To mark its 50th anniversary, Maastricht University’s Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML) is launching the podcast series *FHML50: Ahead in Health*. The series centres on the stories of the people who laid the foundations for Maastricht’s innovative approach to health and education, while also looking ahead to the future of health. Through personal stories and reflections, it highlights what makes the Maastricht approach unique: a strong connection between science and society, and a continuous focus on innovation.