Interviewer: You work in luxury real estate in the DMV, and you've also launched the Quiet Lux Life™ podcast. What made you decide to launch a podcast?
Catherine Moji Renner: In a nutshell, working in luxury real estate, in the DMV, brings me in contact with some very intriguing people. I am a people-person and I'm genuinely interested in people who are doing interesting things. So naturally, having a podcast is an authentic reason for me to have a conversation with them - about them. They usually have a captivating story!
Actually, I would have loved to do this ages-ago because I worked on a TV show in New York, called "In The Black" which was a business show and I really enjoyed interviewing people in various industries. But back then you couldn't just launch your own show on TV or traditional media. We didn't have independent media platforms like we have today. Now that we have platforms like YouTube and Spotify, I have the opportunity to do so.
Interviewer: The show is built around "the conversation". What types of conversations do you want to have, and how would you hope your audience describes them?
Catherine Moji Renner: Meaningful, inspiring, encouraging, and educational are a few words I'd hope my audience might use to describe them.
Interviewer: In an era where so much is about loud branding, why did you choose the words Quiet Lux Life for your podcast?
Catherine Moji Renner: Yes, there is a great deal of loud noise out there especially across social media but most people know the difference between substance and nonsense. Whether it's said loudly or quietly. I've used the words quiet lux life to emphasize that sentiment. Our philosophy is about being intentionally understated. Our target audience appreciates quality over quantity, so I believe the title will resonate with them.
Interviewer: What do you want listeners to take away from each episode of the Quiet Lux Life podcast?
Catherine Moji Renner: I want them to feel inspired and encouraged to have goals and achieve their goals. The podcast is my way of supporting the arts, culture and commerce through conversations with creative people, artists, and extraordinary entrepreneurs, who are quietly making things happen. They are people whose stories will inspire and motivate others. It is especially important for me to turn a spotlight on these people at a time when funding is being withdrawn from the arts and culture, from creative endeavors, and from entrepreneurial pursuits. So now more than ever, we must continue uplifting, supporting and helping one another to keep pushing.
Interviewer: You are also a Sotheby's International Realty advisor. How does hosting the Quiet Lux Life podcast tie in with that and the Sotheby's brand?
Catherine Moji Renner: Sotheby's International Realty isn't just a real estate brand. Its roots are actually in the London auction house, which began in 1744. The story of Sotheby's is itself inspirational. The company grew from humble beginnings - selling books, which were highly valued at the time and they expanded into auctioning furnishings from English county estates. Fast-forward, they became synonymous with auctioning fine arts and antiquities, fine jewelry and wines, internationally. Today, they also dominate the global real estate market. Sotheby’s is a luxury-lifestyle brand with over 80 offices worldwide and sales in excess of 7 billion. Yet not everyone knows of Sotheby's. It’s a relatively quiet brand but one that in my opinion, speaks to discreetly preserving cultural heritage and quality. The QLL podcast reflects a similar philosophy. Our audience is interested in the arts, culture, heritage, and commerce so our conversations cover topics such as fine art, photography, architecture, design, lifestyles, food and wines, and of course, real estate!
Interviewer: You've chosen to make the Washington, DC area your home for a long time. What is your perspective on real estate, arts, culture, and lifestyle there?
Catherine Moji Renner: Washington DC is the nation's capital so needless to say it has tons of museums, galleries, historic buildings and monuments. Besides the inescapable political vibe, it's also a very international city with highly educated, accomplished and prosperous people, which keep the real estate market and everything else very expensive and competitive. But it’s actually a great place to live, work and play. It is very green and especially picturesque along the Potomac River. I like that you can enjoy the outdoors most of the year. And I don't think there is any kind of restaurant or cuisine you can't find in the DMV. I have also lived in London, Lagos, New York, Miami and spent time with family in Tokyo and Hong Kong so I've experienced life on four continents. I think the fact that I've chosen to live here for as long as I have, and make it “my home”, says everything!