The Hidden Third

Mariana van Zeller
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Documentary
  • Updated weekly

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.

  1. 16 hr ago

    America’s Last Weed Prisoner

    This past January, America’s so‑called “last cannabis prisoner” walked out of federal custody after serving years on a marijuana trafficking conspiracy between California and the East Coast. At 24, he was running a multi‑million‑dollar weed pipeline from Northern California to Maryland, using tractor‑trailers, private planes, and even FedEx franchises as part of the cannabis supply chain. Before he was ever arrested, he realized a federal case was coming, contacted a lawyer known for representing El Chapo, and then disappeared into Central America as a fugitive. In this episode of The Hidden Third, we go inside his full story as a federal cannabis defendant in a “legal weed” America: how his operation actually worked, what happened to the millions he made, and how, once he was back in the system, he says he was scammed by a lawyer he trusted. We talk about: How a kid who’d been homeless as a teen in suburban Maryland built a national cannabis logistics network The nuts and bolts of the operation: Northern California grow, East Coast demand, trucks and FedEx franchises in between Why he fled to Central America under another identity — and what finally made him come back and face the federal indictment What happened to the money and why the millions he made didn’t translate into a soft landing How he says he was scammed by his own lawyer  Life inside pretrial custody and prison, “diesel therapy,” and what it means to try to rebuild while still on probation If you’re interested in the war on drugs, federal marijuana cases, or how large‑scale cannabis trafficking really works behind the headlines, this episode pulls back the curtain in a way you rarely hear from someone who’s just come home. Timeline’s clinically proven formula, Mitopure, now starts at $79, when you subscribe at http://timeline.com/MARIANA Save 60% on Webroot when you go to http://webroot.com/MARIANA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2h 50m
  2. You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    16 hr ago ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    Introducing Dr. Ramani: If You're Thinking About Going No Contact With a Family Member - Listen to THIS (How to Know If It's Time To Walk Away) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty Some relationships leave us questioning whether love is enough to stay. In this conversation, Jay sits down with Dr. Ramani to explore the painful reality of family estrangement and the growing number of people considering no contact with those closest to them. Together, they unpack the difference between self-protection and punishment, why guilt often accompanies healthy boundaries, and how years of unresolved hurt can lead someone to step away from a relationship they once fought hard to save. Rather than offering simple answers, this episode invites a deeper reflection on safety, repair, accountability, and healing. It challenges the belief that family ties should come at the expense of your well-being and reminds us that choosing yourself is rarely easy. Whether you're navigating a difficult relationship, supporting someone who is, or trying to understand a loved one's decision, this conversation offers compassion, clarity, and the reassurance that healing doesn't always look the way we expect. In this episode you'll learn: How to Know When No Contact Is Necessary How to Stop Abandoning Yourself for Family How to Recognize When Repair Isn’t Working How to Handle Guilt After Going No Contact How to Protect Your Peace Around Toxic Relatives How to Navigate Family Pressure and Backlash How to Choose Self-Protection Over Self-Betrayal Not every relationship is meant to be kept at the cost of your peace. Sometimes healing means repairing a connection, and sometimes it means creating distance from what continues to hurt you. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe   Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast  What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 01:29 What Does Going No Contact Really Mean? 06:24 When No Contact Becomes Your Only Option  08:10 Can a Broken Relationship Be Repaired? 11:40 The Most Common Reasons People Go No Contact 14:48 It's Not the Mistake, It's the Repair 17:01 Pay Attention to Your Why 21:58 Detaching from a Harmful Relationship 26:29 You Have to Do What Feels Right for You 30:12 When Family Requires Self-Abandonment 35:37 The Weight of Internal Shame 36:44 The Hidden Cost of Always Keeping the Peace 42:26 When Someone Cuts You Off Without Explanation 44:13 When Is It Time to Cut Off Contact? 48:01 But They're Family... 53:16 Building Your Chosen Family 55:05 No Contact vs. A Falling Out 55:54 The Silent Treatment Is a Form of Emotional Aggression 58:01 Are We Getting Worse at Repairing Relationships? 01:02:38 The Relief of Finally Deciding to Go No Contact  01:04:09 How to Repair a Relationship After Being Cut Off 01:05:37 Forgiveness Isn't Always Healthy 01:08:26 The Challenges of Trying to Heal Trauma 01:11:29 Why Some Parents Don't Understand Estrangement 01:13:13 Handling Family Backlash After Going No Contact 01:15:12 When a Parent Is Both Supportive and Harmful 01:17:54 When Breaking No Contact Is Worth Considering 01:19:26 Can a Narcissistic Parent Change? 01:22:16 Should You Invite an Estranged Family Member to Your Wedding?  Episode Resources: Website | https://doctor-ramani.com/  YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@DoctorRamani  Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/doctorramani  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/doctorramani/  LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramani-durvasula-4132067  TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@doctorramani  X | https://x.com/DoctorRamani See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. 10 Jun

