Blood, Lies, and Toilet Paper: How One Young Man Took Down a $9 Billion Fraud

The Complexity of Toilet Paper

Ever had that glass-shattering moment when a story you trusted falls apart in your hands? We sat down with Tyler Shultz, the Theranos whistleblower who chose truth over comfort at 22, and unpacked what really powers a hard decision when ethics feel murky and the stakes are personal. Tyler explains why his ordeal wasn’t an ethics seminar so much as a courage test—how you act when harm is clear, fear is loud, and the costs are real.
We trace his path from Stanford grad to Theranos insider, where red flags showed up on day one: unvalidated tests, a culture of fear, and a PR machine masking vaporware. Add family ties—his grandfather George Shultz sat on the board—and the pressure gets intense. Tyler shares how he tried to prove himself wrong, pressed leaders and regulators, and finally spoke with The Wall Street Journal. Along the way, we talk about concrete harm to patients, the daily grind of recommitting to whistleblowing, and the unexpected strength that came from his parents’ unwavering support.
Tyler also gets practical. He breaks down how to define your core values, why you should practice courage on low-stakes moments, and what he’d do differently today as a husband and father: talk to a lawyer early, use trusted whistleblower resources, and act with strategy as well as heart. We keep it human—yes, there’s bathroom banter and walk-up music jokes—because levity helps us stay with hard truths. If you’ve noticed a shade of Theranos in your world, this conversation offers a playbook: verify, name what matters, and take the next right step.
If this resonated, follow the show, share with a friend who needs courage today, and leave a review to help others find it. Want Tyler to speak to your team about cultivating courage? Reach out via his site - https://www.tyler-shultz.com/. Or connect on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-shultz-450923126/.

פרקים

1. Cold Open And Show Setup (00:00:00)

2. Walk-Up Music And Bathroom Bit (00:02:30)

3. Introducing Tyler Shultz And Theranos Context (00:05:50)

4. Why Courage Not Ethics Is The Core (00:10:30)

5. The Elevator-Pitch Theranos Story (00:14:45)

6. Red Flags, Culture Of Fear, And Family Ties (00:20:15)

7. The Milgram Moment And Calling The Journal (00:26:30)

8. Fear, Resolve, And Family Support (00:31:40)

9. Arrogant Or Brave? The Power Of Youth (00:36:30)

10. Would He Do It Again As A Dad? (00:40:30)

11. Resources For Whistleblowers And Legal Lessons (00:44:00)

12. Kicking And Screaming: The Stall Games (00:46:30)

13. Practical Tips: Define And Practice Values (00:50:30)

14. Staying Ready For Moments Of Courage (00:55:00)

15. How To Connect With Tyler And Closing (00:57:40)