The Hidden Third
Mariana van ZellerFrom 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
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 41 | Founded | 9 months ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | True CrimeDocumentarySociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
Nearly 30 years after 15‑year‑old Danielle “Danni” Houchins was murdered in Montana, former LAPD captain Tom Elfmont helped finally bring her family answers. Drawing on more than 25 years running gang and narcotics operations in South Los Angeles, To... more
In this episode of The Hidden Third, we sit down with Wallo267 to unpack a story that starts in the harshest possible place: prison.
Wallo caught his first conviction at just 10 years old. By 17, he was sentenced to adult prison, where he would spen... more
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
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
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Reviews
- 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 Podcasts5Steph Clarky
United Statesa month 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 Podcasts4Monyr15United Statesa month 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 Podcasts4MaddeeHillUnited Statesa month ago - Lee Haris
Lee Haris out here talking with demons. I pray God enlightens him to this if he doesn’t already know.
Apple Podcasts3TruthfulchicUnited Statesa month 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 Podcasts5vica183736United Statesa month ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #35 | United States/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Apple Podcasts | #239 | United States/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #28 |  Canada/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Apple Podcasts | #64 |  United Kingdom/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Apple Podcasts | #130 | Canada/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #48 |  Australia/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
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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
Where can I find podcast stats for The Hidden Third?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Hidden Third. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Hidden Third and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
How many listeners does The Hidden Third get?
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What are the audience demographics for The Hidden Third?
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How many subscribers and views does The Hidden Third have?
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. Betrayal Weekly
2. This Is Actually Happening
3. Something Was Wrong
4. 10 to Life
5. Focus: Adults in the Room
How many episodes of The Hidden Third are there?
The Hidden Third launched 9 months ago and published 41 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.
Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Hidden Third?
Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Hidden Third from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.
View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.
How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Hidden Third?
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What guests have appeared on The Hidden Third?
Recent guests on The Hidden Third include:
1. Michelle Gomez
2. Jonathan Wall
3. Nikki Mammano
4. Lee Harris
5. Frank Mink
6. Lola Blanc
7. Mariana van Zeller
8. Scott Budnick
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.