Thank you to everyone who came out and supported our SEASON 9 PREMIERE PARTY in Chicago and also the folks who are tuning in ALL WEEK in every market! Together we are moving the dial forward! For a full list of market CLICK HERE
Season Premier Party, FREE TICKETS
It's time to party! The Whitney Reynolds Show new fall series hits Chicagoland October 9th at 6:30 on Lakeshore PBS. and we want you to join us LIVE! Make sure to get your tickets HERE.
A Weekend To Remember (TWRS Gala, 3-0 & Gender Reveal)
My Team (Left- Camera Art Cohen, Supervising Producer Sheryl Rosen, Executive Producer/ Host ME-Whitney Reynolds, PR Janiece Noel, Director Gary Brook, Assistant TD Dennis King). PHOTO CREDIT- RAY THOMPSON/ DRESS- Teri Jon Dresses
This past weekend was the first ever "A Night With The Whitney Reynolds Show" Gala! It was extremely special because our family, friends and viewers had a chance to come together and get to know the show better. We featured topics close to heart and also raised money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! Cherry on top- it was my big 3-0 birthday and at 9 PM we found out our twins' genders with everyone who attended.
We had the most amazing food vendors in Chicago bring their favorite dishes. BIG THANKS to- Johnny Van's Smokehouse, Kitty O'Sheas, Heartfelt Catering, Beef and Barley, Kenmare Catering, Rachel Rosenberg Arbonne Treats, Reggies Live, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and Goddess and Grocer. Take a look at my 30th birthday cake provided by Windy City Savories and Sweets!
PHOTO CREDIT- RAY THOMPSON
The live piano music was flowing thanks to David Rothstein and the flower arrangements from Stems made the evening complete. On each table we featured topics that have aired on our show over the years. Some of them included Domestic Violence, Fear and Cancer. This whole event was a chance for our 250 guests to understand what we are all about and that is: creating a show that provokes positive change through tough topics.
PHOTO CREDIT- RAY THOMPSON
Since the event fell so close to our 20 week ultrasound (2 days before) we decided not to find out the genders until the gala. At 9 PM we called everyone to the front and unwrapped two boxes with our twins' genders. WATCH- https://www.facebook.com/WhitneyReynoldsW3/videos/vb.9203122/10102604877591313/?type=3&theater
PHOTO CREDIT- RAY THOMPSON
PHOTO CREDIT- ANDREA PLECKO
As you can see from the pictures above we are OVER THE MOON for our little Twin A- Marlowe McKinnley Heiner and Twin B- David Acheson Heiner III "Acher." It was special to share this moment with everyone who attended.
We rounded out the night with raising just shy of $3,000 for LLS and announced our new season coming to Lakeshore PBS April 25th at 6:30 PM.
This was an evening I will cherish forever and it wouldn't have been possible without support from all our sponsors (especially Volvo Of Oak Park), my loving husband and each of YOU.
XOXO,
Whitney
(Don't forget to get your ticket for our next live event on April 30th. Sit in our studio audience by requesting tickets to tickets@thewhitneyreynoldsshow.com).
The Emmy Awards and our NEW SEASON
Whitney Reynolds and Dave Heiner
Last weekend was a complete fairytale. For the first time in my show's history we were nominated for an Emmy. This was not only my first Award's Show, but I also got asked to present. I walked the red carpet with my team, family and even with my fans LIVE via Periscope (FOLLOW @WhitneyReynolds). This picture above is one of those moments, I will talk about for years to come. No we did not win, but that's not my end all goal. MY MISSION- is to change lives, provoke positive change and help others, through our television program. Now that's what we will ALWAYS continue to do. I am however looking forward to many more nights like this one in the coming years.
BIG THANKS- to all the prep work that went in to my night! The good news is they are local for everyone who lives in Chicago and also online for everyone else. DRESS- Borris Powell, SHOES- Emy Mack, JEWELS- Accessory Mercado, MAKEUP- Starlight Makeup, HAIR- Robert Jeffrey Hair Studio, AIR BRUSH- Celebrity Skin, NAILS- Dynamic Salon! Love that all these folks have believed in me for multiple years and continue to support the show.
SEASON 5
We are officially in week 3 of our fall season. Coming up tonight we are talking "Perinatal Loss." This show is beyond real. I am so thankful for our brave guests who came on and were honest about their personal journey. I had to take a break to just catch my breath. This topic will hit to the core. I know ANYONE reading this blog knows someone that has miscarried or had complication with their pregnancy. The stats of people impacted by this topic are off the chart and we hope tonight's show helps change the stigma around talking about it.
Still to come this season we have-
- The Plus Size Movement
- Suicide Prevention
- Rising To The Top
- A Life Story
REMEMBER- With Thanksgiving right around the corner, this is a great time to reflect on everything in your life to be THANKFUL for. We are surrounded by daily blessings, but sometimes we are too busy to see them. A grateful heart is a beautiful heart!
I want you to know how thankful I am for each of you! Your support and viewership is the reason we keep growing and reaching more people!
Food Allergies- My Personal Story
Well Hello Season 5-
Mark your calendars for an exciting new season of our show. Starting October 26th on Lakeshore Public Television we will be kicking off our 5th Season. Join us every Monday night at 6:30 as we talk through tough topics that are inspiring POSITIVE CHANGE.
SEGMENT SPOTLIGHT- Meet Jack the creator of "That Bites." A documentary on Food Allergies!
Hello everyone! I’m so excited to be kicking off our new season, and especially with a topic I think most of us can relate to: food allergies. It’s a season opener I know you’ll want to see, because this truly affects so many people!
