Smart Talks. Cold Drinks.
Presenting THINK & DRINK – where the curious gather. This ongoing lecture series delivers a wide array of topics that generate fresh perspectives, ideas, and discussion. These community-driven events are powered by a collaboration between UMKC, Linda Hall Library, The Third Place Historian, and Casual Animal Brewing Company.
Your RSVP is appreciated to help us preset the room and accommodate as many seats as possible for interested attendees. You will also receive at least 1 reminder email about the event when you RSVP.
FEBRUARY 5:
Pimps & Preachers: The Misconception of Empathy and Its Power
speaker:
Dr. Nicole Price, Founder—Lively Paradox (a leadership training company)
Is empathy about feeling someone’s pain — or understanding their perspective? Depends on who’s using it… and why. In this bold, no-holds-barred session, Dr. Nicole Price unpacks the two core types of empathy: affective empathy (feeling with others) and cognitive empathy— what hostage negotiators call tactical empathy (understanding others to influence outcomes). One connects hearts. The other shifts behavior.
But here’s the catch: the difference between manipulation and inspiration is intent. With stories that range from street corners to Sunday sermons, Dr. Price challenges the sanitized myths of empathy and shows how it can be wielded for good—or for gain. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how empathy works, when it doesn’t, and how to use it without losing yourself.
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Nicole Price is an engineer-turned-leadership strategist and CEO of Lively Paradox. A leading voice in empathy-driven leadership, she equips professionals to build trust, lead strategically, and grow intentionally. Her keynotes and programs help leaders turn empathy into their competitive edge—measurable, actionable, and built, not born.
