‘As millions of Americans gather ‘round a turkey table this Thanksgiving - the conversation topics may seem about as abundant as the food offerings. But one topic may feel like it’s off-limits: politics.

“I’m from New England where the holiday traditions are mostly gin and resentment, so it’s a little bit easier with my in-laws back in Connecticut,” said  Professor Peter Loge, an Adjunct Professor of Political Communications at the George Washington University.

Loge suggests not feeling intimidated when it comes to talking Trump, tariffs, or turkey – but to consider it a golden gravy-laden opportunity.

“I think you should. I really think you should talk about politics. Part of the problem that we have in this country is that yelling as loudly as we can or being as clever as we can on social media and getting likes, that’s not how you talk about politics. If we can’t talk about politics while drinking, and eating, and watching violent sports on television, then how can we hope that America can heal,” Loge said.

Another suggestion: breach the topic with something everyone can see eye- to-eye on — the goal of a better tomorrow.

“You can talk about shared premises and shared values. If you’re in a family, talk about something that you have in common — a neighborhood, a church, a school, what did we learn in that, that can inform who we can vote for? Or the positions we have on things? Because if you start with a shared premise, then you can actually talk about what’s important, which is the next election,” said Loge.

“And it’s tremendously important, local, state, national, it’s all tremendously important. Talk about climate, talk about policies around gender, or rights or immigration, but from a shared premise about shared values, and then you can disagree about policy, but the politicians are in service of those values,” he continued.

So if politics seems like more of a minefield - just remember - opinions are unique - but there’s a reason everyone from everywhere gathered around a table - to give thanks for food - blessings - and yes - even each other’s company.

 “We have to come together, and we’re going to yell and scream and argue about dumb stuff, and argue about good stuff, but we’re going to do it from a position of a shared set of beliefs…and that’s important,” Loge said.