logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2025
28m 2s

Illuminating Hope in the Shadows of Adve...

Jesus Calling
About this episode

This week, we’re joined by Nikki Walton, host of GoOD fMornings with CurlyNikki and an influential voice in personal transformation, who shares her struggles with self-esteem and identity as a young woman to achieving massive success through her groundbreaking platform, CurlyNikki.com. Nikki's life was filled with accomplishments—but also a profound sense of emptiness.

Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Tori Hope Petersen, an author, speaker, and podcaster. After enduring twelve different homes in the foster care system, Tori aged out without a permanent family. Through the kindness of a foster mom who introduced her to faith, the guidance of a track coach who became a father figure, and her own unwavering determination, Tori rose above her circumstances to find meaning and mission for her life.

 

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling Podcast

Jesus Calling

Jesus Always

Jesus Listens

Past interview: Patsy Clairmont

Upcoming interview: Loren Ridinger

Jesus Listens for Lent & Easter

 

Nikki Walton

GoOD Mornings with CurlyNikki

 www.curlynikki.com

Wake Up To Love: Meditations to Start Your Day

 

Tori Hope Petersen

Orphan Sunday

www.torihopepetersen.com

Breaking the Patterns That Break You

 

Interview Quotes:

“I knew something was missing because I could look around and see what looked like success, like the American dream, and I felt empty. There was still this void. I had not found God and I didn't even know that that's what I was looking for.” - Nikki Walton

“I love myself and it's not in that superficial, surface-level love. It's like I went from outer beauty to inner beauty to beyond beauty entirely, and I appear beautiful to some because of His light shining through me.” - Nikki Walton

“I listen not for [God’s] voice booming, but for His silence, for His stillness, for His peace, And then I feel His stillness. I feel His peace. I know I'm in contact with Him when I feel lighter.” - Nikki Walton 

“You can still be aware of that humbled nature, that humbled posture inside. That way, when you go out into the world, even though you are smiling and walking upright, you're still bowing to Jesus everywhere you go.” - Nikki Walton 

“I had to learn through time that God doesn't just save us, He keeps us.” - Toire Hope Petersen

“I do think that God speaks to us in the way that we can understand how to do what's next.” - Tori Hope Petersen

“Our brokenness does not just point to the deficit in us. Sometimes our brokenness points to the disciples that we are, points to our faithfulness.” - Tori Hope Petersen

“God does not hate you and He doesn't want you to hate yourself. He wants you to embrace who He has called you to be, because when we do that, we can walk out the calling that God has placed on our life. God did a good job making you and you’re allowed to be loved.” - Tori Hope Petersen

“God is just so glad when we show up to be in His presence and to pray. He just welcomes me with open arms. He is our safe place.” - Tori Hope Petersen 

