Joel Osteen Podcast
Episode: Pushing People Up
Release Date: March 20, 2026
Host: Joel Osteen
Episode Overview
In this uplifting episode titled "Pushing People Up," Joel Osteen explores the principle that our own advancements are deeply connected to our willingness to help others grow and succeed. Joel teaches that when we use our influence, time, and resources to positively impact those around us, blessings inevitably return, often in multiplied ways. With personal stories, biblical insights, and inspiring anecdotes, Joel calls listeners to develop a lifestyle of promoting and encouraging others, trusting that as we push people up, we too will rise.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Divine Principle of Promotion
[02:47-04:30]
- Joel asserts that people who come into our lives are sometimes keys not for our benefit, but for us to help them rise.
- “We won't go higher until we help them go higher. God's waiting for us to sow a seed. And if you will push them up and help them succeed, it's all connected. The higher they go, the higher you're going to go.” — Joel Osteen [02:54]
- Encourages listeners to seek opportunities daily to uplift neighbors, colleagues, or even strangers.
- Cites Ecclesiastes 11:1 — "give and your gifts will come back to you".
2. Practical Application: Who Are You Pushing Up?
[04:30-07:35]
- Reframes busyness with personal ambitions—they are linked to whom we help.
- “Your increase is linked to that person. God brought them into your path for a reason. If you will push them up, God will make sure you get pushed up. What you make happen for others, God will make happen for you.” — Joel Osteen [05:10]
- Suggests everyone should have a "project": a person they mentor, encourage, or help move forward.
3. The Power of Community and Family Support
[07:35-09:00]
- Shares how his own journey was shaped by encouragement and sacrifices from family, Sunday school teachers, coaches, and mentors.
- “None of us got to where we are by ourselves. Somebody pushed us up. Somebody made sacrifices so that we could go further.” — Joel Osteen [07:53]
- Reminds that even if listeners didn't have a supportive upbringing, someone helped along the way (a parent, grandparent, coach, etc.)
4. The Ripple Effect: Stories of Give-and-Receive
[09:00-13:30]
- Tells the story of Judge Andrew Valdez who was mentored by Jack Keller, a printing shop owner, as a child. Valdez later returns the favor, caring for his aging mentor.
- Key moment:
- “You never lose when you push people up. Today, Judge Valdez is pushing other young people up. Why? Because Jack pushed him up. When you take time to invest in others, it starts a chain reaction.” — Joel Osteen [12:32]
- Key moment:
- Illustrates how small acts of investment can produce generational and communal blessings.
5. Pushing Up Those 'Above' Us and in the Workplace
[13:30-16:45]
- Counteracts envy or resentment towards superiors; encourages listeners to make bosses and leaders look good.
- “The higher you help your supervisor go, the higher you're going to go, the better you make that person look. Eventually, it's going to boomerang right back to you, and God's going to get you to where he wants you to go.” — Joel Osteen [14:15]
- Relates his experience supporting his father’s ministry work behind the scenes for 17 years.
6. Biblical Examples: Elisha and the Shunammite Woman
[16:45-19:55]
- Shares about Elisha serving Elijah, later receiving a double portion—a direct reward for faithfully pushing Elijah up.
- The Shunammite woman hosts Elisha, and God honors her kindness with the miracle of a long-desired child.
- “When you push people up, it sets a series of events into motion... God will cause people to want to be good to you.” — Joel Osteen [18:40]
7. Small Acts, Big Difference
[19:55-22:50]
- Emphasizes tiny, consistent acts (a smile, a compliment, inclusion) effect profound change over time.
- Shares stories:
- His mother’s childhood friend who ran bases for her so she could play ball despite having polio.
- The story of Dr. Michael DeBakey, whose mother taught him to sew—a skill foundational for his pioneering heart surgery career.
- “There are all kinds of ways we can push people up. Understand it doesn't have to be something big in order to make a big difference.” — Joel Osteen [21:35]
8. Start With Your Own Family
[22:50-25:00]
- Reminds listeners to “push up” those closest—spouses, children, in-laws—not take them for granted.
- “Push your spouse up, push your children up... I've got to tell you, my brothers, sisters, brothers in law, sisters in law, they're always encouraging me. So loyal, so supportive. No wonder I'm so blessed. They inspire me to want to return the favor. That's the way it should be.” — Joel Osteen [24:05]
9. Extraordinary Story: Patrick Henry, the Blind Pianist
[25:00-26:18]
- Tells of Patrick Henry, blind and unable to walk, whose father changed careers to support his son’s musical gifts—literally pushing his wheelchair during marching band performances.
- “You talking about pushing people up—when you watch them on the field, you would have thought the father was the child. He was so happy, had a big smile, just maneuvering that wheelchair.” — Joel Osteen [25:57]
10. The Call to Action — A Habit of Lifting Others
[26:24-27:53]
- Invites listeners to reflect on who they're currently supporting and to actively make pushing people up a lifestyle.
- “If you want happiness for a lifetime, help others.” — Joel Osteen [26:35]
- Assures that blessings, favor, and open doors will return to givers.
- “When you push people up, you might as well get ready. The blessings are going to come down.” — Joel Osteen [27:32]
Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments
- [02:54] — “We won't go higher until we help them go higher...The higher they go, the higher you're going to go.” — Joel Osteen
- [05:10] — “Your increase is linked to that person. God brought them into your path for a reason.”
- [12:32] — “You never lose when you push people up. When you take time to invest in others, it starts a chain reaction.”
- [14:15] — “The higher you help your supervisor go, the higher you're going to go...it's going to boomerang right back to you.”
- [18:40] — “When you push people up, it sets a series of events into motion... God will cause people to want to be good to you.”
- [21:35] — “Understand it doesn't have to be something big in order to make a big difference.”
- [24:05] — “Push your spouse up, push your children up...they inspire me to want to return the favor. That's the way it should be.”
- [25:57] — “You talking about pushing people up—when you watch them on the field, you would have thought the father was the child.”
- [26:35] — “If you want happiness for a lifetime, help others.”
- [27:32] — “When you push people up, you might as well get ready. The blessings are going to come down.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:47 | Introduction of “Pushing People Up” theme | | 04:30 | Who are you actively helping? | | 07:35 | Personal stories of family support and mentorship | | 09:00 | Story: Judge Andrew Valdez and Jack Keller | | 13:30 | Blessing superiors and insights for the workplace | | 16:45 | Biblical story: Elisha and Elijah; Shunammite woman | | 19:55 | The power of small acts including Dr. DeBakey’s childhood | | 22:50 | Encourage and uplift your family | | 25:00 | Story: Patrick Henry and his supportive father | | 26:24 | Call to make “pushing people up” a habit of life | | 27:53 | Final encouragement and assurance of multiplied blessings for those who help others |
Conclusion & Call to Action
Joel Osteen finishes by challenging listeners:
- Reflect: Who are you currently pushing up?
- Encourage & Invest: Take every opportunity, large or small, to support, speak life into, and promote those around you—especially family.
- Trust: As you help others, God will return those blessings—sometimes doubled, sometimes in unexpected ways.
“When you push people up, you might as well get ready. The blessings are going to come down...your goodness is going to boomerang right back and you’re going to see those promises come to pass.” — Joel Osteen [27:32-27:53]
This episode is rich in hope, practical wisdom, and memorable stories—ideal for anyone seeking meaningful ways to grow beyond themselves and receive God’s best by helping others succeed.