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Mariana van Zeller | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #603

2025-08-16 Comedy
621.3k
12.6k
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Theo Von
Theo Von
4.6m subscribers

Investigating Global Black Markets: Cartels, Fraud, and the Cost of Systemic Failure

Uncover the harrowing methods investigative journalists use to access global crime networks—from cartel operations to deadly rehab scams—and understand why broken systems, not just personal evil, fuel a multi-trillion-dollar shadow economy.

Short Summary

  • Journalist Mariana van Zeller details the extreme risk and dedication required to document drug manufacturing, human trafficking, and high-level cons in the world’s underworlds.
  • The discussion highlights stark findings: Cartel presence is widespread in US small towns, and the War on Drugs has failed completely.
  • Key examples include interviewing a contract killer and exposing billions lost to fraudulent rehabilitation clinics exploiting vulnerable populations.
  • MVZ explains that access relies on convincing subjects that reporters genuinely seek to understand their ego, motivations, and need for validation.
  • The conversation pivots to systemic responsibility, arguing that government failure to manage basic issues (like drug pricing or immigration) drives people toward illicit activities.

This interview orients the reader to the front lines of investigative journalism focused on crime. It reveals that success pivots on unconventional rapport-building while emphasizing that the root cause for much of this activity lies in failing social and economic structures.

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Description

Mariana van Zeller is a journalist and correspondent for National Geographic. The 5th season of her show “Trafficked with Mariana Van Zeller” is streaming now. Theo is joined by Mariana to learn all about the black markets of the world. They talk about what she saw inside drug manufacturing sites in Central America, the scary world of bride trafficking, and what she learned after talking to a real assassin in LA. Mariana van Zeller: https://www.instagram.com/marianavz ------------------------------------------------ Tour Dates! https://theovon.com/tour New Merch: https://www.theovonstore.com ------------------------------------------------- Sponsored By: Celsius: Go to the Celsius Amazon store to check out all of their flavors. #CELSIUSBrandPartner #CELSIUSLiveFit https://amzn.to/3HbAtPJ DraftKings: Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app right now and use code THEO. That’s code THEO for new customers to get $150 in bonus bets instantly when you bet just five bucks. Only on DraftKings. The Crown Is Yours. https://draftkings.com Moonpay: Head over to https://www.moonpay.com/THEO to sign up! Acorns: Go to http://acorns.com/THEO to get your $20 bonus investment today. Shopify: Go to http://shopify.com/theo to build start building your business. ShipStation: Upgrade to ShipStation today to get a sixty-day free trial at https://www.shipstation.com/theo Liquid IV: Go to http://liquidiv.com and get 20% off your first order with code THEO at checkout. Perplexity AI: Ask anything at https://pplx.ai/theo and download their new web browser Comet at https://comet.perplexity.ai/ ------------------------------------------------- GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). 1 per new customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 9/29/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK. ------------------------------------------------- Music: “Shine” by Bishop Gunn Bishop Gunn - Shine ------------------------------------------------ Submit your funny videos, TikToks, questions and topics you'd like to hear on the podcast to: [email protected] Hit the Hotline: 985-664-9503 Video Hotline for Theo Upload here: https://www.theovon.com/fan-upload Send mail to: This Past Weekend 1906 Glen Echo Rd PO Box #159359 Nashville, TN 37215 ------------------------------------------------ Find Theo: Website: https://theovon.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/theovon Facebook: https://facebook.com/theovon Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thispastweekend Twitter: https://twitter.com/theovon YouTube: https://youtube.com/theovon Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheoVonClips Shorts Channel: https://bit.ly/3ClUj8z ------------------------------------------------ Producer: Zach https://www.instagram.com/zachdpowers Producer: Trevyn https://www.instagram.com/trevyn.s/ Producer: Nick https://www.instagram.com/realnickdavis/ Producer: Andrew https://www.instagram.com/bleachmediaofficial/?hl=en

Top Comments (10)

@ryankarnes8566 2025-08-16

"I'm just a recovering addict in front of some best buy equipment doing his best" was so on brand for Theo to say 😂

992 16 replies
@thepontiackid 2025-08-18

Been waiting for an interview to hear her stories uninterrupted. Theo actually apologizes for interrupting and says "go on". Bro Jogan just steers their convo to nothing about her travels every time. It's insane actually. You maybe have the best story teller with the craziest stories on the planet and you want to talk about elk calls. Thank you Theo for letting her cook!

364 18 replies
@albertgualanoiii7082 2025-08-16

"Bummin menthols off of Voldomort" ! Theo always delivers!

301
@johnkeller5163 2025-08-16

Before watching this, I can only imagine Mariana is showing up at Theo's place to get a moment of peace from the heavy shit she reports on from around the world often speaking in several languages with her life in high risk areas. This woman is tough as hell in investigative reporting and has the highest praise of real journalistic respect. Kudos for Theo to have a serious curiosity making an excellent interview in a calm setting with a few jokes as always.

270 6 replies
@emfh80 2025-08-17

Theo has a unique ability to bring humor and compassion to an interview in an unexpected way, maintaining an interesting balance.

213
@puffyshirt88 2025-08-16

Great episode!!! "Tickling Voldemort" was a great line.

196
@kbretire20 2025-08-23

This lady probably helps more Americans then 100 politicians put together. Thank you!

181 11 replies
@BabakJahangiri-ux8fy 2025-08-16

"How do you leave a place like that and not bring it with you...not feel like you have to go back" This just shows the incredible empathetic character of Theo. To be able to put himself in their shoes and ask such an incredible question

138 1 replies
@msmntz 2025-08-16

As a newer listener to Theo, I’ve never fully appreciated appreciated him until this ep. His empathy and consideration is so genuine and deep. It’s refreshing to see him get deep and not be superficial on topics

55 1 replies
@Jensenrhope 2025-08-20

if Mariana makes a podcast interviewing those types of induviduals it will genuinely blow up

47 5 replies

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