The Ethical Life

Lee Enterprises Podcasts
Lee Enterprises Podcasts
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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)." Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify.

  1. 4d ago

    Why do ancient philosophers still matter today?

    Episode 259: Plato, Aristotle and other thinkers who lived centuries ago still shape how we understand happiness, character and the good life. Host Richard Kyte explains which philosophers influenced him most — and why their ideas continue to matter. Kyte begins with Plato, the thinker he says has influenced him more than anyone else. He explains how Plato elevated the life of the mind and argued that truth, goodness and beauty are not simply matters of personal opinion. That idea, Kyte says, still shapes the way he thinks about ethics today. From there, the conversation moves to Aristotle, who took a more practical approach by asking what human beings ultimately want. His answer was happiness, but not in the sense of momentary pleasure. Instead, Aristotle argued that a flourishing life depends on developing virtues such as courage, temperance and justice. Kyte connects those ideas to modern discussions of character and even contemporary positive psychology. The discussion then jumps ahead to Augustine, who blended classical philosophy with Christian thought, especially ideas about love, sin and the moral structure of reality. Ralph Waldo Emerson follows, not as a conventional academic philosopher, but as a writer whose work helped Kyte understand how reading, memory and reflection can shape a person’s inner life. For his fifth choice, Kyte bends the rules and names a group rather than a single person: several 20th-century female philosophers, including Hannah Arendt, Iris Murdoch and Martha Nussbaum. He explains how their work pushed back against overly abstract systems of thought and returned attention to questions of human nature, goodness, justice, love and forgiveness. Throughout the episode, host Scott Rada asks a simpler question on behalf of listeners who may know these names but not their ideas: Why should any of this still matter? That question becomes especially important in the final discussion, when the hosts consider the declining role of philosophy and the liberal arts in higher education. Kyte argues that career-focused courses may teach useful skills, but philosophy asks a more fundamental question: What kind of life are those skills supposed to help us build?

    Why do ancient philosophers still matter today?

  2. Aug 5

    Why do we value honesty more than we practice it?

    Episode 258: People consistently rank honesty among the qualities they value most in others. Yet in daily life, truthfulness can become negotiable — especially when deception protects our reputation, confirms what we already believe or helps us hold someone’s attention. In this episode of “The Ethical Life,” hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada consider whether society is truly facing an honesty crisis. Rada begins by challenging that premise: Modern technology, he says, has made many lies harder to sustain. Text messages, security cameras, smartphones, financial records and social media can expose behavior that once might have remained hidden. But greater accountability is not necessarily the same thing as stronger character. The conversation moves beyond simple truth-telling to examine honesty as a broader way of living. Being honest also means being sincere, dependable and willing to present ourselves truthfully in our relationships. A single careless comment may not reveal much, but repeated choices become habits, and habits eventually shape character. Small acts of deception can teach us to avoid responsibility, protect our image and treat the truth as something to be adjusted for convenience. The more difficult problem may be self-deception. People are often skilled at recognizing dishonesty in others while remaining blind to the stories they tell themselves. Self-deception can feel comforting in the moment, even when it ultimately produces unhappiness, distorted judgment and damaged relationships. The hosts discuss why honest conversations with people who challenge us may be one of the best defenses against that tendency. Artificial intelligence adds another complication. AI tools can test our assumptions, but they can also become machines for rationalizing what we already want to believe. When digital companions are designed to be agreeable, flattering and easier to manage than real people, they may deepen self-deception rather than correct it. That raises a broader question about whether a culture driven by attention rewards sincerity or simply rewards the appearance of authenticity.

    Why do we value honesty more than we practice it?

  3. Jul 29

    What do we owe each other after tragedy strikes our community?

