Sockjig Sneaker Podcast
By Sockjig
Sockjig Sneaker PodcastApr 23, 2024
Big in Japan: Sneaker and Clothes Shopping in Japan, Nike's Marketing and Innovation Problem - Episode 67
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
No Country For Old Heads - Episode 66
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
Tradeblock CEO and Cofounder Mbiyimoh Ghogomu - Episode 65
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
Lost Episode From 2017 - Episode 64
This is special episode of The Sockjig Sneaker Podcast. I found a pilot episode of a sneaker podcast that I originally recorded on November 30th, 2017. I thought it was lost media but I just found it, cleaned it up and publishing for the first time ever. So let's go back to Nov 2017 when Nike Off White The Ten had just dropped, we used to cop Yeezys from EU sites in the middle of the night. A time many look back on now as a golden age.
Timestamps
00:00 2024 Intro
01:15 What is a Sockjig?
02:36 2017 Sneaker Boom
05:11 Rundown
05:40 Nike Off-White The Ten Drop
11:40 Sean Wotherspoon: Need Supply Virginia Drop
15:11 Nike 2017 Year in Review
20:39 Nike Collaborators
20:43 Acronym
21:08 Tom Sachs
22:12 Vlone
23:07 PSNY
23:28 Travis Scott
24:05 Jordan Brand
25:55 New Balance
26:43 Fear of God
27:20 Big Baller Brand
27:30 Yeezys
31:17 adidas Ultraboost
33:23 Pharrell and 4D
33:46 4D
34:15 Outro
Support the show! Buy socks at https://shop.sockjig.com/
2023 Year in Sneakers - Episode 63
In this episode I discuss bold predictions for sneakers in 2024:
Send me your 2024 Bold Predictions. Click Send a voice message button here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sockjig
I also discuss the recent raid at the Project Blitz warehouse, the Stanley Cups hype and what's important about the Kith Loyalty program. I also look at the Nike and Tiger Woods split and why Nike is letting legends walk. I think talk about the challenges in digital media with recent layoffs at Sports Illustrated, Pitchfork and of course Buzzfeed being broke and content creation in this era.
I also talk about my personal goals with content creation and have a retrospective on the podcast, creating best of the year and worst of the year lists. And finally talk about my personal year in sneakers: favourite pickups, misses, regrets and shoes I sold.
The Best Sneakers of 2023 - 64 Tournament Bracket
https://www.sockjig.com/bestof2023/
Top 20 Worst of the Year in the World of Sneakers
https://twitter.com/sockjig/status/1744190809581494595
Timestamps
00:00 - Cold Open
00:19 - Intro
03:00 - On Feet / Pickups / Skips
04:43 - Bold Predictions For 2024
10:05 - Project Blitz Warehouse Raided
13:14 - Stanley Cup Hype
17:59 - Kith Loyalty Program
27:30 - Nike and Tiger Woods: Being the Big Dog
34:43 - Aside: Getting Paid More for Cartoon Dunk Concept Photoshops Than Working at Nike
36:22 - Digital Media and Buzzfeed's Debt Problem
45:16 - Content Creation as an Independant Content Creator
56:27 - Podcast Retrospective
01:05:53 - Sneaker of the Year Lists
01:09:42 - Personal Year in Sneakers
01:22:24 - Worst Of The Year In Sneakers List
01:29:05 - Outro
Support the show! Buy socks at https://shop.sockjig.com/
Disruptive Sneaker Marketing and The Collaborator Playbook - Episode 62
In this episode, we look into the disruptive marketing campaigns of Anthony Edwards AE1 and the Travis Scott Cactus Mac sneakers. We also talk about the playbook for collaborators with both new collaborator JaeTips, and contrast that with established collaborator Jerry Lorenzo and his new Fear of God x adidas collection. But before that, I talk a little bit about sneaker of the year bracket tournament, the sneaker community, perception, validation and people wanting to be the Sneaker Mayor. And I once again have to address my enemies. Also, BridgeGPT sits in with me for the entire episode as a sidekick. Loaded show! There’s lots insights and analysis and unhinged content that you’ll only get from this show, so I hope you enjoy.
Timestamps
0:00 - Cold Open: Twix Size
00:04 - Intro
05:08 - On Feet
06:34 - Pickups
10:45 - Skips
12:27 - Misses
13:01 - Sneaker of the Year Tournament
15:40 - Meet The Sneaker Mayor
20:39 - Sockjig Addresses His Enemies Part II
30:44 - BridgetGPT Gives Content Suggestions
32:46 - AE1 and Cactus Mac Disruptive Sneaker Marketing
44:29 - JaeTips and The Playbook for New Collaborators
58:49 - Jerry the Visionary: Fear of God x adidas
01:13:32 - Outro
Lois Sakany, Snobette Co-Founder and Wall Street Sneaker Analyst - Episode 61
In this episode we welcome Lois Sakany, a Wall Street sneaker analyst and co-founder of women's streetwear blog, Snobette. We discuss the current challenges faced by big brands like Nike and Adidas, the state of women's streetwear. Lois offers an insightful analysis of the impact of marketing, design, and distribution on a brand's success. We also discuss Lois attending ComplexCon, what people are wearing in Erewhon, and the impressive rise of Emily Oberg's Sporty and Rich brand.
