Equity Mates Investing Podcast Housing, shopping, gambling: How they get you - Chris Kohler
20 snips
Nov 24, 2025 Chris Kohler, finance journalist and Channel 9's finance editor, dives into the sneaky tactics used by companies to exploit consumers. He discusses the dangers of gambling apps and their addictive nature, critiques car loans, and highlights how buyer-focused housing policies inflate property prices. Kohler advocates for systemic reforms and suggests practical steps consumers can take to fight back against corporate exploitation. His insights on loyalty programs and the psychology behind auctions expose the hidden costs that affect us all.
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Viral Skit That Jumpstarted His Reach
- Chris described posting a silly Instagram video with 'Philip Lowe' taped to his chest that unexpectedly blew up.
- That viral moment shifted his approach to short-form finance communication and grew his audience rapidly.
Systemic Incentives Drive Consumer Harm
- Large institutions set incentives that steer consumers into paying more through fees, marketing and product design.
- Chris Kohler argues the problem is systemic, not individual bad actors, driven by concentrated markets and perverse incentives.
Gambling Apps Exploit Behavioral Triggers
- Gambling apps extract large sums using product design that normalizes repeated losses and continual play.
- Chris highlights sports betting, pokies and lotteries as behaviorally engineered to keep Australians spending heavily.
