The Glucose Never Lies® Podcast
The Glucose Never Lies is hosted by John Pemberton, a diabetes educator, researcher and father living with type 1 diabetes since 2008. Each episode explores how to make clear, real-world decisions about type 1 diabetes, translating current evidence and expert practice into practical guidance. Topics include CGM accuracy, pumps and automated insulin delivery, movement, nutrition, sleep, travel, parties and sport. Guests include clinicians, researchers and people with lived experience, with respectful challenge and plain-language takeaways. The show is educational only, independent, and carries no sponsorship or advertising.
Episodes
Episode 44: Jess Shaw, England netball international, type 1 at the top of the game
Suggest guests or get in contactJess Shaw was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on the evening of the worst trial of her life, then spent ten years pretending she did not have it.
Jess is an England netball international, living with type 1 diabetes. In this conversation with John she talks about keeping it quiet as a teenager, being sent home from a tour, a first England cap at a few days' noti
Episode 43: Tandem Control-IQ+ and Mobi, with Laurel Messer
Suggest guests or get in contactA pump can be technically excellent and still deliver mediocre results, because the two settings that decide the outcome are the ones most clinicians tune last.
Laurel Messer, VP of Global Medical Affairs at Tandem Diabetes Care, returns to open the GNL AID series. She and John go through the real-world data behind Control-IQ's most powerful lever, what Contro
Episode 42: DICE 2026 - The Highlights
Suggest guests or get in contactSuggest guests or get in contactJohn Pemberton was at Croke Park on 21 May for DICE — Diabetes Ireland Conference and Exhibition — Ireland's premier annual event for healthcare professionals working in diabetes. The day also saw the launch of the landmark National Policy and Services Review for diabetes in Ireland. John grabbed a microphone and seven conversati
Ep 41: CGM Series Round-Up, Grace Update and John on Diabetech
Suggest guests or get in contactEvery few months, The Glucose Never Lies stops and takes stock. No single guest, no single topic: three CGM Series episodes have landed since the last round-up, Grace has a new model, and John has appeared on two podcasts that are not his own. This episode covers all of it.
Anjanee Kohli is Co-Director and Creative Director of The Glucose Never Lies® and the host f
Episode 40 - Accu-Chek SmartGuide: CGM Generation 2.0 for MDI | Amy Jolley | GNL Podcast
Suggest guests or get in contactPeople on MDI have had one generation of CGM technology: a sensor that tells you what your glucose is doing now, with a 15-minute trend arrow. While pump users have moved through five iterations, injection users have been waiting. The Accu-Chek SmartGuide is the first attempt at a second generation - and this episode asks whether it delivers.Amy Jolley is a Highly S
Episode 39: Abbott FreeStyle Libre - Accuracy, Simplicity and What's Next
Suggest guests or get in contactMichael Skarlatos from Abbott UK Medical Affairs joins John Pemberton for the second manufacturer episode of the CGM Series. A former diabetes specialist dietitian at University Hospitals of Leicester, Michael brings real clinical experience to an honest breakdown of the FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus and 3 Plus.This episode covers:- Why Abbott accuracy data qualifies these
Episode 38: Q1 2026 Quarterly Review, GNL Grace, the Explorers, and What Changed
Suggest guests or get in contactThree months ago, GNL was a website full of excellent content that was genuinely hard to find. In Episode 38, John Pemberton and Creative Director Anjanee Kohli talk through what happened next: a complete website rebuild, five interactive explorers, the launch of GNL Grace, and the evidence base behind it, drawn from approximately 500,000 patient-days across roughly
Episode 37: Dexcom G7 and ONE+| Adam Dawes | GNL Podcast
Suggest guests or get in contactMost people with T1D have switched their CGM high alert off. Not because they do not care - because it goes off every time they eat and there is nothing they can do about it. Episode 37 is about what Dexcom built to fix that.Adam Dawes, Senior Medical Affairs Manager at Dexcom UK and Ireland - and a former paediatric diabetes nurse specialist - joins John Pemberton
36: CGM Series - CGM Accuracy, DSN Reality Checks and the Future of Diabetes Technology
Suggest guests or get in contactCGM Series | The Glucose Never Lies® PodcastThree of the UK's leading diabetes specialist nurses on why CE marking is not a quality standard for CGM accuracy, why data sufficiency must come before device comparison, and what ATTD 2025 revealed about where diabetes technology is heading. A frank, clinical conversation grounded in years of front-line practice — a
35: CGM Series - The Importance of CGM Accuracy and Study Design with Professor Othmar Moser
Suggest guests or get in contactCGM Series | The Glucose Never Lies® PodcastCGM accuracy is usually described with a single number: MARD. But a low MARD can hide significant risk if the study behind it was poorly designed. Professor Othmar Moser — one of the leading independent CGM accuracy researchers — explains what study design actually determines, why meal and insulin challenges are non-negoti
34 — Building High-Performance Type 1 Diabetes Care: Technology, Targets, and Equity (Dr Peter Adolfsson)
Suggest guests or get in contactHow do some countries consistently achieve lower HbA1c and better outcomes in type 1 diabetes while others struggle — even with the same technologies?In this episode, John Pemberton speaks with Dr Peter Adolfsson, paediatric diabetologist in Sweden and lead author of the ISPAD 2022 Exercise Guidelines, about what actually drives population-level improvements in type
33 — Exercise Evidence for Females with T1D: Mind the Gap | Associate Professor Jane Yardley
Suggest guests or get in contactExercise guidelines for type 1 diabetes are built on research dominated by male participants. Professor Jane Yardley, a leading exercise physiologist, bridges the research gap between male and female exercise physiology in type 1 diabetes.This conversation reveals why carbohydrate recommendations systematically overestimate female needs, how menstrual cycle phases a
32 — Menstrual Cycles & Type 1 Diabetes: The Gender Gap in Care | Dr. Cecilia Nobili
Suggest guests or get in contactThe menstrual cycle affects half of people with type 1 diabetes, yet it's nearly invisible in clinical guidelines, research, and technology design. Dr. Cecilia Nobili — a pediatric diabetology resident and researcher living with T1D — bridges the gap between lived experience and clinical evidence.In this episode, Dr. Nobili shares findings from her observationa
31 — Prof Scott on pregnancy with type 1 diabetes: from pre-conception planning to postpartum care
Suggest guests or get in contactProfessor Eleanor Scott, one of the UK's leading experts in pregnancy and diabetes, provides the evidence-based roadmap that cuts through the noise. Full Show notes: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/pregnancy-t1d/This episode covers the complete journey: pre-conception planning (why HbA1c <48 mmol/mol and 70% time in pregnancy range matters), the chaos of fir
30 — Educating on the algorithms behind diabetes devices
Suggest guests or get in contactIn this episode of Glucose Never Lies, John Pemberton welcomes Dr. Inge Van Boxelaer, endocrinologist and founder of Diabetotech, an independent education platform for diabetes technology. Together, they explore the critical role of education in maximizing the benefits of devices like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), insulin pumps, and automated insulin delivery
29 — The Behaviour Change Playbook for Type 1 Diabetes
Suggest guests or get in contactFive principles that make change more likely to stickJohn Pemberton is joined by Vanessa Haydock (The Diabetic Health Coach). Background in psychology and applied behaviour analysis, certified behaviour analyst, personal trainer, and coach supporting people with type 1 diabetes through sustainable behaviour change.Full notes: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/beahviou
28 — Then Glucose Never Lies 2025 in Review: Chaos → Clarity
Suggest guests or get in contactHost: John Pemberton, RD Guest: Anjanee Kohli, RD MNutr2025 was a formative year for The Glucose Never Lies® Podcast. Not because everything went smoothly — but because repeated exposure to real-world problems forced clearer models, sharper questions, and fewer illusions.In this year-in-review episode, John Pemberton is joined by Anjanee Kohli — diabetes specialist
27 — T1D Looping Blind: Making the Impossible Possible Together
Suggest guests or get in contactHost: John Pemberton, RDGuests: Roger Moore & Robin LucciantonioRoger has lived with type 1 diabetes since age two and has been totally blind for more than 35 years. While automated insulin delivery (AID) has transformed safety and glucose stability for many people with type 1 diabetes, most systems remain inaccessible without sight.In this Inspiring Stories epi