Timestamps
0:00 - Cold Open
00:12 - Intro
02:39 - Interview with Lois Sakany
03:22 - James Whitner and The Foundation
11:41 - Attending ComplexCon
16:19 - Sneakers at Erewhon
23:39 - Sneaker Analyst for Wall Street
33:04 - What's Next for adidas and Nike?
47:33 - Snobette and Women's Streetwear
Lois Sakany
James Whitner's Backdoor Sneaker Ring Busted - Episode 60
In this episode, we delve into the current money laundering allegations against James Whitner of the Whitaker Group, owner of Social Status and A Ma Maniere. The podcast breaks down the possible scheme which allegedly involved selling Nike product to a Chinese buyer, with proceeds said to have been laundered and traced back to Whitner. We explore a possible timeline of events from 2017 to 2022, examine key players involved, and touch on the court documents. We also delve into past backdoor allegations against Whitner and also his growing influence at Nike and the uncertainty of his future in light of the scandal. Amidst all these revelations, we are reminded that allegations remain allegations until proven guilty in a court of law.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Cold Open
04:12 - The Major Players
08:28 - The Scheme
14:00 - Axe to Fall: A Timeline
17:46 - Backdoor Allegations over the Years
19:56 - Influence at Jordan Brand
21:34 - What's Next
29:54 - Outro
The Future of Sneaker Retail - Episode 59
In this episode, I take a deep-dive look into the future of sneaker retail amid the generational shift in what we buy, and the technological changes happening everyday. I look into recent store closures, the decline of big box retailers and malls and contemplate the long-term future of retail. Finally, I examine what retailers need to do to save brick-and-mortar retail, and what Nike can do to help going forward. I also talk about Kanye story in NYT, CPFM Flea 2, and Complex cancelling shows.
Sockjig Socks in Elachi Green available now at shop.sockjig.com
Timestamps
00:00 - George Cold Open
00:20 - Intro
01:45 - Sockjig Socks Available Now
03:58 - Pickups, Skips, Misses
06:34 - Kanye NYT Story
11:17 - CPFM Flea 2
23:28 - Complex and the Future of Digital Media
31:34 - The Future of Sneaker Retail
36:32 - Sneaker Retail Closures
40:13 - History of Retail
41:32 - Classic Retail Model
44:23 - Generations
47:45 - The Decline of Retailers
54:00 - Current State of Sneaker Retail
59:44 - Sneaker Brands and DTC
1:02:48 - Everything Online
1:07:39 - How to Save Retail
1:23:49 - What Nike Can Do To Help
1:29:23 - Summary
Books
Retail Therapy by Mark Pilkington
The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket by Benjamin Lorr
Links
Kith Toronto - Episode 58
In this episode, I recap my trip to Kith Toronto opening night party and the store open and talk about why I was there, how I got invited, and the people I met. I also talk about the Born x Raised Dunk SB drop.
Timestamps
00:00 - Sneak Peek
00:06 - Intro
00:58 - On Feet
01:12 - Pickups
03:24 - Misses
04:20 - Nike dotSwoosh TINAJ
08:17 - Born x Raised Release
21:09 - Kith Toronto
Stolen Sneakers, Fake Sneakers, Backdoored Sneakers - Episode 57
In this episode I talk about early pairs and if they're stolen, fake, or backdoored. I also talk about Kool Kiy, Nightwing's fake apology to me, Tremaine leaving Supreme, and debut a new segment called Size 13 Takes.
Timestamps
00:00 - Funkmaster Flex Cold Open
02:30 - On Feet
03:22 - Pickups / Skips / Misses
11:56 - Size 13 Takes
14:03 - Nike v. Kool Kiy Lawsuit Update
19:43 - Fake Apologies
33:47 - Tremaine Leaves Supreme
39:50 - Fake Sneakers
44:40 - Stolen Sneakers
48:43 - Backdoored Sneakers
The Hater's Guide to StockX - Episode 56
What's there to hate about StockX? Let me count the ways. This is The Hater's Guide to StockX
Timestamps
00:00 - Cold Open - The Unofficial and Probably Incorrect Story of the Founding of StockX
04:55 - Intro
07:04 - Disclaimer
08:44 - What’s Good About StockX?
11:23 - Authentication
23:36 - Nike NFT Lawsuit
26:52 - Fakes on StockX
31:52 - Rapid Fire
34:13 - Voice Messages
38:56 - Buying on StockX
44:30 - Selling on StockX
52:36 - Customer Service
58:12 - Tech Fuck-ups
01:00:38 - Too Stupid or Too Cheap
01:03:26 - How StockX Has Changed Sneaker Culture Forever
01:06:49 - StockX is Spirit Airlines
Joe Freshgoods - Episode 55
A conversation with designer, Creative Director, and entrepreneur Joe Freshgoods. We talk about his approach to creating sneakers and storytelling. We talk about the business side of collabs, and also detail what happened with adidas. Finally we talk about how Joe handles drops, both in person and online. It's a very candid and in depth conversation with Joe. He shares a lot of exclusive details, and doesn't generally do very many long form interviews, so check it out.
https://twitter.com/JoeFreshgoods
https://www.instagram.com/JoeFreshgoods
Timestamps
00:00 - Intro
04:23 - Conversation with Joe Freshgoods
06:22 - Adidas
18:54 - Sneakers and Storytelling
46:02 - Drops
52:46 - Online Drops
59:53 - Chicago
01:02:45 - Outro
The Little Moments - Episode 54
In this episode, I talk about Spider-Man Jordan 1s, Jarritos SB Dunk, Yeezys returning, and shoot down the Travis SB Dunk rumour. There's also a sock drop in this episode if you're interested. The main topic is about advice I'd give to someone in their early 20s about getting into sneakers, but without the cliches.
