Sockjig Sneaker Podcast

In this episode, I talk about how a there's a shift happening in companies where they are focusing more and more on the affluent portion of their customer base. There's been a cultural shift in recent years and now it's happening in many industries, including sneakers.I also cover the Tom Sachs Mars Yard release and how Sachs may have used his bullying superpowers on Nike. Plus a ton more:00:00 - Cold Open00:13 - Intro03:18 - On Feet: Jordan 1 Lows03:54 - Pickups: CPFM Swamp Sponge Gold04:51 - CPFM Sneakers: Wear Right Away05:15 - Pickups: Adidas x Brain Dead x Brody King06:35 - Skips: Paying Resell for Undefeated 4s07:19 - Supreme Dunk SBs: Too Many Generic Collabs Lately08:26 - HAL Studios / HSDT and an Unnecessary Rebrand10:01 - Ja 3 for the Children11:15 - Yu-Gi-Oh Air Max 95: Not Available For Preorder12:55 - Tomo Asics Gel Cumulus 16: Adult Men Made a Sneaker About Mood Rings15:28 - Vans Souvenirs a Future GR?16:27 - Grazie: Vans x Mattias Gollin17:52 - SoleFly Jordan 3: Rollout of the Year?21:19 - Costco Kirkland Dunk SB and the Rise of Dad Culture24:53 - Nike Settles Lawsuit with StockX, No Longer Cares About Authentication26:09  - Nike Suing Retailers Over Unpaid Bills28:22 - Market Has No Aura So Chinatown Market Wants Its Name Back30:47 - Ann Freeman Named President of Foot Locker North America34:53 - GOAT Shutting Down Facilities in UK and Asia: US De Minimus to Blame37:26 - Tom Sachs Used His Bullying Superpowers on Nike49:51 - Sachs on Complex and the Loser Shoe52:38 - SSense Files For Bankruptcy Protection55:37 - The End of Big Multi-Brand Retail is Looming56:55 - Give People a Reason to Visit Your Store58:31 - Brands with Two Tiers of Customers 1:01:30 - A Shift to the Affluent in Many Industries1:02:39 - Riyadh Season1:04:43 - Nike Shifting to a Two Tier System1:05:27 - GR Sneaker of the Year Will Always be an Affordable Sneaker1:07:26 - Who are Nike's Affluent Customers? Runners and Sneakerheads1:10:11 - A Bespoke Only Nike 21 Mercer Would Do Well Today1:12:02 - A Shift in CultureAlso available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gPakEPG-JggCover art originally by Jeffrey Deitch, digitally altered by me for entertainment purposes only.

In this episode, I recap the recent Undefeated 4 that heavily featured EQL. I also recap the Awake 5 release and talk through some of the conspiracy theories about numbered pairs and backdooring. I also do a deep dive into the Anatomy of a Sneaker Scam using the recent Awake 5 FNF link scam as the example. Finally I discuss my part in a heated Twitter Space about this scam. Timestamps00:00 - Intro04:31 - On Feet05:38 - Pickups: None, Misses: A Lot09:28 - Recent Releases09:41 - Vans Stimmy10:43 - Cheap YZY Slides11:35 - Delta Airlines AF112:43 - Air Max 100014:03 - Upcoming Releases: Kith x adidas x Clarks14:48 - Yu-Gi-Oh! Air Max 95, a Worthwhile Collab16:31 - JaeTips x StockX Popup18:59 - Tom Sachs and the Aesthetics of Discipline23:22 - Undefeated 4 Release Recap35:11 - What if a Canadian Got Scammed for an Awake 5 FNF Link?37:32 - Awake Jordan 5 Release40:54 - Anatomy of a Sneaker Scam41:41 - The Setup47:09 - The Bait48:27 - The Hook52:54 - The Aftermath54:50 - Twitter Spaces01:11:54 - Statement from Sneaker Phetish Kari01:16:09 - Outro

