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What Came Next

2: [Koa Johnson - Hulu's The Housewife & The Shah Shocker] Everything’s Up in a Blaze

What Came Next

Broken Cycle Media

Documentary, Education, True Crime, Society & Culture, Self-improvement

4.4627 Ratings

🗓️ 3 March 2023

⏱️ 29 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

*Content warning: This episode includes discussion of professional, mental, and emotional abuse and physical violence. 

Couture fashion designer Koa Johnson shared his traumatic experiences on Hulu’s The Housewife and The Shah Shocker, after being employed by one of Bravo’s most-watched reality stars. How he prevailed amidst the abuse he faced, as well as what came next after freeing himself from his toxic environment, is an inspiration to all.

Sources: 
Koa’s Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/designerkojo

Hulu’s The Housewife & The Shah Shocker: 
https://www.hulu.com/series/the-housewife-the-shah-shocker-a64df37c-8417-435e-a6c9-57a33b657e2a

NBC on Jen Shah’s conviction:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/real-housewives-salt-lake-city-star-jen-shah-pleads-guilty-wire-fraud-rcna37631

Vox on Shah’s sentencing:
https://www.vox.com/culture/2023/1/6/23542202/jen-shah-real-housewife-sentencing-78-months

NPR on Shah’s sentencing:
https://www.npr.org/2023/01/06/1147452652/jen-shah-real-housewives-star-sentenced-fraud

Cleverism on Professional Abuse:
https://www.cleverism.com/signs-of-emotional-abuse-at-work/

CDC Statistics on Workplace Violence
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/violence/fastfacts.html

National Safety Council on Workplace Abuse:
https://www.nsc.org/work-safety/safety-topics/workplace-violence

State & Territory Business Resources
https://www.usa.gov/state-business

State Labor Office Commissioners, Directors, & Secretaries
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/contacts

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

What came next is intended for mature audiences only. Episodes discuss topics that can be triggering,

0:06.7

such as emotional, physical, and sexual violence, suicide, and murder. I am not a therapist,

0:12.7

nor am I a doctor. If you're in need of support, please visit something was wrong.com

0:17.5

forward slash resources for a list of non-profit organizations that can help.

0:22.5

Opinions expressed by my guests on the show are their own and do not necessarily represent

0:27.1

the views of myself or broken cycle media. Resources and source material are linked in the

0:32.9

episode notes. Thank you so much for listening.

0:39.9

Koa Johnson is a couture gown designer hailing from the island of Maui, Hawaii.

0:45.5

After attending fashion school, he hit the ground running, designing dresses for pageant queens

0:50.4

and the New York elite. However, it wasn't until his journey brought him to Salt Lake City

0:55.9

that he would face his most challenging task yet, freeing himself of alleged professional,

1:01.9

emotional, and mental abuse at the hands of a well-known reality star. COA's story was briefly

1:08.2

shared on the housewife and the Shaw Shocker, but today he's sharing his harrowing story on what came next.

1:44.5

The I would describe myself as hardworking, dedicated, loyal, and respectful.

1:46.8

I am 32 years old.

1:50.6

I was born and raised in Hawaii, Maui specifically.

1:55.9

I put 110% into my craft, my skills, and talents.

2:02.8

I went to fashion school when I was 18 years old, graduated in 2011, started my business,

2:08.3

doing custom wedding gowns and pageant gowns for a few years in Hawaii.

2:10.2

It was a great experience.

2:15.1

What I loved most about pageantry was how it was a competition.

2:19.3

I also felt that I was competing with my clients. I got that thrill because it was such an adrenaline rush. To see the reactions of people in the audience and

...

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