Podcast Summary: Kat on the Loose

Episode: ELEONORA SRUGO - STAR OF SELLING THE CITY ON NETFLIX
Host: Kat Zammuto
Guest: Eleonora Srugo, Luxury NYC Realtor & Star of "Selling the City"
Release Date: June 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this highly engaging episode of Kat on the Loose, host Kat Zammuto interviews Eleonora Srugo—one of New York City’s top luxury real estate agents and the central figure of Netflix’s "Selling the City." The conversation centers around Eleonora’s rise in a cutthroat male-dominated market, her leadership style, the hardships and camaraderie in her all-women team, female rivalry, the media’s portrayal of the real estate world, and the challenges—and occasional joys—of dating as a powerful, self-made woman in NYC.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. On Career Success and Work Ethic in NYC Real Estate

[05:44–07:41]

• Eleonora credits her drive to an “old school” work ethic, shaped by her multicultural New York upbringing.
• Being a native New Yorker helped her connect with diverse clients, but she believes her success came from relentless effort, not just her roots.
• Quote:

  “For me, success at this level in New York comes down to a work ethic that is in line with a very old school mentality... If I am sleeping, others are working and that doesn't sort of align for me.”
  — Eleonora Srugo [06:52]

2. Reality TV vs. Real Life in Real Estate

[08:07–09:31]

• Kat and Eleonora call out the misleading “quick success” illusion on real estate TV shows.
• Eleonora points out that TV and social media heavily edit reality, and real estate is never as easy as it looks.
• Quote:

  “The shows have to edit things and they want to make it aspirational... But, no, I’ve never just gone ‘boom’ and gotten a deal.”
  — Eleonora Srugo [08:28]

3. Women in a Male-Dominated Industry and Team Dynamics

[09:31–12:11]

• Eleonora leads an all-women team, a first for NYC real estate reality TV, where she commands both women’s respect and that of her male peers.
• Kat highlights the “cattiness” portrayed in the show; Eleonora admits she’s been hurt by team members but chooses not to react emotionally or retaliate.
• Quote:

  “The people that talk badly about you have done a lot less in life... Why would I ever give them that energy?”
  — Eleonora Srugo [11:27]

4. Betrayal, Loyalty, and Leadership Challenges

[14:22–18:06]

• Discussing a specific betrayal (Taylor, her team member, bypassing Eleonora to ask the company chairman for personal support):
  • Eleonora expresses clear disappointment but explains why she didn’t immediately cut Taylor off: “If she is really struggling... she was a high performer... It put me in a bad position.”
  • She stresses that, ultimately, business comes first, and performance and reliability are her criteria for keeping people on her team.
• Quote:

  “I've been broke. I don't understand how people can't realize that they have to support themselves. You can't just go and ask people... to save you and hand you a check every time.”
  — Eleonora Srugo [17:34]

5. Breaking Points and Assessing Team Members

[18:47–20:20]

• Eleonora's “breaking point” comes when team members stop showing up or generating enough business; “it really just comes down to the business and is it working or not?”
• Emotional drama isn't a factor—only business metrics matter in her evaluations.

6. Real Talk on Women’s Professional Jealousy and Media Criticism

[21:19–23:31]

• Eleonora responds to negative comments and “frenemy” behavior from fellow cast member Jade. She created an opportunity for Jade by bringing her onto the show.
• Though hurt by public critique, Eleonora stays focused, reflecting:

  “Again, I really have to think about who’s saying it. Am I receiving criticism from someone I respect and admire and want to emulate?”
  — Eleonora Srugo [23:31]

7. Reality TV Future—Will There Be a Season 2?

[23:54–24:18]

• At the time of the interview, there is no confirmation of a second season for Selling the City, but Eleonora expresses interest in returning if asked.

8. Dating as a Powerful Woman in NYC & LA

[24:18–29:44]

• Kat and Eleonora discuss the difficulties of dating while being career-driven.
• Eleonora disputes the common notion that men are “intimidated” by successful women:

  “I call bullshit. I don't think men are that intimidated. Men know how to shoot their shot.”
  — Eleonora Srugo [27:30]

• Her preferences are clear: she likes entrepreneurial, independent men with “main character energy,” not “sidekicks.”

