Episode 128: There are ongoing talks about what can be done to better secure the southern border. And although almost everyone thinks this is an important topic, few expect any federal legislation on this issue before the election. The hosts look at the ethics that help frame the debate and what responsibility the federal government has to its citizens and those who want to immigrate here. 

Episode 127: We live in a country of laws, but it seems there are certain laws that aren’t enforced in consistent and substantial ways.

Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss three areas — chronic school absenteeism, traffic safety and shoplifting — where it seems that there isn't as much enforcement as there used to be.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast:

Skipping school: America’s hidden education crisis, by Alec MacGillis, ProPublica

America's roads are more dangerous, as police pull over fewer drivers, Martin Kaste, National Public Radio

Why are so many American pedestrians dying at night?, by By Emily Badger, Ben Blatt and Josh Katz, The New York Times Magazine

Is shoplifting really surging?, by German Lopez, The New York Times

The Slate Political Gabfest

About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager 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, Wis. His forthcoming book, "Finding Your Third Place," will be published by Fulcrum Books.

Episode 126: Whether it’s issues about health, money or family, life can give us plenty to worry about. And like many things in life, it’s probably not a bad thing in moderation. But for many people, excessive worry and anxiety can be paralyzing.

Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss why this can be a bigger problem for certain people, and they share solutions that can help people overcome this persistent problem.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast:

How to worry less and be happier, by Arthur C. Brooks. The Atlantic

About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager 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, Wis. His forthcoming book, "Finding Your Third Place," will be published by Fulcrum Books.

Episode 125: It’s impossible to go through life without feeling like someone has wronged us. Some of these offenses can be minor, while others are much more serious. Either way, we’re told, forgiving those who have harmed us has real physical and psychological benefits. 

Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss about why forgiving others can be so important, and why empathy and sincerity play key roles in the process.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast:

5 tips to help you flex your forgiveness muscle, by Andrea Kane, CNN

About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager 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, Wis. His forthcoming book, "Finding Your Third Place," will be published by Fulcrum Books.

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Episode 124: We live in a world where people have the ability to learn more about nearly any subject that piques their interest. Even if the topic you’re curious about is uncommon, it’s likely that you’ll uncover some information about it in a dusty corner of the internet.

Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada talk about why curiosity is an under-appreciated virtue and what we can to foster this behavior in others.

Curiosity is the most overlooked virtue, by Richard Kyte

About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager 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, Wis. His forthcoming book, "Finding Your Third Place," will be published by Fulcrum Books.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 123: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada are off this week, so we looked back though our show archives and are sharing four of our favorite ethical dilemmas from the past year.

Topics include whether to help a stranger in emotional distress and what to say if the table next to you at a restaurant has unruly children.

About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager 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, Wis. His forthcoming book, "Finding Your Third Place," will be published by Fulcrum Books.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 122: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada are joined by special guest Lawrence Eppard of the "Utterly Moderate Podcast" to make predictions for 2024. Topics include the conflict in the Middle East, the 2024 election and advances in technology. In addition, Kyte and Rada review their forecast for 2023 to see how many of their prognostications came true.

About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager 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, Wis. His forthcoming book, "Finding Your Third Place," will be published by Fulcrum Books. Eppard is a researcher, university professor and director of the Connors Institute.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 121: Christmas is almost here, and this is the time of the year most people are nostalgic for the past. And if you need some convincing, simply listen to how often memories of past gatherings are referenced in popular Christmas songs.

As many of us get ready to gather with family this month, hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada talk about whether we should focus on making new memories or can we simply rely on the comforts of the past?

Nostalgia is closely tied to Christmas celebrations, by Richard Kyte

About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager 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, Wis. His forthcoming book, "Finding Your Third Place," will be published by Fulcrum Books.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 120: At a time when there is little in common between the political parties, it seems most people agree that we need better candidates running for office.

Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss whether a more-knowledgeable electorate would encourage better-qualified people to run for office, and if paying our politicians more is part of the answer.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast:

Lawmakers are ditching Congress at a record pace, by Stef W. Kight, Hans Nichols and Andrew Solender, Axios

"I'm Just a Bill," Schoolhouse Rock

They’re spending thousands decorating homes No one will ever go inside, by Sarah E. Needleman, The Wall Street Journal

About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager 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, Wis. His forthcoming book, "Finding Your Third Place," will be published by Fulcrum Books.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 119: As computers get smarter and learn more about us, they’re also being built to be funnier. And unlike your friends, who use humor to build stronger relationships, the motives of these digital devices are less clear.

Host Richard Kyte and Scott Rada talk about the health benefits of laughter, how what's funny has changed over the past several years and why a sense of humor can be an important part of being a leader.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast:

Laughter has the power to turn strangers into friends, by Richard Kyte

The joke’s on us – how big tech is replicating our laughter online, by Benjamin Nickl and Christopher John Muller, The Conversation

Laughing is good for your mind and your body – here’s what the research shows, by Janet Gibson, The Conversation

Should vintage comedy be judged by today's standards, by Joel Morris, The Spectator

About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager 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, Wis. His forthcoming book, "Finding Your Third Place," will be published by Fulcrum Books.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.