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Artwork for The Hidden Third

The Hidden Third

Mariana van Zeller
Prison Reform
Jeffrey Epstein
Pornography
Sexual Abuse
Trauma Recovery
Cocaine Trafficking
Grooming
California
Capitol Hill
Modeling Industry
Women Empowerment
Human Trafficking
Gambling
Prison
Substance Abuse
Securities Fraud
USC
Lessons From Prison
Drug Trafficking
Cartels

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes54Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & CultureTrue Crime

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Artwork for The Hidden Third

Latest Episodes

He's been hacking since he could type. Now Arman the Cyber is a white hat hacker who hunts down romance scammers. He tracked down the fake Jon Bon Jovi who took almost everything from Leslie Pickett, and my personal favorite, the four-star general "d... more

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He was a College World Series champion, a pro baseball prospect and a relative of Tampa mob boss Santo Trafficante Jr. Then a gambling addiction drove Sam Favata to run a $32 millio... more

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Recent Guests

Niki Burke
Former contract negotiator preparing to serve a federal prison sentence
Episode: I Was Set Up by a Cartel. Now I’m Going to Federal Prison
Sam Favata
Former college baseball star and professional player who led a life of high-stakes gambling and later faced prison time
Baseball, Gambling, Finance (National Consumer Mortgage)
Episode: From College World Series Hero to $32M Ponzi Scheme
Evan Rachel Wood
Actress and abuse survivor
Self
Episode: Evan Rachel Wood: The Cost of Speaking Out Against Marilyn Manson
Jim Cole
Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent (retired) and victim identification pioneer
U.S. Government / HSI
Episode: He Helped Save Thousands of Abused and Exploited Kids
James McGibney
Founder of Bullyville; host of Bully Hunter
Bullyville / Bully Hunter
Episode: The Vigilante Hunting Bullies, Scammers and Predators
Sharon Yitzhaki
Israeli woman imprisoned in Bolivia who led a prison-based drug operation and later became an author and advocate
Independent author/activist
Episode: Trapped in Bolivia's Deadliest Prison. Then She Took It Over.
Lurata Lyon
Survivor of human trafficking, author
Self / Advocate
Episode: She Escaped Traffickers, Then Was Kidnapped Again
Matthew Bowyer
A bookmaker involved in a large illegal betting operation; former inmate
Independent bookmaker, case involving Resorts World and Shohei Ohtani case
Episode: Ohtani's Bookie Is Out of Prison — And He's Talking
Tom Gregg
Conflict and hostage mediator; UN official with decades of field experience
United Nations; former head of UN regional office in Southeast Afghanistan
Episode: The Man Governments Send to Negotiate with Terrorists | Tom Gregg

Host

Mariana van Zeller
Host of The Hidden Third

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.5k ratings
  • Best podcast ever

    I love this pod so much, it captivated me from the first interview. Mariana is such a thoughtful and genuine interviewer and journalist. She lets her guests speak through their stories effortlessly. And that is why such incredible humans with exceptional experiences choose her. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kitty cat 5001
    Australiaa month ago
  • please stop interrupting guests!!!

    Please, please stop interrupting. It is infuriating. Also, you don’t have to pretend you know everything and you don’t have to make it all about you!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    sherbj
    United Statesa month ago
  • Captivating Podcast However….

    The woman who took on Amazon, incredulous and unfair to listen to what happened to her husband and herself and their four little girls, but to go away beyond (and her being a huge income earner) making the audacious statement that Trump has weaponized the DOJ to specifically come after her husband and family but fails to emphasize that the Biden Administration completely IGNORE their plight. There is a total noxious reason why Bezos has the tantrums he has. The social media is absolutely enfor... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Redlegwife1143
    United Statesa month ago
  • Fascinating Interviews- Upgrade the microphones though…

    Have been a huge fan of Mariana since first Trafficked season. She is a fantastic interviewer. This podcast doesn’t disappoint, but only issue is the microphones are distracting with muffled voices and can be unclear at times.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Amazing Mango
    United States2 months ago
  • Podcasts for smart people

    I have always loved Mariana's reporting and I'm so glad to know her podcasts are now available on Apple podcasts. She always has the most fascinating guests and delves into areas that are informative and intriguing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Smotherday
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some feedback highlights sound and production issues and occasional perceived bias; improvements in audio balance and tone are frequently requested.
Listeners praise the host's interviewing skill and the depth of guest stories, noting thorough, respectful conversations.
Overall, the show is viewed as a compelling, thought-provoking source for understanding hidden economies and their societal impact.
Episodes are lauded for revealing real-world crime dynamics and survivor perspectives, with high engagement from audiences seeking nuanced insights.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

I Was Set Up by a Cartel. Now I’m Going to Federal Prison
Q: Do you think there were red flags, but you were choosing not to see them?
Burke says her ambition, difficult past and desire to build a new life made her overlook warning signs. In retrospect, she wishes she had asked more questions and stood her ground.
I Was Set Up by a Cartel. Now I’m Going to Federal Prison
Q: Why did you plead guilty instead of taking the case to trial?
Burke says her attorney advised against trial, and she feared a conviction could bring a mandatory 20-year sentence. She accepted a plea rather than take that risk.
Evan Rachel Wood: The Cost of Speaking Out Against Marilyn Manson
Q: How did you first realize the depth of what you were experiencing with him?
I began to understand the pattern of grooming, control, and isolation as the relationship deepened, including manipulation and threatening behavior that made me feel I couldn't leave safely.
The Vigilante Hunting Bullies, Scammers and Predators
Q: What was your approach to Hunter Moore and IsAnyoneUp, and how did that impact the FBI investigation?
We pursued a strategic, multi-pronged approach, aiming to shut down the site while protecting victims; while it may have affected the FBI timeline, it delivered relief to victims and demonstrated that coordinated actions can halt ongoing abuse.
The Vigilante Hunting Bullies, Scammers and Predators
Q: How did you become involved in exposing online predators and what motivated you to start Bullyville?
I started after seeing how predators exploit online platforms and realizing that traditional channels often failed victims; I wanted to build a tool to expose them, deter others, and push for accountability, even if it meant difficult, high-stakes work.

Audience Metrics

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

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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?

A gripping deep-dive series that pulls back the curtain on underground markets, from gambling rings and online predators to prison dynamics and international mediation. Conversations center on real-world crime, corruption, survivor stories, and the human costs behind illicit economies, with guests ranging from former law-enforcement and security specialists to hackers, victims, recovery advocates, and industry insiders. The show often blends personal narratives with expert context to illuminate how hidden ecosystems operate, why they endure, and their wide-ranging impact on society, business, and policy. A standout is the show's willingness to explore ethical grey areas and the human side of high-stakes crime, making it a compelling listen ... 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. Betrayal Season 6
2. Love Trapped
3. This Is Actually Happening
4. What It Was Like
5. The Binge Cases: Doctor Billions

How many episodes of The Hidden Third are there?

The Hidden Third launched a year ago and published 54 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. Niki Burke
2. Sam Favata
3. Evan Rachel Wood
4. Jim Cole
5. James McGibney
6. Sharon Yitzhaki
7. Lurata Lyon
8. Matthew Bowyer

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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