you’ve ever done so far?
or were you left with wondering
why you are who you are?
is life a bit more happy now
that you have said the word?
has anybody turned away
and left your voice unheard?
have you been embraced by
a community of peers?
and have you now acknowledged
that you’re one of all the queers?
you’re here, you’re out, you’re satisfied.
you’re lesbian, you’re gay.
you’re trans, you’re bi, you’re curious…
but mostly, YOU’RE OK!!
you’ve partnered with,
you’ve broken up,
you’ve shut your mouth,
you’ve spoken up.
you’ve bagged it up,
you’ve not complained,
you’ve used a whip,
you’ve been restrained.
you’ve doggy-styled,
you’ve been on top,
you’ve started it,
you’ve made it stop.
you’ve been alone,
you’ve been in pairs,
you’ve shaved it or,
you’ve cut its hairs.
you’ve used your tongue,
you’ve used your hands,
you’ve tied it up
with rubber bands.
you’ve worked it in,
you’ve done without,
you’ve muzzled it,
you’ve made it shout.
but in the end
you’ve all declared…
in voices loud and clear…
this is who,you are and now…
YOU’RE OUT AND GAY AND HERE!!!
The newly redesigned rainbow flag ensures inclusivity is at the heart of the LGBTQ+ movement. The new design incorporated intersex people into the movement and was led by Valentino Vecchietti.
On this episode of Divabetic’s popular podcast, Mr. Divabetic spotlights LGBTQAI+ people living with, affected by, and at risk of diabetes with music from Indigo Girls.
Research shows that LGBTQAI+ people have unique health disparities and worse health outcomes than their heterosexual counterparts regarding diabetes care and education.
Mr. Divabetic stops by the Gay Pride March in New York to raise awareness for diabetes in a fun, new way. The first March was held in 1970 and has since become an annual civil rights demonstration. Over the years its purpose has broadened to include recognition of the fight against AIDS and to remember those we have lost to illness, violence, and neglect.
Mr. Divabetic plays his food game, Serve, Taste or Trash! with participants and crowd goers to help encourage people to read nutritional labels. You might be surprised by the facts. In the game, you are given three choices of popular snack foods: a Kit Kat White Chocolate bar, a Balance Bar (Yogurt Honey Peanut), and a Vita Coco Pure Coconut Water with Orange, 11. 1 fl oz. To play, you must decide which item you’d serve, which you’d taste, and which you’d trash. Can you tell which one contains the most sugar? Kit Kat White Chocolate bar contains and the Balance Bar (Yogurt Honey Peanut) both contain 18 grams of sugar and a Vita Coco Pure Coconut Water with Orange, 11. 1 fl oz. Contains 20 grams of sugar.
We’re talking about ‘Diabetes & Pride’ on this episode of Divabetic’s popular podcast with musical and identity inspiration from Ricky Martin.
Since Ricky Martin came out in 2010, he’s been a prominent voice for LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. and his native Puerto Rico. Ricky Martin said, “I just wanna be free,” upon receiving GLAAD’s Vito Russo Award, which honors gay entertainers who promote equal rights. Martin opened up his life to Vanity Fair in its April 2012 issue and spoke candidly about his twins, Matteo and Valentino, and his longtime partner, Carlos Gonzalez.
As an openly gay man, Mr. Divabetic is honored to shine the spotlight on members of the LGBTQ+ community living with diabetes. Guests include Stephen Bernstein, Greg Rubin, Maria Salazar, Maya James, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.
Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a lot.”
Vaginal dryness is common in women with diabetes. High blood sugar levels can cause damage to the blood vessels in your vagina. This leads to a lack of lubrication. As a result, you can experience discomfort during physical activity, burning, irritation, itching, and sex can be painful.
Divabetic shares our favorite lubricants for women with diabetes coping with vaginal dryness. Vaginal lubricants cannot treat the underlying cause of vaginal dryness, such as lower estrogen levels, but can relieve the discomfort caused by dryness.
Although you might feel embarrassed to shoot for personal lubricants at your pharmacy, most of the top brands can be bought online. Lubricants help reduce friction, ease penetration and stimulate the senses. They come in a wide variety of formulas, fragrances, and flavors.
