How do we find the line between striving and drifting?

Episode 237: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada explore ambition at both extremes: the kind that consumes a life and the kind that never quite ignites.

The conversation begins with a story from Rada about his great-grandfather, whose frequent advice was to “keep busy.” That guidance, Rada says, reflected engagement with work, family and community — not frantic overwork. From there, the hosts ask whether modern culture has lost sight of what healthy ambition looks like.

Kyte argues that ambition has developed a negative connotation, even as society continues to praise perseverance, grit and discipline. The real issue, he says, is not ambition itself but the motives behind it. Are people pursuing meaningful goals that benefit others, or are they chasing status, money, and external validation? When ambition is untethered from self-awareness, it can become destructive.

The hosts examine burnout, a term that entered common usage only in the late 1980s. Kyte notes that some highly driven professionals sacrifice relationships and long-term well-being in pursuit of achievement. In those cases, the cost — especially to the family — cannot always be recovered.

At the same time, Rada raises concerns about disengagement, particularly among young men. Data show rising numbers reporting low motivation and declining participation in work and civic life. Social media, Kyte suggests, can intensify unrealistic comparisons, making meaningful progress feel unattainable. When people cannot see a clear path from where they are to where they want to be, they may stop trying.

Rather than fixating on distant outcomes, Kyte recommends focusing on incremental progress. Small, achievable steps build momentum and confidence. Mentorship also plays a critical role. Many accomplished people, he says, are willing to share guidance with those who ask. Healthy ambition often develops in a relationship, not isolation.

The discussion turns to a deeper psychological question: Are individuals directing their goals, or being driven by subconscious forces they do not fully understand? Both overwork and apathy can stem from unresolved motivations. Self-reflection, often sharpened through conversation with others, helps clarify whether one’s pursuits align with personal values.

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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