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
august 6 - The Forever Trade War and What It Means for Kansas City
Speaker: Jack Zhang, Director of the Trade War Lab, University of Kansas
The trade war has become the new normal. Drawing on original Trade War Lab survey research, attendees will learn how businesses in our region are navigating tariffs, uncertainty, supply chain shifts, and the politics of U.S.-China competition. Data from the Trade War Lab 2025 Tariff Impact Survey shows that many firms say tariffs hurt them, but relatively few take political action in response. Is the securitization of trade policy why costly and ineffective trade policies persist in this country? Come and see how the KU Trade War Lab conducts timely, regionally relevant research to help Kansas City businesses, associations, and policymakers make sense of a complex and rapidly changing trade landscape.
AUGUST 20 - The Holy, Educated Muthaf*cka: Tips & Tricks for Those Saddled by Midwest Nice
(Part II of “Pimps & Preachers”)
Speaker: Dr. Nicole Price, Founder—Lively Paradox (a leadership training company)
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.
September 3 - The Science of Sarcasm
Speaker: Dr. Valeria Pfeifer, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Counseling, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Despite there being no logical reason to say the opposite of what you mean, and many people dismissing sarcasm as maladaptive, full of contempt, and “bad for you”, its use is ubiquitous. So, why would anybody use verbal irony and sarcasm, if we risk not only being misunderstood, but possibly worse? Newer science says that irony is actually good for you! It can help regulate emotions, foster creativity, and manage social relationships. In this presentation, This lecture will discuss science related to sarcasm, from examples and prevalence of sarcasm in the world around us, what happens in your brain when you encounter it, and how we can use this communicative superpower to our advantage.
September 17 - Hidden in Plain Sight: The Story of LGBTQ Kansas City
Speaker: Joel Barrett, Creator and Producer of the KC Rainbow Tour
The LGBTQ rights movement did not begin on the coasts and slowly make its way inland. Kansas City was not a passive observer of history. It was a participant and a pioneer. Courageous and creative people in the heartland were organizing, building culture, and creating safe spaces long before many realize. This fast-paced talk shares the bold stories, hidden spaces, and resilient leaders who built community here in Kansas City and how the KC Rainbow Tour brings that history to life. Explore historical stories and places like Womontown, The Liberty Memorial, Soakies black gay bar, the Phoenix Society and more.
October 1 - Why Public Radio Matters For Music Lovers
Speaker: Michelle Bacon, Content Manager, 90.9 The Bridge
Unlike commercial stations, The Bridge is 100% programmed by Kansas City music lovers and funded by members, giving the freedom to include local, community and undiscovered voices on their airwaves. They’ll discuss their process of choosing music for playlists, as well as how the public radio model differs from other stations, and how their fundraising model is evolving. Attendees will experience first-hand their process of picking music for rotation by playing snippets of songs and having the crowd “vote” on their favorites. Don’t miss this exploration of local public media and the work The Bridge does as a radio station to elevate local and underserved artists, while highlighting what’s happening in the community around us.
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
March 5, 2026 - Distilling the Alchemy: The Research & Findings that Shaped Linda Hall Library's New Exhibit // 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
March 19, 2026- The Myth of the Artist: How Kansas City Creatives Really Make a Living // Cory Imig, Director of Alumni Relations and Professional Practice Center, Kansas City Art Institute
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
April 16, 2026 - Tortellini the Turtle and the Physics of “Bubble Butt”: How a National Defense Organization and the KC Zoo are Helping Injured Sea Turtles Dive Again // Speakers: Dan Bowen, Ph.D. – Sr. Fellow & Chief Scientist / Neiko Levenhagen, Ph.D. – Lead R&D Scientist Advanced Technology Development / Peter Roth – Sr. Mechanical Engineer / Holly Weber – Principal R&D Scientist, Materials Aging and Compatibility
May 7, 2026 - Fueling The Show: Inside the Nutrition Strategy of Major League Baseball // Erika Wincheski, Director of Sports Nutrition, Kansas City Royals
May 21, 2026 - How to Watch the World Cup Like You Know What You Are Doing // Blair Kerkoff, Sportswriter and host of Sportsbeat KC; Benny Feilhaber, Former Professional Soccer Midfielder and Current Coach
June 4, 2026 - Pints and Policy: The Documents that Built the Modern World // Cassie Pikarsky, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Truman Library
There were no events June 5 - July 15 due to the World Cup events in Kansas City.
July 16, 2026 - August Primary Ballot Crash Course for Kansas & Missouri Voters // Moderator: Brian Ellison, Senior Political Analyst for KCUR 89.3 // Panelists: Myke Shaw: founder of Uwazi, a Civic Tech Platform, and KC Civic Hub // Laurel Burchfield: Advocacy Director at Mainstream Coalition in Kansas // Amy Slaybaugh: KC Regional Field and Outreach Coordinator of Respect MO Voters // Madeline Fox: News Director at KCUR 89.3
