
The Dropout
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.
Latest episodes

11 snips
Sep 14, 2021 • 41min
Setting the Stage
Elizabeth, holding hands with her partner, Billy and her mother, Noel, breezes into the courthouse to hear opening statements in her financial fraud trial. The government and the defense set the stage, giving us a roadmap of how their sides of the case will unfold. The prosecution says this is a case about fraud, lying and cheating, while the defense paints a picture of an ambitious young woman trying to change the world. She made mistakes, they say, but didn’t break the law. And we hear from the case’s first witness: Theranos’ top ranking financial employee who has a lot to say about how Elizabeth may have misled investors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

17 snips
Sep 7, 2021 • 27min
The Jury
This week, after 11th-hour bombshell allegations of abuse were revealed, we meet the seven men and five women who will ultimately be deciding Elizabeth Holmes’ fate. We take a peek inside the courtroom, and speak with some of the potential jurors who were dismissed. We’ll hear firsthand what Elizabeth’s demeanor is like in the courtroom, what the prosecution and defense appeared to be looking for in a jury, and details about who was actually chosen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 snips
Aug 31, 2021 • 45min
Bombshell
Today, after four postponements, a global pandemic and a baby, Elizabeth’s long-awaited trial finally begins with jury selection. With millions of pages of discovery, a potential witness list of more than 200, and nearly 4,000 exhibits, Elizabeth’s team of heavyweights has their work cut out. And at the 11th hour, the biggest bombshell yet -- Elizabeth’s team has alleged that she was subjected to a decade of physical, sexual and psychological abuse. How will this play for a jury? Will Elizabeth take the stand, and what are the chances of a conviction? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

16 snips
Aug 31, 2021 • 38min
Where Have You Been, Elizabeth Holmes?
It’s been over three years since Elizabeth Holmes was charged with multiple counts of fraud. Once the youngest female self-made billionaire, she was poised to change health care forever. Now she faces decades in prison if convicted. What has Elizabeth been up to while the government has been building its case against her? The answer includes a trip to Burning Man, a new relationship and a baby born just over a month before her trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 5, 2021 • 4min
Introducing 'The Dropout: Elizabeth Holmes on Trial'
Starting Aug. 31, in a series of new episodes, "The Dropout: Elizabeth Holmes on Trial" will take you inside the courtroom, breaking down the evidence and keeping score for both sides until 12 jurors decide the fate of the Theranos founder and new mother. Three years after she was first charged, we find out how this saga finally ends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
20 snips
Feb 27, 2019 • 37min
6. What Now?
As Elizabeth Holmes awaits a criminal trial, how is she spending her days? A former employee who had a chance encounter tells us some surprising new details about just that, while an old classmate emerges to share some insight into her past. Plus former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Preet Bharara shares his analysis on Elizabeth's potential legal fate...and then there's Balto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
23 snips
Feb 20, 2019 • 41min
5. The Downfall
Elizabeth Holmes, once the darling of Silicon Valley, is under a different kind of spotlight. Now under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission, she is forced to answer tough questions under oath. The claims that Elizabeth had been repeating over and over again to the public, investors, doctors and her board are under fire; the woman who once had all the answers, suddenly seems to have none. And for the first time, the lawyer for former Theranos COO, Sunny Balwani, speaks out, providing a glimpse into his defense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
25 snips
Feb 13, 2019 • 43min
4. The Whistleblower
With Theranos technology now being used by real customers, many employees are at a breaking point. They are horrified by what they believe to be widespread deception and dangerous practices, but Theranos has implemented increasingly extreme measures to stop them from speaking out. As the threat of litigation lingers, one brave and unlikely whistleblower, with close ties to Elizabeth Holmes and the board of directors, emerges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
29 snips
Feb 6, 2019 • 42min
3. A Star is Born
Elizabeth becomes a celebrity as Theranos breaks out of stealth mode and onto the main stage. The media can't get enough, and neither can many investors as Theranos Wellness Centers start popping up at Walgreens. To take advantage of the moment, Elizabeth spends millions on advertising, recruiting the same agency as Apple and even an Oscar-winning director. But real patients are now getting Theranos tests, and for some the results are shocking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
17 snips
Jan 30, 2019 • 39min
2. The Enforcer
Elizabeth brings on an unexpected character as her right-hand man at Theranos and it turns out they are hiding a big secret. They strike a monumental deal with Walgreens that could potentially put millions of lives at risk while insiders say a culture of fear and intimidation at the company leads to incredible tragedy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices