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4.6

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Money. Romance. Tragedy. Deception. The story of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos is an unbelievable tale of ambition and fame gone terribly wrong. How did the world's youngest self-made female billionaire lose it all in the blink of an eye? How did the woman once heralded as "the next Steve Jobs" find herself facing criminal charges - to which she pleaded not guilty - and up to decades in prison? How did her technology, meant to revolutionize health care, potentially put millions of patients at risk? And how did so many smart people get it so wrong along the way? ABC News chief business, technology and economics correspondent Rebecca Jarvis, along with producers Taylor Dunn and Victoria Thompson, take listeners on a journey that includes a multi-year investigation. You'll hear exclusive interviews with former employees, investors, and patients, and for the first-time, the never-before-aired deposition testimony of Elizabeth Holmes, and those at the center of this story. Then, go inside the courtroom as 12 jurors decide the fate of the Theranos founder; three years after she was first charged, we find out how this saga finally ends.

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Introducing "The Hand in the Window"

2025/11/05

Today, we're sharing the first episode of the latest true crime podcast from 20/20 and ABC Audio, "The Hand in the Window." A 911 call becomes the first step in an investigation that would reveal sinister and shocking crimes. To catch new episodes early, follow "The Hand in the Window" for free on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Amazon Music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Bonus: Sentenced

2022/11/19

In a special bonus episode of "The Dropout: Elizabeth Holmes on Trial," we break down what happened during Holmes' sentencing hearing and what is next for the once-lauded Theranos founder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bonus: Amanda and The Other Liz

2022/08/11

Amanda Seyfried, the lead actress of Hulu's "The Dropout" and the show's creator and showrunner Liz Meriwether join host Rebecca Jarvis for a wide-ranging conversation about the making of the Hulu limited series based on the ABC News podcast. Seyfried has been nominated for an Emmy in the category of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her portrayal of Elizabeth Holmes, one of six nominations for the Hulu series this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Sunny Balwani Verdict

2022/07/08

Rebecca Jarvis sits down with Brad Mielke, host of ABC News' "Start Here" podcast to talk about the conviction of former Theranos president Ramesh "Sunny" Balwani. Follow "Start Here" on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/2maaMIF), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/3nNbcBC), or wherever you listen to get the day's top headlines every morning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

'20/20': The Rise and Con of Elizabeth Holmes

2022/03/06

The new Hulu limited series based on this podcast and starring Oscar-nominee Amanda Seyfried as Elizabeth Holmes is out now. And in case you missed 20/20's behind-the-scenes look at the show, we wanted to drop it in this feed, so you can listen now. You'll hear from the stars of the Hulu series and a member of the jury that convicted Elizabeth. And be sure to follow the 20/20 podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you're listening now for more true crime stories from ABC News. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Verdict

2022/01/05

Three years after Elizabeth Holmes was charged with 11 counts of fraud, the verdict we've all been waiting for is finally in. After seven days and over 50 hours of deliberation, the 12 members of the jury -- one of whom gave us details that you'll hear for the first time on this podcast -- found Holmes guilty on four counts. They were hung on an additional three. How did they reach these conclusions? And what happens next? What will affect Elizabeth's sentencing, and how will the appeal process work in this case? Finally, what will the ripple effects be for Silicon Valley? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Closing Arguments

2021/12/21

More than three months, 32 witnesses and three juror dismissals after the criminal trial of Elizabeth Holmes began, attorneys for the prosecution and defense had the chance to make their final appeals with closing arguments. Who presented the most compelling case? What resonated most with the eight men and four women of the jury? Whatever the case, the fate of Elizabeth Holmes could be days away from being decided. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Defense Rests

2021/12/14

The testimony of Elizabeth Holmes continues this week, finally concluding after seven days. And in a surprising move, the defense calls no further witnesses, resting its case. So after three months and dozens of witnesses, who came out on top? Will the defense strategy pay off? Soon, both sides will have one last shot to make a case in closing arguments before 12 jurors decide the fate of Elizabeth Holmes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Accusations and Evasions

2021/12/07

This week, the most jaw-dropping testimony in this trial yet. Elizabeth Holmes fights back tears telling the court she was raped when she was at Stanford and claims she was in an emotional and physically abusive relationship with her former boyfriend and Theranos COO Sunny Balwani, who firmly denies all allegations. Plus, the government begins its cross-examination, and while Elizabeth Holmes seemed to be able to recall her life in vivid detail throughout the defense's questioning, her memories suddenly got more hazy, even non-existent, at times. Will the jury be thrown by the sudden evasiveness? And ultimately, will charges of abuse negate the allegations of fraud? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reframing the Narrative

