Keep it Positive, Sweetie — Episode Summary
Episode: Don’t Put Your Purpose in a Holding Pattern w/ Dr Joseph Walker
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Bishop Joseph Walker III
Date: January 25, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of “Keep It Positive, Sweetie” features an inspiring, deeply reflective conversation between host Crystal Renee Hayslett and Bishop Joseph Walker III, renowned leader, pastor, and author. The discussion revolves around discovering one's purpose, the responsibilities and challenges of leadership, dealing with pain and grief, navigating evolving relationships, honoring authentic callings, and sustaining faith while facing life’s adversities. The episode centers on Bishop Walker's latest book, "Pursuit of Purpose, Piece by Peace," and explores how life’s puzzle pieces—including moments of loss, betrayal, and triumph—are essential to one's unique journey.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Bishop Walker’s Early Journey & Call to Purpose

[03:18 – 04:41]

• Grew up as a "church kid" in Louisiana, expected to become a lawyer given family history, but received a clear calling to ministry at age 20.
  • “You want to make God laugh? Tell him your plans, right?” (Walker, 03:56)
• Attended Divinity School, started pastoring at 24 with a congregation of 175; now grown to over 30,000.

The Weight and Reality of Stewardship

[04:52 – 07:11]

• Humility as a foundation for stewardship—recognizing growth is “for God’s glory” and not self.
  • “God was like, you’re insignificant to the process. This is for my glory.” (Walker, 05:45)
• Maintaining humility amid success and recognizing the importance of mature mentorship and community.
  • “How high can God take you without losing you?” (Walker, 06:18)

Navigating Changing Relationships and Language at New Levels

[06:36 – 07:14]

• Leadership often means being the first in one’s circle to reach new heights, necessitating changes in relationships and communication.
  • “There’s a leader language. There’s a different conversation at that altitude on the 27th floor than it is in the lobby.” (Walker, 07:01)

Identifying & Accepting Purpose

[07:38 – 09:16]

• Purpose is preordained—chosen before birth—and manifests as a passion that, when focused, becomes one's destiny.
  • “Purpose…that thing that you don’t choose, it chooses you.” (Walker, 08:41)
• Acceptance often involves negotiating between comfort and calling.

Purpose Requires Pain, and Its Fruits: Empathy and Authenticity

[11:59 – 14:37]

• Significant pain—loss, betrayal, grief—is integral to discovering and embodying purpose.
• Reliving pain while writing, e.g., having conducted over 735 funerals, losing spouse, parent, and sibling.
• Leaders who’ve suffered lead with greater empathy.
  • “People who lead well in purpose have a greater sense of empathy.” (Walker, 13:55)

The Trap of Misalignment and Importance of Boundaries

[14:42 – 15:31]

• Early mistakes: saying yes to everything, lacking boundaries, hustling instead of honoring God’s direction.
  • “If you don’t really understand purpose, you try to manipulate the outcome.” (Walker, 14:55)
• True success is sustainable, based in obeying God’s guidance.

The Pillars of Purpose: Why Am I Here? Why Did This Happen? What Do I Do Now?

[16:13 – 18:13]

• Gaining peace by understanding “why” things happened: preparation, building resilience, seeing oneself as God sees.
  • “God always sees us at our potential. He’s preparing us not for our right now, but our not yet.” (Walker, 17:14)
• Lessons from “folkology”—navigating diverse personalities and life lessons only experience grants.

Parenting with Purpose

[18:13 – 20:15]

• Bishop Walker and Dr. Stephanie raise children by supporting their individual interests, not imposing parental ambitions.
  • “Train up a child in the way they’re leaning.” (Walker, 18:32)
• Encourage authenticity: “Do you.”

