THINK AND DRINK
where the curious gather.
Our goal is to create a "third place" for the Kansas City community—an unplugged, in-person environment where curiosity is celebrated and attention is undivided. 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, New Colossus Advisors, and Casual Animal Brewing Company.
What to expect
Think and Drink events are held every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at Casual Animal Brewing Company in Kansas City’s East Crossroads. On occasion, events are held offsite at our partner locations including Linda Hall Library and UMKC. All lectures are free to the public and there are no assigned seats. Seating is first come, first served with a maximum seating capacity of 125 before standing room only. As a community event, it is encouraged that tables be shared among multiple parties. Come to learn, make new friends, and stay curious!
upcoming events
We are working behind the scenes to finalize all topic descriptions and speaker information for upcoming events. Once those details are confirmed, we will post the RSVP link and session information below and on the events calendar. We appreciate your patience and interest in the series!
DATES AND SPEAKERS STILL IN PROGRESS
MARCH 5, 2026 // MARCH 19, 2026 // APRIL 16, 2026 // MAY 7, 2026 // MAY 21, 2026 // JUNE 4, 2026
JUNE 18 + JULY 16, 2026 - NO EVENTS DUE TO WORLD CUP IN KANSAS CITY
February 5, 2026
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.
February 19, 2026
BLACK KANSAS CITY: BEFORE THE MONARCHS
Speaker: Dr. David Trowbridge, William T. Kemper Associate Research Professor of Digital and Public Humanities
Long before Kansas City became synonymous with jazz and innovation, African American leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, and educators were building institutions that shaped the city’s identity—and influenced the nation. This talk explores the people and places that defined Black Kansas City from the arrival of Exodusters through the Roaring ’20s, revealing stories of resilience, creativity, and civic leadership. Along the way, we’ll uncover surprising moments—like a racially integrated barnstorming baseball team that predated the Monarchs—and consider what this history still teaches us about community, opportunity, and change today.
Dr. David Trowbridge (Ph.D. Kansas, 2008) is the William T. Kemper Associate Research Professor of Digital and Public Humanities at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Trowbridge is the former Director of African and African American History at Marshall University and specializes in 19th and 20th century U.S. History. As part of his research and teaching, Trowbridge uses technology to connect people to history. As part of that effort, Trowbridge authored A History of the United States, a textbook published under a Creative Commons license and available to students and the public in various formats. In 2013, Trowbridge began work on Clio, a website and mobile application that connects people to nearby history and culture. Clio is free for everyone and has grown to include over 40,000 articles on individual landmarks and over 1,700 walking tours and virtual tours of museums and historic sites.
april 2, 2026
The Wild Is Calling — And You’ve Got the Tool to AnsweR
Speaker: Nadina Galle, Ecological Engineer, National Geographic Explorer and Author of THE NATURE OF OUR CITIES
What if the wild isn’t something you travel to—but something you can turn back on where you live? In this talk, I’ll share stories from cities around the world where people are using simple tools—like citizen science apps, listening experiences, and even “talking trees”—to reconnect with nature in everyday life. The heart of the talk is a simple ladder: connection to place, connection to species, and connection to purpose. Because once you start noticing the nature around you, you start caring—and once you care, you start acting.
I’ll show how a tiny shift in attention—learning the name of one local tree, bird, or insect—can shift your relationship with your neighbourhood from “nature is out there” to “nature is here.” That’s a connection to species, and it often sparks a connection to purpose through community science and stewardship. I’ll also share how ordinary people are documenting urban biodiversity with their phones, and why those observations can inform real conservation decisions, including the discovery of species in places where they were previously unknown to exist.
Dr. Nadina Galle is a Dutch-Canadian ecological engineer, National Geographic Explorer, and bestselling author of The Nature of Our Cities. She is the founder of the Internet of Nature®—a global movement exploring how technology can help people reconnect with nearby nature and build healthier, more resilient communities. Her work sits at the intersection of ecology, cities, and innovation, and has been featured by Bloomberg, NPR, CNBC, and the New York Post. Through her podcast, field projects, and storytelling, Nadina brings audiences into the future of urban life—where the wild still has a place, even in the most built-up spaces.
past events
2025
July 31 - Witch Hunts, Then and Now: The Second Red Scare to the MAGA-era Ideological Purges // Erica Benson, The Third Place Historian
August 21 - How Loneliness Gets Under the Skin // Dr. Daniel Maitland, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Counseling, University of Missouri – Kansas City
September 4 - Titans of Time: The Enchanted History of Humanity’s Fascination with Trees // Samantha Sanchez, Certified Professional Horticulturist and an ISA Certified Arborist®, Linda Hall Library Arboretum
September 18 - Bad BioDiversity in Pop Culture // Richard Glor, PhD. Associate Professor, KU
October 2 - Freedom to Read: Local Impacts of Book Bans and Censorship // Moderator: Erica Benson, The Third Place Historian // Panelists: Rebecca Parker, KCPS LIbrarian; Cori Smith, BLK + BRWN. Bookstore; Gillian Wilcox, ACLU-MO
October 16 - Sleep Paralysis Demons, Science or Fiction? // Dr. Westley Youngren, UMKC
November 6 - Bridging the Gap in Access to Healthcare for those Experiencing Homelessness: Go to the People // Jaynell (KK) Assmann, APRN-C, Founder and CEO Care Beyond the Boulevard
November 20 - Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: The History and Impact of Vehicles in Kansas City // Eric Ward, Linda Hall Library; Marisa McKay, Kansas City Automotive Museum; Patrick Lenahan, Yaeger Architecture, Inc.
December 4 - The Surprising & Jolly History of Santa and Christmas Traditions in America // Erica Benson, The Third Place Historian
December 18 - Crises to Watch in 2026: Humanitarian Need Amid Geopolitical Disorder // Ken Sofer, Founder & Principal, New Colossus Advisors; UMKC Foreign Policy Professor
2026
January 15 - Are you Wishing or Are you Hoping? Knowing the difference can be life-changing. // Michael S. Ternes, PhD; Assistant Professor; University of Missouri-Kansas City