How to Balance A Career & Family in midlle age, with celebrity guest whitney reynolds
An inspiring talk with Whitney Reynolds
If you're a burnt-out woman or mom struggling to juggle your career and family life, know that you’re not alone in this journey. I’m thrilled to feature the remarkable Whitney Reynolds, an icon of empowerment for women and a leader in the media industry. Find out how Whitney skillfully manages a work-life balance, blending her high-powered media career with the demands of family-life balance.
The Story Behind the Whitney Reynolds Show
Starting in her 20s, living in downtown Chicago, and hosting the 'Around the Town' show, she experienced a pivotal moment that led her to realize her true calling. Despite her tumultuous childhood, she understood her gift for communication and storytelling. She believed that if she could overcome her challenges, she could help others do the same by creating a platform for shared stories and experiences.
This realization led to the birth of 'The Whitney Reynolds Show,' which later moved to PBS. Despite skepticism about the show's potential success due to its departure from typical gossip-driven content, Whitney persisted, believing in the power of genuine, hope-inspiring stories. The show's success, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, validated her belief in the importance of sharing deep, human stories.
Despite the perceived glamour of being in the spotlight, she remains grounded in reality, balancing her roles as a mother, wife, and professional.
The power of storytelling
Whitney often contemplates how to dream bigger and involve others in her journey. She's spent over two decades evolving her show from a local gig into a national, mission-centric program. Her goal is to get deep into real societal issues and get people really thinking about their own stories. Now that she's reaching half a billion people each week, Whitney's pondering what's next. She dreams of making her show a national symbol of hope, where stories of triumph and resilience become a source of inspiration for everyone.
In her show, storytelling stands out. She's shared so many powerful stories, each one fostering hope and a sense of connection among her audience. These aren't just any stories; they're the kind that stick with you, that make you see your own life a bit differently. It’s undeniable, Whitney is proud of how these stories have touched people's lives, showing that everyone's journey, no matter how unique, has a place and a purpose in the world.
Work-life balance tips from Whitney Reynolds
Whitney learned to take comments as they come, whether it's about being too thin or too heavy, too loud or too soft. Whitney has realized the importance of having her own positive self-image, understanding that public opinions can vary widely and can sometimes feel like personal attacks. This understanding has become crucial in protecting her own mental health and sense of self.
She also places a high value on her children's privacy, being cautious about revealing where they go to school or live. She wants her kids to have a normal life, despite having a mother who is a public figure. This balancing act extends to handling public comments and opinions. She recounts advice from a friend in the television industry about managing unwanted attention and the importance of having a supportive circle.
Whitney emphasizes the necessity of surrounding herself with positive influences and letting go of relationships that don't support her journey, acknowledging that while she strives to maintain balance, there are days when the challenges of her public life can be overwhelming.
The importance of work-life balance and avoiding burnout as a mom and a career woman
As each year ends, Whitney focuses not just on manifestation, but also on centering herself and visualizing the goodness ahead. She shares her excitement about being booked for a red carpet event in LA, seeing it as a sign of positive things turning in professional success. This prompts deeper introspection about her personal wellbeing, particularly the need to embrace an unwavering confidence in her identity as a host, a mother, and as herself. Whitney sees the upcoming year as an opportunity to fully own who she is, ensuring mental stability and peace.
Whitney encourages asking oneself what is truly needed at the moment, advocating for self-love as a means to better love others. This approach, she believes, is essential for personal wellbeing and spreading positivity outward.
On the topic of self-care, Whitney discusses how her perspective has evolved over the years. She used to equate hard work with success, but with twins and a deliberate decision to make Chicago her home, she has learned to appreciate the simpler aspects of life. This shift in perspective helps her manage the demands of her professional success and personal life, preventing burnout and maintaining a healthy balance.
Parenting strategies for husband and wife
Whitney and her husband understand the unique needs of each child, particularly when one is struggling in school. Instead of comparing their boy and girl twins, they chose to 'divide and conquer.' Whitney appreciates her husband's patience in working with their son, who has made remarkable progress academically. Meanwhile, their daughter is involved in competitive cheerleading, requiring a different kind of support. Whitney emphasizes the importance of partnership in parenting, suggesting that those without a partner should seek help elsewhere, as it takes a village to raise children.
