The Hidden Third

This week on The Hidden Third, I speak to Anna Sorokin, better known as “Anna Delvey”, the infamous “fake heiress” whose real-life story was later dramatized in Netflix’s “Inventing Anna”. Anna posed as a wealthy German socialite, worked her way into New York’s elite circles, and used deception and manipulation to get banks, luxury hotels, and even friends to bankroll her lifestyle – a modern case study in scams, grifting, and image. She was convicted of theft of services and grand larceny and served time in prison, becoming one of the most recognizable names in high-society con artistry. Today, her notoriety has morphed into a new kind of power: Anna has become an influencer with a massive social media following, taking on paid promotional partnerships and selling some of the illustrations she made in prison for tens of thousands of dollars. I wanted to understand who she is - behind the con artist. But Anna rarely opens up about her past and often comes across as unrepentant and dismissive about the harm she caused. That guardedness made this one of the hardest interviews I’ve ever done. There were several moments I thought she would walk out. But in the end, through a game of cat-and-mouse, she shares some of her past thinking and strategies for conning people, what life was like in prison, the friends she made there, the marriage proposals she received, and her plans for what comes next. About The Hidden Third: 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. The Hidden Third Show Sponsors Go to ⁠http://rocketmoney.com/hiddenthird⁠ to reach your financial goals faster. THE HIDDEN THIRD: ⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠ Apple Podcasts⁠ MARIANA: ⁠⁠YouTube TikTok ⁠Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Paperny, a former stockbroker turned prison consultant, shares his gripping journey from fraud to rehabilitation. He discusses the allure of corporate culture that led him astray, the thrill of cold-calling, and the spiral into criminal behavior. After serving time, he transformed his experience into empowerment, helping others navigate incarceration and rebuild their lives. Justin highlights the importance of empathy and genuine support in the criminal justice system, advocating for reform and dignity for all incarcerated individuals.

Todd Thomas, a former cannabis grower and founder of the Fathership Program, shares his harrowing journey as a father whose daughter was groomed by an online predator. He discusses the shocking moment he discovered her messages and the predator's tactics, including using a burner phone. Todd dives deep into his own experiences of childhood abuse, highlighting the importance of speaking out. Now, he empowers fathers through programs focused on parenting and anger management, aiming to change lives by turning personal pain into purpose.

Lisa Phillips, a survivor and advocate, shares her harrowing experience with Jeffrey Epstein and her journey toward healing. She discusses the grooming tactics used by Epstein, how he manipulated victims through emotional connections, and her confrontation with him. Lisa also sheds light on the troubling dynamics of modeling agencies and trafficking networks. Her powerful testimony on Capitol Hill aims to empower other survivors, and she reflects on the importance of accountability and her ongoing advocacy work, including her upcoming memoir.

Aliia Roza, a former Russian intelligence operative, reveals her shocking journey into the world of 'sexpionage.' Trained in honeytrap techniques, she shares harrowing tales of manipulation and abuse within the Russian intelligence community. From her early life in post-Soviet Moscow to her defection after falling for a target, Aliia discusses the psychological tactics used to craft operatives. She also delves into the dark reality of exploitation in espionage, the moral dilemmas faced during covert missions, and her efforts to gain safety through public exposure.

Rob Archuleta, a licensed addiction counselor, recovering meth addict, and Ironman triathlete, shares his transformative journey from addiction to empowerment through athletics. He recounts the depths of his meth addiction, the turning point sparked by his grandmother's plea, and how he founded Addict2Athlete, merging support with fitness. Rob explains why endurance sports resonate with those in recovery and critiques the flaws in the rehab industry. His insights showcase the profound impact of community and exercise in overcoming addiction.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to http://betterhelp.com/mariana for 10% off your first month. At 23, Sequoyah Thiessen moved to L.A., believing the “Rehab Riviera” would help her kick opioids. Instead, she was pulled into the shadow economy of fraudulent rehab programs, where people in crisis are bought and sold on a multi-billion-dollar black market. She sits down with Mariana to talk about how this dangerous underworld works, who profits, and the way she turned her life around. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Days before reporting to prison, Mathew Bowyer, the bookie at the center of the Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal, sits down with Mariana to walk her through his illegal betting operation, why it collapsed, and what he believes Ohtani knew. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to http://betterhelp.com/mariana for 10% off your first month. Go to http://topodesigns.com and use code TOPOHIDDENTHIRD for 10% off your order. When Michael Santos was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for cocaine trafficking, he turned a cell into a classroom, earning degrees, writing books, and, inspired by Frederick Douglass, becoming a leading voice for reform. He tells Mariana how the transformation happened, and what freedom looked like after decades behind bars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FBI veteran Kurt McKenzie joins Mariana for the inside story of Operation Oxy Alley- the takedown of what’s widely described as the largest pill-mill trafficking operation in U.S. history. Mariana recounts her own investigation and how it led to her being chased down I-95 by the brothers at the center of the case, and how it wasn’t the last McKenzie investigation she got pulled into. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices