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T2D Network Blog

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Blog Author: Clare Koning

Clare is a freelance healthcare writer and registered nurse with over 20 years of international experience. She specializes in evidence-based health communications and currently leads digital content strategy and development for the T2D Network.

Looking Back on T2D Network Vodcasts - 2025 Highlights

  • Writer: t2diabetesnetwork
    t2diabetesnetwork
  • 4 days ago
  • 5 min read

2025 was a remarkable year for the T2D Network’s vodcast series. With an emphasis on innovation, equity, mental health, and patient engagement, the vodcasts provided clinicians, educators, researchers, and patient partners with actionable insights, inspiration, and real-world strategies to improve type 2 diabetes care.


Whether exploring the integration of health information systems, challenging stigma, or amplifying patient voices, each episode offered depth, nuance, and practical guidance.


Meet the hosts:


  • Krista Lamb, host of the main vodcast series, is a healthcare professional and educator with extensive experience in diabetes care. She brings thoughtful questions, clinical insight, and a patient-centered perspective to each episode.


  • Shelley Tice, host of the Patient Partner Series, is an advocate for patient engagement and co-design in healthcare. Shelley expertly guides conversations with patient partners to highlight lived experiences, insights, and the collaborative process of developing meaningful healthcare resources.



Main Vodcast Series



Diversity in Research


In this compelling vodcast, Krista Lamb sits down with Dr. Baiju Shah to unpack why diversity matters in diabetes research. Dr. Shah dives into how inclusive, culturally sensitive studies can reveal health inequities that are often hidden in aggregate data, and why these insights are essential to designing interventions that actually work for everyone. He emphasizes the importance of combining large-scale population data with the real stories and experiences of people from different communities to challenge assumptions, improve accuracy, and ultimately drive more equitable diabetes care.






Active Transportation & Positive Nudges in Type  2  Diabetes Care


In this engaging vodcast, Krista Lamb sits down with Dr. Jon McGavock to explore how active transportation, like walking, biking, and using public transit, can be a powerful tool for increasing physical activity among people with type 2 diabetes. They delve into how small behavior “nudges” and thoughtfully designed environments support movement in everyday life, beyond structured exercise routines. Dr. McGavock shares research-backed insights on how urban planning, safe infrastructure, and community support can help reduce sedentary behavior and bolster self‑management of diabetes. Krista leads the conversation toward practical strategies for clinicians and educators, focusing on how to encourage patients to integrate more movement into their daily routines in a sustainable way.





Empowering Diabetes Care: Integrating Health Information


In this vodcast, Krista Lamb sits down with Dr. Shazhan Amed to explore the transformative power of integrated health information systems in diabetes care. They examine how digital tools, electronic health records, and patient-accessible data can bridge care gaps, improve patient engagement, and streamline communication between care teams and patients. This conversation goes beyond technology, exploring how clinicians can leverage information integration to anticipate patient needs, personalize care plans, and ultimately enhance outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes.





Challenging Stigma


This powerful compilation brings together key moments from the T2D Network series that explore how stigma affects people living with type 2 diabetes. In this short video, three leading experts share their perspectives on stigma in healthcare and why it matters. Dr. Diane Finegood explains how stigma creates barriers that prevent people from accessing the care they need. Dr. David Campbell highlights how stigma often shows up in subtle ways within clinical settings, shaping both provider attitudes and patient experiences. Dr. Ian Patton discusses practical strategies to reduce stigma through empathy, inclusion, and systemic change. Together, they call for more patient-centered approaches that break down stigma and lead to better health outcomes.





Tackling Diabetes and Inequity with Dr David Campbell


Krista Lamb hosts Dr. David Campbell in a compelling discussion on the intersection of diabetes and social inequities. They explore how homelessness, food insecurity, and systemic barriers contribute to disparities in diabetes care and outcomes. Dr. Campbell shares innovative knowledge mobilization strategies, including photo-voice exhibits and short films, to bring visibility to under-served populations. This vodcast challenges viewers to consider how equity-informed practices and community engagement can reshape diabetes care delivery at every level.





More Science, Less Stigma – A Conversation with Obesity Canada


In this episode with Krista Lamb, the T2D Network engages Dr. Ian Patton from Obesity Canada to examine how weight bias and stigma affect diabetes care. The conversation delves into evidence-based approaches for reducing stigma in clinical settings, the use of respectful language, and the importance of understanding obesity as a chronic condition rather than a personal failure. This vodcast equips healthcare professionals with strategies to foster a supportive, patient-centered environment that encourages adherence, engagement, and improved health outcomes.





Understanding Stigma in T2D


Krista Lamb speaks with Dr. Diane Finegood about the pervasive stigma surrounding type 2 diabetes and its impact on patients’ mental health, self-management, and engagement with healthcare providers. They discuss actionable steps clinicians can take to recognize and reduce stigma in their practice, including communication strategies, culturally sensitive education, and policy-level interventions. This vodcast is a must-watch for anyone committed to creating a more compassionate and equitable diabetes care environment.





Diabetes and Mental Health: Exploring the Connection


In this panel discussion moderated by Krista Lamb, Dr. Mahavir Agarwal and Dr. Diana Sherifali explore the often-overlooked link between type 2 diabetes and mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and stress. The conversation emphasizes how mental health profoundly influences self-management, adherence, and overall quality of life. Panelists offer practical guidance for integrating mental health support into diabetes care, encouraging clinicians to adopt a holistic, patient-centered approach.


Short clip Dr. Mahavir Agarwal: https://youtu.be/zOr0S76u0NM

Short clip Dr. Diana Sherifali: https://youtu.be/fhDlY6n2sSI




Patient Partner Series: Joy’s Story (Three-Part Series)


Part 1: My Journey


Hosted by Shelley Tice, this episode introduces Joy, a patient partner, as she recounts her journey living with type 2 diabetes. Joy reflects on the challenges she faced navigating complex information and engaging with the healthcare system. Her candid story underscores the importance of including patient voices in the design of educational resources and digital health tools.


Part 2: First Impressions


Joy shares her first experiences collaborating with the T2D Network team. She talks about being welcomed as an equal contributor, the value of co-design, and how patient perspectives can shape content, accessibility, and usability. This episode emphasizes the mutual learning that occurs when patients and professionals work together.


Part 3: Designing Together


The final episode in the series highlights the co-design process in action. Joy details how she helped shape content, refine language, and ensure the final resources genuinely meet patient needs. Her reflections illustrate the tangible impact of patient partnership on creating meaningful, user-friendly digital tools.




The 2025 vodcast series from the T2D Network masterfully blended clinical expertise, patient perspectives, and actionable strategies for improving diabetes care. From integrating health information systems to tackling stigma and mental health, and showcasing patient co-design, these episodes offered a rich learning experience for healthcare providers and patient partners alike.




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