Grey Matters
Grey Matters is a bold and insightful podcast series that confronts the realities of growing older in Ireland with unflinching honesty, sharp humour, and deep compassion. Hosted by Terry Prone and Fergus Finlay, the series tackles overlooked challenges, persistent stereotypes, and the triumphs of Ireland's older generation. Combining rigorous debate with warm camaraderie, Grey Matters invites listeners into a candid conversation about age, identity and the future of Irish society. The podcast is produced by The Communications Clinic.
Episodes
How Ireland has Changed
Loneliness, and a withdrawal from the community organisations that keep older people connected, are among the biggest challenges facing older people in Ireland today, according to author and former TD Liz McManus.This week Liz joins Fergus to talk about her short story collection Tiny Bruises and a life that has taken in architecture, politics and writing.
What's funny when you're old?
Comedy expert Brendan Balfe joins Terry and Fergus this week to explore what makes great comedy, share some of his favourite comedians and discuss his career, humour, and talent behind a truly good laugh.
Before We Die
Tony Murray and his son Conor join Fergus on this week's episode of Grey Matters to discuss what it means to be an older parent, and a sibling, of an adult with an intellectual disability, and why they believe the State’s approach to housing and care must change.
Grandparents Under Pressure
This week Grey Matters looks at their recent survey findings that 56% of women regularly mind grandchildren, compared with 37.8% of men, while 15.4% of women feel a lot of pressure to help with grandchildren, compared with just 1.4% of men. Returning guest Valerie Cox joins Terry and Fergus to react to the findings and to discuss what they say about the expectations placed on older women in Irish
How to Beat Ageism in the Job Market
What does ageism look like when you’re trying to find a new job? In this episode, Terry and Fergus are joined by careers expert Sarah Geraghty to explore the barriers older workers can face, from being “ghosted” after sending hundreds of applications to navigating AI screening tools and age-coded language in job adverts. Sarah shares practical advice on making your CV current and evidence-based, u
How To Get Your Book Published
This week, Terry and Fergus sit down with one of Ireland's best literary agents, Jonathan Williams. They discuss how unpublished writers can get their books on shelves, writing advice and Jonathan's career working with some of the biggest authors in Ireland.
Wish you were here..and insured - with Conor Pope
On this week's episode of Grey Matters, Terry and Fergus sit down with Conor Pope on the questions older listeners actually want answered: how to switch health insurance without losing cover, why travel insurers and car-hire firms quietly penalise customers once they pass a certain age, and why taking out travel insurance the moment you book, not the moment you travel, could save you from disa
Fergus Takes a Hospital Pass
Terry and Fergus are back for Season Two of Grey Matters. This week they discuss Fergus's health diagnosis last spring and reflect on vulnerability, ageing, family, the Irish healthcare system. Fergus opens up about the support of his wife and children, the realities of recovering from major surgery and why, ultimately, he considers himself incredibly lucky.
Cruises: Paradise or Floating Nightmare?
On this week's episode, Valerie Cox joins Terry and Fergus to debate the older generation's love of cruises. A devoted cruiser for more than 25 years, Valerie explains why small-ship voyages have taken her from Venice and the Greek Islands to Iceland and the Nile, and why she believes they're one of the most relaxing ways to travel. Terry, however, can't understand the appeal. From
What Happens When the Salary Stops?
Financial planner Eoin McGee joins Terry and Fergus to talk money, ageing, and the moment a lifetime of saving turns into a lifetime of spending. From inheritance tax thresholds and the €3,000 gift exemption, to the risks of equity release loans and the hidden signs of elder financial abuse, Eoin brings 27 years of frontline experience to one of the most avoided conversations in Irish family life:
Fighting for the Right to Keep Working with Valerie Cox
In this week’s episode of Grey Matters, Terry and Fergus sit down with broadcaster Valerie Cox to reflect on her distinguished career in journalism and her difficult departure from RTÉ.
Refusing to Retire
In this weeks episode of Grey Matters, Terry and Fergus argue that longer lives, better health, and evolving expectations are reshaping attitudes as people approach the traditional retirement age. The podcasters challenge the idea that retirement at 65 remains a natural or desirable milestone for everyone.
The Hidden Human Rights Crisis in Older Care
In this episode of Grey Matters, Fergus Finlay speaks with human rights lawyer Maeve O'Rourke about the rights of older people in Ireland. Together they explore how care can sometimes become control, why autonomy and dignity matter at every stage of life, and whether some practices in healthcare and residential care would be considered unacceptable if applied to any other group in society. A c
The Things We Keep
In this week's episode of Grey Matters, Terry and Fergus explore the stories behind the things we keep. From family heirlooms and treasured photographs to everyday objects that carry unexpected meaning, they discuss why possessions become intertwined with memory, identity and grief. They examine what our attachment to certain items says about us, and why letting go can sometimes be just as importa
How To Build Age Friendly Communities
In this week's episode of Grey Matters, Terry and Fergus are joined by Cathrina Murphy, Age-Friendly Programme Manager with Fingal County Council, to explore how Ireland is catering for the needs of an ever-increasing population of older people.
