Something Was Wrong

S25 Ep11: Long Term Impact

February 27, 2026

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The episode introduces a survivor, Amy, whose experience with Professor Kato Buss at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) began with grooming tactics disguised as mentorship during a high school musical, highlighting the long-term impact of such early manipulation. 
  • The initial Title IX complaint filed by a UCO survivor against Kato Buss was dismissed, leading to a lawsuit and subsequent feelings of powerlessness and voicelessness when the case was dropped following a Supreme Court decision. 
  • Amy's experience, though relatively 'PG' compared to other allegations, illustrates the lasting shame and anxiety resulting from power imbalances and secrecy, which only became recognizable as abuse after societal shifts like the Me Too movement provided new context. 

Segments

Podcast Introduction and Content Warning
Copied to clipboard!
(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Something Was Wrong is intended for mature audiences and covers sexual, physical, and psychological violence.
  • Summary: The episode begins with advertisements before issuing a content warning that the material is for mature audiences and discusses upsetting topics, including sexual, physical, and psychological violence. Listeners are directed to episode notes for full content warnings and resources. The show notes confirm Season 25 focuses on sexual assault and systemic betrayal within colleges regarding Title IX failures.
UCO Response and Previous Events
Copied to clipboard!
(00:01:50)
  • Key Takeaway: The production team reached out to Professor Kato Buss and the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) for comment prior to release but received no response.
  • Summary: The podcast team sought comment from Professor Kato Buss at UCO regarding allegations but had not received a response before the episode’s release. The segment transitions into a recap of previous events, where a dean found Buss not responsible following a Title IX complaint, leading the survivor to pursue a lawsuit. The lawsuit was later affected by a Supreme Court decision, and one survivor learned of its dismissal via a blog post, feeling powerless and voiceless as UCO provided no direct communication.
Connecting with Survivor Amy
Copied to clipboard!
(00:06:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Survivor Amy, a long-time listener, connected with the show after hearing the current season’s focus on UCO survivors due to her own past experience with Kato Buss.
  • Summary: Host Tiffany Reese connects with survivor Amy on February 23rd, noting they met through the show’s submission process. Co-producer ABC Chesler explains she discovered Amy’s submission while reviewing content related to the UCO stories, feeling immediate validation and heartbreak over the pattern of behavior spanning over 20 years. ABC emphasizes the institutional failure to address this long-standing pattern.
Amy’s First Encounter with Kato
Copied to clipboard!
(00:08:58)
  • Key Takeaway: Amy first met Kato Buss in 1998 as a high school senior when he directed her musical, where he and his partner were seen as energetic and respected directors.
  • Summary: Amy recounts meeting Kato in the spring of 1998 while directing the musical ‘Chess’ at her high school due to her regular theater teacher’s absence. Kato and his partner, who share a child, were well-liked by students, seeming smart and charismatic, commanding attention with a ‘hipster’ style. Amy, being a lead in the musical, naturally received more one-on-one access through coaching sessions.
Escalation of Attention and Prom Call
Copied to clipboard!
(00:16:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Kato’s attention escalated from one-on-one coaching to personal drives, culminating in a flirtatious dynamic marked by a highly inappropriate call on Amy’s prom night.
  • Summary: Amy confirms experiencing a gradual increase in special attention, including personal drives where physical contact like hand-holding occurred, and receiving a mixed tape from him, which felt special at the time. The dynamic became flirtatious, and Kato called her on her high school prom day, stating he wished he were taking her, which made the 18-year-old Amy feel ‘gross’ despite her initial excitement over the attention.
Post-Musical Fizzle and Long-Term Impact
Copied to clipboard!
(00:23:28)
  • Key Takeaway: The relationship with Kato fizzled out after the musical ended because Amy was moving on to college and travel, allowing her to initially box up the experience as exciting rather than abusive.
  • Summary: Amy was fortunate that the relationship ended without drama as she was preparing for a European trip and starting college, allowing her to compartmentalize the experience as exciting for years. Over time, comments like the prom wish planted a seed of doubt, and the Me Too movement helped her reframe the situation as a clear abuse of power, though she carried significant shame about believing his claims regarding his partner.
Institutional Betrayal at UCO
Copied to clipboard!
(00:33:48)
  • Key Takeaway: Despite ongoing Title IX investigations against Kato Buss, UCO recommended him for promotion to a full-time professor position, reinforcing institutional betrayal for survivors.
  • Summary: At the time of release, UCO still lists Kato Buss as an interim assistant dean and professor, having not responded to requests for comment. A 2022 article revealed UCO recommended Buss for promotion to full professor while he was under an ongoing Title IX investigation, citing budget deficits as context. This decision confirms for survivors the pattern of institutional betrayal, where the university prioritized interests over student safety.
Next Episode Preview and Credits
Copied to clipboard!
(00:35:18)
  • Key Takeaway: The next episode will feature Marissa, a student whose sexual assault report led to years of navigating confusing investigations involving institutional confusion and athletic culture.
  • Summary: The preview for the next episode introduces Marissa, a college student who experienced sexual assault and faced a long, difficult navigation of investigations, court dates, and Title IX meetings. The episode credits the production team, including creator Tiffany Reese and associate producer ABC Chesler, and thanks the musical artist Abayomi Lewis for the cover song. Listeners are encouraged to support the show through subscriptions or by sharing their own stories.