Latest news with #OprahWinfrey
ABC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Manifesting is popular but some experts say it has a dark side
When Oprah Winfrey first read the Alice Walker novel The Colour Purple, she became obsessed with it. Speaking to Larry King on his talk show in 2009, she explained how she was cast in the 1985 Steven Spielberg film. "I ate, slept, thought all the time about The Colour Purple … when I moved to Chicago, I got a call asking me to audition [for the] movie, I had never gotten a call like that in my life from anybody," she says. Despite that stroke of luck, Winfrey was convinced she hadn't got the role. "I'm singing, praying and crying, and a woman comes out to me and says there is a phone call for me … It was [director] Steven Spielberg saying he wanted to see me in his office in California tomorrow." Oprah was offered her dream role playing Sofia in the film, which went on to be a box-office hit. Winfrey's interview on Larry King was about the self-help book she endorsed, The Secret, which had exploded in popularity at the time. Written by Australian author Rhonda Byrne, the book claimed to help readers harness the laws of attraction — essentially the belief that thought alone could help you get what you want. It's been nearly 20 years since the book was published, and the practice of manifestation and positive thinking continues to gain popularity across cultures. It can involve methods like being clear and intentional about your goals and practising rituals to help bring those goals into reality. The rituals are varied, but can include journalling, vocalising mantras, practising positive self-talk and creating vision boards. Manifesting is also big business with self-help professionals, like Mel Robbins and Gabrielle Bernstein, releasing countless books, podcasts and international speaking tours on how to do it. In a 2022 podcast episode about manifestation, Robbins claims the form of manifesting she promotes is "backed by neuroscience" and isn't just wishful thinking. "It is a tool that you are going to use precisely, intentionally, systematically with purpose, because you use manifesting to rewire your mind … to help you do the work to achieve your dreams." There's no denying that manifestation is popular, and the way that individuals use it in their own lives can be varied. But is there a dark side to the practice? Winfrey's public endorsement of The Secret on her widely watched show helped boost the book's popularity, but it was not without criticism. For example, when Kim Tinkham appeared on the show in 2007, she told Winfrey she was so moved by The Secret that she was going to forego cancer treatment, against her doctor's advice. Winfrey tried to talk her out of this, clarifying that she didn't think this was the message to take away from the book. Tinkham died in 2010. The insidious nature of our algorithmic feeds When discussing the book on King's show, Winfrey wanted to clarify her endorsement of The Secret, saying that the mistake it made was that it "tried to let that be the answer to all questions." She added: "The law of attraction is just one law, there are many laws working in the world". Laura D'Olimpio is an associate professor from the University of Birmingham and says she believes manifestation stops many people from learning. "I see manifesting as a form of wishful thinking and therefore, in my mind, it's an intellectual vice, because it's a way of thinking that interrupts our attainment of knowledge," she tells ABC Radio National's Future Tense. D'Olimpio claims that manifesting promotes self-centredness — and self-blame if it doesn't work. "The thing that strikes me about manifesting is that it really narrows down just on 'what I want'," she says. This approach worries her. Manifesting, like many self-help concepts, comes with rituals. One is the 369 manifestation method, which went viral on social media in 2021, and includes the act of writing down what you want to manifest three times in the morning, six times in the afternoon and nine times at night. D'Olimpio says rituals like the 369 method promote obsessive and compulsive thinking. "It seems to really encourage that obsessive ritual of trying to make this belief come into reality through the power of thought," she says. Along with Winfrey, celebrities including Ariana Grande, and Dua Lipa, have credited manifestation as one of the reasons for their success. For example, when Lipa headlined Glastonbury last year, she told the crowd, "I've written this moment down and wished for it and dreamt it and worked so hard". While it's a romanticised way to frame your dreams coming true, D'Olimpio has concerns that manifestation is a "closed theory", meaning that if it doesn't work, we won't know about it. "[Those that practise are] pointing to the outcome that they want to say, 'See, I'm right in manifesting'. But that's a form of confirmation bias," she says. "When it doesn't come about, they often say, 'Oh, well, it wasn't in my higher good or my best interest' … So you can't falsify it, which means that they're not deterred by instances where it doesn't come true." People turn to manifestation for a variety of reasons, and many do so in the hope that they can maintain a positive mindset and attract good things. And in recent years, it can feel like remaining optimistic is increasingly hard to achieve. People are grappling with the impacts of climate change, an increase in natural disasters and global conflicts, most notably Israel's war in Gaza. Humans need optimism to move forward, but there can be confusion about what that means, says author Sumit Paul-Choudhury. "Being positive about the future doesn't necessarily mean that you have to think that everything is fine and will turn out to be fine," he says. While thinking optimistically can be a segue into engaging with self-help materials that promote manifesting, Paul-Choudhury says people should aim for dispositional optimism instead. "It is this general approach to life in which you think that there are solutions to your problems and that there are always opportunities ahead," he says. "You're generally always believing that there are ways forward that seem to be associated with better outcomes." Paul-Choudhury says those who aim for this type of optimism and mindset are more likely to live happier lives. "People who rank reasonably strongly with that kind of optimism seem to live for longer." While D'Olimpio acknowledges there are valid concerns about manifestation, she doesn't want it to be viewed as criticism of optimism. She says there is an important role for optimism in our society, and that "manifesting distorts that positive thinking into thinking that thought alone can create reality". "I'm hoping that with education and other ways of opening up people's thinking, they can see that [manifesting] is a distorted version of positive thinking and very self-focused rather than community-based."
