{{Short description|American television talk show host and writer (born 1986)}} {{Multiple issues| {{Promotional|date=August 2025}} {{BLP primary sources|date=August 2025}} }}{{Infobox person | name = Whitney Reynolds | image = Whitney Reynolds in a Black Dress.jpg | caption = Reynolds photo shoot, 2026 | birth_place = Durant, Oklahoma, U.S. | alma_mater = Baylor University | occupation = {{hlist|Television host|executive producer}} | notable_works = Whitney Reynolds Show | spouse = David Heiner (married 2013–present) | children = 2 | website = {{URL|whitneyreynolds.com}} }} {{Use American English|date=December 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
'''Whitney Reynolds''' is an American television talk show host who presents the ''Whitney Reynolds Show'', a nationally syndicated topic-based talk show that airs on PBS stations across the United States as well as via providers such as Amazon, Tubi, YouTube and Roku. She is also a podcast host, author, and executive producer.
== Early life and education ==
Originally from Durant, Oklahoma, Reynolds attended Durant High School.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}} She has a degree in communications from Baylor University.<ref name="Tankersley">{{Cite web |last=Tankersley |first=Kevin |date=Oct 15, 2021 |title=Walking the Walk to Talk the Talk |url=https://magazine.artsandsciences.baylor.edu/news/story/2023/walking-walk-talk-talk |website=Baylor Arts and Sciences Magazine}}</ref> One of the staff there described her as "one of the most driven students I think I have ever been around."<ref name="Tankersley" />
== Early television career == thumb|Reynolds interviewing for the ''Weekends with Whitney.''|left Reynolds's career started with an internship with ''Good Morning America'', where she moved to New York three years after her college graduation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Whitney Reynolds {{!}} WQPT PBS |url=https://www.wqpt.org/whitneyreynolds/}}</ref> During her internship, she worked in research, assisted in the studio, and entertained audiences when needed.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}
After completing her internship, Reynolds joined KTEN News, an NBC affiliate near Dallas, Texas, in 2008 as a reporter and producer. Within three months, she was promoted to anchor their morning news show, which soon expanded from 1.5 to 2 hours daily.<ref>{{Cite news |date=Mar 2, 2017 |title=Former KTEN anchor inspires local boy to follow his dreams |url=https://www.kten.com/story/34653856/former-kten-anchor-inspires-local-boy-to-follow-his-dreams?clienttype=generic&mobilecgbypass |url-status=dead |work=KTEN ABC News |archive-date=February 7, 2024 |access-date=February 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207014031/https://www.kten.com/story/34653856/former-kten-anchor-inspires-local-boy-to-follow-his-dreams?clienttype=generic&mobilecgbypass }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=Mar 13, 2017 |title=KTEN Feature Story II With WR |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTbXbJV_0Uk |website=YouTube}}</ref>
Reynolds relocated to Chicago and briefly worked at Nine West while seeking roles in media. She soon joined WREX-TV in Rockford, Illinois, where she filmed, edited, and reported daily news stories. During this period, Reynolds launched her own online talk show featuring interviews with everyday people. The show’s originality attracted NBC Chicago’s attention and led to ''Weekends with Whitney'' (2009 - 2011), a lifestyle segment exploring Chicago’s dining scene, wine culture, and adventures like skydiving. This early format laid the foundation for what would become ''The Whitney Reynolds Show''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tankersley |first=Kevin |date=15 October 2021 |title=Walking the Walk to Talk the Talk |url=https://magazine.artsandsciences.baylor.edu/news/story/2023/walking-walk-talk-talk |website=Baylor University}}</ref>
== The Whitney Reynolds Show ==
Her talk show, ''The Whitney Reynolds Show'', discusses a single topic from multiple perspectives. Topics include, but are not limited to: military veterans, survived hardships, illnesses and stories of hope. It moved first to NBC, and in 2012, Reynolds to the PBS Network to broadcast in Chicago's Lakeshore PBS.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lach |first=Jeanette |title=Lakeshore Public Television Adds Talk Show to its Lineup |url=https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/lakeshore-public-television-adds-talk-show-to-its-lineup-beginning/article_e24b4882-c1a6-5797-86b1-269f1b4b0de1.html |website=nwitimes.com|date=April 2, 2015 }}</ref> The Quad Cities' WQPT and Peoria's WTVP<ref>{{Cite web |title=Women of Power - Peoria |date=December 6, 2022 |url=https://www.whitneyreynolds.com/wrcalendar/2022/12/6/women-of-power}}</ref>