26 – Building a Diabetes Community Through Vulnerability, Movement and Mindset (Diabetes with Mily)
Suggest guests or get in contactHost: John Pemberton, RD Guest: Diabetes with Milly (Milly)Episode page: Detailed show notesIn this episode, Milly joins John to explore how real community forms when people with type 1 diabetes feel safe enough to be vulnerable. Diagnosed during lockdown and thrown into DKA in the final year of her biology degree, Milly rebuilt her life through movement, self-exper
25 — Partying with T1D (Alcohol Edition)
Suggest guests or get in contactIn this episode, John Pemberton and Dr Dessi Zaharieva open a transparent, evidence-based conversation about alcohol, nightlife, festivals, hypos, and harm-reduction for people living with Type 1 Diabetes.Full episode page FAQ: Alcohol & Type 1 DiabetesAlcohol suppresses hepatic glucose output, disrupts REM sleep, increases overnight hypo risk, and affects metab
24 — Skincare, Sensors & Smarter AID Algorithms for Type 1 Diabetes
Suggest guests or get in contactHost: John Pemberton, RDGuest: Dr Laurel Messer, PhD, RN Epidose page - Detailed show notesEpisode FAQ - Dr Messer answers the FAQ's (free Downlaod)In this episode, Dr Laurel Messer joins John to break down the real science behind skin integrity, sensor performance, and the hidden link between skincare and safer automation. Drawing on leading research from the
23 — From Diabetes Brunches to Bali by Creating a Type 1 Diabetes Community with Dr Temi Olonisakin
Suggest guests or get in contactJoin John Pemberton as he sits down with Dr Temi Olonisakin — the doctor who turned a lonely Type 1 diabetes diagnosis at 17 into a movement of connection, confidence, and pancakes.From small brunch tables in London to dreams of Bali gatherings, Temi’s story shows how joy, representation, and community can change what it means to live with diabetes.How one young doc
22 — From Diabetes Burnout to the CGM Access Blueprint — Kirsten de Klerk (South Africa)
Suggest guests or get in contactWhen sixteen-year-old Kirsten de Klerk was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, she asked how long she’d have to live like this. Her doctor replied, “Every day for the rest of your life.”Years later, that sentence became the fuel for change.Sign the CGM Access Petition: In less than one-minute, you can change global access to CGM forever.In this episode, John Pemberton t
21 — Partha Kar’s SPARK: Transforming diabetes care using his “Five-to-Drive-Change”
Suggest guests or get in contactProfessor Partha Kar joins The Glucose Never Lies® Podcast to unpack how the UK moved from research to reality in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and hybrid closed-loop systems (AID) — and how the same approach can be applied to any challenge in life or leadership.Through openness, accountability, and courage, Partha helped create one of the fastest national tec
20 — Standardization of Testing CGM Performance: The Nuts and Bolts with Stefan Pleus of the IFCC
Suggest guests or get in contactEpisode 20 — Standardization of Testing CGM Performance: The Nuts and BoltsWith Dr. Stefan Pleus (Institut für Diabetes-Technologie, Universität Ulm; Chair of the IFCC Working Group on CGM).Full show notes and FAQ, and consider buying me a Coffee to keep pumping.In this episode, we go deep into the future of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) standards. Dr. Pleus e
19 – iCGM vs eCGM vs Standardisation by the IFCC: CGM Regulation with Dr. Guido Freckmann
Suggest guests or get in contact19 – iCGM vs eCGM vs Standardisation by the IFCC: CGM Regulation with Dr. Guido FreckmannFull show notes and FAQ, and consider buying me a Coffee to keep pumpingContinuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has transformed diabetes care — but how do we know which systems are accurate, safe, and truly comparable? In this episode, John Pemberton is joined by Dr. Guido Freckmann
18 — Physical Activity vs Exercise: the Before–During–After Playbook with Prof. Othmar Moser
Suggest guests or get in contactWhat’s the difference between physical activity and exercise when you live with type 1 diabetes? And why does it matter? Full show notes & transcript: Episode 18 page In this episode, I’m joined by Prof. Othmar Moser, exercise physiologist, guideline author, and fellow person with type 1, to break down: Why 10 minutes of activity after meals is the easiest, most
17 – GLP-1 in Type 1 Diabetes: beyond weight loss, towards metabolic therapy?