Timestamps
00:00 - Cold Open: Tony Soprano
00:26 - Intro
03:31 - Sock Drop
04:33 - On Feet
06:05 - Pickups and Skips
09:32 - JaeTips Saucony
10:15 - Spider-Man Jordan 1
12:38 - Jarritos Dunk SB
15:24 - Yeezys Return
22:28 - Travis SB Restock Rumour
32:35 - Nike Business Insider Story
38:38 - The Sneakers are Dead Crowd
40:29 - GNR and Nirvana Tangent
44:43 - Life Advice for New Sneakerhads
47:22 - The War Against Embarrassment
48:18 - You Don't Need to Know the History of Every Good Shoe
52:31 - Skip All the Oldhead Silhouettes
53:22 - The Limits to Nostalgia
54:38 - If Weren't There You Weren't There
55:51 - Respect
57:56 - Sneaker Collection
01:00:07 - The Importance of Memory
01:02:18 - Outro
If you liked this episode you may also like semi related Episode 39 - Sneaker Taste
JerLisa Nicole - Episode 53
In this episode I welcome my guest, creative director, stylist, and all around blueprint JerLisa Nicole. You may have seen her work on Twitter including the Black History Month Kicks of the Day hashtag. We talk about that as well as her Sneaker Hunting show that was on Sole Collector, being outspoken and passionate and how that can hurt your bookings in the sneaker industry. We also talk about representation and women in sneakers. And throughout the interview I read aloud some of her memorable tweets to her, which was a lot of fun.
JerLisa Nicole
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JerLisa_Nicole
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerlisa_nicole/
Timestamps
00:00 - Intro
02:11 - Interview
01:21:09 Outro
How Generative AI Could Disrupt the Sneaker Industry - Episode 52
In this episode, I look at how generative artificial intelligence like ChatGPT could affect sneaker brands, sneaker media, content creators, resellers and sneakerheads. I look into all of the problems and issues that could arise because of the rise of Generative AI. BridgetGPT, the first sneaker AI also returns. In sneaker news, I give my thoughts on FOG adidas and the Union Jordan 1 Footscape, Nigo and Nike, botched SNKRS apps drops, and a lot more.
Timestamps
00:00 - Cold Open
00:26 - Intro
02:00 - OG Sockjig Sock Drop
02:52 - On Feet / Pickups
04:55 - Misses
06:28 - Skips
10:17 - Upcoming Drops
10:53 - Corrections and Updates
13:54 - Joe Grondin to ALD
15:56 - Fear of God Adidas Unveiled
19:55 - SNKRS App Botched Drops
27:22 - Nigo Air
29:26 - Union Jordan 1 Footscape
31:37 - YCMC Closing
33:22 - AIR Movie
34:57 - BridgetGPT Returns
39:17 - How Generative AI Could Disrupt the Sneaker Industry
46:24 - Sneaker Brands
51:31 - How AI Could Improve Customer Service
52:49 - Generative AI and Sneaker Media
54:34 - Generative AI and Content Creators
57:50 - Generative AI and Sneakerheads
59:34 - Generative AI and Resellers
01:00:25 Issues
Delicate Genius - Episode 51
In this episode, I talk about Tom Sachs running an art gitmo, Jerry Lorenzo and adidas, and tell the story about how I got the scoop on the reseller who got 38 pairs of fake Jordan 1s from StockX and gave a deposition in the Nike vs StockX court case. Plus a lot more!
Timestamps
00:00 - Action Bronson Cold Open
00:11 - Intro
01:05 - Limited Socks Restock
02:12 - On Feet
03:03 - Pickups
06:38 - Skips
09:30 - Misses
11:54 - StockX 38 Pairs Scoop
21:16 - Mac Attacks
23:10 - Joe Grondin Leaves New Balance
24:18 - adidas and Beyonce Split
24:46 - Kanye Watches 21 Jump Street
26:44 - Jerry Lorenzo is a Delicate Genius
31:34 - Tom Sachs is a Delicate Genius
The State of the Sneaker Game 2023 - Episode 50
A look at brands, collaborators, retailers, resell, sneaker media, trends and overall thoughts on the state of the sneaker game in 2023.
Timestamps
00:00 - Cold Open: Just a Game
00:27 - Intro
04:10 - Opening Remarks
09:49 - The Economy and Middle Class Sneakers
13:59 - State of Collabs
18:30 - Nike
21:17 - Jordan Brand
23:25 - Nike SB
24:45 - Adidas
28:31 - Yeezys
35:24 - New Balance
38:10 - Other Brands
41:26 - Retailers
45:40 - Reselling
49:37 - Sneaker Influencers
51:09 - Sneaker Youtubers 360 Deal with Complex
57:05 - Sneaker Media
01:00:51 - TikTok / Instagram Reels
01:01:56 - Twitter
01:02:52 - Final Thoughts
Episode 49: BridgetGPT The Sneaker AI
In this episode, I debut a conversation with BridgetGPT, the first Sneaker AI. Other topics include retconning the Union 1 AJKO, Sneaker Leaker Wars, the MSCHF red boots and what it takes to build an audience, Joshua Vides and what it takes to burn bridges. I also talk about Tiffany AF1s, how consignment as a concept is not advisable in a slow market, and close it out with my thoughts on how Nike is explaining why they didn't sue Bape earlier. A jam packed episode, all killer no filler!