The show expanded its market on July 7, 2019, with the addition of WILL Champaign-Urbana. Its staff and their roles also changed in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Whitney Reynolds Show Gains a New Market and Producer |url=https://www.rfdtv.com/story/40730671/the-whitney-reynolds-show-gains-a-new-market-and-producer |website=rfdtv.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901220433/https://www.rfdtv.com/story/40730671/the-whitney-reynolds-show-gains-a-new-market-and-producer |archive-date=September 1, 2019 }}</ref> As of January 2021, the show expanded to be offered to PBS stations nationwide through the National Educational Telecommunications Association distribution service.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Whitney Reynolds Show |url=https://www.netaonline.org/episode/whitney-reynolds-show-4 |website=netaonline.org|date=October 16, 2023 }}</ref>
As of 2025, The Whitney Reynolds Show is recorded at CineCity Studios in Chicago in front of a live audience.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Whitney Reynolds - Host of the Whitney Reynolds Show |url=https://reelchicago.com/article/whitney-reynolds-host-of-the-whitney-reynolds-show/ |website=reelchicago.com|date=March 6, 2023 }}</ref> Guests have included Chelsea Handler, Michael Phelps, Magic Johnson, & Temple Grandin.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Peckham |first=Tina Smithers |date=12 May 2019 |title=Provoking Positive Change: A Candid Interview with Whitney Reynolds |url=https://jacksonvillemom.com/in-around-jax/provoking-positive-change-a-candid-interview-with-whitney-reynolds/ |website=Jacksonville Mom}}</ref>
== X-Overs (Crossovers) == thumb|Reynolds visiting WGN Reynolds' content is expanded over multiple different mediums and platforms as "X-Overs" (pronounced crossovers) to help promote her messages, "tailored to how viewers, listeners, and streamers want to experience them." Her goal is to make her content accessible in many mediums and to become "the strongest voice of hope".<ref>{{Cite web |title=WHITNEY WRAP 2025! X-OVER on WGN | website=YouTube | date=June 2025 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yqak9bDr1TQ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=WHAT IS A X-OVER? |url=https://www.whitneyreynolds.com/new-page |website=whitneyreynolds.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=14 January 2025 |title=Whitney Reynolds of the WHITNEY REYNOLDS SHOW, Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpSLPNRM2_Y&t=335s |website=YouTube}}</ref>
=== Main X-Overs === '''"The Whitney WRap"'''
A self-hosted program that delves further into the stories of guests featured on ''The Whitney Reynold Show,'' stylized as "The Whitney WRap" or her initials. The program is featured in various formats for audiences:
* '''Podcast:''' "The Whitney WRap" is featured as a podcast on services such as Spotify and iHeart<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Whitney WRap |url=https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-the-whitney-wrap-144918910/ |website=iHeart}}</ref> * '''Streaming:''' "The Whitney WRap" is available both online via YouTube and PBS.<ref>{{Cite web |title="The Whitney Reynolds Wrap" |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxcRt9aImE0 |website=YouTube | date=May 29, 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Whitney Wrap {{!}} NASCAR's Daniel Suarez |url=https://www.pbs.org/video/the-whitney-wrap-nascars-daniel-suarez-mzjtim/ |website=PBS}}</ref>
'''"Whitney’s Wish List'''"
"Whitney’s Wish List” is a X-Over program that has aired on networks such as NBC and WGN, the goal of which is to promote various sponsors of ''The Whitney Reynolds Show'', as well as highlight businesses in the Chicago area.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Spotlight Chicago - Whitney Reynolds' Wish List |url=https://wgntv.com/spotlight-chicago/whitney-reynolds-wish-list/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Whitney's Wish List airing NBC 5, Dec 5th |url=https://www.whitneyreynolds.com/blog/2021/10/29/whitneys-wish-list-airing-nbc-5-dec-5th |website=www.whitneyreynolds.com/}}</ref> === Additional collaborations ===
