Grey Matters

The Communications Clinic

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 two of the nation’s most respected voices, Terry Prone and Fergus Finlay, the series tackles the 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. Grey Matters is produced by The Communications Clinic.

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27 episodes
weekly
Avg 30 min
English

Episodes 27

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S2 · E8
Wednesday · 35 min
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.
S2 · E7
October 14 · 39 min
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.
S2 · E6
October 7 · 42 min
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.
S2 · E5
September 30 · 28 min
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 families.
S2 · E4
September 23 · 34 min
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, using your network to get in front of decision-makers, and recognising the transferable skills that come with experience. The conversation also looks at age bias in the workplace, from missed promotions to exclusion from training.
S2 · E21
September 16 · 33 min
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.
S2 · E2
September 9 · 35 min
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 disaster.
S2 · E1
September 2 · 30 min
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.
S1 · E25
July 8 · 13 min
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 seasickness and sinking ships to onboard viruses and being surrounded by strangers, she argues there are plenty of reasons to stay firmly on dry land.
S1 · E24
July 1 · 39 min
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: what happens to the pot once you stop filling it.
S1 · E23
June 24 · 35 min
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.
S1 · E22
June 17 · 24 min
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.
S1 · E21
June 10 · 26 min
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 challenging and thought-provoking conversation about ageing, independence and human rights.
S1 · E20
June 3 · 29 min
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 important as holding on.
May 27 · 27 min
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.
S1 · E18
May 20 · 25 min
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.
S1 · E17
May 13 · 22 min
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.
S1 · E12
May 6 · 24 min
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.
S1 · E15
April 29 · 31 min
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.
S1 · E14
April 22 · 28 min
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.

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