Think Tank

**This talk has completely sold out in advance and no additional tickets will be available at the door.** [Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Inside the World Cup,”** a scholarly look at preparation for the upcoming soccer tournament and at the likely impact of major global sports events soon to be staged in the United States, with Matt Winkler, founder of American University’s online master’s program in sports analytics and management and former sports executive. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-world-cup](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-world-cup) .] The FIFA World Cup 2026 will soon take place in several cities throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Come to Profs and Pints to get an industry insider’s perspective on it and other global sports events being hosted by American cities, including the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Learn about the preparation for these events, about their projected economic and cultural impact, and about remaining uncertainties surrounding them with Matt Winkler, a scholar and teacher of sports management and business with years of experience working with the World Cup, the Olympics, and various professional sports leagues. He’ll discuss issues related to the FIFA World Cup’s governance, site preparation, security, fan management, and tourist visas, and he’ll weigh how the $13 billion dollars in revenue projected to be generated by the tournament compares to the costs of staging 104 games between 48 countries. He’ll delve into how the tournament symbolizes a pivotal moment in the evolution of soccer in America, with global games broadcast all over American television channels and streaming services. You’ll learn how the 1994 World Cup in the United States significantly boosted soccer’s popularity—leading to increased youth participation and the establishment of Major League Soccer—and how the sport has continued to rapidly gain traction here in recent years. We’ll consider how the World Cup marks the beginning of an unprecedented run of major global sports events in the U.S., including not just summer and winter Olympics but, in 2031, the U.S.-hosted FIFA Women’s World Cup and 2033 men’s and women’s rugby World Cups. Among the questions Winkler will tackle: How will the U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran affect the World Cup? How will tickets sell, and at what price? (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Soccer being played in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, one of the venues hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Weekly Draft night in NW. We currently meet up at Franklin Hall near 14th and Florida. U Street Metro is the closest stop. I'll have packs but feel free to bring packs if you have them. Entry is $17 (you can bring Play Booster packs to lower the cost by $3.50). If it is a special set, it will be more.

PLEASE CHECK THE ONLINE MEDITATION CALENDAR FOR DETAILS OF THESE MORE THAN 50 SERVICES A WEEK- https://onlinemeditation.yogananda.org/calendar/

Hi everyone! Tuesday Night Skates are in full effect! Meet every Tuesday outside of the NOMA-Galladudet U Station at the North entrance (1305 2nd St NE). We will head out at 7pm sharp for an 8 mile skate followed by pizza! We'll skate up the Metropolitan Branch Trail to the Ft. Totten Metro station and back down the trail to M St NE for pizza at Andy's. See ya there! This skate is led by Asher and myself. 🛼 This ride is BEGINNER FRIENDLY! While the full ride is 8 miles long, you have the option to tap out at one of the three red line metro stations along the route in both directions. You'll also have an opportunity to learn new skills and practice drills with the skate leaders at our regroupping spots along the route. The tap out points are as follows: 2 miles: Rhode Island Ave Metro 2.5 miles: Brookland Metro 4 miles: Ft Totten Metro 6 miles: Brookland Metro (on the way back) 7 miles: Rhode Island Ave Metro (on the way back) 8 miles: Andy's Pizza This is a great way to test and build up your endurance while skating! At least one of the skate leaders will skate at your pace, so you'll never be left behind. Join us at Andy's Pizza afterwards for a FREE slice of pizza with the purchase of any alcoholic beverage or N/A lemonade! Route Map: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7752153 If we need to cancel one week due to weather or other reasons, we'll update the event page in advance.

