Campus Files: "Hot for Chancellor - Part 2" Summary

Introduction In the riveting episode titled "Hot for Chancellor - Part 2" of Campus Files by Audacy, host Elliot Adler delves deeper into the controversial downfall of Joe Gao, the former Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UW La Crosse). Alongside his wife, Carmen Wilson, Joe navigates the tumultuous waters of academia, personal expression, and public scandal. This episode offers an intimate look into their lives, the motivations behind their actions, and the repercussions that followed.

Background and Relationship The episode begins with Elliot Adler arriving at the Gao-Wilson household in La Crosse, Wisconsin, setting the stage for an in-depth conversation with the couple.

• Introduction to the Couple: Joe Gao, a tall, fit man in his mid-60s with salt-and-pepper hair, and Carmen Wilson, a younger woman with long brown hair, share their journey from professional partners to life partners. Joe emphasizes the symbiotic nature of their relationship:

  "We're always eager to tell the full story because this is really a partnership... two people making equal contributions." ([04:00])

• Professional Beginnings: Carmen's move into academia began after her doctorate in counseling psychology, leading her to teach at UW La Crosse. Her involvement in the search committee for the Chancellor's position is where she first met Joe Gao, who she later married in 2011.

Exploration of Sexual Expression The heart of the episode explores how Joe and Carmen integrated their personal expressions of sexuality with their professional lives.

• Initial Experiments: The couple started with personal video recordings, gradually escalating to involving professional pornographic actors. Carmen explains:

  "We started with OnlyFans and loyal fans... put a couple videos on Pornhub and Xhamster, and the Porhub site got a little bit of interest... then it exploded." ([18:39])

• Creative Ventures: Joe introduces innovative ideas to merge their interests, such as combining erotic content with cooking shows. He narrates:

  "We were in a gym... saw Chip and Joanna Gaines... thought we could do something like cooking while emphasizing the couple dynamic." ([11:22])

Professional Turmoil and Scandal As Joe and Carmen continued their ventures into adult content creation, their professional lives began to unravel.

• Cultural Shifts in Academia: Both discuss the increasing politicization of academia and the diminishing autonomy of university campuses:

  "When I was hired to be chancellor, it was really do your own thing... over time, there was more and more political influence." ([14:59])

• Invitation to Controversy: In 2018, Joe faced backlash for inviting adult film star Nina Hartley to speak on campus, signaling the beginning of institutional discomfort:

  "In 2018, Joe caught tons of flack from his bosses for inviting adult film star and sex educator Nina Hartley to speak on campus." ([14:43])

• Job Loss and Fallout: In December 2023, Joe received an unexpected termination notice while on vacation. Carmen recounts the immediate crisis management:

  "He gets an email that you've been fired as chancellor... very difficult to try to explain in a phone call." ([22:59])

Legal Battle and Aftermath The episode details Joe's response to his dismissal and the couple's subsequent legal actions.

• Filing a Lawsuit: In January 2025, Joe files a federal lawsuit against the UW system, citing violations of his First Amendment rights and academic freedom:

  "Joe filed a federal lawsuit against the UW system. He claims his dismissal was unconstitutional, violating both his free speech rights and the system's own stated commitment to academic freedom." ([26:09])

• Impact on Careers: Carmen shares the emotional toll of losing her career, describing it as a period of grief:

  "Losing that career goal, that was sad." ([30:25])

Current Endeavors and Future Plans Despite the scandal, Joe and Carmen have found new purposes and continue to engage with the community in meaningful ways.

• Shift Away from Explicit Content: They have ceased producing new sexually explicit videos, focusing instead on positive discussions around sexuality and free speech:

  "We haven't made any content since well before this whole thing broke... We might do other things, like the cooking piece." ([26:29])

• Educational Engagements: Joe remains committed to education through alternative avenues, such as speaking engagements:

  "We were invited just the other week to go to the University of Minnesota and speak in a media law class." ([28:59])

• Support and Resilience: The couple highlights the support they've received from alumni and the community, reinforcing their resilience:

  "We've had to stand unified against the critics. But we have a lot of support, too." ([27:03])

Notable Quotes

• Joe Gao on Free Speech:

  "We don't think that's appropriate... think that people who do want to see these things have the freedom." ([28:24])

• Carmen Wilson on Purpose:

  "We think of what we're doing as sex positive... invigorating." ([30:52])

Conclusion "Hot for Chancellor - Part 2" provides a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of Joe Gao and Carmen Wilson's lives, balancing personal revelations with broader discussions on academic freedom and free expression. Through candid interviews and detailed storytelling, the episode paints a vivid picture of the complexities behind the scandal, offering listeners a balanced perspective on the intersection of personal choices and professional responsibilities.

Episode Credits The episode was meticulously crafted by Elliot Adler, with production contributions from Ian Mont, Eliot Adler, and Margo Gray. Special acknowledgments go to their executive producers, story editors, and the dedicated team behind the scenes.

For more intriguing stories on scandals that have rocked American institutions, explore Seasons 1-3 of Gangster Capitalism available in this feed.