Servant Leadership Today

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by professional guide Colby Brokvist. While leadership might not be the first thing one thinks about in adventure travel and professional guiding, Colby shares the importance of leadership to any successful professional guide. Colby, Sam, and Rick begin the conversation considering the professional guide's role, or any leader's role, as a facilitator & connector. Another key to leadership they touch on is the influence of those who mentored Colby and his hope to influence guides, of any age and stage of their career, through his forthcoming book THE PROFESSIONAL GUIDE'S HANDBOOK, due out in May. Throughout the conversation, Colby shares stories of his travels, advice for leaders, especially professional guides, and some of his favorite places to travel. Additional Resources: The Guide (https://youtu.be/Io-wNpdNrNM) The Professional Guide's Handbook: How to Lead Adventure Travel Trips and Expeditions (https://www.fulcrumbooks.com//product-page/the-professional-guide-s-handbook-how-to-lead-adventure-trips-and-expeditions) Colby Brokvist is a professional guide who leads worldwide expeditions for some of the most acclaimed companies in adventure travel. He was inspired to pursue guiding as a career during a through-hike of the Appalachian Trail in the summer of 2000. Since then, he has led hundreds of adventure travel departures, ranging from backpacking and trekking adventures to mountaineering and rock-climbing trips, sea kayaking and sailing voyages, and wildlife safaris. His expeditions have taken him to destinations as far-flung as Greenland, Antarctica, Africa, and Patagonia, as well as across the United States and Canada. In addition to fieldwork, Colby assumes a variety of managerial, operational, and consulting roles within the adventure travel sphere. His work centers on guide training, guide team management, and itinerary development. He sits on the board of directors for the Polar Tourism Guides Association and is a certified Senior Polar Guide through the same organization. He calls Boulder, Colorado, home. Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Dr. Kent M. Keith, author of many books and creator of the Paradoxical Commandments, to discuss Kent's thoughts and experiences from a life dedicated to servant leadership. Kent starts where it all began, in 1968 when he wrote the Paradoxical Commandments and explores what it looks like to humbly practice these maxims in real life. The conversation shifts to the workplace as Rick, Sam, and Kent discuss what motivates employees and people in general to achieve their best. They also consider the Universal Moral Code and the foundation the code sets for personal and professional ethics. We close the conversation with Kent sharing his conviction in the effectiveness of servant leadership and the hope that more leaders act with respect and care for others, regardless of the “servant leadership” label. Dr. Kent M. Keith is a dynamic speaker and writer whose mission is to help people find personal meaning in a crazy world. He has been featured on the front page of The New York Times and in People magazine, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, and Family Circle. He has appeared on dozens of TV shows and more than 100 radio programs in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, and Australia. Over the years, Dr. Keith has given more than 1,000 presentations, conference papers, and seminars on a wide variety of topics in the United States and eleven countries in Europe and Asia. His current presentations and seminars are focused on servant leadership, the Paradoxical Commandments, finding personal meaning at home and at work, and the positive impact of morality in the workplace. Dr. Keith was born in New York and raised in Nebraska, California, Virginia, and Rhode Island before arriving in Hawaii in 1962. He earned a B.A. in Government from Harvard University, an M.A. in Philosophy and Politics from Oxford University, a Certificate in Japanese from Waseda University in Tokyo, a J.D. from the University of Hawaii, and an Ed. D. from the University of Southern California. He is a Rhodes Scholar. Dr. Keith practiced law for two years as an Associate in the commercial litigation section of Cades Schutte Fleming & Wright. He served for seven years in the State of Hawaii Department of Planning and Economic Development, rising through the ranks to become the Director of the department and a member of the Governor's cabinet. From 2007 to 2012 he served as Chief Executive Officer of the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership in the United States, and from 2012 to 2015 he served as CEO of the Greenleaf Centre for Servant Leadership-Asia based in Singapore. He served from 2015 to 2020 as President of Pacific Rim Christian University in Honolulu. He is now President of his family company, Carlson Keith Corporation. Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

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In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Tom Thibodeau, Distinguished Professor of Servant Leadership at Viterbo University. Tom shares his wisdom and experiences in servant leadership, inspiring us to serve the common good for the greater good. He defines servant leadership, its qualities, and practical application, noting that servant leadership is not a solitary pursuit but one of community, in which everyone can participate daily through practicing virtues such as hospitality, trust, compassion, and forgiveness. The conversation concludes with a candid discussion about why we should have hope for the future. Thomas Thibodeau is the Distinguished Professor of Servant Leadership at Viterbo University, where he has taught since 1984. He has a Master of Arts in Education from St Mary's College and a BA from St. John's University. Tom is a husband, father, grandfather, teacher, and an active community member who has worked during his career to inspire students and change the world. Through the years, his infectious enthusiasm, compassion, and commitment to leadership and service have also inspired countless colleagues, community members and leaders across diverse fields. He is the founder of the Master of Arts in Servant Leadership at Viterbo, the first and only master's degree of its kind in the nation, and also a founding member of the hospitality and fellowship resource Place of Grace, in La Crosse; he is also the part owner of a country tavern and music hall. Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Sara Eskrich, Executive Director of Democracy Found, to discuss final-five voting and the cross-partisan movement to shift our elections to using final-five voting. Sara explains what final-five voting is, how it is different from the current elections process, and how states like Alaska and Maine are already using it. Then Sara, Sam, and Rick consider how final-five voting changes and challenges the current election process, creates accountability and incentives for elected officials, and has support across party lines. The conversation closes with a look at challenges to final-five voting and what comes next for the movement. More information on final-five voting and Democracy Found visit: https://democracyfound.org/ Sara Eskrich is the Executive Director of Democracy Found, a Wisconsin-based nonpartisan initiative committed to revitalizing democracy. By implementing a system of Final-Five Voting, a system wherein the top five candidates are selected from the primary ballot and instant runoff voting is used in the general election, we will ensure politicians are held accountable for delivering results. Sara previously served on the Madison Common Council and currently serves as a Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District Commissioner. She is a member of the Madison Downtown Rotary and the Hoan Group. Her career includes roles in the public and private sectors, including at Deloitte Consulting, the UW Population Health Institute, Kids Forward, the Wisconsin Alliance for Women's Health, and City Council President Michael P. Ross' Campaign and Office at the City of Boston. Sara is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Madison and holds a Masters of Public Affairs from the Robert M. La Follette School and Masters of Public Health from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by members of Wisconsin Women in Conservation: Dr. Esther Shekinah is a Research Agronomist at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute; Jennifer Nelson works with Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Services (MOSES); and Val Dantoin is a Conservation Coach for Wisconsin Women in Conservation. These inspiring women join us today to share their work, describing the challenges and successes the organization has faced thus far and its focus on community, the greater good, and sustainable farming. Finally, they share their hope for the future of sustainability and involvement by women of all ages as part of the solution for the challenges we face. Dr. Esther Shekinah is a Research Agronomist at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute with more than 20 years of sustainable agriculture research experience in both India and the US. In addition to leading the Wisconsin Women in Conservation team, she is researching cover crops and industrial hemp with the goal of developing production practices that encourage diversity in organic cropping systems. Jennifer Nelson works with Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Services (MOSES), facilitating farmer education and farmland access. With her partner, she co-owns Humble Pie Farm in Plum City, Wis., growing Certified Organic bedding plants, produce and flowers. Jennifer has managed and been on the board of multiple farmers' markets in the Midwest. Val Dantoin is a Conservation Coach for Wisconsin Women in Conservation. Val's Full Circle Community Farm is located outside of Green Bay. They focus on grazing, permaculture, riparian buffers, wetlands, organic, pollinator habitat. Valerie is a farmer-teacher who models her 240 acre farm after the workings of natural eco-systems. She has B.S. in bacteriology, a Masters Degree in Agronomy and an all but dissertated Ph.D. in land resources. Valerie developed and teaches 20 courses in the Sustainable Food & Ag Systems program at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Jervie Windom, Pastor of Resonate Church in Galveston County, Texas. Jervie shares his experiences in ministering to individuals and the community. He emphasizes the importance of investing in relationships to build community even when we disagree, facing challenges as opportunities for transformation, and a persistence informed by hope. Born in Brooklyn, Jervie Lamont Windom honorably served 24 years in the United States Army. Jervie is an alumnus of Southern Wesleyan University, Villanova University, & Viterbo University with over 19 years of ministry experience. Jervie is married to the lovely Nilda Windom, a native of Neptune, New Jersey. Nilda is a United States Army veteran as well with 16 years of honorable service. After the destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey in August 2017, the Windoms returned home to Galveston County, Texas to assist with long term recovery efforts for the people of Greater Houston to provide healing, help, and hope. They formed a partnership between their local church in La Plata, MD, theSent Church in Plano, TX and The Mountain Plains District of the Wesleyan Church. From this partnership, RESONATE Church emerged. RESONATE Church is currently partnering with local and national organizations to rebuild homes, provide jobs, and revitalize communities Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Lieutenant Colonel Erik Archer to discuss the role of the military in American society. Lt. Col. Archer shares his thoughts on identity beyond the military uniform, duty to community and country as a citizen and neighbor, and attributes and competencies of leadership, including stewardship. Lieutenant Colonel Erik Archer spent 20 years in the Army as a Military Police officer. He deployed twice to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan. He led platoon and company level formations while serving as the operations officer and executive officer for the most decorated MP battalion in the Army, the 716th MP Battalion. His experience has been diverse; he served as a platoon leader and company commander but also as the Chief of Police for Fort Carson and the officer in charge of a forensics lab in Helmand Province in Afghanistan. Before becoming the director of the Military Science Department at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Viterbo University and Winona State University, he served on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon in the National Military Command Center where he briefed senior military and civilian leaders and also developed national level operational plans. Col. Archer uses his role as a tribal elder in the Army to teach the next generation of Army leaders. He is married to his college sweetheart and together they have three vibrant kiddos. He will retire this coming fall and will start life - phase 2. Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Kathleen Culver, associate professor in the UW-Madison School of Journalism & Mass Communication and director of the Center for Journalism Ethics. Kathleen shares her perspectives on the role of journalism in society, first examining the ethical challenges for journalists, particularly for young journalists. From there, the discussion broadens to include how to use media responsibly to be informed and engaged citizens, social media's influence on journalism, and the future of journalism (hint: there is reason for optimism). Kathleen Culver is the James E. Burgess Chair in Journalism Ethics, an associate professor in the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Journalism & Mass Communication and director of the Center for Journalism Ethics. Long interested in the implications of digital media on journalism and public communication, Culver focuses on the ethical dimensions of social tools, technological advances and networked information. She also serves as visiting faculty for the Poynter Institute for Media Studies and was the founding editor of PBS MediaShift's education section. The Center for Journalism Ethics has been an important vehicle for her work, engaging hundreds of people through annual conferences, public panels, training sessions and other appearances, and has recently focused on topics including ethics and immigration reporting, the impact of #MeToo on media, and how journalism can address partisanship and other social divisions. Culver is widely recognized for her curricular innovations, including the School of Journalism and Mass Communication's gateway course, Mass Media Practices. This bootcamp course trains over 100 students each semester in the concepts and skills necessary to approach disrupted media industries with adaptability, critical thinking and integrity. She regularly trains other communications educators through her work with Poynter and the Center for Journalism Ethics. Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Roy Austin Jr., Vice President of Civil Rights and Deputy General Counsel for Facebook. Roy discusses this unique role and describes the purpose, goals, successes, and challenges he and his team face as they establish this new endeavor. The conversation touches on the importance of a proactive and deliberative approach to shaping corporate culture, balancing free speech and civil rights in the online world, social media's impacts on social trust in institutions, and Roy's vision of hope in the goodness of humanity and people who want to do the right thing. Closing out the conversation, Sam and Rick thoughtfully discuss their perspectives of these topics through the lens of leadership and values. Roy L. Austin, Jr. is Facebook's VP of Civil Rights and Deputy General Counsel, a role that is the first of its kind in the tech industry and one that is incredibly important for Facebook. Prior to joining Facebook, Roy was a partner with the law firm of Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis LLP where he primarily practiced criminal defense, civil, and civil rights litigation. He also has experience as: an Honors Trial Attorney with the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division where he investigated and prosecuted hate crime and police brutality cases around the country; Deputy Assistant Attorney General (DAAG), Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice where he supervised the Criminal Section, and the Special Litigation Section's law enforcement (police departments, corrections and juvenile justice) portfolio; and as the White House Domestic Policy Council's Deputy Assistant to the President for the Office of Urban Affairs, Justice and Opportunity where he co-authored a report on Big Data and Civil Rights, worked with the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing, helped develop the Police Data Initiative, worked on the expansion of reentry assistance, and was a member of President Obama's My Brother's Keeper Task Force. Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West" Additional Reading: What are Sam and Rick Reading or Watching? Rick: “Nowhere to Run” by C.J. Box (cjbox.net/nowhere-to-run) Sam: “The Housekeeper and the Professor” by Yōko Ogawa (goodreads.com/book/show/3181564-the-housekeeper-and-the-professor)

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Dr. Christopher Mayne, Associate Professor of Biology and the Pre-Health Advising Coordinator at Viterbo University, to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine and the Common Good. The conversation starts with the basics: how vaccines work and how they benefit individuals and communities. The discussion broadens to examine vaccine ethics in the global context, in the push to get more Americans vaccinated, and finally, in the debate between public health concerns and private health information. Dr. Mayne closes the conversation by sharing his thoughts on how to communicate better with people who are still hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Christopher Mayne is an Associate Professor of Biology and the Pre-Health Advising Coordinator at Viterbo University. Dr. Mayne's expertise focuses on immunology, and his research centers on the regulation of immune responses, and how abnormalities in immune regulation can lead to autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and lupus. He is the author of numerous articles on immunology, and has spoken on issues relating to the ethics of vaccines and related matters. Dr. Mayne has degrees in biology and chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville; a graduate degree in genetics from the University of Wisconsin; and a postdoctoral fellowship in immunology from the Medical College of Wisconsin. Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West" Additional reading: Background on Governor Lamm who inspired our “what are you reading or watching?” segment: https://www.cpr.org/2021/07/30/former-colorado-governor-richard-dick-lamm-dies/ What Rick is reading: Wild Bill: The True Story of the the American Frontier's First Gunfighter by Tom Clavin https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Bill-American-Frontiers-Gunfighter/dp/1250173795 What Sam is reading: King Richard: Nixon and Watergate - An American Tragedy by Michael Dobbs https://www.amazon.com/King-Richard-Watergate-American-Tragedy/dp/0385350090

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Dr. Peter Gathje, Professor of Christian Ethics and VP of Academic Affairs/Academic Dean at Memphis Theological Seminary. The conversation examines the meaning and importance of hospitality, exploring its relevance in the framework of American civic life, specifically in practicing hospitality in the context of social media, in real-life relationships, and finally, in restoring our community spaces. Dr. Gathje provides us with tools, including the need to act with humility and to understand we all are “fallible, finite and corruptible,” which provides a foundation to make us more welcoming to others. Dr. Peter Gathje joined the faculty at Memphis Theological Seminary in 2006. His research interests include farming and food, state sanctioned violence in war, the death penalty, policing, and imprisonment, homelessness, poverty, racism, holiness, alternative Christian communities, and virtue ethics. In addition to co-editing a book on Christian ethics, Doing Right and Being Good: Catholic and Protestant Readings in Christian Ethics, Dr. Gathje has written two books about the Open Door Community, a place of hospitality in Atlanta, Sharing the Bread of Life: Hospitality and Resistance at the Open Door Community, and Christ Comes in the Stranger's Guise: A History of the Open Door Community and edited a third, A Work of Hospitality: The Open Door Reader. Dr. Gathje is a founder and co-director of Manna House, a place of hospitality in the Catholic Worker Tradition located in Memphis. He helps with Room in the Inn, a shelter program involving area churches. He is active with a number of peace and justice organizations including Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. He frequently speaks at local churches on a variety of topics, including various traditions of Christian spirituality, hospitality for persons who are housing deprived, holiness, and issues of social justice. Prior to coming to Memphis Theological Seminary, Dr. Gathje taught at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, where he was Chair of the Religion and Philosophy Department, and Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he also served as Associate Dean of the Chapel. Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Dr. Andre E. Johnson, Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Media Studies in the Department of Communication and Film at the University of Memphis, to discuss current and historical rhetoric used in civil rights and social movements. The conversation touches on the importance of honestly reckoning with our history of race and civil rights, the potential obstacles to lasting progress in issues facing our country, why it is important to be both an optimist and a pessimist about our future, and how individuals acting ethically and authentically in relationships deliver real change. Dr. Andre Johnson is an Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Media Studies in the Department of Communication and Film at the University of Memphis. He teaches classes in African American Public Address, Rhetoric, Race and Religion, Media Studies, Interracial Communication, Rhetoric, and Popular Culture, and Hip Hop Studies. He is currently collecting and editing the works of AME Church Bishop Henry McNeal Turner under the title The Literary Archive of Henry McNeal Turner . He has already published the first six volumes, and the seventh one is set for publication in 2021. Additionally, he currently serves as Senior Pastor of Gifts of Life Ministries, an inner-city church built upon the servant leadership philosophy in Memphis, Tennessee. In addition to collecting the writings of Bishop Turner, Dr. Johnson is the co-author (with Amanda Nell Edgar) of The Struggle Over Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter He is the editor of Urban God Talk: Constructing a Hip Hop Spirituality and his latest book is No Future in this Country: The Prophetic Pessimism of Bishop Henry McNeal Turner. In addition to what many consider groundbreaking work on Bishop Turner, Dr. Johnson maintains an eclectic research agenda. Ongoing research projects explore the nexus between rhetoric, theology and the Bible, religion and politics, the rhetoric of President Barack Obama, religion and media, the prophetic rhetoric of W.E.B. Du Bois, and more recently, the rhetoric of Tyler Perry. Additional Information: www.aejohnsonphd.com/ www.memphis.edu/communication/people/johnson.php Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Mary Rasenberger, CEO of the Authors Guild and Authors Guild Foundation, to discuss freedom of expression in the context of book publishing, the internet age and our civil society. We discuss the importance of defending intellectual property rights, the demand for a healthy civil discourse, and the need for freedom of expression even when we disagree. Mary Rasenberger is the CEO of the Authors Guild (authorsguild.org) and Authors Guild Foundation. Prior to joining the Guild in November 2014, Mary practiced law for over 25 years in roles that spanned private practice, the government and corporate sector, as a recognized expert in copyright and media law. From 2002 to 2008 Mary worked for the U.S. Copyright Office and Library of Congress as senior policy advisor and program director for the National Digital Preservation Program. Immediately prior to coming to the Guild in late 2014, Mary was a partner at Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard, and previously Counsel at Skadden Arps, where she counseled and litigated on behalf of publishing, media, entertainment, and internet companies, as well as authors and other creators, in all areas of copyright and related rights. Earlier in her career, Mary worked at other major New York law firms and for a major record company. Mary is a frequent speaker, lecturer and writer on copyright law and authors' rights. She is on the Council of the American Bar Association's Intellectual Property Section; an Advisor to the Executive Committee of the Copyright Society of the USA; a founder of Copyright Awareness Week, and an Adviser to the American Law Institute's Restatement of Law, Copyright. Mary received her J.D. from Harvard Law School, an M.A. in Philosophy from Boston College, and her B.A. from Barnard College. Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Nico Perrino, VP of Communications with the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), to discuss the state of free speech on college and university campuses. We consider challenges to free speech, such as cancel-culture and social media wars. Additionally we discuss essential practices of free speech, such as debate and discussion, listening, and creating opportunities for consensus building and change. Nico Perrino is Vice President of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE)'s Communications department, including FIRE's award-winning Newsdesk. He is also the creator and host of FIRE's So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast. Nico began defending civil liberties on campus with FIRE in 2010 as a summer intern. He joined FIRE full time in 2012 as a Program Associate and Assistant to the President, later serving as a Communications Coordinator. His writing has been featured in USA Today, Politico, and The Guardian, and he regularly travels the country to speak about student and faculty rights on campus. As a documentarian, Nico was Co-Director and Senior Producer of “Mighty Ira: A Civil Liberties Story” , a feature-length film about the life and career of former ACLU Executive Director Ira Glasser. Previously, Nico served as Creative Consultant on “Can We Take a Joke?” , a film about censorship in stand up comedy. Nico graduated from Indiana University-Bloomington (IU) with a bachelor's degree in journalism and history. While at IU, he was a member of the track & field team and served as editor-in-chief for the Indiana Standard and as a reporter and columnist for the Indiana Daily Student. Nico was inducted into FIRE's Prometheus Society for his on-campus activism in defense of student and faculty rights. He was also a winner of the 2011 “Free to Tweet” contest sponsored by 1 for All and the Knight Foundation. Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Jonathan Marks, professor of political philosophy at Ursinus College, to discuss the case for a liberal education in American universities, focusing on the aim of creating reasonable students and citizens. Drawing on the works and thoughts of John Locke and other enlightenment thinkers, we discuss critical thinking, intellectual and character virtues, civics education, and political engagement. Most importantly, we are reminded to think critically about our own viewpoints, and that we can get along with our fellow citizens even when we disagree. Our guest today is Jonathan Marks. Professor Marks teaches political philosophy at Ursinus College. He has published on modern and contemporary political philosophy in journals like the American Political Science Review, the Journal of Politics, the Journal of American Political Science, and the Review of Politics. He is the author of Let's Be Reasonable: A Conservative Case for Liberal Education and Perfection and Disharmony in the Thought of Jean Jacques Rousseau. He co-edited and contributed to Principle and Prudence in Western Political Thought. Professor Marks also has written on higher education for InsideHigherEd, the Chronicle of Higher Education, the Weekly Standard, and the Wall Street Journal. He is a contributor to the Commentary Magazine blog. He received both his BA and his PhD from the University of Chicago. Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Dr. Jeff Thompson, executive advisor and chief executive officer emeritus at Gundersen Health System, to discuss healthcare and the common good, including the context of the current pandemic. Dr. Thompson notes that as an organization you can be competitive and values-based, using creative solutions to both serve the community and meet organizational goals. The conversation explores healthcare organizations' responsibilities to the communities in which they operate; viewing resources, including finances, as tools to meet goals; and engaging stakeholders by first listening to understand their perspectives. Our guest today is Dr. Jeff Thompson. Dr. Thompson is executive advisor and chief executive officer emeritus at Gundersen Health System, as well as a nationally-recognized pediatrician, author, and speaker on values-based leadership. During Dr. Thompson's tenure, Gundersen Health System gained national recognition for its sustainability efforts and was recognized by independent healthcare ratings organizations for high-quality patient care. It also earned the highest honors of Healthgrades America's 50 Best Award for 2012 through 2016 and the White House Champions of Change award in 2013. Dr. Thompson is a founding member and past board chair of the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality and the La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium. He also serves on boards for the ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value, the Wisconsin Statewide Value Committee, About Health, and Practice Greenhealth. Dr. Thompson has authored and been featured in many articles, book chapters and abstracts on healthcare, leadership and sustainability topics. He is the author of Lead True: Live Your Values, Build Your People, Inspire Your Community, . He is board certified in Pediatric Critical Care, Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine, and Pediatrics and has been caring for patients for over thirty-five years. He earned his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine. Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Senator Gary Hart, who has served the nation for over 50 years in numerous capacities, discussing the rights and responsibilities of being an American citizen in a democratic republic. Senator Hart has written that “there are a thousand small ways to distinguish the true citizens and patriot from the lowly opportunist,” and the conversation explores themes such as finding a distinct national purpose, restoring civics education, identifying and dedicating ourselves to our commonwealth, and finding pride in public service. For over five decades, Gary Hart has dedicated his life to public service. Senator Hart was first elected to the Senate in 1974, having never before sought public office; he represented Colorado in the United States Senate from 1975-1987. During his time in the Senate, he served on the Armed Services Committee, where he specialized in nuclear arms control and was an original founder of the military reform caucus. He played a leadership role in major environmental and conservation legislation, military reform initiatives, new initiatives to advance the information revolution and new directions in foreign policy. He is widely-recognized as among the first to forecast the end of the Cold War. In 1984 and 1988, he was a candidate for his party's nomination for President. Since retiring from the Senate, Senator Hart has been extensively involved in international law and business, as a strategic advisor to major U.S. corporations, and as a teacher, author and lecturer. He has also continued to serve the nation in various capacities. He served as chair of the Threat Reduction Advisory Council at the Department of Defense, was vice-chair of the Secretary of Homeland Security's Advisory Council, former chair of the Council for a Livable World, chair of the American Security Project, and co-chair of the US-Russia Commission. Senator Hart also served as co-chair of the U.S. Commission on National Security for the 21st Century. The Commission performed the most comprehensive review of national security since 1947, predicted the terrorist attacks on America in 2001, and proposed a sweeping overhaul of U.S. national security structures and policies for the post- Cold War new century and the age of terrorism. Most recently, Senator Hart served as the United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland. Senator Hart holds a doctor of philosophy degree (D.Phil.) from Oxford University and graduate law (J.D.) and divinity (B.D.) degrees from Yale University. He is the author of over twenty books. Additional Information/Reading: The Hart Center for Public Service website: https://www.msudenver.edu/president/hart-center/ Viterbo Lecture Featuring J. Drew Lanham: https://www.facebook.com/viterboethics Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Chris Wood, president and CEO of Trout Unlimited, to discuss conservation and environmental stewardship through the lens of outdoor recreation. Throughout their conversation they recognize conservation efforts face significant challenges, but confront them with a sense of optimism and hope. As they consider this, they examine how shared values and a nonpartisan approach builds partnerships and brings diverse people together in collaboration for the common good. Chris Wood is the President and CEO of Trout Unlimited. Before coming to Trout Unlimited in September 2001, Chris Wood served as the senior policy and communications advisor to the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service where he helped protect 58 million acres of publicly owned land. Chris began his career as a temporary employee with the Forest Service in Idaho and also worked for the Fish and Wildlife program of the Bureau of Land Management. He is the author and co-author of numerous papers and articles and three books including, Watershed Restoration: Principles and Practices (AFS 1997), From Conquest to Conservation: Our Public Land Legacy (Island Press, 2003), and My Healthy Stream: A handbook for streamside owners (Trout Unlimited and Aldo Leopold Foundation, 2013). Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Beth Conover to discuss conservation in the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through their conversation they discuss two approaches to conservation, the more traditional approach and a more collaborative approach. Furthermore, they consider challenges and successes of engaging seemingly disparate groups of people, building trust within communities, practical approaches to conservation efforts and establishing common ground to more effectively accomplish the various goals of conservation. Beth Conover has spent her entire career working at the intersection of environmental policy and community development. Beth is currently the Executive Director of the Salazar Center for North American Conservation, which works to support and advance the health and connectivity of the natural systems and landscapes of North America. Prior to joining the Salazar Center, Beth served as the Senior Vice President for Natural Resources and Community Development for the Gates Family Foundation. She has worked on community conservation program development in diverse places including Providence, Rhode Island; Zimbabwe, Southern Africa; and the Colorado Plateau. Born in Denver, she was Director of Parks and Environment for the redevelopment of the former Stapleton International Airport and a senior advisor and founder of Greenprint Denver for Mayor John Hickenlooper. She is the editor and co-author of How the West was Warmed: Climate Change in the Rocky Mountain West. For further reading: Weaving the Strands Together: Case studies in inclusive and equitable landscape conservation (https://salazarcenter.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/01/Weaving-the-Strands-Together_Case-studies-in-inclusive-and-equitable-landscape-conservation.pdf) Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by singer-songwriter Larry Long to discuss the role of music in promoting social justice and building community. Through stories and conversation, they examine music as a tool to build and create common bonds, which bring together generations and cultures, inspire change, and power transformation. Lifelong social justice advocate, Larry Long (www.larrylong.org) is a singer-songwriter, poet, educator, organizer, activist, and storyteller. Long's work has taken him from rural Alabama to the Lakota communities in South Dakota. He has given voices to struggling Midwest farmers, embattled workers, and veterans. He was the troubadour on the American Agriculture Movement Tractorcade to Washington DC for parity, ran with Oceti Sakowin children on the Run For Freedom from Standing Rock to the prison in Sioux Falls, performed on Soviet/American peace cruises along the Volga and Mississippi Rivers, sang for Mrs. Rosa Parks at the 45th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and organized the Mississippi River Revival, a decade long campaign to clean-up the Mississippi river. Through a curriculum called Elders' Wisdom, Children's Song, (www.communitycelebration.org) Larry has honored over one-thousand elders of many nations with youth in story and song from throughout the United States. Long is the Executive Producer of the award winning documentary "Dodging Bullets: Stories of Survivors of Historical Trauma" and co-host of 'Conspiracy of Goodness' (https://wdrt.org/conspiracy-of-goodness/) heard every Monday morning on www.WDRT.org radio at 8:30 AM (CT). Larry Long is a recipient of the prestigious In The Spirit of Crazy Horse Award, Bush Artists Fellowship, Pope John XXIII Award, Leadership In Neighborhood Fellowship (St. Paul Companies), and Sustainability Award for his work in forgotten communities. Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by William & Mary law school professor Laura Heymann to discuss Section 230, which recently has been in the news as people across the political spectrum have called for its repeal. The conversation begins by examining the nature and intent of Section 230 and why internet content is treated differently from newspaper or book publishers. The discussion then dives deeper into the implications of Section 230 on the First Amendment and free speech generally, along with the costs and benefits of social media and internet content as it relates to civil discourse. Laura Heymann is Chancellor Professor of Law at William & Mary Law School. Prior to joining the faculty in 2005, Professor Heymann was the inaugural Frank H. Marks Visiting Associate Professor of Law and Administrative Fellow in the Intellectual Property Law Program at The George Washington University Law School. She has also served as an assistant general counsel at America Online, Inc., and as an associate at Wilmer, Cutler, and Pickering in Washington, D.C. She also served as a law clerk to the Hon. Patricia M. Wald of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Professor Heymann has received several awards for her teaching and served as Vice Dean of the William & Mary Law School from 2013 to 2017. She has published numerous scholarly articles in the areas of copyright law, trademark law, and naming, including recently “The Satellite Has No Conscience: Section 230 in a World of ‘Alternative Facts'.” Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Minnijean Brown Trickey and Spirit Tawfiq to discuss storytelling and education as catalysts of change, particularly in relation to racism and social justice. Through their conversation they examine America's need for a more inclusive and complete telling of our history, developing a vocabulary for talking about racism as a means to bring bigger change, and educating young people to become societal change agents against racial injustice. Minnijean Brown Trickey is one of the “Little Rock Nine,” the students who desegregated Little Rock High School in 1957. She is the recipient of numerous awards for her community work for social justice, including a Lifetime Achievement Tribute by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and the International Wolf Award for contributions to racial harmony. With the Little Rock Nine, she received the NAACP Spingarn Medal and the Congressional Gold Medal. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work in Native Human Services from Laurentian University and Master of Social Work from Carleton University, in Ontario Canada, and is the recipient of four Honorary Doctorates. ​ Ms. Trickey is the subject of a documentary, Journey to Little Rock: the Untold Story of Minnijean Brown Trickey, which has received critical acclaim in international film festivals across the globe. She has been featured on Oprah, People Magazine, Newsweek, the Ottawa Citizen, the BBC, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp, CNN, the History Channel Turning Points in History, and the HBO documentary, Little Rock Central: 50 Years Later. Spirit Tawfiq is an Antiracism Educator & founder of Roots of the Spirit, an organization created to uproot racism through Storytelling, Education and the Arts. She is the creator and host of Roots of the Spirit Podcast, a space to galvanize change through honest conversations about identity, “race,” racism and intersecting social justice issues. As a professional speaker and playwright, Spirit speaks and hosts workshops in k-12 classrooms, colleges, universities and organizations about her legacy as the daughter of Minnijean Brown Trickey, inspiring people from all walks of life to discover their own roots and our interconnected history. Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Jacob Hundt for a discussion on education as a means of engaging together in community. The conversation explores the influence of common values and shared stories, the value of experiential learning, and the role that conversations in the classroom play in creating moments for personal and intellectual growth. A big thank you to guest Jacob Hundt. Jacob is a founder and current Director of Thoreau College in Viroqua, Wisconsin. He grew up on a dairy farm in the Driftless Region of southwestern Wisconsin. He studied at Deep Springs College, the American University in Bulgaria, and the University of Chicago Master of Arts Program in the Social Sciences, earning a BA in History and an MA in Social Sciences. Since 2004, he has worked as a trained Waldorf high school teacher and guidance counselor at Youth Initiative High School in Viroqua and was a founding board member and instructor of the Driftless Folk School. Jacob is passionate about the importance of the liberal arts for our civilization and has created a model that enables students to freely choose a post-secondary education dedicated to the cultivation of thinking, feeling, and willing. Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Lee Rasch to discuss ethical leadership in politics. Beginning the conversation, they define ethical leadership and then delve deeper, contemplating tough questions: how did Americans become so politically polarized? How do we find middle ground? And what can the average citizen do to encourage responsible and ethical political leadership? A big thank you to guest Lee Rasch. Lee founded LeaderEthics-Wisconsin, a non-profit/non-partisan organization committed to promoting ethical leadership among elected officials, in 2018. He serves as the Executive Director of the organization. Prior to this experience, he served as President of Western Technical College from 1989 to 2017. Throughout his career, he has actively promoted leadership development, continuous improvement, economic development and sustainability at the national, statewide and local levels. He has written articles and given numerous presentations on these topics. Lee was Chair of the Legislative Committee for the Wisconsin Technical College System for more than 15 years, and he was a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Congress in 1994 and 1996. In his spare time, Lee sings in a quartet and plays bass guitar in a rock band. Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam are joined by Dr. Andrew O'Shaughnessy to discuss the civic importance of education, especially as Thomas Jefferson viewed it in the context of the American experiment. Examining the principles of the founders, in particular Jefferson, they discuss how education can teach us to put aside self-interest for the public good and the role of education in America's progress as a nation. Additionally, they discuss Jefferson's optimistic view of America and the continued debate over the complex legacy of the founders. A big thank you to guest Andrew O'Shaughnessy. Andrew is Vice President of Monticello, the Saunders Director of the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at the Thomas Jefferson Foundation and Professor of History at the University of Virginia. He is the author of "An Empire Divided: The American Revolution and the British Caribbean" and "The Men Who Lost America: British Leadership, the American Revolution and the Fate of the Empire." The latter received eight national awards including the New York Historical Society American History Book Prize, the George Washington Book Prize, and the Society of Military History Book Prize. His newest book, "The Illimitable Freedom of the Human Mind:'Thomas Jefferson's Idea of a University,"will be released in 2021. Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"

In today's episode, Rick and Sam discuss youth engagement and leadership with guest Crista Valentino. They touch on youth engagement, and how youth are making a difference in conservation and the world today. Sam and Rick bring the discussion full circle by connecting youth engagement and empowerment to American civic virtue. A big thank you to guest Crista Valentino! Crista founded CoalitionWILD in 2013 based on the recognition that youth leadership in conservation is an untapped potential for positive change. She continues to be an international spokesperson and advocate for the integration and support of youth in leadership and decision making about the planet. With a decade of experience navigating collaborations with global environmental leaders and fostering grassroots community action, Crista's work bridges the gap found between generations, cultures, and tactics to bring about sustained change for the future. Sam Scinta is President and Founder of IM Education, a non-profit, and Lecturer in Political Science at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Rick Kyte is Endowed Professor and Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. Music compliments of Bobby Bridger- “Rendezvous” from "A Ballad of the West"