2021/11/30

This week, Elizabeth Holmes returns to the stand, presenting herself as a confident CEO with a noble mission who also naively took experts at their word. She meticulously details how she built her business -- even admitting to having doctored those pharmaceutical documents -- but implies over and over again that she relied on information given to her by scientists, doctors and board members to solidify her understanding of where her company stood. Will it be enough to convince a jury that she had no intent to defraud investors? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Prosecution Rests & Elizabeth Speaks

2021/11/23

In a monumental week in the trial of United States v. Elizabeth A. Holmes, the prosecution introduced its final week of witnesses before resting its case. Among them, a patient who received troubling results from a Theranos HIV test and a journalist whose damaging interviews with Elizabeth were played for the first time in court. And in a literal final-hour shocker, the defense called Elizabeth Holmes to the stand. Did the government bring its case home? Did Elizabeth begin to sway the jury? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Beginning of the End

2021/11/16

In this episode, we hear from two Theranos lab directors -- one who never met Elizabeth or stepped foot into the company's lab, another who ultimately voided more than 50,000 Theranos tests after a damning government inspection. And we hear from an irate investor who says Elizabeth Holmes cut off communication with him when he asked for basic information about the company. Plus, 10 weeks into the trial, with only 24 witnesses out of a possible 181 on the government's initial list having taken the stand, we hear a surprising update from prosecutor Jeffrey Schenk: This week might be the prosecution's last before it rests its case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patterns

2021/11/09

Nine weeks into the criminal trial of Elizabeth Holmes, we've heard from dozens of witnesses -- Elizabeth's colleagues, board members, investors, clients, scientists, accountants and corporate executives. It's impossible not to feel the repetition. We learn that a fake Pfizer memo wasn't the only document Theranos falsified, and we're introduced to a man with deep connections to many of the central players in Elizabeth's orbit. Patterns in the prosecution's questioning are beginning to become clear, and experts show us it's all part of a greater plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Investors

2021/11/02

This week, we hear from high-profile companies and individuals who invested millions of dollars into Theranos, the prosecution reiterating that these investments were made on the basis of what they say was a pattern of misinformation, exaggeration and outright lies coming from Elizabeth Holmes herself. And we hear from a Pfizer scientist who speaks to the supposedly doctored Pfizer document that Theranos showed investors to help lure them in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Therabros

2021/10/26

This week, we got a peek into how things at Theranos could at times be a full-on family affair. Elizabeth recruited her brother Christian to the company. He, in turn, recruited five of his Delta Tau Delta fraternity brothers to join him. The group would come to be known as "The Therabros." We hear from one Therabro who would rise to the rank of Elizabeth's lead of strategic operations. He interacted with VIP investors, board members, military officials and business partners, and revealed to the court what the government says was a disturbing pattern of misinformation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcast reviews

Read The Dropout podcast reviews

4.6 out of 5

23464 reviews

★★★★★

Silvapain 2024/12/17

Like a Good Neighbor, Walk Away

The show was great, and then they flooded it with ads for other shows. Completely turned me sour on the whole thing.

★★★☆☆

lunari113 2025/03/28

Dragging it out

There is an unnecessary amount of repetition in the second season covering the trial. They feel the need to replay the same clips from Elizabeth’s dep...

★★★★☆

Cinnamonpumpkinface 2024/12/22

Really informative and interesting

I am loving this podcast. Giving lots of a Scamanda vibes, and I love it!

★★★★★

whenisayyou for scratch 2024/11/29

Amazing!!!

This is an amazing podcast!!

★★★★★

Simy2006 2023/09/17

Riveting podcast

This is one of my absolute favorite podcasts. The topic was well covered, Jarvis is an excellent journalist and the diversity of people in the case in...

★★★☆☆

Halo69 2024/10/14

LOTS of Filler

I saw a study recently that showed women typically speak about 7000 words a day. Men - 2000 words. This podcast supports that finding. This was pro...

★★★★☆

Allison B 21 2023/11/27

First part great

The first part of the series was amazing. Very engaging. But once they get to the trial it’s very repetitive I couldn’t listen to the whole thing.

★★★☆☆

JulianZ13 2023/11/26

Good but gets old

The first season is good, after that, it feels like every other audio clip was something reused from season one. By the end I felt sure I had heard ce...

★★★★★

Bellamammal 2023/08/02

Nice deep dive

Thought I knew most everything there was to know about this reprehensible scam/ scammer. This outstanding coverage brings the peripheral players into ...

★★★☆☆

haileysgarden 2023/07/29

Follow up seasons are repetitive

Continually quotes and reuses audio already used in first season. Seems like a lot of the episodes after the first season are completely unnecessary. ...

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