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.

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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 Learn

• How 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 coverage
• Why your brain treats "BREAKING NEWS" alerts like physical threats
• The hidden costs of constant connectivity on your mental health
• Practical strategies for digital detox and mindful news consumption
• How to identify quality, independent journalism sources
• The difference between information and manipulation

Key Topics Covered

Media Ownership & Control

• Rupert Murdoch's 60%+ dominance of Australian print media
• The dismantling of cross-ownership laws in the 1980s-90s
• Regional media monopolies and their impact on democracy
• ABC funding cuts totaling over $783 million since 2014

The Digital Revolution

• How Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms replaced traditional gatekeepers
• The 2021 Facebook news ban in Australia and its consequences
• Filter bubbles and algorithmic manipulation
• The rise of citizen journalism and its double-edged impact

Psychological Manipulation

• How "breaking news" triggers fight-or-flight responses
• The neuroscience of outrage and engagement
• Dopamine addiction and infinite scroll design
• Compassion fatigue and attention fragmentation

Personal Protection Strategies

• Digital hygiene practices for mental health
• Creating media-free zones and news fasting
• Mindful consumption techniques
• Building emotional resilience against information overload

Recommended Australian News Sources

• Crikey (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 Beecher

Mental Health Resources
If media consumption is affecting your wellbeing:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
• Headspace: headspace.org.au
• MindSpot: mindspot.org.au

Music Credits
Music by Alex Audiorezout, zec53, Mykola Sosin, Ashot Danielyan, Valentin Iakovlev, Viacheslav Starostin, Jeremiah Alves and Doobie Sadeh from Pixabay.

Connect & Support
If 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.

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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 Pixabay

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