Do you believe the brain can be trained to manifest?

Do you think it’s more about mindset or action?

Today, Jay sits down with neuroscientist and creator Emily McDonald to explore how rewiring your brain can transform every area of your life. Emily shares how understanding the science behind your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors can help you break free from cycles of fear, self-doubt, and procrastination. She explains that the brain’s natural instinct is to keep you safe, not help you grow, which is why so many people feel stuck even when they’re trying to move forward. Through relatable examples and neuroscience-backed tools, Emily reveals how awareness, intention, and identity shifts can create real and lasting change.

Jay and Emily dive into the psychology of motivation, discussing why we often delay the things we care about most and how “cheap dopamine” from social media and instant gratification keeps us from deeper fulfillment. Emily explains how to retrain your brain to crave long-term rewards, not quick hits of pleasure, and how to use self-compassion and small wins to build momentum. Together, she and Jay unpack the science of manifestation, why it’s not about wishing for things to happen but about wiring your brain to become a match for the life you want.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How to Rewire Your Brain for Change

How to Break Free from Feeling Stuck

How to Overcome Fear of Success

How to Stop Relying on Cheap Dopamine

How to Build Motivation Through Self-Reward

How to Attract Healthy Love by Becoming a Match for It

True transformation doesn’t happen overnight, it begins the moment you decide to understand yourself more deeply. When you learn how your mind works, you realize that every setback, fear, and doubt isn’t a failure, it’s simply your brain trying to protect you.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here. 

Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast 

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

01:00 Relationships Begin with Intention

02:39 When Your Identity Keeps You Stuck

05:42 The Power of the Labels You Use

08:17 Are You Afraid of Being Seen?

10:08 Label the Fears Holding You Back

12:12 Play Out Every Fear to the End

13:48 Stop Chasing Cheap Dopamine!

17:31 3 Ways to Naturally Boost Dopamine

22:29 The Power of Having Something to Look Forward To

25:22 The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

27:00 Why Desperation Blocks Success

31:29 Discovering Your Deepest Core Value

32:56 The Power of Understanding Your Own Brain

39:41 Surround Yourself with Expansive Minds

43:07 The 3-Step Science Backed Manifestation Tool

47:39 Do You Believe in Divine Timing?

49:09 Turning Jealousy into Inspiration

51:51 Worthiness Begins with Self-Love

56:13 How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs

01:02:14 What Are You Building Within Yourself?

01:04:19 Let Go of the Need for Approval

01:09:53 Love Finds You When You Least Expect It

01:15:51 Emily on Final Five

Episode Resources:

Emily McDonald | Website

Emily McDonald | YouTube

Emily McDonald | Instagram

Emily McDonald | TikTok

Emily McDonald | LinkedIn

Do you believe the brain can be trained to manifest?
Do you think it&rsquo;s more about mindset or action?
Today, Jay sits down with neuroscientist and creator Emily McDonald to explore how rewiring your brain can transform every area of your life. Emily shares how understanding the science behind your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors can help you break free from cycles of fear, self-doubt, and procrastination. She explains that the brain&rsquo;s natural instinct is to keep you safe, not help you grow, which is why so many people feel stuck even when they&rsquo;re trying to move forward. Through relatable examples and neuroscience-backed tools, Emily reveals how awareness, intention, and identity shifts can create real and lasting change.
Jay and Emily dive into the psychology of motivation, discussing why we often delay the things we care about most and how &ldquo;cheap dopamine&rdquo; from social media and instant gratification keeps us from deeper fulfillment. Emily explains how to retrain your brain to crave long-term rewards, not quick hits of pleasure, and how to use self-compassion and small wins to build momentum. Together, she and Jay unpack the science of manifestation, why it&rsquo;s not about wishing for things to happen but about wiring your brain to become a match for the life you want.
In this interview, you'll learn:
How to Rewire Your Brain for Change
How to Break Free from Feeling Stuck
How to Overcome Fear of Success
How to Stop Relying on Cheap Dopamine
How to Build Motivation Through Self-Reward
How to Attract Healthy Love by Becoming a Match for It
True transformation doesn&rsquo;t happen overnight, it begins the moment you decide to understand yourself more deeply. When you learn how your mind works, you realize that every setback, fear, and doubt isn&rsquo;t a failure, it&rsquo;s simply your brain trying to protect you.
With Love and Gratitude,
Jay Shetty
Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe <a href="https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe">here</a>.&nbsp;
Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! <a href="https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast">https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast</a>&nbsp;
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro
01:00 Relationships Begin with Intention
02:39 When Your Identity Keeps You Stuck
05:42 The Power of the Labels You Use
08:17 Are You Afraid of Being Seen?
10:08 Label the Fears Holding You Back
12:12 Play Out Every Fear to the End
13:48 Stop Chasing Cheap Dopamine!
17:31 3 Ways to Naturally Boost Dopamine
22:29 The Power of Having Something to Look Forward To
25:22 The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
27:00 Why Desperation Blocks Success
31:29 Discovering Your Deepest Core Value
32:56 The Power of Understanding Your Own Brain
39:41 Surround Yourself with Expansive Minds
43:07 The 3-Step Science Backed Manifestation Tool
47:39 Do You Believe in Divine Timing?
49:09 Turning Jealousy into Inspiration
51:51 Worthiness Begins with Self-Love
56:13 How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs
01:02:14 What Are You Building Within Yourself?
01:04:19 Let Go of the Need for Approval
01:09:53 Love Finds You When You Least Expect It
01:15:51 Emily on Final Five
Episode Resources:
Emily McDonald | <a href="https://www.emonthebrain.com/">Website</a>
Emily McDonald | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq1SlvOJUkkRA0aAFnIW_4A">YouTube</a>
Emily McDonald | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/emonthebrain">Instagram</a>
Emily McDonald | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@emonthebrain">TikTok</a>
Emily McDonald | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/emonthebrain/">LinkedIn</a>

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace.

I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace.
I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

My name is Jay Shetty, and my purpose is to make wisdom go viral. I’m fortunate to have fascinating conversations with the most insightful people in the world, and on my podcast, I’m sharing those conversations with you. New episodes Mondays and Fridays. Please rate and review the podcast if you enjoy it. Live life today ON PURPOSE.

My name is Jay Shetty, and my purpose is to make wisdom go viral. I’m fortunate to have fascinating conversations with the most insightful people in the world, and on my podcast, I’m sharing those conversations with you. New episodes Mondays and Fridays. Please rate and review the podcast if you enjoy it. Live life today ON PURPOSE.

Neuroscientist Emily McDonald: #1 Science-Based Hack to Rewire Your Brain to ACTUALLY Manifest the Life You Want

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/78637466-e701-45bf-94d3-b38a006f1d49/transcript

Advertisement