Timestamps
00:00 - Cold Open - Those are IOUs
00:44 - Intro
05:12 - On Feet / Pickups / Misses / Skips
07:35 - BridgetGPT the Sneaker AI
12:06 - JA1 Designed by Ben Nethongkome
12:46 - Panda Jordan 1
13:53 - Teddy New Balance that look like ASICS
15:08 - Adidas Losing Money
18:07 - Product That Doesn't Make Sense for North America
19:27 - Quoted in Business Insider
20:44 - Union AJKO Retcon
24:48 - Sneaker Leaker Wars
26:42 - Brand Rollouts and Leaks
30:12 - MSCHF Astro Boy Boots
35:38 - Burning Bridges: Joshua Vides Calls Out Nike
41:17 - DotSwoosh Ecosystem
44:14 - Tiffany AF1s
52:44 - Consignment as a Concept
57:16 - Banned LA
01:01:06 - Nike Suing Bape
01:07:16 - Outro
Episode 48: Jean-Michel Lemieux, ex-CTO of Shopify
In this episode, I speak with Jean-Michel Lemieux, aka @jmwind, ex-CTO of Shopify who helped usher in the modern era sneaker drops and anti-bot protection. We talk about what it took landing Supreme as a customer and how it required a complete rewrite of the checkout flow. We also discuss the early days of anti-bot protection and how it evolved, including his relationship with Sneaker Twitter and bot developers. We also discuss Shopify as a platform and what makes it into the core platform and what does not and why. Plus a lot more!
Timestamps
00:00 - Cold Open: Stephen A
00:22 - Intro
03:18 - Sock Drop
04:29 - Interview
08:58 - Landing Supreme as a Shopify Customer
15:16 - Rebuilding Checkout
26:54 - Early Days of Anti-Bot Protection
33:09 - Dealing with Botched Drops
39:19 - Why is anti-bot only a Shopify Plus feature?
43:08 - Raffles
49:29 - Sneaker Twitter Ombudsman
01:03:16 - Zadeh Kicks
01:05:21 - Ticketmaster
01:07:48 - Outro
Episode 47: Nonchalant
In this episode I talk about feedback from last episode and some podcast goals for the new year. I talk about some of the results from the Sneaker of the Year Bracket as well as some of my favs of 2022. Other topics include:
- Selling Mystery Boxes to Kids
- Knockoff Brands are at it again
- Shopify Moves to Supreme
- Round 2 closing and how they had pioneered the consignment shop formula that others are now using
- SNKRS AF1 poll and how there’s no easy way right now to make content about sneaker history
Timestamps
00:00 Cold Open: Very Nonchalant
00:17 Intro
03:09 On Feet
03:20 Pickups
06:06 Skips
07:35 Upcoming Releases
09:19 Union AJKO Jordan 1 Low
10:36 Union Jordan 1 High Footscape
12:10 Feedback from Last Episode
18:49 Podcast Goals
23:48 Sneaker of the Year Bracket Summary
27:56 My Best of 2022
31:33 Selling Mystery Boxes to Kids
36:06 Knockoff Brands
40:15 Shopify Moves to Supreme
51:25 Round Two and The Consignment Shop Formula
56:07 No Country For Oldheads: Monetizing Sneaker History
01:03:18 Outro
Episode 46: Sockjig Addresses His Enemies
In this episode, I recap recent A Ma Maniere 4, Concepts Lobster Dunk, and Lost and Found 1 drops. I also cover Amex re-charging Zadeh Kicks customers, Fear of God and adidas status, the impact of OBJ's lawsuit against Nike on future athlete deals. Finally, I breakdown what I heard a certain sneaker entertainment conglomerate thinks about me and respond. Enjoy!
00:00 Cold Open
00:18 Intro
02:29 Birthday
03:37 Sockjig Socks Available Now
04:50 Episode Rundown
08:06 A Ma Maniere Jordan 4 Release Recap
10:13 Cncpts Lobster Dunk Release Recap
19:09 Lost and Found Jordan 1 Release Recap
25:45 American Express Re-charging Zadeh Kicks Customers
28:04 Fear of God and adidas
32:29 OBJ vs Nike Lawsuit
32:44 Shoe Surgeon
33:51 Kool Kiy
34:42 Nike Doesn't Want You If You're Not At The Top
36:18 Kyrie
40:32 Sockjig Addresses His Enemies
56:02 Outro
Episode 45: Finding Early Sneaker Images with Guest @brandon1an
In this episode we talk with @brandon1an about finding early sneaker images from Nike and other retailers. The most well known leak was when he found images of the Kobe 6 Mambacita from a retailer and Vanessa Bryant saw them and was upset about it and called the sneakers unauthorized. We talk about that incident, getting credit from sneaker blogs, being a cookgroup admin, goals in the sneaker space, and sneaker of the year lists.
Follow Brandon at:
https://twitter.com/brandon1an
https://www.instagram.com/brandon1an/
Timestamps
00:00 - Cold Open: Bazookas
00:11 - Intro
02:09 - Interview
02:57 - How Do You Pronounce @brandon1an?
