JRE #1938 – Mariana van Zeller

This Joe Rogan podcast episode features Mariana van Zeller, an award-winning investigative journalist and host of National Geographic’s “Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller.” The podcast dives into the world of illegal markets, delving into topics like drug trafficking, gun smuggling, and even the trade of endangered animals. Van Zeller shares stories from her travels around the globe, highlighting the complexities of these illicit activities and the people involved.

Provocative and controversial topics are discussed throughout the podcast, including:

• The ease of purchasing firearms in the US and their role in Mexican cartel violence.
• The rise of “ghost guns” and the dangers of untraceable firearms.
• The potential therapeutic benefits of LSD and other psychedelics.
• The devastating impact of the opioid crisis and the role of pharmaceutical companies.
• The global trade in MDMA and the growing fentanyl threat.
• The dark world of ape trafficking and the demand for exotic pets.
• The alarming reality of cobalt mining in the Congo and its human cost.
• The brutal world of fight clubs and the dangers of bare-knuckle fighting.
• The complex and often unregulated world of online gambling.
• The chilling reality of organ trafficking and the desperate people caught in the crossfire.

Underlying themes explored throughout the podcast include:

• The interconnectedness of global crime and the role of poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunity in fueling these black markets.
• The human cost of illegal activities, highlighting the often forgotten individuals caught in the crossfire.
• The ethics of investigative journalism and the challenges of reporting on sensitive and dangerous topics.
• The power of storytelling and its ability to shed light on hidden truths and change perspectives.

Here is a 4-point summary of each major topic discussed in the podcast:

Gun Smuggling

• Mariana van Zeller recounts how she was able to easily purchase an AK-47 from a Taco Bell parking lot in Arizona.
• She details how American guns are being smuggled into Mexico and fueling cartel violence.
• The podcast discusses the role of police officers in confiscating guns and selling them to the cartel.
• The episode highlights the growing concern about “ghost guns” and their untraceable nature.

Psychedelics

• Van Zeller explores the world of LSD, interviewing a former chemist who shares his experiences and insights.
• The episode investigates the potential therapeutic uses of LSD and other psychedelics, particularly for treating PTSD.
• The podcast examines the cultural shift surrounding psychedelics and the growing acceptance of their medicinal properties.
• Van Zeller’s personal experience with microdosing mushrooms adds another dimension to the discussion.

Opioid Crisis

• The podcast delves into the prescription opioid crisis and the role of pharmaceutical companies in fueling the epidemic.
• Van Zeller shares her personal experience with being pressured by a doctor to take opioids after surgery.
• The episode explores the tactics used by pharmaceutical companies to promote their drugs, including bribery and misleading marketing.
• The podcast discusses the devastating impact of the opioid crisis on communities across the US.

MDMA

• The episode investigates the MDMA trade and its origins in the Netherlands.
• Van Zeller explores the potential therapeutic uses of MDMA, particularly for treating anxiety and trauma.
• The podcast discusses the dangers of fentanyl-laced ecstasy pills and the increasing threat they pose.
• The episode highlights the dark side of the MDMA trade, including violence and torture in the Netherlands.

Ape Trafficking

• Van Zeller shares her experience traveling to the Congo and witnessing the devastating impact of ape trafficking.
• The podcast highlights the high demand for gorillas and chimpanzees as exotic pets, particularly in the UAE.
• The episode explores the role of poverty and lack of opportunity in driving this illegal trade.
• Van Zeller emphasizes the need to address the demand for these animals in order to protect them from extinction.

Cobalt Mining

• The podcast delves into the dark world of cobalt mining in the Congo and the horrific conditions faced by miners.
• Van Zeller discusses the environmental and health consequences of cobalt mining.
• The episode highlights the role of major tech companies like Apple in sourcing cobalt for their products.
• The podcast raises questions about consumer responsibility and the ethical sourcing of materials.

Fight Clubs

• Van Zeller explores the underground world of fight clubs, traveling to Thailand and Detroit to witness these events firsthand.
• The episode highlights the dangers of bare-knuckle fighting and the lack of medical support at these events.
• The podcast discusses the rise of BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) and its appeal to both fighters and fans.
• Van Zeller debates the ethical considerations of bare-knuckle fighting and the potential for exploitation.

Gambling

• The podcast investigates the booming underground gambling industry, including fish games, poker games, and online betting.
• Van Zeller discusses the role of cartels and Asian gangs in controlling these illegal operations.
• The episode explores the dangers of gambling addiction and the devastating impact it can have on individuals and families.
• The podcast examines the recent ban on gambling by UFC fighters and the ethical complexities of this issue.

Organ Trafficking

• Van Zeller investigates the disturbing reality of organ trafficking, traveling to Colombia, Mexico, and the US to uncover this illegal trade.
• The podcast highlights the vulnerability of migrants and the role of cartels in exploiting them.
• Van Zeller shares a chilling interview with a man who admits to harvesting organs from living victims.
• The episode explores the ethical dilemmas surrounding organ donation and the desperation that drives people to the black market.

5 Memorable Quotes:

• “I’m not pessimistic at all. I think one of the biggest surprises for me filming this show has been finding out that even the people, not all, that the majority of the people that I’ve met involved in these illegal activities around the world that they are very much people just like you and me.”
• “And I think, you know, there is the idea that no matter how far I travel to the edges of our society and that I can find still find people who are latable in Redeemable makes me actually have a very optimistic view of the world.”
• “And it’s the danger of the Internet. Right? Because it’s a loud speaker. Unfortunately, it’s a place where you can find that community, but that community is not always good.”
• “Not one single one of them were doing it be was doing it because of the money. They all told us how they were doing it because of the power of the drug and how LSD has changed them and transformed them, and they really believe in the power of the drug in terms of sort of liberating and raising consciousness in the world.”
• “I always say that. The real problem with poverty is, like, it incentivizes people to do crime because they’re so desperate that the the life sucks so bad. They’re willing to do illegal things just to try to get by and and do something that better themselves.”