The three minutes thesis (3MT) is an academic competition for doctoral students originally developed by the University of Queensland in 2008. The rules seem quite simple at first. Each competitor have to explain to a non-initiated general public the “what and how” of his or her doctoral research – in just three minutes, stopwatch in hand. Simple rules…but not so easy! Three minutes may be very short…or very long! It depends on who you ask…In fact, telling a good story is a real challenge. This implies the ability to translate complex issues in clear and simple language but not only. How to catch and hold public’s attention? Why should anyone care about this ongoing research? These are questions that every candidate should also consider when preparing the competition. But no panic! Students are not thrown into the lions’ den without having received a specific training and a great coaching. Two finalists of the MT 180 (francophone-version of the 3MT) competition at the University of Lorraine, Clotilde Johansson and Nathalie CAROL, will share their experiences of popularizing science and present the benefits of such competition in the doctoral studies.