Skip to content

Pre-order my debut book, "If I Don't Laugh, I'll Cry"

Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube Email
Still Being Molly
  • Home
  • About
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Brands
  • Contact
Buy the book

Pre-order my debut book, "If I Don't Laugh, I'll Cry"

Still Being Molly

#424 – Healing From the Pain of Your Past with Tori Hope Peterson

Listen to the episode...
0.75x
1x
1.25x
1.5x
2x
0:00
...
  • #424 – Healing From the Pain of Your Past with Tori Hope Peterson
Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsPlayer EmbedShare
Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on AndroidSubscribe via RSSSpotify

This week, I’m joined by the incredible Tori Hope Petersen. She is an author, speaker, Bible teacher and fierce advocate for foster care, adoption, and vulnerable children. Raised in and out of the foster care system herself, she has dedicated her life to sharing her testimony and offering hope to others. Tori is also a wife, mom, and lover of people, with a deep appreciation for cooking, family, community, and hospitality.


Tori has so many incredible insights to share about healing from the past, breaking destructive patterns, and finding lasting hope. Plus, we talk about her upcoming book, Breaking the Patterns That Break You, which is set to release on February 4th, 2025.

I was so moved and inspired by this conversation and I’m so excited to share it with you!

5:36 – Tori 101

  • Growing up in and out of the foster care system
  • Working in foster care advocacy
  • Releasing her first book, Fostered
  • Second book release in February

8:57 – Resilience and Hope

  • The healing Tori experienced through her track career
  • The power of having supportive figures in your life
  • The lasting impact of words and emotional abuse

15:05 – Finding Lasting Healing

  • Having deep self-compassion
  • Recognizing and addressing harmful patterns
  • Having trusting people around you to provide feedback

26:24 – Inviting Jesus Into The Healing Process

  • The misconception that Jesus is a band-aid solution
  • Jesus is a true healer who repairs and rebuilds
  • Putting in the foundational work and continuing ongoing maintenance

40:39 – Encouragement For The Healers And Hurting

  • Avoiding quick fixes
  • Being a good listener and question asker
  • Your life has purpose
  • Continuing to fight to find people who truly love you

FEATURED QUOTES

” That’s healing- to accept sometimes the sad version of ourselves and not to try and change her.”

“We think that Jesus is coming in and just slapping a band aid on it, but really that that’s sometimes what his people do. That’s not who Jesus is…I think we just need to change our perspective and understand that like God is coming in and he wants to truly repair the home.”

“More than people need advice. People need someone to sit with them, walk with them. Listen to them.”

“Your life has purpose… There’s a beautiful plan for your life. God loves you and for you to stay here very well may be the thing that someone else needs.”

Learn more about Tori:

https://www.torihopepetersen.com

Pre-order your copy of Breaking The Patterns

Get your copy of Tori’s book, Fostered

I Love You Already Podcast

Tori on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/torihopepetersen/?hl=en

Tori on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@iloveyoualready

Get some encouragement in your inbox!

Subscribe

* indicates required

Six years ago I felt God calling me to go to Seminary. I ignored that call, coming up with excuse after excuse as to why I shouldn’t or why I *couldn’t* do it. Then in 2024, God swung the door to attend @denverseminary wide open to join the Women’s Leadership Cohort and practically shoved me through.

I’m finishing my first full year and just completed my first residency week on campus studying the Epistles and Revelation. I didn’t know what to expect walking into this week, but any expectation I COULD have had was completely blown away.

To study under the brilliant Dr. Joey Dodson (@jrrdodson) and guests like @preston.sprinkle, @madisonpiercephd, @studies_in_revelation, and more was incredible. To learn alongside some of the most brilliant women I’ve ever met was a gift.

I’m leaving with even more questions than I arrived with, but also more assurance that I am PRECISELY where I am supposed to be. I can’t help but smile thinking about the Apostle Paul learning that in 2025 a group of WOMEN are studying the Word of God and how much that would delight him. I pray I steward this responsibility well. #womeninseminary #densem #denverseminary #seminary #densemwlc #womensleadershipcohort

57 3
Open
Six years ago I felt God calling me to go to Seminary. I ignored that call, coming up with excuse after excuse as to why I shouldn’t or why I *couldn’t* do it. Then in 2024, God swung the door to attend @denverseminary wide open to join the Women’s Leadership Cohort and practically shoved me through. 

I’m finishing my first full year and just completed my first residency week on campus studying the Epistles and Revelation. I didn’t know what to expect walking into this week, but any expectation I COULD have had was completely blown away. 

To study under the brilliant Dr. Joey Dodson (@jrrdodson) and guests like @preston.sprinkle, @madisonpiercephd, @studies_in_revelation, and more was incredible. To learn alongside some of the most brilliant women I’ve ever met was a gift. 

I’m leaving with even more questions than I arrived with, but also more assurance that I am PRECISELY where I am supposed to be. I can’t help but smile thinking about the Apostle Paul learning that in 2025 a group of WOMEN are studying the Word of God and how much that would delight him. I pray I steward this responsibility well. #womeninseminary #densem #denverseminary #seminary #densemwlc #womensleadershipcohort

“Let the strength of your passion match the depth of your study.”
-Preston Sprinkle

17 0
Open
“Let the strength of your passion match the depth of your study.”
-Preston Sprinkle

Two days in to my seminary residency week at @denverseminary and I feel like I’ve aged 1,000 years in oddly the best way.

What a gift, what a joy, what a PRIVILEGE to study God’s word under some of the greatest scholars of our day alongside the most brilliant group of women.

We are being stretched, challenged, affirmed, convicted, and shaped. Nary a one of us will leave this place the same.

But isn’t that the goal? To encounter Christ and walk away different every single time.

To God be the glory. #denverseminary #womeninseminary #womensleadershipcohort #densemwlc

123 15
Open
Two days in to my seminary residency week at @denverseminary and I feel like I’ve aged 1,000 years in oddly the best way. 

What a gift, what a joy, what a PRIVILEGE to study God’s word under some of the greatest scholars of our day alongside the most brilliant group of women. 

We are being stretched, challenged, affirmed, convicted, and shaped. Nary a one of us will leave this place the same. 

But isn’t that the goal? To encounter Christ and walk away different every single time. 

To God be the glory. #denverseminary #womeninseminary #womensleadershipcohort #densemwlc

Our girl graduated fifth grade today and sang the National Anthem 🥹 And yes, I was a blubbery mess. I’m so grateful God saw fit for me to be her mama. We are so proud of the amazing young woman she’s becoming. #lillstillhomemovies

350 42
Open
Our girl graduated fifth grade today and sang the National Anthem 🥹 And yes, I was a blubbery mess. I’m so grateful God saw fit for me to be her mama. We are so proud of the amazing young woman she’s becoming. #lillstillhomemovies

🇺🇸 ❤️ remembering her and all those who gave their lives in service to their country.

295 11
Open
🇺🇸 ❤️ remembering her and all those who gave their lives in service to their country.

Spam texts are like a box of chocolates… I just start replying with Forrest Gump quotes ‘til they leave me alone. #spamtexts #lifeislikeaboxofchocolates

71 9
Open
Spam texts are like a box of chocolates… I just start replying with Forrest Gump quotes ‘til they leave me alone. #spamtexts #lifeislikeaboxofchocolates

He is risen indeed! ✝️

260 13
Open
He is risen indeed! ✝️

It’s wild out here in these pollen streets. #thepollening 🤧

55 2
Open
It’s wild out here in these pollen streets. #thepollening 🤧

🎊 ONE WHOLE YEAR 🎉

My debut memoir, “If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry” has been out in the world for one whole year today. Writing this book was hard and holy work, and it’s been such a joy to see how many of you have laughed, cried, and laughed till you cried.

Thank you for the support of this book. ❤️

If you’ve read it, would you do me a *huge* favor and leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads? And would you share the book with a friend or on social media? It would mean the world to me.

And if you haven’t picked up a copy or downloaded the audiobook yet, what are you waiting for? 😉

#ifidontlaughillcry #iidlic #nelsonbooks

90 12
Open
🎊 ONE WHOLE YEAR 🎉 

My debut memoir, “If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry” has been out in the world for one whole year today. Writing this book was hard and holy work, and it’s been such a joy to see how many of you have laughed, cried, and laughed till you cried. 

Thank you for the support of this book. ❤️

If you’ve read it, would you do me a *huge* favor and leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads? And would you share the book with a friend or on social media? It would mean the world to me. 

And if you haven’t picked up a copy or downloaded the audiobook yet, what are you waiting for? 😉 

#ifidontlaughillcry #iidlic #nelsonbooks

Nine is fine! Happy birthday to the sweetest, kindest, funniest, smartest, best basketball playing boy we know! We love you, buddy roe!

77 3
Open
Nine is fine! Happy birthday to the sweetest, kindest, funniest, smartest, best basketball playing boy we know! We love you, buddy roe!
Follow on Instagram
  • Home
  • About
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Brands
  • Contact

© 2025 Still Being Molly - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP

  • Home
  • About
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Brands
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Brands
  • Contact