There are a lot of fads, blogs and strong opinions, but then there’s SCIENCE. Science Vs is the show from Gimlet that finds out what’s fact, what’s not, and what’s somewhere in between. We do the hard work of sifting through all the science so you don't have to and cover everything from 5G and Pandemics, to Vaping and Fasting Diets.

Manifesting: How Powerful Are Our Thoughts?

December 11, 2025 0:30:19 4.69 MB ( -4.7 MB less) Downloads: 0

Influencers are out in full force, telling us how we can “manifest” anything we want using only the power of our thoughts. Want that dream car, dream boyfriend, or dream house? Act as if you already have it, and the universe will respond. And we know our thoughts can be powerful … so, could this be legit? We go on the hunt for a manifestation method that has the science stamp of approval. We talk to psychologists Prof. Laura King and Prof. Gabriele Oettingen. 


Find our transcript here:  https://bit.ly/ScienceVsManifestation


Chapters:

(00:00) The Promise of Manifesting

(04:54) The Best Possible Self Exercise

(09:40) Wendy and Rose Give it a Go

(12:23) The Fantasy Fiasco

(17:19) How To Get Your Dream Life (science approved!)

(20:44) Just a Bit of Magic


Check out Gabriele’s science-backed manifesting method here: https://woopmylife.org/en/science


This episode was produced by Rose Rimler, with help from Wendy Zukerman, Ekedi Fausther-Keeys, Michelle Dang, and Meryl Horn. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Fact checking by Diane Kelly. Mix and sound design by Bobby Lord. Music written by Emma Munger, So Wylie, Peter Leonard, Bumi Hidaka and Bobby Lord. Thanks to all the researchers we reached out to, including Dr. Lucas Dixon. Special thanks also to Mark Johnson. 

Science Vs is a Spotify Studios Original. Listen for free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us and tap the bell for episode notifications


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