SneakerDads

Dante Ross is a Grammy-winning music producer, legendary A&R rep, author, occasional DJ and long-time sneaker collector. He has a wealth of knowledge about the industry and an unbelievable number of remarkable stories. That includes the tale of Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s album cover shoot, shopping for sneakers with rappers, and all the music he heard growing up in New York City. Guest: @danterossHost: Jon Ratner @headzaintredeeBeats: Chili Banks

Chef Craig Wong is always cooking something up, whether it’s at his renowned Asian-Caribbean restaurant in downtown Toronto – Patois, in his home kitchen, overseas, online or on TV. The longtime sneaker collector, whose culinary experience took him across France and Europe and then back to his hometown of Toronto, talks about finding his path, parenting, shoes and hats, journeys overseas, his new role as a judge on MasterChef Canada, his newer restaurant – AYLA, and the home of community pop-ups and unbelievable patties – JunePlum.Guest @craigwongHost @headzaintredeeBeats by Cal

Part 2 with Toronto’s own Des Hill and Daymon Green, whose stories reflect their deep roots and impact in the city, country and beyond. How did their sneaker releases go down back in the day? How did they create so many opportunities for themselves? What were their most memorable projects? What do they have in the storage unit? Guests: @community54 @slowpoke_tvHost: @headzaintredeeBeats: Cal

Part 1 of a conversation with Toronto’s own Des Hill and Daymon Green. Their stories reflect deep roots and impact in the city, Canada, the U.S. and beyond. They share tales of famous visitors to the shop, styling well-known artists, learning business on the fly, and of course, sneakers. Behind the legendary Lounge, Community 54, a wide range of music and fashion work, and everything in between, they continue to push the culture forward today with events, streetwear and other projects. Guests: @community54 @slowpoke_tvHost: @headzaintredeeBeats: Cal

Josh, the co-founder of Toronto-based vintage retailer In Vintage We Trust, makes his much-anticipated return to the podcast to talk about recent purchases, what’s happening in the shop, and trends in vintage sneakers and clothing. He shares great stories from back in the day, spills the beans on what he’s constantly searching for online, recounts some memorable road trips with co-owner and partner Chantal, and much more. Guest: @invtgwetrustHost: @headzaintredeeBeats: Cal

Jelani returns to the podcast and he’s digging deep with Air Max Month in full swing. This long-time hat and sneaker collector picks through the stacks, talks OGs and sole swaps, shares buying and selling stories, considers the state of his collection, sheds light on the current environment, and much more.Guest: @laniveli @theoffthedomepodHost: @headzaintredeeBeats: Cal

Barry describes his sneaker collection as "old heat," but that understates what he has in the stash, and he is very much still in the game. On this episode, Barry shares stories about road trips south of the border for big releases, working with the Toronto Raptors, maneuvering in the retail world, his love of game-worn jerseys and other memorabilia, and much more.Guest: @bearoger_Host: @headzaintredee

A conversation about footwear, clothes, current trends and the future with Faraz @laced_heat, Christian @flippin.laces, Josh @joshuabryanscott and Jon @headzaintredee

Sean Go returns to the podcast to discuss Miles Nadal’s ‘Dare to Dream’ car and sneaker collection, and the massive auction. Sean shares stories and insights from his role curating the collection of more than 800 pairs, which includes Michael Jordan’s signed 1985 Air Jordan 1s, the Nike Moon Shoes, Travis Scott ‘Friends and Family’ Air Jordans, and many more. Host: Jon Ratner @headzaintredee jratner@gmail.com @sneakerdads Beats: Chili Banks

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