SneakerDads

Dan, the co-owner of Laylow Brewery, joins the podcast to talk about creating beer, music, gear, and a unique meeting place along with connections in the community. He lets us in on what’s next for Laylow, including what’s brewing, talks about his family roots, being a dad, and of course, what’s on feet. Host: Jon Ratner @headzaintredee jratner@gmail.com @sneakerdads Beats: Chili Banks

Gerry joins the podcast to talk about his family roots at @burdeenschicago and how the community has become an important part of the store. He discusses everything from collaborations and battermen, to baseball loyalty and sneakers, and everything in between. Host: Jon Ratner @headzaintredee @sneakerdads Beats: Chili Banks

Alex Wong @stevenlebron joins the podcast to talk about his sneaker and vintage t-shirt collections, indirect route to a successful journalism career, media fits, hip hop concerts, and much more. He also discusses his book – a must read for Toronto Raptors supporters, NBA fans and anyone who loves the city – Prehistoric: The Audacious and Improbable Origin Story of the Toronto Raptors. Host: Jon Ratner @headzaintredee @sneakerdads Beats: Chili Banks

Russ Bengtson @russbengtson has a long resume in sneaker journalism and collecting, and he still remembers visiting Supreme five times in one week back in 2002 until he got a pair of Nike SB Dunk Low Black Cements. He’s still got the box and receipt, but doesn’t want to talk about what they’re worth. On the latest episode of SneakerDads, Russ shares stories about the boxes of samples sent from Nike, discusses why you don’t need to own every sneaker that releases, talks about his book: A History of Basketball in Fifteen Sneakers, and much more. Host: Jon Ratner @headzaintredee @sneakerdads Beats: Chili Banks

Teddy King @djteddyking has been active in the New York streetwear and music scenes for decades, from Boundless NY back in the day to Home Game New York today. He shares some of his many experiences since first visiting the city as a teenager, and discovering brands like Supreme and Zoo York. Whether it was selling records to the likes of Biz Markie and DJ Premier, throwing parties and making gear with legendary brands, or bringing Japanese streetwear and New Era fitteds to America, Teddy has a long resume and is still doing it today. Host: Jon Ratner @headzaintredee @sneakerdads Beats: Chili Banks

@Yesus199 and @Laniveli from @TheOffTheDomePod join SneakerDads to talk sneakers, fitted hats and their intersection. They discuss the state of the game, their journeys, favourite caps and kicks, memorable moments along the way, and participate in the pod’s first-ever Rapid Fire question round. Host: Jon Ratner @headzaintredee @sneakerdads Beats: Chili Banks

The widely-respected co-founder of @WearTesters and @sinceapparel joins the podcast to discuss everything from sneakers in the collection that are falling apart, to his most memorable projects. Chris shares stories you’ve probably never heard about some of your favourite basketball sneakers, as well as unique perspectives on the state of the game. His YouTube channel has more than 2,600 videos and more than 800,000 subscribers – a loyal audience that has good reason to keep coming back given Chris’ expertise in sneaker performance and technology, experience in the industry, and honest opinions. Host: Jon Ratner @headzaintredee @sneakerdads Beats: Chili Banks

Leon Chen @honourablemenchen @leoninthelab has been in the fitted hat game for a long time, and his design expertise and encyclopedia-like knowledge has earned him respect from all corners of the community. He’s also a sneaker collector, who shares his favourites along with opinions about the similarities between the hat and shoe markets. Leon also talks about his work with @theviewsfromthevault and his brand @thecapologists, as well as the importance of New York, shipping to Canada, trends in the market, and much more. Host: Jon Ratner @headzaintredee @sneakerdads Beats: Chili Banks

From a small event at a nightclub in 2014, to large conventions across the country, Dalton @yongejaffy and his team have built @soleexchangecanada into an important part of the sneaker community. Jaffy talks about his personal history in sneakers, the ups and downs of putting on shows, the state of the game today, and a lot more. Host: Jon Ratner @headzaintredee @sneakerdads Beats: Chili Banks

Jamie Paige @jamiepaige collected sneakers as a kid in North Carolina, but it was his willingness to take risks that allowed him to make a career out of his passion. He talks about his work at Kith and Nike, the Air Max line in Europe, people that helped him along the way, the journey to Portland, his collecting habits, some favourite pairs, family life, and much more. Host: Jon Ratner jratner@gmail.com @headzaintredee @sneakerdads Beats: Chili Banks

