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®
12: CGM Functionality (Part 3): The Bells and Whistles
In 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 understanding individual needs when selecting a CGM, as well as the role of technology in enhancing diabetes care. The hosts also provide insights into the latest advancements in CGM technology and offer resources for further education.
Takeaways
- Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have evolved to include factory calibration.
- Optional calibration can be beneficial but requires accurate blood glucose meters.
- Alarm fatigue can hinder effective diabetes management.
- The Freestyle Libre is noted for its small size and long wear time.
- Dexcom products offer extensive connectivity with AID systems.
- Understanding individual needs is crucial when selecting a CGM.
- AI-driven forecasts in CGMs can enhance decision-making for users.
- Education and support are vital for effective diabetes management.
- Resources like the DSM Forum provide valuable information for diabetes care.
Chapters
00:00
Introduction to Diabetes Management
02:14
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Overview
13:09
Understanding CGM Features and Alarms
21:27
Evaluating CGM Size and Connectivity
27:21
Final Thoughts and Resources
Key Resources:
CGM Series: CGM: The Bells and Whistles
Chart for CGM Devices (From May 2025): DSN Forum
Tim Street @ Diabettech
