The Hidden Third
Business & Finance
About
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 the profound ways they impact us all. New episodes drop every Wednesday wherever you get your podcasts. The Hidden Third is a co-production of Muck Media and The Roost Podcast Network.
Episodes
- Meagan Elizabeth: Raised in a Cult Hiding 900 Abusers
Meagan Elizabeth, a cult survivor, shares her story of being raised in the Two-by-Twos, a secretive cult. She discusses her life within the group, her escape, and the process of rebuilding her identity after leaving.
- Amanda Knox Imprisoned In Italy: The Real Story
This episode of The Hidden Third features Amanda Knox, who discusses her wrongful conviction and imprisonment in Italy. She shares insights on false confessions, media trials, and the challenges of rebuilding her life after being exonerate…
- The American Captive Inside Venezuela's Deadliest Prison
Mariana van Zeller interviews James Luckey-Lange about his detention in the Venezuelan prison Rodeo I. The episode covers his experience following an arrest after entering the country from Brazil in December.
- Shaka Senghor: 19 Years for Murder
Mariana interviews Shaka Senghor about his experiences with long-term imprisonment, solitary confinement, and his current work mentoring at-risk youth. Their conversation explores his personal journey and the challenges he faced throughout…
- Chosen by Aliens: The Kidnapping of Jan Broberg
Jan Broberg shares her personal experience of being kidnapped twice as a child by a family friend who used manipulation tactics. She discusses the nature of these crimes and how similar predator behaviors persist today in both physical and…
- NYC Drug Kingpin Turned Weed CEO
This episode of The Hidden Third features Coss Marte, a former NYC drug dealer who transformed his life after prison. He discusses his journey from running an illegal delivery business to founding a fitness company and his current role as…
- From Prison Cell to Rocket Scientist
Marta Barreto discusses her life journey from surviving trauma, addiction, and imprisonment to becoming a rocket scientist at Virgin Orbit. She reflects on overcoming the psychological impacts of exploitation and the challenges of rebuildi…
- Undercover Cop
Former narcotics detective Britt Elmore discusses the mechanics of undercover operations, the relationship between officers and informants, and the complexities of the drug supply chain. He also explores why the underground drug economy co…
- Felon at 7, Reborn in Solitary
Sonny Von Cleveland discusses his journey from childhood abuse and eighteen years of incarceration to becoming a mentor and advocate for at-risk youth. He details how he found redemption while in solitary confinement and his current work i…
- Game Warden vs The Cartel
Mariana van Zeller interviews Nores about the impact of cartel trespass growers in California's wilderness. They discuss the environmental damage, the dangers faced by law enforcement, and why marijuana legalization has not hindered the bl…
- The Woman Who Took On Amazon
Amy Nelson discusses her experience navigating legal pressures after an encounter involving Amazon and federal law enforcement. In this episode of The Hidden Third, she shares her family's story of facing a major corporation and the person…
- Ex Neo-Nazi | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Former neo-Nazi Christian Picciolini joins host Mariana van Zeller to discuss his experience in the white power movement and his subsequent work in deradicalization. They explore the processes of radicalization and why individuals are draw…
- From The Kink Machine: The Secret Power Behind Porn
This episode of The Hidden Third features an excerpt from the audiobook The Kink Machine, which examines the power structures, finance, and influence behind the global pornography industry. Journalists Patricia Nilsson and Alex Barker inve…
- The Hipster Grifter | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Kari Ferrell, the "Hipster Grifter," details her scams, including bad checks and pretending to have cancer, and her experiences after moving to New York and working at VICE. She discusses her motivations, manipulating trust, becoming an in…
- Retired ICE Agent | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Retired ICE agent Eric Balliet joins Mariana van Zeller to discuss his career in federal law enforcement, his role in the arrests of El Chapo, and his critical perspectives on current ICE policies and resource allocation.
- Journalist Jacob Soboroff on Family Separation, ICE Raids, and the LA Fires | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Journalist and author Jacob Soboroff discusses his reporting career, including his coverage of family separation at the border and his firsthand account of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, with host Mariana van Zeller.
- Xbox Underground Hacker | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Mariana van Zeller interviews Arman, a hacker involved in the Xbox Underground case, about his experiences in the hacking underworld and his eventual transition to ethical hacking. He discusses his early start in programming, illegal activ…
- USC Athlete Turned Cocaine Kingpin | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Mariana van Zeller interviews former USC athlete Owen Hanson about his transition from student-athlete to a criminal kingpin involved in drug trafficking, sports betting, and money laundering. Hanson discusses his involvement with Mexican…
- Anna Delvey / Fake Heiress | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Mariana van Zeller interviews Anna Sorokin, known as Anna Delvey, about her experience as a convicted con artist and her life following prison. They discuss her past deceptions, her time incarcerated, and her current status as an influence…
- Embezzler Turned Prison Entrepreneur | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Former stockbroker and convicted felon Justin Paperny discusses his experience in federal prison and his current work coaching others on how to navigate incarceration and rehabilitation. He speaks with host Mariana van Zeller about his pas…
- Father vs. Child Predators | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Mariana van Zeller speaks with Todd Thomas about the grooming of his 12-year-old daughter by a child predator. Thomas recounts the discovery, his actions, the systemic failures, and his transformation of that painful experience into a driv…
- Jeffrey Epstein Survivor | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Lisa Phillips recounts her experience of assault and subsequent grooming and manipulation by Jeffrey Epstein. She discusses the trauma she endured and her continuing efforts to seek justice.
- Russian Sex Spy | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Aliia Roza discusses her alleged training in Russian "sexpionage" and her defection after falling for a target. Her story is shared with host Mariana van Zeller.
- From Addict to Ironman | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Rob Archuleta details his transformation from meth addiction to becoming an Ironman athlete. He discusses founding the Addict2Athlete running club, which helps change lives.
- Body-Brokering Survivor | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
This episode features Sequoyah Thiessen discussing her experience with fraudulent rehab programs and the body-brokering black market after moving to L.A. to overcome opioid addiction. She explains how this shadow economy operates, who prof…
- Bookie from the Ohtani Baseball Scandal | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Mariana van Zeller interviews Mathew Bowyer, the bookie at the center of the Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal. Bowyer discusses his illegal betting operation, its collapse, and his perspective on Ohtani's knowledge.
- From Cocaine Trafficker to Prison Reformer | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Michael Santos details his journey from a 45-year sentence for cocaine trafficking to becoming a prison reformer. Inspired by Frederick Douglass, he used his time in prison to earn degrees, write books, and advocate for change, later shari…
- Chasing Pill Mills: An FBI Insider’s Story | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
FBI veteran Kurt McKenzie discusses Operation Oxy Alley, a major pill-mill bust. Host Mariana van Zeller shares her personal investigation, which led to her being pursued by those involved in the case.
- From Prisoner to Actor | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Fabian Alomar, a pro skater and actor, recounts his experiences transitioning from the L.A. skate scene to serving time in a high-security prison. He discusses the survival strategies he employed during his incarceration.
- The Hidden Third Trailer
The Hidden Third Trailer introduces Mariana van Zeller's new series, which explores the underground markets that constitute a third of the global economy. Each episode will feature interviews with individuals involved in these markets, rev…