Squawk Pod — "Making Turkey & Keeping the Peace on Thanksgiving"

Date: November 26, 2025
Hosts: Becky Quick, Andrew Ross Sorkin
Featured Guests: Arthur Brooks (Harvard Professor & Happiness Expert), Nicole Johnson (Director, Butterball Turkey Talk Line)

Overview

This episode of Squawk Pod captures the spirit of Thanksgiving—balancing financial news with practical, real-world tips for maintaining peace around the holiday dinner table and serving up a successful Thanksgiving meal. Hosts Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin navigate the latest business headlines before welcoming two holiday experts: Arthur Brooks, offering science-based advice for familial harmony, and Nicole Johnson of the Butterball Turkey Talk Line, sharing tried-and-true advice for turkey triumph.

Episode Highlights & Key Discussion Points

1. Market Drama & Business Headlines

Timestamps: 02:05–04:52

• Nvidia Responds to Pressure:
  Nvidia, reigning semiconductor and AI king, is under scrutiny as Google emerges as a potential competitor with its AI chips. Despite record-beating financials, Nvidia shares have slipped slightly—a sign of mounting expectations and competitive pressure.

  Notable Quote:

  • Becky Quick: “When you're the king, everybody's going to come at you. Nvidia is clearly the king, not only when it comes to semiconductors, but also just in terms of how important its report has been for the overall market theme.” (03:15)

• Stock Market Sentiment:
  Despite slight dips, Nvidia’s year-to-date stock performance remains stellar (up 31%). The discussion underscores the relentless scrutiny industry leaders face.

• Healthcare Subsidies in Political Crosshairs:
  President Trump signals reluctance to keep funding Obamacare subsidies but hints at a temporary extension. Hosts discuss the broader challenge of rising health insurance premiums and the long-standing, systemic issue of healthcare affordability.

  Notable Quote:

  • Becky Quick: “Subsidies for a portion of it are not going to address the overall issue…with health care cost outpacing the pace, the rate of inflation elsewhere.” (06:42)

• Campbell’s Soup Controversy:
  Allegations arise after a leaked recording purports to capture a Campbell's executive referring to company products as “highly processed food for poor people.” Becky urges skepticism in the age of AI-deepfakes, emphasizing the need for verification before judging.

  Notable Exchange:

  • Becky Quick: “Insulting your customers. That's the absolute worst thing that could happen.” (09:27)
  • Andrew Ross Sorkin: “That'll be another debate. People will have a debate about eating Campbell's at Thanksgiving dinner.” (09:15)

2. Keeping the Peace at the Thanksgiving Table

Timestamps: 12:21–18:06

Guest: Arthur Brooks — Harvard Professor & Happiness Expert

• Why Avoid Political Debates:
  Brooks highlights social science research: arguing politics—especially at family gatherings—rarely changes minds and actually strengthens opposing views (the ‘boomerang effect’).
  He emphasizes that such conversations make people less happy and less grateful—counterproductive to the Thanksgiving spirit.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Arthur Brooks: “Every time you talk about politics, this is almost always the case. Not just at Thanksgiving. You get less happy.” (10:49, 14:06)
  • Arthur Brooks: “Don’t go in ready for a fight. And don’t actually get into politics.” (01:00, 14:17)

• Strategies for a Harmonious Dinner:

  • Rather than enforcing rigid topic bans, Brooks suggests proactively steering discussion toward gratitude and shared memories.
  • For less-avoidable political moments, he advises mentally “becoming a social scientist,” observing rather than reacting emotionally.

  Notable Exchange:

  • Andrew Ross Sorkin: “Is [banning topics] the appropriate way?” (14:46)
  • Arthur Brooks: “You can make it explicit if you want, but what I recommend...is leading the conversation into something that’s more pleasant, that we all think about as a source of gratitude as opposed to a source of conflict.” (15:04)

• Modeling Behavior for Kids:
  Brooks acknowledges the challenge when children join in debates. He recommends adults “model the behavior you want to see,” and approach disagreement with lightness and humor rather than bitterness.

  Notable Quote:

  • Arthur Brooks: “The most important thing that you can do...is making sure that you’re never the source of the bitterness in the first place.” (16:55)

3. Turkey Tips from the Butterball Turkey Talk Line

Timestamps: 20:12–25:17

Guest: Nicole Johnson — Director, Butterball Turkey Talk Line

• Top Turkey-Thawing Question:
  For 44 years, the number one question has been “How do I thaw my turkey?”

  • If you haven't started in the refrigerator, use a cold water bath (still in wrapping)—allow 30 minutes per pound. (21:05)

  Notable Quote:

  • Nicole Johnson: “Number one question over 44 years that the talk line has been open is how do I thaw my turkey?” (01:15, 21:05)

• Turkey Sizing and Leftovers:

  • Johnson recommends 1.5–2 pounds of turkey per person to ensure leftovers.
  • Leftovers last up to three days in the fridge or up to three months in the freezer. (21:31)

• To Stuff or Not to Stuff?

  • Stuffing the turkey is a personal preference but must be done safely—never stuff the bird the night before; mix ingredients and stuff just before cooking. Avoid over-packing to ensure proper cooking. (22:27)
  • Use 3/4 to 1 cup of stuffing per pound of turkey.

• Proper Cooking:

  • Use a meat thermometer: turkey breast/thigh at 170°F; center of stuffing (if using) at 165°F. (23:09)

  Notable Quote:

  • Nicole Johnson: “Regardless if you stuff your turkey or not, you do want to make sure your turkey is done with your best friend on Thanksgiving Day. And that's your meat thermometer.” (18:30)

• Turkey Prices:

  • Johnson sidesteps pricing specifics but notes turkey “is certainly one of the most economical” parts of the Thanksgiving meal. (24:00)

• Butterball’s Thanksgiving Pants:

  • Discussion of new “hosting pants” designed for cooks: pockets for tools, hotline number, and a “stretchy waistband for after you eat that meal.” Johnson admits she’s not wearing them today but plans to for her own family feast. (24:18–25:02)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Marketplace:

  • Becky Quick: “What do you want from me, people? We're giving you everything you're asking for and much more. So maybe there's just a little frustration that's kind of come out of the reaction of what's happened.” (04:52)

• On Thanksgiving Table Politics:

  • Arthur Brooks: “Why would you want to talk about politics when you're around the Thanksgiving table?” (15:41)

• On Campbell’s Soup Scandal:

  • Becky Quick: “I know I've got some Campbell's Cream of mushroom soup for the green bean casserole that I'm going to be making tomorrow. But this is a so you're not—”
  • Andrew Ross Sorkin: “Going to the supermarket is what you're saying. You're not going to replace your Campbell's soup after this situation?” (10:14)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Nvidia & Business News: 02:05–06:08
• Healthcare Premiums Discussion: 06:08–07:48
• Campbell’s Soup Scandal: 07:50–10:19
• Arthur Brooks on Thanksgiving Harmony: 12:21–18:06
• Butterball Turkey Talk Line: 20:12–25:17

Tone & Takeaways

Hearty, candid, and personal—Squawk Pod brings both expert insight and everyday advice for Thanksgiving. Whether you're contemplating market dynamics, worried about family debates, or just hoping to get your bird cooked perfectly, the hosts and their guests have you covered.

Three Big Takeaways:

• In the markets as on Thanksgiving, being “king” comes with relentless scrutiny and pressure.
• Political debates at dinner rarely persuade—focusing on gratitude and shared experience leads to a happier holiday.
• The Butterball Turkey Talk Line stands ready for all kitchen crises; turkey triumph comes down to planning, a thermometer, and a healthy sense of humor.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Squawk Pod Team!