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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes34Founded7 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & CultureTrue Crime

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Artwork for The Hidden Third

Latest Episodes

Special episode drop! We're excited to share an interview with Mariana on The Jordan Harbinger Show. Mariana talks about her long-running show, Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller, her experiences in the field, and what she's taking on now. We hope yo... more

Join The Hidden Third Patreon today! patreon.com/thehiddenthird

Scott Budnick produced some of the biggest films in Hollywood — Old School, The Hangover, War Dogs. Then he visited a juvenile detention center in Los Angeles, and it changed the trajec... more

Join The Hidden Third Patreon today! patreon.com/thehiddenthird

Watch on Spotify. If you’re subscribed to Spotify Premium, you don’t get any Spotify ads on my video.

With a limited-time offer, get Huel today with an exclusive offer of 15% off onlin... more

Join The Hidden Third Patreon today! patreon.com/thehiddenthird

Get 15% off OneSkin with the code MARIANA at www.oneskin.co/MARIANA #oneskinpod

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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Recent Guests

Scott Budnick
Producer and social-impact advocate, founder of ARC (Anti-Recidivism Coalition)
ARC / One Community
Episode: “The Hangover” Producer Who Walked Away From Hollywood to Fix America's Prison System
Meagan Elizabeth
Survivor of the Two-by-Twos group, podcaster
Trust Me podcast / The Hidden Third interview guest
Episode: Meagan Elizabeth: Raised in a Cult Hiding 900 Abusers
Amanda Knox
New York Times bestselling author, journalist, criminal justice reform advocate
Author; advocate for justice reform
Episode: Amanda Knox Imprisoned In Italy: The Real Story
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

Host

Mariana van Zeller
Host of The Hidden Third

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 526 ratings
  • Thought this would be more fact based and objective podcast

    I had high hopes when I started following and listening to this podcast but the more episodes in I get the way more one sided and tilted hard left it becomes. Mariana skewed so far from an objective conversation with the reporter she interviewed,Jacob Soboroff, calling him a really great and factual reporter with integrity was just straw that broke the camels back. I hadn’t listened to 5 minutes of that episode and knew that he may have done factual and objective journalism in the past but what ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    by gbccfv
    United States11 days ago
  • Love it but very quiet

    LOVE the content and the stories being shared, so interesting! But curious why it’s so quiet. You need the volume all the way up and still aren’t able to understand their voices when in your car compared to other pods. Again love the pod but wish it was a bit louder.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    travv26
    United States14 days ago
  • Wonderful podcast — thoughtful interviews, great guests, just needs more balanced audio!

    I love The Hidden Third — Mariana is such a thoughtful, natural interviewer, and the guests are always interesting, engaging, and well chosen. The conversations feel smart, curious, and easy to get drawn into, which makes it one of my favorite podcasts to unwind with.

    My only small piece of feedback is on the audio levels. Sometimes the guest’s volume is noticeably louder than Mariana’s, so when I listen while falling asleep with a sleep timer, it can be hard to find the right volume. I’ll turn... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    htatar
    United States20 days ago
  • Great pod

    But latestest episode mixed WAY too low. Run a loudness pass on the final mix set to -16 LUFS so we can hear it the way it was meant to be!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jammy D.
    United States25 days ago
  • Almost There

    I love the content! Powerful conversations. But, the volume needs to be balanced out. The dialogue is way too quiet and the commercial inserts end up frighteningly loud.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    JedHen23
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Thought-provoking and eye-opening interviews that pull back the curtain on hidden systems.
Engaging, fearless journalism with meaningful guest diversity and impact.
Some listeners feel the host could structure conversations more tightly, but the depth is compelling.
Powerful storytelling with rare access to insiders, offering new perspectives.
Adversarial questions exist but drive toward accountability and truth.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Meagan Elizabeth: Raised in a Cult Hiding 900 Abusers
Q: What was the turning point that made you realize this wasn't just a fringe group but a criminal network?
A combination of family members' involvement, a public Facebook disclosure about a former overseer, and ongoing abuse reports connected to a wider network made the guest realize the gravity and criminal nature of the organization.
“The Hangover” Producer Who Walked Away From Hollywood to Fix America's Prison System
Q: Why is it important to involve formerly incarcerated people in ARC and in your projects?
People who have lived the system understand it from the inside; they're more effective mentors and program designers for those transitioning out, and their leadership drives authentic relief and lasting impact.
“The Hangover” Producer Who Walked Away From Hollywood to Fix America's Prison System
Q: How did ARC come to be, and what does it do?
ARC started from a network of volunteers to support youth exiting juvenile detention, grew into a full infrastructure with housing, education, job training, policy advocacy, and narrative change to shift perceptions and create systemic improvements.
“The Hangover” Producer Who Walked Away From Hollywood to Fix America's Prison System
Q: What is the number one problem with the prison system, in your view?
The system over-relies on punishment and lacks a framework for hope, education, and rehabilitation; changing it requires providing a path to meaningful opportunities and reintegration, not just punishment.
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.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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

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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. Love Trapped
2. Focus: Adults in the Room
3. This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
4. Betrayal Season 5
5. The Binge Cases: My Mother's Lies

How many episodes of The Hidden Third are there?

The Hidden Third launched 7 months ago and published 34 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. Scott Budnick
2. Meagan Elizabeth
3. Amanda Knox
4. Shaka Senghor
5. Jan Broberg
6. Coss Marte
7. Marta Barreto
8. Britt Elmore

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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