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Couples therapist shares 7 true or false questions to know the ‘health of your relationship'
Do you want to check the health of your relationship? Couples therapist Jeff Guenther took to Instagram recently to share seven questions that you can ask yourself or your partner to know where you both stand. Also Read | Expert says on Oprah Winfrey's show 'never sleep with your phone, keep it in bathroom'. Explains why it causes anxiety On May 21, the couples therapist shared a video on Instagram where he listed the seven true or false questions. He stated that these will reveal the health of your relationship. He added, 'I am looking for seven trues.' Let's find out what these questions are: A post shared by Jeff Guenther, LPC (@therapyjeff) My world is expanding and growing because of this relationship, not shrinking to keep the peace. True or false? I trust that my partner is emotionally safe. They do not weaponise my vulnerabilities or use my feelings against me. True or false? When something good happens, they are one of the first people I want to tell, and I trust they'll be happy for me, not weirdly competitive or distant. True or false? I don't have to keep major parts of myself hidden - my opinions, my quirks, my dreams - to make this work. True or false? When I set a boundary, it is met with curiosity or respect, not punishment or withdrawal. True or false? I still feel like I have full access to my own life, my friendships, my hobbies, and my decisions. True or false? If a close friend described a relationship just like mine, I would feel genuinely happy for them, not secretly worried. True or false? According to the therapist, ideally, every single question he mentioned in the clip should be true. As they aren't just relationship goals, they're the bare minimum for emotional safety and mutual respect in a relationship. However, if you didn't check all the boxes, do not panic, but don't dismiss these either. 'Figure out why and whether it's something that can be worked on together or a sign that you're settling for less than you deserve,' he added. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Barbara Walters takes savage swipe at Taylor Swift in shock resurfaced clips
Barbara Walters was famous for asking provocative questions to some of the world's most fascinating subjects from Monica Lewinsky and Elizabeth Taylor to Fidel Castro. Although she made a name for herself with her bold and probing interview style, the legendary broadcast journalist, who passed away at age 93 in 2022, often, pushed it too far with her guests. In a trailer for Hulu's upcoming documentary, which chronicles the highs and lows of her illustrious career, the TV personality can be seen cruelly confronting Taylor Swift on her love life, taking a swipe at Donald Trump and driving Oprah Winfrey to tears. Back in 2014, Walters grilled the pop star, then 25, on her failed romances as she mused that as she has become 'more famous so have the boyfriends.' 'Her hits chronicle high-profile relationships that blossom, wither, die, and then get turned into song lyrics,' Walters said as a montage of photos with Swift and some of her exes, including Harry Styles, Jake Gyllenhaal, Joe Jonas, John Mayer, appeared. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. While referring to the Grammy winner's highly autobiographical songwriting style, Walters brazenly asked the singer how she ever intends 'to find anybody' to date. Earlier in the interview, Swift acknowledged the double standard in how people view it to be 'brave' when male musicians share their emotion, but 'if a woman shares her experience in writing she's oversharing... or she might be crazy.' The Cruel Summer hitmaker also reflected on the long-running joke that people who date her should 'watch out [or] she'll write a song about you.' When Walters quipped there may be some truth to that one, Swift quickly slammed the 'old' joke, which she said came 'from a place of such sexism.' The remarks were made during ABC's Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2014. The Tell Me Everything documentary also highlighted Walters fearlessly going toe to toe with Trump as she claimed people don't see him 'show any humility' and asking Courtney Love if she had 'ever done drugs in front' of her child. 'She asked the question that nobody else had asked,' Oprah Winfrey recalled. 'And asked it in a way that always hit a nerve.' In 1988, Walters caused Winfrey to cry after asking if she wished she had been born white. During the interview, Winfrey hesitantly answered that she did wish she was white when 'growing up in Mississippi.' 'In my mind then white kids were loved more,' she explained. 'Their parents were nicer to them and, so, I wanted that kind of life.' Other standout moments in the trailer included showing resurfaced footage of her telling the Kardashians sisters point-blank that they have no talent, pressing Barbra Streisand on why she never had her 'nose fixed' and asking Martha Stewart why 'so many people hate' her. 'No one ever got out totally unscathed,' journalist Cynthia McFadden said of Walters' unflinching interview style. Disney CEO Bob Iger also praised her for foreseeing 'that celebrities are news.' Barbara Walters Tell Me Everything is set to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 12 and will hit Hulu on June 23.
