Ep 40: Surviving Ohio State: Whistleblower Michael DiSabato Confronts the Abuse
In this powerful episode of The People Business Podcast, host Frank Favaro sits down with Michael DiSabato—lead plaintiff, whistleblower, and member of a family considered Ohio wrestling royalty. Michael shares his deeply personal account of growing up in a household defined by grit, competition, and excellence on the mat—and how that same relentless spirit fueled his fight to expose the decades-long sexual abuse scandal involving Dr. Richard Strauss at The Ohio State University.Michael opens up about the challenges of breaking the silence, the culture of denial within OSU athletics, and the personal and professional toll of being a whistleblower. Together, Frank and Michael discuss the HBO documentary Surviving Ohio State, how it’s changing public perception about abuse in sports, and what it means to stand for truth when it comes at a cost.This candid, emotional conversation is both a stark reminder of the damage caused by institutional cover-ups and a rallying cry for accountability, survivor advocacy, and athlete safety.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Michael’s journey from wrestling standout to national whistleblowerThe culture of silence that allowed abuse to persist for decadesThe impact of Surviving Ohio State and why it’s resonating worldwideHow survivors can find strength in speaking outActionable steps for protecting athletes and children from abuse📺 Surviving Ohio State is streaming now on HBO Max.Watch on: HBO📌 Subscribe for weekly conversations with the leaders shaping business, sports, and community.🎧 Available on all major platforms📲 Connect with Frank Favarohttps://serve-centric.com
