Shows
The Diabetic Mammy PodcastNot for You! Breaking the Sugar Myth in Type 1 DiabetesA sunny holiday. A kids’ club. An ice cream treat - but not for you, you’re diabetic!In this episode of The Diabetic Mammy, Catherine shares the moment a well-meaning staff member turned a simple treat into a lesson in stigma, and how we turned it right back into a lesson in inclusion. We’ll talk about where the “no sugar” myth comes from, why it’s still so common, and how these small moments can have a big impact on our childrens' confidence.You’ll hear how we handled it, what our daughter learn...2025-08-1208 min
The Diabetic Mammy PodcastAn 80’s Child Parenting in the 2020’s: Easier Then or Now?In this nostalgic-yet-nuanced episode, we rewind to the seemingly simpler days of our childhood and ask: was it really easier back then - or just different? Catherine explores the joys of growing up in the 80s and 90s (cue outdoor play and zero WhatsApp groups) and contrasts them with the complexities and comforts of modern parenting - especially when diabetes is in the mix.From unsupervised summers to the ever-present pings of CGMs and group chats, we weigh the pro’s and con’s of both times. Are our kids better off with tech, tools, and ther...2025-08-0512 min
The Diabetic Mammy PodcastThe Diabetic Pharmacist:In this heartfelt and revealing episode, Catherine takes us behind the scenes of the community pharmacy counter in Ireland- offering a rare look at the pressures, realities, and quiet acts of care that shape our experiences as people living with diabetes. She explores the logistics and some limitations of the Irish pharmacy system, especially around early or bulk medication requests, and shares why our interactions with pharmacy staff deserve compassion, not conflict.With honesty and warmth, Catherine invites listeners to think differently about what it means to be both cared for and caring—reminding us that tr...2025-07-2910 min
The Diabetic Mammy PodcastCo-Piloting with Technology: Learning to Trust the ToolsIn this heartfelt and insightful episode, Catherine—the Diabetic Mammy—explores the complicated but empowering journey of learning to trust healthcare technology. From CGMs to insulin pumps and apps, she shares how these tools can transform diabetes care from reactive to proactive. But it’s not all smooth sailing—building trust in technology takes time, understanding, and a willingness to stay curious.Catherine reflects on the evolution of diabetes management, from urine tests in the 1980s to today’s real-time data and cloud-connected conversations. She reminds us that while tech offers better navigation, we remain...2025-07-2216 min
The Diabetic Mammy PodcastLiving Well with Type 1: The Lifestyle Medicine WayIn this uplifting and empowering episode, The Diabetic Mammy dives into lifestyle medicine—a powerful, evidence-based approach to supporting diabetes management through everyday choices. Host Catherine shares how small, intentional changes in nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, and community can improve life with diabetes. From turning playtime into exercise to swapping white rice for quinoa, Catherine offers practical, real-life examples tailored for busy parents. She also explores the six pillars of lifestyle medicine - nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep, avoiding risky substances, and social connection - while gently reminding listeners that progress, not pe...2025-07-1518 min
The Diabetic Mammy PodcastTechnology: The Bravery Behind the BeepIn this heartfelt episode of The Diabetic Mammy, we dive into the emotional and practical weight of choosing diabetes technology — particularly the decision to start using an insulin pump. Host Catherine shares her own story from 2005, when pumps were basic, alarms were loud, and stigma felt enormous. Fast forward to today’s tech-heavy world, and the decision is still just as personal, even if the devices have advanced.From teenagers navigating body image and alarms, to parents feeling overwhelmed by too much online information, this episode is a reminder that choosing technology is not...2025-07-0811 min
The Diabetic Mammy PodcastLet’s Be Honest — Summer Is Not a Netflix SpecialIn this heartfelt episode, Catherine explores the emotional weight of summer — especially for mums balancing diabetes, parenting, and the pressure to create nonstop fun. From the invisible labour of planning beach days to the guilt of feeling worn out before breakfast, this episode is a compassionate reminder that unrealistic summer expectations are destined to disappoint.With honesty, humour, and vulnerability, Catherine invites listeners to rethink what “a good summer” really means — and to let go of the fantasy in favour of real moments, real rest, and real self-kindness.Key themes:· Letting go of perfect s...2025-07-0110 minThe Diabetic Mammy Podcast180 Decisions a Day: The Mental Load of T1DEvery number in type 1 diabetes comes with a choice—and every choice carries weight.In this episode, Catherine explores the unseen toll of decision fatigue: the constant cognitive load, the pressure to get it right, and the emotional fallout that often follows. From tiny “should I bring backup?” moments to high-stakes insulin calls, we break down how relentless—and invisible—the decision burden really is.If you’ve ever felt like your brain is always “on,” this one’s for you. We talk empathy, strategies for easing the load, and why naming the burden can be