Ohio State University’s President, “Ted” Carter Jr., recently faced a dramatic and public unraveling of both his professional and personal life. His resignation from a lucrative $1.5 million-per-year position and the end of his 45-year marriage have been attributed to an “inappropriate relationship” with a local podcaster, whose audience numbers reportedly fell short of expectations.

The controversy erupted after Carter acknowledged granting “inappropriate access to Ohio State leadership” to a woman seeking assistance with her private business ventures. This relationship has been speculated to involve Krisanthe Vlachos, the host of the Callout Podcast, according to a podcast sponsor who spoke with NBC 4.

In a statement, JobsOhio, an economic development organization, commented on the situation: “We are aware that Ted Carter resigned this morning as President of The Ohio State University, and this situation is possibly linked to a relationship with the host of a podcast for veterans, which we sponsored.” The group emphasized that their sponsorship of the podcast adhered to their “standard and rigorous legal process,” similar to any other sponsorships they extend.

Carter, aged 66, had been a frequent guest on Vlachos’ podcast, which centers on veterans’ issues, as evidenced by her LinkedIn and Instagram profiles. Their association is further illustrated by a photograph from the Student Veterans of America national conference in Colorado Springs in January 2026, where Carter is seen smiling alongside Vlachos, who is dressed in striking black leather attire.

Carter, 66, has been a regular fixture on Vlachos’ veterans-focused for months, according to Vlachos’ LinkedIn and Instagram accounts.

A photo taken at the Student Veterans of America 2026 national conference in Colorado Springs in January shows the former university president smiling alongside Vlachos, who is clad in an all-black leather get-up.

In a caption alongside the photo, Vlachos refers to Carter as her “dear friend and mentor.”

Carter’s  resignation Monday came after he admitted to the university’s board of trustees that he “made a mistake in allowing inappropriate access to Ohio State leadership” to a woman who wanted help with her private business, he said in a statement.

He did not elaborate on the circumstances surrounding the relationship, but said he was leaving with his wife of nearly 45 years.

Vlachos didn’t respond to a request for comment.