Episode 345 - Leading with T1D featuring University Presidents Dr. Sally Kornbluth (MIT) and Ron Daniels (Johns Hopkins)

About this episode

University presidents discuss adult-onset Type 1 diabetes and leadership challenges.

Summary In this episode, two university presidents, Dr. Sally Kornbluth (MIT) and Ron Daniels (Johns Hopkins) join Rob to talk about adult-onset Type 1 (LADA), leading in high-performance environments, and the single most “practical” diabetes upgrade: making a friend with diabetes. What stands out isn’t prestige—it’s how candidly they describe the everyday realities: managing highs and lows during major speeches, checking pumps in meetings, and staying open about diabetes to normalize it for everyone around them. The conversation also connects diabetes progress to the university research engine—past (insulin’s discovery era) and future (stem cell/islet replacement, closed-loop algorithms, and emerging trials). Chapters * 00:26: Diagnosis stories through high-performance leadership lens + “patients first” approach * 01:02: Sally Kornbluth’s adult-onset Type 1 (LADA) diagnosis * 02:55: Ron Daniels’ adult-onset Type 1 diagnosis * 06:08: Adult-onset Type 1, LADA, and misdiagnosis risk * 08:29: Carbs, discipline, and the real lifestyle tradeoffs * 10:19: The biggest adjustment: mental load + fear of lows * 13:30: How they found each other + why “a friend with diabetes” changes…

People in this episode

Host: Rob

Guests: Dr. Sally Kornbluth, Ron Daniels

Topics covered

• adult-onset Type 1 diabetes
• high-performance leadership
• diabetes management
• university research
• mental load
• community support

Keywords

• Type 1 diabetes
• LADA
• diabetes management
• university research
• mental load
• community support
• insulin discovery
• closed-loop algorithms

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: MIT, Johns Hopkins

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