Water-based lubricants are the most versatile because they’re easy to wash off and don’t degrade the latex in condoms. Some water-based products contain glycerin (derived from sugar), while others are specifically glycerin-free. Water-based lubricants can also contain other ingredients, such as preservatives and antimicrobials.
‘Good Clean Love’ and “Slippery Stuff” are organic, water-based lubricants that won’t alter pH levels, which can lead to UTIs or vaginal infections. They’re paraben-free, glycerin-free, alcohol-free, and no petrochemicals. This aloe-based lubricant is made with 95% organic ingredients and infused with lemon and vanilla for a light flavor.
Best natural lubricant: Sliquid Organics Natural Gel One of the safest bets for people with diabetes is a high-quality silicone lubricant. No studies have shown people having reactions to pure silicone lubricant.
Best silicone-based lubricant:Pink Silicone Lubricant Oil-based natural lubricants like coconut oil can break down the latex in condoms, too. They can also alter the pH of the vagina, which can lead to more infections.
Grammy Award-winning Singer Patti Austin, who continues successfully manages her type 2 diabetes after having gastric bypass surgery, sings the theme song for any woman who is getting back in the swing of enjoyable sex.
“I had type 2 diabetes,” says the former 285- pound singer. “I had obesity-driven diabetes,” who now weighs 140 pounds. Patti Austin had gastric bypass surgery to reach her new weight, and the result has been remarkable. We applaud her hard work, determination, and tenacity to maintain her weight loss.
Podcast guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, Chris Pickering co-founder of ‘The Betes Bros, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Mama Rose Marie.
This podcast features songs from The Best Of Patti Austin album courtesy of SONY Music.
This year’s World Diabetes Day theme is to increase access to diabetes education.
More than 95% of the time, people living with diabetes are looking after themselves. They need greater access to ongoing education to stay mentally, physically, and spiritually healthy and avoid health-related complications.
One in 10 adults worldwide currently lives with diabetes, an estimated 537 million people. Almost half do not know they have it. This is putting added strain on healthcare systems.
Healthcare professionals must know how to detect and diagnose diabetes early and make the most of their limited time to provide the best possible advice and care for people with diabetes.
World Diabetes Day (WDD) was created in 1991 by IDF and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2006 with the passage of United Nations Resolution 61/225. It is marked every year on 14 November, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.
The campaign is represented by a blue circle logo adopted in 2007 after the passage of the UN Resolution on diabetes. The blue circle is the global symbol of diabetes awareness. It signifies the unity of the global diabetes community in response to the diabetes epidemic.
We’re celebrating people’s ability to thrive living with diabetes with inspiration from the great Italian composer Giacomo Puccini.
Giacomo Puccini was born in 1858 and later diagnosed with diabetes in 1908. Numerous reports mention that he struggled to manage his diagnosis for much of his life.
As we discuss Puccini’s artistry and life, we will be interspersing highlights of the history of diabetes, self-care treatments, and innovations for the past hundred years.
Puccini’s artistic triumphs include La bohème, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly. Unfortunately, his last opera, based on the fable of Turandot, would remain unfinished due to his death from throat cancer in Brussels in 1924.
Guests include Toby Smithson, MS, RDN, LD, CDCES, FAND Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic.
Throughout this podcast, we will feature music from Puccini: Great Opera Arias courtesy of SONY Music.
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?
Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic hosts this free, fun Virtual Valentines-themed Baking Party on Zoom with our special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chefon Wednesday, February 9, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST.
During this virtual Baking Party on Zoom,The Diabetic Pastry Chefwill prepare a Valentine’s Day Sugar-Free Dessert recipe and share expert baking tips for substituting sugar substitutes and flours in your favorite recipes.
Over 150 people registered for our recent Divabetic Baking Parties on Zoom so don’t miss out!
After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Stacey Harris, known as 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.
“I started experimenting by using almond milk or whole milk mixed with water to cut down on carbs, then tried different flours, incorporating white whole wheat flour, soy flour, oat flour, black bean flour, and other alternatives into my brownies, cakes, and cookies,” she said in a How 2 Type 2 article.
She adds, ”To cut back on sugar, I started using all-natural substitutes, like agave nectar, and trying erythritol. I also bake with a store-bought blend of sugars that tastes delicious.”
The Diabetic Pastry Chef
Join us for Divabetic’s first podcast of the year featuring Rachel Zinman, Arthur Aston, and Patricia Addie Gentle RN, CDCES on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, 6 PM, EST.