  “I'm not really into sidekicks. I'm more into main character energy.”
  — Eleonora Srugo [29:12]

• Success isn’t just measured by money, but by being good at what one does.
• She acknowledges sometimes people assume a successful woman “has a man behind her,” but underscores her self-made status:
  • “When [people] realize none of those things are true, that’s when character assassinations start... I hate when women say about each other ‘crazy, psycho, mental health issues’—are you a doctor? No—so shut the fuck up.” [30:25 & 30:45]

9. Fashion, Image, and Authenticity

[31:56–33:48]

• Eleonora’s fashion gets as much attention as her deals. She confirms all her high-fashion looks on the show are her own purchases.
• While she doesn’t dress up for routine days, she brings “high fashion” to client-facing events, saying:

  “To go on the show and not bring high fashion... would have been stupid.”
  — Eleonora Srugo [33:17]

• Addresses criticism of the cast’s style, saying NYC women care about their look, even if it’s more understated than LA.

10. Practical Advice for Aspiring Real Estate Agents

[34:09–36:51]

• Eleonora shares actionable advice for those considering real estate:
  • Getting into real estate is easy; staying in is hard.
  • Know your market, be in the field daily, learn from experienced agents, immerse yourself in media and industry lingo, and—above all—join a team to learn.
  • She’s launching a group mentorship/coaching platform to help more people after receiving overwhelming requests post-show.
• Memorable Quote:

  “If you're not out on the street, go to the office where there are other successful agents... Immerse yourself with what's happening at that office.”
  — Eleonora Srugo [34:36]

• On patience: her first “meaningful” sale took about 6–8 months. Agents must frequently self-evaluate and possibly start small.

11. Team Evolution and Takeaways from the Show

[37:41–39:08]

• None of the women from the show remain on Eleonora’s team. Her real (and longer-standing) team existed off-camera.
• She tried her best to support every team member but concluded, “I tried probably more than any boss would ever try.”

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "I have one life to live. I want to live it feeling and looking my best."
  — Eleonora Srugo [04:44]

• "I've been hurt by women... Acting on it and being hurt by it are very different things."
  — Eleonora Srugo [10:54]

• "If I'm sleeping, others are working."
  — Eleonora Srugo [06:52]

• "People love that deal because it's a big number, but it's just another deal. There are plenty of other deals more meaningful to me."
  — Eleonora Srugo [13:39]

• "Patience. My first meaningful sale took about 6 months."
  — Eleonora Srugo [36:59]

• "I don’t need to figure out why people talk badly about me. It’s not my job."
  — Eleonora Srugo [13:16]

• "The shit I could say about all of them is beyond the scope. But the minute I go there, I become like them."
  — Eleonora Srugo [12:03]

• "I’m not a lesbian either. But I have heard it’s fun."
  — Eleonora Srugo [03:55] (lighthearted banter with Kat)

• "Main character energy."
  — Eleonora Srugo [29:12] (on the kind of men she likes)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [03:36] — Start of interview, personal rapport
• [04:35] — Eleonora on appearance, work, and philosophy
• [05:44] — Reflections on career path and work ethic
• [07:42] — The illusion of easy success in TV real estate
• [09:31] — Dynamics with male agents and women-led team
• [10:54] — On betrayal, female rivalry, and professional boundaries
• [13:39] — Handling massive deals and moving beyond “big numbers”
• [14:22] — Leadership under pressure, betrayal by team member
• [18:47] — Breaking point for professional relationships
• [21:19] — Addressing frenemy behavior (Jade)
• [23:54] — Will there be a Season 2?
• [24:40] — Dating in NYC versus LA
• [27:30] — The myth of “intimidated men”
• [31:56] — Fashion and TV image
• [34:09] — Eleonora’s real estate advice for beginners
• [37:47] — What happened to her on-show team

Episode Tone & Takeaways

The episode is marked by candid, empowering, and often humorous exchanges. Kat and Eleonora share a “real talk” approach, underlining resilience, integrity, and hard-earned self-respect amidst professional challenges and personal attacks. Eleonora stands as a role model for ambition, grace under fire, and unwavering authenticity.

Listeners—particularly women seeking to excel in competitive industries—will find Eleonora's resilience and practical guidance not just inspiring, but immediately actionable.

For more: Watch Selling the City on Netflix, follow Kat on the Loose, and keep an ear out for Eleonora Srugo’s forthcoming mentorship platform.