Shoe-In

#449 The State of Sustainability and Innovation in the Footwear Industry Nov 04, 2024

Jason Robinson, CEO and founder of Evoco, and Liz Rogers, former VP of sustainable product at Nike, join us for a discussion on the transformation of the footwear industry as new innovative materials are finding their way into shoes. We cover the realities brands are facing with economic constraints on innovation, but the need to keep moving forward due to regulations. We also talk about sustainability strategy and consumer value as new bio-based materials are outperforming traditional materials.

With special guests:

Jason Robinson, CEO and founder of Evoco and Liz Rogers, former VP of sustainable product at Nike

Hosted by:

Andy Polk

#448 Surveying the Running Shoe Landscape With Matt Field of MakerSights Oct 28, 2024

In this week's Shoe-In Show Matt Field, Co-Founder and President of MakerSights, stops by to discuss realtime trends in the running shoe space with Matt Priest. Did you know 20% of runners laced up for the first time to run in the last six months? Fresh off the press is a critical market report from MakerSights unpacking the mind of the runner. Tune in to hear Matt's insights and access the MakerSights reports via the links below:

Links to Running Reports part 1-3 on MakerSights.com

1. Part 1: Understanding Runners 2. Part 2: Running Retail Behavior 3. Part 3: Running Sneaker Preferences

Matt's info:

• Email: Matt@MakerSights.com • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fieldmatthew/

With special guest:

Matt Field, Co-Founder and President, MakerSights

Hosted by:

Matt Priest

#447 Shoes for a Cure Charity Shoe Sale Is Here! Oct 21, 2024

It's Shoes for a Cure Charity Shoe Sale week in New York and Sandi and Matt are here to give you all the details you need to make a difference. Our goal is to raise $1M for critical breast cancer research and we need your help to make that happen. Go to shoesforacure.org or join us for the sale at Chelsea Market! Details below:

CHELSEA MARKET - 75 9TH AVENUE - NYC WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23 • 11 am – 6 pm THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24 • 11 am – 6 pm FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25 • 11 am – 6 pm SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26 • 11 am – 6 pm SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 • 11 am – 5 pm

With special guest:

Sandi Mines, Vice President, Corporate Engagement, FDRA

Hosted by:

Matt Priest

#446 3 Key Footwear Trends to Prepare Brands for 2025 Oct 14, 2024

Shikha Jain, Partner at Simon-Kucher, joins us to shed some light on footwear marketplace issues and consumer trends as we start to head into the holidays and 2025. She recently published a study showing shoe consumers have an increasing price sensitivity due to the current economic climate, leading to fewer and more budget-conscious purchases. We also discuss 2 other major trends that will impact brands in the coming months - making this a must listen episode!

With special guest:

Shikha Jain, Partner, Simon-Kucher

Hosted by:

Andy Polk

#445 The Story of Hoka’s Founding by the Man Who Created It Oct 07, 2024

We went back in our catalogue and found a gem featuring Jean-Luc Diard, founder of now mega-brand Hoka One One. Worth a listen again or for the first time - you'll learn a lot about innovation and hear the exclusive story behind how Hoka was created!

With special guest:

Jean-Luc Diard, Hoka/Deckers Brands

Hosted by:

Andy Polk and Matt Priest

#444 Shoeconomy Check-In With FDRA Chief Economist Gary Raines Sep 30, 2024

Matt and Andy welcome FDRA Chief Economist Gary Raines to Shoe-In to discuss the latest on the Shoeconomy. Gary breaks down the impact the Federal Reserve's recent rate cut will have on shoe companies and footwear consumers alike.

With special guest:

Gary Raines, Chief Economist, FDRA

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Andy Polk

#443 Understanding the Brazilian Footwear Opportunity Sep 23, 2024

In the latest episode of The Shoe-In Show, we explore the changing landscape of the Brazilian footwear industry. Our guests, Karin Becker and Christian Thomas from Pacto Calçadista in Brazil, share insights on how footwear trends are evolving. We discuss how Brazilian footwear companies are repositioning themselves, focusing on quality, innovative designs, and shorter lead times. This refreshing approach offers an alternative to Asian markets, presenting opportunities for American brands to co-develop with Brazilian companies. Tune in to learn about the untapped potential and advantages of sourcing from Brazil.

With special guests:

Karin Becker, Commercial Manager, Pacto Calçadista and Christian Thomas, CEO, Green Age ACT

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Andy Polk

#442 Presidential Debate Debrief With Team FDRA Sep 16, 2024

Matt, Andy, and Thomas unpack key takeaways from last week's presidential debate, particularly as it relates to trade and tariff policies. Listen in to get exclusive political insights from your resident footwear industry experts on the current dynamics of the race and any impacts the debate may (or may not have) had on voters.

