Episode 117: We are in the middle of Thanksgiving week, which means two things — platters of turkey followed by the start of the hectic holiday shopping season.

And although cellphones, televisions and computers are certain to be on many Christmas lists this year, most consumers seem resigned to the fact that these and other costly and complicated gadgets are nearly impossible to repair.

There have been a range of laws passed recently — both in the United States and Europe — that give the people who owns these products the right to repair them. Such legislation aims to reduce both e-waste and carbon emissions.

Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss whether consumers should have more control over the products they purchase.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast:

Right to repair: An ethical debate that technically concerns you, by Timothy Cook-Berry

The right-to-repair movement is just getting started, by Maddie Stone, The Verge

About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager 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, Wis. His forthcoming book, "Finding Your Third Place," will be published by Fulcrum Books.