Episode 152: As the back-to-school season nears, we turn our attention to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center that provides a comprehensive look at what it’s like to be a teacher in America today. The findings are revealing and concerning, showing the significant challenges and stressors educators face. Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada talk about the current state of the teaching profession and how it reflects broader societal issues.

Richard Kyte: Social bonds, digital distractions both affect how we learn

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

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

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

The true secret to happiness lies is helping others, Richard Kyte

5 problems with the self-help industry, by Mark Manson

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