    She Was the Crystal Meth Queen of Waikiki. Then She Became a PTA Mom in New Jersey.

    Nikki Mammano arrived in Hawaii as a college student and, within months, was running crystal meth in Waikiki. She became known as the Crystal Meth Queen of Waikiki — until it all came crashing down. Today, she’s a PTA mom in New Jersey and the author of Breaking Good, a brutally honest memoir about addiction, trauma, and the long road to healing. In this episode of The Hidden Third, we trace Nikki’s journey from an abused child and teenage addict to a meth dealer in Hawaii’s underworld, and eventually to a sober life built on therapy, accountability, and telling the truth about her past. She talks candidly about prison, homelessness, sex work, parenting with a criminal record, and what recovery really looks like years after the last high. In this conversation, we cover: Childhood abuse and the early wounds that shaped her Her teenage struggle with addiction How a college move to Hawaii spiraled into full‑time meth dealing Life as the Crystal Meth Queen of Waikiki and the rules of that underworld Violence, paranoia, and the moment everything collapsed Prison, shame, and confronting buried trauma Homelessness, sex work, and the cost of survival Parenting, PTA meetings, and living honestly with your past The role of therapy in long‑term recovery Why she wrote Breaking Good and what she hopes readers take from it If you or someone close to you is dealing with addiction, Nikki’s story is not a neat redemption arc — it’s a raw, hopeful map of relapse, repair, and the possibility of starting over. Go to http://Quince.com/hiddenthird for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1hr 30min

  4. 3 Jun

    Lee Harris Claims to Channel Aliens. Why Do Millions Believe Him?

    On this episode of The Hidden Third, I interview Lee Harris — a channeler who claims to communicate with 88 intergalactic beings known as “The Z’s.” He reaches over 2 million people each month and leads a global spiritual community built around his teachings on consciousness, aliens, and the future of humanity. I’m a journalist, trained to look for evidence — not claims about non-human intelligence. But given Lee’s growing influence, I wanted to understand what’s behind it. For this conversation, I kept an open mind. What followed was one of the most unusual interviews I’ve conducted. During our conversation, Lee entered a channeling state and began speaking as the Z’s — allowing me to ask questions directly. He also gave me a personal spiritual reading in real time. We discuss: Who the Z’s are and what they claim Lee’s journey from musician to globally known channeler What these beings say about the future of humanity UFOs, UAPs, and recent government disclosures What it feels like to channel non-human intelligence A live channeling session during the interview A personal reading done on me Whether you’re skeptical or curious, this episode explores one of the fastest-growing and most controversial movements in modern spirituality. Upgrade your wallet today! Get up to 40% off @Ridge during their Father’s Day Sale when you go to https://www.Ridge.com/MARIANA #Ridgepod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2h 8m

  5. 27 May

    He Was a Violent Neo-Nazi Leader. Then He Found Out He Is Jewish.

