Type 1 Club Podcast

“It is definitely possible. You can do it.”

Lila McCaughley shares her honest journey through pregnancy and motherhood with Type 1.

From blood sugar challenges and increasing insulin resistance to a shortened cervix and 10 weeks of bed rest, Lila’s pregnancy was far from straightforward.

She shares the highs, the lows, the fears and the strength she found along the way. We also talk about birth, adjusting insulin after pregnancy and the importance of having the right support around you.

Most importantly, Lila shares a powerful message for anyone with Type 1 wondering if hav...

Type 1 doesn’t just affect the person diagnosed. It becomes part of the whole family’s life.

In Part Two of Mel’s story, we’re joined by her husband Mick for a really honest conversation about what it’s like to love, support and live alongside someone with Type 1 diabetes.

Mick shares what it was like when Mel first told him she had Type 1 and how their relationship has evolved alongside diabetes. From late-night hypos and emergency sugar runs to the huge difference technology has made, he gives a unique perspective on the role of a partn...

What happens when you’re diagnosed with Type 1 at 12 years old, before CGMs, social media or a Type 1 community existed?

In this episode, Jacqui sits down with Mel Hall, who was diagnosed with Type 1 in 1997 at just 12 years old.

Mel shares the reality of growing up with Type 1 in the 90s, from a frightening diagnosis and a two-week hospital stay to hiding hypos at school, feeling embarrassed about being “the girl with the needles” and spending years trying to pretend diabetes didn’t exist.

She opens up about teenage drinking, denial, diabetes stigma and the...

What if the symptoms you’ve been trying to explain are actually Type 1 diabetes?

In this episode, Rhonni shares the story of her 12 year old son Moulaye’s Type 1 diagnosis after months of symptoms including nausea and concerns about his growth.

With Moulaye already living with ADHD and anxiety, it was difficult to know what was causing what. Then over the Christmas holidays he became seriously unwell and was rushed to hospital where he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and DKA.

Rhonni talks honestly about the diagnosis, the signs that were missed, managing Type...

Travelling with Type 1 Diabetes can feel overwhelming but it doesn't have to stop your family from exploring the world.

In this solo episode of The Type 1 Club, Jacqui shares everything she learned from a recent 12-day family holiday to Bali with her son Harvey, who lives with Type 1 Diabetes.

From packing diabetes supplies and navigating airport security to managing overnight glucose monitoring overseas, this episode is packed with practical tips that will help you feel more confident travelling with Type 1.

Jacqui shares the systems that worked for her family, the challenges they encountered...

In this episode, Susan Mangion shares the story of her daughter Ella’s Type 1 diagnosis and what life has looked like for their family since that day.

Ella was almost 11 when she was diagnosed and Susan talks openly about those first days in hospital and the huge learning curve that followed.

The conversation covers so many of the realities that come with raising a child with Type 1. From managing hypos and navigating school to learning to trust other people with Ella’s care and slowly giving Ella more responsibility as she has become more confident with...

What does Type 1 diabetes burnout really look like?

For many people, the answer isn't what you'd expect.

In this powerful conversation, I'm joined by diabetes advocate Lucy Woods, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just six years old. Lucy shares her diagnosis story, growing up with diabetes before continuous glucose monitors and modern technology, and the years she silently struggled with burnout.

What makes Lucy's story so important is that, from the outside, no one knew she was struggling. She appeared happy, capable and thriving, while secretly avoiding insulin, hiding her blood...

For 16 years, Aron Mazur managed his Type 1 diabetes largely on his own.

From the outside, he looked like he had everything under control—a successful career, extensive travel, an active lifestyle and a HbA1c that suggested he was "doing fine." But behind the scenes, Aron was carrying something much heavier: shame, fear and the emotional burden of living with Type 1 diabetes.

In this incredibly honest conversation, Aron shares his diagnosis story at age 17, including an initial false negative result that delayed his diagnosis, the devastating impact diabetes had on his mental health, and how a...

