<p>What if the people closest to you just don’t “get” what you do? How do you talk about your work or studies without sounding defensive, boring, or awkward?</p><p>In this episode of <em>Listen to This If</em>…., Jen and Michael tackle a common but rarely discussed challenge: when your family doesn’t understand your passion for science, study, or work.</p><p>They each share a practical tip for navigating these conversations, from finding better ways to involve family members, to reframing the conversation around <em>why</em> your work matters to you rather than the technical details. Along the way, they reflect on motivation, identity, and the value of reconnecting with your own sense of purpose.</p><p>In just 5 minutes, you’ll hear:</p><ul><li><p>Why “it’s complicated” can shut down meaningful conversations</p></li><li><p>The power of explaining <em>why</em> you do what you do, not just <em>what</em> you do</p></li><li><p>How reconnecting with your own motivation can lift a slump</p></li></ul><p>An episode for anyone who’s ever felt misunderstood or struggled to explain why their work really matters to them.</p><p>You can find more great advice here:</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://pcur.princeton.edu/2019/11/why-you-should-talk-to-your-friends-about-your-research/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://pcur.princeton.edu/2019/11/why-you-should-talk-to-your-friends-about-your-research/</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.academictransfer.com/en/blog/explaining-the-value-of-your-science-to-friends-and-family/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.academictransfer.com/en/blog/explaining-the-value-of-your-science-to-friends-and-family/</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://phdonewhatnext.com/all-posts/explaining-your-phd" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://phdonewhatnext.com/all-posts/explaining-your-phd</a></p></li></ul><p>Transcript: <a href="https://go.unimelb.edu.au/tb62" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://go.unimelb.edu.au/tb62</a></p>