Something Bigger Than Yourself
Author: Barbara Risto
At first glance, this issue’s features could not be more different.
A world-recognised potter whose glazes are studied and admired internationally. A Canadian astronaut who has lived and worked in space. A broadcaster couple who traded radio microphones for real estate contracts. Yet beneath the surface of these varied lives runs a common current: the desire to give back.
Mary Fox’s work is known far beyond her Vancouver Island studio, but her true legacy may not be found in clay at all. Through the Mary Fox Legacy Society Project, she is investing in the next generation of potters, offering studio space and paid apprenticeships. She has also written two books—one a reflection on her life in clay, the other a practical and generous guide to glazing.
Her belief that helping others matters is not an afterthought; it is the foundation of her life’s work.
Astronaut Robert Thirsk has flown multiple space missions, but his feet are firmly planted on Earth when it comes to mentoring and advocacy. He continues to coach young people and is deeply committed to improving healthcare systems. He also challenges those of us over 55 to remain fully engaged—physically, politically and intellectually. Exploration, in his view, is not confined to orbit. It is a lifelong discipline.
Then there is Lisa Marshall and Michael Forbes, familiar voices to many from their years in radio broadcasting. Today, they channel their communication and marketing expertise into helping older adults make thoughtful housing decisions. Through our INSPIRED podcast, they add another dimension to the stories in these pages, allowing readers to hear directly from featured guests and experience the nuances of personality and perspective that only conversation can reveal.
Different paths. Different professions. One shared impulse: to use experience not as a trophy, but as a tool for others.
I hope their stories inspire you to read on—and perhaps to consider how your own next chapter might serve something larger than yourself.
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