Episode 107: A recent study looked at what the best places to live in America have in common. It found that people seem to thrive when inequality is low; when landownership is widespread; when social connection is high; and when corruption and violence are rare.

Host Richard Kyte and Scott Rada talk about which steps can be taken to boost the social connectivity of our cities and towns, and why rural areas often face the biggest challenges.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast:

What the best places in America have in common, by Kathryn J. Edin, H. Luke Shaefer, and Timothy J. Nelson, The Atlantic

Disinvestment in rural Kentucky leaves ‘nothing to do’ but drugs, by Liv Mann, University of Michigan

Third places help communities thrive, 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.

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