Methods and compositions are provided for stimulating insulin production, increasing beta cell mass, or decreasing beta cell loss in a subject. For example, methods of the embodiments can comprise administration of a corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)1 receptor agonist and a CRF2 receptor agonist. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a selective CRF1 receptor agonist and a selective CRF2 receptor agonist.