As the Sliding Doors Podcast celebrates its 100th episode, creator and host Jenny Becker talks about her three-year journey on PodcastingToday.
This podcast is based on Jenny's love of classic 90s movies, and each episode explores a guest's doorstep moments and decisions that changed the course of their lives. It also touches on how things would have been different if this had not happened.
“I've been going to the video store on Saturday nights since I was about 11 years old. I may have been a little young, but I always rented 'Sliding Doors,'” Jenny says. “I was really fascinated by that moment when one small thing can change everything.
“When the movie was split into two with scenes where Gwyneth Paltrow got on the train and scenes where she didn't, I was always fascinated by how one small thing that can happen in life can change everything. It has been.
“I'm a strong believer that everything happens for a reason, and when I wanted to start a podcast, I was going to call it 'Everything Happens for a Reason.' There were so many people being called to do this that I thought, “Maybe I can do it.” When I thought, “Let's not do this,'' the movie “Sliding Doors'' came to mind. ”
Jenny did some research and found that there were several podcasts with the same name, but they weren't really doing anything.
“Everything felt right for the moment,” she says. “I was sitting in my living room with my sister and decided I was going to start a podcast and it took off from there. For me, I feel like this is the only podcast I've been able to do. Because people Because I want to know about that sliding door moment and what would have happened if it hadn't happened.”
First, Jenny decided to get the name on Instagram, designing her own logo and learning from a friend who also has a podcast. As for the guests, she asked five people she knows or has worked with before and said if they could listen back to the first episode, she'd hear how far the show has come. Ta.
“It's not easy, but I think the great thing about today is that I can do this on my own and be independent. Three and a half years later, I'm still doing it,” she says.
Despite organic growth being the podcast's mainstay, Jenny wanted things to move ahead of schedule, which was frustrating at times, but she managed to stay true to herself. She thinks that's why people are still listening.
“I love finding stories and moments that inspire people, so I stick to why I’m doing it,” she reveals. “When I sometimes feel down when I see all the other podcasts that keep coming out, it's important to remember why I'm doing it, why it's so important to start a podcast, and to be authentic to me.” , I think it's really important to have a premise that means something,' because that's what keeps you going and gives you your USP. ”
When asked about the challenges of being a small independent podcaster competing with big brands, Jenny recently spoke about how you don't need a big PR machine or a lot of money to start a podcast and be successful. mentioned.
“For me, it's consistency,” she says. “Sometimes you see a lot of celebrities come and do podcasts, which is great, but they often only do one series, or do it to promote what they're doing at the time. will do.
“I think if you're independent, the really important thing is to keep trying to push those boundaries. Yes, it's frustrating at times, but after three years, I feel like my podcast is my own. It really made me realize that I had something special and to keep moving forward with my own perspective instead of comparing myself to others.”
From humble beginnings with five friends as the first guests, Sliding Doors have welcomed notable guests such as Bradley Walsh, Dame Arlene Phillips, Martin Kemp, Dame Prue Leith, Rachel Stevens and Candice Brathwaite, and have grown to three We have made great progress over the years. , Dr. Hilary, Roxy Nafushi, Dan Walker, Ranbir Singh, Dr. Alex George, Babatunde Aleche, Simon Rimmer, Kelvin and Liz Fletcher, Patrick Grant, Ade Adepitan.
Also sold out is Anna Mercer's live show and the successful documentary series Sliding Doors 25, which celebrates the film's 25th anniversary, starring John Hannah, Jean Tripplehorn, Peter Howitt, Stephen Bartlett and Laura Whitmore. did.
It's an impressive list of names, but as Jenny well knows, putting them all together is no mean feat.
“You and your guests dream big, but you have to work hard, and that's what I learned along the way,” she explains. “Don't be afraid to ask people, you just have to keep asking. For me, it snowballed. You get one guest, and someone else sees it and says OK. .
“I get turned down a lot and it can be frustrating, but I always think that being turned down is a change of direction in the sense of inviting another guest, and that the timing is right. It takes effort, but you have to have confidence in yourself and your show. The worst thing someone can do is say no and just hope they say yes!”
As the milestone episode is released, Jenny says that while it's easy to compare ourselves to what we haven't accomplished, it's really important to celebrate what we've accomplished, which is why the 100th episode reflects that. He said he was hoping for a guest who would do the same.
“Looking back at the last 100 episodes I’ve recorded, I wanted to record someone very special: broadcasting legend Tony Blackburn.
“My family and I have listened to him for many years so he has become a part of our radio life and podcasting is the evolution of broadcasting and for me it’s great to have him on. .
“This year is his 60th anniversary on the air, and it was great to hear about his life. He doesn't do very detailed interviews, but with everything he's done, It was great to hear how the journey evolved.
“He's at a great time in his life. He's had a lot of ups and downs, but he's still doing great on radio, touring all over the country, and being a huge inspiration to people. There's something special about the 100th episode. I wanted to create something like this, and I think Tony is the perfect person for that.”
In addition to Tony, the latest series of Sliding Doors also stars Dame Zandra Rhodes, Shirley Ballas, Paul Scalfour and Jimmy Tarbuck.
Jenny wants to further develop the podcast, including hosting more live shows, and plans to evolve the Sliding Doors family by expanding the community of people who listen to the show.
she says: “It's so amazing when you can connect the dots in your life through a sliding door moment, when you wholeheartedly accept the decisions you made and what happened to you. Keep spreading the word. I want to inspire people. Whether it's inspiring one person or 500 people, that's what I want to do!”
The 100th episode of Sliding Doors with special guest Tony Blackburn will be released today, October 10th, on all podcast platforms.