She reflects on her own family life dynamics, acknowledging the different needs of her neurotypical and neurodivergent children. Whitney stresses the importance of using all available resources, whether it's school counselors, educational advocates, or other support systems. She encourages parents not to hesitate in seeking help, emphasizing that there's assistance available at various levels, regardless of financial situations.
Whitney takes pride in how she and her husband have managed to meet their children's needs through a combination of dividing responsibilities and playing to their strengths as parents. She cherishes the unique qualities of each child, whether it's her son's singing or her daughter's cheerleading. By embracing their roles and understanding their strengths, Whitney and her husband have found a balance in nurturing their children's individual talents and needs.
The stories of transformation
On her show, it's not just about having celebrities talk about their latest movies. Whitney seeks a deeper connection, aiming to uncover the real value of each story for her viewers.
As she wrapped up season seven, set to release in the spring, Whitney was deeply moved by the guests in her studio. One particularly striking story was from a former WWE wrestler who has transitioned, weaving her transgender journey into an incredibly powerful narrative. This story uniquely touched Whitney, a rare occurrence given the depth of stories she usually encounters on her show.
This upcoming season will showcase the wrestler's story, a delicate and significant topic. Whitney and her team are honored to be trusted with such personal narratives, striving to present them in a life-affirming way that both honors the individual and educates the audience. These stories, though unique, resonate with a universal theme of humanity and acceptance, reminding us that beneath the surface, we all share similar fears and hopes.
"If the door closes, find the darn window"
Catch Whitney Reynolds on The Whitney Renolds Show
The Whitney Reynolds' show – it's now nationally syndicated on PBS! That means no matter where you are, you can catch the show. But here's the fun part: it airs at different times in different places. So, whether you're in Chicago, New York, or LA, you get to enjoy it during prime time, although the days might change up a bit. To find out exactly when it's on in your area, just hop over to WhitneyReynolds.com. They've got this super handy channel finder that makes it a breeze. Oh, and don't forget to drop your email there – it's the way to stay looped in and not miss out on any updates from Whitney and her team.
About Whitney Reynolds:
Whitney Reynolds believes in more seats at the table, inspiration in hard moments and hope for all. This mindset for unique programming originally bucked the trend when The Whitney Reynolds Show launched in 2012 PBS. The show's inspirational mission developed from Whit's firsthand experience with a challenging childhood. She had the gift to gab & combined that to create a program that flips the script. One that invites the viewers to switch seats and feel seen for exactly where they are.
She is the Executive Producer, Host and the "Chief Inspo Officer" of the Telly Award-winning and Emmy® Nominated Whitney Reynolds Show. Prior to launching her nationally syndicated program, she worked in news for NBC and went on to launch her first talk show on that network. During college at Baylor University, she interned for Good Morning America and fell in love with the national stage and its potential reach. When Whitney was just 25 years old, she stepped into owning her own show and creating Whitney Reynolds Media. Not being owned by the network truly jump started her entrepreneurial journey. Whit’s business mentor is Melissa Bernstein of Melissa & Doug whom, like Whitney, also started her business in an extra space in her home, but it has since grown to a 500 million dollar company.
Whitney’s “safe space” mission, however, doesn’t stop with her TV program. Since 2013 she has hosted a motivational “give back” segment on iHeart Radio and in 2021 launched a national iHeart Podcast Pop and Positivity. She also wrote Beyond The Interview, in 2023 did a TedX talk at Wrigley Field and also made Crain’s 40 Under 40 list. Over the years, Whitney has helped in fundraising over 2 million dollars for local and global charities through her media work. She currently sits on the Board of Managers for The Service Club of Chicago
Born and raised in Oklahoma, Whitney learned how to combine southern charm with big city hustle. Her motto is: “If the door closes, find the darn window.” Whitney lives in Chicago, in the Roscoe Village neighborhood with her husband (Dave), twins (Marlowe + Acher) and Shih Tzu (Sir Crouton). When she's not on camera, it's guaranteed you will still find her talking. She simply loves people and their stories.
Connect with Whitney:
Website: whitneyreynolds.com
Janna Fuchs
Burnout and I are old friends, so I get that you are probably exhausted from being everything to everyone! In fact, I'm a recovering over-functioned myself, AND I've developed some seriously USEFUL strategies to catch the burnout cycle before it begins! Most importantly - I have learned to TRUST my voice and my "why" for redirecting my energy, harnessing my joy, and banishing my burnout. Now I'm ready to teach you how to do the same!🤗
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