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. Kyte is also the author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way)."
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Episode 186: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the delicate balance between pleasure-seeking and meaning-making in our fast-paced, technology-driven world.
"Are we chasing quick pleasure at the cost of deeper meaning?" Rada asks at the start of the discussion. Kyte explains that these two orientations toward life often exist on a continuum — pleasure-seeking is passive and short-term, while meaning-making is active and long-term.
The hosts note that society seems to have tilted heavily toward the pleasure-seeking side in recent decades, fueled by advances in technology and brain science that allow companies to engineer highly addictive digital experiences and products. From social media and online gaming to streaming television and convenient but unhealthy food, these stimuli provide instant gratification that can come at the expense of more meaningful pursuits.
"Pleasure-seeking is always shorter term because it is immediate gratification, while meaning-making is more long-term and goal-oriented," Kyte says. He worries this shift has led people to prioritize controlled, predictable digital interactions over the unpredictability of real-life relationships and activities.
The hosts acknowledge the personal responsibility people have in finding a healthier balance. They suggest taking up hobbies, joining community groups and setting aside time for reading — activities that restore energy rather than deplete it. However, they also believe there is a role for public policy, especially when it comes to protecting children.
Episode 185: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss a paradox in America — that even as formal religious participation declines, belief in the supernatural remains remarkably strong.
According to data from the Pew Research Center, 86% of Americans believe in the existence of a soul or spirit, 83% believe in God or a universal spirit and 70% believe in an afterlife. These findings suggest that while fewer people identify with organized religion, the human need for spiritual and supernatural explanations persists.
"It seems to go deep in human nature," Kyte said. "Human beings want answers to why questions like, 'Why am I here? What's the purpose of my life?'"
Kyte explained that while science has provided explanations for many of the "how" questions, religion continues to play a role in addressing the deeper "why" questions that science cannot fully answer. This desire for meaning and purpose beyond the physical world appears to be a fundamental part of the human experience.
The discussion also explored the role of religion in providing community, support and a sense of purpose, particularly during difficult times. Kyte emphasized the importance of religious practices and rituals in helping individuals develop the habits and disciplines necessary for a "meaningful life."
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 184: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the concept of temperance and its waning influence in today's society.
Historically considered one of the four cardinal virtues — along with wisdom, courage and justice — temperance and its connection to personal restraint and moderation have become increasingly rare in both individual and governmental decision-making.
Kyte argues that our collective lack of self-restraint has contributed to many of the challenges facing modern society. He draws a parallel between the rise of a "disposable culture" and the way we govern, noting that the prevalence of nondurable goods and a focus on short-term gratification mirror the fiscal irresponsibility seen in growing personal and national debt.
The conversation then turns to the implications of this lack of temperance, both in the private sector and in government. The hosts examine the example of Elon Musk's recent efforts to slash government programs, questioning whether this approach represents a responsible use of power or a reckless disregard for the proper channels of governance.
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 183: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the sense of urgency and panic many Americans are feeling about the country's direction under the Trump administration.
Kyte emphasizes the importance of getting involved at the local level, such as following city council and school board elections, rather than just focusing on national politics.
The conversation then turns to economic boycotts, with Rada noting that some people are choosing not to patronize companies they believe are supporting policies they disagree with. The hosts also discuss traditional protests, particularly the contrast between the recent campus activism around the Israel-Gaza conflict and the relative lack of large-scale protests against the new administration's policies. Kyte suggests that while such protests may feel personally satisfying, they are often counterproductive in actually changing minds.
The conversation then explores the role of social media in political discourse, with Rada noting the tendency for people to vent their frustrations in echo chambers that reinforce their views. Kyte emphasizes the importance of honest, nuanced conversations over emotional venting, arguing that the latter is unlikely to persuade those with differing opinions.
The episode also touches on the concept of "tone policing," where people are accused of dismissing others' anger based on how it is expressed. Kyte pushes back against this idea, arguing that respectful disagreement is important for healthy discourse.
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 182: The conversation between hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada begins by examining a recent New York Times article that explored dozens of metrics that were used to measure societal well-being in the United States.
The study found that while the United States has experienced remarkable economic growth and prosperity since the 1990s, measures of happiness and overall well-being have not kept pace.
"There was little disagreement about that," Rada said. "At the same time, they looked at things like trying to measure people's happiness and things like addiction and things like long longevity, and all of these things were either not growing at the same rate as they were in the other wealthy countries in the world or were getting worse."
Kyte attributed this disconnect to the United States' highly materialistic culture, noting that countries such as Japan experienced similar declines in well-being as they became more prosperous and focused on material goods. In contrast, the island of Okinawa, which maintained a focus on tradition, community and relationships, saw much higher levels of happiness.
The discussion also explored the role of income inequality, with the U.S. ranking among the highest in the world for income disparity. Kyte explained that this can create stress and a sense of unfairness, even among those who are relatively well-off.
