The Dropout
True crime podcast review — 2026
Reviewed · Updated
"The Dropout traces how Elizabeth Holmes convinced the world she'd revolutionised medicine — an eight-episode cautionary tale about ambition, fraud, and Silicon Valley's culture of belief."
Who is this podcast for?
- ✓Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish
- ✓Fans of financial crime and corporate misconduct stories
- ✓Binge listeners who want something they can't stop at one episode
Pros & cons
- +Rated "Must Listen" by our editorial team — exceptional across all dimensions
- +High binge factor — listeners consistently come back for more
- +Serialized format builds a compelling, sustained narrative arc across episodes
- −Must listen in order — cannot dip in and out between episodes
About this podcast
Eight-part ABC News podcast tracing the rise and fall of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes — the Silicon Valley darling who defrauded investors and patients with blood tests that didn't work, featuring interviews with employees and investors.
Best episode to start with
Episode 1 — must listen in order
Serialized format — listen from the beginning for the full experience
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Dropout
What is The Dropout about?
Eight-part ABC News podcast tracing the rise and fall of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes — the Silicon Valley darling who defrauded investors and patients with blood tests that didn't work, featuring interviews with employees and investors.
Is The Dropout worth listening to?
Our editorial verdict is "Must listen". It scores 8/10 on binge factor. People interested in tech fraud, startup culture, and white-collar crime; fans of The Dropout TV series who want the deeper journalism behind it.
Who is The Dropout for?
The Dropout is ideal for: Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish; Fans of financial crime and corporate misconduct stories; Binge listeners who want something they can't stop at one episode.
What is the best episode of The Dropout to start with?
We recommend starting with Episode 1 — must listen in order. As a serialized show, it's best to listen from the beginning of a season.
Where can I listen to The Dropout?
The Dropout is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Search for it by name on any of those apps.
What podcasts are similar to The Dropout?
If you enjoy The Dropout, you might also like: American Scandal, Dirty John, Scamanda, Uncover (CBC). See our full "Podcasts Like The Dropout" page for more recommendations.
Quick facts
- Format
- Serialized
- Host style
- Solo narrator
- Style
- Journalistic, investigative, incredulous
- Episode length
- 8 episodes ~30-45 min each; easily binged in a weekend
- Binge factor
- 8/10
- Country
- United States
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