Journalist Mariana van Zeller Launches THE HIDDEN THIRD
- Details
- Category: Entertainment News
- Published on Thursday, 16 October 2025 13:44
- Written by A&E Contributing Editor
From Emmy and Peabody Award–winning journalist Mariana van Zeller comes The Hidden Third podcast, a weekly dive into the underground markets that power a third of the global economy, and those trying to shut them down.
In each of the 44 all new original episodes that will be released every Wednesday, Mariana sits down with people who know these hidden worlds firsthand — the hustlers, smugglers, scammers, and those trying to stop them — revealing how these shadow economies function, why they endure, and the surprising ways they shape our everyday lives.
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The premiere double episode features Fabian Alomar, who shares his journey from pro skater to high-security prison survivor, and FBI veteran Kurt McKenzie, who recounts one of the largest pill-mill takedowns in U.S. history.
The series reveals how they function, why they endure, and the profound ways they impact us all. Premiering Wednesday, October 15th, 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.
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"The underground economy makes up nearly one-third of the global economy, yet most of us have no idea how deeply it touches our lives," says Mariana van Zeller. "The Hidden Third is about understanding these systems through the people inside them — and seeing the humanity within stories we often dismiss or fear."
Mariana van Zeller is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist and filmmaker best known as the fearless host and executive producer of National Geographic's hit series Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller, the most Emmy-nominated unscripted series in the history of the Emmy's, now in its fifth season.
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Her groundbreaking work, exploring the world's black markets and shadow economies, has earned her some of journalism's highest honors, including multiple Emmys, a duPont, and she has spoken widely about her experience of being a woman and mother reporting on the world's biggest stages including at TEDx, the Estoril Conferences, Money 20/20, Women in Cable TV, and D23.
Mariana is the co-founder of Muck Media, the production company behind Trafficked, Science Fair, Mucho Mucho Amor, and HBO Max's American Pain.
ABOUT THE ROOST PODCAST NETWORK:
The Roost Podcast Network, acquired by Night in 2024, is the leading video-first podcast network — home to culture-obsessed, creator-led shows like Theo Von, Phil DeFranco, and The Yard. As pioneers in video + audio podcasting, The Roost powers the next generation of internet-native voices through best-in-class distribution, support, and monetization. www.night.co/roost-network.
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LISTEN NOW:
The Hidden Third premieres Wednesday, October 15, with new episodes every Wednesday on https://www.youtube.com/marianavanzeller and on all major podcast platforms.
