Episode 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 spoil the ending of a popular TV show.

Episode 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 better. The catch? Most people don’t seem to want them.

Among the six proposals discussed are calls for ambitious housing reforms, a nationwide ban on cellphones in K-12 schools and the introduction of religious education into public school curricula. Kyte argues that American students are missing a crucial understanding of how religion shapes history, culture and personal identity — knowledge he says is essential to navigating the modern world.

Rada’s own list includes a push for year-round school calendars, a politically fraught but practical shift aimed at minimizing learning loss and offering teachers more balanced breaks throughout the year. He also calls for an end to single-family zoning, which he sees as a key driver of unaffordable housing and urban sprawl.

The two also take on one of the third rails of American politics: Social Security. Kyte proposes gradually raising the retirement age and means-testing benefits.

The episode closes with a conversation about public service. Rada argues that elected officials and their staff are vastly underpaid, leading to a lack of expertise in government and an overreliance on special interests to shape legislation.

“This might be our least popular suggestion,” Rada said. “But it’s hard to get smart policy when the people writing it are stretched thin and planning their exit strategy.”

Episode 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 nostalgia?

Hosts Scott Rada and Rick Kyte explore why Americans tend to romanticize the Amish while ignoring the costs experienced by many within those communities. The conversation begins with a moment of contrast: a social media post condemning a retailer’s retreat from diversity initiatives followed immediately by another celebrating Amish businesses as wholesome alternatives. That tension — between modern values and traditional practices — drives the discussion forward.

Together, the hosts dive into issues often absent from mainstream depictions of Amish life: restricted educational access, lack of medical care, gender inequality and the practice of shunning those who choose to leave. At the same time, they acknowledge the benefits that come with strong social ties and belonging — qualities that many modern communities struggle to maintain.

Throughout the discussion, Rada challenges whether we give the Amish a pass simply because their lifestyle appears peaceful or quaint, while Kyte urges listeners to consider what broader society might learn from their sense of purpose and interdependence. It’s a back-and-forth that wrestles with fairness, freedom and the limits of tolerance.

Episode 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, autonomy and shared purpose, organizations often reach for surface-level fixes — think free snacks, casual dress codes or even office game rooms. While those perks might sound appealing, they don’t address what really drives connection and commitment.

So what does?

Rick shares a framework he calls “RAP” — short for relationships, agency and purpose — and explains how those three elements are essential for creating meaningful work environments. The conversation takes a close look at how front-line supervisors can make or break an employee’s day-to-day experience, and why promoting the wrong kind of leader can quietly damage morale across an entire team.

Scott and Rick also discuss the growing challenges of remote work, where physical distance can make it even harder to foster a sense of belonging or shared mission. And they tackle the sometimes tricky balance between pursuing personal fulfillment and maintaining financial security — especially in a world where “following your passion” is often romanticized.

Episode 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’s ongoing cultural divide.

“Some people picture success as owning a big truck and a home with plenty of space,” Rada said. “Others see it as living in a walkable neighborhood with fewer material possessions and a smaller environmental footprint. Both claim the label of the American Dream — but they’re often in direct conflict when it comes to public policy.”

The episode looks at how zoning laws, housing shortages and infrastructure debates have turned personal preferences into political battles. Rada and Kyte discuss a growing movement called the “Abundance Agenda,” which argues that America should focus on building more — more homes, more transit, more energy — to create opportunities for everyone. However, they also warn of the risks associated with prioritizing economic growth as the sole objective.

“We’ve built systems that reward some dreams while shutting out others,” Kyte said. “And often, the people making these decisions aren’t the ones feeling the consequences.”

The episode also highlights recent political messaging that encourages Americans to settle for less, such as higher prices or fewer product choices, in the name of national interest. Kyte and Rada debate whether that kind of sacrifice is a noble calling or a political distraction.

In the end, the hosts agree that America’s real challenge may not be choosing between big trucks or bike lanes, but learning how to make space for both.

“Our democracy works best when people are willing to compromise and respect different paths to a meaningful life,” Kyte said. “The question is whether we’re still willing to do that.”

Episode 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 recent Pew Research Center study found that nearly half of Americans believe people have become ruder since the COVID-19 pandemic, though most don’t see themselves as part of the problem.