What happens when you're diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as an adult, far from home and with no idea what life is about to look like?

In this episode, Jacqui sits down with Type 1 advocate Sarah Loftus to share her powerful diagnosis story. Diagnosed at 26 while living in Australia, Sarah opens up about months of unexplained symptoms, navigating a life-changing diagnosis without family nearby and learning to manage a condition she knew very little about.

Sarah also speaks candidly about something rarely discussed in the diabetes community—living with Type 1 after recovering from an eating disorder. Sh...

The teenage years can bring a unique set of challenges for young people living with Type 1 diabetes. As independence grows, so do the demands of managing a chronic condition alongside school, friendships, sport, social pressures and the desire to simply fit in.

In this episode, Jacqui is joined once again by Angie Manzke from Reflective Haven to explore the emotional side of Type 1 diabetes during adolescence. Together, they discuss diabetes burnout, motivation, responsibility, family dynamics and how parents can continue to support their teenagers without creating conflict or pressure.

Angie shares practical strategies for understanding...

In this episode of The Type 1 Club, Jacqui speaks with Hannah, a fellow Type 1 mum whose son Eli was diagnosed at just 10 months old.

Hannah shares the early signs they missed, the terrifying moment that led to calling an ambulance and Eli’s time in intensive care with severe diabetic ketoacidosis. What began as months of an unsettled baby quickly turned into a life-changing diagnosis just days before Christmas.

Together, Jacqui and Hannah talk about navigating life with a very young child with type 1 diabetes – from learning injections and managing unpredictable blood sugars to the reli...

In this episode of the Type 1 Club Podcast, Jacqui speaks with Himanshu, who shares his experience of living with type 1 diabetes and later supporting his son through the same diagnosis.

They discuss the realities of managing diabetes across different generations, the role of technology and how families learn to adapt, support each other and keep life moving forward.

Himanshu shares the importance of family support, managing parental anxiety and helping his son see diabetes not as a limitation but simply as part of their lifestyle.

It’s an honest and thoughtful conversation about pa...

In this episode, Jacqui chats with Emily Mason, a teenager from Tasmania who shares her experience of being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 13.

Emily speaks openly about becoming critically unwell before diagnosis, returning to school just days later and navigating life as the only person she knew with type 1. Now using pump therapy and playing football, she reflects on growing confidence, managing diabetes alongside sport and finding connection with others living with the condition.

It’s an honest and hopeful conversation about growing up with type 1 and learning to thrive.

Further Resources:          
Type 1 Foun...

In this episode, Jacqui chats with Chris Roome, who has spent much of his life proving that type 1 diabetes doesn’t have to define what’s possible.

Diagnosed at 12, Chris quickly adopted the mindset of being child first, diabetic second. Since then, he’s taken on endurance races, extreme outdoor adventures and even dog sledding in the Arctic, all while managing the constant decisions that come with type 1 diabetes.

Chris also shares the inspiration behind Project InsulNation, a community designed to bring people with type 1 together through outdoor adventure and shared experience.

This episod...

In this episode, Jacqui is joined by Ellen Chaplin, a type 1 mum who shares her family’s experience of diagnosis, diabetes technology and resilience.

Ellen’s daughter Charlotte was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at six years old, just days before Christmas. What began as a routine appointment quickly became a life-changing hospital admission, marking the start of an intense and emotional learning curve.

Ellen reflects on navigating diagnosis in a rural area, learning to trust diabetes technology and finding balance around food, independence and school life. She also shares the impact of an unexpected brain tumo...

In this episode, Jacqui sits down with Jye Warren, a dad, social worker and person living with type 1 diabetes, for an honest and deeply human conversation about diagnosis, mental health, masculinity, parenting and finding the right support.

