The Daily Aus

The true story of Elizabeth Holmes

The Daily Aus

Show Notes

Through her company Theranos, Holmes vowed to replace blood tests with a tiny finger prick test that could produce real time results, to be rolled out in supermarkets and pharmacies. Some of the world’s richest people and companies went all in on the vision, propelling Holmes from Stanford dropout to industry disruptor and entrepreneur. But Elizabeth Holmes’ claims that she’d solved one of medicine's biggest problems using a few drops of blood turned out to be nothing more than an elaborate deception. Today, we’re taking you through the story of Elizabeth Holmes, the fraudster who fooled Silicon Valley. Hosts: Emma Gillespie and Billi FitzSimons Producer: Orla Maher and Emma Gillespie Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful. The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent. Want more from TDA? Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletter Subscribe to The Daily Aus’ YouTube Channel Have feedback for us? We’re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you’ve got feedback, we’re all ears. Tell us here. Shot on Fujifilm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More from The Daily Aus

Oct 22, 2026

Content warning: Today's episode includes references to sexual violence and strangulation. It's not explicit, but if you've got kids in the car, you might want to save it for later. If you need support, 1800 RESPECT is available on 1800 737 732. In both Australia and the UK, there have been major developments in the regulation of porn access. Here at home, Pornhub came back this month, but only for Australians who’ve proved their age through Apple. And in two weeks, England and Wales will make some types of porn illegal to possess. One common theme across all three landscapes is strangulation. In one Australian study, more than half of the young people surveyed said they’d been strangled during sex, often called choking. Porn was the most common place they’d learned about it. On today’s podcast, we’re explaining what’s changing, and the question underneath it all: can you keep kids away from explicit content without asking adults to give up more of their privacy? Listen: The Govt's plan to turn off the algorithm

Oct 22, 2026

Today's headlines include: Former Bachelor reality TV star Sam Wood is set to again apply for bail, taking his fight to the state's highest court. NSW has become the first state to legalise ‘terramation’, a process also called human composting, as an alternative to burying or cremating remains. A judge in the U.S. state of New Mexico has ordered Meta to pay $US25 billion for misleading Facebook users about their data privacy. And today’s good news: The Australian men’s ten-pin bowling team has taken home silver at the International Bowling Federation’s World Cup in Munich. Hosts: Billi FitzSimons and Sam Koslowski Producer: Imogen Abbott Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful. The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent. Want more from TDA? Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletter Subscribe to The Daily Aus’ YouTube Channel Have feedback for us? We’re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you’ve got feedback, we’re all ears. Tell us here. Shot on Fujifilm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 21, 2026

It’s nearly been one year since Australia introduced a world-first social media ban for under 16s. And it turns out, that was just the beginning of the Australian Government’s campaign against social media. But, is it actually working? And with all the focus on social media, what are they doing about AI? Today, Billi sits down with the Minister for Communications Anika Wells.

Oct 21, 2026

Today's headlines include: Independent MP Helen Haines remains in a critical but stable condition after being run down outside her electorate office in the regional Victorian town of Wangaratta on Monday. A Queensland teen has been accused of hate crimes after allegedly threatening a family. The United Nations (UN) is launching a new initiative on the military uses of AI, aimed at addressing concerns about the threat the technology could pose to humanity. And today’s good news: Australia will field its first women’s wheelchair rugby team this December, when 15 nations will compete at the inaugural Women’s World Championship in Paris. Hosts: Emma Gillespie and Zara Seidler Producer: Rosa Bowden Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful. The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent. Want more from TDA? Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletter Subscribe to The Daily Aus’ YouTube Channel Have feedback for us? We’re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you’ve got feedback, we’re all ears. Tell us here. Shot on Fujifilm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 20, 2026

Independent MP Helen Haines is in a critical condition after she was hit by a car outside her electorate office in regional Victoria on Monday. The Prime Minister has described it as a “deliberate” attack, and a joint counter-terrorism team is now investigating. On today’s podcast, we’re going to go through who Helen Haines is, what we know about the attack, and how the country has responded. Host: Elliot Lawry and Sam Koslowski Producer: Orla Maher Video Editor: Rosa Bowden Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful. The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent. Want more from TDA? Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletter Subscribe to The Daily Aus’ YouTube Channel Have feedback for us? We’re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you’ve got feedback, we’re all ears. Tell us here. Shot on Fujifilm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See all episodes →