122. Listen to This If….. Your family doesn’t understand what you do at work or uni

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?

In this episode of Listen to This If…., Jen and Michael tackle a common but rarely discussed challenge: when your family doesn’t understand your passion for science, study, or work.

They each share a practical tip for navigating these conversations, from finding better ways to involve family members, to reframing the conversation around why 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.

In just 5 minutes, you’ll hear:

• Why “it’s complicated” can shut down meaningful conversations

• The power of explaining why you do what you do, not just what you do

• How reconnecting with your own motivation can lift a slump

An episode for anyone who’s ever felt misunderstood or struggled to explain why their work really matters to them.

You can find more great advice here:

• https://pcur.princeton.edu/2019/11/why-you-should-talk-to-your-friends-about-your-research/

• https://www.academictransfer.com/en/blog/explaining-the-value-of-your-science-to-friends-and-family/

• https://phdonewhatnext.com/all-posts/explaining-your-phd

Transcript: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/tb62