Tag: podcast

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Divabetic Podcast: Mermaid Parade

Tune in to Divabetic’s podcast on the 42nd Annual Mermaid Parade with our guests, Coney Island USA’s Artistic Director Adam Rinn and Poet Lorraine Brooks.

The Mermaid Parade is the nation’s largest art parade. It brings together creative minds in art and fashion and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to Brooklyn’s amusement district. The Parade originated to help preserve the tradition of Mardi Gras-type events popular in Coney Island between 1903 and 1954.

This year, painter, performer, and sideshow historian Joe Coleman will be King Neptune, and his wife, artist, and photographer Whitney Ward will be Queen Mermaid. The couple will officially open the beaches for the beginning of summer and celebrate the sun, sand, sea, and salt air.

Our first guest, Adam Rinn, Coney Island USA’s Artistic Director, is a Coney Island native who has worked as a sword swallower, strongman, and variety performer for the past 20 years, so you’re sure to enjoy this fun and colorful interview!

Frequent contributor Poet Lorraine Brooks revisits her groundbreaking poem “Beauty & The Beach,” which premiered over thirteen years ago on Divabetic’s Roundtable podcast. “Beauty & The Beach” resonates deeply with podcast listeners and Diabetic blog readers. Since then, we have reshared Lorraine’s poem on body love, swimwear, and beaches on subsequent podcasts and blog entries.

During our interview, Lorraine shares how her opinions about her body and wearing a swimsuit have changed over the past decade, but her feelings about her diabetes diagnosis have not. She emphasizes the time, effort, and care she has put into her diabetes management, which has helped her remain free of diabetes-related complications.

Our discussion also touches on how negative self-talk can hinder us from enjoying life. Lorraine has agreed to revisit the themes of body love, beaches, and swimwear in a new poem entitled “Summer Skin” for this podcast.

Diabetes advocate turned reluctant amateur sleuth, Mr. Divabetic finally takes the plunge and ventures into a new career as a healthy caterer. With the help of his co-workers and nosy Italian mother, he heads for Coney Island to cater his first party aboard a yacht for his former swim coach, Ted Rockow. But his nautical soiree quickly capsizes when the guest of honor is found swimming with the fishes.

Was it an accident or foul play? Now Mr. Divabetic’s grilling Burlesque dancers, a lifeguard lothario, a gypsy fortune teller, and some sequined mermaids, all intent on keeping their secrets buried deep within the sand.

Can Mr. Divabetic overcome his green pea phobia in time to prove Coach’s death was a murder, not an accident? Or will he end up floating out to sea? Will he sink or swim? Tune in to find out if he 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.

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, We Are Diabetes Founder Asha Brown, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, Mama Rose Marie, and Seveda Williams.
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Divabetic’s Sweet Romance E-Book Available Now

Romantic relationships play an important role in our everyday lives. But when diabetes enters the picture, it can complicate even the most loving and open relationships. 

Many people don’t know that diabetes can impact physical and emotional intimacy. And intimacy-related issues can be especially difficult to discuss with a partner or a health care provider.

But don’t let diabetes hinder the romance. Divabetic’s Sweet Romance series gives you practical information and expert advice to tackle this sensitive subject. These comprehensive, interactive guides cover everything you need to know to enjoy a fulfilling sexual and emotional life despite the challenges of diabetes.

GET YOUR COPY NOW

Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love and Intimacy with Diabetes, book one in the series, is your key to a happy, healthy, intimate life with diabetes.

Inside, you’ll find:

  • The common physical and emotional sexual complications of diabetes and treatment options for men and women
  • An overview of diabetes nutrition, physical activity, weight loss, and diabetes medications
  • Information on how aging impacts diabetes management and intimacy
  • Guidance on how to talk to your health care provider about intimacy-related issues
  • Ideas and techniques for building sexual intimacy and communicating effectively with your partner
  • Tips to help you avoid dangerous or money-wasting fraudulent sexual treatments

Authors Dr. Janis Roszler PhD, LMFT, RDN, LD/N, CDCES, FAND, and Donna Rice, MBA, BSN, RN, CDCES, FADCES, use humor, helpful examples, and insightful questions to present key topics about sexual health in an engaging, approachable way. This series is perfect for anyone (regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, or health status) looking to rekindle intimacy with their partner or be proactive about their sexual and emotional well-being.

