June 5th Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Elizabeth Sullivan
“In August of 1989, six Minneapolis couples joined together with a common cause. Each had lost a child to suicide. Together, they created SAVE to educate individuals and communities about suicide prevention and to serve as a voice for suicide loss survivors.” “SAVE – Suicide Awareness Voices of Education is a national nonprofit working to prevent the tragedy of suicide through education, advocacy, lethal means safety efforts, and support for suicide loss survivors.” https://www.save.org/
June 5th Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Luis Uz & Elizabeth Selin
What do scientists and stand-up comedians have in common? More than just late nights and existential crises. Comedians Luis and Elizabeth will explore the overlap between stand-up comedy and science, including why people do stand-up, how it works on a psychological and emotional level, and what goes into building material that actually lands. Topics include how comedians use feedback loops, the role of failure in improvement, and the nightly grind of testing hypotheses in front of a live audience. Beyond laughs, it’s a story about growth, timing, vulnerability, and connecting with people in a real way. Whether you’re into psychology, comedy, or just want to feel better about your own public speaking skills, this one’s for you.
June 5th Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Frank Trevino Ramirez
Join us on a mind-bending journey through the scientific evidence for psychic phenomena—yes, science and psychic in the same sentence! We’ll explore what these mysterious experiences are and where they originate. From the most common psychic occurrences to the experimental attempts to replicate them, we’ll dive into what the data says, what it might mean, and how it could reshape our understanding of reality itself. Skeptics and believers welcome—bring your curiosity and maybe a tinfoil hat, just in case.
Nerd Nite is a quirky interdisciplinary presentation series where almost any topic might be discussed. You get to eat out and have drinks with your friends while our speakers get to “nerd out” on their favorite topic. It’s lots of fun and you’re guaranteed to learn something new!
Join us on April 3rd for an evening of endurance and adventure! Steven Wilson will dive into the highs, lows, and lost toenails of long-distance running, while Mary Jordan takes us on a quirky road trip down the historic Lincoln Highway— complete with unforgettable meals of varying quality. Don’t miss this mix of grit, history, and humor!
The event is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday at Ultimate Sports Bar & Grill. All are welcome! (Ask for us at the bar)
FREE EVENT! There are no tickets. We just ask that you order a drink or meal to support our hosting venue.
April 3rd Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Steven Wilson
Ever wondered why endurance runners willingly sign up for hours of suffering, questionable toenail health, and an ongoing battle with gravity? This talk will explore the different types of endurance running—from marathons to ultramarathons—and what it really takes to participate in the sport. Whether you’re a seasoned runner, a casual jogger, or just here for the schadenfreude, you’ll get an inside look at the mental and physical grit required to keep putting one foot in front of the other… for way too many miles.
April Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Mary Jordan
What happens when you set out to drive America’s first transcontinental highway from San Francisco to New York? A whole lot of history, a few wrong turns, and more gas station food than one person should probably consume. Join me for a fast-paced journey down the Lincoln Highway, where I explored public libraries, quirky roadside attractions, historic landmarks, and the fine art of finding the least sketchy place to sleep each night. It’s 3,000 miles of adventure—no GPS required.
February 6 Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Heidi Jeub
Discover how to turn what feels like a whirlwind of intuitive decisions into a well-crafted strategic plan. In this talk, Heidi, owner of Heijeu Arts, will break down the process of aligning creative instincts with logical strategies, using her own experiences as vivid illustrations. With humor and insight, she’ll show how saying “no” to what doesn’t fit can be the first step in building a purposeful path—and how anyone can transform free-spirited choices into a roadmap for success.
February 6th Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Aricka Harveland
Dive into the world of executive function: the brain’s project manager that keeps things running smoothly—or doesn’t. Aricka will cover the basics, like what executive function is (and why it’s not just “common sense”), what happens in your brain when it works (and when it throws a tantrum), and the symptoms of executive dysfunction that might feel all too familiar. They’ll explore potential causes (spoiler: it’s not because you’re lazy), describe what living with it actually feels like (yes, forgetting why you walked into the kitchen is included), and share real-life examples of executive dysfunction in action. Finally, they’ll arm you with tricks to outsmart your brain when it’s being less of a helpful assistant and more of a chaotic gremlin. Whether you’re here to learn about yourself, someone you love, or just for the laughs, you’re in the right place.
December Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Marcy Young Illies
Ever wonder why Minnesotans are so gosh-darn nice (or at least seem to be)? This talk dives into the mysterious world of “Minnesota Nice”—that sweet-yet-passive-aggressive charm that’s practically an art form. We’ll unpack what it really means to be “Minnesota Nice,” how it stacks up against similar vibes in other regions (like Canada’s “sorrys” or the South’s “bless your hearts”), and whether this politeness is a case of evoked culture—innate responses triggered by the environment —or transmitted culture, where the niceness is learned and passed down like Grandma’s hotdish recipe at a potluck. Come for the insight, stay for the unspoken Midwest goodbyes!
December Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Coleman Henry
The St. Cloud Nutrient, Energy, Water (NEW) Recovery Facility is where your flush meets the future! Treating 10 million gallons of sewage daily, it ensures water from St. Cloud and surrounding communities that’s discharged into the Mississippi River is cleaner than what came in. Microorganisms work hard behind the scenes, munching on organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus, while biogas from the process powers the facility with green energy—talk about a win-win! But moreover, captured solids are transformed into Class-A biosolid soil conditioners and phosphorus-packed fertilizers, giving farms a nutrient boost. The facility does so much, yet the only waste that leaves is a weekly dumpster of things that really shouldn’t have been flushed (looking at you, random toothbrushes). In short, the NEW facility turns waste into clean water, renewable energy, and fertilizers—proving that even sewage can have a second act!