Matt Tomamichel, the owner of @corporategotem, talks about Cincinnati and the Midwest sneaker market, his history in retail, a massive sneaker collection, being an entrepreneur, fitted hats, and his community work with @biggerthansneakers. Host: Jon Ratner jratner@gmail.com @headzaintredee @sneakerdads Beats: Chili Banks

C.J. Miles aka @masfresco talks about his time in the NBA, sneakers on and off court, the league today, podcasting, family, music and more. Host: Jon Ratner jratner@gmail.com @headzaintredee @sneakerdads Beats: Chili Banks

The podcast is back for Year 3, and so is music and sneaker legend Bobbito Garcia aka @KoolBobLove Host: Jon Ratner jratner@gmail.com @headzaintredee @sneakerdads Beats: Chili Banks

It’s been 100 episodes since Jaron from @parlor23 and @parlor23.kids was the first guest on the podcast. He has a lot more to talk about, including a close call with some Freddy Krueger Dunks, and the process behind many of the shop’s parlor23.com great projects and collaborations. With a lot of experience in both collecting and retail, Jaron shares his views on the sneaker market, what he’s been buying, and what’s in his son’s rotation. He also sheds some light on his extensive collection of kids sneakers, and much more. Host: Jon Ratner jratner@gmail.com @headzaintredee @sneakerdads SneakerDads.com Beats: Chili Banks

MichaelDSK aka @sneakershigh – the creative behind @slanghere – has decades of experience in the sneaker, clothing and design industries. On the latest episode of SneakerDads, he talks about how a failed sneaker hunt turned into a massive merchandising come up that changed his perspective. He also discusses the integration of his interests in sneakers, clothing and more with his career, bringing his collections to the community, the scene in Montreal, and creative pursuits with his son. Host: Jon Ratner jratner@gmail.com @headzaintredee @sneakerdads SneakerDads.com Beats: Chili Banks

Nacho from @NachoAverageFinds and the Sneaker Enthusiasts podcast has been collecting sneakers for more than 20 years – from Reebok Pumps to Nike Cortez back in the day, to shopping in his own stacks and hunting for deals today. Nacho talks about the evolution of his YouTube channel with his brother, the importance of creating an online archive of sneaker history, the changing sneaker culture, and building a Facebook community. He also shares some of his most memorable come-ups at Ross or Marshall’s, what he’s hunting for these days, and much more. Host: Jon Ratner jratner@gmail.com @headzaintredee @sneakerdads SneakerDads.com Beats: Chili Banks

Jalani @jalanimorgan is a Toronto-based photographer who shares his perspectives on art and sneakers, how collaborations promote new ideas, and being an uncle of a dynamic kid. Jalani also talks about when photography switched from a hobby to a serious pursuit, his love of sneakers and fitted hats, his experiences and goals working with the Toronto Blue Jays, what he and the players are rocking on and off field, his role as Photo Director of @westendphoenix, and much more. Host: Jon Ratner jratner@gmail.com @headzaintredee @sneakerdads SneakerDads.com Beats: Chili Banks

Los @los_ortiz from @8point5agency has deep roots in the culture, whether it was buying AM90 Infareds as a kid, breakdancing in high school, clipping The Source magazine, or taking trips to New York City. These days, he runs his own agency 8point5.ca, keeps a close eye on the changing retail landscape, finds time to get outside to exercise, and discovers and shares great places to eat. He talks about all this, as well as his approach to keeping the sneaker rotation fresh, roots in retail, classic sneakers and more recent models, favourite brands, supporting local, and much more. Host: Jon Ratner jratner@gmail.com @headzaintredee @sneakerdads SneakerDads.com Beats: Chili Banks

Matt aka @hutch2303 has been passionate about sneakers since high school, but it was a trip to Chicago to visit his aunt and uncle at a much younger age, when it all started with a pair of original Black Cement 3s. Hutch tells the story of acquiring that pair and others important to him, discusses idolizing Michael Jordan, shares what’s in his rotation of older Air Jordans, and talks about his preferences when it comes to restoration. He also tells us about the shoe he bought the day he proposed to his wife, and what pair she lined up for while pregnant, remembers memorable trades, provides some advice, and much more. Host: Jon Ratner jratner@gmail.com @headzaintredee @sneakerdads SneakerDads.com Beats: Chili Banks

Son of the host Cal makes his return to the podcast for this special Father's Day edition of SneakerDads. We talk about his current rotation, basketball, the new @Styll.ca x @SneakerDads father-son hat collection, and much more. We also play some trivia for a pair of sneakers, and go on a shopping spree in dad’s sneaker room. Host: Jon Ratner jratner@gmail.com @headzaintredee @sneakerdads SneakerDads.com Beats: Chili Banks