Manifestation: Path to Your Dreams or Just Wishful Thinking?

A Little Help For Our Friends

A Little Help For Our Friends
Manifestation: Path to Your Dreams or Just Wishful Thinking?
Sep 03, 2025 Season 5 Episode 157
Jacqueline Trumbull and Kibby McMahon

Send us a text! (add your email to get a response)

What happens when two skeptical psychologists take a deep dive into the world of manifestation? In this episode, we take a look at what "manifestation" is, what is actually based in science...and then we try manifesting for real. 

We start by acknowledging our initial skepticism about the idea that you can get everything you want just by thinking about it- a practice that became popular from the book "The Secret." But as we peel back the layers, we discover powerful psychological mechanisms that explain why some manifestation practices genuinely work.

Through stories ranging from Jim Carrey's famous $10 million check to trust fund influencers selling "relaxed rich" lifestyles, we explore how self-fulfilling prophecies shape our reality. The science is clear: our internal narratives affect everything from body language to risk-taking behavior, creating tangible consequences in our external world. We talk about different manifestation techniques like visualization, journaling, and affirmations to see what's based in science and what's snake oil.

We even conduct a live manifestation experiment, combining breathing techniques with visualization, resulting in surprising personal insights about blocks to success. We discovery why changing your self-talk might be the most powerful step toward changing your reality with no mystical vibrations required.

And if you want to learn actual evidence-based skills for connecting deeper to yourself and others, check out KulaMind

As a bonus, growing the @kulamind community is what Kibby manifests in this episode so...you'll be showing the power of manifestation by joining :)

Resources:

  • The book that started it all: Byrne, R. (2011). The secret. simon and schuster.
  • Example of a manifestation influencer Kibby talks about: https://www.instagram.com/jasminmankecoaching
  • The meditation series Jacqueline talks about: https://open.spotify.com/show/74VqceuJUvRLIYQ0ZVbAv8?si=13V-FQMlTM-PGdfD_mnLcQ

Support the show


  • Follow @kulamind on Instagram for podcast updates and science-backed insights on staying sane while loving someone emotionally explosive.