Podcast
In Sickness
Hosted by Bob Coughlin & Paul Kidwell · EN
In Sickness. Men and the Culture of Caregiving is a monthly podcast that will focus mostly on stories of male caregivers who have supported individuals with various diseases and medical conditions across all therapeutic areas including select cancers, ALS, Alzheimer’s, and numerous rare diseases. The podcast will highlight the growing population of male caregivers who are caring for their spouse, life partners, children family members, and friends, and joining the ranks of the throngs of women caregivers who have historically been central to this effort. The podcast is co-hosted and produced by Bob Coughlin and Paul Kidwell, with technical supervision provided by Dan Thibeault of Fast Twitch Media.
For more information, please contact Paul Kidwell at paulkidwellbos@gmail.com.
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Life After Caregiving: When a Spouse Dies and the Role Ends Overnight
3d ago00:47:14Tap to summarizeIn 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 yearsHost 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.
Transcribe →Carrying the Breath Forward: A Cystic Fibrosis Story of Hope and Relentless Care
1w ago01:02:27Tap to summarizeIn 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.
Transcribe →The Henri Termeer Legacy, Patient Centricity, and the Future of Rare Disease Innovation
May 1200:55:18Tap to summarizeOur 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, MassBioTogether, 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.
Transcribe →When Work and Caregiving Collide - How Companies Can Support Caregiver Employees
Mar 2900:55:37Tap to summarizeIn 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 MattersCaregiving 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.
Transcribe →The Elevator Ride: Talking About Prostate Cancer, Care, and Courage
Nov 1700:41:49Tap to summarizeGuests: • 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
Transcribe →Sharing the Journey of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Together
Sep 2500:44:17Tap to summarizeIn this episode of In Sickness. Men and the Culture of Caregiviong, we dive deep into the emotional, physical, and logistical challenges faced by caregivers supporting loved ones with early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC). With more adults under 50 being diagnosed with this disease, caregivers are often caught off guard — juggling careers, families, and a sudden, life-altering diagnosis.Joining the conversation are an oncologist who is recognized as the foremost authority on this condition, a husband who cared for his wife, and two patients. A woman who was diagnosed in her early 40’s and a much younger woman who received the diagnosis at 24. This group offers their unique experiences as well as compassionate guidance, community, and insight.What You'll Learn in This Episode:• The unique challenges of caregiving for EOCRC patients• How early-onset symptoms differ and often lead to delayed diagnosis• Strategies for managing emotional burnout and caregiver fatigue• Navigating medical appointments, treatment plans, and advocating for your loved one• Balancing caregiving with work, parenting, and self-care• Building a support network Featured Guests:• Dr. Kimmie Ng, Associate Chief, Division of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute• Josh Trow, EOCRC Caregiver• Monica Dean, EOCRC Patient• Meagan Meadow, EOCRC PatientTo learn more, go to insickness.org
Transcribe →The Sandwiched Caregiver. In Between Love and Care.
Sep 200:50:29Tap to summarizeIf you're raising children while caring for aging parents at the same time, you're not alone. In this episode of In Sickness. Men and the Culture of Caregiving, co-hosts Bob Coughlin and Paul Kidwell explore the challenges of being a sandwich caregiver. The three podcast guests share their personal experiences as they explore the emotional, financial, and physical toll of being part of the "Sandwich Generation."
Transcribe →Caregiving Writ Large
Jul 1600:39:28Tap to summarizeThe PBS “Caregiving” documentary has sparked a national conversation that will hopefully lead to change in the many issues facing caregivers. The film features intimate stories from a diverse group of caregivers that highlight the emotional, financial, and logistical tightrope that all of us caregivers walk each day. “Caregiving” shines a light on this essential yet mostly invisible work force and humanizes it by amplifying their emotional narratives and calling attention to burnout, isolation, and gaps in resources and recognition. If you are a caregiver, you will be heartened to know how this film stands on the precipice of action and change. Join the In Sickness team as we speak with Executive Producer, Tom Chiodo, Director, Christopher Durrance, and caregiver, Matt Cauli as they share stories that will help lift caregiving from a private burden to a public cause. To learn more, go to insickness.org.
Transcribe →Rosalynn Carter and the National Caregiving Conversation
Jun 3000:48:17Tap to summarizeRosalynn Carter redefined the role of caregivers in American life, spotlighting their burdens and needs long before they became a national conversation. She founded the Rosalynn Carter Institute in 1987 which continues today as a guiding light for professional and family caregivers. This episode of In Sickness. Men and the Culture of Caregiving explores her deeply personal legacy and how that translated into a lifelong and very public commitment to caregivers and families through her work with The Carter Center and beyond. That work continues with an equally committed group of individuals who are ushering this legacy boldly into the future. Two of whom are featured on this podcast. To learn more, go to insickness.org.
Transcribe →Henri Termeer, The Ultimate Caregiver
Jun 16, 202500:50:48Tap to summarizeThe latest episode of In Sickness. Men and the Culture of Caregiving honors Henri Termeer’s legacy as the ultimate patient advocate and caregiver. What better way to offer this tribute than with a group of people who knew him best and considered him a friend and mentor. Deborah Dunsire, John Crowley, David Meeker, John Maraganore, Bob Coughlin and Tamar Thompson reflected on Henri’s legacy and his personal influence on each and our industry. The conversation was rich, lively and filled with anecdotes, lessons learned and how Henri’s legacy continues to define the life science industry. To learn more go to insickness.org.
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