==== iHeartRadio ==== 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.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Pop and Positivity Podcast |url=https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-pop-positivity-podcast-107517165/episode/zara-larsson-joins-the-pop-and-109635363/ |access-date= |website=iheart.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2016, she started a column for ''Whitney's Women'' in ''Chicago Woman Magazine'' which features Chicago women that give back to the community.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Whitney Reynolds - Sharing a Safe Space - Classic Chicago Magazine |url=https://classicchicagomagazine.com/whitney-reynolds-sharing-a-safe-space/ |access-date=August 28, 2018 |website=classicchicagomagazine.com |language=en-us}}</ref>
==== The Pop and Positivity Podcast ==== On March 6, 2021, Reynolds began co-hosting The Pop and Positivity Podcast<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |title=Pop and Positivity Podcast |url=https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1248-pop-and-positivity-podcas-79481740/ |access-date=November 16, 2021 |website=iHeart |language=en}}</ref> based on love and passion for positivity. The podcast features celebrity guests such as Ava Max, Afrojack, Bella Thorne, Jax, and Mark Wahlberg.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jax Talks Victoria's Secret, Taking Shots With Mark Wahlberg & More {{!}} G105 |url=https://g105.iheart.com/featured/brady/content/2022-09-02-jax-talks-victorias-secret-taking-shots-with-mark-wahlberg-more/ |access-date=September 21, 2022 |website=Brady |language=en}}</ref> The podcast covers a variety of topics that are personal to each guest featured on the podcast, such as being in the public eye.The intent of the podcast is to allow listeners to understand how being a celebrity and creating positivity go hand in hand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zara Larsson Joins the Pop and Positivity Podcast |url=https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-pop-positivity-podcast-107517165/episode/zara-larsson-joins-the-pop-and-109635363/ |access-date=November 16, 2021 |website=iHeart |language=en}}</ref>
'''WGN Radio'''
Starting in 2024, “Wednesdays with Whit” on WGN Radio 720 features Whitney Reynolds with host John Landecker as they discuss what will be featured on her main program ''The Whitney Reynolds Show''.<ref>{{Cite web |title="WGN Radio Host John Landecker Adding 'Wednesdays with Whit' From PBS Host Whitney Reynolds to Show" |url=https://barrettmedia.com/2024/10/01/wgn-radio-host-john-landecker-adding-wednesdays-with-whit-from-pbs-host-whitney-reynolds-to-show/ |website=Barret Media |date=October 2024 }}</ref>
== Book == In 2021, Reynolds released her 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.''<ref>{{Citation |last=Marianne Pestana |title=Beyond The Interview with Whitney Reynolds |date=March 26, 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KdIF0iQUuc |access-date=August 28, 2018}}</ref>
== Hosting and appearances == On September 18, 2022, Reynolds hosted the 54th Annual Public Media Awards. The Public Media Awards Gala was presented by the National Educational Telecommunications Association honoring the achievements of public media.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-14 |title=WFSU is nominated for two Public Media Awards |url=https://news.wfsu.org/wfsu-local-news/2022-09-14/wfsu-is-nominated-for-two-public-media-awards |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=WFSU News |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:WhitneyReynoldsTED.jpg|thumb|Whitney Reynolds giving a TEDx talk at the TEDxWrigleyville event at Wrigley Field]]
Reynolds was guest speaker for the 2022 Women of Influence event put on by Peoria Magazine. The event was held on December 6, 2022, in Peoria, Illinois.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Women of Influence PEORIA |url=https://www.whitneyreynolds.com/wrcalendar/2022/12/6/women-of-power |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=Whitney Reynolds Show |date=December 6, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>
In December 2022, Whitney was a featured guest on Daytime Chicago for the WGN Holiday Special discussing "Whitney's Wish List: The 2022 Curated Holiday Gift Guide”.
In 2023, Reynolds hosted her first TEDx talk that was independently organized by the Chicago community for the TEDxWrigleyville event, held at Wrigley Field in the North Side of Chicago, Illinois.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TEDxWrigleyville {{!}} TED |url=https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/53935 |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=www.ted.com}}</ref> The talk was titled, "HOPE: A New Acronym for Ethic"l Storytelling."