Living Multi-Dimensionally — Beyond the Pulpit

[20:15 – 22:35]

• Purpose is not one-dimensional; every venture must synergize with foundational purpose.
  • “Purpose is never one-dimensional. Once you walk squarely into purpose, God begins to show you all these other things that come from that.” (Walker, 20:46)
• Rejecting being ‘typeset’—encourages pastors, leaders to live fully and “leave nothing on the table.”
  • “Live full, man, and die empty. Leave nothing on the table.” (Walker, 22:29)

The Intersection of Faith and Mental Health

[25:47 – 28:20]

• Walker advocates for integrating therapy and faith, normalizing mental health supports in spiritual communities.
  • “I think now we should normalize mental health, and I think we should help people get the help they need.” (Walker, 26:13)
• He shares his own experiences with grief counseling and therapy after the death of his first wife.

Navigating Grief, Finding Love Again, and Destiny in Relationships

[29:13 – 34:11]

• Recounts the three-year journey of widowhood, singleness, and eventual meeting of Dr. Stephanie through community and divine orchestration.
  • “You can’t put purpose in a holding pattern. When it’s real, you got to land that plane.” (Walker, 34:11)
• Met Dr. Stephanie via a mutual pastor, discovering a profound alignment—“When you know, you know.”

Life Lessons, Legacy, and Lasting Purpose

[35:46 – 38:22]

• Every life experience, positive or painful, serves a divine purpose, building towards destiny.
  • "If their applause becomes your oxygen, you will suffocate in their silence.” (Walker, 36:46)
• The value of “stripes”—life experiences prepare leaders to guide others through storms.

Listener Q&A: Dealing With Delays in Progress

[40:40 – 44:13]

• Staying focused through slow progress by holding on to vision and trusting divine timing.

  • “Vision is for an appointed time...Never forget what God showed you.” (Walker, 40:57, 42:00)

• Crystal echoes the need for perseverance even when others don’t see or support your vision.

  • “A lot of times people don’t see what God has placed in your heart.” (Crystal, 42:42)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "How high can God take you without losing you?" – Bishop Joseph Walker III [06:18]
• “Purpose…that thing that you don’t choose, it chooses you.” – Bishop Joseph Walker III [08:41]
• “People who lead well in purpose have a greater sense of empathy.” – Bishop Joseph Walker III [13:55]
• “If you don’t really understand purpose, you try to manipulate the outcome.” – Bishop Joseph Walker III [14:55]
• “Live full, man, and die empty. Leave nothing on the table.” – Bishop Joseph Walker III [22:29]
• “I think now we should normalize mental health, and I think we should help people get the help they need.” – Bishop Joseph Walker III [26:13]
• “You can’t put purpose in a holding pattern. When it’s real, you got to land that plane.” – Bishop Joseph Walker III [34:11]
• “If their applause becomes your oxygen, you will suffocate in their silence.” – Bishop Joseph Walker III [36:46]
• “Vision is for an appointed time...Never forget what God showed you.” – Bishop Joseph Walker III [42:00]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Early Life & Calling: 03:18 – 04:41
• Humility & Stewardship: 04:52 – 07:11
• Navigating New Levels: 06:36 – 07:14
• Understanding Purpose: 07:38 – 09:16
• Purpose & Pain: 11:59 – 14:37
• Boundaries & Alignment: 14:42 – 15:31
• 3 Pillars of Purpose: 16:13 – 18:13
• Parenting for Purpose: 18:13 – 20:15
• Multiplying Purpose (Non-Pastoring Work): 20:15 – 22:35
• Faith & Mental Health: 25:47 – 28:20
• Recalling Grief & Finding Love: 29:13 – 34:11
• Life’s Puzzle Pieces & Leadership Stripes: 35:46 – 38:22
• Vision & Waiting on God: 40:40 – 44:13

Final Takeaways

1. Purpose is discovered by embracing both pain and joy, trusting divine timing, and acting with humility and alignment.
2. Sustainable leadership is rooted in empathy, authenticity, and boundaries.
3. Faith and therapy can—and should—coexist, especially through loss and transition.
4. Never let others typeset you. Purpose is multi-dimensional and expansive.
5. Don’t let fear or comfort put your destiny in a holding pattern; when it’s real, “land that plane.”

Follow Bishop Joseph Walker III on Instagram @josephwalker3.
Get his new book: ‘Pursuit of Purpose, Piece by Piece’.

Host’s Closing Note: “Stay blessed, stay encouraged, and remember to keep it positive, sweetie.”