Grief is universal, but we do not hear enough men speak about it with honesty. In this tender and deeply human episode, Ruth sits down with Herman Bulls to explore loss through a perspective that is often kept private, men’s grief, and the expectations placed on men to stay composed, stay busy, and stay strong even when their world has changed. Herman shares the love story he built with his wife, Iris, and the devastation of losing her to stage four pancreatic cancer after a sudden medical crisis. He reflects on the realities of caregiving, the shock of rapid decline, and the moments of clarity that reshaped his understanding of what it means to keep living. The conversation also moves into healing, including survivor’s guilt, the value of counseling, and the importance of a real support system, with Herman offering candid, practical encouragement for other men walking this road. The episode closes with a reminder that grief is not a moment, it is a process, and that love and memory can become a source of strength as you move forward, one day at a time.

About the Guest: Herman Bulls

Herman Bulls is Vice Chairman, Americas at JLL and the founder of JLL’s Public Institutions Division, where for more than three decades he has helped federal, state, and local governments, higher education institutions, and nonprofits develop real estate strategies that reduce costs and increase productivity. Prior to JLL, Herman served nearly 12 years on active duty in the U.S. Army, including assignments at the Pentagon and as an Assistant Professor of Economics and Finance at West Point, and later retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves. He is also a distinguished board leader, serving as Chairman of Fluence Energy and Vice Chairman of USAA, along with board service across major public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Herman earned his undergraduate degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point and his MBA from Harvard Business School.

Widowhood is a reality many people face beyond 60, but it is rarely discussed with the honesty it deserves, and this episode goes there with care, clarity, and hope. In “Grief, Loss, and Living On,” Ruth and Fawn sit down with Teri Fontenot, former CEO of Woman’s Hospital and longtime board leader, who shares her deeply personal story of losing her husband after a rapid, devastating cancer diagnosis and the emotional whiplash that followed. Teri speaks candidly about how grief actually moves, not in neat stages but in waves, sometimes overlapping, sometimes pulling you backward, and she names the parts people often keep quiet, including anger, loss of control, faith being tested, and the exhaustion of managing pain and logistics while your heart is breaking. She also offers practical wisdom that listeners can use immediately: the power of a trusted inner circle, giving yourself permission to move at your own pace, avoiding major decisions until you are ready, and rebuilding a life through purpose, small goals, and experiences that bring joy back in. It is a grounded, compassionate conversation that will leave you feeling less alone and more confident that healing is possible, one step at a time.

About the guest;
Teri Fontenot is a nationally recognized healthcare executive and governance leader known for guiding organizations through complex, high-stakes environments with clarity and vision. Over a 27-year tenure as CFO, president, and CEO of Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, she helped transform the system into a national leader in women’s health, earning honors including Modern Healthcare’s inaugural Top 25 Women in Healthcare and recognition as one of its 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare. Since leaving the CEO role in 2019, Teri has focused on board service as an independent director and SEC-qualified financial expert, currently serving on the boards of AMN Healthcare Services, Amerisafe, and Bitcoin Depot, and advising leaders on strategy, growth, and effective governance.

Caregiving can be one of the most loving roles we ever step into, and one of the most intense, especially in retirement when you are juggling your own health, finances, time, and relationships while showing up for someone else. In this episode of Beyond 60: Unscripted, Ruth Williams-Brinkley is joined by entrepreneur and caregiver advocate Alexandra Drane, co-founder of Archangels, for an honest, practical conversation about what caregivers actually need, not just what people assume they need. Together they talk about why so many caregivers do not even identify as caregivers, how easily isolation and burnout can creep in, and why “care for the caregiver” has to be part of the plan. Alex shares concrete tools like building a “red phone” person you can call without shame, using a caregiver intensity score to name what is driving your stress, and the powerful idea of “outer circling,” which explains why caregivers need their own support system to hold them up while they hold others. They also dig into the complicated realities of spousal caregiving, the loneliness that can happen even in a full life, and how grace, community, and small supports can change everything.

About the Guest:
Alexandra Drane is the co-founder and CEO of ARCHANGELS, a women-owned public benefit corporation working to better recognize and support the millions of unpaid caregivers across the United States. A serial entrepreneur, Alex has founded multiple mission-driven companies, including Eliza Corporation and Engage with Grace, and she is a nationally recognized voice on caregiving, community health, and public-private partnership. She serves on several influential boards and advisory councils, speaks widely on the future of health and caregiving, and has been recognized with honors including the Care100 list and Entrepreneur of the Year distinctions. Known for her energy and candor, Alex brings both strategic insight and real-world humanity to everything she does.

https://www.archangels.me/

In this inspiring episode of Beyond 60: Unscripted, Ruth and special guest host Fawn sit down with Dr. Molly Coye—global healthcare innovator and Board Chair of SFJAZZ—to discuss how she’s redefining life after 60. Dr. Coye shares her journey from leading major health systems to championing the arts, highlighting the mental and emotional benefits of music, especially jazz, for those over 60. She delves into her concept of “rewirement,” illustrating how her career has positioned her for this new phase of life and how she continues to stay active and purposeful beyond traditional retirement.

