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!
March 5, 2026
Distilling the Alchemy: The Research & Findings that Shaped Linda Hall Library's New Exhibit
Speakers/Panelists: Dr. Eric Dorfman, President and CEO of Linda Hall Library; Dr. Laurie Ellinghausen, Professor in the UMKC School of Humanities & Social Sciences; Ali Bustos, Multidisciplinary Artist
Moderator: Olivia Tigges, Grants Specialist & Volunteer Program Manager at Linda Hall Library
On March 13, the Linda Hall Library will debut Alchemy of Knowledge, the largest exhibition in the organization’s history. Presented as the Library celebrates its 80th anniversary, the exhibition takes us on a journey through the powerful intersections of literature, art, the humanities, and science across centuries, revealing how these disciplines have continually shaped and transformed society. Alchemy of Knowledge reflects the Library’s enduring work to protect, preserve, and advance STEM scholarship and literature while illuminating its relevance for future generations.
March 19, 2026
The Myth of the Artist: How Kansas City Creatives Really Make a Living
Speaker: Cory Imig, Director of Alumni Relations and Professional Practice Center, Kansas City Art Institute
A thriving arts community isn’t built on individual genius alone—it’s built on networks, partnerships, and shared investment, and Kansas City’s creative ecosystem depends on all of us. Kansas City has a long history of artists building careers through collaboration, resourcefulness, and community—not just working alone in studios. This talk traces the evolution of the KC art scene from its early artist-run spaces and civic roots to today’s dynamic ecosystem, where artists move between independent studio practice, institutional partnerships, and unexpected settings like hospitals, theaters, and civic organizations. Drawing on examples from the Kansas City Art Institute—including innovative partnerships like Sponsored Studio with Children’s Mercy and insights from alumni career outcomes—the presentation challenges the myth of the “solo artist” and reveals how creatives actually sustain their work today. Through storytelling and real-world examples, the talk explores how artists shape Kansas City—and how the city, in turn, shapes its artists.
Cory Imig is an artist and arts leader based in Kansas City. She serves as Director of Alumni Relations and the Professional Practice Center at the Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI), where she works at the intersection of career development, alumni engagement, and community partnerships. Cory has led innovative initiatives that connect artists to real-world opportunities, including mentorship programs, experiential learning partnerships, and cross-sector collaborations with local organizations and other cultural institutions.
As a practicing artist and educator, Cory is deeply interested in how artists build sustainable, meaningful careers while contributing to the cultural life of their communities. Her work focuses on demystifying creative career paths and strengthening Kansas City’s arts ecosystem through collaboration and strategic partnership.
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.
may 7, 2026
Fueling The Show: Inside the Nutrition Strategy of Major League Baseball
Speaker: Erika Wincheski, Director of Sports Nutrition, Kansas City Royals
Most people think professional baseball players have unlimited resources and perfect nutrition. The reality is far more nuanced. From coaching a minor league athlete transitioning into the big leagues, to navigating food superstitions before a game, to answering constant questions about protein — this job isn’t just about meal plans. Sports Dietetics is about performance strategy, psychology, logistics, and trust. Erika Wincheski is a veteran in the world of performance nutrition for Major League Baseball and she’ll take you inside the clubhouse to show you what fueling elite athletes actually looks like.
Erika Wincheski is in her ninth season with the Royals and fifth as the Director of Sports Nutrition. In her role, she supports all levels of the organization, develops and maintains nutrition standards and helps players maximize their performance and recovery through enhancing nutrition. She is a Licensed Dietitian and Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics. She’s also currently serving as Vice President of the Professional Baseball Dietitian Society.
She had spent the previous five-plus years working at EXOS in Phoenix, Arizona. During her time with EXOS, she worked under contract with the San Francisco Giants in Major League Baseball as well as the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Coyotes and U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team.
Wincheski received her bachelor’s degree in nutrition from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif., while she did a postgraduate dietetic internship through the University of Maryland.
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
February 5 - Pimps & Preachers: The Misconception of Empathy and Its Power // Dr. Nicole Price, Lively Paradox
February 19 - Black Kansas City From the Early Years to the Jazz Era and Monarchs // Dr. David Trowbridge, William T. Kemper Associate Research Professor of Digital and Public Humanities