The Glucose Never Lies®
The Glucose Never Lies® Podcast is brought to you by John Pemberton, together with Chad, his innovation partner who helps turn ideas into production. Behind the scenes, the creative team brings research, stories, and lived experiences of type 1 diabetes into an accessible format — combining science, storytelling, and strategy to help people live better with diabetes.
About Me
I’m John Pemberton — dad, husband, diabetes dietitian, researcher, and someone who’s lived with type 1 diabetes since 2008.
This podcast is my way of giving back. When my son Jude tested positive for type 1 diabetes antibodies, everything changed. I knew I had to act quickly and create a resource that was both comprehensive and easy to understand, so that anyone who might one day help manage his diabetes would feel supported. That’s how The Glucose Never Lies started — as an education platform to support my son’s future care.
Fortunately, his confirmatory test came back negative — but this doesn’t rule him, or my daughter, out. And since I was diagnosed at 27, I know just how real that risk can be.
The last two years have been the hardest of my life — battling depression, a functional motor disorder, and finally receiving an ADHD diagnosis. My journey back to health was made possible by the incredible support of my family, friends, and the wider diabetes community.
That experience taught me the power of giving. Written guides don’t work for everyone, but podcasts bring information to life in a real and relatable way. So that’s why I started this podcast — to make diabetes management engaging, practical, and fun.
I’ve been fortunate to work alongside some of the world’s leading researchers and thought leaders in type 1 diabetes, and I bring them onto the show to share their research, their stories, and their innovations.
You’ll also hear from people living with type 1 diabetes who are doing amazing things, and from advocates and clinicians shaping the future of diabetes care.
Here you’ll find guides, reflections, and conversations on everything from partying with T1D, continuous glucose monitoring and automated insulin delivery, to nutrition, exercise, insulin resistance, and childhood diabetes care.
Just to be clear — this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It’s not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare team before making any changes to your management.
I’m glad you’re here. Let’s get started.
The Glucose Never Lies®
3 - Mastering the Medtronic 780G – The Incredible Hulk of AID Systems
Welcome 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 considering the 780G or already using it, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make the most of this powerhouse system.
With its ability to automatically correct high glucose levels every five minutes, the 780G requires minimal user intervention. It features strong overnight glucose control and allows for customisable target settings. However, like any powerful tool, understanding how the SmartGuard algorithm works is key to getting the best results. In this episode, we’ll cover how the algorithm functions, how to optimise your starting settings, and practical tips and tricks to ensure smooth and effective use.
We’ll also explore strategies for preventing and treating hypos, as well as managing high-fat meals like pizza and takeaways, where SmartGuard may need a little extra help. Exercise is another important consideration, and we’ll discuss both quick adjustments and comprehensive planning methods to keep your glucose levels stable during physical activity.
Starting on an AID system can feel overwhelming, but we break it down into two simple phases: First, survive. Then, thrive. Whether you’re new to the 780G or looking to fine-tune your approach, this episode will help you harness its full potential. If you’re ready to unleash the power of the Medtronic 780G and take your diabetes management to the next level, let’s get started.
For more info:
Mastering the Medtronic 780G – The Incredible Hulk of AID Systems
