The Ethical Life

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 can shape our perceptions of others, making unexpected kindness all the more impactful. Kyte shared a powerful story about a friend who was helped by a stranger at a dollar store, highlighting the joy experienced by both the giver and receiver.

The discussion also touches on the importance of gratitude, the decline of personal connections in modern society and the ethics of regifting.

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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 healthy moral ecology.

Rada notes that while serious crimes have declined, persistent issues like open drug use, mental illness, homelessness and lower-level offenses contribute to a pervasive feeling of unease among the public.

The hosts say that the fraying of social connections and reduced face-to-face interactions in public spaces may be a root cause of the discomfort many people feel.

Kyte emphasizes the need for more public infrastructure, such as accessible bathrooms, to address the dignity and basic needs of those experiencing homelessness, and the hosts agree that these systemic problems contribute to a broader cynicism about the ability of public institutions to effectively address community issues.

The hosts conclude by suggesting that increasing participation in local government, integrating civil service into school curricula and restoring more autonomy to municipalities could help develop localized solutions to public disorder challenges.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

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?

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 political points.

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, rather than dwelling on the past.

They agree that consulting one's "future self" to avoid making choices that may lead to future regrets is helpful. One of the biggest regrets people can have, the hosts say, is not acting sooner and moving forward, instead spending too much time ruminating about the past.

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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 impulsively."

This dynamic can play out in a variety of settings, from the workplace to public spaces such as retail stores and on the road. But Kyte emphasizes that not all rude behavior is equal. He distinguishes between occasional lapses in civility, which may stem from neglect or preoccupation, and chronic, intentional rudeness that often comes from a place of dislike for others.

The hosts also delve into the contagious nature of both rudeness and kindness, underscoring the responsibility we all have in shaping the social environments we inhabit. By supporting customer service workers, reaching out to loved ones, and being open to positive interactions with strangers, individuals can help foster more considerate behavior.

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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.

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 happiness and interpersonal dynamics, with Kyte emphasizing the importance of using online tools to complement, rather than substitute, real-life engagement.

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 between views of Democrats and Republicans," Kyte explains. He notes that in 2016, about 10% of voters were undecided a month before the election, but that number has dropped to just 3 to 4% this year.

The hosts examine the different strategies campaigns are using to reach these elusive undecided voters, from large rallies aimed at energizing the base to individual door-to-door canvassing efforts. They also critique the formulaic, emotionally driven campaign ads that dominate the airwaves in battleground states.

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 help recalibrate one's self-perception. 

The discussion delves into the potential negative impact of social media on self-identity, particularly for younger people, and the need to filter out random online opinions in favor of feedback from trusted individuals. The conversation also examines the role of introspection and self-knowledge, drawing on Sigmund Freud's metaphor of the iceberg to illustrate the conscious and unconscious aspects of the mind. 

Generational differences in the workplace are also explored, with Kyte explaining how cultural phenomena within certain professions can lead to harsh treatment of newcomers. The experts discuss the sensitivity of younger generations, which they attribute to the decline in robust interpersonal relationships and the impact of social media. 

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

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: serving as community gathering spaces, curating unique local collections and hosting events that bring readers together. 

"Bookstores are ideal places to define and pass on local culture," Kyte said. "They can present something unique about the culture and history of a region better than any other physical place."

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

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 will to implement stronger safety regulations and road design improvements.

They discuss how features like roundabouts, narrower lanes and traffic calming measures can significantly improve road safety, but often face resistance from the public. The hosts also note that aggressive and distracted driving behaviors have worsened in recent years, and suggest automated speed enforcement could help address this.

Looking to the future, the hosts are optimistic that the rise of autonomous vehicles could have a positive impact on overall driving behavior, as self-driving cars would follow traffic laws and set a new standard for safe driving. However, they also raise ethical questions about public acceptance of autonomous vehicle technology, even if it proves to be statistically safer than human drivers.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

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 of staying put include developing deep connections within the local area and getting to know the community exceptionally well. In contrast, Rada's more transient upbringing may have provided him with different skills, though he acknowledges the challenges of being the "new kid" when moving to a new place.

The hosts explore how modern comforts and technology have made it easier for people to remain in one location, potentially impacting professional ambition and community engagement.

