Welcome to a revealing and urgent conversation between Charles Feldman and Richard Painter.
A deep dive into the ethical undercurrents shaping Washington, D.C. and the U.S. government.
In this episode, they explore:
How ethics are often sidelined in policy debates
What “ethics” truly mean in day-to-day governmental decision making
Real-world cases of conflicts of interest, revolving doors, and influence peddling
What reforms are needed (and which ones are realistic)
The role of public accountability, whistleblowers, and oversight agencies
🧑‍⚖️ About Richard Painter
Richard W. Painter served as Chief White House Ethics Counsel under President George W. Bush (2005–2007). During that time, he was responsible for advising on the President’s financial disclosures, recusals, and managing potential conflicts of interest in the Executive Branch. His insider perspective—coupled with later roles as a legal scholar and public critic of ethical lapses—gives him a rare vantage point to diagnose the system from both inside and outside.
Charles and Richard together examine how Washington’s structures incentivize unethical behavior, and whether change is possible in an environment driven by power, money, and partisan pressures.
If you care about good governance, transparency, and restoring trust in public institutions — don’t miss this one.
✅ What you’ll get from this episode
A clearer lens to spot ethical red flags in government
Stories from the inside: what it’s like to wrestle with ethics at the White House
Ideas for meaningful reform (beyond rhetoric)
Ways citizens, journalists, and watchdogs can hold officials accountable

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