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.
august 20:
The Holy, Educated Muthaf*cka: Tips & Tricks for Those Saddled by Midwest Nice
speaker:
Dr. Nicole Price, Founder—Lively Paradox (a leadership training company)
(Part II of “Pimps & Preachers”)
Session Description:
Let’s be honest: kindness has become a performance. And in the land of Midwest Nice, it’s damn near a religion. But what happens when being agreeable erodes your boundaries, your brilliance, and your belief in yourself?
In this sharp, soulful, and unfiltered follow-up to Pimps & Preachers, Dr. Nicole Price—aka the original Holy, Educated Muthaf*cka—calls in the over-functioners, the peacemakers, and the brilliant-but-exhausted humans who are tired of being “nice” when what’s needed is real.
Rooted in radical empathy, this session explores how to stay spiritually grounded, emotionally clear, and intellectually sharp—even when you’re surrounded by noise, nonsense, or outright foolishness. Because real empathy isn’t about absorbing every emotion in the room—it’s about knowing where to focus your energy.
You’ll learn how to work with the persuadable, not the resistant. To engage the curious—not waste your spirit trying to convert the combative.
Because empathy isn’t agreement. It’s discernment.
And it’s time we use it that way.
You’ll Walk Away With:
A bold framework for setting boundaries without apology or burnout (emotional empathy strategies to restore energy, passion, and commitment)
Practices to stay spiritually and emotionally centered in chaotic or divided environments (radical empathy in action)
Scripts for pushing back without popping off (tactical empathy tools that don’t sacrifice truth)
The clarity to focus on people who are open to influence—not committed to their confusion (critical mass mindset)
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.
