Life After Caregiving: When a Spouse Dies and the Role Ends Overnight

Life After Caregiving: When a Spouse Dies and the Role Ends Overnight

In this powerful episode of In Sickness, Bob Coughlin and Paul Kidwell explore what happens when caregiving ends not gradually, but suddenly - with the death of a spouse. Overnight, caregivers lose not only the person they love, but also the identity, structure, and purpose that defined their daily lives. This transition is profound, disorienting, and rarely discussed openly. Clinical psychologist Barry Jacobs, a nationally recognized expert on family caregiving, joins the conversation to help unpack the emotional, relational, and psychological shifts that follow the end of caregiving. He is joined by two caregivers who have lived this reality: • Jason Binder - who lost his wife to glioblastoma • Kathleen Bond - whose husband Jim lived with multiple myeloma for more than 30 years Host Paul Kidwell also shares his own experience of losing his wife to Parkinson’s and dementia, offering a deeply personal perspective on grief, identity, and rebuilding a life after caregiving.

Carrying the Breath Forward: A Cystic Fibrosis Story of Hope and Relentless Care

In honor of Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month this episode of In Sickness was taped in May and brought together three extraordinary voices whose lives and work intersect one of the most challenging and inspiring frontiers in rare disease: cystic fibrosis.  From the biotech lab to the clinic to the family home, this conversation explores CF through the lived experiences of:  • Mike Cloonan: CEO of Sionna Therapeutics, advancing a new generation of small molecules in development for CF  • Dr. Ahmet Uluer: Director of the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital  • Bob Coughlin: Former CEO of MassBio and father of a son with CF, sharing 25 years of caregiving insight and love  Together, they paint a portrait of CF that is scientific, deeply human, and profoundly hopeful.

The Henri Termeer Legacy, Patient Centricity, and the Future of Rare Disease Innovation

Our second annual Henri Termeer Tribute Episode brings together five leaders whose work reflects - and continues to expand - the legacy of one of biotech’s most influential figures. Henri Termeer transformed rare disease drug development by insisting that science, business, and humanity were inseparable. His belief in patient first innovation reshaped an entire industry and continues to guide the people who knew him best. In this episode, host Paul Kidwell convenes a powerful conversation with: • Wendy Erler - SVP, Patient Affairs, Sarepta Therapeutics • Belinda Termeer - Co-Founder/President, The Termeer Institute • Daniel Fischer - CEO, Tevard Biosciences • Ana Maiques - CEO, Neuroelectrics • Bob Coughlin - Managing Director, JLL/former President, MassBio Together, they reflect on Henri’s enduring impact on rare disease drug development, the evolution of patient centric leadership, and the responsibility today’s innovators carry forward.

When Work and Caregiving Collide - How Companies Can Support Caregiver Employees

In this episode of In Sickness. Men and the Culture of Caregiving, we explore one of the most urgent and overlooked challenges in today’s workforce: how employers can better support employees who are also caregivers. With more than half of U.S. caregivers balancing their responsibilities while working full time, companies are facing a cultural and structural reckoning. What does real support look like? What’s missing? And how can leaders build workplaces where caregivers don’t have to choose between their job and the people they love? To unpack these questions, we’re joined by three leaders who bring deep experience from business, policy, and lived caregiving: Jim Weiss (Founder & Chairman, Real Chemistry) Jim shares how caregiving shaped his leadership philosophy and why companies must normalize conversations about care. He discusses the cultural barriers that keep employees silent and the role executives play in modeling vulnerability and flexibility. Cindy Diogo-Kociuba (Founder, Consoul) Cindy brings a policy and HR lens, highlighting the gaps that still leave caregivers unsupported - from inconsistent leave policies to the lack of manager training. She offers practical steps organizations can take to build more equitable, caregiver inclusive workplaces. Paurvi Bhatt (Founder & CEO, ThirdEyeFocus) Paurvi reframes caregiving as a leadership competency and a strategic business issue. She explains why companies that invest in caregiver support see stronger retention, better performance, and more resilient cultures. Key Themes & Takeaways • Caregiving is a workforce reality, not a personal side issue Millions of employees are quietly juggling care responsibilities - and most feel they can’t talk about it at work. • Culture matters as much as policy Even generous benefits fall flat if employees fear stigma or career penalties. • Leaders set the tone When executives acknowledge caregiving in their own lives, it gives employees permission to do the same. • Flexibility is the new currency Caregivers need autonomy, not just time off - and companies that embrace flexibility gain loyalty and talent. • Supporting caregivers is good business Retention, productivity, and employee well being all improve when organizations take caregiving seriously. Why This Episode Matters Caregiving is reshaping the modern workforce. As the population ages and more employees take on care roles, companies must evolve - not just with policies, but with empathy, understanding, and leadership. This episode offers a roadmap for organizations ready to meet that moment.

The Elevator Ride: Talking About Prostate Cancer, Care, and Courage

Guests:  • Dr. Benjamin Lowentritt – Medical Director, Prostate Cancer Program at Chesapeake Urology, Vice President, Physician Services for United Urology Group. • Bob Lane – Prostate cancer survivor and advocate (“Elevator Bob”) Show Notes:  This episode of In Sickness. Men and the Culture of Caregiving explores prostate cancer from two sides — the clinical expertise of Dr. Benjamin Lowentritt and the lived experience of survivor Bob Lane. Together, they discuss early signs, diagnosis, treatment options, stigma, and the importance of support — including how one man’s “elevator story” became a symbol of connection for others facing the same journey. Key Topics: - Early detection and screening - Navigating diagnosis and treatment - Emotional toll and caregiving challenges - Male stigma and health conversations - Advocacy and community support