Diagnosed at 25, Jye shares what it was like navigating type 1 diabetes as a young adult with limited education, minimal support and the realities of young adult social life. He speaks candidly about burnout, denial, complications and the turning point that came with fatherhood and finally finding a healthcare team that truly understood him.

This episode also includes a...

In this episode of The Type 1 Club, Jacqui is joined by Jenna from Type One Vibes to talk about the realities of preparing for a major life event, including weddings while living with Type 1 diabetes.

Jenna shares her experience navigating the lead-up to her wedding with Type 1, unpacking the often unseen mental load that comes with managing blood sugars, stress, expectations and routines during big, emotional events. From planning ahead and troubleshooting “what if” scenarios to letting go of perfection on the day, Jenna offers honest insight into how Type 1 can show up during milestone moments.

To...

In Part Two of this conversation, Jacqui and Liz shift from diagnosis to what life actually looks like afterwards and how Type 1 doesn’t have to limit dreams, adventure, or possibility.

Liz shares how her family made the bold decision to continue with their long-held dream of travelling Australia, even after both of her sons were diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Eighteen months after Dan’s diagnosis, the family packed up their off-road van and began a 12-month lap of Australia, tackling some of the most remote regions in the country.

Liz walks us through the real...

We’re kicking off 2026 with a powerful and deeply moving conversation.

In this episode of The Type 1 Club, Jacqui is joined by Liz Blackburn, a mum to two energetic boys, Jimmy and Dan, both living with Type 1 diabetes. Liz shares what it’s like to walk the diagnosis road not once, but twice and how experience, intuition and community shaped their family’s journey.

Liz takes us back to Jimmy’s diagnosis, which unfolded while the family was on holidays on the NSW mid-north coast. What began as bedwetting, excessive thirst and weight loss quickly escalate...

In our final episode for 2025, host Jacqui Kidman sits down with the incredible Bianca Ward — Type 1 mum of two, longtime supporter of the Type 1 Foundation and the heart behind the Care Packs program.

Bianca shares her family’s deeply personal journey through her daughter Daisy’s diagnosis at age 2, followed by her son Daniel’s diagnosis a few years later. She reflects on the shock, the fear, the finger-prick monitoring and the slow process of accepting a second diagnosis — all while raising a newborn. Her honesty is raw, generous and instantly relatable to any parent walking this path.

In this powerful and emotional episode, Jacqui sits down with Kimmie, mum to Priya, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just three years old after a terrifying brush with DKA.

Kimmie opens up about the traumatic lead-up to Priya’s diagnosis — weeks of illness following a tonsillectomy, multiple GP visits, and a heartbreaking moment when she found her daughter unconscious on the floor. She shares what it was like to rush to hospital, hear the words “she could die,” and watch insulin quite literally save her daughter’s life overnight.

Together, Jackie and Kimmie talk about...

Jess shares the journey of parenting through two life-changing diagnoses — first understanding Millie’s neurodivergence and then adapting to the demands of daily diabetes management. Together, they talk about the unique challenges (and insights) that come with balancing both, how ADHD influences diabetes care and the strength it takes as a parent to navigate constant learning, advocacy and support.

This episode is a powerful reminder that every child’s path is different and that understanding, flexibility and community can make all the difference.

What You’ll Hear

In this week’s episode of the Type 1 Club Podcast, Jacqui is joined once again by Andi Balog, also known as The T1D Nutritionist, to take a deep dive into one of the most important (and often confusing!) aspects of Type 1 diabetes management: carbohydrate counting.

Andi shares her personal journey with carb counting from diagnosis to mastering the skill, and offers practical tools, mindset shifts, and strategies to build confidence and reduce overwhelm when managing food and insulin.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about carb counting, confused by food labels, or stuck relying on p...

In this heartfelt episode of the Type 1 Club Podcast, host Jacqui Kidman sits down with Megan, a fellow Type 1 Mum, to share the powerful story of her son Beau, who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes just after his first birthday — while the family was already navigating his epilepsy diagnosis.