Lean more about SFJAZZ: https://www.sfjazz.org/

Guest Bio:

A global leader in healthcare innovation, Dr. Molly Coye’s career has spanned executive leadership in government, academic and private health systems, innovative technology, health services firms, national policy advocacy and development. Dr. Coye serves as Executive in Residence at AVIA, the leading network for health systems deploying digital solutions to innovate and transform healthcare, where she is executive sponsor for the Medicaid Transformation Project. Dr. Coye is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and serves on the board of directors for Amedisys (AMED), Headspace Health, SameSky Health, and Curai, in addition to advising venture investment firms and venture-backed companies developing digital health services. Dr. Coye served as Chief Innovation Officer at UCLA Health; engaged in more than a decade of board service at Aetna, Inc. and at PATH.org; founded and led HealthTech, which became the premier forecasting organization for emerging technologies in health care from 2000-2010; was Commissioner of Health for the State of New Jersey, Director of the California State Department of Health Services, and Head of the Division of Public Health Practice at the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health.

In this episode of Beyond 60: Unscripted, Ruth sits down with Fawn Lopez and Tom Schreier, Founding Director of the Inspired Leadership Initiative (ILI) at the University of Notre Dame. The ILI is a unique program for individuals who have completed their career, inviting them to reimagine their next stage of life surrounded by a diverse group of peers and the dynamic Notre Dame community. This conversation was recorded in 2025 while Tom was still leading the program full-time. While he has since stepped away from daily operations, he remains passionate about the ILI’s mission and so has stayed engaged with the program, which is now led by Professor John Duffy.

Whether you're contemplating your next move after a fulfilling career or seeking inspiration for purposeful living beyond 60, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on embracing change and making meaningful contributions in the next phase of life.

Learn about the Inspired Leadership Initiative: https://ili.nd.edu/

Guest Bio:

Tom Schreier is the Founding Director of the Inspired Leadership Initiative at the University of Notre Dame, a program designed to help accomplished professionals pivot into new purpose-driven chapters after their primary careers. Before leading ILI, Tom built an extensive career in finance and investment management, holding leadership roles at Northwest Airlines, Credit Suisse First Boston, Piper Jaffray, FAF Advisors, and Nuveen Investments, where he helped grow assets under management to over $225 billion. He currently serves as Lead Director for Piper Sandler Companies, sits on the Allina Health Board, and remains active in civic and nonprofit leadership. Tom holds a B.A. in economics and German from Notre Dame and an M.B.A. from Harvard University.

Love after 60 can feel equal parts exciting and intimidating, especially if you have been out of the dating world for a while. In this episode of Beyond 60: Unscripted, host Ruth Williams-Brinkley is joined by dating coach Bela Gandhi for a fun, honest conversation about what it really takes to open your heart again in this season of life. Together, they talk about the fears that often show up when you start dating again, how to spot red flags early, why “spark” is not the same thing as compatibility, and how to build confidence through clear boundaries, supportive community, and a plan that keeps you grounded. Bela also shares practical guidance for online dating, profiles and photos, first dates, and how to protect your peace while staying open to possibility. It is a warm, empowering listen timed perfectly for Valentine’s, whether you are partnered, dating, or simply curious about what could be next.

Meet the Guest:

Bela Gandhi is the founder of Smart Dating Academy and a nationally recognized dating and relationship expert. Known for her upbeat, no shame approach, Bela helps people date with clarity, avoid common pitfalls like ghosting and red flags, and find healthy relationships built on real compatibility. She is also the host of the Smart Dating Academy podcast, where she shares advice, client stories, and practical tools for finding love at any age.

Explore Smart Dating Academy: www.smartdatingacademy.com

The Smart Dating Academy Podcast: https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/podcast

In this episode of Beyond 60: Unscripted, we dive into one of the biggest questions we all face—What’s next? Ruth Williams-Brinkley and special guest host Fawn Lopez sit down with executive coach and author Dr. Leslie Braksick, co-founder of MyNextSeason, to explore how to navigate major life and career transitions with intention and joy. Leslie shares expert insights on preparing for life beyond 60, building a meaningful next chapter, and embracing new opportunities. Whether you're planning for retirement, considering a career shift, or simply wondering what your next season might look like, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical advice. Plus, don’t miss this week’s Silver Lining, a powerful reminder about the role of gratitude in a joyful life. Tune in and get inspired for your next season!

Meet the Guest:

Dr. Leslie Braksick is an executive coach, entrepreneur, and author who has dedicated her career to helping leaders navigate major life and career transitions. As co-founder of MyNextSeason, she works with individuals and companies to ensure that transitions aren’t just successful—but fulfilling. A trusted advisor to Fortune 500 executives, Leslie has also co-authored several influential books on leadership and career reinvention. She serves on multiple boards, including the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and is passionate about helping others find joy and purpose in their next chapter.

Buy Revealing Your Next Season on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Revealing-Your-Next-Season-Transitioning/dp/B0DJSQFS2H/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=

Welcome to the very first episode of Beyond 60: Unscripted! Join host Ruth Williams-Brinkley as she kicks off a bold new conversation about thriving beyond 60. In this episode, Ruth shares her personal journey, discuss why aging today looks nothing like it did for past generations, and reveals the exciting topics ahead—love, health, purpose, reinvention, and so much more! Plus, don’t miss the debut of The Silver Lining, a quick and uplifting tip to help you embrace this vibrant season of life. If you’re ready to rewrite the script on what it means to age, this podcast is for you. Grab your coffee (or wine!), hit play, and let’s get started!

Meet the Host of Beyond 60: Unscripted

Ruth Williams-Brinkley is a former healthcare executive with over 40 years of leadership experience. She served as president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States and previously held CEO roles at Kaiser Permanente Northwest and KentuckyOne Health. Recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Leaders in Healthcare, Ruth now serves on multiple boards and is passionate about helping others navigate life’s next chapter with purpose and vitality.