the...2025-06-2410 minThe Diabetic Mammy PodcastWhen You Don’t Have It, But They Do🎙 When You Don’t Have It, But They Do 🎙Being the parent of a child with type 1 diabetes is a constant act of love, advocacy, and vigilance—but what happens when you’re supporting a condition you don’t live with yourself?In this tender and empowering episode, Catherine speaks to the unique emotional space parents occupy when they’re managing diabetes from the outside. From navigating the intensity of low and high blood sugars to responding to the phrase, “You don’t get it,” this episode offers gentle guidance for showing up with empathy—even when...2025-06-1711 minThe Diabetic Mammy PodcastThe Good Enough Diabetic Mammy!In this raw and relatable episode, Catherine shares a chaotic, ketone-filled day that started with a hopeful run and quickly unravelled into tech fails, missing SIM cards, and rising ketones.It's a candid glimpse into the unpredictability of type 1 diabetes—even for those who “know better.”From insulin pump mishaps to the heavy fog of high ketones, Catherine walks us through the frustration, the surrender, and ultimately, the grace we must give ourselves.Because some days, we’re not perfect—we’re just “good enough.” And that’s more than OK.The Diab...2025-06-1009 min
The Diabetic Mammy PodcastWelcome to HollandIn this deeply heartfelt episode, Catherine reflects on the quiet, often unspoken grief that accompanies the diagnosis of a chronic condition like type 1 diabetes in a child. Using the poignant poem "Welcome to Holland" by Emily Perl Kingsley as a guiding metaphor, she explores what it means to grieve the future you imagined, and to find unexpected beauty in a life that looks different than planned.Catherine shares her personal journey through grief, fear, and fierce love—honouring the silent hope many parents carry, and the emotional shift that comes when life diverts co...2025-06-0313 minThe Diabetic Mammy PodcastMayhem in May!In this whirlwind episode of The Diabetic Mammy, Catherine takes you behind the scenes of a jam-packed week of diabetes events, reflections from National Volunteer Week, and what’s been lighting up conversations in the community.From digital health as a lifeline—not a luxury—to learning from the neurodivergent folks living with chronic conditions, Catherine shares thoughtful takeaways, practical insights, and heartfelt encouragement.We also dive into travel tips for people with diabetes and a touching reminder of how far we come on this journey—from feeling overwhelmed to quietly b...2025-05-2712 minThe Diabetic Mammy PodcastSelf-Care is not Selfish!In this reflective and gently humorous episode, Catherine, host of The Diabetic Mammy, explores a critical but often overlooked truth: parents—and often time mothers—may be forgotten at the time of their child’s type 1 diabetes diagnosis. The emotional and practical demands of caregiving may lead parents to push their own needs aside, and over time, this self-neglect becomes the default.Through heartfelt storytelling, Catherine shines a light on:The "invisible parent" at diagnosis, who never gets asked how they are doing.The martyrdom mindset, where suffering is seen as noble and enduring misery become...2025-05-1909 minThe Diabetic Mammy PodcastThe Marathon Mindset – Raising Children with T1D for the Long RunIn this motivating and down-to-earth episode, Catherine explores what it means to parent a child with type 1 diabetes (T1D) with a marathon mindset rather than a sprint mentality. She challenges the pressures of achieving perfect blood sugar numbers and warns against the unsustainable, all-or-nothing approaches often fuelled by social media and fear.Instead, she offers a practical, compassionate framework using SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely—to encourage gradual, joyful, and sustainable diabetes management. Listeners are encouraged to shift the focus from perfection to progress, helping children learn patience, resilience, and flexibility.2025-05-1512 minThe Diabetic Mammy PodcastThe Metrics: Blood Sugar Basics!In this gentle and empowering episode, Catherine—host of The Diabetic Mammy—welcomes both new and seasoned parents of children with type 1 diabetes. Titled “The Metrics,” this episode is inspired by two mothers who, despite their different points on the diabetes journey, both revealed they had never been clearly taught what key diabetes numbers mean.This episode walks listeners through the essential metrics of diabetes management with warmth and clarity:Glycemic Control – the overall aim of managing blood sugars in a safe range, with emphasis on balance over perfection.Blood Glucose Levels (BGL) – explained in both mmol/L...2025-05-1422 minThe Diabetic Mammy PodcastWelcome to The Diabetic MammyWarm, candid, empowering pilot episode, in which Catherine introduces The Diabetic Mammy—a podcast dedicated to navigating the emotional, practical, and social complexities of living with type 1 diabetes, especially in the context of motherhood. Sharing her own journey from being diagnosed at age 4 to becoming a mother of two daughters (both also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes), Catherine invites listeners into a space of honesty, humour, and community.She explains her motivation for launching the podcast: to create a supportive environment for diabetic mammies who often juggle invisible challenges like burnout, mom guilt, and balancing self-care with parenting. Ca...2025-05-1311 min