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Whitney Reynolds
BornApril 3, 1986 (1986-04-03) (age 38)
Durant, Oklahoma, U.S.
Alma materBaylor University
OccupationTelevision Host
Years active1986–present
Known forThe Whitney Reynolds Show
SpouseDavid Heiner
Childrentwo
WebsiteWhitneyReynolds.com

Whitney Reynolds (born April 3, 1986) is an American television talk show host, media personality, author, producer, and philanthropist. Reynolds is widely known for her talk show The Whitney Reynolds Show, a talk show dedicated to thought-provoking, tough topics. She founded, owns, hosts and executive produces the show which airs on PBS stations across the United States.[1]

She also has a segment, titled Whitney’s Women, on iHeart Radio’s “The Weekly Show" that features women from the Chicago area who "Give Back." She took this concept to print as is in every issue of Chicago Woman Magazine. Reynolds’ work is always created with a mission to inspire her audience to provoke positive change. As a result, Reynolds has received multiple honors & awards and was recognized as a Humanitarian Honoree at the FAHF Awards and Female Leader of The Year at the "I'm Possible Conference" for the contributions her show gives to society. She also serves as a board member for Dress For Success.[1]

Education

Originally from Durant, Oklahoma, Reynolds attended Durant High School from the year 2000–2004.[2]

Throughout her high school years she honed her interest in storytelling through anchoring her high school TV channel, hosting Baylor's half time radio update.[3]

Reynolds is always inspiring the people of Durant to follow their dreams and frequently gives back to her hometown.[4]

Reynolds went on to further her education at Baylor University to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Communications (2004–2007).[5] Reynolds was engaged in numerous extracurricular activities at Baylor University such as Pi Beta Phi, PBP-Oklahoma Rush Leader, YMCA Camp Counselor, and Habitat for Humanity. Throughout her college years, she worked at Baylor Athletics as a Video Assistant and Bears Radio Announcer.[6]

Early television career

Post graduation, Reynolds secured a one-year internship with the prestigious television show Good Morning America.[7] Where she began to find her footing in the TV industry. Upon completion of the internship, at the age of 21, Reynolds worked as a reporter and producer at a KTEN Television, an NBC station right outside of Dallas, Texas.[8]

Within three months, Reynolds became an anchor of their morning show. After just over a year at KTEN Television, she left and began her career at WREX where she would film, edit, and report news on a daily story.[8]

Ultimately, she pursued hosting her own talk show.

The Whitney Reynolds Show

Reynolds always knew that she wanted to have her television show. As a child, she started interviewing her friends with a makeshift microphone in her living room. During her adolescence, her family's difficult personal journey gave her the desire to share delicate stories that must be told. At the age of 23, her childhood dream became her adult mission and her talk show was born.[3]

Reynolds pursued her passion for people and mission for delicate issues in the talk show industry by establishing The Whitney Reynolds Show.[1] The show discusses a single topic from multiple perspectives. Topics include but are not limited to military veterans, survived hardships, illnesses and stories of hope.[9] Some notable guests to discuss relevant issues on the show include Chelsea Handler, Michael Phelps, Magic Johnson, & Temple Grandin.

Within the first year, the show captivated NBC, and Reynolds had the opportunity to move the show onto their station. In 2012, Reynolds moved The Whitney Reynolds Show to the PBS Network to broadcast in Chicago's Lakeshore PBS,  The Quad Cities' WQPT and Peoria's WTVP.[9]

As the success of the show kept building, in 2015, The Whitney Reynolds Show got nominated for its first Emmy in the category: Outstanding Interview and Discussion Special Programming. Whitney has the honor of presenting at the award ceremony.[1]

In that same year, Lakeshore Public Television added The Whitney Reynolds Show to their network. Reynolds now could reach 3.5 million viewers across the Region.[9]

The Whitney Reynolds Show has often been praised for its mass appeal as the show continues to expand on its markets and has stayed true to its mission.[9] Reynolds new seasons can be seen on PBS and also her YouTube channel that is nearing its millionth view!

Season 9 of The Whitney Reynolds Show premiered in Fall of 2018.[1]

The show expanded its market on July 7, 2019, with the addition of WILL Champaign-Urbana. Not only did the show expand its market, But The Whitney Reynolds Show also expanded the crew and their roles.[10] In addition to market expansions, The Whitney Reynolds Show has started streaming on Amazon and streaming nationally on PBS.[11][12] The show is now in areas across the US, 6 states in total.[13]

In the Fall of 2019, The Whitney Reynolds Show began streaming on PBS Video App.[14]

Whitney's Women

Reynolds is the founder and executive of the radio segment Whitney's Women which airs on "The Weekly Show" on 103.5 KISS FM, 95.5 BIG, 93.9 MYfm and iHeart Radio.[1] She also has a column for Whitney's Women in Chicago Woman Magazine which features Chicago women that give back to the community.[15]

