American Scandal

Elizabeth Holmes, the controversial founder of Theranos, finds herself under scrutiny as investigative journalist dives deep into the scandal. They discuss the shocking discoveries about the company's deceptive blood testing technology. Insights from whistleblowers reveal the dangers they faced in exposing the truth. Tensions rise as the journalist navigates conflicts between seeking the truth and Theranos's attempts to conceal its misdeeds. The conversation highlights the intricate layers of deception that led to one of Silicon Valley's biggest scandals.

Dive into the toxic culture at Theranos, where employee Chelsea Burkett confronts alarming practices and patient safety risks. Tensions rise as employees resign amid disillusionment and emotional turmoil. Follow the high-stakes moments as Elizabeth Holmes battles skepticism from Walgreens while trying to secure a pivotal deal. The bustling cafeteria serves as a backdrop for both excitement and moral dilemmas, setting the stage for potential confrontations about the company's integrity. The pressure mounts as secrets are suppressed under growing media scrutiny.

Elizabeth Holmes, the ambitious founder of Theranos, dreams of revolutionizing medicine with her groundbreaking blood-testing technology. The discussion unveils her early years of relentless determination, including her pivotal choice to leave Stanford. As pressure mounts within her company, the darker realities of her flawed technology emerge, raising serious concerns for patient safety. Listeners get a glimpse of the internal chaos and ethical dilemmas that ultimately shaped Theranos' dramatic fall from grace.

Launched in 1916, Boeing grew into the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial aircraft. Then Airbus came along, and Boeing had serious competition. In response, Boeing released a new plane, the 737 MAX, but design flaws led to two crashes and 346 deaths. Today, aviation industry consultant Scott Hamilton joins Lindsay to try to answer the question: how did Boeing get here? Hamilton is the author of Air Wars: The Global Combat Between Airbus and Boeing. Need more American Scandal? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive seasons, binge new seasons first, and listen completely ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or visit wondery.app.link/IM5aogASNNb now.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After a second 737 MAX 8 crash, Boeing executives and leaders at the Federal Aviation Association are under pressure to explain why the MAX wasn’t grounded sooner. The parents of Samya Stumo and other victims demand answers. Boeing fires CEO Dennis Muilenburg, and agrees to pay a multibillion dollar fine. Then, in January 2024, a door plug pops off the side of a 737 MAX 9 in mid-flight, putting Boeing’s safety failures back in the headlines. Need more American Scandal? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive seasons, binge new seasons first, and listen completely ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or visit wondery.app.link/IM5aogASNNb now.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the high-stakes world of aviation, pressure mounts as Boeing rushes to compete with Airbus. Engineers face a perilous dilemma, opting for a software solution, MCAS, to fix the 737 MAX's issues without alerting pilots. This decision leads to tension as safety standards clash with corporate priorities. Tragedy unfolds when malfunctioning planes result in chaos and dire consequences. The podcast explores the ethical dilemmas and disillusionment within Boeing's culture, highlighting a pivotal moment in aviation history.

Harry Stonecipher, a former Boeing leader, discusses his controversial shift from engineering integrity to a focus on stock price after the McDonnell Douglas merger. He reveals the internal conflicts that arose as safety concerns grew amid cost-cutting pressures. The conversation highlights Boeing's struggle against Airbus and the urgency that led to compromised practices in the 737 MAX development. Stonecipher candidly reflects on the intense scrutiny following the crashes and the high-stress environment faced by engineers.

In this conversation, Dennis Muilenburg, the former CEO of Boeing, discusses the tragic crash of Lion Air Flight 610. He reflects on the initial confusion regarding the disaster's cause and the subsequent revelations about the MCAS software. Muilenburg addresses the intense scrutiny Boeing faced after both the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes. The dialogue offers insight into corporate negligence, the emotional toll on victims' families, and the broader implications for aviation safety practices.

Nathan Masters, host of PBS's Lost LA and author focusing on the Harding era's corruption, dives deep into the infamous Teapot Dome scandal. He reveals shocking insights from archival research, detailing how high-level officials exploited their positions during the presidency of Warren G. Harding. Masters highlights the efforts of Senator Burton K. Wheeler and journalist integrity in uncovering the truth behind the corruption. Their investigation uncovered a landscape riddled with bribery, shaking public trust in government and leaving a lasting political legacy.

Join Albert Fall, the convicted architect of the Teapot Dome scandal, Edward Doheny, the influential oil tycoon, and Harry Sinclair, a businessman caught in legal turmoil. They dive into the gripping details of the Senate inquiry headed by Thomas Walsh, revealing the outrageous bribery and power struggles. Hear about the contempt charges faced by wealthy witnesses and the stark realities of justice for the elite versus ordinary citizens, as Sinclair wrestles with courtroom dramas and the stark truth of his past.