# Liberia's Housing Market: Rental Demand, Affordability & Real Estate Investment Opportunities What kind of housing do Liberians actually want? How much rent can families realistically afford? What amenities matter most when choosing where to live? And where are the biggest opportunities for investors seeking long-term rental income in one of West Africa's fastest-growing urban markets? Join the Africa Development & Capital Forum for a special presentation examining Liberia's housing market through ongoing market research, resident feedback, and real-world development opportunities. This event will explore what Liberian residents are saying about housing affordability, rental demand, infrastructure needs, and community preferences—and what those findings mean for investors, developers, entrepreneurs, and members of the African diaspora interested in participating in Africa's growth. While many discussions about African real estate focus on broad economic trends, this session takes a different approach: listening directly to the people who will ultimately live in these communities. Through ongoing housing market research in Monrovia and surrounding areas, clear patterns are emerging regarding affordability, household needs, infrastructure priorities, and the types of housing that remain underserved. ## What You'll Learn ### The State of Housing Demand in Liberia Liberia continues to experience rapid urban growth while facing significant housing challenges. We'll examine: * Current housing conditions * Rental market dynamics * Population and urbanization trends * The gap between housing supply and demand * Opportunities created by unmet demand ### What Residents Actually Want in a Community Many developments fail because they are designed around assumptions rather than market realities. We'll discuss what residents consistently identify as priorities, including: * Reliable electricity * Running water * Internet connectivity * Security * Recreational spaces * Retail and commercial amenities * Family-friendly environments These insights provide valuable guidance for anyone considering future housing developments. ### Housing Affordability and Market Opportunities One of the most important questions for any developer or investor is affordability. This presentation will examine: * Rental affordability trends * Pricing realities in the market * Underserved renter segments * Opportunities for workforce and affordable housing * Balancing affordability with investment returns ### Building a Sustainable Rental Community We'll also discuss the concept currently being explored through Minzo Africa's market research: A modern residential community featuring: * Apartment buildings * Single-family homes * Reliable utilities * High-speed internet * Shopping and commercial services * Community spaces * Safe and well-managed infrastructure The discussion will focus on how market research can help determine the right mix of housing types, pricing strategies, and amenities before construction begins. ### Opportunities for Investors and the African Diaspora As housing demand continues to grow across West Africa, many investors are looking for opportunities that combine financial returns with meaningful community impact. Topics will include: * Rental income opportunities * Buy-and-hold investment models * Mixed-income community development * Diaspora participation in African real estate * Market risks and considerations * Long-term growth potential ## Who Should Attend? This event is ideal for: * Real estate investors * African diaspora professionals * Entrepreneurs * Developers * Community leaders * Students and researchers * Anyone interested in Africa's housing and economic future No prior real estate experience is required. ## Why Attend? The most successful real estate investments begin with understanding the market. This event offers a unique opportunity to explore emerging housing trends in Liberia, learn what residents actually want, and discuss practical opportunities for creating communities that are both financially sustainable and socially impactful. Whether you're considering future investments, exploring development opportunities, or simply interested in Africa's growth story, you'll leave with valuable insights into one of West Africa's most important and underserved markets. ## Event Details Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 Time: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM Location: Benning / Dorothy I. Height Neighborhood Library 3935 Benning Road NE Washington, DC 20019 Cost: Free Registration Required Come learn what the market is telling us—and what it could mean for the future of housing in Liberia.

This game is located at the DC/Maryland Border in Silver Spring. We'll use the Tennis or Futsal Court at Takoma Community Center where there are Night Lights shining on an enclosed arena. This area is enjoyable because it allows for more touches on the ball, with more movement around the field. THIS IS ON A TENNIS COURT. WE DO NOT WEAR CLEATS. WE WEAR FUTSAL SHOES, TENNIS SHOES; ANYTHING WITH NO SPIKES. Pinnies and goals will be provided. Bring a ball if you have one. We usually get 10+ more players not on meetup — we'll add those to whatever we get here and see if we can have a game. More than competitive, we all want to play good futsal and make it fun and entertaining for all. No warm sided matches here — new and advanced players are welcomed. Here, we want to get active and have fun in the evenings after work

**Community Tuesdays at Refraction** are a free weekly program designed for job seekers, professionals in transition, and aspiring founders to access resources, connections, and coworking space in the heart of Northern Virginia’s tech corridor. Each Tuesday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, participants gain complimentary access to Refraction’s collaborative workspace, career mentoring, resume and job-search support (including proven AI prompts to navigate applicant tracking systems), and a welcoming community of innovators and peers. Whether you are refining your next career move or exploring entrepreneurship, Community Tuesdays offer the space, guidance, and tools you need to move forward with confidence. For complete details and easy (non-Meetup) registration, please visit: [https://www.refraction.one/ctues](https://www.refraction.one/ctues).

