Episode 129 – Stephanie welcomes Chicago-based friend and TV show host Whitney Reynolds for a fun, deep, and whimsical conversation to enter 2022. She tells us about her relationship with God, personally and at work, in her family, marriage and kids and through her friends. Her enthusiasm to encourage is deeply inspiring and endearing… and she is such fun to be with!

Whitney says she used to be a “stale Christian” in the church—and she didn’t even know it. Because she is so cheerful and encouraging, she cruised through life until God called her to a deeper awareness of His presence, and she is enjoying it now, even beckoning us deep within alongside her! She shares about life with 6-year-old twins amidst a whirlwind of life and activity, keeping her eyes on her Lord. We talk about her very personal prayers for her little ones. We talk about the impact of her show all around the world, and in her own heart. God is using her very own show to teach her to embrace Him at a deeper level!

Whitney and Stephanie move the conversation to our dreams for 2022. What are our dreams? How do we know they are from God? How do we show up for them? How do we let Him take centerstage?

We invite you to join in this conversation of things deep and light too, and to rejoice for what God is in the making of doing in and through you in 2022!

Emmy nominated & Telly Award winning Whitney Reynolds' national news background and love for people have been combined to create a show that is changing the dialogue for talk TV. She produces a program that is dedicated to being a safe space for delicate life stories. She discovered this mission first hand through her own difficult childhood. The Whitney Reynolds Show educates, inspires and makes a difference, one topic at a time. What started as an online talk show moved to NBC within its first year. In 2012 the show made strategic changes, which included a shift in focus and move to PBS & eventually streaming on TUBI TV. In 2020 the show was picked up for national distribution by NETA and starting premiering across the country January 6th of 2021.

The mission however, doesn’t stop with her TV program. Since 2013 Whitney has hosted a motivational “give back” segment on iHeart Radio. She also authored Beyond The Interview and has a column in Cancer Wellness Magazine. Over the years Whitney has help fundraising over 2 million of dollars for local and global charities through her media work.

Originally from Oklahoma, she's learned how to combine southern charm with big city hustle. Her motto is: If the door closes, find the darn window. Whitney graduated from Baylor University in three years and moved to New York to intern for Good Morning America. Post GMA, she was a morning anchor in both Oklahoma and Texas. She has since planted her roots in Chicago and lives in the Roscoe Village neighborhood with her husband David and 5 year old twins.  

CONNECT WITH WHITNEY

https://www.whitneyreynolds.com/

https://www.facebook.com/WhitneyReynoldsTV

https://www.instagram.com/whitney_reynolds/

 

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In a nutshell, we exist to inspire Christ-followers to delight in God.

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You are invited to join us on the Gospel Spice Prayer Bible Study, titled "The heart behind prayer" starting September 20, 2025! Details and registration here: https://www.gospelspice.com/prayer 

There are a few things in our Christian life that we know we should do more, or at least better – and prayer just might top the list. Prayer is a mystery. Why would a conversation with a human have any influence on God’s eternal, sovereign plan? It defies logic, and beckons love. How can God, the Almighty Lord of Hosts, be this close, this personal? It defies understanding, and beckons involvement.

But, lack of time, inspiration, and discipline, combined with the ruthless tyranny of our busy lives, push prayer to the periphery, to the “one day I’ll get to it” pile. And yet, we can excel at what we endeavor to undertake. So, why isn’t prayer more of a spiritual priority? Could we develop a mindset around prayer that made it attractive, inspiring, even maybe delightful? What if we attuned our spiritual ears to listen to God, and our spiritual eyes to see His provision?

As an unassuming student, I’m going to humbly offer to share the little I have learned from others about the joy of prayer. I will give us theology, practical tips, and useful resources, sharing what works for me as we, together, learn to pray.

If you find prayer intimidating, or if your lack of prayer makes you feel guilty or “less than,” then this is the place for you! If you have been a student of prayer for many years, this is the place for you too! If you have breath in your lungs, then prayer can become one of the deepest joys of your day. Don’t miss out!

A PERSPECTIVE ABOUT PRAYER

To pray is to believe that God not only hears, but that He responds. It is to stand in the gap for a broken world, wielding the authority of Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and trusting in the goodness of the Father. The question is not whether prayer works, but whether we are willing to pray the kinds of prayers that invite God’s Kingdom into the darkest places of the earth—and of our own hearts.

We may never fully understand the mechanics of prayer, or how it intersects with God's sovereignty, but we are not called to understand everything. We are called to be faithful. And faithfulness means showing up—in prayer, in persistence, in expectation.

So today, let us pray not only for the comfort of our hearts, but for the transformation of the world. Let us take our place as image-bearers, co-laborers, and co-heirs. Let us believe that God is still listening—and still acting. Because He is.

There’s only one way to find out what might happen when we truly pray like this.

Let’s begin.

THE MINDSET BEHIND THIS COURSE

Before we begin, let me tell you the obvious: I don’t really know how to pray. I’m a humble student and absolute beginner at the holy endeavor that is prayer. So, this course isn’t really about what I’ve learned, or any wisdom I might have gathered. But, I’ve sat at the feet of many prayer warriors over the decades, through books and teachings.

So, I’ll share what I learned from them. Humility is going to be our primary heart posture! With each lesson, I will offer a few thoughts, practices, and ideas – with much humility, and not taking myself too seriously. I will also share her favorite books and resources about prayer. FInally, I will introduce you to some of the most influential prayer warriors of our history as the Body of Christ.

Most importantly, I will invite YOU to pray! Learning to pray comes from praying. Our humble ambition is to inspire you to pray, and to give you a few tips on how to do that. Then, it’s up to you! Prayer is a lifelong endeavor. Let’s make it delightful together!

So, let’s get started.

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