The conversation touches on generational divides, including sharp differences in attitudes toward profanity, and explores how digital communication and AI-driven systems reshape civility expectations. Kyte also reflects on his own classroom experiences and the ways formality and politeness in education have shifted over time.

Rather than seeing manners as outdated relics, Kyte argues they play a vital role in building trust, humility and cooperation. While norms constantly evolve, he cautions against the assumption that abandoning them altogether leads to greater freedom. Instead, he calls for a redefinition of etiquette that upholds respect and reinforces a more community-minded society.

Episode 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 them. However, as people age, this innate sense of wonder often diminishes, replaced by routine and narrow professional focus.

Kyte emphasizes the importance of asking questions and challenging existing beliefs. He notes that many educational systems prioritize test scores and information retention over genuine understanding and intellectual exploration.

The podcast explores several key challenges to maintaining curiosity, including:

The hosts think curiosity is closely linked to humility, suggesting that truly curious individuals must be willing to admit what they don't know and remain open to changing their understanding.

They also critique modern educational and professional systems that often discourage questioning and prioritize narrow expertise. The podcast suggests that individuals should actively work to maintain their sense of wonder, continually seeking new knowledge and perspectives.

Episode 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 how disagreement has shifted in our culture. The hosts argue that we’ve increasingly lost sight of what disagreement is meant to do: open our minds, sharpen our thinking and strengthen our democratic institutions. Instead, disagreement has become a contest to be won, often reduced to emotionally charged sound bites or dismissed entirely.

Kyte recounts a scene of children negotiating the rules of a flag football game, using it as a metaphor for the character-building that underpins both democracy and self-governance. He connects these playground moments to the deterioration of civic norms, highlighting our increasing acceptance of executive overreach and our mistrust of those enforcing rules, ranging from referees to elected officials.

The hosts also reflect on their experiences navigating disagreements at work, in relationships and even online. They differentiate between healthy disagreement and toxic confrontation, emphasizing the importance of humility, curiosity, and mutual respect. 

They caution, too, that constructive disagreement isn’t always appropriate. Silence or solidarity may be more ethical than critique in moments of grief, stress or unity. But avoiding all disagreement, they warn, risks eroding creativity, growth, and understanding — not just in politics or the workplace, but in our everyday lives.

Ultimately, this episode is a call to reclaim disagreement as a civic skill. It’s not just about speaking up — it’s about listening well, staying engaged and valuing the process of understanding even when consensus is elusive.

Episode 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 physically and emotionally, and argues that the focus should be on avoiding unnecessarily prolonged suffering.

The hosts explore various aspects of end-of-life care, highlighting the importance of advanced directives and open family conversations. Kyte strongly advocates for individuals to prepare comprehensive end-of-life documents, including appointing a durable power of attorney and clearly communicating personal wishes to family members.

A significant portion of the conversation addresses the controversial topic of medical aid in dying. While 10 states currently have laws allowing terminally ill patients to choose medical assistance in ending their lives, Kyte expresses reservations. He believes the medical profession's primary role should be to save lives and relieve suffering, not to end them actively.

The hosts also discuss the modern practice of "outsourcing" death care, contrasting current funeral practices with historical approaches where families were more directly involved in preparing and mourning their deceased loved ones. They argued that this distancing has contributed to society's discomfort with discussing death.

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 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 and measured response. Revenge, by contrast, is fueled by emotion and often lacks balance or mercy.

The conversation spans everything from classic Westerns to contemporary political discourse. Kyte notes that revenge has long been a powerful storytelling device, particularly in films where personal retribution collides with the rise of law and order. But the desire to get even, he warns, can also corrode trust in real-world institutions.

That concern is especially visible in modern politics. Kyte points to President Donald Trump, who has made retribution a recurring theme — both on the campaign trail and in office. Using political power to settle personal scores, Kyte argues, undermines democratic norms and risks turning governance into a vendetta.

Later, the episode turns toward everyday life. From workplace slights to social media feuds, revenge often masquerades as justice. But as one district attorney told Rada, victims of identical crimes may respond in vastly different ways — some seeking harsh punishment, others showing surprising compassion.

Kyte cautions that vengeance rarely delivers what it promises. According to philosopher Simone Weil, Kyte said that imagined evil can seem thrilling, but real evil is often dull, painful, and empty. Instead of ruminating about harm, he urges listeners to cultivate habits of empathy, forgiveness, and moral clarity.

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)."