Steph Reynolds Interview
Steph Reynolds
Afternoon co-host/Director Of Partner Care
Shine.FM
Kankakee, IL
Career Capsule: I have lived & worked in my community my entire life (other than my 4 years of college in Florida). I was able to be a realtor for 12 years with my mom and LOVED getting to know new people and finding them their homes. Once I became a mama, I transitioned my career around their little lives…serving in their Christian school as the Director of Development for 4 years and then also in our church in children’s ministry. I have truly loved all the roles God has led me into, but working at SHINE.FM the last 5 years has been an extra blessing to help grow a ministry that was a vital part of my faith walk my entire life. It has been the soundtrack of my life during the highs, lows and all the in-between. I am now the Director of Development and also co-host the Afternoon Adventure with my ministry director, Brian Utter.
Steph, tell us what’s new at Shine.FM… any news, changes etc… and what’s new with YOU.?
Shine.FM has grown at great capacity the last 5 years expanding its footprint and reach in the Midwest and most recently as of May 1st, been able to add central Indiana to the SHINE.FM family connecting our Indy signal to the Northwest Indiana signal. The excitement of our current partners fueling that growth to happen along with JUST THIS WEEK an abundant amount of NEW listeners on that signal already GIVING to their NEW Shine.FM is beyond EXCITING!
How do you balance work & family, how important is it for someone in Christian Radio to ‘have a life”?
I am thankful that my work environment and leadership is family oriented. We believe that our #1 ministry is our family. The flexibility to make them a priority only fuels me to GIVE MY BEST in my work and not take that for granted.
Overall, what is something unique about the market you serve?
The people. My favorite part of my “job” is meeting the faces of the SHINE.FM family and hearing their unique stories of what God is doing in their lives thru the ministry of SHINE.FM. There are times where I am left in awe of what God is doing, and allowing us to be a part of.
What’s something you’ve learned due to the pandemic, about Christian Radio, that you didn’t know before?
People yearn for connection. We were MADE to be in relationship with HIM and with EACH OTHER, and when we were pulled apart from being together, it was even more important that we stayed on mission to connect the family of God, even thru the airwaves.
What are your thoughts on AI in Christian Radio?
AI in Christian radio would take the personal connection out of radio, it would be sad to not be able to offer that to the people in our community.
Where will new up and coming Christian Radio air talent come from?
SHINE.FM is a ministry of Olivet Nazarene University, and we see several young people every semester training up to take on the future of Christian radio. They breathe HOPE and VISION that us mid-life peeps can’t offer.
Generally speaking to the industry what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian Radio?
I don’t see any obstacles, I see opportunities. To grow my development team at the pace that my donor base is growing and keeping SHINE Partners personally connected to our ministry.
Who are your radio heroes and influences? and why?
Brian McIntyre, my co-host and ministry director who has helped coach me and teach me along the way. He is the one who often states, “find something you love to do, and you’ll never work a day in your life” I have found that at SHINE.FM, and have a grateful heart. Don Burns, who put me on the air for the first time and poured encouragement into me helping me be BRAVE enough to do this. Most recently, Todd Stach, as he has helped coach me the past year breathing life & encouragement into my career and life.