BUY NOW

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PLUS OR MINUS Poem by Lorraine Brooks

PLUS OR MINUS by Lorraine Brooks

Don’t call me plus size.

Why should I be?

I’m bigger than some,

some are bigger than me.

A number is given to keep track of our size,

And what is the difference which one I must buy?

I’m not plus or minus, don’t label me so,

And don’t tell me into which stores I can go.

If I need an 18, and you need a 3,

You shouldn’t be thinking you’re better than me.

If you need a 20 and I need a 2,

I shouldn’t be thinking

I’m better than you.

Why don’t we instead,

embrace everyone’s curves

With all the respect and support one deserves.

Don’t label me by the disease I possess

Or anything else that might cause me distress.

I’ve spent most of my life with the label of “plus”,

The truth is that labels aren’t good for any of us.

Let’s labels shelves, and file cabinet drawers,

And signs on the ladies and mens bathroom doors.

A label is good if I need to explore

Where your office is located on the 5th floor.

And I need a label when I’m shopping for food

To know if tomatoes are pureed or stewed.

But don’t label me and my body, I ask,

And don’t make me wear this invisible mask…

Put labels on envelopes with return address,

Or telling me which one is lettuce, and which watercress.

Because in the end, I’m the same as you are,

And labels work better on bottles and jars.

But even if I am not your cup of tea

Don’t put labels on people…and please, not on me

Max “Mr. Divabetic” Szadek and poet Lorraine Brooks revisit her groundbreaking poem “Beauty & The Beach,” which premiered over thirteen years ago on Divabetic’s Roundtable podcast. The poem was inspired by Esther Williams and resonated deeply with podcast listeners and Diabetic blog readers. Since then, there have been numerous requests to have Lorraine share the poem again on subsequent podcasts or repost her words on the blog.

During this Divabetic podcast short take, Lorraine shares how her opinions about her body and wearing a swimsuit have changed over the past decade, but her feelings about her diabetes diagnosis have not. She emphasizes the time, effort, and care she has put into her diabetes management, which has helped her remain free of diabetes-related complications. The discussion also touches on how negative self-talk can hinder us from living life to the fullest. Lorraine has agreed to revisit the theme of the beach and swimwear at our request and has written a new poem, “Summer Skin,” for an upcoming podcast about the 42nd Annual Mermaid Parade in Coney Island.

Although “Summer Skin” is not a cheerful poem about exposing more skin during the summer, we are still honored to share it with the audience. We hope you know our community welcomes you to share your thoughts, feelings, apprehensions, struggles, and successes regarding living with diabetes.
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Happy Birthday, Patti LaBelle

Happy 80th Birthday, Patti LaBelle!

She inspired me to create the word “Divabetic” when I saw her performing at a Luther Vandross Tribute concert in 2003. The tribute concert took place after Luther suffered a stroke related to type 2 diabetes and chronic weight cycling.

During her performance, Patti LaBelle stopped singing and admitted she was living with diabetes. She said, “I have diabetes, but diabetes doesn’t have me!”

“YASS, QUEEN!” as the kids in the Bronx like to say.

Her upbeat attitude and openness about living with diabetes resonated with me. I vowed to help others at risk, affected by, and living with diabetes to prevent diabetes-related complications by presenting diabetes education in a fun way. Although I have met her several times, I have never truly found the words to express my gratitude to her for giving my life new meaning. Thank you to everyone who has joined me on this journey, and happy birthday to the woman and icon who started it all.

