Inside global black markets: Emmy-winning investigative journalist Mariana van Zeller

Behind the Business with Michelle Toh · Jul 2, 2026 · 54m

“An estimated 30-35% of the global economy are black and gray markets.” That’s the world our next guest, Mariana van Zeller, has spent years investigating. From online scam centers to black-market oil, the Peabody Award-winning journalist has built a career going where few reporters can. "Trafficked" — her hit Nat Geo series — regularly breaks records at the Emmys. In this conversation, we dive into: 00:00: Introduction 01:18: The "hidden third" of the global economy 02:15: Growing up in Portugal and the path to journalism 03:50: Fighting her way into Columbia University 05:56: Covering 9/11…