Suggest guests or get in contactEpisode 17 — GLP-1 in Type 1 Diabetes: Beyond Weight Loss, Towards Metabolic Therapy Go to the Podcast page for all the notes, insights, and further reading & listening.Subscribe to The Glucose Never Lies® and receive the Summary PDF with all the key take-home messages and practical implementation strategies. Support The Glucose Never Lies® Podcast☕ Buy Me a Cof
16: Diabetes & Driving: Why You Need to Be 5 to Drive
Suggest guests or get in contactEpisode 16 — Diabetes & Driving: Why You Need to Be 5 to DriveShow summary PDF and full notes hereSupport The Glucose Never Lies® Podcast ☕ Buy Me a Coffee💙 DonateGuest: Professor Pratik Choudhary (University of Leicester, Leicester Diabetes Centre; Chair, DVLA Medical Advisory Panel on Diabetes) Host: John Pemberton (The Glucose Never Lies® Podcast)Episode Ove
15: C-Peptide - What type of type 1 diabetes do you have?
Suggest guests or get in contact Hosted by diabetes dietitian John Pemberton, this show blends science and real-life experience to make managing type 1 diabetes easier, clearer, and more human. Smart insights, practical tips, and honest conversations await. It's all about C-Peptide and what it means for people living with T1D! 🕒 [00:09] Think all T1D is the same? Think again. 🕒 [02:14] So
14: Overcoming Insulin Resistance in Type 1 Diabetes
Suggest guests or get in contactIn this deep-dive episode, John Pemberton explores the misunderstood world of insulin resistance in people with type 1 diabetes. Drawing on years of personal experience, clinical expertise, and the latest research, he breaks down why insulin resistance matters—even in a condition defined by insulin deficiency.Click here for the detailed 3-part write upThe episode wa
12: CGM Functionality (Part 3): The Bells and Whistles
Suggest guests or get in contactIn this episode of the Glucose Never Lies podcast, hosts John Pemberton and Louise discuss the intricacies of diabetes management, focusing on continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems. They explore various CGM features, including calibration, alarms, and connectivity with automated insulin delivery (AID) systems. The conversation emphasizes the importance of unde
11: CGM Accuracy (Part 2): Understanding MARD, 20/20, 40/40, and Error Grids.
Suggest guests or get in contactIn this episode of the Glucose Never Lies podcast, hosts John Pemberton and Louise discuss the intricacies of diabetes management, focusing on continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems. They explore the importance of CGM accuracy, the standards set by regulatory bodies, and the significance of testing conditions in evaluating these devices. The conversation delves
10: CGM Accuracy (Part 1) "Study Design First, Performance After"
Suggest guests or get in contactIn this episode of the Glucose Never Lies podcast, hosts John Pemberton and Louise delve into the intricacies of diabetes management, focusing on continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems. They discuss the importance of understanding CGM accuracy, the significance of study design in evaluating sensor performance, and the key questions to ask when assessing the rel
9 - ATTD 2025 Highlights and New CGMs (Good, Bad and Ugly!)
