Something Was Wrong — S25 Ep8: "Fifty and a Feather" (Feb 13, 2026)

Podcast: Something Was Wrong
Host: Broken Cycle Media
Episode Theme:
This episode delves deep into the aftermath of sexual misconduct allegations in a university theater department—specifically, a Title IX investigation against a faculty member, Cato Buss. Through first-person accounts, the episode explores survivor experiences, the failures and limitations of institutional processes, the insidious dynamics of abuse, the loss of community, and the long-lasting impact on those involved.

Main Theme & Purpose

The episode focuses on the journey of several young women—primarily Morgan, Miranda, Olivia, and Rihanna—as they navigate the emotional and practical consequences of reporting sexual harassment and abuse by a college professor, Cato Buss. The story examines the barriers to justice within university Title IX systems and the personal aftermath of coming forward.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Realization and Reporting (04:10–09:03)

• Morgan's Growing Awareness
  Morgan discusses her slow realization of Cato’s pattern of inappropriate conduct toward students. Initially, red flags were easy to dismiss due to Cato's popularity and apparent generosity in the department. However, stories from peers and the broader societal context of #MeToo made her reconsider.

  • “That little voice just kept growing louder and louder.” — Morgan (06:04)

• The Scotland Trip Revelation
  After hearing negative stories about a departmental trip, Morgan quietly discloses her own experiences with Cato to Rihanna, which triggers a chain of revelations.

• Reporting to Title IX
  Morgan describes her initial meeting with Title IX officer Adrienne Martinez:

  • Felt believed and reassured.

  • Described incidents of groping/assault and underage alcohol use.

  • Given the choice of “formal” vs “informal” resolution; chose formal for perceived fairness.

  • “She told me the standard of evidence was a preponderance, which she described as fifty and a feather, meaning that if I proved any more than 50% that the incident happened, that Cato would be found responsible.” — Morgan (09:40)

2. Chaos, Secrets, and Sides (21:47–27:19)

• Miranda’s Reaction
  Miranda learns she is named in the complaint, panics, and, with Cato, deletes digital evidence and rehearses their "official story".

  • Lying is partly self-preservation and partly “because I thought I loved him.” (23:41)

• Olivia’s Experience
  Olivia is approached by Cato to act as a character witness. She complies and supports him in her Title IX meeting:

  • “And so right after that conversation, the Title IX office was right by where we were talking, and I walked there and met with the Title 9 lady. I told her immediately that he had told me everything and that none of it was true and that I was really pissed off about it.” — Olivia (25:22)

• Friendship Strains
  The department shuns Morgan; Miranda and Olivia turn against her, believing she lied.

• Rihanna’s Reluctant Participation
  Rihanna is pressured into testifying, fearing betrayal but ultimately supports the case with text evidence. She later reflects on the complexity:

  • “I get two things can be true at once. Cato should not have been engaging in that behavior. And Miranda can still have been hurt by me sharing private information.” — Rihanna (29:30)

3. Title IX Investigation - The Process and Flaws (30:05–47:30)

• Cato’s Defense and Institutional Favoritism
  Morgan learns Cato brings character witnesses (Olivia among them) to support his defense.

• Investigative Shortcomings

  • Confusing communication and unclear processes.
  • Witness interviews are tangential or not properly focused.
  • Cato’s denials are subtle; "I can't say she's lying" but later "No, that's not true." (32:08)

• Morgan’s Isolation
  Morgan is ostracized by peers, feels like the outcast, and is left unsupported.

  • "I was just ready to get my semester over with. But that just goes to show you how much of a cult of personality Cato had on that department … he was able to quickly turn this incident into how I was ruining his life.” — Morgan (39:41)

4. The Outcomes and Aftermath (41:52–49:20)

• The Ruling
  The investigator finds Morgan credible but, citing lack of witnesses and confusion over wording (“slap” vs. “grab”), the Dean rules Cato “not responsible”.

  • “I don’t even think anger is the right word for it. I just felt deflated. … He had won and I had lost.” — Morgan (41:45)

• Reflection on Responsibility
  Morgan is clear that departmental adults “had a responsibility to follow up and call out minor things that they were seeing.” (47:45)

• Systemic Failure
  The episode highlights the limits and failures of Title IX procedures, which allowed for “blind eyes,” victim-blaming, and retaliation.

5. Lingering Trauma and Evolution (51:27–61:20)

• Departmental Fallout
  Rihanna sums up the cultural shift:

  • “The whole department kind of turned on her and said, she’s the problem. She’s making things up. She wants attention, which is insane to think about.” (51:51)

• Coping and Moving Forward
  Olivia admits guilt for treating Morgan badly. Miranda, reflecting later, acknowledges Morgan’s bravery and that her own journey toward understanding she was abused was part of her personal healing and detachment from Cato.

• Miranda's Recovery
  As Miranda’s relationship with Cato fades, she begins a healthy relationship with a peer, realizing how her college years were overshadowed by Cato’s abuse.

  • “A lot of my first sexual experiences were with him and a lot of my firsts in any relationship were with him. And so when I met my boyfriend, I felt like I could have another life that was not surrounded by Cato.” — Miranda (60:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-------------|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 09:40 | Morgan | “The standard of evidence was a preponderance, which she described as fifty and a feather...” | | 23:41 | Miranda | “The lying was partly because I thought that I loved him ... and partly self preservation.” | | 25:22 | Olivia | “He ... essentially asked me to be a character witness for him ... I told them if he was in a relationship with a student, I would know about it.” | | 29:30 | Rihanna | “Two things can be true at once. Cato should not have been engaging in that behavior. And Miranda can still have been hurt by me sharing private information.” | | 39:41 | Morgan | “[Shows] how much of a cult of personality Cato had on that whole department that he was able to ... turn this incident into how I was ruining his life.” | | 41:45 | Morgan | “I don’t even think anger is the right word for it. I just felt deflated.” | | 47:45 | Morgan | “The adults and the staff there really should have said something because maybe calling that out earlier would have discouraged or stopped the absolute breach …” | | 51:51 | Rihanna | “The whole department kind of turned on her and said, she’s the problem. She’s making things up. She wants attention, which is insane to think about.” | | 60:34 | Miranda | “A lot of my first sexual experiences were with him … when I met my boyfriend, I felt like I could have another life ... not surrounded by Cato.” |

Important Segment Timestamps

• Morgan’s first hints & decision to report: 04:10–09:03
• Initial fallout and group response: 21:47–29:30
• Title IX process and ruling: 30:05–47:30
• Dean’s reasoning & emotional aftermath: 41:52–46:31
• Long-term impact, survivor perspectives: 51:27–61:20

Tone & Language

The episode is deeply personal and often raw, with survivors speaking candidly about vulnerability, betrayal, and institutional failure. The language is unflinching throughout, with reflections on shame, anger, trauma, and hope.

Takeaways

• Systems designed for protection can easily fail survivors, becoming a source of secondary trauma.
• Community response, influenced by power dynamics and loyalty, can deeply harm those who come forward.
• Healing is complex, but solidarity between survivors, even if indirect, can help break cycles of abuse.

Next Episode Preview:
Miranda decides to file her own Title IX complaint, leading to new revelations and continued examination of abuse of power in the university theater department. (61:20–62:20)