**Location:** Crimson Whiskey Bar (Either the downstairs whiskey bar, or main floor bar, TBD) The purpose of Thinkers and Drinkers is to facilitate casual but meaningful and interesting conversations with other people in a face-to-face setting. The topics cover a wide variety of issues and are different for every meeting. While conversations may get heated at times, we ask that all members be respectful of each other and refrain from personal insults. **Topic: The Gilded Age 2.0** It was estimated by contemporary sources at the time that John D Rockefeller's wealth passed the $1 Billion in 1916, becoming the first [Billionaire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billionaire?). This immense wealth was built from his firm, Standard Oil, which he grew from a small operation to one that eventually controlled 90% of the US oil refinery business. This occurred during a period many now refer to as "The Gilded Age". The Gilded Age was a time during the Industrial Revolution boom where unregulated capitalism and non-existent anti-trust laws allowed for the consolidation of immense wealth by individuals like Rockfella in Oil, Carnie in Steel, and JP Morgan in Finance. The age came to an end with progressives like Teddy Roosevelt coming to power, breaking up the big trusts, and instituting reforms to regulate industries and limit the influence corporations and the ultra-wealthy can have on politics. Fast forward to 2026, and the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, is projected to become a Trillionaire (With a T) after his company SpaceX launches its IPO on June 12th. There are 16 other Americans who can be classified as "Centibillionaires" ($100 Billion), and this number has been increasing every year. Having such extreme wealth in the hands of a few gives credence to the notion that we are now living in the Gilded Age 2.0. **Questions to Consider:** 1\. Is it necessarily bad to have so many billionaires? 2\. Are there lessons we can draw on from the first Gilded Age? 3\. Will we see our own "Progressive" backlash against mega\-corporations and the ultra\-wealthy?

Greetings - Blessings to everyone! We welcome you to join us for our House Kirtan Concert on **Sunday, June 7** in **Bethesda MD** (address below). 4***:00 - 6:00 pm.*** ***We chant the Hanuman Chalisa at 4 pm –there is a break after the Chalisa and the regular chanting begins at 4:30 pm*** \~\~ ***Doors open at 3:45 pm - come early to get settled*** \~\~ *(**Please note:** this will also be live streamed on **Facebook Live** – on our chanting page – **Bhakti Chant Kirtan)*** This is a private residence - open to the public - all are welcome - bring a friend, the family, the kids, the parents, the spouse, the tribe - comfortable setting. If you want to sit on the floor, it might be wise to bring something to sit on - Zafu or pillow or the like. *This is chanting with meditation* \- we chant in Sanskrit and English\, mantras and bhajans\, honoring the many aspects of the Divine\. Feel free to bring a percussion instrument, if you are moved to do so. (This will be percussion by committee!) ***Donation***: Suggested $10-20 (no one turned away) **On Paypal:** paypal.me/RufusJuskus **On Venmo**: Rufus-Juskus Snacks afterwards Many thanks -- peace and blessings to all! 