In this episode, I talk about if the Tom Sachs Mars Yard 3.0 in-app challenge release was made exclusively for the unemployed. I also talk a lot about recent sneaker releases and give an update on 2JsKicks having champagne wishes and caviar dreams at Nobu. I also warn sneakerheads to be wary whenever a company declares itself a “sneaker culture company”. Finally I talk about some recent sneaker content creator blues, and if you’ve been providing enough value for the brands lately (no, you have not, straighten up will ya). A lot of show, a lot of fun, all killer, no filler!New socks are also available in very limited quantities: https://shop.sockjig.com/Timestamps00:00 Intro02:41 New Sockjig Socks Available Now04:17 On Feet: Off White Presto05:32 Pickups: adidas Orion Terry Fox 45th Anniversary07:23 Patta Air Max 90 Waves07:44 JJJJound Asics Gel Quantum 36008:20 JJJJound Puma Mostro09:07 AMM AF1 & AM9510:48 Levi's Air Max 95s Release Recap14:13 Who Decides War Jordan Flight Court15:28 Air Jordan 4016:45 Paris Fashion Week: JFG 200017:16 Get Clint to Debut Your Sneaker17:39 Does a Kids of Immigrants FNF Sneaker Make Sense?19:30 Adidas Jellyfish20:52 Clipse Sambas23:13 Kith New Balance 204L23:50 Abc x Fantastic Four x Puma27:50 Premium Goods Air Max 1 for the NYC Mayor29:15 Tom Sachs is Keeping The Mars Yard Lore Intact37:47 TwoJsKicks Update40:11 Brendan Dunne to StockX47:41 Sneaker Content Creator Blues53:55 Outro

In this episode, I try and break down what’s going on at Urban Necessities with Two J's Kicks and Shoe Surgeon? Shoe Surgeon business entity owns Urban Necessities, and pushed Two J's out, but still has him on the hook for business and tax debts. Allegedly. How could have Two J's Kicks signed such a bad deal? What else could be going on? And how Nike settling their lawsuit with Shoe Surgeon Inc is probably a big driver of this all collapsing.I also discuss Brendan Dunne leaving Complex and how that affects Complex going forward. Finally I answer listener questions for the remainder of the show. There's a whole lot more, a fun show as always so check it out!Timestamps00:00 Intro01:41 On Feet and Pickups02:24 Skips and Misses04:21 Better Gift Shop DN806:39 Hali and SGA Signature Sneakers08:59 Sneaker 360 Deals09:27 Urban Necessities Allegedly on the Brink of Bankruptcy10:31 Nike Settles Lawsuit with Shoe Surgeon Inc  13:51 Did Shoe Surgeon Dom Sign a 360 Deal Too?14:28 TwoJ's Kicks Signed a 360 Deal21:26 Surgeon Inc Responds22:23 Missing Pieces of the Puzzle23:47 Sneaker Rashomon29:31 Brendan Dunne Leaving Complex34:15 Tokyo 5s Releasing, Then Not Releasing, Then Releasing39:32 Listener Questions40:59 Why Aren't New Balance GRs as Good Quality as Their Collabs?46:12 Size 13 Takes48:18 What Makes a Shoe, Sneaker of the Year51:47 What Sneaker Grew on You After Release?53:42 New Balance 906058:40 Good Time to Buy Nike Stock?59:53 What Are Some Collabs Kith Won't Do?01:01:43 Do You Follow Any Non Sneaker Booms?01:03:35 Sneaker Releases with Bad Timing01:05:10 Why Didn't the Coral Studios Air Max 95 Ever Drop?01:06:53 Interesting Sneaker Raffle Stories01:08:51 Resellers Are To Blame01:11:27 What do North American Sneakerheads Think of European Sneakerheads?01:14:39 Horse/Ducks Question01:15:46 Dream Guests01:17:45 Wrestling Sneaker Collabs01:19:11 Who Would You Smack in Sneakers?

In this episode, I cover Dick’s Sporting Goods acquiring Foot Locker and how mergers and acquisitions usually lead to layoffs at the loser company. I talk about why NYC is so important for any sneaker brand that wants to generate energy. I also ask questions of Nike delayed releases of A’Ja One signature sneaker and Tourmaline Rodeo Dunk SB and how they probably have very boring answers, or very interesting ones that we’ll never hear. I also ask if Grandmas have 4 couches and cover the final UnheardOf Grandma’s Couch release and give 7 Suggestions for Future Grandma Themed Collabs. Plus a ton more!Timestamps00:00 - Intro03:04 - On Feet03:51 - Pickups05:44 - Air Max 95 Reverse Neon07:24 - Rejuven8 4 U08:18 - Bred 11 Low09:14 - Travis Bright Cactus / Leche Blue11:04 - UNC AJ1 Reimagined12:31 - Only in NY: Corteiz Honey Black Release17:00 - A'Ja One and Nike Basketball Design Language19:51 - Why Was the Tourmaline Rodeo Dunk SB Delayed?23:01 - UnheardOf Oink Army and Grandma's Couch Release29:24 - Seven Suggestions for Future Grandma Themed Collabs32:13 - Dirty White AF1 Meme Sneakers36:26 - Early Photos of Undefeated 4s All Look Fake38:10 - Nike x Hyperice Hyperboot42:17 - "Made in the Same Factory Bro"44:26 - Bred 1 Restocks: The Quest For More Money45:20 - SNKRS Link47:26 - Sneaker AI Slop Era is Here49:00 - JFG Puts Over Sneaker Twitter in Complex Interview51:52 - Dick's Sporting Goods Acquires Foot Locker01:00:16 - Outro

