What's Your Story
Whitney Reynolds- Hello 6th PBS Season!
I’ve been very nostalgic recently here at the Whitney Reynolds Show and have gone through some of my past episodes. I wanted to highlight a few inspirational stories that I believe everybody could benefit from past seasons. ENJOY!
In our first PBS season we did a show "Second Chances." On this episode we sat down with we Danni Allen, Season 14 winner of the hit TV series "The Biggest Loser", about her second chance with her health. After witnessing her father struggle with his health, and almost lose his life, she decided that she needed to make a change. After auditioning for, and ultimately winning, the Biggest Loser she was given a second chance to live her life to the fullest. This episode taught us when life is generous enough to give us a second chance we need to take advantage of it!
UPDATE: We recently caught up with Danni and she still has the same mindset and even more excited about what's ahead!
Our "No Limits" episode focused on different individuals who didn’t let their circumstances get in the way of achieving their dreams. I was fortunate enough to sit down with an incredible young woman named Mary Kate Callahan. Mary Kate was paralyzed from the waist down at only 5 ½ months old. But she didn’t let that stop her from doing what she loved. As a high school swimmer the only thing in her way from the State Championships was the lack of a policy to include swimmers with disabilities. But once again she refused to give up. She teamed up with lawyers and fought the system until finally during her senior year of high school she was able to compete at the Illinois Swimming State Championship. This just goes to show you that no matter what roadblock is in your way you can’t let it stop you from being all that you can be.
In the show’s second season we talked about the Youth of Our Future. Violence amongst teens, especially in the Chicagoland area, is stealing the lives of the next generation. But this doesn’t mean we have to stand by and watch it happen. I spoke to David Diaz, WBC World Lightweight Champion, about his after-school program where he teaches kids how to box. Coming from a background of boxing he uses his talent to keep kids out of violence. Through boxing he is able to teach kids discipline and turning their aggression into positive energy. It’s people like David who are changing the lives of everyone around them by simply taking a stand for what they believe in.
Next I took a look at one of our recent episodes, "Be the Change." We live in a world where corruption is stealing away the joy and love throughout the world. But we don’t have to just sit by and let it happen. We can be courageous and take a stand for what we believe is right. Our social sizzle for this episode was the founders of the Kind Campaign: Molly Thompson and Lauren Paul. Through witnessing and experiencing girl on girl crime they took it upon themselves to educate young girls across the US and Canada about the harmful effects of girl on girl crime. They have taught thousands of young girls that kindness is the only option.
Finally, in our Survivor episode I was able to sit down with Jaspen Boothe. Her story was one of the most inspiring of them all. Jaspen is a Veteran who not only survived Hurricane Katrina but also cancer. However, this is not even the most incredible part about her. After bad treatment by the VA she decided that she wasn’t going to allow future veterans to be treated the way she was. She started an organization called Final Salute that provides homeless women veterans and their families with safe and suitable housing. Her organization has now raised over $650,000 for female veterans. After hearing this story I never want to complain about my life being hard ever again! But it also has showed me that with the right mindset, strong will, and faith you can survive anything.
Going through these episodes have me feeling so inspired and empowered! I love hearing all of your stories. So I want to encourage all of you, my incredible viewers, to write the show and tell me about your journey. You never know how something that changed your life, could help others! Go to our contact page now and get to typing! <3
Change Is A Good Thing
Well it has been an amazing week for us here at The Whitney Reynolds Show. On Monday we launched to weeknights here in Chicago and had a big watch party to celebrate. The party was hosted by Hubbard Inn, we had amazing food, drinks and great photos by Action Booth. We packed the 2nd floor with 120 of our most loyal viewers, TWRS Staffers and folks from our PBS Network. What a fun night! CLICK HERE for all the party pics
My Lakeshore Public Television Team
My number one supporter and best friend- David Heiner
If you would have told me a few years ago that I'd land a constant spot on a Chicagoland PBS station with a weeknight time-slot, I might have looked at you cross-eyed. I've always said, "I know where we are going. Just not sure how we're getting there." I believe our progress has a lot to do with hard work, but also in knowing how to handle and embrace change! Everyday brings new opportunities and it's up to us to take advantage or deal with what life hands us.
With that being said, this week's topic falls right in line with CHANGE. Our show is "Be The Change." We are talking with folks that have taken extreme measures to leave their mark here on earth. We have outstanding guests, who not only recognized a problem but do whatever it takes to see the solution through.
First on the show we’re going to have Jeremy Courtney. He’ll be talking to us about the Preemptive Love Coalition. PLC is a program that trains Iraqi doctors and nurses to preform life saving heart surgeries on children born with life threatening heart defects. Jeremy is the founder and Executive Director of PLC. He was born and raised in America, however now resides overseas.
After saving lives, Jeremy is a musician and songwriter in his spare time. He believes that music and storytelling can help bridge the gaps with reconciliation between cultures. Check out his song! http://www.jeremycourtney.com/2013/11/21/get-5-free-songs-from-the-preemptive-love-book-tour/
Next up we have Molly Thompson and Lauren Parsekian Paul (You may have seen her husband, Aaron Paul, on the hit TV series Breaking Bad) on the show to talk about the Kind Campaign. The Kind Campaign is an initiative to stop Girl on Girl crime in schools all across the country. It teaches young girls that KINDNESS is the key to stop the long lasting negative effects of girl on girl crime. This segment totally made my heart smile!
We will also have two local schools on the show, to talk about how they are giving back in a huge way! Get ready for a great show! Remember: Monday's 6:30 PM & Sunday's at 10:30 AM on Lakeshore Public Media (WYIN). LIVE OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO? Check your local listings for our show in your area! We launch next month in The Quad Cities.
I hope this show inspires you to be the change, you want to see! Have a great week y'all.