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Artwork for The Hidden Third

The Hidden Third

Mariana van Zeller
Jeffrey Epstein
Sexual Abuse
Trauma Recovery
Prison Reform
Capitol Hill
Modeling Industry
Women Empowerment
Cocaine Trafficking
Substance Abuse
Grooming
Lessons From Prison
Securities Fraud
USC
Drug Trafficking
Los Angeles
Economy
Black Markets
Addict2athlete
Criminal Justice Reform
Anna Sorokin

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes20Founded4 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & CultureTrue Crime

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Artwork for The Hidden Third

Latest Episodes

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What happens when one of the most powerful corporations in the world –  Amazon – decides your family is a threat? Amy Nelson, a... more

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Go to expressvpn.com/hiddenthird to secure your online data and get up to four extra months.

At 14, Christian Picciolini was a lonely kid from an Italian immigrant family in Chicago when he was recruited into the Chicago Area Skinheads — one ... more

YouTube

On The Hidden Third, we explore the underground worlds and shadowy figures that drive much of the global economy—so today I’m excited to share an excerpt from a new audiobook about one of our culture’s most taboo, most-watched, and least-understood i... more

Go to selectquote.com/mariana to save more than 50% on term life insurance.

Kari Ferrell became known as “The Hipster Grifter” after her cons went viral. In this episode of The Hidden Third, Kari joins me to talk about how her scams worked — ... more

YouTube

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

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Recent Guests

Kelly Holland
A veteran of the porn industry who ran the famous Penthouse brand.
Episode: From The Kink Machine: The Secret Power Behind Porn
Patricia Nilsson
A reporter for the Financial Times who focuses on business.
Financial Times
Episode: From The Kink Machine: The Secret Power Behind Porn
Alex Barker
Manager of the team of business reporters at the Financial Times.
Financial Times
Episode: From The Kink Machine: The Secret Power Behind Porn
Kari Ferrell
Known as The Hipster Grifter, she is a writer and advocate
Episode: The Hipster Grifter | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Owen Hanson
Former USC athlete turned cocaine kingpin and gambling consultant
Episode: USC Athlete Turned Cocaine Kingpin | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Robert Archuleta
Ph.D. in human behavior, addiction counselor, and Ironman triathlete
Addict2Athlete
Episode: From Addict to Ironman | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller

Host

Mariana van Zeller
Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist, host of The Hidden Third, and journalist known for her work on evocative and socially relevant topics.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 379 ratings
  • Love it but…..

    I love your work. I’ve watched it all. I know the shows you’re doing are geared the way you want them but there’s always two sides. Please keep asking the tough questions. That’s why I listen. The ICE agent episode was good but there’s a lot wrong with what he said. There are plenty of avenues to explain both sides. Debate makes your show better.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    yur moms box
    United States14 days ago
  • Disappointing

    Van Zeller desperately trying to get Phillips to blame Trump. Real journalists try to uncover the truth WITHOUT an agenda.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Nellygoat
    United States18 days ago
  • Great series

    This podcast is great, very interesting guests. Marina in very engaging and really gets deep with the guests

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Laura Lou3
    Ireland18 days ago
  • Interesting

    Lots of leading questions. Host seems to feel obligated to share their experience more than allowing their guest to share their experience. The volume of the guest is so low that when the host speaks it hurts… never mind the volume of an advertisement. I’ll tune in for subjects that are interesting but don’t think I’ll listen to all of them.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Thugblu
    United States20 days ago
  • Misplaced empathy

    I couldn’t make it through the disgusting child molester episode because Mariana’s level of empathy and sympathy for child molesters was so sickening I literally began to feel nauseous. What a vile human being posing as a beacon of righteousness.

    Good god! Made the mistake of listening to the previous episode with Lisa Phillips and my disdain for this woman became overwhelming. There is simply no way to jibe her approach to these two stories. Gross.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bellamammal
    United States21 days ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners find the podcast fascinating and essential for understanding the dynamics of underground markets and the humanity behind the headlines.
The podcast is praised for its genuine storytelling and insightful interviews, with listeners appreciating the depth of discussion around complex themes.
Many reviewers highlight Mariana van Zeller's ability to connect with her guests and draw out their personal stories effectively.
Some critiques focus on advertising interruptions, which detracts from the listening experience, but overall feedback remains very positive regarding content quality and depth.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Hipster Grifter | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Q: What do you hope your impact is in the world? What do you hope your story will tell?
I hope to make real actual change within legislation, aiming to move the needle toward a more compassionate society.
Xbox Underground Hacker | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Q: What was that like for you?
Very, very interesting; I had the balance of between a low income and a high income family.
USC Athlete Turned Cocaine Kingpin | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Q: How did he take it when he realized that you were trafficking drugs?
He was disappointed, but he looked at me and he says, we got to get you out of this prison, and we got to figure out what you're going to do next with your life.
USC Athlete Turned Cocaine Kingpin | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Q: What do you want the message to be? What's the inspiration that you want your story to be for people?
Don't go down that path of illegal activity. I want you to go across one time, even if it's just a small amount. Once I got involved with that, you're chasing that forever, and the rush is never enough.
USC Athlete Turned Cocaine Kingpin | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Q: What would you have done differently?
I would have stuck with the gambling. Once I crossed that line and worked for Earl Heffey and started distributing illegal drugs at the ton level, that's where I should have stopped.

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?

Topics explored frequently include underground markets, crime, and personal stories from individuals deeply entwined with illicit activities. The podcast provides listeners with an insightful lens into the complexities of smuggling, drug trafficking, scams, and the systems that enable these operations. Each episode features unique narratives from former criminals, law enforcement officials, and those affected by these shadowy economies, emphasizing the human element behind these often-stigmatized subjects. Mariana van Zeller's investigative style combines empathy with rigorous journalism, making the content not only engaging but also thought-provoking. This podcast likely offers a refreshing perspective for audiences interested in societal ... 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. Hell in Heaven: A Mysterious Death in Paradise
2. Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder
3. BETH'S DEAD
4. The Brothers Ortiz
5. Chameleon

How many episodes of The Hidden Third are there?

The Hidden Third launched 4 months ago and published 20 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. Kelly Holland
2. Patricia Nilsson
3. Alex Barker
4. Kari Ferrell
5. Owen Hanson
6. Robert Archuleta

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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