In this episode I talk about how sneaker brands can get stale and what do they need to do to stay relevant in light of the lack of hype for recent A Ma Maniere releases, and even Bodega store closures. I also discuss how newer brands and releases must be more persona based in this day and age, particularly looking into UnheardOf's recent releases.I also discuss Zadeh Kicks Pleads Guilty, Nike News, What Happened to Air Max Day and why don’t they call it Air Max Day any more? I wonder if StockX Verified Seller program has a strike team auditing resellers. Plus a lot more!Timestamps00:00 Intro04:45 On Feet05:50 Pickups: Nigel Brick by Brick Jordan 410:04 Pickup: Kith 997.5 Easter11:20 Pickups: Kobe 6 Dodgers & Action Bronson 990v612:12 Misses: Jordan 4 SB Navy12:48 Recent Releases13:17 Supreme Air Max 113:52 Salehe NB 991v2 Grimace be the Shoe14:39 JaeTips Saucony Jazz 9 - I Love You But I'm Busy18:32 Unheardof Adidas Adistar Cushion 3 Piggy Runners20:32 Air Max 95 Neon22:00 A Ma Maniere Pack23:53 New Balance Spring Releases and Kith vs Packer 25:28 Zadeh Kicks Pleads Guilty29:07 Nike Earnings, DTC Shareholder Lawsuit 31:03 Tinker Got a Weird Case33:10 What Happened to Air Max Day?37:31 StockX Verified Seller Program47:12 Should Bodega Be Saved?54:25 Staying Relevant / Not Getting Stale58:08 Persona Based Brands59:51 UnheardOf Case Study

In this episode, I do a Top 10 Signs That Sneakers Are Back List. I also do release recaps of Bred 1 and Union Jordan 1 release. And cover sneaker news over the recent month. A fun show as always so check it out~!Timestamps00:00 Intro02:21 Skips: Haven Asics Gel Nimbus 10.103:01 Black Toe 1s and Sneakerhead Math04:38 Undefeated Spiridon Needs a Gimmick05:32 Air Max 1 Polly Adventure and the Triangle Stitching08:39 Misses: Kobes, Galaxy Foams11:19 Pickups: Black Metallic Jordan 5s12:17 JFG New Balance 992 Aged Well16:33 Bred 1 85 High20:39 Union Jordan 1 Chicago Shadow22:36 Yuto Dunk SB Matcha24:51 Recent Releases: Bred 1 85 Highs27:30 Union Jordan 1 Chicago Shadow Release39:45 News: Tom Sachs Put Some Pants On And Announced Mars Yard 3.043:36 A New Low For Kanye50:09 Nike Skims54:30 Kai Cennat gifts a Freddy Kreuger SB58:57 Travis Scott and WWE01:04:38 StockX Found Liable for Selling Counterfeits01:09:31 Sneakers and Tariffs01:16:40 Top 10 Signs That Sneakers Are Back

In this episode, we talk about the release of the Bred 1 85 High and if the marketing fit the low stock numbers and distribution. We talk about the community resentment and take a look at the 5 Stages of Sneakerhead Grief. Other topics covered include Corteiz’s design contest, sneaker retailers hurting and the recent fires in Los Angeles.  Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 06:48 - On Feet, Skips and Misses  09:53 - Corteiz Design Contest 15:24 - Sneaker Retail Hurting 19:48 - LA Fires 25:40 - 2025 Bred 1 Release 27:04 - Most Historically Accurate Jordan 1 Ever 29:06 - Ticketmaster Approach to Pricing 30:33 - Stock Numbers and White Glove Service 36:13 - Marketing Blitz 42:27 - 6 Year Cycles 44:21 - Disconnect / Resentment 45:41 - Everything Should Be a GR Opinion 48:08 - 5 Stages of Sneakerhead Grief

