Dive into the shocking rise and fall of Theranos and its founder Elizabeth Holmes. How did a company promising to revolutionize blood testing deceive investors, doctors, and the world? This Runner Stories episode breaks it all down.
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
2:10 The Early Hype
5:45 Cracks in the Story
9:00 Legal Fallout and Lessons
#Theranos #ElizabethHolmes #StartupScandal
A special episode of Runner Stories for the Road
Welcome to Runner Stories for the Road, where we bring you immersive, true-life narratives designed to fuel your workouts, commutes, or late-night curiosity binges. In this special multi-part episode, we unravel one of the most extraordinary stories in modern business and medical history: the rise and fall of Theranos.
💉 The Theranos Mirage
Elizabeth Holmes once promised to revolutionize healthcare with a device that could run hundreds of blood tests from a single drop. Investors called her the next Steve Jobs. Media crowned her Silicon Valley’s golden girl. But behind the black turtlenecks and billion-dollar valuation was a mirage built on secrecy, charisma, and deception.
In “Theranos: Blood, Silicon, and the Mirage of Belief,” hosts Jennie and Jordan walk (or run) you through this unbelievable saga — from the hopeful Stanford dropout phase to federal indictments and prison sentences. You’ll hear about:
🔬 The early hype and “Edison” device that never worked
👩⚕️ A culture of paranoia, manipulation, and non-disclosure
💰 The boardroom legends and billionaires who were fooled
🧪 Whistleblowers who risked everything to speak the truth
⚖️ The court battles, media backlash, and Theranos’s collapse
🧠 The psychology of belief and what this story teaches us today
🎙️ Why This Story Matters
Theranos wasn’t just a startup gone wrong — it was a case study in unchecked ambition, the dangers of narrative over data, and how even the most intelligent minds can be blinded by charisma and promise.
Our goal with this episode is to inform, engage, and spark critical thinking — especially for those in healthcare, tech, investing, and leadership.
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⚠️ Disclaimer
This podcast is based on publicly available sources and is intended for educational and storytelling purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be dramatized or interpreted to enhance listener engagement. All characters are fictionalized representations and do not reflect real individuals unless stated.
Want to see more stories like this?
💡 Let us know which company, figure, or scandal you'd like to hear about next! Also look out for the upcoming story on Sam Bankman-Fried: The Rise and Fall of Crypto King
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