Suggest guests or get in contactIn this episode of the Glucose Never Lies podcast, John Pemberton shares insights from the ATTD 2025 conference, discussing advancements in diabetes management technologies, including automated insulin delivery systems and continuous glucose monitoring. He emphasizes the importance of early intervention with AID systems, the role of GLP-1 receptor agonists, and the
8a: 99 Problems (But Highs Ain’t One) — The 20 by 2 Rule
Suggest guests or get in contactThis bonus Episode 8B is a family special — co-created with my daughter Grace. It takes the science of activity lowering glucose and flips it into something fun: a rap we call 99 Problems (But Highs Ain’t One).The key message? When you’re above 10 mmol/L (180 mg/dL), just 20 minutes of activity can drop glucose by 2 mmol/L (≈40 mg/dL). That’s the “20 by 2” (or 20 by
8 - Activity Snacking to Increase Time in Range for T1D
Suggest guests or get in contactWelcome to The Glucose Never Lies® podcast In today’s episode, we explore a game-changing approach to glucose control—activity snacking. If you’ve ever struggled with post-meal spikes, found insulin too slow to bring down highs, or wondered how movement could help stabilise your blood glucose, this episode is for you.I’ll be sharing the latest research on how small,
7 - Fundamentals of The Glucose Never Lies
Suggest guests or get in contactWelcome to The Glucose Never Lies® Podcast!In this episode, we’re laying down the fundamentals of diabetes management—the essential principles you need to understand to make informed decisions about your health. We’ll break down:What happens when you eat carbohydrates and how your body processes glucoseWhy insulin behaves differently in type 1 diabetes, leading to p
6 - Ten Tips to Optimise Time in Range with AID Systems
Suggest guests or get in contactWelcome to The Glucose Neverlies Podcast. In this episode, we’re diving into practical strategies to optimise time in range (TIR) when using Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) systems for type 1 diabetes. Managing blood glucose levels can be unpredictable, but AID systems have transformed diabetes care by automating insulin delivery in smarter, more responsive ways. H
5 - Mastering Omnipod 5 – The Iron Man of AID Systems
Suggest guests or get in contactWelcome to The Glucose Neverlies Podcast. In this episode, we’re focusing on Omnipod 5, the sleek, high-tech Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) system that offers simplicity, automation, and a tubeless design. Much like Iron Man’s suit, Omnipod 5 is built for efficiency and ease, allowing for seamless insulin adjustments without the hassle of tubing. If you’re looking
4 - Mastering CamAPS FX – The Batman of AID Systems
Suggest guests or get in contactWelcome to The Glucose Neverlies Podcast. In this episode, we are exploring CamAPS FX, an Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) system that, much like Batman, relies on strategy, adaptability, and precise control to outsmart unpredictable glucose levels. If you’re looking for a system that allows multiple glucose targets throughout the day, advanced algorithm learning, a
3 - Mastering the Medtronic 780G – The Incredible Hulk of AID Systems
Suggest guests or get in contactWelcome to The Glucose Neverlies Podcast. In this episode, we’re taking a deep dive into the Medtronic 780G, a powerful Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) system designed to crush after-meal highs and optimise time in range. Just like the Hulk, the 780G is strong, aggressive, and highly automated, making it one of the most proactive systems available. If you’re consid
2 - Mastering Control-IQ – The Spider-Man of AID Systems
Suggest guests or get in contactWelcome to The Glucose Neverlies PodcastIn today’s episode, we are exploring the Tandem t:slim X2 with Control-IQ, a system that offers great power but also requires great responsibility. If you are considering this system or already using it, this episode will guide you through everything you need to know to make the most of Control-IQ.With its highly customisable
1 - Choosing an AID System: Which Superhero Do You Want in Your Corner?
Suggest guests or get in contactWelcome to The Glucose Neverlies Podcast!When it comes to Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) systems, there is no single "best" option, only the right one for each individual. Choosing an AID system can feel overwhelming, but with the help of my good friend, colleague, and Diabetes Nurse Extraordinaire, Louise Collins, we have transformed the decision into s
0 — Welcome to The Glucose Never Lies® Podcast
Suggest guests or get in contactWhat this podcast is all aboutI’m John Pemberton — diabetes educator, researcher, and proud dad living with type 1 diabetes. The Glucose Never Lies® Podcast is where science, lived experience, and curiosity collide.This series is for:People with type 1 diabetes who want practical, evidence-based tools they can use every day.Healthcare professionals looking for clear