== Other work ==
In 2019, Reynolds received the Humanitarian Inspiration Award for ''We Dream in Color'', a charity that collaborates with multiple organizations to support fundraising efforts for important causes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Events |url=https://www.wedreamincolor.org/events}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 July 2019 |title=Humanitarian Awards |url=https://www.whitneyreynolds.com/blog/2019/7/15/humanitarian-awards |website=whitneyreynolds.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 July 2019 |title=Lakeshore Public Media's post |url=https://www.facebook.com/LakeshorePublicMedia1/posts/please-join-us-in-congratulating-whitney-reynolds-of-the-whitney-reynolds-show-f/2401703629868091/ |website=Facebook}}</ref> Also that year, she was the keynote speaker for the 2019 Legacy and Legends gathering for members of the Five Junior League.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 17, 2019 |title=Sunday Morning: March 17, 2019 |url=https://oklahoman.com/article/5625637/sunday-morning}}</ref> In 2022, Reynolds attended the 45th anniversary of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana gala to support access to arts education by providing tuition-free arts training programs for current, future, and former students at the Chicago High School for the Arts. The event successfully raised over $1.3 million for nearly 14,000 Chicagoland families.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CHSO Sept 22 Page 94 |url=https://digital.modernluxury.com/publication/?i=758914&p=96&view=issueViewer&pp=1 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |website=digital.modernluxury.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Olivia |date=1 September 2022 |title=Inside Ronald McDonald House Charities' Welcome Home Gala |url=https://www.modernluxury.com/ronald-mcdonald-house-welcome-home-gala/ |website=Modern Luxury}}</ref>
Reynolds was a featured co-chair and active member of the Service Club of Chicago in 2023, helping to host the annual Spring Hat Luncheon. This event raised funds for the nonprofit’s grant program, which provides grants to charities focused on expanding facilities, upgrading equipment, and launching new community programs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Candid Candace |date=March 3, 2023 |title=Service Club of Chicago's Hat Luncheon to feature Heather Gay of 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' |url=https://www.chicagostarmedia.com/candid_candace/service-club-of-chicagos-hat-luncheon-to-feature-heather-gay-of-real-housewives-of-salt/article_3bd176f2-b9fe-11ed-809d-ef7072c9cbe0.html |website=Chicago Star}}</ref>
Reynolds MCd Runway Latinx (RLx), a three-day closing celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month that benefits Pivoting in Heels.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 October 2023 |title=PIVOTING IN HEELS II WHITNEY'S WOMEN |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHA1yyqw6jo |website=YouTube}}</ref>
== Awards and honors == thumb|Whitney Reynolds hosting the 54th Annual Public Media Awards.
In 2015, ''The Whitney Reynolds Show'' was nominated for an Emmy in the category: Outstanding Interview and Discussion Special Programming, for her show "Veterans".<ref>{{Cite web |title=2015 Emmy Nominees list |url=https://chicagoemmyonline.org/files/2021/05/2015-Chgo-Emmy-Nominees.pdf |website=chicagoemmyonline.org}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" />
In 2018, Reynolds 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 November 2017 |title=Whitney Reynolds Show's post |url=https://www.facebook.com/WhitneyReynoldsShow/posts/found-out-im-receiving-2018-female-leader-of-the-year-award-presented-by-im-poss/2276256649066458/ |website=Facebook}}</ref>
In November 2019, she won a Bronze Stevie Award for Video of the Year for the episode titled “Self Image.”<ref>{{Cite web |title=Whitney Reynolds Nominated for the Prestigious Stevie Awards and the Whitney Reynolds Show Goes Digital and Streaming |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/whitney_reynolds_nominated_for_the_prestigious_stevie_awards_and_the_whitney_reynolds_show_goes_digital_and_streaming/prweb16647846.htm}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 Stevie Award Winners | Stevie Awards |date=October 3, 2019 |url=https://stevieawards.com/women/2019-stevie-award-winners}}</ref>
On May 27, 2020, her show earned a Bronze Telly Award for the episode “Overcoming Racism,” which focused on racial issues in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Whitney Reynolds Show Earns a Coveted Telly Award |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/the_whitney_reynolds_show_earns_a_coveted_telly_award/prweb17164925.htm}}</ref>
During the 2022 award season, ''The Whitney Reynolds Show'' won a Gold People’s Telly Award in the General Regional TV category for the episode “Survivors” and a Bronze Telly Award in the Television General Public Interest/Awareness category for the episode “Did You Know.”<ref>{{Cite web |title=Telly Awards - Whitney Reynolds Show |url=https://www.tellyawards.com/?s=Whitney+Reynolds+SHOW |access-date=September 21, 2022 |website=Telly Awards |language=en-US}}</ref>
thumb|Whitney Reynolds holding her 2026 Hermes Creative Award for "Seeds of Change" from Season 10 of The Whitney Reynolds Show.
