The Hidden Third
Mariana van Zeller
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.
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
Mentioned books
Oct 29, 2025 • 2h 5min
Bookie from the Ohtani Baseball Scandal | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Days before reporting to prison, Mathew Bowyer, the bookie at the center of the Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal, sits down with Mariana to walk her through his illegal betting operation, why it collapsed, and what he believes Ohtani knew. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 22, 2025 • 1h 34min
From Cocaine Trafficker to Prison Reformer | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to http://betterhelp.com/mariana for 10% off your first month.
Go to http://topodesigns.com and use code TOPOHIDDENTHIRD for 10% off your order.
When Michael Santos was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for cocaine trafficking, he turned a cell into a classroom, earning degrees, writing books, and, inspired by Frederick Douglass, becoming a leading voice for reform. He tells Mariana how the transformation happened, and what freedom looked like after decades behind bars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 15, 2025 • 1h 24min
Chasing Pill Mills: An FBI Insider’s Story | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
FBI veteran Kurt McKenzie joins Mariana for the inside story of Operation Oxy Alley- the takedown of what’s widely described as the largest pill-mill trafficking operation in U.S. history. Mariana recounts her own investigation and how it led to her being chased down I-95 by the brothers at the center of the case, and how it wasn’t the last McKenzie investigation she got pulled into. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 15, 2025 • 2h 7min
From Prisoner to Actor | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller
Pro skater and actor Fabian Alomar takes Mariana from L.A.’s skate scene to years in a high-security prison, where survival meant being ready for anything - even stashing blades where the sun doesn’t shine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 13, 2025 • 2min
The Hidden Third Trailer
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. Launching October 15th! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