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Dating With Diabetes

Living with diabetes can be a challenging experience, especially when it comes to your relationships. That’s why it’s important to talk to your loved ones about your diabetes diagnosis and how it affects your life. It can help you surround yourself with a more supportive and encouraging environment.

I often compare discussing your diabetes diagnosis to my experience of coming out as gay to friends, family, and potential partners. You can’t do either without accepting yourself and your diagnosis. But when and how you choose to tell friends, co-workers, or someone you are romantically involved with that you have diabetes depends on the person. There’s no golden rule.

I was never comfortable blurting it out at the beginning of a friendship or relationship, but I can understand why others choose to. Conversely, I understand that the longer you wait to tell someone, the harder it is to admit it. After walking the earth as a gay man for over three decades, I can tell you that keeping secrets is not an ideal way to create long-lasting, trusting relationships. At some point in your life, you realize it will never get easier, and it’s better to say it and let the chips fall however and wherever they will.

In our first-ever Diabetes & Relationships survey in partnership with Diabetes Sisters, 50% of the respondents said they tell their friends immediately about their diagnosis.

Co-authors of Divabetic’s ebook, “Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide To Love & Intimacy With Diabetes,” Dr. Janis Roszler PhD, LMFT, CDCES, LD/N, FAND, and Donna Rice MBA, BSN, RN, CDCES, FADCES offer advice on discussing your diabetes diagnosis as well as issues related to intimacy, fertility, and menopause with the people you care about the most. 

Sadly, it seems that most women prefer telling their friends rather than their lovers about their diagnosis. I assume fear of rejection is the main cause of the hesitation to disclose a diagnosis to a romantic partner. But the embarrassment of living with sexual dysfunction issues related to diabetes for women, including low libido and personal dryness, could also make someone tight-lipped about disclosing a diagnosis.

Romantic relationships play an important role in our everyday lives. But when diabetes enters the picture, it can complicate even the most loving and open relationships. Many people don’t know that diabetes can impact physical and emotional intimacy. Intimacy-related issues can be especially difficult to discuss with a partner or a healthcare provider. But don’t let diabetes hinder the romance. The Sweet Romance series gives you practical information and expert advice to tackle this sensitive subject. These comprehensive, interactive guides cover everything you need to know to enjoy a fulfilling sexual and emotional life despite the challenges of diabetes.

Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love and Intimacy with Diabetes, book one in the series, is your key to a happy, healthy, intimate life with diabetes.

Inside, you’ll find:

  • The common physical and emotional sexual complications of diabetes and treatment options for men and women
  • An overview of diabetes nutrition, physical activity, weight loss, and diabetes medications
  • Information on how aging impacts diabetes management and intimacy
  • Guidance on how to talk to your healthcare collaborators about intimacy-related issues
  • Ideas and techniques for building sexual intimacy and communicating effectively with your partner
  • Tips to help you avoid dangerous or money-wasting fraudulent sexual treatments

Authors Janis Roszler and Donna Rice use humor, helpful examples, and insightful questions to present key topics about sexual health in an engaging, approachable way. This series is perfect for anyone (regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, or health status) looking to rekindle intimacy with their partner or be proactive about their sexual and emotional well-being.

BUY NOW

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Ozempic Baby Boom!

Pregnancy may be one of the most surprising side effects for women taking weight loss medications. 
Dubbed “Ozempic babies,” women are reporting on social media that they are becoming pregnant after using GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic (semaglutide) for weight loss.


“[I]ncreased fertility and surprise pregnancy has been well-reported in previously infertile patients, even with modest weight loss (approximately 5%) with lifestyle modification as well as other weight loss medications,” said Dr. Neha Lalani in a Healthline-related article.

One woman said that she started taking Mounjaro for weight loss. Over the first few months, she lost about 40 pounds. Her menstrual cycles, which had been irregular because of PCOS, became normal. And she even felt happier.

“It just made me feel like a whole new person,” she said. “I was in a better mood every single day. This same woman had hoped that losing weight might help her get pregnant. She’d heard about others having success with weight loss while taking the shot. Shortly after, she became pregnant—sooner than she expected!

Another woman admitted she was pregnant on Ozempic and was on the pill!

What’s going on with the Ozempic baby boom? 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. PCOS causes the ovaries to produce an abnormal amount of androgens, which are male sex hormones. This can lead to hormonal imbalances, cysts in the ovaries, irregular periods, and infertility. 

PCOS can make it difficult for women to lose weight, which could be why many are turning to weight loss medications for help. Are GLP-1 drugs able to boost fertility? 


GLP-1 medications aid in weight loss and blood sugar management, which may improve the underlying factors that contribute to infertility. However, experts agree more research is needed to understand how GLP-1 medications can impact IVF outcomes.

In the meantime, numerous women are reporting that they’re having “Ozempic babies” on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns, as these medicines haven’t been studied in people who are pregnant.

“We don’t know the effect of early exposure … on the fetus,” said Dr. Jody Dushay, a physician focused on endocrinology and metabolism at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School.

Dushay said she recommends that women stop taking these drugs two months before trying to get pregnant, as directed in their prescribing information.

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Ledisi’s “I Blame You” Inspires Diabetes Discussion

Music can inspire conversations about different life topics, even ones that are different from the song lyrics. For example, Ledisi’s hit song, “I Blame You,” is an upbeat track about loving someone so good that you have no choice but to keep loving them. With song lyrics, “I blame you each and every day, It’s your fault that I’m completely blown away, You’ve been building castles in the sky, A place for only you and I, I, I, I”, who wouldn’t want to be told that you make someone you love to feel loved, and feel joy, how beautiful is that? 

Words have power, especially when put to music. You can find yourself singing along to a chorus without even knowing what you’re saying. Repeated listening to a song can trigger random associations that slip into your subconscious and support or hinder your actions. This is why self-reflection is crucial. It allows us to understand how our words and thoughts impact our actions and, ultimately, our diabetes management.

Imagine if we ‘reframed’ Ledisi’s song title, which means changing the perspective or context to refer to the words you might find yourself saying about your diabetes daily. For example, instead of ‘I Blame You ‘, we could think of it as ‘It’s All My Fault’ or ‘I Gave Myself Diabetes ‘. 

Blame and shame are the two biggest culprits that often sabotage your ability to manage your self-care. It’s not hard to imagine that these negative thoughts can slip into their minds without much effort. The light might be green, but we can still see red if we’re in the midst of despair. It’s a struggle to keep the negative self-talk at bay when you find yourself in the valley rather than at the peak of the mountain top.

How can you succeed at making lifestyle changes if your starting point begins with a negative mindset? 

Regret, despair, anger, and frustration are the common emotions people experience when they’re initially diagnosed with diabetes. But here’s the thing: some people can overcome these emotional obstacles and improve their quality of life, while others cannot. 

Many people who make and sustain changes to improve their care cite their children and grandchildren for giving them a reason. Others feel they have no choice but to change and return to the quality of life they once enjoyed. 

What is your experience? We encourage you to share your thoughts and feelings about the impact of negative self-talk on your diabetes management. Your insights could be valuable to others in our community. 

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New York Historical Society Lecture on John Adams

I attended this fantastic New York Historical Society lecture on America’s second President. Most people falsely assume the lecture focused on Thomas Jefferson, who was America’s third President. Our second President was John Adams. He was also our first Vice President, serving under George Washington. 

The lecture, titled ‘Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic,’ was led by esteemed Author and Historian Lindsay M. Chervinsky in conversation with moderator David M. Rubenstein (who is very funny). They skillfully illuminated the unique challenges that John Adams faced during his presidency and how his actions laid the groundwork for his successors.

