Gene therapy isn’t science fiction anymore, it’s becoming one of the most exciting frontiers in diabetes care. In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Pettus and Dr. Steve Edelman sit down with Dr. Fraser Wright, career gene therapist and Co-Founder/Chief Gene Therapy Officer at Kriya Therapeutics, to explore how gene therapy could one day help the body make its own insulin.

Together, they unpack what gene therapy actually is, Dr. P’s involvement as a medical consultant for Kriya Therapeutics, how AAV (adeno-associated virus) vectors work, and what makes this “one-and-done” approach so different from traditional treatments. From success stories in blindness and hemophilia to emerging type 1 diabetes studies, the trio breaks down the science, the safety, and the hope behind this revolutionary research.

You’ll learn how gene therapy has moved from rare diseases to more common ones, why the first human trials in diabetes are on the horizon, and what and what this could mean for long-term blood sugar control and independence from injections.

Key Topics:

• Gene Therapy 101: How gene therapy differs from protein-based drugs like insulin, and why AAV vectors act as safe, engineered delivery vehicles rather than infectious viruses.
• Why AAV, Why Now: Seven FDA-approved AAV-based therapies have proven the potential of long-term, single-dose treatments.
• From Eyes to Endocrine: Lessons learned from retinal gene therapy are now guiding approaches to metabolic conditions like diabetes.
• The Type 1 Diabetes Approach: A muscle-targeted program aims to help the body naturally produce insulin and stabilize blood sugar levels.
• Control and Safety: Built-in glucose sensing and the ability to turn off gene expression ensure precision and reversibility.
• Real-World Considerations: How exercise, treatment site, and existing technologies like pumps or CGMs could work alongside this therapy.

0:00 – Intro: Jeremy and Steve introduce gene therapy and why this topic is a game-changer
2:15 – What gene therapy is and how it’s different from standard protein-based treatments
4:54 – Understanding AAV: safety, engineering, and why it’s the preferred delivery method
8:50 – Real-world success: seven FDA-approved AAV therapies for genetic diseases
12:20 – Lessons learned from treating blindness and how they apply to diabetes
17:40 – The Type 1 Diabetes model: using muscle tissue to produce insulin
22:15 – Managing control, glucose sensing, and preventing hypoglycemia
25:50 – Safety measures and how treatment can be reversed locally if needed
28:30 – Exercise, durability, and what animal studies reveal about real-life performance
31:10 – Timelines, trials, and what’s next for gene therapy in diabetes. What’s Ahead: Clinical trials expected to begin around 2026, offering cautious but real optimism for the future of diabetes treatment.

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Hypercortisolism often masks itself as “just diabetes,” “just stress,” or “just getting older,” and that’s why it can turn into a serious problem. Unfortunately, it is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or missed entirely. In this conversation, Dr. Steve Edelman talks with a military veteran named Phil and his wife Cherese about years of unexplained fatigue, tough-to-control blood sugars, and high blood pressure, and the one test that made everything make sense. This episode discusses the early warning signs, how to advocate for answers and the hypercortisolism treatments that helped Phil feel like himself again. You’ll also hear why targeted hypercortisolism treatments and diabetes-specific approvals are on their way.

You’ll learn why hypercortisolism is more common than most people realize, how it can hide behind type 2 diabetes, and what tests and treatments can make a life-changing difference.

• Why hypercortisolism is so often overlooked: Symptoms overlap with diabetes, stress, and other common health issues.
• Phil’s story of resilience: From managing diabetes with multiple medications to discovering hypercortisolism as the root cause.
• The partner’s perspective: How Cherese noticed the warning signs and pushed for further testing.
• The Catalyst Study: Why research shows up to 1 in 4 people with hard-to-control type 2 diabetes may have hypercortisolism.
• Diagnosis explained: The 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test and why it matters.
• Treatment and transformation: How targeted therapies improved Phil’s blood sugars, energy, sleep, and overall quality of life.
• Key takeaways: Be your own best advocate—if your numbers don’t add up, it’s worth asking why.

Important Links:
Cortisol in Control website:
https://www.cortisolincontrol.com/
https://www.cortisolmatters.com/patient

Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions in the U.S., but it doesn’t have to define or limit your life. In this episode, Dr. Steve Edelman and Dr. Jeremy Pettus—two endocrinologists with decades of experience—break down practical strategies for living well with type 2. From the latest medications and tools to everyday lifestyle choices, they highlight what really makes a difference in the long run. Their goal? To show you that type 2 diabetes is not only manageable but that taking control can actually improve your health and quality of life.

• Get Educated About What’s Happening in Your Body: Understanding insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and why type 2 diabetes is more than just “high blood sugar.”
• Know Your Numbers: The key benchmarks for A1c, blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure—and why even small improvements matter.
• Build the Right Care Team: How to find and work with providers who can guide you through treatment options and keep you on track.
• Food and Drink That Work for You: Why portion control, balance, and smart substitutions matter more than strict diets or deprivation.
• Move Your Body (Without Overthinking Exercise): How realistic activity goals—walking, stretching, or even gardening—can improve insulin sensitivity and overall health.
• The Medications Changing the Game: Why GLP-1s, SGLT2 inhibitors, and CGMs are considered life-changing tools in type 2 diabetes care—and what you should know about them.

• And That’s Just the Start…: From mental health to long-term complication prevention, there are even more strategies in this episode to help you thrive with type 2 diabetes.