My first brush with food allergies was during one of the most important times of my life; my honeymoon. My husband and I were in Costa Rica having the time of our lives. We were in some really cool hot springs, having fun, and not at all stressing about the food around us. We ordered drinks, not thinking anything of it. Unbeknownst to us, one of the drinks had banana in it; something Dave is incredibly allergic to. If you ever thought it was impossible for a banana to jeopardize your honeymoon: think again!
I was so scared! What was supposed to be one of the most fun times for Dave and I became a huge frightening ordeal for us. He got awful stomach pains and hives; it was clear something had happened to him. We were incredibly lucky, and he was only out for a day of our honeymoon; but it could have been much worse. It was my first time seeing how food allergies can be truly dangerous.
2013 Honeymoon in Costa Rica
After seeing my husband go through this, I realized how big of an issue food allergies really are; especially with children! When they’re at school, who knows what they’ll eat? And unfortunately, the way many people find out they have allergies is when they eat something for the first time as a child and get an allergic reaction.
Luckily with epi-pens, it’s easier to help someone who’s had an allergic reaction. Personally, I think everyone should have one on them; you never know when someone around you could eat a deadly banana! I think it’s important that we realize these allergies are a growing issue that we need to keep an eye on. Epi-pens are like tiny, life-saving magic wands! Why not have one? Especially in schools.
Living with food allergies is a stressful, hard task and sometime scary to order food even at restaurants. We’re so worried about whether or not to get fries on the side that we don’t realize our main course has food that will give us hives! There’s so much to keep track of! Watch our show and learn how to use an EPI pen and stay safe.
For those of you out there with intense food allergies, please be safe; and always make sure you know what is in your drinks! We will be live tweeting during the show @WhitneyReynolds so make sure to weigh in.
Also coming up this season-
- Women In Sports
- A Parent's Loss
- The Plus Size Movement
- Rising To The Top
- Suicide Prevention
- A Life Story
Giving Our Four-Legged Friends A Voice
Earlier this year, my sweet Puffy Doo-Little had a back injury that almost took her life. This would have never been a near death experience if she could have told me what was wrong. During her recovery I got to thinking about the challenges our four-legged friends go through and that's when Cari Meyers came to mind and I knew we must have her on a show.
Cari Meyers is that voice for animals and founded the Puppy Mill Project (PMP). For those of you who haven’t heard, the Puppy Mill Project educates the public by spreading the message about puppy mill cruelty and providing age-based interactive lectures and presentations. According to the PMP, Ninety Nine percent (99%) of all pet store puppies are puppy mill puppies. Most people are unaware of this and the Puppy Mill Project is changing that fact. She has worked with legislation and Chicago celebrities to help spread the word. Cari is currently working on "The Puppy Mill Project" book, where she is having celebrities and their pets take pictures. This book will be sold to raise funds for her cause and create more awareness. (YES, Puffy and I will be in the book). There are many ways for our viewers to get involved including several events throughout the year.
We will also be speaking with Chicago City Clerk Susanna Mendoza, who is a proud supporter of the Puppy Mill Project. Susanna and Cari have been working hard to pass legislation to help our four-legged friends here in Chicago. For more information on their journey check out this article- (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-03-05/features/ct-remarkable-cari-meyers-20140305_1_city-pet-stores-pet-lemon-law-animal-cruelty)
Chicago City Clerk Susanna Mendoza
We have doctors in the studio too from Veterinary Specialty Center. Dr. Melissa Pales and Dr. Brett Grossman, will be speaking with us about the dangers of buying dogs from puppy mills. From long term health issues to common illnesses, they’ll show us why buying a puppy mill dog can lead to heartbreak no pet owner should be forced to deal with.
Finally I just have to say, one word: Adoption! Adoption, adoption, adoption. There are so many furry friends stuck in shelters every single day that have been abandoned by or taken from their owners. And guess what? You can help them! Just because a dog isn’t a puppy doesn’t mean they’ll love you any less. All they want is a home to call their own with a loving family.
Big thanks to everyone who came on the show and who speak up for our friends/family who don't have a voice! Remember to tune in Monday nights at 6:30 PM and Sunday morning at 10:30 to Lakeshore PBS [Comcast 239/ RCN 4/ Dish, Direct, AT&T 56]. Have a great week y'all!
Surviving a Hurricane, Cancer and Homelessness
It’s been another incredible week at the Whitney Reynold’s show! On our last show we spoke with some amazing individuals who taught us that you can be the change this world needs if you just step up and try! Don’t forget: If you missed the episode you can catch it again on Sundays at 10:30 AM.
Our first guest on our show Survivor is Jaspen Boothe. She's a woman who, throughout all adversity, has remained strong. She survived Hurricane Katerina along with a vicious bout with cancer. As the creator of The Final Salute she has dedicated her life to helping veterans such as herself to find proper housing and employment after service.
Survival expert and professional stunt person, Ky Furneaux, will be telling us all about her thrilling career of performing stunts and may even give us some useful survival tips! Ky has appeared in over 80 films and tv productions including: The Avengers, Thor, and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
Talk about girl power! This survivor found her passions after almost completely loosing her mobility due to an injury she sustained from a horrible car crash. After a year of intense physical therapy she was back up and moving better than ever. She decided nothing was going to keep her from doing what she loved.
For all of you Survivor fans Ethan Zohn will be joining us! This man was the winner of the Survivor: Africa season. He’s also been seen on Survivor: All-stars and The Amazing Race. Ethan was previously a professional American soccer player and used his prize money to cofound an incredible charity called Grassroot Soccer. This charity uses soccer to educate and mobilize communities in order to fight the spread of HIV. Not only did Ethan survive in the wilderness he is also a cancer survivor! His story is one you won’t want to miss.
See you this Monday for a powerful episode filled with amazing stories of survival and inspirational guests!