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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
California
Capitol Hill
Modeling Industry
Human Trafficking
Women Empowerment
Gambling
Prison
Cocaine Trafficking
Substance Abuse
USC
Securities Fraud
Lessons From Prison
Drug Trafficking
Cartels

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes47Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & CultureTrue Crime

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Artwork for The Hidden Third

Latest Episodes

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Sharon Yitzhaki was 20 years old when she was pulled off a plane at a Bolivian airport. Authorities searched her bag, and the second bag she was carrying, whi... more

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Sex trafficking survivor Lurata Lyon was kidnapped twice. First, at 17, by a trafficking network in Bosnia while fleeing the Yugosl... more

YouTube

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Matt Bowyer — the illegal bookmaker at the center of the Shohei Ohtani–Ippei Mizuhara betting ... more

YouTube

Hostage negotiator and UN mediator Tom Gregg on Afghanistan, the Taliban, the Haqqani network, and the Bowe Bergdahl prisoner exchange.

He has spent more than twenty years in rooms most of us will never see. Tom Gregg is a conflict and hostage media... more

YouTube

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

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Recent Guests

Sharon Yitzhaki
Israeli woman imprisoned in Bolivia who led a prison-based drug operation and later became an author and advocate
Independent author/activist
Episode: Trapped in Bolivia's Deadliest Prison. Then She Took It Over.
Lurata Lyon
Survivor of human trafficking, author
Self / Advocate
Episode: She Escaped Traffickers, Then Was Kidnapped Again
Matthew Bowyer
A bookmaker involved in a large illegal betting operation; former inmate
Independent bookmaker, case involving Resorts World and Shohei Ohtani case
Episode: Ohtani's Bookie Is Out of Prison — And He's Talking
Tom Gregg
Conflict and hostage mediator; UN official with decades of field experience
United Nations; former head of UN regional office in Southeast Afghanistan
Episode: The Man Governments Send to Negotiate with Terrorists | Tom Gregg
Brad Beeler
Former Secret Service polygraph examiner, author of Tell Me Everything
U.S. Secret Service
Episode: Secret Service Interrogator: How He Got Killers to Talk | Brad Beeler
Adnan Alisic
Guest who grew up in Bosnia and devised a dramatic casino heist plan while building a business career in the U.S.
Businessman (car dealership, restaurant, body shop)
Episode: He Robbed a Casino With a Blow‑Up Doll and a Fake AK‑47
Sarma Melngailis
Former owner of Pure Food and Wine; author
Pure Food and Wine / The Girl with the Duck Tattoo
Episode: Bad Vegan: Scam, Abuse & Netflix Scandal | Sarma Melngailis Speaks Out
Tom Elfmont
Former LAPD captain; led gang/narcotics units; key witness in the Danielle Houchins case
Los Angeles Police Department (retired)
Episode: How an LAPD Captain Solved a 30-Year-Old Cold Case Murder
Wallo Peoples
Cultural advisor at YouTube, podcaster and author
YouTube / Nanny's House Publishing
Episode: Wallo267 spent 20 years in Prison for Armed Robbery. Now He's YouTube’s Cultural Advisor.

Host

Mariana van Zeller
Host of The Hidden Third

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Perspective, love this podcast

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Alisa
    a month ago
  • 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 States3 months 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 States3 months 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 States3 months 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 States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The host is an exceptional interviewer who pulls powerful storytelling from guests.
Production quality has improved with better audio balance and mixing.
Episodes are eye-opening and educational about underworld economies and reform.
Some listeners feel the show leans left or biased; others praise its depth and empathy.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ohtani's Bookie Is Out of Prison — And He's Talking
Q: What was the hardest part of entering prison for you?
The emotional blow of leaving a life of luxury behind, the fear and the social thrust to adapt while keeping loyalty to family, and the daunting realization of the social hierarchies and not knowing how to navigate them.
She Escaped Traffickers, Then Was Kidnapped Again
Q: Before we go deeper into the trauma, can you describe the moment you knew you needed to tell your story publicly?
It was a turning point from personal survival to public advocacy, sparked by mentors like Gilles who encouraged me to share my experience to help others and fundraise for charities, even when I initially wanted to stay private.
Secret Service Interrogator: How He Got Killers to Talk | Brad Beeler
Q: How do you balance empathy with the need to uncover truth in high-stakes interviews?
He emphasizes building rapport, understanding pain points, and centering conversations on the 'why' while maintaining professionalism and avoiding reflexive judgment.
Secret Service Interrogator: How He Got Killers to Talk | Brad Beeler
Q: What drew you to a career in law enforcement and specifically polygraph work?
Brad Beeler describes being inspired by criminology studies and internships, plus the allure of serving and protecting while also uncovering truth through interrogation techniques and polygraph testing.
Wallo267 spent 20 years in Prison for Armed Robbery. Now He's YouTube’s Cultural Advisor.
Q: How did you handle the moment you learned you'd be released and had to change your life?
I recognized that change is an action, and I committed to redefining my identity by building a plan, embracing education, and pursuing a life that aligned with my new beliefs.

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 focuses on the hidden, often illicit underworlds that underpin a large portion of the global economy, featuring interviews with investigators, survivors, activists, and former insiders who illuminate how these systems operate, why they persist, and their far-reaching effects on society. Episodes regularly explore topics like skip tracing, the cannabis black market, cult dynamics, wrongful convictions, extremism recovery, and reform-minded storytelling, blending hard-hitting storytelling with personal resilience and accountability. A standout element is the host's ability to pull firsthand experiences from guests who have lived through these worlds, offering both investigative rigor and empathetic nuance that helps listeners underst... more

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How many listeners does The Hidden Third get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Hidden Third has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Hidden Third?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Hidden Third:

1. This Is Actually Happening
2. Deep Cover
3. Focus: Adults in the Room
4. Trace of Suspicion
5. Betrayal Weekly

How many episodes of The Hidden Third are there?

The Hidden Third launched a year ago and published 47 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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Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Hidden Third from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The Hidden Third?

Recent guests on The Hidden Third include:

1. Sharon Yitzhaki
2. Lurata Lyon
3. Matthew Bowyer
4. Tom Gregg
5. Brad Beeler
6. Adnan Alisic
7. Sarma Melngailis
8. Tom Elfmont

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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