03:45 - Finding Early Sneaker Images
10:02 - Getting Credit From Sneaker Blogs
14:00 - Leaking Nike Info
17:41 - Kobe 6 Mambacita Controversy
29:01 - Life of a Cookgroup Discord Admin
36:54 - Twitter Beefs
45:13 - Making it Sustainable
49:24 - CPFM Flea 1 Interlude
51:11 - Sneaker of the Year
01:04:22 - Outro
Follow me at
Episode 44: Trash Takes With @GawdofFrames
In this episode, I talk trash takes with @GawdofFrames of Loose Laces sneaker podcast. We talk about AMM4 video submission raffle, StockX replacing the word Authentic with Verified, Twitter chaos, and I ask for his takes on fashion brands, sneaker oldheads, adidas and Kanye.
https://twitter.com/GawdofFrames
https://www.instagram.com/frame_gawd
Loose Laces podcast: https://linktr.ee/looselacespod
Timestamps
00:00 - Cold Open: Big Gulps
00:08 - Intro
02:04 - @GawdofFrames
03:18 - Zadeh Kicks
07:55 - AMM4 Video Submission Raffle
22:17 - StockX Verified
26:49 - Twitter Chaos
29:51 - Selling Frames
35:56 - Fashion and Retros
41:05 - Sneaker Podcasting
48:07 - Sneaker Oldheads
59:21 - Adidas
62:48 - Kanye is a Walking Hiroshima
66:59 - LV AF1 Drop
72:08 - Outro
Episode 43: End of a Sneaker Era
In this episode, I cover Lost and Found 1s being backdoored and their plummeting resell price, more fallout from Kanye West deal and it's short term and long term effects on the industry. I also give my thoughts on the state of collaborators and sneaker storytelling, how we're at the end of a sneaker era, but a dawning of a new one. A shit ton of topics, so hope you enjoy.
Timestamps
00:00 - Cold Open: Takeoff
00:10 - Intro
04:22 - On Feet / Pickups / Misses
09:00 - Trophy Room 7s
11:42 - Sneaker Guys of the Week
14:18 - Lost and Found 1 Backdoor and Plummeting Resell Price
21:24 - Mandatory Kanye West Segment
21:54 - Kanye on Lex Fridman Podcast
26:01 - Sockjig, Media Man
27:35 - Short Term and Long Term Effects of Dead Yeezy Deal
34:49 - Sneaker Tech Startups
37:24 - Sneaker Equality
45:47 - Sneaker Storytelling and One or Two Hit Wonders
56:06 - End of a Sneaker Era
Episode 42: Ye Must Be Stopped Again
Emergency pod about adidas terminating their partnership with Kanye West.
Timestamps
00:00 - Apu Cold Open
00:02 - Intro
03:13 - adidas Deal Under Review
11:42 - Tremaine Emory
13:18 - adidas Deal Terminated
16:31 - Conspiracy Theory
20:43 - Calls
22:26 - What's Next for Resell
25:33 - What's Next for adidas
27:23 - Jerry Lorenzo
30:01 - Can Ye Come Back From This?
31:24 - Outro
Episode 40: Burnt Loops
In this episode I talk about my reselling days, and recent changes at Goat that basically killed it. I also look into the whims of Ye and what would happen if he took Yeezy independent, if he can ever be happy and who he'd blame when there's no one else to blame. I cover lots of other recent sneaker topics as well.
Timestamps
00:00 - Cold Open: Delicate Genius
00:27 - Intro
03:04 - On Feet / Pickups / Skips / Misses
07:55 - Lebron 20
10:36 - John Geiger Beat the Case
12:13 - Wingstop's Lemon Pepper 1s Fake Contest
13:43 - Why Shopify is Not Handing Over Zadeh Customer Data
16:30 - PayPal Not Refunding Zadeh Customers
18:03 - Private Selection Orange Lobsters
20:46 - Russ Bengston Threads
26:05 - My Reselling Days
31:58 - Goat Storage Loop
34:15 - Goat Changes Burnt the Loop
38:15 - Kanye and Adidas and Gap
51:32 - Non Sneaker Related: Album of the Week
Episode 39: Sneaker Taste
An in depth look into how we develop our taste in sneakers, why we like what we like, how do we know what's good, how are we influenced, and how our tastes change.
Adapted from the book You May Also Like: Taste in an Age of Endless Choice by Tom Vanderbilt https://www.amazon.com/You-May-Also-Like-Endless/dp/0307948595
Timestamps
00:00 - Cold Open: High Fidelity
00:13 - Intro
02:04 - Sneaker Taste Intro
06:52 - Why Do We Like What We Like
29:45 - How Do We Know What We Like?
37:02 - New vs Familiar
42:19 - Conformity vs Distinction
46:11 - Sneaker Reviews
49:51 - Influencers and Experts
57:39 - How and Why Tastes Change
61:56 - Conclusion
Episode 38: Victory Lap
In this episode I talk about how I broke news stories, how I was right on Chicago 1 story, Zadeh Kicks being a Ponzi all along and take a victory lap. More topics as well:
Timestamps
00:00 - Cold Open: Vending Machines
00:07 - Intro
02:35 - The Game Is The Game Sock Drop
03:41 - On Feet / Pickups / Skips / Misses
06:53 - Breaking the Ann Freeman Story
12:21 - Backdooring and Losing Nike Accounts
19:34 - Mom and Pops Shops Died for Lost and Found 1s
27:41 - Fake Sneakers Thats That Shit I Don't Like
31:23 - Kanye and Adidas
34:48 - Zadeh Kicks Ponzi Finally Charged
39:05 - Original Content in the Age of Engagement Farming
43:16 - Outro
Episode 37: The Hater's Guide to Sneakers Vol. 1: ALD, New Balance and Supreme
The Hater's Guide to Sneakers Vol. 1: ALD, New Balance and Supreme
Timestamps
00:00 - Silky Johnson Cold Open
00:17 - Intro
01:58 - On Feet / Pickups / Skips
04:18 - Haters Guide Disclaimer
07:35 - Aime Leon Dore
17:39 - Calls
20:17 - Bonus mini Kith hating
22:25 - New Balance
30:04 - Calls
31:57 - Supreme
39:10 - Outro
Episode 36: Sneakers in a Recession
In this episode I talk about sneakers in a recession, New Balance fakes, Louis Vuitton VIPs spending $1mil a year to get access to AF1s is probably bullshit, and a lot more.
