This Is My Thing is continuing our mission to talk with people about the things they do just for themselves – not because it’s their job and not because it’s a responsibility, just because they love to do it. The stuff you do because it’s your thing.
On this episode of This Is My Thing, we’re talking with Michael Young about his love of ceramics. That relationship started over 40 years ago, when Michael needed to find a non-science course as an undergrad and took a ceramics class. After a 35 year hiatus, he rediscovered his love of clay and now has a ceramics studio in what used to be his dining room.
Above, you can listen to the on-air version of Michael's story, but if you check out the KUT News Now podcast feed, you’ll find a much longer version of this piece.
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Michael Young uses a credit card to make marks in his piece as he works on his ceramics at his home on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. Mike Lee/KUT News
*Credit card number has been altered**
Mike Lee / KUT News
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Michael Young works on his ceramics at his home on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. Mike Lee/KUT News
Mike Lee / KUT News
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A ceramic piece by Michael Young shown at his home on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. Mike Lee/KUT News
Mike Lee / KUT News
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Michael Young uses a credit card to make marks in his piece as he works on his ceramics at his home on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. Mike Lee/KUT News
Mike Lee / KUT News
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Michael Young uses a credit card to make marks in his piece as he works on his ceramics at his home on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. Mike Lee/KUT News
Mike Lee / KUT News
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Items used to help Michael Young create his ceramics at his home on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. Mike Lee/KUT News
Mike Lee / KUT News
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Ceramics by Michael Young shown at his home on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. Mike Lee/KUT News
Mike Lee / KUT News
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Ceramics by Michael Young shown at his home on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. Mike Lee/KUT News
Mike Lee / KUT News
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Ceramics by Michael Young shown at his home on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. Mike Lee/KUT News
Mike Lee / KUT News
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Ceramics by Michael Young shown at his home on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. Mike Lee/KUT News
Mike Lee / KUT News
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Ceramics by Michael Young shown at his home on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. Mike Lee/KUT News
Mike Lee / KUT News
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Ceramics by Michael Young shown at his home on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. Mike Lee/KUT News
Mike Lee / KUT News
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Michael supplied us this glamour shot of a ceramic dodecahedron very much like the one he was making during this piece.
Michael Young
We’ve talked to a lot of other people about their things and those stories will be coming in future weeks. We’re working on stories about cake, jewelry making, meteorite collecting, and much more. Stay tuned!
And we want to hear from you about the thing you do just because you love it! You’ll find an online form on the main This Is My Thing page where you can tell us about the thing that brings you joy, calms your mind, or feeds your soul in some way.
