Turkey, Traditions…and Tension? Empathy to the Rescue!

It only takes one comment. A wine glass turned upside down. A political dig disguised as small talk. A silence that stretches just a beat too long. The holiday table has a way of concentrating everything warm and wonderful about family alongside everything awkward and unresolved. The question isn't whether an uncomfortable moment will happen. It's whether you'll be ready when it does.

The good news is that empathy gives you a toolkit for exactly this. From the Curious Breath (a simple pause that stops a knee-jerk reaction before it escapes your mouth) to reframing "why" into questions that open doors rather than slam them, these are practical moves you can use in real time when the conversation takes a turn. And if you want to keep things warm and connected from the start, Holiday Lifeology is back with an updated set of questions designed to slow the meal down and spark the kind of conversation people actually remember.

This edition is a refreshed version of a reader favorite from 2024, updated for 2025 with new Lifeology questions and a few timely additions. Because the dynamics at the table may shift year to year, but the need to show up for each other with a little grace and curiosity never goes out of style.

In this edition of Reading Between the Lines, Rob Volpe shares six practical tips for navigating tricky holiday conversations, how to reconnect with people you've lost touch with, and a free downloadable game to keep your gathering human, warm, and worth lingering over.

If you’re searching for holiday conversation tips, how to handle difficult family dynamics, or ways to keep the holiday table warm and connected, this newsletter is for you.

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Finally, please, give these a like and a share to help spread empathy, connection and fellowship this holiday season!