Joel Osteen Podcast – “Be Selective in What You Feed Yourself”

Host: Joel Osteen
Date: September 4, 2025
Episode Theme:
Joel Osteen urges listeners to be intentional and disciplined about what they watch, listen to, and who they associate with, emphasizing that these influences shape character, spiritual health, and the ability to realize God’s best for their lives. The episode uses vivid metaphors and real-life stories to impress upon the audience the importance of “feeding” themselves only wholesome, life-giving content.

Main Theme Overview

Joel Osteen delivers a motivational message focusing on the idea that we “become what we eat”—not only physically, but also spiritually and emotionally. He challenges the audience to evaluate what they are feeding their minds and spirits through media, entertainment, conversations, and company, urging people to be as discerning about their spiritual diet as they are about their physical health.

“Only a fool feeds on trash. Friends, you're going to become what you eat.”
— Joel Osteen (10:30)

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Influence of Media & Entertainment

• Media Abundance & Influence:
  Osteen highlights that we’re inundated by content: hundreds of TV channels, the Internet, billboards, magazines, and more. “With so many outlets, the shock value keeps getting turned up higher and higher.” (05:12)
• Desensitization & Normalization:
  He warns that constant exposure to negative or immoral content erodes our standards, making previously unthinkable behaviors seem commonplace.
• The Gateway Effect:
  The eyes and ears are "gates to our soul." Allowing unwholesome content a foothold paves the way for negative influences.

The Power of Choice: Guarding the "Gates"

• Proactive Discipline:
  Viewers are encouraged to be disciplined and proactive—change the channel, leave the room, choose edifying company.
• Practical Illustration:
  Joel shares a personal anecdote:

  “When something comes on that you know is not good, be disciplined to change the channel. That’s why God created the remote control.”
  (15:02)

  • He emphasizes that it’s easier than ever to make better choices.
• Children & Family:
  He strongly cautions parents to monitor what their children watch because kids absorb values and patterns subconsciously:
  “Don’t let the television be a babysitter for your children.” (11:38)

Feeding Yourself "Live" vs. "Dead" Food

• “Eagle” Versus “Buzzard” Metaphor:
  Osteen likens strong, vibrant spiritual health to the eagle, which only eats live food, not the dead things consumed by buzzards or crows.
• Filling Up on Positivity:
  Listening to faith-building podcasts, worship music, or edifying teaching can counteract negative influences from environments we can't always control.

The Subtle Power of Association

• Social Circles:
  “If you're hanging around people that gossip all the time, recognize what they're feeding you is dead.” (22:18)
• Encouragement to Make Adjustments:
  Gently reduce time with negative influences; it doesn’t require confrontation.

Temptation, Warnings, and Escapes

• Scriptural Foundation:
  The importance of obeying inner warnings—God’s “alarm bells”—when faced with toxic environments:

  “God will always give you a chance. You will never be tempted beyond what you can handle… you’ll hear a voice telling you this is not good. Change the channel.”
  (18:48)

• The David Example:
  He references King David to emphasize the consequences of failing to control what we consume visually—and the power of repentance and renewal.

Scriptural Anchor Points

• Proverbs 15: “Only a fool feeds on trash.” (09:16)
• Psalm 119: “God, keep me from paying attention to what’s worthless.” (10:58)
• Psalm 101:3: “I will set no evil thing before my eyes.” (19:35)
• Psalm 1: “Do not sit inactive in the path of the ungodly.” (24:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Entertainment Choices:

  “Your time is too valuable to feed on anything other than what's building you up.”
  — Joel Osteen (10:38)

• On Social Influence:

  “If you're going to soar with the eagles, you can't hang out with the chickens. You cannot sit inactive when you know something is not God's best. You got to be bold, rise up and make that change.”
  (25:44)

• On His Own Choices:

  “Every other word was a curse word for the first 15 minutes… I whispered to Victoria, ‘I don’t want to feed myself this junk. I value who I am.’ And we just very quietly and discreetly stepped out.”
  (26:35)

• Fun, Self-Deprecating Note:

  “It doesn’t have to be my messages. It can be somebody else’s. They’re not as good as mine, but feed you something life.”
  (27:24)

• On Practical Discernment:

  “Friends, we are not garbage cans. Our ears and eyes are not trash receptors… We have every right not to watch.”
  (27:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:05] — Joel introduces the message theme with a story about selectivity and value.
• [06:42] — The role media and entertainment play in shaping values.
• [09:16] — “Only a fool feeds on trash.” How to discern what’s edifying.
• [10:58] — Praying for discernment: “God, keep me from paying attention to what's worthless.”
• [11:38] — The formative influence of media on children and the importance of parental guidance.
• [16:34] — The importance of being proactive and disciplined; making healthy choices with the remote control.
• [18:48] — The biblical principle of heeding God’s warnings and the example of David.
• [22:18] — The effect of association: choosing whom to spend time with.
• [24:12] — Bold action: Don't remain passive amid negative influences.
• [25:44] — “If you’re going to soar with the eagles, you can’t hang out with the chickens…”
• [26:35] — Joel and Victoria leave a Broadway play due to unwholesome content.
• [27:24] — Suggestions for feeding yourself “live food,” even in everyday moments like driving.
• [28:38] — How listeners can intentionally fill their day with encouraging reminders.
• [29:30] — Closing encouragement; a call to spiritual inventory and intentionality.

Actionable Takeaways

• Evaluate Your Influences:
  Regularly ask: “What am I watching? Listening to? Who am I spending time with? What is this feeding me?”
• Guard Your Gates:
  Take immediate action if content or company drags you down, even if it means missing out or leaving a situation.
• Feed on “Live Food”:
  Seek out media, messages, music, and community that uplift and draw you closer to your God-given potential.
• Encourage Others:
  Don’t confront, but gently adjust your environment and associations as needed.

Conclusion

Joel Osteen's message is a spirited reminder that just as dietary discipline leads to health, so “feeding” on what is uplifting and wholesome results in spiritual and personal growth. By being selective—choosing “eagle food” over “buzzard scraps”—listeners can position themselves to reach new heights and live out the full potential God has for them.

“If you will be selective with what you feed yourself, I can promise you this. You'll grow, you'll rise higher. And I believe and declare you'll become everything God's created you to be.”
— Joel Osteen (29:30)

For listeners seeking ongoing encouragement and positive influence, Joel recommends subscribing to his free weekly messages and using practical tools, like setting up regular reminders with uplifting scriptures.