Podcasts · Society & Culture

The Hidden Third

29 episodes · 4 with AI analysis

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.

AI Intelligence · across all analyzed episodes

People · top 20

Companies · top 20

Topics · top 10

Xbox Underground Hacking and Game Console ExploitationBotnet Development and Command-and-Control InfrastructureMicrosoft Campus Physical Security and Badge CloningCredit Card Fraud and Magnetic Stripe Emulation TechnologyPayment Processor Notification Spoofing and Goods FraudFBI Informant Programs and Immunity DealsPenetration Testing and Red Team EngagementsSwatting and VoIP-Based False ReportingDark Web Markets and Carding ForumsJuvenile Hacker Mentorship and Community Dynamics

Analyzed Episodes

Jan 21, 2026

Xbox Underground Hacker | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller

Xbox Underground Hacking and Game Console ExploitationBotnet Development and Command-and-Control InfrastructureMicrosoft Campus Physical Security and Badge Cloning

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Jan 28, 2026

Journalist Jacob Soboroff on Family Separation, ICE Raids, and the LA Fires | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller

Family Separation Policy and Immigration EnforcementICE Raids and Interior Deportation CampaignsBipartisan Immigration Deterrence Policy

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Feb 4, 2026

Retired ICE Agent | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller

El Chapo Capture and ExtraditionICE Internal Affairs and MisconductBorder Patrol Operations and Use of Force

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Feb 11, 2026

The Hipster Grifter | The Hidden Third with Mariana van Zeller

Criminal Justice ReformPrison System AccountabilityRecidivism Prevention

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