Rephonic
Artwork for Borderland: Dispatches

Borderland: Dispatches with Katarina Szulc

IRONCLAD
Sinaloa Cartel
Fentanyl
Drug Trafficking
CJNG
Cartel Violence
Mexico
Jalisco New Generation Cartel
Venezuela
Drug War
Organized Crime
Human Trafficking
Colombia
Baby Trafficking
Social Media Influencers
United States
Mexican Cartels
Crude Oil Theft
Cartels
Juárez
El Mencho

Cartel violence. Kidnappings. Disappearances. The headlines don’t tell the full story. Borderland: Dispatches, an IRONCLAD Original, delivers raw, on-the-ground updates from Mexico’s cartel war. Hosted by investigative journalist Katarina Szulc, the series offers real-time snapshots of a conflict reshaping the future of both Mexico and the U.S. With rare access to traffickers, law enforcement, and... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes63Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Borderland: Dispatches

Latest Episodes

Producer's note: This is a preview of next week's full episode of Borderland: Dispatches. For the full visual experience, watch on Spotify Video or on the IRONCLAD YouTube channel: youtube.com/@thisisironclad

In an exclusive Borderland: Dispatches i... more

On today's episode, Katarina breaks down a reported CIA-linked operation in Chihuahua, Mexico, that ended in a deadly crash during a major meth lab bust, and the conflicting accounts coming out of Mexican state and federal authorities.

Borderland: D... more

On today's episode, Katarina breaks down the political figures accused of helping Mexico’s most powerful cartels thrive.

Borderland: Dispatches is an IRONCLAD Original

Sponsors:

GHOSTBED:

Go to www.GhostBed.com/IRONCLAD and use code IRONC... more

Following the fall of El Mencho, CJNG’s transition of power has been far more seamless than many expected. In this episode, Katarina breaks down the rise of El 03, a U.S.-born successor with deep ties to the Valencia narco dynasty, and what his emer... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Mark Warner
Founder of GhostBed, interviewed as a sponsor guest
GhostBed
Episode: Mexico’s Narco Governors — The Power Behind the Cartels
Jorge Ventura
Reporter covering border and cartel nexus
Borderland Dispatches / IRONCLAD Original
Episode: Iran and Chinese Migrants Using VIP Cartel Smuggling Routes — Security Risks in the U.S.
Ioan Grillo
An incredible journalist and friend of the host, currently on the ground in Colombia reporting on the situation in Venezuela.
Episode: BONUS: Venezuela in the Wake of Maduro's Capture (with Ioan Grillo)
Joaquin Camarena
Former USMC intel analyst with operational experience in the Indo-Pacific region; expert in Chinese Communist Party and domestic Chinese politics.
Episode: Why U.S. Institutions Fail to Stop the CCP’s Deep Infiltration Strategy
Stefano Ritondale
Chief Intelligence Officer of Artorias specializing in cartel intelligence and analysis
Artorias
Episode: Chaos Continues in Sinaloa: El Mayo, Los Chapitos, CJNG Connections, and Who's the Next Kingpin

Host

Katarina Szulc
Investigative journalist; Host of Borderland Dispatches/Borderland: Dispatches

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 93 ratings
  • Accent

    Your fake Mexican accent is cringe

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    GotzArmyGeneral
    United States6 months ago
  • Pregnant women murdered

    I found you on Shawn Ryan’s podcast. Thank you for sharing your experiences. I’m praying for you and your support staff.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    eoughh
    United States8 months ago
  • Great reporter

    I listen to this podcast on my way to work. It’s excellent journalism a lot of information. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Midtown North 2643
    United States9 months ago
  • South Texas

    Journalism at its finest, the raw unadulterated truth is given on each and every episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Oblique00
    United States9 months ago
  • Excellent show!

    Brave, insightful reporting!! I look forward to this show every week!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    El Calvo 2025
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience members mention the show as a reliable source for hard facts and human-centered storytelling on cartel violence and border issues.
Some listeners appreciate the nuanced discussions that balance human stories with policy implications, while a few negative comments point to strong views on sensitive topics.
Listeners frequently compliment the host's bold investigative approach and on-the-ground reporting, noting the depth and immediacy of coverage.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Death Threats, CJNG, Rolling Stones, and What's Next for Dispatches | Q&A Part 2
Q: Are American PMCs fighting in Mexico?
Yes, there have been reports of American private military companies operating in Mexico.
Death Threats, CJNG, Rolling Stones, and What's Next for Dispatches | Q&A Part 2
Q: When do you think it will be the first USA Mexico-operated drone attack?
She believes there will be a drone attack, likely justified to the public as a crackdown on drug houses.
Death Threats, CJNG, Rolling Stones, and What's Next for Dispatches | Q&A Part 2
Q: What was the general population temperature on Maduro's arrest?
Most Venezuelans were happy, but it didn't signify a regime change; many feared there would be no real improvement in their lives.
Death Threats, CJNG, Rolling Stones, and What's Next for Dispatches | Q&A Part 2
Q: What is the US doing about child trafficking into and out of Mexico for sale?
In her view, not a lot; there's seen to be a lack of urgency on the part of the US government regarding non-American child victims.
Ryan Wedding, Cartels, Kidnapping Risks, and Behind the Scenes of Reporting | Q&A Part 1
Q: Would you ever do any reporting outside of Mexico, like in the Middle East?
I would love to go to the Middle East for reporting, but it poses significant challenges as a woman trying to connect with underground criminals.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Borderland: Dispatches

What is Borderland: Dispatches about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Tends to focus on frontline reporting from crime-ridden borders and trafficking corridors, with frequent deep-dives into cartel networks, fentanyl crises, and the human impact on communities. Episodes pair on-the-ground narration with interviews from law enforcement, civilians, and occasional insiders, delivering timely updates on violence, migration, and policy responses across the U.S.-Mexico and border-wide context. A notable strength is access to traffickers, officials, and civilians, offering a raw perspective often missing from mainstream coverage, and new dispatches drop weekly on Thursdays. This combination of immersive reporting and high-stakes investigations makes it a compelling pick for sponsors seeking hard-hitting, policy-rele... more

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How many listeners does Borderland: Dispatches get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Borderland: Dispatches?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Borderland: Dispatches:

1. Borderland: Narcosis with Vincent 'Rocco' Vargas
2. Change Agents with Andy Stumpf
3. The Shawn Ryan Show
4. The Watch Floor with Sarah Adams
5. Target Intelligence: PSYOP with Shawn Ryan

How many episodes of Borderland: Dispatches are there?

Borderland: Dispatches launched a year ago and published 63 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Borderland: Dispatches?

Recent guests on Borderland: Dispatches include:

1. Mark Warner
2. Jorge Ventura
3. Ioan Grillo
4. Joaquin Camarena
5. Stefano Ritondale

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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