407: What if you found humanity in the depths of the criminal underworld?
This Is Actually Happening
Audible
4.6 • 10.4K Ratings
🗓️ 19 May 2026
⏱️ 76 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
After leaving Portugal to become a journalist, a woman is drawn into the world’s black markets, where dangerous encounters with criminals, extremists, and a military coup reveal the systems that shape people and the humanity that still connects them.
Today’s episode featured Mariana van Zeller. Mariana is an award-winning correspondent and investigative journalist. She is the host and executive producer of National Geographic's original documentary series ""Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller,"" which explores the complex and often dangerous inner-workings of the global underworld, smuggling networks, black and informal markets. For her reporting, Mariana has earned some of the most prestigious awards in journalism and storytelling. She hosts a podcast called The Hidden Third, a weekly dive into the underground markets that quietly power a third of the global economy.
You can email Mariana at thehiddenthird@gmail.com. She is also on Instagram @marianavz and on TikTok @mariana_vanzeller. You can also visit her website at www.marianavanzeller.me.
Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Aviva Lipkowitz
Content/Trigger Warnings: divorce/parental separation, alcoholism, 9/11, terrorism, war and political violence, anti-American extremism, child indoctrination, death of children, gun violence, drug trafficking, human trafficking, scams targeting elderly people, murder/assassination, death of parents, kidnapping threat, military coup, homophobia and anti-LGBTQ+ violence, parental guilt/separation from child, explicit language
Social Media:
Instagram: @actuallyhappening
Twitter/X: @TIAHPodcast
Facebook: This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group
Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com
Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com
Website for Aviva Lipkowitz: avivalipkowitz.com
Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happening
Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app or visit Audible.com.
Read more about Whit’s insights into each episode on Beyond The Story Substack: whitmissildine.substack.com. On the Substack, Whit will be sharing personal reflections on the deeper themes that emerge from each episode and from across the conversations he’s been immersed in for years, including the psychology of radical transformation, the power of storytelling, the lessons of trauma and healing, and how we die to an old Self and are reborn. He’ll share behind-the-scenes glimpses into the making of the show and his own personal journey in creating it.
Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop.
Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com
Intro Music: “Sleep Paralysis” - Scott Velasquez
Music Bed: KPM Main Series (KPM) - Barely There
Services
If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988
National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | The Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of This Is Actually Happening, |
| 0:04.4 | ad-free right now. |
| 0:06.4 | Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app. |
| 0:09.4 | This Is Actually Happening features real experiences that often include traumatic events. |
| 0:13.7 | Please consult the show notes for specific content warnings on each episode |
| 0:16.8 | and for more information about support services. |
| 0:21.7 | The biggest threat isn't the monster. |
| 0:25.5 | It's the systems that manufacture them. |
| 0:28.7 | And I stopped chasing the villains, |
| 0:31.0 | and I started being more interested in understanding |
| 0:33.2 | the broken systems that create these bad actors. |
| 0:43.4 | Music the broken systems that create these bad actors. From Audible Originals, I'm Whitmysldine. |
| 0:47.6 | You're listening to This Is Actually Happening. |
| 0:54.0 | Episode 407. |
| 0:57.7 | What if you found humanity in the depths of the criminal underworld? |
| 1:08.6 | Whether you're exploring your fascinations or discovering new ones, |
| 1:12.7 | Ottawa has stories that will introduce you to your most fascinating self. |
| 1:16.4 | Tap into a whole new world of heated conversations with a saucy romantic series. |
| 1:21.3 | Know how true the latest blockbuster movie stayed to the sci-fi story it was based on, |
| 1:26.0 | or find unexpected reveals through an exclusive |
| 1:28.6 | true crime podcast. However you listen, Audible keeps you fascinated so you can be just as fascinating. |
| 1:34.7 | Select any audiobook every month, plus exclusive podcasts. Plans now start at 5 pounds 99. |
... |
Transcript will be available on the free plan in 8 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Audible, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Audible and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.