Timestamps
00:00 - Costanza Cold Open
00:12 - Intro
04:54 - On Feet / Pickups / Skips and Misses
09:18 - Why is the Stussy AF1 Mid Fossil under retail?
10:55 - StockX Authentication
12:40 - New Balance fakes on StockX and Goat, allegedly
19:52 - Onyx 350 and "Don't sleep on a black 350"
21:51 - Kith app and raffle
25:58 - Louis Vuitton VIPs spending $1mil a year is probably bullshit
29:45 - What Kanye wants from adidas and the adilette 22
37:52 - Sneakers in a recession
Episode 35: Misery Business - Zadeh Kicks Update, Tom Sachs GPS, StockX, Bot Instances and more
In this episode, I talk about recent releases, my thoughts on some upcoming drops, StockX defending their authentication program, Adidas suing Nike over patents, and bot instances issue. For the main topic I give an update on Zadeh Kicks and some analysis on why it was a Ponzi scheme (allegedly), why it collapsed, the effect it's had on resell, winners and losers, and finally some cold hard lessons learned from all this. Oh there's also socks. Fun show, thanks for listening!
Timestamps
00:00 - Dr. Umar dunks in the cold open
00:14 - Intro
04:28 - Mr. Brightside Socks
07:08 - Sneaker Guy of the Week
08:28 - On Feet / Pickups / Skips / Misses
17:16 - Tom Sachs General Purpose Shoe
23:37 - Upcoming Releases
32:27 - News: StockX, Adidas Sues Nike, Bot Instances
40:18 - Zadeh Kicks update
61:46 - Outro
Episode 34: Zadeh Kicks Rugged
Emergency podcast episode that covers the Zadeh Kicks rug pull.
Timestamps
00:00 - The Office Cold Open
00:19 - Intro
03:26 - What Happened?
05:37 - Will I Get My Sneakers? (No)
06:25 - Will I Get My Money Back? (Maybe)
09:59 - Listener Calls
11:26 - What Should I Do? (File a Claim)
16:59 - TBlake Calls In
19:39 - More Listener Calls
25:58 - Outro
Links
Recorded Twitter Space: https://twitter.com/SwiftCop/status/1529286777042784257
Zadeh Relief Group Discord: https://discord.com/invite/ttPsCfQkgN
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sockjig
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sockjig/
Episode 33: Guest SneakerPhetish
In this episode I have a conversation with special guest Kari aka SneakerPhetish. We discuss sneaker influencers, brand campaigns, and content platforms. We also discuss being on Sneaker Twitter and having various feuds and haters, the current state of Sneaker YouTube, and a lot more.
Timestamps
00:00 - RICO on Bot Devs
00:20 - Open
00:46 - JFG
03:28 - Conversation with Kari aka SneakerPhetish
51:53 - Outro
@SneakerPhetish
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SneakerPhetish
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sneakerphetish/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/sneakerphetish
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sockjig
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sockjig/
Episode 32: Nike vs StockX
In this episode, I talk about the huge news of Nike updating their lawsuit against StockX to include claims of counterfeiting. I'll cover how Nike got fakes from StockX, how the public views StockX, how each company handles fakes as well as my thoughts on why Nike did this and how it could all backfire on them. Plus there's calls from listeners and a lot more, enjoy!
Timestamps
00:00 - Moneyjig Cold Open
00:17 - Intro
02:07 - Timeline of Events: Nike Escalates Feud with StockX
03:24 - A Sidebar on Stolen Tweets
08:32 - StockX Response to Nike
11:38 - Wingstop 1s
14:54 - Listener Calls
16:23 - How Did Nike Get Fakes From StockX?
21:13 - How StockX is Viewed by Customers and Resellers
27:52 - Listener Call
29:12 - My Thoughts
33:07 - Listener Calls
35:20 - What If… Thought Experiments
41:54 - Outro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sockjig
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sockjig/
Episode 31: Gatekeeping the Gatekeepers
In this episode, I talk about the fallout from Trophy Room backdooring back in the news. I talk about Complex's editorial coverage of it and I gatekeep the gatekeepers. I also talk about the Kobe 6 and the dilemma of the hype charity sneaker. I talk about some recent Nike lawsuits, which leads to talking about how the era of big name sneaker designers at Nike seems to be over.
Timestamps
00:00 - Sneaker Night in Canada Cold Open
00:39 - Intro
03:32 - On Feet / Pickups / Skips / Misses
06:28 - Trophy Room Fallout
13:21 - Gatekeeping the Gatekeepers
22:25 - Kobe 6 Mambacita and the Dilemma of Hype Charity Sneakers
31:43 - Vans vs MSCHF
35:05 - La La Land and Geiger
38:52 - The Era of Big Name Nike Sneaker Designers is Over
52:35 - Outro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sockjig
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sockjig/
Episode 30: Union Jordan 2, Is Sneaker Culture Trash and Are Sneakers Over? Sneaker Power Rankings Spring 2022 and more
In this episode, I talk about Union Jordan 2 drop, Nike's childish vision of futuristic digital sneakers, DJ Khaled, and my response to recent talk that sneaker culture is trash and the bubble is going to pop soon. I also update the Sneaker Power Rankings for Spring 2022.
Timestamps
00:00 - Cold Open: Pumpkin Escobar buying an NFT
00:27 - Intro
02:09 - Sock Drop
03:19 - On Feet / Pickups / Skips / Misses
11:20 - Sneaker Guy of the Week
12:22 - Union Jordan 2 Drop Recap
22:04 - Nike x RTFKT Dogshit Digital Sneakers
24:45 - DJ Khaled x Jordans
27:51 - Is Sneaker Culture Trash and Are Sneakers Over?
34:58 - Sneaker Therapy
40:40 - Sneaker Power Rankings Spring 2022
49:48 - Outro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sockjig
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sockjig/
Episode 29: Sneaker Conspiracy Theories
In this episode, I break down all the sneaker conspiracy theories involving brands, retailers, and StockX and Goat. I also try to explain how and the why of Zadeh Kicks. The truth is out there!
Timestamps
00:00 - Milhouse Cold Open
00:37 - Coast to Coast Intro
05:14 - On Feet, Pickups, Skips, Misses
11:09 - Conspiracy Theories and The Known Unknown
14:01 - Hot Takes
15:57 - Things We Know
21:53 - I Don't Know, But Someone Does and The Ain't Tellin'
23:20 - Early Pairs on Goat
25:29 - Goat and JJJJound
30:48 - Things That We Know We Don't Know, You Know
33:44 - Nike
36:48 - Goat and Footlocker
38:02 - StockX
42:43 - Unknown Unknowns
43:38 - Zadeh Kicks
58:48 - Outro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sockjig
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sockjig/
Episode 28: The State of the Sneaker Game 2022
A look at brands, collaborators, retailers, resell, sneaker blogs, trends and overall thoughts on the current state of the sneaker game in 2022.
Timestamps
00:00 - Al Bundy Cold Open
00:48 - Intro
02:13 - Brands and the state of collabs
09:22 - New Balance
14:34 - Reebok, Asics, Vans
17:11 - New Brands
19:08 - Puma: a comprehensive look
19:37 - Adidas
24:22 - Yeezy
27:58 - Nike
33:00 - Nike Lawsuits
39:49 - SNKRS App
44:15 - Retailers
45:57 - Boutiques
47:59 - Shopify
52:00 - Resell Will Never Die
57:12 - NFTs and Sneakers
1:01:54 - SneakerFiles
1:06:09 - Complex
1:11:17 - Socks
1:12:34 - Kirk Hammett on Trends
1:14:34 - End of an Era
1:17:07 - Final Thoughts
1:24:28 - Outro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sockjig
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sockjig/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBW7LDXLiYb0xvFZvls1NQw
Episode 27: Guest LA Three
In this episode I have a conversation with special guest LA Three (@LA3Life). We discuss being on Sneaker Twitter, getting early info, Adidas Wave Runners, the state of Nike collabs, the current state of resell, and a lot more.
Timestamps
00:00 - Randy Orton Cold Open
00:36 - Intro
01:16 - Guest LA Three
56:42 - Outro
https://twitter.com/La3Life
---
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sockjig
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sockjig/
Episode 26: Losing My Edge
In this episode I talk about StockX NFTs and Louis Vuitton x Off White Nike Air Force 1s and Grails. I also discuss my personal Top 10 Sneakers of 2021, state of the pod, and some thoughts on the first step in reducing your sneaker collection.
Timestamps
00:00 - Cold Open: Bodega Boys
00:17 - Intro
01:41 - Pickups
03:13 - State of the Podcast
09:53 - My Top Ten Sneakers of 2021
19:20 - Grails and Paying the Mental Tax
23:58 - Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1s
29:30 - StockX NFTs
44:21 - Reducing Your Sneaker Collection
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sockjig
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sockjig/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBW7LDXLiYb0xvFZvls1NQw
Episode 25: Put On
In this episode I talk about the loss of Virgil Abloh, Ricky Burgstrom, aka BurgersKicks. I also discuss adidas and Nike's recent moves into NFTs and how they related to world of sneakers. Finally I go over the results The Best Sneakers of 2021 64 Sneaker Tournament that I held on Twitter recently.
Timestamps
00:00 - Cold Open BurgersKicks
00:33 - Intro
04:39 - On Feet / Pickups / Skips / Misses
07:57 - Virgil Abloh, BurgersKicks and the Dark Horse
16:57 - NFTs and Sneakers
25:51 - The Best Sneakers of 2021 64 Sneaker Tournament Bracket Analysis
37:32 - Outro
Links
Generate your own Best Sneakers of 2021 Bracket: https://www.sockjig.com/bestof2021/
Final bracket based on voting: https://twitter.com/sockjig/status/1471997639184945152
Converge - Dark Horse on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY_L13vHLuo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sockjig
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sockjig/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBW7LDXLiYb0xvFZvls1NQw
Episode 24: Sneaker Power Rankings
In this episode, I talk about Off White Jordan 2 Drop, Yeezy Supply drops, the Astroworld tragedy and the postponed Nike x Travis Air Max 1 drop, and a list of the sneaker silhouette power rankings for 2021.
