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Artwork for The Hidden Third

The Hidden Third

Mariana van Zeller
Prison Reform
Jeffrey Epstein
Pornography
Sexual Abuse
Trauma Recovery
Grooming
Capitol Hill
Modeling Industry
Women Empowerment
Cocaine Trafficking
Substance Abuse
Securities Fraud
USC
Lessons From Prison
Drug Trafficking
Cartels
Methamphetamine
California
Prison
Mental Health

From Emmy and Peabody Award–winning journalist Mariana van Zeller comes THE HIDDEN THIRD, a weekly dive into the underground markets that quietly power a third of the global economy. Every episode Mariana sits down with people who know these worlds firsthand - the hustlers, smugglers, scammers, kingpins, and those trying to shut them down. The series reveals how they function, why they endure, and... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes39Founded9 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryTrue CrimeSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Hidden Third

Latest Episodes

How do you find people who do not want to be found?

In this episode of The Hidden Third, Mariana sits down with skip tracer and private investigator Michelle Gomez – described by Wired as “the world’s best bounty hunter” – to unpack how she tracks d... more

YouTube

This past January, America’s so‑called “last cannabis prisoner” walked out of federal custody after serving years on a marijuana trafficking conspiracy between California and the East Coast.

At 24, he was running a multi‑million‑dollar weed pipeline... more

Nikki Mammano arrived in Hawaii as a college student and, within months, was running crystal meth in Waikiki. She became known as the Crystal Meth Queen of Waikiki — until it all came crashing down. Today, she’s a PTA mom in New Jersey and the author... more

YouTube

On this episode of The Hidden Third, I interview Lee Harris — a channeler who claims to communicate with 88 intergalactic beings known as “The Z’s.” He reaches over 2 million people each month and leads a global spiritual community built around his t... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Nikki Mammano
Author of Breaking Good, former drug dealer and addict, trauma survivor
Author, speaker, activist
Episode: She Was the Crystal Meth Queen of Waikiki. Then She Became a PTA Mom in New Jersey.
Lee Harris
Channeler who cites 88 intergalactic beings called the Zs
Independent spiritual teacher and channeler
Episode: Lee Harris Claims to Channel Aliens. Why Do Millions Believe Him?
Lola Blanc
Musician, filmmaker, host of Trust Me podcast
Trust Me podcast / Meagan co-host
Episode: Prophet or Predator: How He Tricked Her and Trafficked Her Mother
Mariana van Zeller
Emmy and Peabody Award–winning journalist
Trafficked / The Hidden Third
Episode: Mariana's Interview on The Jordan Harbinger Show
Scott Budnick
Producer and social-impact advocate, founder of ARC (Anti-Recidivism Coalition)
ARC / One Community
Episode: “The Hangover” Producer Who Walked Away From Hollywood to Fix America's Prison System
Meagan Elizabeth
Survivor of the Two-by-Twos group, podcaster
Trust Me podcast / The Hidden Third interview guest
Episode: Meagan Elizabeth: Raised in a Cult Hiding 900 Abusers
Amanda Knox
New York Times bestselling author, journalist, criminal justice reform advocate
Author; advocate for justice reform
Episode: Amanda Knox Imprisoned In Italy: The Real Story
Shaka Senghor
New York Times bestselling author, resilience expert, speaker
Author/Speaker
Episode: Shaka Senghor: 19 Years for Murder
Jan Broberg
Survivor of kidnapping and grooming, founder of Jan Broberg Foundation
Jan Broberg Foundation
Episode: Chosen by Aliens: The Kidnapping of Jan Broberg

Host

Mariana van Zeller
Host of The Hidden Third

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 564 ratings
  • Love it

    I love it! You’re a gifted interviewer. Sometimes I can’t hear your mic, production please fix bc I really enjoy the pod.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Steph Clarky
    United States12 days ago
  • GREAT show, sound needs work

    Obsessed with the show but the volume needs some real work. Sometimes you can understand what Mariana is saying/asking.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Monyr15
    United States12 days ago
  • Sound issues

    I have loved this pod, but the sound is way off. I have to have it turned all the way up to hear Mariana and her guest, but then the ads are all deafening. After reading other reviews, it seems like others are experiencing this too. I wanted to contact your show about it, but your website doesn’t have a contact form.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    MaddeeHill
    United States19 days ago
  • Lee Haris

    Lee Haris out here talking with demons. I pray God enlightens him to this if he doesn’t already know.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Truthfulchic
    United States20 days ago
  • “Mhm” constant

    I really want to listen to this show but the constant nods of “mhm” every sentence is too much for me to be able to listen to the podcast:(

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    vica183736
    United States22 days ago

Listeners Say

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

Thought-provoking and eye-opening interviews that pull back the curtain on hidden systems.
Engaging, fearless journalism with meaningful guest diversity and impact.
Some listeners feel the host could structure conversations more tightly, but the depth is compelling.
Powerful storytelling with rare access to insiders, offering new perspectives.
Adversarial questions exist but drive toward accountability and truth.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Lee Harris Claims to Channel Aliens. Why Do Millions Believe Him?
Q: How do you balance skepticism and belief in your work?
Lee emphasizes neutrality, the importance of evidence in human terms, and the goal of empowering others rather than proving the existence of the beings; skepticism is acknowledged, but the focus remains on the usefulness of the messages.
Lee Harris Claims to Channel Aliens. Why Do Millions Believe Him?
Q: What exactly are the Zs and how do they interact with you?
The Zs are described as 88 beings forming a council or consciousness library that can convey messages, with various voices evolving over time and a shift to a singular voice for integration; they emphasize higher self and collective wisdom rather than a single source.
Lee Harris Claims to Channel Aliens. Why Do Millions Believe Him?
Q: How did you first begin hearing or seeing the first signs of channeling?
Lee describes an experience starting in adulthood where a voice from above him began offering insights during a subway ride, which led to a long process of taking dictation, writing questions, and gradually recognizing a continued stream of information from his guides.
Prophet or Predator: How He Tricked Her and Trafficked Her Mother
Q: OK, so you were raised in Michigan, right?
Yes, I was raised in Michigan and later moved around, with roots that trace back to Germany due to my family's military history.
Mariana's Interview on The Jordan Harbinger Show
Q: What motivates people to talk to you despite the danger?
People want to be understood and to have their stories told; ego, impunity, and a basic human need to be seen all push individuals to share, even when it could put them at risk.

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 The Hidden Third

What is The Hidden Third about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show explores underground economies, unraveling how illicit markets function and shape global systems. Through intimate conversations with survivors, reform advocates, investigators, and former criminals, episodes illuminate motives, systemic failures, and pathways toward accountability and reform. Interviews often blend personal journeys with broader policy and societal implications, offering hard-hitting insights into crime, enforcement, and resilience while showcasing a journalist's patient, probing interviewing style. Fans tend to value rigorous storytelling, nuanced ethics, and guests who bring lived experience to complex, high-stakes topics—making it compelling for listeners interested in true crime, justice, and the hidden forces... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Hidden Third?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Hidden Third:

1. Betrayal Weekly
2. The Binge Cases: U R NEXT
3. Dateline NBC
4. The Binge Crimes: Cut, Color, Kill
5. 20/20

How many episodes of The Hidden Third are there?

The Hidden Third launched 9 months ago and published 39 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Hidden Third?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on The Hidden Third?

Recent guests on The Hidden Third include:

1. Nikki Mammano
2. Lee Harris
3. Lola Blanc
4. Mariana van Zeller
5. Scott Budnick
6. Meagan Elizabeth
7. Amanda Knox
8. Shaka Senghor

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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