Our musical inspiration, R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass, who was not living with diabetes, overcame many obstacles and continued to sing after a car crash in 1982 that left him in a wheelchair.
Before the crash, Teddy Pendergrass’s explosive, raw voice earned turned him into an international star and sex symbol. His masculinity, passion, and the joys and sorrow of romance were featured in songs such as Close the Door, Love T.K.O, and other hits that have since become classics.
Teddy’s longtime collaborator Kenny Gamble said, “He had a tremendous career ahead of him, and the accident sort of got in the way of many of those plans.”
Mr. Pendergrass suffered a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down – still able to sing but without his signature power. The image of the masculine, virile lover was replaced with one that drew sympathy.
But instead of becoming bitter or depressed, Teddy Pendergrass created a new identity – that as a role model, Mr. Gamble said.
“He never showed me that he was angry at all about his accident,” Mr. Gamble said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “In fact, he was very courageous.”
After extensive physical therapy, he resumed his recording career. He had Top 10 rhythm and blues hits and gold albums into the ’90s.
We hope Teddy Pendergrass helps inspire you to focus on the positive in the face of challenges related to managing your diabetes.
Throughout the podcast, we will be featuring music by Teddy Pendergrass courtesy of SONY Music.
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 Lovecourtesy of SONY Music.
After a yearlong delay, my fabulous goddaughter and niece, Ashton, and her wonderful fiancé, Irby were married this past weekend at OceanCliff Inn in Newport, RI. Every moment shimmered in effortless elegance to create an ‘epic yet intimate’ celebration. Hats off to my brother and his amazing wife for hosting such an unforgettable weekend. I had the honor (and anxiety) of officiating their fairytale wedding against a spectacular backdrop of sailboats on the sunset.
I admire my niece so much for sticking to her guns and holding out to have her dream wedding in Newport rather than cancel it and host a much smaller ceremony at her home. She stayed true to her vision against the odds, and it worked out beautifully. The experience also taught me to turn off the negative talk that I say to myself. After 15+ months of not hosting a Divabetic outreach event, I felt very unsure of myself in my abilities to host such a monumental event in front of 200 people. Thankfully, I stumbled upon this phrase, “Stop being afraid of what can go wrong, start being excited about what can go right,” which I repeated to myself for two weeks leading up to the event. It worked! Everyone enjoyed the ceremony, and my niece told me, ‘it was perfect!’
By the way, it was truly a family affair. My mother, Mama Rose Marie was the flower girl, the bride’s sister was the ‘Maid of Honor’, the groom’s father was the ‘Best Man’, my nephew, Troy and his wife, Devon, were attendants, my brother, Rich designed their wedding monogram, and Joe did the bride’s hair and my mother’s makeup and hair. The Bride’s father, my brother, Bob highlighted the fact the newlyweds patiently waited over a year to exchange their vows in a speech that can only be described as ‘astonishing and mindblowing’!! I’d also like to add that there’s no way an event of this size and scope could have been presented in such a masterful way without one of the most accomplished women that I know at the helm, my fabulous sister-in-law, Laura. She rocked it!
Since my niece is also a Luther Vandross fan like her uncle, she plays his Christmas album nonstop every year (!) I used Luther’s beautiful song lyrics as inspiration for my wedding ceremony. Unfortunately, the happy couple didn’t choose ‘Here & Now’ as their wedding song, but I’d like to send this heartfelt message to them on their new journey together.
Divabetic’s Luther Vandross Tribute podcast guests include Lisa Fischer, Jason Miles, Jeff James, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Chuck Flowers.
By the time Luther Vandross headed to the studio to record his fifth album Give Me the Reason in 1986, he’d become one of the most successful soul singers of the first half of the eighties. His four previous albums have been either certified platinum or double-platinum in America.
For Luther Vandross’ fifth album Give Me the Reason, the album comprised nine tracks including the hits: So Amazing, There’s Nothing Better Than Love, Stop To Love and Give Me The Reason.
Throughout the podcast, we will be featuring music from Luther Vandross’s Give Me The Reason album courtesy of SONY Music.
Tune in over 140 Diva TalkRadio podcasts available for free on i-tunes (‘Divabetic’). Get the latest in diva news, diabetes headlines and inspiration by joining our Divabetic facebook page.
