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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
Grooming
Substance Abuse
USC
Securities Fraud
Lessons From Prison
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes23Founded5 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTrue CrimeDocumentary

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Hidden Third

Latest Episodes

Britt Elmore, former undercover narcotics detective, spent years embedded inside the operations most people only see in crime dramas — building cases against dealers, managing informants, and navigating the moral gray zones that define modern drug en... more

Sonny Von Cleveland survived years of childhood sexual abuse, 18 years in prison, and 19 months in solitary confinement. But it was in that isolation cell where everything changed — through daily conversations with a Muslim mentor in the cell across ... more

Between 4,000 and 6,000 cartel trespass growers take to the woods of California every year. They arrive armed, they stay for months, and they are ready to defend their cash crop at any cost. They divert waterways, deploy pesticides and fertilizers so... more

Go to factormeals.com/hiddenthird50off and use code hiddenthird50off to get 50% off and free breakfast for a year.

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

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
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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

John Nores
Former California Fish and Wildlife Game Warden
California Fish and Wildlife
Episode: Game Warden vs The Cartel
Amy Nelson
Lawyer, entrepreneur, and mother of four, who fought a legal battle against Amazon after her husband was accused of a crime.
Episode: The Woman Who Took On Amazon
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 451 ratings
  • Great Insight

    Mariana continues the great independent journalism and to present fascinating stories. Keep it up!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RossBHouston
    United States8 days ago
  • Audio Fixed!

    They fixed their audio and it’s so much easier to listen to. Thank you for listening to your viewers. Love the content, can’t wait for the next one to come out. It’s very informative and eye opening, keep up the great journalism. Bring on guests that challenge your point of view, to broaden your understanding.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jeffffffffafa
    United States9 days ago
  • Mariana rocks

    Mariana’s podcast is fantastic - I haven’t missed an episode yet. She has some fascinating guests with incredible stories. One recommendation for the guys who come on the podcast - please let Mariana talk! I’ve heard them talking over her and interrupting her so often, one was even quite rude. It’s a two sided conversation guys!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    iloveyoupants
    United States12 days ago
  • Really excellent

    Just superb. An interviewer that lets the conversation flow is just so refreshing. Great stories, told well, with a lightness of touch that is just so so good. I love the long format, it feels organic. Excellent stuff

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Manuel T Waiter
    United Kingdom12 days ago
  • Love the show but fix the commercial volume

    Absolutely my favorite podcast but something has to be done with the volume of ads. I listen on Apple Podcasts and have to raise the volume up a bunch on the show then when an ad comes on it blows out my eardrums. Please fix this and I will gladly change to a 5 out of 5 review.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Zoomy350
    United States15 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.

Ex Neo-Nazi | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Q: What was the point then that you were involved in the group that you said you got started realizing oh this is not good, this is not where I should be?
In 1991, I got married and became a father. This challenged my identity as a hate monger versus a family man.
Ex Neo-Nazi | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Q: What do you think is the vacuum happening with young men right now?
There is a sense that white men are experiencing a loss of privilege with the increasing recognition of equality across different demographics, leading to fear.
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.

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. The Brothers Ortiz
2. Valley of Shadows
3. Hell in Heaven: A Mysterious Death in Paradise
4. The Binge Crimes: Fatal Fantasy
5. BETH'S DEAD

How many episodes of The Hidden Third are there?

The Hidden Third launched 5 months ago and published 23 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. John Nores
2. Amy Nelson
3. Kelly Holland
4. Patricia Nilsson
5. Alex Barker
6. Kari Ferrell
7. Owen Hanson
8. 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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