The Ethical Life

Episode 157: Hosts Scott Rada and Rick Kyte explored the profound impact of kindness on mental health, workplace culture and societal structures.

Research shows kindness benefits not only the giver and receiver, but also those who witness it, highlighting the inherently social nature of kind acts.

"It's beneficial within a community of people," Kyte said. "That's what's most interesting — we have all this evidence now of the profound ways in which we are social creatures."

But the decline of "third places," spots where people naturally interact with one another and foster kindness, was something the hosts found worrisome. This reduction in daily opportunities for kindness has the hosts worried people are losing practice in being kind. 

"We get out of practice of looking for opportunities to help one another out," Kyte said.

The discussion also touched on balancing assertiveness with kindness, using Rada's experience dealing with an insurance claim as an example. The hosts emphasized the importance of recognizing the humanity in others, even in frustrating situations.

Additionally, the hosts explored the potential risks of developing habits of treating AI assistants as people, rather than tools, warning this could negatively impact real human interactions.

The role of kindness in the workplace was another key focus, with the hosts highlighting a story about a manager who improved safety by getting to know his employees. They stressed managers' responsibility to ensure fairness and address legitimate needs within teams.

"Learning how to do that well is the mark of a good life," Kyte said. "Part of that is dealing with people."

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

Everyday kindness has the ripple effect we need, by Richard Kyte

The heart and science of kindness, by Melissa Brodrick, Harvard Health Publishing

The importance of kindness at work, by Gail Corkindale, Harvard Business Review

The mental health benefits of simple acts of kindness, American Psychiatric Association

I was addicted to my smartphone, so I switched to a flip-phone for a month, by Kashmir Hill, 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 156: Hosts Scott Rada and Rick Kyte discuss the findings of a New York Times/Siena College poll that revealed some intriguing insights into American beliefs and behaviors.

The poll found that while 88% of Americans support the legalization of marijuana for medical use, our federal policies do not reflect this widespread approval. Kyte noted that survey results don't always translate directly into policy, as there are often other practical considerations involved.

The hosts also examined the public's views on small businesses vs. large retailers. While 86% of Americans say small businesses have a positive effect, their spending habits often favor big-box stores and online giants. Rada and Kyte discussed how personal convenience and cost savings can outweigh stated beliefs about supporting local enterprises.

Other topics covered included the disconnect between the 81% who claim to believe in God and the much smaller percentage who actively practice their faith. The hosts also addressed Americans' near-constant smartphone use, with 81% keeping their devices close by, despite 57% admitting to addiction.

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 155: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the concerning trend of poor sportsmanship observed at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. 

According to Kyte, the decline in graceful acceptance of defeat is not limited to the Olympics, but is evident across various levels of sports, from professional leagues to youth athletics. He pointed to incidents of abusive behavior from parents toward referees and players as indicative of a broader societal issue. 

"There's plenty of things indicating that sportsmanship is declining, and I think it's an indication that we have as a society that's more and more focusing on the outcomes themselves and not on performance," Kyte said. 

However, Kyte also highlighted examples of athletes who demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship, such as Noah Lyles and Josh Kerr, who were able to handle both victory and defeat with humility and grace. 

The discussion also touched on the role of media coverage in shaping the public's perception of the Olympics. Rada and Kyte agreed that the extensive focus on personal stories and medal ceremonies can sometimes overshadow the raw competition and diverse range of events. 

"I really wish American coverage spent a little more time on the sports themselves," Kyte said, suggesting that the networks should aim for a more balanced and representative portrayal of the Olympic Games. 

The conversation ultimately underscored the importance of instilling values of resilience, self-compassion, and a focus on personal performance rather than solely on outcomes — lessons that can have a lasting impact on individuals and society as a whole.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

Why the real drama is often how Olympic athletes handle loss, by Richard Kyte

The crybaby Olympics, by Christopher Beam, The Atlantic

Losing gracefully is one of the most important lessons from playing sports, by Fred Bowen, The Washington Post

How to be a better loser, by Blakely Low-Scott, Psyche

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 154: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada are both off this week, so we looked back through our show’s archives and picked four of our favorite ethical dilemmas from the past year. This recurring weekly feature can be found at the end of each of our episodes. 

Topics include how to respond to a suspected bicycle thief, the ethics behind surprise parties and wedding gift etiquette.

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 153: The number of U.S. births declined last year to the lowest level since 1979, and the rate of American women of childbearing age having babies is the lowest on record. Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the many economic and cultural factors driving this downward trend, and whether this cyclical decline should be a cause for joy or concern.

Episode 152: As the back-to-school season nears, we turn our attention to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center that provides a comprehensive look at what it’s like to be a teacher in America today. The findings are revealing and concerning, showing the significant challenges and stressors educators face. Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada talk about the current state of the teaching profession and how it reflects broader societal issues.

Richard Kyte: Social bonds, digital distractions both affect how we learn

Episode 151: Summer jobs are a rite of passage for many teens, offering a first taste of independence and responsibility. But these jobs come with their own set of benefits and challenges. On the one hand, they can teach valuable skills and provide financial independence. On the other hand, they can lead to stress, exploitation, and a delicate balancing act between work and personal life.

Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss how we can ensure that the summer jobs teens take on are truly beneficial for their development without compromising their well-being.

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, and author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way).

Episode 150: From best-selling books to motivational seminars, self-help has become a billion-dollar industry, promising personal transformation and success. But behind the allure of self-improvement, there are significant ethical questions.

How do self-help gurus and authors profit from people’s vulnerabilities? What responsibilities do these leaders have towards their followers? And, as self-help encourages us to constantly strive for betterment, what pressures and potential pitfalls does this create?

Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss how to discern genuine guidance from exploitation, and what ethical framework should we apply when navigating this industry?

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

The true secret to happiness lies is helping others, Richard Kyte

5 problems with the self-help industry, by Mark Manson

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, and author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way).

Episode 149: As the fall election creeps closer, most of us think of our political divide as Red America vs. Blue America. But another way to view our nation’s fractured landscape is to sort people into two camps: idealists and pragmatists. Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss these two political philosophies, the benefits of each and whether one approach is stronger.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

Indiana is revealing the real consequences of one-party rule, by Mitch Daniels

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, and author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way).

Episode 148: On last week’s episode, we celebrated the release of Richard Kyte's new book, “Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities and Making Great Friends Along the Way.” But this is such an important topic, we thought we’d dig into it a bit more.

For those who don’t know, third places are those community spots, like coffee shops, parks and libraries, that serve as informal public gathering spaces. They are neither home nor work, but somewhere in between.

Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada talk about how regular visits to third places can foster a sense of belonging, which can lower our stress and increase our social connections.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

Finding a place where we belong can be a struggle, by Richard Kyte

If you want to belong, find a third place, by Allie Volpe, Vox

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.