-Rufus Juskus **Address:** **5914 Johnson Ave** **Bethesda MD 20817** NOTE: The announcement page for this event on Facebook is here: https://www.facebook.com/share/18AgN2hq8E/

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy,”** on findings, debates and trends in the use of psychedelic substances to treat trauma and other conditions, with Whitney Marris, instructor at the University of Buffalo’s School of Social Work, certified psychedelic-assisted therapy facilitator, and consultant to clinical trials. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-psychedelic-assisted-therapy](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-psychedelic-assisted-therapy) .] Psychedelics are rapidly moving from the margins into the mainstream, and questions abound as the sociocultural and legal landscapes surrounding them shift. President Trump’s recent executive order expanding access to psychedelic drugs for certain conditions and accelerating research on them has both heightened interest and added to confusion. Learn more about the so-called “Psychedelic Renaissance,” and get help separating the hope from the hype surrounding it, with Whitney Marris, a leading trainer and facilitator of psychedelic therapy who has used it to treat trauma survivors, military veterans, and people with cancer. She’ll present foundational information on what we know about how psychedelics work. You’ll learn how psychedelic-assisted therapy differs from “trip sitting” and about what we know about the effects of “microdosing” versus “macrodosing.” We’ll examine what has been demonstrated to be helpful versus harmful before, during, and after a dosing session intended to support significant, sustainable change. Marris also will discuss the historical and cultural context of the use of psychedelic medicines for healing, and she’ll describe the ethical challenges that arise as such practices move from counterculture to clinic. We’ll look at emerging and evolving findings in the field, as well as at the roles being played by various financial interests and ideologies in determining the direction of psychedelic-assisted therapy and research on its outcomes. Attendees will gain an awareness of the need for new professional standards and regulatory guardrails related to such work, and they’ll leave knowing key questions to ask potential providers of psychedelic-assisted therapy. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

Loop around Lake Accotink. **Meet at Lake Accotink Park carousel parking area.** Trail is fairly flat, paved and gravel, easy, brisk walking. A few steep sections Views of Lake Accotink About 4 miles. We will leave promptly at **600 pm**, please arrive early so you are ready. We walk briskly, not this is not an evening stroll. The rest rooms at the meeting spot are closed for renovation. Make sure to bring water. We will meet at the traffic circle near the carousel. Goggle maps calls it Lake Accotink Park. You can park at the Hemming Ave lot, or under the railway bridge. the lot at the carousel is small and usually full.

• What we'll do On https://blackecon101.podbean.com/ Thursdays at 6 pm. discussing the economy....

**👉 Please [RSVP on Luma](https://luma.com/pubkey-aqxx)** Strategy holds more bitcoin than any other public company on earth, and along the way it's become one of the most talked-about, and most polarizing, names in both finance and Bitcoin. Join us at PubKey for a candid conversation with two people living inside that story: **CJ (Chaitanya Jain)**, Strategy's Head of Investor Relations, and **Ella Hough**, who leads Bitcoin advocacy at the company. ​ Moderated by **John Balkam**, CMO of [Sovreign](https://sovreign.io/?utm_source=luma), the discussion goes behind the headlines into what it's actually like to execute the Bitcoin Treasury playbook in real time. CJ and Ella will talk about working alongside leaders like executive chairman Michael Saylor and CEO Phong Le, navigating Strategy's role as a lightning rod for both believers and critics, and the personal convictions that brought them to the company. Expect a frank look at the strategy, the scrutiny, and the people behind the world's largest corporate Bitcoin bet. **👉 Please [RSVP on Luma](https://luma.com/pubkey-aqxx)** ​**About the Bitcoin District Initiative** This event was organized by The Bitcoin District Initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to build a grassroots Bitcoin circular economy in Washington, DC through education, business onboarding, and community outreach programs. If you’d like to get involved or support the Initiative, visit [bitcoindistrictinitiative.org](https://bitcoindistrictinitiative.org/?utm_source=luma).