They also highlight an innovative housing project in New Glarus, Wisconsin, that is designed to foster a sense of neighborhood and support for residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

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 as difficult as anticipated, highlighting the satisfaction that comes from checking items off a to-do list.

The hosts also examine how factors such as anxiety, fear of failure and high personal standards can contribute to procrastination, particularly among students facing big assignments. They consider whether some individuals may actually produce better work under the pressure of tight deadlines.

Rada and Kyte speculate that the rise of instant gratification and digital distractions likely exacerbate procrastination in today's society. However, they also discuss the importance of balancing future planning with present awareness and gratitude.

Finally, the podcast offers strategies to overcome procrastination, such as focusing on tasks that energize the individual and avoiding unnecessary commitments. Rada shares productivity hacks like the "two-minute rule" and the "one-touch rule," while Kyte emphasizes the value of dedicated time for tackling larger projects.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

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 — we have all this evidence now of the profound ways in which we are social creatures."

But the decline of "third places," spots where people naturally interact with one another and foster kindness, was something the hosts found worrisome. This reduction in daily opportunities for kindness has the hosts worried people are losing practice in being kind. 

"We get out of practice of looking for opportunities to help one another out," Kyte said.

The discussion also touched on balancing assertiveness with kindness, using Rada's experience dealing with an insurance claim as an example. The hosts emphasized the importance of recognizing the humanity in others, even in frustrating situations.

Additionally, the hosts explored the potential risks of developing habits of treating AI assistants as people, rather than tools, warning this could negatively impact real human interactions.

The role of kindness in the workplace was another key focus, with the hosts highlighting a story about a manager who improved safety by getting to know his employees. They stressed managers' responsibility to ensure fairness and address legitimate needs within teams.

"Learning how to do that well is the mark of a good life," Kyte said. "Part of that is dealing with people."

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

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 toward referees and players as indicative of a broader societal issue. 

"There's plenty of things indicating that sportsmanship is declining, and I think it's an indication that we have as a society that's more and more focusing on the outcomes themselves and not on performance," Kyte said. 

However, Kyte also highlighted examples of athletes who demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship, such as Noah Lyles and Josh Kerr, who were able to handle both victory and defeat with humility and grace. 

The discussion also touched on the role of media coverage in shaping the public's perception of the Olympics. Rada and Kyte agreed that the extensive focus on personal stories and medal ceremonies can sometimes overshadow the raw competition and diverse range of events. 

"I really wish American coverage spent a little more time on the sports themselves," Kyte said, suggesting that the networks should aim for a more balanced and representative portrayal of the Olympic Games. 

The conversation ultimately underscored the importance of instilling values of resilience, self-compassion, and a focus on personal performance rather than solely on outcomes — lessons that can have a lasting impact on individuals and society as a whole.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

Episode 154: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada are both off this week, so we looked back through our show’s archives and picked four of our favorite ethical dilemmas from the past year. This recurring weekly feature can be found at the end of each of our episodes. 

Topics include how to respond to a suspected bicycle thief, the ethics behind surprise parties and wedding gift etiquette.

About the hosts

Episode 151: Summer jobs are a rite of passage for many teens, offering a first taste of independence and responsibility. But these jobs come with their own set of benefits and challenges. On the one hand, they can teach valuable skills and provide financial independence. On the other hand, they can lead to stress, exploitation, and a delicate balancing act between work and personal life.

Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss how we can ensure that the summer jobs teens take on are truly beneficial for their development without compromising their well-being.

About the hosts

Episode 150: From best-selling books to motivational seminars, self-help has become a billion-dollar industry, promising personal transformation and success. But behind the allure of self-improvement, there are significant ethical questions.

How do self-help gurus and authors profit from people’s vulnerabilities? What responsibilities do these leaders have towards their followers? And, as self-help encourages us to constantly strive for betterment, what pressures and potential pitfalls does this create?

Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss how to discern genuine guidance from exploitation, and what ethical framework should we apply when navigating this industry?

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

Episode 149: As the fall election creeps closer, most of us think of our political divide as Red America vs. Blue America. But another way to view our nation’s fractured landscape is to sort people into two camps: idealists and pragmatists. Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss these two political philosophies, the benefits of each and whether one approach is stronger.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast