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 Russell Moore Show

David Platt on All You Want for Christmas

What if the most radical thing about Christmas isn’t that God came near—but that he came to serve?

Excerpt

The Story Behind Handel’s ‘Messiah’

The Bulletin with Charles King

Meet the unlikely characters who defined this musical classic.

News

The Christians Helping People Enslaved by Cybercrime Scam Centers

Erin Foley in Mae Sot, Thailand

After Myanmar’s military raided a compound, a network of ministries helps trafficking victims return home.

Dreaming Against the Machine

Technologies like AI privilege “growth” and “effectiveness” over imagination and inefficiency. God operates differently.

News

Church Provides Shelter, Aid During Bondi Beach Attack

Amy Lewis

Australian Christians are finding ways to support the Jewish community after an ISIS-motivated shooting killed 15.

News

How Rhode Island Churches Responded to the Brown Shooting

Harvest Prude and Kara Bettis Carvalho in Providence, Rhode Island

God “draws near to us in our suffering,” local pastor Scott Axtmann preached after Saturday’s deadly attack. Area ministries were active too.

The Bulletin

Hanukkah Attack in Australia and Christmas Hospitality

Steve Cuss, Mike Cosper, Clarissa Moll

Shootings prompt a conversation about antisemitism and violence, and Being Human’s Steve Cuss discusses God’s hospitality.

News

Religion on Egyptian Citizens’ ID Cards Enables Christian Persecution

The requirement makes it difficult for religious minorities to get jobs, justice, and opportunities. Advocates are pushing for change.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube