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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
California
Mental Health
Los Angeles
Black Markets

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes30Founded7 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & CultureTrue Crime

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Artwork for The Hidden Third

Latest Episodes

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Amanda Knox was 20 years old when she went to Italy for a study abroad year. Weeks later, her ro... more

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YouTube

Join The Hidden Third Patreon! patreon.com/TheHiddenThird

Shaka Senghor went to prison for murder at 19 and spent seven of his 19 years in solitary confinement. But his imprisonment started long before that. Today, Mariana sits down with Sha... more

YouTube

Jan Broberg was kidnapped at 12 by a family friend who convinced her it was an alien mission. Then kidnapped again at 14. Her story — the basis for Netflix's Abducted in Plain Sight — is one of the most shocking grooming cases ever documented. Today ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

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
Coss Marte
Founder/CEO of ConBody and ConBud
ConBody; ConBud
Episode: NYC Drug Kingpin Turned Weed CEO
Marta Barreto
Former prisoner, propulsion technician at Virgin Orbit, advocate and speaker
Virgin Orbit; Cal State San Bernardino; Project Rebound
Episode: From Prison Cell to Rocket Scientist
Britt Elmore
Former undercover officer with 25 years in enforcement
San Francisco Police Department / DEA undercover assignments
Episode: Undercover Cop
Sonny Von Cleveland
Author of Hey White Boy, Conversations of Redemption; advocate for at-risk youth
Author, speaker on juvenile justice and rehabilitation
Episode: Felon at 7, Reborn in Solitary
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

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 507 ratings
  • Best binge worthy pod of 2026

    The topics and guest are so interesting and Marianas interview style is great, she knows the stories, asks the right questions and has epic tales of her own to add along the way. Chosen by Aliens, start here. Such a twisted kidnapping.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JazzNZL
    New Zealand21 days ago
  • Amazing!

    I was SO excited when I discovered Mariana started a podcast. She is an absolute hero and I love her work! These stories are incredible and need to be heard!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KatieColleen
    United Statesa month ago
  • AMAZING HOST! Needs a touch of structure

    Mariana is an unsung hero. I love the trafficked television series and miss it a great deal. I'm very glad Mariana came back to do this podcast. I am enjoying the podcast although I find that the guests could little structure. M is getting better at bringing guests back to their point but could be a little forceful in providing a little more story structure. Keep it up! Can't wait to come back and raise this to 5 stars.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Tra26Lucy08
    United Statesa month ago
  • Mariana is my hero

    Literally one of the most amazing podcasts ! Mariana is the bravest and most fascinating journalist. Please more of this ! So sad that trafficked is over!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LAtonic
    United Statesa month ago
  • Excellent!

    I burned through all these episodes. Mariana is so interesting and does a fantastic job covering these hidden underworlds

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jordan103723
    Canadaa month 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.

Shaka Senghor: 19 Years for Murder
Q: How did you get involved with C-suite executives and major tech companies after your books gained traction?
A connection through high-profile readers and mentors led to opportunities to speak and consult with companies; genuine storytelling and a track record of impact opened doors to firms like Ben Horowitz's network and major tech brands, ultimately shaping a path that blends advocacy with corporate engagement.
Shaka Senghor: 19 Years for Murder
Q: Shaka, what would you want people to say about you when you leave this earth?
That he remained true to his journey, honest about his past, and dedicated to helping others transform their lives; someone who stayed committed to growth and used his story to inspire real change.
From Prison Cell to Rocket Scientist
Q: How did you find a way out and build a new life?
A combination of Navy service, therapy, faith, education at Cal State San Bernardino through Project Rebound, and later opportunities at Virgin Orbit and other companies, plus expungement efforts.
From Prison Cell to Rocket Scientist
Q: What happened during your childhood that set you on a difficult path?
She describes a series of abuses by family members, not being believed by CPS or authorities, turning to drugs for numbness, and a life that spiraled into criminal activity.
From Prison Cell to Rocket Scientist
Q: Tell me about growing up and the early dreams you carried.
Marta shares that she loved airplanes and wanted to be an aerospace engineer, while growing up in a Portuguese-Catholic family in California, dreaming of a big family and a career that would let her fly.

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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Which podcasts are similar to The Hidden Third?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Hidden Third:

1. This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
2. The Binge Cases: My Mother's Lies
3. Chameleon
4. Dateline NBC
5. The Binge Crimes: Fatal Fantasy

How many episodes of The Hidden Third are there?

The Hidden Third launched 7 months ago and published 30 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?

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What guests have appeared on The Hidden Third?

Recent guests on The Hidden Third include:

1. Shaka Senghor
2. Jan Broberg
3. Coss Marte
4. Marta Barreto
5. Britt Elmore
6. Sonny Von Cleveland
7. John Nores
8. Amy Nelson

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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