    Episode 257: Every community eventually faces a moment that changes it. Sometimes it's a natural disaster. Sometimes it's an act of violence. Sometimes it's the sudden loss of someone whose absence is felt far beyond family and friends. In those moments, people naturally ask: What should we do now? In this episode of “The Ethical Life,” hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada explore that question through the lens of a recent police shooting in Madison, Wisconsin. Rather than debating the specifics of the incident, they step back to consider the broader ethical challenge of responding to public tragedy. Why do some people feel the need to gather while others seek solitude? Should concerts, festivals and other community events be canceled out of respect, or can returning to ordinary life actually become part of the healing process? And how do we honor those who are suffering without expecting everyone to grieve in exactly the same way? Kyte argues that the strongest response to loss isn't found in social media posts or political slogans but in genuine human relationships. Drawing on his work studying "third places" — the public spaces where people naturally build friendships and trust — he explains how resilient communities form long before tragedy strikes. Those everyday connections become the foundation that helps neighbors support one another when life takes an unexpected turn. Along the way, the hosts discuss the difference between public and private grief, the temptation to let politics shape emotional responses and why people often feel pressure to respond to heartbreaking events in only one acceptable way. They also consider whether paying attention is enough or whether real compassion requires something deeper and more personal.

    What do we owe each other after tragedy strikes our community?

  4. Jul 22

    Has the internet made us smarter or just more confident?

    Episode 256: What does it mean to be an expert in a world where nearly every answer is only a search or AI prompt away? In this episode, hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada examine why access to more information hasn't necessarily led to better decisions  — and why trust in expertise has become one of today's most important ethical questions. The discussion explores why people readily trust specialists to repair a transmission or perform surgery, yet often question experts in medicine, journalism, education, economics and public policy. Have the internet and AI democratized knowledge, or have they simply made it easier to confuse information with understanding? Rada and Kyte also examine whether experts themselves have contributed to growing public skepticism. Using the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study, they discuss the challenges of communicating evolving evidence, the dangers of projecting too much certainty and the difficulty of balancing specialized knowledge with competing social priorities. The conversation then turns to AI and whether it is making people better informed or merely more convinced they already have the answers. Can these tools help us ask better questions, or do they encourage a false sense of expertise that replaces experience, judgment and intellectual humility? While the hosts agree that expertise remains essential, they approach the issue from different perspectives. Rada argues that easy access to information has led many people to overestimate their own knowledge and undervalue genuine expertise. Kyte agrees that experts deserve respect, but contends they also have an ethical obligation to earn public trust through transparency, humility and meaningful engagement with the communities they serve. The episode concludes with an ethical dilemma inspired by an academic conference where two scholars presented sharply opposing views about AI. When audience members chose politeness over direct disagreement, did they miss an opportunity for honest, constructive dialogue? The answer raises larger questions about the role of disagreement, civility and intellectual humility in a healthy society. Richard Kyte: Why we don’t trust experts anymore, and what we can do about it

    Has the internet made us smarter or just more confident?

  5. Jul 15

    What can leaving home teach us about ourselves?

    Episode 255: Travel often promises beautiful scenery, famous landmarks and memorable meals. But the most meaningful moments are rarely the ones we plan. Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada explore why stepping outside our everyday routines can change far more than our surroundings. Drawing on Kyte’s recent trip to Scotland and Rada’s own travels ranging from Budapest to small-town Iowa, they discuss how unfamiliar places encourage curiosity, deepen gratitude and help us see both the world and our own lives with fresh perspective. Kyte shares stories of unexpected discoveries, including an unplanned stop at centuries-old castle ruins, an encounter with whales along Scotland's northern coast and an unforgettable conversation with a local historian whose passion for his community brought generations of history to life. Those experiences become the starting point for a broader conversation about why the most rewarding parts of any journey are often the ones we never anticipated. The hosts also examine how travel interrupts routine in healthy ways. Why do vacations seem to create memories that linger for years while ordinary weeks often blur together? Why is it easier to strike up conversations with strangers in unfamiliar places? And what can those brief encounters teach us about hospitality, community and human connection? The discussion expands beyond passports and plane tickets to consider a larger ethical question: Do we have a responsibility to keep exploring throughout our lives? Rada argues that meaningful discovery doesn't require crossing an ocean. It can happen during a weekend road trip, a visit to a nearby town or simply by choosing curiosity over habit. Kyte agrees, suggesting that adventure often begins with something as simple as taking a detour or venturing somewhere unfamiliar. The episode also explores the balance between planning and spontaneity, the appeal of collecting experiences rather than possessions and the importance of remaining open to surprise. Along the way, Rada previews an upcoming whitewater rafting trip that will push him well outside his comfort zone, while Kyte reflects on why returning home is often one of the greatest gifts of traveling in the first place.