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Over $2 trillion in philanthropic capital is deployed globally each year
Globally, approximately $2 trillion in philanthropic capital is deployed annually, with significant potential yet to be realized through strategic, data-driven models of giving. With an estimated $1 trillion expected to transition to the next generation across the Middle East by 2030, the UAE is actively fostering new, evidence-based models of philanthropy designed for transparency, accountability, and scalable impact. More than $200 billion in private capital is donated across the Gulf every year. At the inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy dinner, global leaders gathered in New York City to honour visionary individuals driving transformative change through philanthropy. The event underscored a shared commitment among honourees to advance solutions addressing critical global issues, including health, equality, culture, and economic empowerment. Featuring prominent names such as Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffett, David Beckham, Aliko Dangote, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Mukesh and Nita Ambani, MacKenzie Scott, Michael Bloomberg, Melinda French Gates, Dolly Parton, Jack Ma, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Jose Andres, the TIME100 Philanthropy list celebrates diverse and dedicated philanthropists from 28 nations who are filling critical gaps and reimagining the role of giving worldwide. Among those recognized was Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises and Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy, UAE. Jafar emphasized philanthropy's evolving role, stating, 'Real philanthropy isn't charity. It is about letting what we see change us, and allowing that change to guide how we live, with compassion and courage. Across Asia and Africa, philanthropy is quietly being reimagined, shifting from transactional giving toward transformational impact.' Jafar also highlighted the strategic importance of philanthropy journalism: 'Sharing what's working – and also where we fall short – is essential. It encourages transparency and accountability, allowing us to learn and improve continually.' Reflecting on the UAE's growing role as a global hub for impactful philanthropy, Jafar added, 'As a proud Emirati, I've witnessed the transformative power of collaboration. The UAE increasingly demonstrates that significant challenges can be tackled effectively when diverse sectors of society work together.' Ayesha Javed, TIME's lead for the TIME100 Philanthropy initiative, stated, 'This list celebrates leaders who have stepped forward to make a difference at a pivotal moment globally, directing resources thoughtfully and strategically into the communities that need it most.' The TIME100 Philanthropy event offered an inspiring vision of how leaders worldwide are collaboratively redefining philanthropy to address global challenges with insight, innovation, and integrity.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Imagine being the nitwit publisher who rejected Jane Austen's work! CHRISTOPHER STEVENS reviews last night's TV
Kate Winslet was told by her drama teacher she'd never get anything but 'fat girl' roles. Oprah Winfrey's boss called her 'unfit for TV news'. Harrison Ford became a carpenter and nearly quit acting for good after the head of Columbia Pictures told him he had 'no future'. The list of hapless nitwits who rejected megastars-to-be is a long one, but none blundered more badly than Thomas Cadell. The publisher fancied himself as an intellectual. He once bragged to his most successful writer, Edward Gibbon, that he would prefer to lose his fortune than publish 'insipid' novelists. But his smugness cost him more than his fortune. Today, Cadell is chiefly remembered as the twit who refused to read even the first page of Pride And Prejudice, when Jane Austen's father sent him the manuscript. The bundle of papers was returned unopened, with a five word note: 'Declined by return of post.' Nobody rejects Jane now. With the 250th anniversary of her birth approaching, a bevy of famous fans queued to contribute to a three-part biographical series, Jane Austen: Rise Of A Genius. Actors Sam West, Charity Wakefield and Tamsin Greig read from her books and few surviving letters. Novelist Helen Fielding confessed her influence on Bridget Jones's Diary. Cherie Blair offered a feminist perspective, and Admiral Lord West explained the importance of the Royal Navy in her family's life. With this year's clever BBC drama Miss Austen still fresh in our minds, millions of viewers are aware that Jane's older sister Cassandra (played by Keeley Hawes in the show) burned most of her letters. Just 160 survive, out of thousands. Cassandra was afraid of the scandal they might cause. Perhaps she was right to worry, gauging by the reaction of writer Bee Rowlatt: 'We know that Jane Austen can be very, very savage, very, very brutal. 'There's an excruciating moment in one of the letters, a searingly cruel comment about a woman who has a miscarriage. Jane Austen commented that the woman miscarried because her husband was so ugly — she took one look at him and aborted. That's horrible.' Calling it 'horrible' seems to miss the point. Jane and Cassandra clearly shared a gallows sense of humour, which is a common form of defence when life is tough. They lived in an era of smallpox and cholera, when a third of children died before their fifth birthday. Set against that world, Jane's quip sounds almost tame. The recreated scenes in this documentary, supplemented with excerpts from film adaptations of the books, give us plenty of soft-focus Georgian romance. Jane, portrayed by Hungarian actress Emoke Zsigmond, is forever musing at her desk or whispering sly asides to Cassandra. It's just picturesque enough to make relaxing TV, and just informative enough to hold your attention. Did you know Jane turned down a marriage proposal from a man named Harris Bigg-Wither? Now that's a wise rejection.