Megan opens up about the early warning signs that were missed, the instinct that something wasn’t right and the overwhelming emotions of managing two complex conditions at once. She also reflects on what it’s been like supporting Beau through early childhood with diabetes, building confidence in decisi...

In this inspiring episode of the Type 1 Club Podcast, host Jacqui Kidman sits down with Olly Green, an 18-year-old from Melbourne who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes during lockdown in 2020. Olly shares his powerful story — from the shock of diagnosis at age 14, navigating stigma and confidence, to finding his rhythm as an athlete and now setting an incredible goal: running 220km from Point Lonsdale to Portsea to raise awareness and funds for Type 1 Diabetes research.

This is a conversation about resilience, growth, and turning challenge into motivation. Ollie’s story is a must-listen for teens, parents, and anyo...

In this episode of the Type 1 Club Podcast, Jacqui sits down with Drew Harrisberg, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 21 years old.

Drew offers a powerful reflection on the early days of diagnosis. From the shock and sleepless nights to gradually building confidence and trusting himself to navigate T1D. He talks about his journey to make peace with uncertainty, the lessons learned along the way and the importance of empathy, support and not expecting perfection.

💬 In this episode:

In this episode of the Type 1 Club Podcast, host Jacqui Kidman welcomes back guest Lia Goodwin, mum to Violet who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at just 11 months old.

Lia shares the raw, honest, and deeply personal journey of navigating the early childhood education and care system with a child living with T1D — from the overwhelm of diagnosis to building trust with educators, transitioning between centres, and advocating for meaningful inclusion and support.

💬 What We Cover:

In this deeply honest and powerful episode, Jacqui speaks with Tiara, a mother navigating the early days of her daughter Alaska’s recent Type 1 diabetes diagnosis. At just 11 years old, Alaska's diagnosis came after months of confusing symptoms, misdiagnoses, and even a moment of collapse — all just days before starting high school.

Tiara shares how she trusted her gut despite dismissals from medical professionals, and how the diagnosis reshaped every part of their family’s world overnight. From managing Alaska’s medical anxiety and sensory sensitivities to advocating for her at school and learning a whole new medical...

In this episode of the Type 1 Club Podcast, Jacqui sits down with 23-year-old Emily Searle — a university student, childcare educator, and passionate Type 1 diabetes advocate living in Sydney.

Diagnosed with celiac disease at age three and Type 1 diabetes just one week before graduating high school at 17, Emily shares her powerful and deeply personal story of navigating two chronic conditions. From initial denial and needle phobia to learning how to advocate for herself and find community, Emily’s journey is filled with resilience, humour, and wisdom.

She speaks candidly about managing diabetes through exams, dating, travel, endo...

In this episode of the Type 1 Club Podcast, Jacqui chats with Brodie Sharpe — runner, advocate, and founder of TypeRun_

Diagnosed at age 15, Brodie shares his personal journey from learning to manage life with Type 1 to launching a global Guinness World Record attempt. Along the way, he has found purpose, strength, and a sense of belonging through movement and connection.

Whether you're a runner, parent, or just looking for inspiration, Brodie’s story is a powerful reminder of how one step at a time can lead to something extraordinary.

🏅 World Record Attempt:

Beginni...

In this episode of the Type 1 Club Podcast, host Jacqui Kidman chats with Lachlan Trowell — a Type 1 diabetes coach, content creator, and passionate advocate for holistic diabetes management. Diagnosed just two days before Christmas at age 14, Lachie shares the story of his diagnosis, the emotional and physical toll it took, and the unique challenges of navigating adolescence while learning to manage a chronic condition.

Lachie opens up about how his family — especially his mum — rallied around him after his diagnosis, the role sport and nutrition play in his management, and the importance of trial, error, and resilience. Now, m...