In this episode I talk about the making of sneaker of the year lists and the criticism they get and why I believe that anyone creating lists like this should embrace the debate. That leads to the main segment which is about how fandom is changing in sneakers and all other niches. I talk about how it's becoming more tribalistic and how that affects the state of criticism and feedback in this modern digital age. There's also a special announcement! Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 03:25 - On Feet 04:19 - Pickups 13:40 - Misses 15:07 - Skips 17:17 - James Whitner, Virgil Abloh and The Lore of a Swoosh on a Converse 19:00 - Embrace Debate: Making Sneaker of the Year Lists  28:45 - Fandom vs Tribalism in Sneakers

In this episode, I discuss my spat with the Editor in Chief of Complex, criticism vs hating, how past history affects harshness, the backlash, and a lot more. It's not intended as a rant, it's intended as a reflection. Also, Sneaker Guy of the Week returns, plus the debut of a new segment: We Are So Back / It's So Over. 00:00 - Intro 05:40 - Pickups 06:11 - Misses 07:33 - Skips 10:48 - Upcoming 13:06 - Sneaker Guy of the Week 15:05 - We Are So Back / It's So Over 22:21 - Sneaker of the Year Panels 25:41 - The Zone of Conflict of Interest 26:53 - Recap of What I Said Last Episode 29:56 - Whitaker Group x adidas official 34:17 - What Does an Editor in Chief Do? 38:10 - EIC Responds 41:11 - Looking For Clout 42:10 - Anonymous 47:35 - Journalism Skills 48:18 - Go Outside 48:54 - God Bless 53:40 - My Response 58:29 - Outro Cover includes artwork by Aldo Giorgini

In this episode we talk about James Whitner not getting charged by feds and apparently signing with adidas and speculate if his relationship with Nike and Jordan will continue. We also talk about the Nike CEO John Donahoe stepping down and who’s really to blame for Nike’s decline in these last 5 years. Some other topics, we talk about StockX sneakers available at Walmart, TwoJsKicks apparently out at Urban Necessities, customizers selling fakes, and Tom Sachs back at Nike. A lot of topics! If I had more time, I woulda made a shorter podcast. Timestamps 00:00 - Cold Open: Let the Blessings Come In 00:18 - Intro 02:10 - On Feet 02:30 - Pickups 05:26 - Skips 12:05 - EQL Feedback 15:31 - Influencer Era 20:18 - StockX Sneakers Available at Walmart 23:51 - TwoJsKicks Apparently Out At Urban Necessities 27:46 - JSM Customs Accused of Selling Fake Customs 39:03 - Tom Sachs Back at Nike 46:01 - James Whitner Gives Up Claim to $1.2 Mil  50:33 - Complex Interview 57:16 - Potential Adidas Deal 1:00:03 - Working With Multiple Brands 01:02:10 - Nike Relationship Over? 01:07:14 - Prosper Closing 01:08:27 - MJ and James Whitner 01:10:08 - Nike CEO Out 01:17:21 - Outro

In this episode I cover EQL's recent customer privacy incident in full detail and explain what happened, and why it shouldn't be considered as no big deal because incidents like this could potentially be company ending events. I also talk about Nike suing The Shoe Surgeon and how coverage of the story seems to be ignoring that he's being accused of mass producing counterfeit sneakers. Allegedly. Timestamps 00:00 - Cold Open 00:21 - Intro  02:38 - On Feet / Pickups 09:22 - Skips 12:57 - Upcoming 15:06 - Shoe Surgeon Sued By Nike 26:08 - EQL and Customer Data 29:22 - Disclaimers 33:17 - Kept The Same Energy 36:12 - Twitter Timeline of Events 46:46 - One Time Exception 51:38 - Tweets Deleted 53:45 - Blowback 57:16 - JBosston617's Side of the Story 01:00:52 - Morality and Companies 01:04:04 - Avoiding Company Ending Events 01:08:43 - Who's to Blame Buy socks at https://shop.sockjig.com/

The series concludes with a conversation with my friend Corey Whatever who runs the digital agency Whatever Industries that has worked with brands like Rhude, Fear of God, JJJJound on their sites and on their hyped sneaker collaborations. We talk about what happens on that side of the aisle during and after sneaker drops. You can find Corey Whatever at: https://whateverindustries.com/ Twitter: @corey_whatever Instagram: coreywhatever Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 06:41 - Corey Whatever 07:21 - Starting Point with Retailers 13:14 - Working with Converse on the Lost Daze Weapon Low FNF 20:27 - Part 2 Reaction 21:30 - Working with Shopify on Drops 25:17 - Collabs are Awesome for Brands 28:19 - Nina Chanel Abney Jordan 3 Drop 32:43 - When Things Go Wrong 40:31 - FNF 46:34 - Resellers Cause Havoc 55:17 - Have You Seen The Backdoor 57:56 - Getting New Brands To The Next Level Support the Jig, buy socks at https://shop.sockjig.com/

