Think Olio

Think Olio is a home for life-long learners. We are a community of open-minded people who gather to exchange ideas with new friends and play with art, literature, and philosophy. Our core belief is that education should be an ongoing, lifelong endeavor. Think Olio was created for those who want to keep learning. With our salon-style classes, taught by college professors, we’ve cut the excess out of education - the costs, the tests and grades, the fluorescent lighting, and people who don’t really want to be there. Think Olio is not about learning a new skill or adding credentials to your resume. It is about getting together with other people and expanding our worldview. It’s about enhancing our awareness of humanity and nurturing our appreciation for the humanities. Think Olio exists as a conduit for fruitful discussions, a dissent from the regurgitation of facts, and an embrace of new perspectives. Founded by CUNY students Chris Zumtobel and David Kurfirst in March 2015, with a class in their living room, they have now held over 200 Olios at more than 30 locations. After they realized the disparity between what great teachers offer and how little they are paid, Chris and David wanted to make sure that they compensated teachers well while staying dedicated to keeping Olio prices low. These Olios are open to all curious people, regardless of educational background.