In this deeply personal and raw episode of the Type 1 Club Podcast, Jacqui Kidman sits down with her now close friend Sally Jeffree, who bravely shares the story of her son Henry’s type 1 diabetes diagnosis—and everything that came with it.

It all began with an unexplained fainting episode at a birthday party. What followed was a whirlwind: a type 1 diabetes diagnosis while Sally was caring for a newborn, and then, within 12 months, a coeliac disease diagnosis too.

Sally opens up about:

In this episode of the Type 1 Club podcast, Jacqui is joined by Emily Viles — known to many through her Instagram page @emilysdiabetes. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a baby, Emily shares her powerful story of growing up with the condition and how it shaped her approach to life, pregnancy, and now parenthood.

Emily takes us through her journey of preparing for pregnancy, managing her diabetes during those intense months, and navigating birth with confidence. She also talks about her current role leading the PDC Mums & Bumps project, where she supports and connects other women with type 1 navigating th...

In this episode of the Type 1 Club Podcast, host Jacqui Kidman sits down with Associate Professor John Wentworth, a leading researcher in type 1 diabetes, to discuss an exciting and hopeful new chapter in type 1 research and prevention: Type 1 Screen.

Together, they explore:

Whether you have a family history of type 1 diabetes or not, this episode is a...

In this episode of the Type 1 Club podcast, Matt Pontel shares how his insulin pump gives him the freedom to thrive in a career filled with business travel and shifting time zones. He talks about the practical strategies he uses to manage type 1 diabetes on the go—and how exercise plays a key role in his downtime.

Matt also opens up about the challenges of balancing workouts with pump management, and how he’s built a strong type 1 community to stay informed, supported, and connected.

Highlights:

In this inspiring episode of Type 1 Club, we sit down with Anna Todhunter, who shares her powerful story of being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 17—right in the middle of Year 12. Just as she was preparing to launch into adult life, her world shifted.

With honesty and warmth, Anna takes us through those early days of grappling with a life-changing diagnosis while trying to finish school and stay focused on her future. Refusing to let T1D define her, she embraced a “nothing’s going to stop me” attitude—and just four months later, she moved...

In this powerful episode of Type 1 Club, Jacqui sits down with two incredible guests — Chris Stocker, an advocate and father living with type 1 diabetes in the United States, and Paddy McCartin, former AFL player and passionate voice for type 1 awareness in Australia. Both guests share their unique journeys living with T1D and navigating its challenges through major life transitions, from professional sport and parenting to managing everyday highs and lows.

Topics We Cover:

In this episode, host Jacqui Kidman sits down with Jackson Sinclair, better known as Jackabetic, to talk about his journey with type 1 diabetes—one that extends far beyond just his own diagnosis.

For Jackson, T1D isn’t just personal—it’s a family affair. He shares his own diagnosis story and the unexpected reality of watching other family members go through the same experience. From learning how to manage his own diabetes to supporting his loved ones through their diagnoses, Jackson’s story is one of resilience, connection, and a deep understanding of what it means to live wi...

🚨 Trigger Warning: This episode discusses the challenges of being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as an adult, including a lack of initial support and the emotional struggles that followed. If these topics are sensitive for you, please listen with care.

In this powerful episode, Jacqui sits down with Tyson Major, whose type 1 diabetes diagnosis as an adult led him through an incredibly dark time. With little initial support, he faced the overwhelming challenges of adjusting to life with T1D. But instead of letting it define him negatively, Tyson found a way to turn his experience into something pos...

In this episode, Jacqui sits down with Jo Sader, Australian Manager at Insulet, the makers of the Omnipod, to discuss the long-awaited launch of Omnipod 5 in Australia. We dive into what this means for people living with Type 1 diabetes, how the system works, and how to access it.

🔗 Get Started with Omnipod
For those new to Omnipod, this is a great starting point! You can register for a Pod Experience Kit to try out the pod for yourself and/or request a call from an Omnipod Specialist for more information.

Further Resources:
Type 1 Fou...