    Join The Hidden Third Patreon today! patreon.com/thehiddenthird Frank Meeink's life runs parallel in many ways to one of the most powerful films ever made about hate in America — American History X. Except his story is real. By 16 he was one of the most notorious skinhead gang leaders on the East Coast. By 17 he had his own cable TV show preaching white supremacy. By 18 he was doing hard time in an Illinois prison for kidnapping and beating a teenager. In prison, a friendship with a Black inmate put the first cracks in his beliefs. After his release, a Jewish furniture dealer hired him — swastika tattoo and all — and treated him with more dignity than anyone ever had. Then the Oklahoma City bombing pushed him the rest of the way. He walked into the FBI and told them everything. But the biggest twist came later. A DNA test revealed he had Jewish ancestry. The man who once believed Jews were the root of all evil now keeps kosher and studies Torah. In this episode, Mariana sits down with Frank to talk about his time in the neo-Nazi movement, his deradicalization work, his memoir Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead, and his life today — including his marriage to Allison Mack, the Smallville actress who served time for her role in the NXIVM sex cult. Limited Time Offer – You Need Fiber. Yes you! Boost your fiber with Huel today using my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with my code MARIANA at https://www.huel.com/MARIANA. New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting our show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2h 25m

  6. 20 May

    Prophet or Predator: How He Tricked Her and Trafficked Her Mother

    Join The Hidden Third Patreon today! patreon.com/thehiddenthirdLola Blanc was 12 when a man at an LDS (Mormon) singles dance told her mother he was a prophet receiving direct revelation from God. No compound, no mass following — just a one-on-one system of control that separated Lola from her mom and escalated into coercion and trafficking, all framed as God's will. Lola's mother, Christine Marie, just starred in Netflix's Trust Me: The False Prophet — but this story never made the headlines, and the man was never fully stopped. Today Lola is a cult survivor, musician, filmmaker, actor (American Horror Story, Under the Silver Lake), and co-host of the Trust Me podcast, where she and Meagan Elizabeth dismantle the mechanics of coercion. In this episode, she tells Mariana van Zeller the full story. Limited Time Offer – You Need Fiber. Yes you! Boost your fiber with Huel today using my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with my code MARIANA at https://www.huel.com/MARIANA. New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting our show! Timeline’s clinically proven formula, Mitopure, now starts at $79, when you subscribe at⁠ http://timeline.com/MARIANA⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1hr 7min

  7. 15 May ·  Bonus

    Mariana's Interview on The Jordan Harbinger Show

    Special episode drop! We're excited to share an interview with Mariana on The Jordan Harbinger Show. Mariana talks about her long-running show, Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller, her experiences in the field, and what she's taking on now. We hope you enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1hr 42min

  8. 13 May

    “The Hangover” Producer Who Walked Away From Hollywood to Fix America's Prison System

    Join The Hidden Third Patreon today! patreon.com/thehiddenthird Scott Budnick produced some of the biggest films in Hollywood — Old School, The Hangover, War Dogs. Then he visited a juvenile detention center in Los Angeles, and it changed the trajectory of his life. He walked away from Hollywood and started going into juvenile detention centers every week — teaching, listening, showing up for kids the system had written off. That was 22 years ago. He still goes every week. Along the way, he built the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) — a name suggested by Robert Downey Jr. — fought for sentences to be overturned, and watched people walk out of prison and build lives nobody thought were possible. And then he came back to Hollywood — this time to make films with real social impact, including Just Mercy, starring Michael B. Jordan. In this conversation, Mariana and Scott talk (a little bit) about Hollywood, but mostly about America's broken criminal justice system, why it fails the people it was supposed to correct, and what real change actually requires. Plus: the story of a man in solitary confinement for decades — Scott slipped his pinky through the cell bars to reach him, the first human contact this man had had in over 30 years. Today, because of policy reform Scott fought for, he is free and working with the homeless population. CODES: Limited Time Offer – You Need Fiber. Yes you! Boost your fiber with Huel today using my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with my code MARIANA at https://www.huel.com/MARIANA. New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting our show!Get 15% off OneSkin with the code MARIANA at https://www.oneskin.co/MARIANA #oneskinpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    50 min
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Trailer

Hosts & Guests

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Mariana van Zeller
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    The Hidden Third

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