The conversation delved into the limits of how much money can truly contribute to happiness, with Kyte explaining that once basic needs are met, additional wealth does not necessarily lead to greater fulfillment. Instead, he emphasized the importance of cultivating meaningful relationships and intrinsic sources of joy.
Links to stories discussed during the podcast
Why Americans older than 60 are so happy, by Emily Peck, Axios
Ted Talk: Why monkeys (and humans) are wired for fairness, by Sarah Brosnan
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 181: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada explore the growing challenge of maintaining focus and attention in our increasingly digital world.
To combat these distractions, Kyte suggests three key strategies: cultivating face-to-face relationships, spending time in silence and engaging in creative activities. He emphasizes the importance of disconnecting from phones during social gatherings to fully engage with others, as well as the value of quiet reflection to develop deep focus.
The discussion also explores the concept of depth versus breadth of experience.
Kyte explains that while breadth involves a wide variety of activities, depth requires focusing on a single thing in greater detail. The hosts agree that deeply focusing on one task can lead to a greater sense of accomplishment compared to multitasking, which the research shows is detrimental to productivity and focus.
Links to stories discussed during the podcast
Attention spans are declining. Here's how to reverse the trend, by Richard Kyte
The real stakes of the war for your attention, by Sean Illing, Vox
Chris Hayes' 'Sirens' Call' is a thorough look at the fight for attention in modern age, by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press
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 180: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada talk through the best answers to four ethical dilemmas.
One scenario involves a last-minute concert invitation where the tickets turned out to cost $75 each, despite assumptions they were free. The discussion centered on the importance of clear communication to avoid misunderstandings that could damage friendships.
Other dilemmas include how to deal with a rude traveler at an airport, how to handle a constantly complaining elderly relative and a cat-sitting situation where the owner gave the host an expired gift card, prompting a debate on the ethics of regifting.
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 179: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss how our awareness of mortality shapes the way we live.
Kyte begins by discussing how ancient philosophers, particularly the Stoics, believed we should keep death constantly in mind. This, they argued, helps us avoid self-deception about our mortality and the tendency to become overly attached to material possessions and markers of success.
Later, the hosts discuss how major religions have grappled with the question of what happens after death. While some offer detailed explanations, Kyte notes that not all religions provide clear answers. He suggests the emphasis in Christianity, for example, is more on how to live well rather than specifics about the afterlife.
Rada and Kyte share their personal reflections on mortality. Rada admits he doesn't think about it much, while Kyte says he ponders it daily, not in a morbid way, but to remind himself to use his finite time wisely. They discuss how people near the end of life often shift their priorities to relationships, forgiveness and small joys.
A key theme that emerges is the importance of storytelling and self-reflection in giving meaning to our lives. Rada observes that unlike animals, humans have a unique ability to narrate our experiences and define our identities through internal conversations. Kyte emphasizes how this helps us understand our place in time and our connections to others.
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 178: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss failure and how successful people often view it as an important part of achieving their goals.
Kyte explains that he is a proponent of not being afraid of failure, recounting how, as a young skier, he made it a goal to fall down frequently in order to improve, rather than just trying to make it down the hill without falling. He says this mindset of not being afraid to fail or look ignorant has served him well throughout his life and career.
The discussion then turns to how many successful people, when reflecting on their careers, often cite their failures as important learning experiences that helped them achieve greatness.
The conversation also touches on the role of luck in success, with Kyte arguing that successful people often downplay the significant impact luck has played in their achievements.
Links to stories discussed during the podcast
The Beauty of failure and the gifts we overlook, by Richard Kyte
The Importance of Failure, The Gray Area Podcast with Sean Illing
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 177: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada explore the paradox of valuing diversity while facing the erosion of cultural distinctiveness.
"There's a deep incompatibility between two different conceptions of diversity," Kyte said. "Individual diversity requires inclusivity, but group diversity necessitates exclusivity to preserve shared practices and beliefs."
The podcast highlights the alarming statistic that an estimated half of the world's 7,000 languages may disappear within a generation, taking with them the rich cultural knowledge embedded in these tongues.
Rada inquires about the potential benefits and drawbacks of a common global language, highlighting that while it could enhance convenience, it could also result in a world that lacks cultural diversity.
The hosts also discuss the impact of globalization and capitalism on traditional practices, such as the evolution of ethnic restaurants in the United States. As these establishments become more mainstream, they often lose their authentic cultural roots, replaced by standardized menus and business models.
The hosts emphasize the need for a balanced approach, one that preserves communities with distinctive cultural characteristics while also promoting inclusivity.
Links to stories discussed during the podcast
Last of their kind: What is lost when cultures die? by Wade Davis, Scientific America
Seven unique practices in the world that are dying out: See them before they are gone forever, by Ben Groundwater, The Sydney Morning Herald
Before it disappears: recording endangered practices, skills and knowledge, by Nik Petek-Sargeant, The British Museum
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)."