#2395 - Mariana van Zeller

Overview

This episode dives deep into Mariana van Zeller's investigative journalism, focusing on global black markets, scams, addiction crises, immigration issues, and societal divisions. Mariana shares insights from her experiences reporting on dangerous and complex topics, while discussing her new podcast, The Hidden Third, which explores the hidden economies shaping the world.

Notable Quotes

- Even the people we consider the bad guys could be me and you. - Mariana van Zeller, on understanding the human stories behind illegal activities.

- We need another Martin Luther King... someone who's an adamant expresser of nonviolence as the only option. - Joe Rogan, on the need for unifying leadership in divisive times.

- Fraud and scams are the number one growth industry of our time. - Mariana van Zeller, on the alarming rise of global scams.

🕵️‍♀️ Investigating Black Markets

- Mariana discusses her work on Trafficked, revealing the complexities of black and gray markets, which make up an estimated 35% of the global economy.

- She shares stories of individuals trapped in illegal activities, such as a young cocaine trafficker who dreams of becoming a dentist but is forced into smuggling due to poverty.

- Mariana highlights the interconnectedness of black markets with legitimate economies, emphasizing their impact on infrastructure, education, and healthcare funding.

💔 The Opioid Crisis and Addiction Scams

- Mariana recounts her investigations into pill mills in Florida, where doctors prescribed opioids without proper oversight, fueling the opioid epidemic.

- She discusses the rehab scam, where fraudulent rehab centers exploit addicts for insurance money, often providing no real treatment.

- Joe and Mariana explore the societal failure to address addiction, comparing the opioid crisis to other public health emergencies.

🌍 Immigration and Human Stories

- Mariana shares heartbreaking stories of immigrants fleeing violence and poverty, such as a mother and daughter seeking asylum after enduring gang violence.

- The conversation critiques the U.S. immigration system, highlighting the lack of pathways to citizenship and the human cost of deportations.

- Both Joe and Mariana emphasize the need for empathy and understanding in addressing immigration issues.

💸 The Rise of Global Scams

- Mariana reveals the existence of scam factories in places like Cambodia and Myanmar, where individuals are forced into scamming under brutal conditions.

- She describes the pig butchering scam, where victims are manipulated into investing in fake cryptocurrency schemes, sometimes losing millions.

- Mariana shares her ongoing project of saying yes to scams to uncover their inner workings, including romantic and celebrity scams.

🌌 Alien Disclosure and Societal Unity

- Joe and Mariana discuss the potential impact of alien disclosure on society, referencing historical government studies on the topic.

- They explore the idea that a global threat, such as extraterrestrial life, could unite humanity, though they lament the need for conflict to foster unity.

- The conversation touches on the importance of focusing on larger issues like AI, social media, and global crises instead of divisive politics.