In 2023, Reynolds earned her first Emmy nomination as an executive producer for Outstanding Achievement in Public Service Announcement - Single Spot/Campaign for the PSA, “The Healing Circle and the Effect.”<ref>{{Cite news |last=Columbia College Communications Department |date=September 20, 2023 |title=2022 - 2023 Chicago/Midwest Emmy Nomination List |url=https://chicagoemmyonline.org/files/2023/09/2023-Chicago-Midwest-Nomination-List.pdf |access-date=September 21, 2023 |work=National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |pages=13}}</ref> That same year, the show won a Bronze Stevie Award for Achievement in Equal Pay, highlighting its role in advocating for pay equity.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 3, 2019 |title=2023 Stevie Award Winners |url=https://stevieawards.com/women/2023-stevie-award-winners |website=stevieawards.com}}</ref> Additionally, Reynolds was named to ''Crain’s Chicago'' 40 Under 40 list, recognizing her contributions to the entertainment industry.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 16, 2023 |title=Whitney Reynolds {{!}} 40 under 40 2023 |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/awards/whitney-reynolds-40-under-40-2023 |access-date=October 16, 2023 |work=Crain's Chicago Business}}</ref>
In 2026, Whitney Reynolds received a Hermes Creative Award as Executive Producer for "Seeds of Change", an episode from Season 10 of The Whitney Reynolds Show. The recognition highlighted Reynolds’ work in purpose-driven storytelling and marked a notable achievement as an independent entrepreneur and producer competing alongside major brands, agencies, and corporate media teams. The award further reflected the show's continued impact and Reynolds’ role in developing meaningful, socially focused content.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 26, 2026 |title=Planting Seeds of Change: Winning The Hermes Creative Award|url=https://www.whitneyreynolds.com/withwr/2026/5/26/planting-seeds-of-change-hermesaward |website=whitneyreynolds.com}}</ref> Along with the Hermes Creative Award, Whitney has been named in CS Magazine's 2026 Best-Dressed Chicagoans with her being a Roscoe Village<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 8, 2026 |title=CS Magazine's 2026 Best-Dressed Chicagoans|url=https://www.modernluxury.com/cs-magazines-2026-best-dressed/|website=www.modernluxury.com}}</ref> resident.
== Personal life == In 2012, Reynolds met her husband, David Heiner, at a Caribou Coffee in Lakeview, Chicago.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= January 29, 2014|title=Make it Better February 2014 |url=https://issuu.com/makeitbetter/docs/makeitbetter_feb14/82 |access-date=August 23, 2018 |website=issuu.com/makeitbetter/docs/makeitbetter_feb14/82}}</ref> They met the day before Reynolds pitched her show to PBS. The couple dated for less than six months and they were engaged.<ref name=":10" /> On November 2, 2013, Reynolds and Heiner, married, broadcasting the event in a locally aired, two-hour television special, "I Do, Chicago Style!"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Carrie |date=1 January 2014 |title=Whitney's Whirlwind Wedding |url=https://tcwmag.com/whitneys-whirlwind-wedding/ |website=Today's Chicago Women}}</ref>
In 2016, Reynolds gave birth to twins.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=September 2016 |title=Becoming mom: Chicago TV show host pens love letters to twin babies |url=http://www.chicagoparent.com/archives/whitney-reynolds/ |access-date=August 14, 2017 |website=www.chicagoparent.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smithers Beckhan |first=Tina |title=Provoking Positive Change: A Candid Interview with Whitney Reynolds |url=https://jacksonvillemom.com/in-around-jax/provoking-positive-change-a-candid-interview-with-whitney-reynolds/. |website=Jacksonville Mom|date=May 13, 2019 }}</ref> Reynolds and her family currently reside in Chicago.<ref name=":12" /> Reynolds and her family have been featured in national campaigns over the years. Her twins have worked with brands such as Gerber, VTech, Mazda, and Sundance Spa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Heiner Twins |url=https://www.whitneyreynolds.com/heinertwins |website=whitneyreynolds.com}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb name|9893302}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Reynolds, Whitney}} Category:Living people Category:American television talk show hosts Category:American women writers Category:Baylor University alumni Category:American women television producers Category:21st-century American women Category:Year of birth missing (living people)