Premise You own a fictional skateshop in San Francisco called Ice Age Skate and you're getting 10k pairs of a Dunk SB to release in-store and online. Let's create a release strategy plan for a hype collab sneaker, and decide how we want to release in-store, to fnf/vip, and online. We'll also do some Backdoor Math and decide if that's an option we should explore. Finally we look at the logistics involved in warehousing and shipping 10k pairs. If you like the episode, consider buying some Sockjig Socks: https://shop.sockjig.com/ Timestamps 0:00 - Cold Open: Pump Up The Volume 0:35 - Intro 02:14 - Premise: You’re Getting 10k Pairs of a Hype Dunk SB to Release 04:16 - Why a Nike SB Dunk for the Collab? 06:55 - Think of it Like You're Planning a Wedding 07:35 - Start With Why 08:56 - The Business of Collabs 13:54 - Release Strategy 14:40 - Marketing Plan 17:29 - A Sidebar on Location Clearance 21:03 - In-Store Raffle 25:19 - FNF / VIP 27:08 - Online Drop or Raffle 30:32 - To Backdoor, or Not To Backdoor 34:00 - Option 1: 100% Retail, No Backdooring 34:53 - Option 2: 80% Retail, 20% Backdoored at $200 36:39 - Option 3: 80% Retail, 20% Backdoored at $300 37:08 - Option 4: 50% Retail, 50% Backdoored at $350 38:13 - Option 5: Full Trophy Room Mode 38:45 - Recap 40:51 - Final Stock Allocation 42:46 - Logistics Plan 46:21 - Shipping 10k Sneakers 48:57 - 3PL - Third Party Logistics 53:25 - Did Any Pairs Fall Off the Truck? 54:05 - Backdooring Logistics 55:10 - Drop Time 56:30 - Customer Service 58:21 - What If the Online Drop Didn't Go Well? 01:01:22 - Post Release

This is a special edition Sockjig x Loose Laces Crossover episode all about Nike re-releasing grails like Wu-Tang Clan Dunk Highs and potentially Undefeated Jordan 4s. Listen and Subscribe to Loose Laces Podcast Apple https://open.spotify.com/show/7irgYwZjswyrUFCBtdio4T Spotify https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/loose-laces/id1623728170 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@LooseLacesPod/ The Game Is The Game Socks available now at https://shop.sockjig.com/

This episode is about how to release a sneaker from a collaborator's point of view. I'll take a look at how they can create a release strategy that suits their needs. But first they need to know what are they trying to get out of a sneaker release and what are their core values. I also evaluate why sneaker releases are the way they are, taking a look at recent releases of Action Bronson, Nina Chanel Abney, and others. I'll answer why some choose raffle, or loyalty access or first-come first-served approach. Plus a lot more! Links New Socks Available Now! shop.sockjig.com MLB Article I'm quoted in: Instant classic? New Balance unveils Ohtani 1, Shohei's first signature cleat Sockilizer: The Raffle Simulator: https://www.sockjig.com/sockilizer/ Whatever Industries: https://whateverindustries.com/ Timestamps 0:00 Cold Open 00:12 Intro 01:25 Shohei Ohtani Article on MLB.com 04:42 How to Release a Collab Sneaker Series 07:07 On Feet  07:45 Pickups 12:09 Skips / Recent Releases 20:34 Misses 21:55 Don't Stop Disbelieving About Tomorrow 24:19 Skepta's Getting Royalties 27:59 Nike Stepping in the Drake v. Kendrick Beef 29:03 Kanye x Nike Not Happening 31:14 Kool Kiy Gets a Slap on the Wrist 33:28 Intro: UP NYC Lightning 17 Drop 38:35 How to Release A Collab Sneaker: Start With Why 41:26 The Why 48:11 The How: Designing a Release Strategy 54:11 Evaluating EQL  01:02:05 Rewarding Loyalty 01:04:35 The What: Did You Get it Right? 01:06:27 Post Mortem / Retrospective 01:09:50 JBalvin Release 01:10:29 Travis Scott Release 01:12:34 Action Bronson Release 01:14:30 Nina Chanel Jordan 3 01:17:29 HUF AM1 01:18:02 Outro

