Podcast

Viral Jesus

Tori Hope Petersen: Fostering Hope

How Mrs. Universe 2022 uses her story of survival and healing to help foster families thrive.

Welcome to part three of our three-part “pod-class” series on gaining self-confidence. Heather visits with author Tori Hope Petersen to discuss Tori’s incredibly inspiring story of growing up in foster care, becoming a four-time track state champion, and eventually becoming Mrs. Universe. By the end of their lively and thoughtful chat, you'll understand a truth that drives Tori’s ministry: “Healed people heal people.” In other words, we must use what God has given us to help others.

If you’re new to our pod-classes, you may want to pause this episode and start with Heather's preface to the series, “On Gaining Self-Confidence,” where she sets the framework for this three-week journey of faith. Then check out our first conversation of the pod-class with Amanda Pittman titled “Stand in Confidence.” And last week Heather sat down with Jordan Lee Dooley with an episode titled “Embracing Your Almosts.” Now you’re ready.

In this episode, we also visit with Kyle J Britt for this week’s #Blessed. Heather and Kyle talk about what happens with Twitter now that Elon Musk has taken over and whether or not we should all remain users. Make sure to let us know your thoughts by typing in ViralJesusPod on Instagram or Twitter and using #Blessed.

Guest Bio

Tori Hope Petersen’s experience in foster care as a former foster youth, foster care advocate, & foster mom fuels her life’s passion to advocate for those who society would consider the “least of these.” Her heart is burdened for the foster care community, foster youth, vulnerable youth, & suffering families. She and her husband Jacob founded Beloved Initiative in 2020, a nonprofit that seeks to change the narrative for youth in foster care. Her recently released book is Fostered: One Woman’s Powerful Story of Finding Faith and Family Through Foster Care.

Host Bio

Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of eight books, including I’ll See You Tomorrow and It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on Twitter @HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday.

Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today

Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day

Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath

Producer: Loren Joseph

Associate Producer: Azurae Phelps

Mix Engineer: Alex Carter

Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper

Our Latest

The Bulletin

Rubio’s Presidential Bid, College Cybercrime, and Psychiatric Med Skeptics

Rubio’s campaign-style video, an edtech cyberattack, Russia’s WWII celebration, and RFK Jr.’s antidepressant doubts.

Excerpt

In the Beginning Was the Word, Not the State

Robert J. Joustra

An excerpt from Christ and Covenant in Global Politics: A Christian Introduction to International Relations.

Review

The Apostle Paul Was Not an Escapist

Justin Ariel Bailey

Theologian Nijay Gupta’s new book argues that the goal of the Christian life is not to “go up.“

News

Trusting God Through a Year of Trump’s Tariffs

Short on lobbying power, Christian small business owners rely on faith to endure rising prices and supply chain threats.

At 90, My Grandma Is Leading Worship at Her Retirement Home

Kelsey Kramer McGinnis

Her decades of service to her community inspire me to be like her.

The Russell Moore Show

What Does Revival Actually Look Like?

 Russell answers a listener question about how to identify spiritual revival.

Analysis

Supreme Court Rules on Gerrymandering

The Bulletin with Warren Cole Smith

Q&A with Warren Cole Smith about how Christians should think the decision that struck down part of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

News

The Megachurch Caught in Brazil’s Largest Bank Fraud

Lagoinha Global is the fourth-largest megachurch in the country. One of its pastors is involved in a multibillion-dollar scheme.

addApple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseellipseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squarefolderGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastprintremoveRSSRSSSaveSavesaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube