Episode 169: As families prepare to gather for Thanksgiving, hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada offer advice about how to navigate potentially uncomfortable political discussions.

Kyte emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries on attitudes, not topics. He encourages families to approach discussions with a charitable mindset, seeking to understand differing perspectives rather than score political points.

The hosts discussed a recent Huff Post column in which the writer says she has decided to cancel Thanksgiving and Christmas with her family because of how they voted.

The hosts agree that family members have the responsibility to model positive behavior, especially for children, and to show that it’s possible to have civil conversations about important issues. They also stress the value of being informed about political matters at all levels of government, not just the national stage.

About the hosts

Scott Rada is a digital strategist with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is also the author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way)."

Episode 168: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the complex topic of regret and how it can shape our lives.

The discussion explores the distinction between regret and remorse, with Kyte explaining that regret involves wishing for different outcomes, while remorse is tied to actions that have hurt others. They emphasize the importance of learning from regrets to inform future decisions, rather than dwelling on the past.

They agree that consulting one's "future self" to avoid making choices that may lead to future regrets is helpful. One of the biggest regrets people can have, the hosts say, is not acting sooner and moving forward, instead spending too much time ruminating about the past.

Read more

It’s time to make peace with your regrets, by Vasundhara Sawhney, Harvard Business Review

What Is the power of regret? A conversation with Daniel Pink, by Josh Wright, Behavioral Scientist

World Regret Survey

The secret to living without regrets, by Jason Feifer, One Thing Better

About the hosts

Scott Rada is a digital strategist with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is also the author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way)."

Episode 167: In a world that often feels increasingly rude, hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the challenge of combating incivility in our everyday lives.

The rise in rudeness can be largely attributed to heightened stress and anxiety levels worldwide. "When people are stressed, they are not on their best behavior," Kyte said. "They're less patient with others and more prone to reacting impulsively."

This dynamic can play out in a variety of settings, from the workplace to public spaces such as retail stores and on the road. But Kyte emphasizes that not all rude behavior is equal. He distinguishes between occasional lapses in civility, which may stem from neglect or preoccupation, and chronic, intentional rudeness that often comes from a place of dislike for others.

The hosts also delve into the contagious nature of both rudeness and kindness, underscoring the responsibility we all have in shaping the social environments we inhabit. By supporting customer service workers, reaching out to loved ones, and being open to positive interactions with strangers, individuals can help foster more considerate behavior.

Read more

Rudeness may be contagious, but kindness is communicable, by Richard Kyte

How to deal with rude people at work (10 effective steps), Indeed

New research shows that workplace rudeness is 'contagious,' by Megan Border, Anderson School of Management

Coping With The Rise Of Incivility, by Joyce Russell, Forbes

The increase in road rage, The Washington Post

About the hosts

Scott Rada is a digital strategist with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is also the author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way)."

Episode 166: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada debate the value of existing federal holidays and the potential for adding new ones.

The discussion begins by examining the dual functions of holidays — some serve as occasions for celebration, while others are meant to encourage reverence and reflection on national values.

While the hosts support making Election Day a federal holiday, there was less agreement about what to do with Columbus Day. Both hosts agree that the holiday should be scrapped, but the suggestion to turn it into Explorer's Day was only embraced by Rada.

Throughout the discussion, Kyte expressed skepticism about adding too many new federal holidays, citing concerns that they often become more about commercial opportunities than meaningful observance.

About the hosts

Scott Rada is a digital strategist with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is also the author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way)."

Episode 165: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the troubling decline of trust in American institutions. From government and science to religion and media, public faith in once-revered pillars of society has plummeted in recent years.

Kyte attributes this crisis to reduced interdependence and collaboration among citizens. "We don't depend on other people in the course of our daily lives nearly as much as previous generations did," he said. "We've lost the habit of working together."

This erosion of casual, face-to-face interactions has fueled a growing cynicism, with many Americans increasingly distrustful of experts and authority figures.

The hosts also examine the role of media, noting how a "mean world syndrome" — a focus on negative news — can contribute to a sense of despair and distrust.

"Media's focus on bad news creates a sense of despair and distrust in the world," Kyte said.

Kyte also distinguishes between healthy skepticism, which questions knowledge claims, and destructive cynicism, which stems from a negative view of human nature. He advocates for cultivating hope — a belief in the fundamental goodness of people.

About the hosts

Scott Rada is a digital strategist with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is also the author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way)."

Episode 164: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada talk about the transformative world of online dating apps and their influence on how people connect in the 21st century.

While dating apps have made it easier for many to find potential partners, the hosts agree that they also can increase stress and anxiety around relationships. The conversation explores how increased digital interaction can impact happiness and interpersonal dynamics, with Kyte emphasizing the importance of using online tools to complement, rather than substitute, real-life engagement.

The episode also examines the geographical and cultural implications of online dating, and the hosts discuss whether these apps have the power to break down barriers and foster greater diversity, or if they may instead contribute to a sense of alienation. They also delve into the age-old debate of "opposites attract," analyzing the role of complementary personalities in successful relationships.

About the hosts

Scott Rada is a digital strategist with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is also the author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way)."

Episode 163: With the presidential election just weeks away, the latest episode of The Ethical Life podcast explores the complex challenge of engaging with undecided voters.

Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss how the shrinking pool of undecided voters reflects the growing polarization in American politics.

"We've become much more polarized, and that could be that there's less overlap between views of Democrats and Republicans," Kyte explains. He notes that in 2016, about 10% of voters were undecided a month before the election, but that number has dropped to just 3 to 4% this year.

The hosts examine the different strategies campaigns are using to reach these elusive undecided voters, from large rallies aimed at energizing the base to individual door-to-door canvassing efforts. They also critique the formulaic, emotionally driven campaign ads that dominate the airwaves in battleground states.

The discussion challenges the common perception of undecided voters as disengaged. Kyte says a recent article in The Atlantic suggests "there are people who've been paying attention more than the rest of us" and are genuinely grappling with complex issues.

The hosts also tackle the ethical dilemma of whether it's appropriate for campaigns to focus on specific issues they believe will resonate with undecided voters in key states, even if those issues aren't the most pressing national concerns.

Read more

Richard Kyte: Voters face hard truths as Election Day nears

About the hosts

Scott Rada is a digital strategist with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is also the author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way)."

Episode 162: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada explore the importance of self-awareness and how to strike a balance between adapting to external circumstances and staying true to one's core values.

Kyte emphasizes the challenge of developing an accurate self-identity, noting the powerful influence of self-deception. He suggests that being part of a community with honest, caring friends can help recalibrate one's self-perception.

The discussion delves into the potential negative impact of social media on self-identity, particularly for younger people, and the need to filter out random online opinions in favor of feedback from trusted individuals. The conversation also examines the role of introspection and self-knowledge, drawing on Sigmund Freud's metaphor of the iceberg to illustrate the conscious and unconscious aspects of the mind.

Generational differences in the workplace are also explored, with Kyte explaining how cultural phenomena within certain professions can lead to harsh treatment of newcomers. The experts discuss the sensitivity of younger generations, which they attribute to the decline in robust interpersonal relationships and the impact of social media.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

How to reinvent your self-Identity and live your best life, by Nida Leardprasopsuk, Forbes

In defense of soft, weak Zoomers, by Matt Yglesias, Slow Boring

About the hosts

Scott Rada is a digital strategist with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is also the author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way)."