Topic to be announced. **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/ **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8 Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

**The Behavior Gap: Where Products Win or Lose** Teams today have more data than ever, and yet many still struggle to understand why customers adopt, engage with, or abandon their products. Teams sprint, ship faster, and chase more signals… all while metrics stall and confidence drops. The missing piece isn’t more data. It’s often the behavioral insight between the metrics, explaining why the numbers move in the first place. Dashboards can tell you what customers did, but understanding why they did it (and how to influence what they do next) requires a deeper blend of insights. This session is about closing that gap. Drawing from real-world experience designing and scaling products as [ZoCo Design](https://zocodesign.com/)’s CEO, [Lacey](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laceypicazo/) will share how to cut through the noise and identify the insights that actually change behavior—moving people, and moving metrics. You’ll learn: * Why understanding customer behavior is a quant and qual challenge * How to spot the signals that actually predict behavior change * Where AI accelerates insight, and where it creates distraction * How to get meaningfully closer to customers, without adding more tools This talk reframes how to evaluate performance and identify what levers actually improve it, helping your team to make smarter bets with greater confidence. Every meaningful outcome is driven by behavior change. And when you know how to design for behavior, you stop guessing, and start building things that work. **About Our Speaker** [Lacey Picazo](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laceypicazo/) is the Founder and CEO of ZoCo, a healthcare product studio that turns complex, high-stakes ideas into products that drive real-world adoption. She partners with healthcare organizations to uncover critical care delivery insights, focus product strategy through behavior design, and build solutions that patients and providers actually use. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

## 🤝 Host Information A co-hosted event by ProductTank Columbus & Women in Product Columbus 💡 About the Workshop AI adoption is stalling across organizations — not because of a lack of motivation or tools, but because it's fundamentally a behavior design challenge. This hands-on workshop applies proven Behavior Design models and methods to help you move from a vague organizational wish to boost AI adoption to 3-5 concrete, testable interventions you can act on starting tomorrow. Whether you're a product manager, on a product team, or just someone trying to get AI to actually stick at work, you'll leave with a clear picture of what's worth focusing on, what to ignore, and how to drive real, sustained adoption — no guesswork required. 🛠️ What to Bring Laptop: Fully charged and ready to go. AI Assistant: Have your favorite AI assistant pulled up. (Dom will be using Claude, but feel free to use whichever assistant you prefer!) 🍕 Logistics & Perks Food & Drink: Pizza and drinks provided! Parking: Plenty of free spaces available on-site. ###

QA or the Highway is a one-day, affordable, regional, professional conference featuring real-world experience and thought leadership in the QA and testing industry. This is a ticketed event please register here: https://www.qaorthehwy.com/ Featured Keynote Speakers: **Matthew-Hope Eland** **(Wizard at Leading EDJE)** \- An AI Specialist and Wizard at Leading EDJE who is known to teach software engineering\, AI\, and data science concepts in the most ridiculous ways possible\. Matt has used machine learning to settle debates over whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie\, reinforcement learning to drive the behavior of digital squirrels\, data analytics to suggest improvements to his favorite TV show\, and AI agents to play board games and create an AI agent with the personality of a dog\. Matt is the author of "Data Science in \.NET with Polyglot Notebooks" and "Refactoring with C\#" as well as several LinkedIn Learning courses\. Matt helps organize the Central Ohio \.NET Developer Group\, runs several blogs and a YouTube channel\, has a Master’s of Science in Data Analytics\, and is a current Microsoft MVP in AI and \.NET\. **Tatyana Arbouzova** **(CEO at Innovate QA)** \- Tatyana Arbouzova is an engineering and business leader with a strong background in Quality Engineering across multiple industries\, including Big Tech\, Healthcare\, and Entertainment\. She has held leadership roles at world\-class companies such as Microsoft\, VMware\, Disney\, and The Pokémon Company International\, where she focused on building quality\-driven cultures and scaling teams to deliver high\-impact products\. With decades of experience\, Tatyana has helped organizations transform their quality practices so teams can deliver software efficiently\, confidently\, and with measurable business outcomes\. Today\, Tatyana advises software companies on adopting AI to optimize quality practices and improve how software is delivered at scale\. She is also a passionate community builder and the founder of Innovate QA\, a thriving Seattle\-based community and conference for quality professionals\.