    What can leaving home teach us about ourselves?

  6. Jul 8

    Is starting over an act of courage or an act of escape?

    Episode 254: Most people have wondered what life might look like if they had made a different choice. A different career. A different city. A different relationship. Maybe even an entirely different life. But when does the desire for a fresh start represent healthy growth, and when does it become an attempt to escape the commitments that give life meaning? Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada explore the enduring appeal of reinvention through the story of a college president who abruptly walked away from his career, family and community to begin again without warning. His decision raises a difficult ethical question: What do we owe the people who depend on us before we decide to pursue a different path? Along the way, the hosts examine why some people are naturally drawn to risk while others remain rooted, even when they feel dissatisfied. They discuss the responsibilities that come with parenthood, marriage, friendships and careers, and why some obligations carry greater moral weight than others. They also consider whether people are too quick to assume there’s only one “right” decision in life, when many choices can ultimately lead to fulfilling futures. The conversation turns to loyalty, regret and the challenge of balancing personal fulfillment with promises already made. Can dramatic life changes solve deep unhappiness, or do we simply carry the same struggles wherever we go? What kinds of changes genuinely improve our lives, and which merely change our surroundings?  Kyte argues that meaningful transformation often begins with honest self-reflection rather than a change of address, while Rada questions whether society sometimes underestimates the value of taking thoughtful risks.

    Is starting over an act of courage or an act of escape?

  7. Jul 1

    How would you respond to these four ethical dilemmas?

    Episode 253: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada are off this week, so we looked back through our show's archives and are sharing four of our favorite ethical dilemmas from the past few months. Topics include how to respond when you catch a stranger in a lie, decline a destination wedding invitation you can’t afford, use technology appropriately while enjoying nature and handle a boss who doesn’t give you credit for your work. We will be back next week with a brand-new episode.

    How would you respond to these four ethical dilemmas?

  8. Jun 24

    What does it mean to love a country with an imperfect past?

    Episode 252: As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, many Americans are asking a difficult question: How should we think about our nation’s history? For some, the focus is on America’s greatest achievements — constitutional government, individual liberty and economic opportunity. For others, the emphasis falls on slavery, segregation and the mistreatment of Native Americans. Is it possible to acknowledge both? In this episode, hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada explore why conversations about history have become so contentious and whether a country can remain united when its citizens no longer share a common story about their past. Drawing on philosophy, current events and personal experience, they examine the role stories play in shaping identity, belonging and civic life. The discussion examines why people often approach history the same way they approach politics, seeking facts that reinforce beliefs they already hold. Kyte argues that every nation relies on shared narratives to help citizens understand where they came from and where they hope to go. Yet in an increasingly fragmented culture, agreement on those narratives can be difficult to achieve. The hosts also tackle the complicated relationship between patriotism and criticism. Can someone deeply appreciate their country while openly acknowledging its failures? Has patriotism become unfairly associated with politics? And what happens when celebrations of national achievement are viewed through a partisan lens? Along the way, Rada reflects on a visit to a South Carolina plantation that confronted the realities of slavery without diminishing the broader American story. The conversation explores how mature societies can remember painful chapters honestly while still recognizing progress, resilience and the capacity for self-correction. As the nation prepares to mark this historic milestone, Kyte and Rada suggest that gratitude and reflection are not opposing ideas. In fact, they may depend on one another. Understanding where a country has fallen short can deepen appreciation for its achievements, while gratitude can provide the energy needed to address remaining challenges.

    What does it mean to love a country with an imperfect past?
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About

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)." Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify.

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