How To Age Well
This week on Grey Matters, Terry and Fergus are joined again by Dr Diarmuid O’Shea, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and consultant geriatrician, to discuss how we can age well and the obstacles we face in doing so.
Happiness
In this episode of Grey Matters, Terry Prone and Fergus Finlay discuss how we perceive happiness and how happiness evolves as we age. In a deeply personal episode, the hosts reveal how love and relationships have made the single greatest impact on their own happiness and discuss how the loss of a loved one can change everything.
Grey Divorce
Longer lives are reshaping relationships in unexpected ways. In this episode of Grey Matters, Terry Prone and Fergus Finlay explore the global rise of “grey divorce”. From retired husband syndrome in Japan to shifting dynamics at home in Ireland, they ask whether longevity is forcing couples to rethink who they want to spend their future with.
Can you prevent Dementia?
On this week's episode Terry is joined by Dr Diarmuid O'Shea President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and Consultant Geriatrician, to discuss dementia. With a growing ageing population in Ireland, Grey Matters highlights why awareness and prevention have never been more important.
The Good Death
This week, Terry and Fergus discuss the notion of a “good death” and their opposing views on death and dying. They agree that dignity in death is paramount, but question whether advances in medicine have paradoxically diminished the dignity of dying.
Watch Your Language
This week, Terry and Fergus challenge the label “the elderly.” Arguing that lazy language fuels stereotypes, calling for respect, better media coverage, and recognition of older people’s diversity and value.If you have a comment or question contact us at greymatterspodcast@communicationsclinic.ie
Rethinking the Retirement Plan
On this week’s episode, Terry and Fergus explore the reality behind retirement, and the podcast hosts have a clear message:failing to prepare properly for retirement can be a dangerous business. Using the Oscar-nominated Irish short film Retirement Plan as a springboard, Grey Matters examines how people prepare, or fail to prepare, for later life.
Vibrators and Vitality, with Dr Miriam Stoppard
This week Fergus sat down with Dr Miriam Stoppard to talk about her latest book Sex, Drugs and Walking Sticks. They discuss how these attitudes can influence people’s relationship to sex as they grow older, and Stoppard says it can lead many to allow their sexual energy to hibernate. However, Dr Stoppard challenges the assumption that sexual desire fades away with age, and she is unequivocal: “We
The Growing Crisis of Older Homelessness
This week Terry is joined by Ber Grogan, Executive Director of Simon Communities of Ireland, to discuss why Ireland’s over 65s are one of the fastest growing cohorts of people entering intoemergency accommodation.
Too Old to Drive?
At 70, drivers must prove they’re fit to stay on the road, but is it safety or ageism? This week, Terry and Fergus explore freedom, fairness, and the real impact of Ireland’s driving laws on older lives.
The Expiry Date on Talent
Why are older performers thriving on UK television while their Irish counterparts seem to disappear from the spotlight?In this week's episode, Terry and Fergus examine what they see as a striking cultural difference between Ireland and the UK when it comes to age and entertainment.
Bite Me
Teeth are easy to take for granted - until they start to disappear. In this episode, Terry and Fergus explore the surprising role that oral health plays in how we age, from the everyday act of brushing our teeth to the life-changing consequences of losing them.To share your thoughts, comments or questions with Terry and Fergus email greymatterspodcast@communicationsclinic.ie
The Unpaid, Unprotected Grandparent
This week, Terry Prone and Fergus Finlay dive into the overlooked contribution of grandparents who are shaping the lives of the majority of Irish parents. Send in your comments and questions to greymatterspodcast@communicationsclinic.ie For further information on any of the topics discussed in this episode, visit www.tusla.ie
Things We Refuse To Talk About
This week, Terry and Fergus answer your questions, from health regimes, book recommendations and future episode topics. To submit a question or comment, email greymatterspodcast@communicationsclinic.ie Books mentioned in episode: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osmond.The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen.A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle.
Monetising someone else’s memory loss
When does family support cross the line into exploitation? In this weeks episode, Terry Prone and Fergus Finlay tackle what may be the most pressing issue facing older people today: the right to privacy and dignity when living with dementia.
What's Wrong with vanity?
In episode three, Terry and Fergus debate on one of the most controversial questions around ageing: what’s wrong with vanity and why is older women’s vanity judged so harshly? Speaking candidly about her own facelifts, Botox and fillers, Terry argues that cosmetic surgery is not about superficial beauty but about fighting back against ageism and workplace discrimination. Exploring the hypocrisy ar
The Retirement Trap
On this weeks episode Terry and Fergus confront one of the most deeply embedded and ‘lazy’ assumptions in Irish life: that retirement at 65 is inevitable, desirable and beyond question.
Age - the final prejudice
In their first episode, Terry and Fergus discuss ageing in Ireland, from being stereotyped and feeling invisible, to whether older people should give up their homes to aid the housing crisis, and the double standards faced by older women around “ageing gracefully.”
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