An in depth look at sneaker brands, collaborators, retailers, resell, sneaker media, trends and overall thoughts on the state of the sneaker game in 2024. Timestamps 00:00 - Entrance 02:01 - Intro 04:33 - Opening Remarks 15:49 - State of Sneaker Market 17:41 - The Rise of EQL 19:30 - State of Reselling: Resell is Dead, Long Live Resell 21:24 - State of Resell Apps 23:15 - State of Sneaker Media 34:27 - State of Sneaker Retailers 36:33 - Boutiques and the Loss of Targeted Facebook Ads 38:51 - Big Box Retailers 40:20 - PacSun Supporting Independent Streetwear Brands 41:09 - State of Signature Basketball Sneakers 44:18 - A'Ja Wilson and Nike Gaslighting 47:04 - Too Many Signature Shoes? 48:16 - One Release a Year 51:06 - AE1 and Being On Offence 53:56 - State of Nike 58:43 - Dylan Raasch Leaving Nike 1:02:40 - State of Jordan Brand 1:09:19 - State of Nike SB 1:11:16 - State of Adidas 1:13:20 - New Balance is a Family Biz 1:17:47 - Asics: Getting GRs Over 1:19:48 - Reebok and Authentic Brands Group 1:27:13 - Other Brands: Salomon, Saucony, Puma, Hoka, On, Crocs, Luxury, Independent Brands 1:31:59 - Outro https://shop.sockjig.com/

In this episode, I talk about Nike’s marketing and shitty products problem. I also talk about my trip to Japan, how Instagram is a key for vacation planning, what I wore and what Japanese were wearing. I also talk about shopping and a give a brief history Ginza, the birthplace of Japanese Fashion. Other topics include the Bode Astrograbber release and how Hidden NY has no point of view. Timestamps 00:00 - Newsradio Cold Open 00:21 - Intro 03:09 - Pickups / Skips / Misses 04:54 - Skips 06:35 - Misses 08:47 - Bode Astrograbbers 13:19 - Hidden NY Asics 20:42 - Nike and Goat 24:51 - Nike's Marketing and Shitty Products Problem 29:41 - Nike's AI Designed Sneakers 31:39 - Nike and MLB Fanatics Deal 33:35 - The Sword of Donahue 37:08 - Big in Japan 41:09 - Picking a Travel Sneaker 42:02 - Clothing for Japan 45:01 - Initial Thoughts in Japan 48:42 - Cash Money 49:42 - Language 50:51 - Food 54:12 - Transportation 57:07 - Sneakers Japanese Wear 59:52 - Clothing Japanese Wear 1:01:36 - Shopping 1:08:37 - Ginza and the History of Japanese Men's Fashion 1:15:19 - Closing Thoughts Buy Sockjig Socks https://shop.sockjig.com/

In this episode, I talk about Live Streaming and how future sneaker influencers will more likely emerge from this space. I also share my thoughts on all these overly dramatic takes about the Death of Sneaker Culture because Trump appeared up at SneakerCon. Plus a lot more! Timestamps 0:00 - Cold Open: Thurston Moore 02:51 - Pickups 04:17 - Skips 07:12 - Misses 08:56 - HartCopy adidas BW Army Release 13:14 - Wale Deserves More 16:36 - Nike Signs Kai Cennat 20:13 - Complex Sold to NTWRK App 25:14 - Future Sneaker Influencers and Livestreaming 27:27 - Trump at SneakerCon 40:01 - Shawn Stussy Says Sneaker Culture is Officially Over 49:09 - Outro

Episode 65 of the Sockjig Sneaker Podcast features an in-depth interview with Mbiyimoh Ghogomu, CEO and Co-founder of Tradeblock, a marketplace app for trading sneakers. Mbiyimoh discusses his personal journey from a sneaker-loving kid to a tech startup CEO, the inception and growth of Tradeblock, and the significance of running a Black-owned startup in the sneaker industry. We also talk about the challenges of having a startup that launched just before Covid-19, and also now the slowing sneaker economy. We also talk about what happened with the recent app UI changes and the strong customer feedback on those changes. Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 01:22 - Interview 07:18 - Becoming a Tech Cofounder 15:02 - Tech Startup During Covid 19:36 - Importance of Community 21:47 - Importance of Black Owned Startup in the Sneaker Industry 26:32 - Jason Mayden 33:10 - Tradeblock App 34:50 - Slowing Economy and Down Sneaker Market 39:58 - Recent Tradeblock UI Changes 48:42 - What's Next for Tradeblock 53:53 - Sneaker March Mania