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The Hidden Third

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes26Founded6 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & CultureTrue Crime

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Artwork for The Hidden Third

Latest Episodes

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

This week on The Hidden Third, Mariana sits down with Coss Marte — a former drug dealer who, at 17, was running what he claims was New York City's first 24/7 drug delivery business, pulling in over $2 million. A betrayal within his own team brought i... more

Marta Barreto survived years of sexual abuse, addiction, exploitation, and prison. She became a mother, got sober, went back to school, and eventually landed her childhood dream — working on rocket propulsion at Virgin Orbit. In this episode, Marta t... more

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

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

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
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

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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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 Kingdoma month 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 Statesa 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.

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.
NYC Drug Kingpin Turned Weed CEO
Q: What was the peak moment of your money-making years, and how old were you when that happened?
He explains that around age 23 he ran a large operation with millions in revenue and several million in profit, operating a delivery service that spanned the tri-state area until law enforcement closed it down.
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.

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. Focus: Adults in the Room
2. Valley of Shadows
3. The Cult Queen of Canada from Uncover
4. The Binge Crimes: Fatal Fantasy
5. Betrayal Season 5

How many episodes of The Hidden Third are there?

The Hidden Third launched 6 months ago and published 26 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. Coss Marte
2. Marta Barreto
3. Britt Elmore
4. Sonny Von Cleveland
5. John Nores
6. Amy Nelson
7. Kelly Holland
8. Patricia Nilsson

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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