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 mindset of not being afraid to fail or look ignorant has served him well throughout his life and career.

The discussion then turns to how many successful people, when reflecting on their careers, often cite their failures as important learning experiences that helped them achieve greatness.

The conversation also touches on the role of luck in success, with Kyte arguing that successful people often downplay the significant impact luck has played in their achievements.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

The Importance of Failure, The Gray Area Podcast with Sean Illing

About the hosts

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. He is also the author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way)."

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 the alarming statistic that an estimated half of the world's 7,000 languages may disappear within a generation, taking with them the rich cultural knowledge embedded in these tongues.

Rada inquires about the potential benefits and drawbacks of a common global language, highlighting that while it could enhance convenience, it could also result in a world that lacks cultural diversity.

The hosts also discuss the impact of globalization and capitalism on traditional practices, such as the evolution of ethnic restaurants in the United States. As these establishments become more mainstream, they often lose their authentic cultural roots, replaced by standardized menus and business models.

The hosts emphasize the need for a balanced approach, one that preserves communities with distinctive cultural characteristics while also promoting inclusivity.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

Last of their kind: What is lost when cultures die? by Wade Davis, Scientific America

Seven unique practices in the world that are dying out: See them before they are gone forever, by Ben Groundwater, The Sydney Morning Herald

Before it disappears: recording endangered practices, skills and knowledge, by Nik Petek-Sargeant, The British Museum

About the hosts

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. He is also the author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way)."

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. Kyte said that the desire for freedom often draws people to a more nomadic lifestyle, but warned that the experience can be deceptive, lacking the sense of community and obligation that provides meaning.

The hosts explored the benefits of travel, such as reduced stress and increased creativity, but also acknowledged the tendency for people to get stuck in routines and forget to explore their own communities. They emphasized the importance of intentionally seeking out new experiences, even close to home.

The discussion also touched on the growing number of "full-time traveler residents" in states like South Dakota, as well as the emotional appeals and potential pitfalls of a nomadic life.

Kyte shared the story of a friend who initially enjoyed the RV lifestyle but later decided to settle down, craving a stronger sense of community and connection.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

Nomadic adventures or a rooted life? The joys and limits of wandering, by Richard Kyte

On living an exciting life, by Nick Costello

Becoming a resident of South Dakota is easy. Some say too easy, by Jack Dura, The Associated Press

Slate Political Gabfest, 2024 conundrums edition

About the hosts

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. He is also the author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way)."