00:00 - Cold Open Ye's 80 Accounts
00:12 - Intro
02:59 - Pickups / On Feet / Skips & Misses
04:59 - Sneaker Guy of the Week
05:37 - Off White Jordan 2 Drop
12:10 - Yeezy Supply SMS Verification Drop
17:31 - Astroworld Tragedy and Travis Scott Sneaker Drop
28:02 - Sneaker Power Rankings
45:00 - Outro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sockjig
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sockjig/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBW7LDXLiYb0xvFZvls1NQw
Episode 23: Redefining Scarcity
In this episode, I go through recent Complex and New York Times articles and give my thoughts on what they got right, what they got wrong, and what they left out.
00:00 - Cold Open: Fat Joe
00:12 - Intro
04:19 - On Feet, Pickups, Skips
07:25 - Annotating Complex article about the future of SNKRS
25:27 - Annotating New York Times article about retails, bots, and bot mitigation
Articles:
Complex: https://www.complex.com/sneakers/nike-snkrs-app-data-losing-customers
NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/10/15/style/sneaker-bots.html
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sockjig
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sockjig/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBW7LDXLiYb0xvFZvls1NQw
Episode 22: Mr. Brightside
In this episode: the debut of podcast Mr. Brightside, the Sneaker Pain Rankings, Nike lawsuits, Gatekeeping, Fakes, and more.
00:00 - Cold Open: Norm MacDonald
00:20 - Intro
02:41 - On Feet, Pickups, Misses
10:12 - Nike Lawsuits, CCS, Wawa, Geiger
14:58 - Gatekeeping
18:15 - Fakes
22:25 - Mr. Brightside for Your Worst Sneaker Ls
37:04 - Sneaker Pain Rankings
47:28 - Outro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sockjig
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sockjig/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBW7LDXLiYb0xvFZvls1NQw
Episode 21: Ain't It Fun, Raffles and Raffle Bots
I talk about raffles, how raffles are filtered, raffle bots, entitlement and fun. I also talk about sneaker content creators and validation from sneaker publications, recent releases like the Off White Dunks, Yeezy Day, JoeFreshGoods New Balance, plus Sneaker Guy of the Week returns.
00:00 - Cold Open: Mantan Moreland
00:48 - Intro
03:08 - On Feet and Pickups
07:12 - Validation From Sneaker Publications
15:16 - Sneaker Guy of the Week
16:30 - Off White Dunk 50 Release
17:51 - Yeezy Day
18:50 - JoeFreshGoods New Balance Release
22:21 - Why is Everything a Raffle Now
26:34 - Raffle Formula
29:26 - Raffle Bots
32:34 - The Story of a Drop
35:13 - Ain’t It Fun
40:05 - Outro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sockjig
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sockjig/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBW7LDXLiYb0xvFZvls1NQw
Episode 20: Saving Sneaker Culture
I talk about my history with a certain VC funded cookgroup, that shall not be named so I'll call them the Sneaker Buying Country Club, and how it started with me helping them out, and ended with them blocking me.
00:00 - Cold Open: You Want a Piece of Me?
00:14 - Intro
02:06 - On Feet, Misses, Pickups
05:34 - Sneaker Buying Country Club
37:58 - Outro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sockjig
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sockjig/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBW7LDXLiYb0xvFZvls1NQw
Episode 19: Tyler Blake
I talk with Tyler Blake aka TBlake. We talk about his time on YouTube and why he's not on there as much, working at Cncpts and scaling up ecommerce, cookgroups, Sole Savy, his new group In This Economy, and a lot more.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sockjig
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sockjig
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBW7LDXLiYb0xvFZvls1NQw
Episode 18: Take Quake
This episode is about only the hottest sneaker takes. It’s a take quake. I asked for your hot takes and listeners heeded the call. No bullshit just the hottest takes, Richter scale madness.
00:00 - Sneakers and Money Apology Cold Open
00:51 - Intro
02:26 - Pickups and On Feet
03:51 - Sockjig's News and Views
05:32 - Caller Take Quake Part 1
05:51 - Call: Impressing Men Over Making Money
06:23 - Call: Binary Sizing
10:44 - Call: Affiliate Link Boys
12:25 - My Take Quake - Clown Shoes
13:54 - SNKRS Grail Tales
15:19 - Trend Hopping with Daniel Arsham
18:26 - Off White Played Out
20:08 - Caller Take Quake Part 2
20:35 - Call: You Like AJ1s Because of Kanye
22:46 - Call: Ooping a Friend Who Resells It
24:33 - Call: Nike Oversupply
26:54 - Call: Nike Undersupply, So People Resorting to Fakes
32:30 - Outro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sockjig
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sockjig/
Episode 17: Getting Over
In this episode I talk about how resellers, stores, and influencers try to get over, or get popular.
00:00 - Ric Flair Cold Open
00:20 - Intro
03:42 - On Feet and Pickups
06:26 - Resellers Talking To The Press
12:58 - The One Thing in Common With All Hall of Fame Drops
21:07 - How to Get Over as a Sneaker Influencer
28:14 - Influencers and Access
31:55 - Sockfluence: My Level of Washed
41:16 - When You Believe