Rephonic
Artwork for Grey Matters
Ireland
Aging
Older Generation
Retirement
Ageism
Dementia
Age Discrimination
Older People
Dental Implants
Public Policy
Cosmetic Surgery
Societal Contributions
Respect For Elders
Retirement Plan
Dentures
Toothbrush
Older Homelessness In Ireland
Happiness
Good Death
RTÉ

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 w... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes25Founded6 months ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Grey Matters

Latest Episodes

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... more

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 ... more

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.

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 ... more

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Recent Guests

Eoin McGee
Financial advisor and presenter/author
Author of Create Enough Wealth to Stop Working; Financial planner
Episode: What Happens When the Salary Stops?
Valerie Cox
Fascinating journalist and former presenter of It Says in the Papers on RTÉ Radio Morning Ireland
RTÉ, journalist
Episode: Fighting for the Right to Keep Working with Valerie Cox
Maeve O'Rourke
Leading human rights lawyer
Irish Centre for Human Rights, University of Galway
Episode: The Hidden Human Rights Crisis in Older Care
Cathrina Murphy
Age-Friendly Programme Manager for Fingal County Council
Fingal County Council
Episode: How To Build Age Friendly Communities
Diarmuid O'Shea
President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Geriatrician
Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
Episode: Can you prevent Dementia?
Dr. Miriam Stoppard
Physician, author, and medical expert
MD/Author
Episode: Vibrators and Vitality, with Dr Miriam Stoppard
Ber Grogan
Executive Director of the Simon Communities
Simon Communities
Episode: The Growing Crisis of Older Homelessness

Hosts

Terry Prone
Host of Grey Matters; seasoned communications professional with extensive experience in media and public discourse
Fergus Finlay
Co-host of Grey Matters; longtime public affairs and social policy figure with broad experience in Irish public life

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 84 ratings
  • Lara

    Loving all of this. Let’s be ageless!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Arthur V Sloan
    Ireland6 months ago
  • Thought provoking

    Thought provoking and succinct. It certainly made me reconsider my actions in relation to older people as to when to help or not! Two fascinating hosts with a lifetime of experience.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SEIKOTREAT
    Ireland6 months ago
  • More positivity

    I enjoy this podcast very much when it’s positive and insightful. It can get a bit moany but if stays on the right side of that line it’s quite inspiring

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CorkKid
    Ireland6 months ago
  • A great listen!

    As someone who creates podcasts in the same genre and listens to lots of pods, I really liked the first two episodes of this series. Honest, well informed, entertaining and a bit spiky. So far, I like what I hear! Well done to Terry and Fergus.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mark K. Quinn
    Ireland6 months ago
  • More positivy please

    Just at the right moment you said there would be no more whingeing. I look forward to positivity in future editions as that is my experience in being over 65. We do need to look after our own physical health and be more active as we age and for that we need support (I agree, not ‘care’). Go raibh maith agaibh for doing this.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Mollymagee3
    Ireland6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise candid, warm conversations about aging.
Show is seen as relatable, with a mix of humor and seriousness about sensitive topics.
Audience appreciates practical policy discussions and honest takes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#51
Ireland/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Fighting for the Right to Keep Working with Valerie Cox
Q: What message would you give to others facing similar situations?
Stand firm against ageism, know your rights, and consider the broader impact on colleagues and industry; change is possible and can begin with a single, principled action.
Fighting for the Right to Keep Working with Valerie Cox
Q: What was the payoff of taking the case, beyond money?
Valerie notes the public acknowledgment, the impact on organizational attitudes, and the doors opened to further roles in media, publishing, and advocacy for older workers.
Fighting for the Right to Keep Working with Valerie Cox
Q: What sparked your decision to pursue a case against RTÉ?
Valerie explains that retirement at 65 was framed as a standard policy, but she saw it as age discrimination and decided to challenge the rule because it undermined her long-standing contribution and expertise.
The Hidden Human Rights Crisis in Older Care
Q: What is the pathway toward a binding international instrument on older people's rights, and what can Ireland do in the meantime?
The pathway involves UN processes evolving toward a legally-binding instrument, with Ireland urged to implement a statutory rights framework for consensual care and community-based supports in the interim.
The Hidden Human Rights Crisis in Older Care
Q: Why is 'care' a contentious term in the rights framework, and what should replace it?
She argues for reframing care as personal support that enables independent, autonomous living, emphasizing dignity and self-determination rather than paternalistic oversight.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Grey Matters

What is Grey Matters about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Grey Matters tackles aging, society, and identity in Ireland with candid humor and empathy. Across episodes, topics span happiness in later life, retirement, dementia, end-of-life choices, language around aging, housing for older adults, and ageism in media, all explored through sharp banter between two veteran Irish broadcasters. The show stands out for its frank, debate-driven format that blends personal anecdotes with expert insight, often challenging stereotypes while staying relatable and warm. Listeners are likely drawn to thoughtful discussion on how aging intersects with health, policy, family, and culture, with a distinctly Irish perspective and a willingness to address controversial issues with candor.

Notable strengths include a... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Grey Matters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Grey Matters:

1. Sunday with Miriam
2. Never Have I Ever with Claire Byrne
3. The Claire Byrne Show
4. Brendan O'Connor
5. The Pat Kenny Show

How many episodes of Grey Matters are there?

Grey Matters launched 6 months ago and published 25 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Grey Matters?

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What guests have appeared on Grey Matters?

Recent guests on Grey Matters include:

1. Eoin McGee
2. Valerie Cox
3. Maeve O'Rourke
4. Cathrina Murphy
5. Diarmuid O'Shea
6. Dr. Miriam Stoppard
7. Ber Grogan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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