Lindsay made the point that John Adams left a significant mark on history by establishing a peaceful transition of power. In the midst of the current political climate, John Adams stands out as a beacon of decency. He lost re-election to his foe, Thomas Jefferson, in a campaign fraught with tension. However, John Adams never wavered in upholding the customs of the presidency. Despite being sandwiched between two of America’s biggest heroes and not having a monument erected in his honor, he still achieved greatness.  Imagine if he had refused to leave office after his adversary, Thomas Jefferson, won. Would we still have a democracy today?  He did not attend Jefferson’s inauguration, choosing instead to travel by public carriage back to his home in Massachusetts.  Lindsay noted that John Adams was not invited to attend Jefferson’s inauguration, and there is evidence to support that his presence could have created chaos. 

Among the intriguing facts I learned about John Adams: he was the first President to reside in the White House, having previously served in Philadelphia, PA. His son, John Quincy Adams, would later become President.

It was also fascinating to discover that the President and Vice President cannot be from the same state, a rule that still stands today. 

When you think you know everything about America’s history, you find out there’s so much more to learn. 

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Divabetic Podcast Interview with Adam Rinn

I’m excited to interview Coney Island USA’s Artistic Director, Adam Rinn, today about the 42nd Annual Mermaid Parade on Saturday, June 22, 2024, on our Divabetic podcast. 

The Mermaid Parade, the nation’s largest art parade, brings together creative minds in art and fashion and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to Brooklyn’s amusement district.

The Mermaid Parade originated to help preserve the tradition of Mardi-Gras-type events that were popular in Coney Island between 1903 and 1954.


Painter, performer, and sideshow historian Joe Coleman will be King Neptune and Queen Mermaid this year with his wife and muse, artist/photographer Whitney Ward. They will officially open the beaches for the beginning of summer and celebrate the sun, sand, sea, and salt air. 

In addition to talking to Adam about the history and spectacle of the Annual Mermaid Parade, we will share Summer diabetes care tips and advice with prominent healthcare collaborators on the podcast.


Adam is a Coney Island native who has worked as a sword swallower, strongman, and variety performer for the past 20 years, so this should be a fun interview!

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42nd Annual Mermaid Parade Is On Saturday, June 22, 2024

Coney Island hosts the world’s greatest art parade, the Mermaid Parade, on Saturday, June 22, 2024!

The Mermaid Parade is a unique, artistic celebration of ancient mythology and is considered the official start of the Coney Island summer season. The nation’s largest art parade attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to Brooklyn’s amusement district.

World-renowned painter, performer, and sideshow historian Joe Coleman will reign as King and Queen with his wife and muse, artist/photographer Whitney Ward. For over 30 years, the couple has been frequent prize winners for costumes.

According to tradition, King Neptune and Queen Mermaid will be wheeled through the parade in an antique wicker Boardwalk Rolling Chair from 1923. 

Immediately after the parade, at approximately 4 p.m., Mr. Rinn will lead the Queen and King procession to the beach at 19th Street and the Boardwalk, for the official Beach Ceremony and opening the ocean for the summer swimming season. 

Diabetes advocate turned reluctant amateur sleuth, Mr. Divabetic finally takes the plunge and ventures into a new career as a healthy caterer. With the help of his co-workers and nosy Italian mother, he heads for Coney Island to cater his first party aboard a yacht for his former swim coach, Ted Rockow. But his nautical soiree quickly capsizes when the guest of honor is found swimming with the fishes. Was it an accident or foul play?

Now Mr. Divabetic’s grilling Burlesque dancers, a lifeguard lothario, a gypsy fortune teller, and some sequined mermaids, all intent on keeping their secrets buried deep within the sand.

Can Mr. Divabetic overcome his green pea phobia in time to prove Coach’s death was a murder, not an accident? Or will he end up floating out to sea? Will he sink or swim? Tune in to find out if he 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 murderer’s identity, he uncovers expert tips for diabetes self-care during the Summer months.

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, We Are Diabetes Founder Asha Brown, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, Mama Rose Marie, and Seveda Williams. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir.

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