The Ethical Life

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...

Episode 169: As families prepare to gather for Thanksgiving, hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada offer advice about how to navigate potentially uncomfortable political discussions. Kyte emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries on attitudes, not topics. He encourages families to approach discussions with a charitable mindset, seeking to understand differing perspectives rather than score polit...

Episode 168: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the complex topic of regret and how it can shape our lives. The discussion explores the distinction between regret and remorse, with Kyte explaining that regret involves wishing for different outcomes, while remorse is tied to actions that have hurt others. They emphasize the importance of learning from regrets to inform future decisions, rath...

Episode 167: In a world that often feels increasingly rude, hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the challenge of combating incivility in our everyday lives. The rise in rudeness can be largely attributed to heightened stress and anxiety levels worldwide. "When people are stressed, they are not on their best behavior," Kyte said. "They're less patient with others and more prone to reacting im...

Episode 166: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada debate the value of existing federal holidays and the potential for adding new ones. The discussion begins by examining the dual functions of holidays — some serve as occasions for celebration, while others are meant to encourage reverence and reflection on national values. While the hosts support making Election Day a federal holiday, there was...

Episode 165: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the troubling decline of trust in American institutions . From government and science to religion and media, public faith in once-revered pillars of society has plummeted in recent years. Kyte attributes this crisis to reduced interdependence and collaboration among citizens. "We don't depend on other people in the course of our daily lives ne...

Episode 164: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada talk about the transformative world of online dating apps and their influence on how people connect in the 21st century. While dating apps have made it easier for many to find potential partners, the hosts agree that they also can increase stress and anxiety around relationships. The conversation explores how increased digital interaction can impact h...

Episode 163: With the presidential election just weeks away, the latest episode of The Ethical Life podcast explores the complex challenge of engaging with undecided voters. Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss how the shrinking pool of undecided voters reflects the growing polarization in American politics.  "We've become much more polarized, and that could be that there's less overlap...

Episode 162: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada explore the importance of self-awareness and how to strike a balance between adapting to external circumstances and staying true to one's core values.  Kyte emphasizes the challenge of developing an accurate self-identity, noting the powerful influence of self-deception. He suggests that being part of a community with honest, caring friends can h...

Episode 161: The traditional bookstore is undergoing a resurgence, transforming into vibrant community hubs that defy predictions of their demise in the digital age. This turnaround comes after many had forecast the "complete demise" of bookstores in the face of competition from e-commerce and digital books.  Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada attribute this sucess to three key factors: servin...

Episode 160: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the ongoing issue of traffic safety and road design in the United States. Despite advancements in vehicle safety, over 42,000 people died in traffic crashes in 2022. The hosts argue that the U.S. has a higher rate of traffic fatalities compared to other wealthy nations, and this is partly due to cultural attitudes and a lack of political...

Episode 159: Hosts Scott Rada and Rick Kyte discuss the growing trend of Americans moving less frequently and their own experiences with putting down roots.   Rada, who moved frequently as a child, and Kyte, who spent his entire childhood in the small town of Frazee, Minnesota, reflect on the pros and cons of living in one community for over 20 years.   Kyte explains that the advantages...

Episode 158:  Hosts Scott Rada and Rick Kyte talk about the complex issue of procrastination and its ethical ramifications. The discussion explores the emotional and psychological reasons behind procrastination, with Kyte explaining how people often minimize the stress of tasks by not thinking about them. Rada shared personal experiences of completing dreaded tasks and realizing they weren't...

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 &mda...

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 direct...

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 to...