The Ethical Life

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. &ldq...

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 ne...

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...

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....

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 foc...

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 co...

Episode 188: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss how parents influence their children's understanding of work and career choices, highlighting the delicate balance between guiding and pressuring young people toward professional paths. Drawing from personal experiences, the hosts emphasize the importance of exposing children to diverse career opportunities without forcing predetermined trajec...

Episode 187: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the emerging conservative critiques that frame empathy as a potential moral liability, offering a nuanced perspective on human compassion’s psychological and ethical dimensions. Kyte explained that some Christian commentators , including figures like Allie Beth Stuckey and Joe Rigney, have begun characterizing empathy as a potentially da...

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 shor...

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...

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...

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 boycott...

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 ke...

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...

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 w...

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 succes...

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 minds...

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...

Episode 176: Is life richer when you settle in one place and grow deep roots, or when you prioritize exploration through travel and seek constant adventure? This age-old question is the focus of the latest episode of "The Ethical Life" podcast. Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss how advances in technology and remote work options have made it easier for people to choose how they want to live...

Episode 175: As the calendar turns to a new year, millions of people set out to make positive changes in their lives through New Year's resolutions. However, the success rate for these resolutions is notoriously low. Hosts Scott Rada and Rick Kyte explore the complexities and challenges of setting and achieving New Year's goals. The hosts begin by examining why we are so drawn to making resolution...

Episode 174: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada were joined by special guest Tim Kelley to make their predictions for the new year. Topics include cellphone bans in schools, the growth of autonomous taxis, AI breakthroughs and weaponization, the rise of vertical farming and the trajectory of energy prices. The hosts also reviewed their prior year's predictions, assessing which came true. About the...

Episode 173: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss why acts of generosity often resonate so deeply with others during this time of year. "We have such a profound desire to connect with one another, and acts of generosity, especially when we encounter it from a stranger, reaffirm for us that we're surrounded by goodness," Kyte said. The hosts delve into how our workplace and social environments...

Episode 172: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the ethical considerations around public disorder in cities, focusing on the growing sense that standards of conduct have slipped in many urban areas. Kyte introduces the concept of "moral ecology," drawing a parallel to environmental ecology. He argues that a sense of security and predictability in public spaces is a vital component of a heal...

Episode 171: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the many proposals to integrate religious teachings and symbols into public school curricula and the debates over the role of faith in education. In Texas, the state board of education recently approved an optional "Bible Literacy" curriculum that provides financial incentives for districts to adopt Bible-based lessons. Meanwhile, a federal co...

Episode 170: As the holiday season approaches, many are feeling the pull to give back to their communities. But what truly motivates us to be generous, and does the impact of our donations matter more than our reasons for giving? Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the science behind the joy of giving, exploring research that shows donating time or money can boost mood and health. "Much of p...