________________________

Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 

Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw 

Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C 

Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj 

Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u 

What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj 

Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY 

________________________ 

Connect with Jesus Calling

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

YouTube

Website

TikTok

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Up next
Yesterday
[BONUS] CMA Country Christmas Artists Share Their Stories of Faith
<p>The Christmas season is a beautiful time when the light of faith often breaks through in the most surprising and wonderful ways&mdash;and sometimes, right on prime-time television! We love watching artists who sing and speak from their hearts and who have shared their <em>Jesu ... Show More
20m 10s
Yesterday
[JESUS LISTENS MONTHLY SERIES] God, How Can I Have a Happier Marriage?: Arlene Pellicane
<p>In this episode of Jesus Listens Stories of Prayer, host Susie McEntire Eaton talks with author and speaker Arlene Pellicane. Arlene shares insights from her book, <em>Making Marriage Easier</em>, discussing how intentional decisions, gratitude, and making time for fun can str ... Show More
10m 16s
Nov 20
Faith In The Midnight Hour: Cristina Baker & Becky Thompson
<p><strong>*This episode mentions suicide and depression and may not be suitable for all listeners.*</strong></p> <p>This week, we&rsquo;re joined by <a href="https://cristinabaker.com/">Cristina Baker</a>, a speaker, author, and digital creator. After growing up in a tumultuous ... Show More
27m 21s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2023
Growing in Your Ability To Hear From God and Be Confident That it’s His Voice and Not Your Own- Biblical Meditation- Day 5
Growing in Your Ability To Hear From God and Be Confident That it’s His Voice and Not Your Own- Biblical Meditation- Day 5   God is always with us, it does not matter where we go, what we do, God is always there. It’s a matter of recognizing that.   Family Favorites: We are re-ai ... Show More
27m 16s
Oct 2022
\\ Living A Life of Obedience Even When it Hurts: Psalm 15
Hearing Jesus in the Psalms: Psalm 15: Living A Life of Obedience Even When it Hurts   In Psalm 15, David talks about our commitment to living a life of obedience even when we don’t feel like it. It’s in that pursuit of righteousness, that is stronger than our feelings, that we c ... Show More
23m 5s
May 2022
\\ Jesus Meets Us Where We Are - A Devotional Look at the Samaritan Woman – Day 1
Jesus Meets Us Where We Are - A Devotional Look at the Samaritan Woman – Day 1   Jesus speaks to women with intention. This week we look at a conversation He had with a woman who desperately needed what He had to offer her.   From today’s episode:   Heart Check:   We have a tende ... Show More
16m 40s
Jul 2022
\\ A Life-Changing Prayer for You Today, if You Allow it To Be  – Bible Study- Day 5
A Life-Changing Prayer for You Today, if You Allow it To Be – Bible Study- Day 5   Today I pray over you the same prayer a missionary prayed over me years ago- and it changed my life! I pray it blesses you.   Hey friends, welcome to the Hearing Jesus Podcast.   Do you sometimes d ... Show More
14m 28s
Apr 2025
EP 343 Don’t Settle: Why Faith Requires Lifelong Growth
<p>In this episode, Christine Caine unpacks the powerful truth that wisdom is not something we arrive at—it's a lifelong pursuit. Drawing from the story of Jesus in the temple (Luke 2), Christine reveals how even Jesus had to grow in wisdom and stature. Christine challenges us to ... Show More
21m 49s
Aug 24
3 Ways You Miss God’s Will | God, Just Tell Me: Week 4
<p>Have you ever asked God for an answer—and still felt unsure of what to do? Is something wrong? Is it possible to miss God’s will? Find out how to recognize God’s guidance and find certainty in His Word in this message.</p><p><strong>NEXT STEPS</strong><br />Have you made the d ... Show More
35m 46s
Oct 21
Christian Testimony: From Broken to Breakthrough to Blessing
I've never shared my testimony… until now. There was a time in my life when everything fell apart—when I didn't know God yet, but He already knew me. And in that lowest place, He met me. That's where everything changed. 🙏 When you give your life to Jesus, brokenness becomes brea ... Show More
21m 55s
Sep 25
How God Leads You Out of Distress and Into Peace (Psalm 18:19)
Today’s Bible Verse: "He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me." — Psalm 18:19 Psalm 18:19 reminds us that God’s rescue is not only about deliverance from danger—it’s about being brought into freedom and security, rooted in His love. David ... Show More
8m 38s
Aug 2022
\\ Forgiveness and Confession is More About Our Relationship With God Than Our Relationship With Other People- Hearing God in Our Hurt Feelings
Forgiveness and Confession is More About Our Relationship With God Than Our Relationship With Other People- Hearing God in Our Hurt Feelings   When we do life together, we will hurt each other, because we are human. Confession and forgiveness are essential in the Christian life.  ... Show More
24m 40s
Jul 2022
\\ What Happens When Our Prayers Aren’t Answered? How the Outcomes of Prayer Affect Us – Prayer Day 2
What Happens When Our Prayers Aren’t Answered? How the Outcomes of Prayer Affect Us – Prayer Day 2   Prayer is not hard. If you can talk, you can pray. If you can think, you can pray. If you can breathe, you can pray. The act itself is not hard. But there is a measure of learning ... Show More
18m 5s