The Loz Machine

Racism isn’t about skin, it never was. It’s about power, control, and distraction. In this episode of Level Up: Unfiltered, Lauren pulls back the curtain on the oldest trick in the book: how racism was engineered to divide us, how echo chambers and media keep it alive, and why it still works so well for those at the top.From the history of skin colour to modern protests in Australia, from the psychology of fear to the way corporate greed hides behind scapegoats. This episode is about exposing the real story and asking what role each of us will play.It’s not up to people of colour to do the teaching. It’s up to us, especially those with privilege, to listen, learn, and refuse silence.Tune in, share it with a friend, and let’s break the spell together.Support the show

The most powerful weapon ever invented wasn't a bomb. It was a story. In this deep dive episode, Lauren exposes the hidden forces shaping what you think and believe. From Rupert Murdoch's media empire to algorithmic manipulation, discover how the information ecosystem controls public opinion—and how to reclaim your mental sovereignty. This episode breaks down the mechanics of media ownership in Australia, reveals how social media algorithms hijack your nervous system, and provides practical strategies for protecting your peace while staying informed. Lauren shares personal insights on media consumption and mental health, plus actionable steps for becoming a more conscious consumer of information. What You'll LearnHow media ownership concentration in Australia compares globally (spoiler: we're ranked second-worst in the world)The real story behind the 2019 Australian federal election coverageWhy your brain treats "BREAKING NEWS" alerts like physical threatsThe hidden costs of constant connectivity on your mental healthPractical strategies for digital detox and mindful news consumptionHow to identify quality, independent journalism sourcesThe difference between information and manipulationKey Topics Covered Media Ownership & ControlRupert Murdoch's 60%+ dominance of Australian print mediaThe dismantling of cross-ownership laws in the 1980s-90sRegional media monopolies and their impact on democracyABC funding cuts totaling over $783 million since 2014The Digital RevolutionHow Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms replaced traditional gatekeepersThe 2021 Facebook news ban in Australia and its consequencesFilter bubbles and algorithmic manipulationThe rise of citizen journalism and its double-edged impactPsychological ManipulationHow "breaking news" triggers fight-or-flight responsesThe neuroscience of outrage and engagementDopamine addiction and infinite scroll designCompassion fatigue and attention fragmentationPersonal Protection StrategiesDigital hygiene practices for mental healthCreating media-free zones and news fastingMindful consumption techniquesBuilding emotional resilience against information overloadRecommended Australian News SourcesCrikey (fearless political reporting)The Saturday Paper (weekly deep dives)IndigenousX (Indigenous perspectives)Michael West Media (corporate accountability)The Conversation (academic expertise)ABC & SBS News (public broadcasting)Essential Reading"The Men Who Killed the News" by Eric BeecherMental Health ResourcesIf media consumption is affecting your wellbeing:Lifeline: 13 11 14Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636Headspace: headspace.org.auMindSpot: mindspot.org.auMusic CreditsMusic by Alex Audiorezout, zec53, Mykola Sosin, Ashot Danielyan, Valentin Iakovlev, Viacheslav Starostin, Jeremiah Alves and Doobie Sadeh from Pixabay. Connect & SupportIf this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe for more episodes and join the conversation about media literacy and mental sovereignty. Remember: Your attention is your power. Your curiosity is rebellion. And the truth is never afraid of being questioned.Support the show

Episode 2: Your brain is lying to you. How to spot the stories holding you back Your brain is a master storyteller. But it’s not always an honest one.In this episode of Level Up: Unfiltered, we uncover the surprising ways your brain bends reality and how those little lies shape your decisions, relationships, and even your identity. We’ll explore: ✨ Why your brain prioritises survival over truth ✨ How to catch your inner narrator rewriting your story ✨ The power of curiosity, flexibility, and small actions to rewire your mind ✨ How to rewrite old stories and start telling better ones By the end, you’ll see yourself, and the world, a little more clearly.Because you are not your first thought. You are your awareness of it. Listen now and start rewriting your story today.Music by Mykola Odnoroh, Andrii Poradovskyi, Mykola Sosin,Ievgen Poltavskyi, Darren Lucas, Andrii Poradovskyi, LiteSaturation, Dana Music, Mykola Odnoroh, Studio3DMusic, Esa Myllyla from PixabaySupport the show

“Critical thinking isn’t about being clever—it’s about being aware.”In this debut episode of Level Up: Unfiltered, Lauren dives deep into what it really means to think critically in a world full of noise, narratives, and manipulation. From confirmation bias to amygdala hijacks, this episode peels back the layers of mental programming we didn’t ask for—and shows you how to rewrite the script. We cover:The four pillars of critical thinkingHow your brain’s built-in shortcuts sabotage youWhat social programming really is (and how to spot it)Why the default settings aren’t your fault—but are your responsibilityTools to start filtering your reality with power, presence, and purposeIf you've ever felt like the world doesn’t make sense—or that you’re not allowed to question it—this episode is for you. 🔗 Resources Mentioned: • RSS.com – How RSS Feeds Work Music by BackgroundMusicForVideo, yourtunes, Ievgen Poltavskyi, Grand_Project, shivranjan sharma, Mykola Odnoroh from Pixabay 🎧 Subscribe + Review to join the mission of thinking critically, feeling deeply, and levelling up unfiltered.#LevelUpUnfiltered #PodcastLaunch #CriticalThinking #PersonalGrowth #LifeAfterRedundancy #NeurodivergentVoices #LinkedInCreators #HumanAfterAllSupport the show