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. Kyte is also the author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way)." Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify.
…
continue reading
Scott Rada Podcasts
Let's have mindfully authentic conversations of yoga on and off the mat to awaken and inspire the spirit. Join me each week on your favorite platform.
…
continue reading

1
How can we encourage others when anxiety is everywhere?
45:26
45:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:26Episode 203: Anxiety seems to have become a defining feature of modern life. Despite living in one of the safest and most prosperous periods in human history, rates of unease, worry and fear are rising — especially in developed nations. Why is that? And more importantly, what can each of us do to help those around us feel more secure, confident and…
…
continue reading

1
Is creativity suffering because we’re never unplugged?
47:36
47:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:36Episode 202: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada agree that smartphones and apps can make life more efficient, but they also worry these tools are making it harder to think deeply, reflect and create. The hosts discuss how the constant stream of notifications, tasks and digital distractions — what some experts call “sludge” — leaves little room for q…
…
continue reading

1
Is gentleness outdated — or more necessary than ever?
44:14
44:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:14Episode 201: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada dive into a virtue that’s often dismissed in modern society: gentleness. The discussion began with a simple LinkedIn post Kyte shared about how much he’s come to value gentleness in others — particularly when reflecting on mentors, teachers and leaders who shaped his life. The post sparked numerous res…
…
continue reading

1
Is delaying adulthood a sign of self-awareness or immaturity?
49:04
49:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:04Episode 200: What makes someone an adult? Is it a job? A mortgage? A family? Or something harder to define, like emotional maturity or civic contribution? In this 200th episode of The Ethical Life podcast, hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada explore how our expectations around growing up have shifted and whether the long arc toward independence seen …
…
continue reading

1
How do you know when it’s time to walk away?
43:46
43:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:46Episode 199: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada take a closer look at quitting, not as a failure, but as a potentially wise — and even ethical — choice. Using Jason Feifer’s recent column as a starting point, the two explore how our cultural celebration of grit and perseverance can trap us in situations that no longer serve us, whether it’s a dead-e…
…
continue reading

1
How would you respond to these four ethical dilemmas?
47:04
47:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:04Episode 198: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada are off this week, so we looked back through our show archives and are sharing four of our favorite ethical dilemmas from the past few months. Topics include whether to reimburse someone for the cost of gas, what to do if you think someone at your gym doesn't belong there and how important it is not to…
…
continue reading

1
What if the best ideas for America are the ones no one wants to hear?
49:11
49:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:11Episode 197: It’s easy to complain about what’s wrong with the country. It’s much harder to suggest meaningful solutions — especially when those solutions are bound to be unpopular. Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada take a different approach. Instead of lamenting what’s broken, they each offer three ideas they believe would make life in America bet…
…
continue reading

1
Should admiration for Amish culture include a closer look at its harms?
45:54
45:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:54Episode 196: The Amish are often portrayed as paragons of simplicity, faith and hard work — living peacefully in the countryside, growing food without chemicals and raising barns as a community. In an era of rapid change and digital burnout, their lifestyle can seem idyllic, even enviable. But are we overlooking serious ethical concerns in favor of…
…
continue reading

1
What’s keeping employees from feeling engaged at work?
39:09
39:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
39:09Episode 195: Everyone says they want a motivated team. But when it comes to actually fostering a workplace where people care about their jobs — and feel like they matter — most companies fall short. Hosts Scott Rada and Rick Kyte explore why efforts to improve workplace culture so often miss the mark. Instead of focusing on deeper needs like trust,…
…
continue reading

1
Who gets to decide what the American Dream really means?
48:04
48:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:04Episode 194: For generations, the American Dream has been portrayed as a promise of success — a good job, a home to call your own and a better life for your family. But in 2025, that dream looks very different depending on where you live and who you ask. Hosts Scott Rada and Rick Kyte explore how lifestyle choices have become a new front in America…
…
continue reading

1
What do manners reveal about our moral values?
42:03
42:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:03Episode 193: Hosts Scott Rada and Richard Kyte explore the erosion of social etiquette in American life and why it may be more consequential than it first appears. From rising road rage and customer service outbursts to the coarse tone of online discourse, the episode looks at how rudeness has become more visible — and perhaps more accepted. One re…
…
continue reading

1
How can we reclaim the curiosity we had when we were kids?
43:04
43:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:04Episode 192: Hosts Scott Rada and Richard Kyte delve into the critical role of curiosity in modern life, examining how individuals can maintain a sense of wonder and learning throughout their personal and professional journeys. The discussion highlights how children naturally embody curiosity, constantly exploring and questioning the world around t…
…
continue reading

1
How can we benefit from healthy disagreement and debate?
42:55
42:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:55Episode 191: In an era where arguments often erupt into shouting matches or retreat into silence, hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada explore how we can disagree better — and why it matters more than ever. Drawing on insights from philosophy, journalism, childhood play and even sports fandom, the conversation unfolds into a thoughtful examination of …
…
continue reading

1
Are we avoiding important conversations about death?
44:39
44:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:39Episode 190: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the complex and often uncomfortable topic of what constitutes a "good death" in modern society. They discuss the challenges of medical technology's ability to prolong life, even when the quality of life has significantly diminished. Kyte emphasizes that death is inherently painful, both physica…
…
continue reading
Angie Tiwari has been practicing yoga her entire life. She grew up in an Indian Hindu household where breathing techniques, poses, and chanting were the norm. But when she rediscovered yoga in gyms/studios, it felt so far removed from the practice that she knew she didn’t actually recognize them as the same. Since then, she has been on a mission to…
…
continue reading

1
How does revenge shape our politics and relationships?
45:05
45:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:05Episode 189: Hosts Scott Rada and Richard Kyte delve into the ethical tension between justice and revenge, revealing how these seemingly similar concepts diverge in motives, processes and outcomes. To illustrate the contrast, Kyte draws on the symbol of Lady Justice: blindfolded, holding scales and a sword — a figure meant to represent impartiality…
…
continue reading

1
How can parents balance career guidance without adding pressure?
47:48
47:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:48Episode 188: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss how parents influence their children's understanding of work and career choices, highlighting the delicate balance between guiding and pressuring young people toward professional paths. Drawing from personal experiences, the hosts emphasize the importance of exposing children to diverse career …
…
continue reading

1
Why is empathy a taboo term in some conservative circles?
40:34
40:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:34Episode 187: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the emerging conservative critiques that frame empathy as a potential moral liability, offering a nuanced perspective on human compassion’s psychological and ethical dimensions. Kyte explained that some Christian commentators, including figures like Allie Beth Stuckey and Joe Rigney, have begun…
…
continue reading

1
How can we find the balance in life between pleasure and meaning?
43:35
43:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:35Episode 186: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the delicate balance between pleasure-seeking and meaning-making in our fast-paced, technology-driven world. "Are we chasing quick pleasure at the cost of deeper meaning?" Rada asks at the start of the discussion. Kyte explains that these two orientations toward life often exist on a continuum …
…
continue reading

1
What draws people to spirituality over organized religion?
48:39
48:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:39Episode 185: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss a paradox in America — that even as formal religious participation declines, belief in the supernatural remains remarkably strong. According to data from the Pew Research Center, 86% of Americans believe in the existence of a soul or spirit, 83% believe in God or a universal spirit and 70% beli…
…
continue reading

1
Does temperance hold the key to responsible governance?
45:00
45:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:00Episode 184: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the concept of temperance and its waning influence in today's society. Historically considered one of the four cardinal virtues — along with wisdom, courage and justice — temperance and its connection to personal restraint and moderation have become increasingly rare in both individual and gove…
…
continue reading
Join Liz Daneu for an inspirational discussion on adapting your yoga practice following spinal fusion surgery. Learn how Liz used her personal practice and mindfulness to strengthen her yoga practice after her surgery and the power she has found in adaptive movement. With a passion for teaching yoga and leading yoga retreats, Liz offers invaluable …
…
continue reading

1
Do protests, boycotts and social media outrage actually work?
44:58
44:58
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:58Episode 183: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the sense of urgency and panic many Americans are feeling about the country's direction under the Trump administration. Kyte emphasizes the importance of getting involved at the local level, such as following city council and school board elections, rather than just focusing on national politic…
…
continue reading

1
Does greater wealth lead to increased happiness?
47:14
47:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:14Episode 182: The conversation between hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada begins by examining a recent New York Times article that explored dozens of metrics that were used to measure societal well-being in the United States. The study found that while the United States has experienced remarkable economic growth and prosperity since the 1990s, measur…
…
continue reading

1
How can you reclaim focus in a digital world?
48:13
48:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:13Episode 181: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada explore the growing challenge of maintaining focus and attention in our increasingly digital world. To combat these distractions, Kyte suggests three key strategies: cultivating face-to-face relationships, spending time in silence and engaging in creative activities. He emphasizes the importance of dis…
…
continue reading

1
How would you react to these four ethical dilemmas?
48:37
48:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:37Episode 180: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada talk through the best answers to four ethical dilemmas. One scenario involves a last-minute concert invitation where the tickets turned out to cost $75 each, despite assumptions they were free. The discussion centered on the importance of clear communication to avoid misunderstandings that could damage…
…
continue reading

1
Does confronting mortality make our lives more meaningful?
43:16
43:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:16Episode 179: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss how our awareness of mortality shapes the way we live. Kyte begins by discussing how ancient philosophers, particularly the Stoics, believed we should keep death constantly in mind. This, they argued, helps us avoid self-deception about our mortality and the tendency to become overly attached t…
…
continue reading