Last week The Roost Podcast Network launched a new podcast with Mariana van Zeller titled The Hidden Third. To mark the occasion, The Roost VP of Revenue & Partnerships Catherine Browne and journalist Mariana van Zeller kindly agreed to an interview with Sounds Profitable.
The Roost has come a long way from it’s original roots as the podcast network born out of Rooster Teeth. What does the addition of shows like The Hidden Third joining your network signify to the future of The Roost and the direction you’re heading?
Catherine Browne: The launch of our newest podcast The Hidden Third, marks the start of an exciting new chapter for The Roost Podcast Network. With deep roots in comedy and gaming through Rooster Teeth, we’ve grown far beyond our origins. Now, as part of Night Media—a leading digital talent management company—we’re focused on championing creator-led stories that reflect what audiences love and share online.
The addition of The Hidden Third to The Roost’s roster, co-produced with Emmy® Award–winning journalist Mariana Van Zeller and Muck Media, represents exactly that future. Mariana is an extraordinary storyteller whose work with National Geographic and Hulu has given audiences powerful perspectives on some of the world’s most hidden and complex issues. Video podcasting is the perfect medium for her next venture—it creates the space for long-form, intimate conversations that reveal the depth of her subjects’ lives and experiences. Partnering with Mariana and Muck to bring The Hidden Third to life reflects The Roost’s vision: to collaborate with inspiring creators and build video-first podcasts that resonate with audiences everywhere.
To Mariana van Zeller: You previously worked with National Geographic for your last podcast. How did you make the decision to work with The Roost on this project? What has the partnership looked like so far and what opportunities are you looking forward to exploring together?
Mariana van Zeller: We partnered with The Roost because they’re the best in the business at turning creator-led content into a real audience. They run distribution, ad sales, and growth, which lets us stay laser-focused on access and reporting on black markets and the underground economy. Looking ahead, we’re excited about live tapings, special investigative mini-series, and deeper community features around the ‘hidden third’ of the global economy—vast, little-understood, and hugely consequential.
Muck Media has done some incredible work in the visual space. How is this collaboration reshaping how the team views podcasting and the audio medium as it relates to their core goals?
Catherine Browne: After two decades reporting on black markets for TV, this podcast gives Mariana even more space for intimate, revealing conversations with people who know these shadow worlds firsthand. We still think cinematically with strong storytelling and careful sound design, and we capture studio video for YouTube and socials. We’re extremely excited about combining our skills with the power, reach and potential of podcasting.