In 2016, she took this concept to print and is available in every issue of Chicago Woman Magazine.[15]

Due to the praise of Whitney's Women, Reynolds was recognized as a Humanitarian Honoree at the FAHF Awards for this segment.[15]

Beyond the Interviews: A 52 Week Guide of Inspiration

Reynolds wrote a book, Beyond the Interviews: A 52 Week Guide of Inspiration, influenced by the most powerful interviews of the last eight seasons of The Whitney Reynolds Show.[16]

Personal life

In 2012, Reynolds met her now husband, David Heiner, at a Caribou Coffee in Lakeview, Chicago.[17]

According to Heiner, Reynolds was having trouble hooking up her computer cord to her computer, which Heiner with a background in software, decided to help. They met the day before Whitney pitched her show to PBS. The couple dated for less than six months and they were engaged.[17]

On November 2, 2013, Reynolds and Heiner wed at the West Loop’s Soul City Church in Chicago, Illinois with the company of their family, friends, and their dog Puffy Doo-Little. The couple’s wedding was broadcast as a two hour special on I Do, Chicago Style a show on CANTV.[18]

In 2016, Reynolds became pregnant with twins. Then in front of 250 gala guests and a live audience on Facebook, Reynolds, and Heiner held a gender reveal party and were stunned to find out that they were going to have a boy and a girl. A video of their reactions went viral and reached over 30,000 views. Months later, Reynolds and Heiner welcomed their children, Marlowe and Acher on July 29, 2016.[19]

Reynolds and her family currently reside in Chicago, Illinois.[19]

Reynolds has also been deemed a Humanitarian Nominee for We Dream in Color, a charity that puts on events in collaboration with other organizations for fundraising for select causes.[20] Also, Reynolds was the keynote speaker for the 2019 Legacy and Legends gathering for members of the Five Junior League.[21]

On November 2019, Reynolds won a Bronze Stevie Award for Video of the Year for the first episode of the ninth episode of The Whitney Reynolds Show titled "Self Image".[22][23]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "ABOUT". The Whitney Reynolds Show. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  2. ^ "Whitney Reynolds to headline event celebrating the accomplishments of women". www.durantdemocrat.com. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  3. ^ a b "Talk Show Host Whitney Reynolds On Staying True To Your Vision". WGN Radio - 720 AM. 2018-02-15. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  4. ^ http://www.kten.com/story/34653856/former-kten-anchor-inspires-local-boy-to-follow-his-dreams
  5. ^ "Prominent Alumni". Baylor.edu. Retrieved 2017-07-22.
  6. ^ "Why Whitney Reynolds Isn't Just Another TV Host". theeverygirl.com. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  7. ^ "Telling Stories That Make A Difference (pg 73)". issuu.com. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  8. ^ a b "Former KTEN anchor inspires local boy to follow his dreams". www.kten.com. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  9. ^ a b c d Correspondent, Meredith Colias Times. "Lakeshore Public Television adds talk show to its lineup beginning April 6". nwitimes.com. Retrieved 2018-08-28. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  10. ^ https://www.rfdtv.com/story/40730671/the-whitney-reynolds-show-gains-a-new-market-and-producer
  11. ^ https://www.amazon.com/Whitney-Reynolds-Show-Self-Image/dp/B07SG6WJ5F
  12. ^ https://www.amazon.com/The-Whitney-Reynolds-Show/dp/B07Z46BQS7
  13. ^ https://www.pbs.org/show/whitney-reynolds-show/
  14. ^ https://www.pbs.org/show/whitney-reynolds-show/
  15. ^ a b c "Whitney Reynolds". Chicago Woman magazine. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  16. ^ Marianne Pestana (2018-03-26), Beyond The Interview with Whitney Reynolds, retrieved 2018-08-28
  17. ^ a b "Make it Better February 2014". issuu.com/makeitbetter/docs/makeitbetter_feb14/82. Retrieved 2018-08-23.
  18. ^ "EVER AFTER: DAVID HEINER & WHITNEY REYNOLDS". www.chicagosplash.com. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  19. ^ a b "Becoming mom: Chicago TV show host pens love letters to twin babies". www.chicagoparent.com. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  20. ^ https://www.wedreamincolor.org/events
  21. ^ https://oklahoman.com/article/5625637/sunday-morning
  22. ^ https://www.prweb.com/releases/whitney_reynolds_nominated_for_the_prestigious_stevie_awards_and_the_whitney_reynolds_show_goes_digital_and_streaming/prweb16647846.htm
  23. ^ https://stevieawards.com/women/2019-stevie-award-winners
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