Episode 175: As the calendar turns to a new year, millions of people set out to make positive changes in their lives through New Year's resolutions. However, the success rate for these resolutions is notoriously low. Hosts Scott Rada and Rick Kyte explore the complexities and challenges of setting and achieving New Year's goals.

The hosts begin by examining why we are so drawn to making resolutions, even though many of them fail. Kyte suggests the timing plays a role, as the excess of the holiday season leads people to want to cut back in areas like spending and weight.

But Rada wonders if the timing of New Year's resolutions, at the height of winter in many parts of the country, makes them more difficult to stick to. He proposes that shifting the new year to about April 1 could be more conducive to resolutions focused on exercise, healthy eating and spending time with loved ones.

The hosts also discuss the challenge of balancing multiple resolutions, with Kyte emphasizing the importance of changing daily routines incrementally to support various goals. However, they acknowledge the conflict between our aspirations and our natural impulses, shaped by evolution to seek out calorie-dense foods and avoid physical exertion.

Rada and Kyte stress the need to find ways to make healthy activities enjoyable, such as incorporating social elements. They also highlight the value of accountability, whether through public declarations of goals or relying on peer pressure from friends.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

New Year’s resolutions: Who makes them and why? by Shanay Gracia, Pew Research Center

The psychology behind why new year’s resolutions fail, by Cynthia Vinney, Verywell Mind

How to achieve more with the right goals, 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 174: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada were joined by special guest Tim Kelley to make their predictions for the new year. Topics include cellphone bans in schools, the growth of autonomous taxis, AI breakthroughs and weaponization, the rise of vertical farming and the trajectory of energy prices. The hosts also reviewed their prior year's predictions, assessing which came true.

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)."

Guest Tim Kelley is the senior editor for products and partnerships with Lee Enterprises.

Episode 173: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss why acts of generosity often resonate so deeply with others during this time of year.

"We have such a profound desire to connect with one another, and acts of generosity, especially when we encounter it from a stranger, reaffirm for us that we're surrounded by goodness," Kyte said.

The hosts delve into how our workplace and social environments can shape our perceptions of others, making unexpected kindness all the more impactful. Kyte shared a powerful story about a friend who was helped by a stranger at a dollar store, highlighting the joy experienced by both the giver and receiver.

The discussion also touches on the importance of gratitude, the decline of personal connections in modern society and the ethics of regifting.

Read more

How an unexpected gift reminded me of what matters most, by Richard Kyte

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 172: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the ethical considerations around public disorder in cities, focusing on the growing sense that standards of conduct have slipped in many urban areas.

Kyte introduces the concept of "moral ecology," drawing a parallel to environmental ecology. He argues that a sense of security and predictability in public spaces is a vital component of a healthy moral ecology.

Rada notes that while serious crimes have declined, persistent issues like open drug use, mental illness, homelessness and lower-level offenses contribute to a pervasive feeling of unease among the public.

The hosts say that the fraying of social connections and reduced face-to-face interactions in public spaces may be a root cause of the discomfort many people feel.

Kyte emphasizes the need for more public infrastructure, such as accessible bathrooms, to address the dignity and basic needs of those experiencing homelessness, and the hosts agree that these systemic problems contribute to a broader cynicism about the ability of public institutions to effectively address community issues.

The hosts conclude by suggesting that increasing participation in local government, integrating civil service into school curricula and restoring more autonomy to municipalities could help develop localized solutions to public disorder challenges.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

Liberalism and public order, by Matthew Yglesias, Slow Boring

The Hidden Politics of Disorder, Ezra Klein, The New York Times

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 171: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the many proposals to integrate religious teachings and symbols into public school curricula and the debates over the role of faith in education.

In Texas, the state board of education recently approved an optional "Bible Literacy" curriculum that provides financial incentives for districts to adopt Bible-based lessons. Meanwhile, a federal court temporarily blocked a Louisiana law that mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in every classroom.

These initiatives, largely driven by Republican-led state governments, raise ethical questions about fairness and inclusion, Kyte said.

"Religion is really bound up in defining what a culture is," Kyte explains. "You can't separate religion and culture, so trying to exclude it from public institutions is challenging."

Rada raises questions about the true intent behind these curriculum changes. He questions whether the focus is on conveying the Sermon on the Mount's message of caring for the less fortunate or simply on displaying more punitive biblical edicts.

Kyte acknowledges the delicate balance, noting the importance of teaching religious literacy without indoctrination. He suggests integrating faith-based concepts into subjects like history, literature and political science, rather than mandating standalone Bible courses.

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 170: As the holiday season approaches, many are feeling the pull to give back to their communities. But what truly motivates us to be generous, and does the impact of our donations matter more than our reasons for giving?

Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the science behind the joy of giving, exploring research that shows donating time or money can boost mood and health.

"Much of philanthropy is motivated by the ways in which we feel good from helping others out,” Kyte said.

The hosts also talked about the balance between financial contributions and volunteering, noting that both forms of giving play important roles.

Later, the conversation shifts to the concept of "Effective Altruism," which prioritizes high-impact global donations over local community support. Kyte argued this view overlooks the vital role of strong social capital and healthy local communities in enabling effective worldwide aid efforts.

"You don't want civil society to fall apart," Kyte said. "You always have to pay attention to what the conditions are of the local community."

The podcast also explores the choice between public and anonymous donations, with Kyte noting that visible giving can inspire others, while anonymity allows donors to avoid unwanted attention.

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 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)."