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Artwork for The Underworld Podcast

The Underworld Podcast

The Underworld Podcast
Drug Trafficking
Sinaloa Cartel
Organized Crime
Cocaine
New York City
DEA
Adnan Khashoggi
Pablo Escobar
Mafia
Fentanyl
World War II
Russian Mafia
Heroin
Violence
Ecuador
Cali Cartel
Human Trafficking
Methamphetamine
Money Laundering
Philippines

Underworld exposes the secret world of transnational criminal networks that have flourished since there were banks to bust, drugs to smuggle, and scams to run. Journalists Danny Gold and Sean Williams bring their experience reporting on dangerous people and organizations to take listeners on a global tour of mobsters, warlords and crooks - from Brooklyn to Beijing, from the streets to the boardroo... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes363Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryHistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Underworld Podcast

Latest Episodes

Bolivia's Cerro Rico has been spewing out tons of silver for centuries. It was the economic bellows of the Spanish Revolution, whose lust for the precious metal came at the price of some eight million slaves. Some of the empire's earliest gangs forme... more

5000 armed tribesman at his beck and a call. A mountain compound in a lawless territory. A seat in Pakistan’s parliament bought and paid for. And a heroin and hash empire that stretched from the mountains of Afghanistan to million dollar mansions in ... more

YouTube

On this episode of Stashhouse: Wagner's leftover mercenaries are running a tramadol empire in the heart of Africa, while in Monaco a bomb takes out a Ukrainian tycoon, then someone takes out the assassin. Grenades, the mob, and Japanese food: an Isra... more

Earlier this month, Sinaloa Cartel mastermind Ismael Zambada García, aka El Mayo, was sentenced to life in prison for his role in growing one of the world’s biggest criminal empires.

But while Mayo’s story may be ending, he leaves behind a mountain ... more

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Recent Guests

Lucia Armijo
52-year-old guardabocaminas at Cerro Rico, longtime resident
Bolivia mining community, Cerro Rico
Episode: Shafted: How Cartels are Killing for Rare-Earths
Basilio Vargas
36-year-old miner guide at Cerro Rico, featured in The Devil's Mine
Mining community, Cerro Rico
Episode: Shafted: How Cartels are Killing for Rare-Earths
Diego Huelpa
Indigenous prospector who discovered vast silver deposits
Historical figure associated with Cerro Rico
Episode: Shafted: How Cartels are Killing for Rare-Earths
Daniel Oropesa Alba
Director General of the Casa de la Moneda in Potosí
Casa de la Moneda
Episode: Shafted: How Cartels are Killing for Rare-Earths
Vanda Phelba Brown
Security and intelligence expert at Brookings Institution
Brookings Institution
Episode: Shafted: How Cartels are Killing for Rare-Earths
Luis Chaparro
Mexican investigative reporter
News/Investigative journalism
Episode: Shafted: How Cartels are Killing for Rare-Earths
Natalia Ducan
Researcher with Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime
Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime
Episode: Russian Mercenaries African Drug Empire, Israel’s Sushi Mob war & the murdered Assassin: Stash House
Frank Perez
Mayo's longtime attorney
Lawyer for Ismael Zambada García
Episode: El Mayo Behind Bars: Cartel War, Conspiracy and Narcopolitics
Steph Casella
Asset forfeiture expert
US asset forfeiture specialist
Episode: El Mayo Behind Bars: Cartel War, Conspiracy and Narcopolitics

Hosts

Danny Gold
Host of The Underworld Podcast; co-host with ongoing field reporting on international crime networks.
Sean Williams
Co-host and lead host on The Underworld Podcast; provides contextual commentary and reporting alongside Danny Gold.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Come for the crime, stay for the banter…

    This is arguably one of the best podcasts out there, irrespective of genre. You’re both legitimately entertaining. This is a genre that’s easy to render insufferable, but you guys add charm to well researched topics and clearly aren’t interested in picking the low hanging fruit or using the podcast as a forum to pander or emote. Not a regurgitated Wikipedia narration like most.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    YUsucksobad
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great

    You study hard Nd your efforts payoff. Thanks

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    J Clam
    United Statesa month ago
  • One of my favorite podcasts

    A well written, well researched historical narrative with entertaining hosts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    stu gatsa
    United States2 months ago
  • On a short list…

    This is arguably one of the bust podcasts out there, irrespective of genre. Legitimately entertaining. This is a genre that’s easy to render insufferable, but you guys add charm to well researched topics and clearly aren’t interested in picking the low hanging fruit or pandering to any particular ideology. I truly hope you find a way to get this out to a wider market. Big fan.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    YUsucksobad
    United States4 months ago
  • The best

    Amazing research and detail, both have great delivery and are entertaining, very little sidetracked chatter like many other podcasts, funny as well. One of the best by far and I cover them all

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ken powers
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

High-quality journalism with vivid historical and current-crime context.
Banters can be distracting at times, but the content stays strong and informative.
Well-researched, entertaining, and globally minded with insightful interviews.
The hosts combine rigorous research with engaging storytelling, a rare balance in true crime.”

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Cartel Del Noreste's Kingdom of Terror w/ Andrew Glazer
Q: What has been the most challenging part of reporting from a cartel stronghold like Nuevo Laredo?
The constant risk from both cartel actors and state or military entities, plus the difficulty of distinguishing between witnesses, informants, and potential threats; maintaining safety while seeking credible, verifiable information is the ongoing challenge.
The Tijuana Cartel's Bloody Rise and Fall
Q: What was the relationship between the Tijuana cartel and the Sinaloa cartel?
Initially, they started as friends and allies, but tensions rose over territory disputes and tax payments, leading to violent confrontations.
Burmese Warlords, Gangsters & A Scam Utopia
Q: Why do the gangs target actors like Wang Xing?
It's believed that they target actors because of previous connections in the movie business, which allows the gangs to manipulate the actors into compromising situations.
The Dixie Mafia's Texas Millionaire Murders
Q: Can you explain the nature of the Dixie Mafia?
Peter characterizes the Dixie Mafia not as a structured organization but a loosely connected group of Southern gangsters that emerged after Prohibition, engaging in various criminal activities.
The Dixie Mafia's Texas Millionaire Murders
Q: How did you get involved in this story?
Peter shares that he heard of the killings decades ago while visiting family in Corpus Christi, and it sparked his interest in organized crime journalism.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Underworld Podcast

What is The Underworld Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show covers a global panorama of organized crime, from transnational gangs and narcotics cartels to historical crimelords and illicit networks. Episodes thread together on-the-ground reporting, archival context, and expert commentary to illuminate how crime, politics, and business intersect across continents. Listeners can expect deep dives into cases like cartel leadership, asset forfeiture, and the evolution of criminal ecosystems in places from Africa and Latin America to East Asia, with a signature mix of brisk storytelling, field anecdotes, and investigative nuance. A standout is the breadth of topics—historical crime lore, contemporary narco-politics, and the rise of women in traditionally male-dominated underworld spaces—paired ... more

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How many listeners does The Underworld Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Underworld Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Underworld Podcast:

1. Gangland Wire
2. The Sit Down: A Crime History Podcast
3. The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell
4. SPYCRAFT 101
5. Matthew Cox | Inside True Crime Podcast

How many episodes of The Underworld Podcast are there?

The Underworld Podcast launched 6 years ago and published 363 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Underworld Podcast?

Recent guests on The Underworld Podcast include:

1. Lucia Armijo
2. Basilio Vargas
3. Diego Huelpa
4. Daniel Oropesa Alba
5. Vanda Phelba Brown
6. Luis Chaparro
7. Natalia Ducan
8. Frank Perez

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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