Darren Kennedy is going back to his “roots” he tells us.
He’s in high spirits as VIP Magazine catch up with the TV presenter. He’s just returned from Los Angeles and is preparing to launch his new venture.
Darren is wading into the world of podcasting with his new series, The Number. Ahead of it’s launch, we caught up with the very fashionable man.
View this post on Instagram
Hi Darren, how are you? Tell us a bit about your new podcast, The Number.
It’s essentially Desert Island Discs with numbers. Can you measure a life through numbers? Everything is measured, from calories to steps to bank balances to lovers. There’s a number on pretty much everything. It’s a new entry point on people’s experience.
Numbers can evoke a really strong memory, it’s kind of like music. It really brings you back and you get really interesting stories.
You are no stranger to broadcasting, but what is podcasting like?
It’s been really fascinating. This is bringing me back to my roots, which is first and foremost radio. I love radio. I have such a passion for it.
A podcast has always been an obvious thing for me. People have asked me lots about it over the years. I really wanted to do something that intrigued me as well as my guest and my listener. It was much more important to me to do something that I was passionate about. My background is in radio, my very first broadcasting job was a chat show on local radio in Dublin. I worked on the Gerry Ryan Show.
You have a pretty stellar line-up of guests for season one, starting with Girls Aloud’s Nicola Roberts. Who are your dream guests for season two?
Season two, I’ve already mapped it out. Season two is Oprah Winfrey, Tom Ford, David Attenborough, Cher and Elton John. I’m leaving the other three open for now. Oh maybe Jennifer Aniston.
Well, you’ve spent plenty of time asking people about their numbers. So what is your number?
Seven is a big number for me. As a kid, I always thought seven was my lucky number. It’s only when I stopped and took stock that I realised that the biggest moments and shifts in my life have come in seven-year cycles.
When I was 21 I moved abroad and went to work in Paris because I wanted to speak French. I got a job and it was a real turning point in my career. Now I know that 21 is a big change for a lot of people. But when I turned 28, there was another big moment when I came to a fork in the road. Then when I turned 35 I had another big move but that was more personal and about relationships.
The seven that I’m in now there’s a big focus on where do I want to be and where I’m going. They have absolutely come in seven-year cycles. I’ve always joked that I’m slow to achieve things. Some people have achieved everything they want to achieve by 25.
They’re able to take these big steps. I’m a bit of an over-thinker. So it makes sense that all these big moments whether it be personal, relationship, professional come in seven-year cycles.
What are you up to aside from your podcast?
I’m currently filming a segment for The Lorraine Show on ITV which also airs on Extra in the States where I take a look inside celebrity closets. It’s primarily in Los Angeles.
Clothes are a little like smells they can invoke certain memories. It’s a trip down memory lane, the first one was Nicole Scherzinger and it went really well. I have filmed with Chrishell from Selling Sunset, she was a dream. It’s very intimate to let someone into your home. Lots of stuff on the go.
You obviously love getting to chat with people and learn more about them. Is that your favourite part of your job?
I’m at a stage in my career where I have to get fulfilment from what I’m doing. It needs to be worth my while. Not in a haughty way but in a way that we’ve realised how precious our time is. And we need to make it count. I love connecting with someone and hearing their stories. That’s what I ultimately want to do. That’s what drives me.
View this post on Instagram
You mentioned your seven-year cycles. What advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
Don’t doubt yourself and just go for it.
The number is available now on all streaming platforms.