With special guests:

Matt Priest, President & CEO, FDRA, Andy Polk, Senior Vice President, FDRA, and Thomas Crockett, Vice President, Government Affairs, FDRA

#441 A New Footwear Innovation Paradigm With Elias Stahl Sep 09, 2024

This week on Shoe-In, Matt and Thomas welcome footwear industry innovator Elias Stahl, CEO and cofounder of Hilos. Exploring his unconventional entrance into the industry via software and supply chain management, Elias reveals his vision for delivering on-demand, zero-waste footwear that both mitigates industry waste and reconnects us to craft. You'll also hear a discussion on how advancements in 3D printing offer a new competitive edge in producing high-quality, performance-driven footwear. Lastly, learn more about the amazing Made in Old Town initiative rising up in Portland as we speak.

With special guest:

Elias Stahl, CEO & Co-Founder, Hilos

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett

#440 Navigating Shoe Supply Chain Visibility and Forced Labor Compliance With LRQA Sep 02, 2024

On this special Labor Day edition of Shoe-In, JP Stevenson, Head of Market Development, EIQ at LRQA, joins Matt and Thomas to discuss all the latest trends around supply chain visibility and complying with emerging forced labor regulations. Listen in to discover insights from LRQA's comprehensive footwear factory audit data and steps global footwear brands are taking to ensure compliant supply chains and shoe factory operations.

With special guest:

JP Stevenson, Head of Market Development, EiQ, LRQA

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett

#439 Critical EU Marketplace and Ops Insights Aug 26, 2024

Straight from the Netherlands, Peter Erren joins us to share some of the challenges facing the EU marketplace today. We cover how brands and retailers are dealing with extending shipping timelines, and the mold issues it is causing, managing inventories and changing consumers. Peter shares some key insights on solutions provided by his company in mitigating quality issues and adapting to these changes. We also discuss new EU regulations which prohibit the destruction of unsold goods, urging companies to proactively adjust to these changes.

With special guest:

Peter Erren, Owner & Chief Product Saver, Erren Recondition

Hosted by:

Andy Polk and Matt Priest

#438 High Heels, High Comfort: A Medical Approach to Fashion With Fernando Pena of Julieta Barcelona Aug 19, 2024

This week on Shoe-In Show listen in as Dr. Fernando Pena, an orthopedic surgeon and co-founder of Julieta Barcelona, offers his unique approach to designing shoes. Arising from Fernando's wife's struggle to find fashionable yet comfortable shoes, this emerging shoe brand was founded to provide a pain-free option for fashionable and professional women. With Fernando's medical background he has a distinct understanding of foot mechanics crucial in designing truly comfortable shoes. His mantra, everyone deserves to walk pain-free, drives the brand's mission.

With special guest:

Dr. Fernando Pena, Co-Founder, Julieta Barcelona

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Sandi Mines

#437 Finding the Right Fit With Jones & Vining Aug 12, 2024

Footwear is a constant battle with consumer expectations around fit. Jones & Vining leaders join us to discuss the central role their company plays with both new and traditional footwear brands to perfect fit and comfort. They share how they are now leveraging consumer trends, and using new technology, to help brands at the start of the process and also in the factory.

With special guests:

Moon Tran, VN Country Manager, Jones & Vining and Tom Iredale, Sr. VP Sales & Marketing, Jones & Vining

Hosted by:

Andy Polk and Matt Priest

#436 Launching a Brand from the Ground Up With Jack Gindi Aug 05, 2024

In this episode of the world's leading shoe industry podcast, Matt and Sandi welcome Jack Gindi, CEO of Ground Up International. Jack shares his journey from retail to the dress shirt industry, eventually entering footwear through a resort-focused line of flip-flop sandals. Discussing the opportunities and challenges he's faced, Jack emphasizes the importance of innovation, product exclusivity, and understanding consumers' needs as they partner with some of the biggest names in entertainment and pop culture. Tune in to learn more about Jack's unique business model and how they are reshaping the footwear industry one pair at a time.

And make sure you hit up Ground Up by visiting groundupshop.com.

With special guest:

Jack Gindi, CEO, Ground Up International

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Sandi Mines

#435 Realtime Footwear Politics Check-in With Matt, Andy, and Thomas Jul 29, 2024

In this week's Shoe-In Show, you'll hear realtime analysis surrounding the historic nature of this year's presidential race and its impact on the footwear industry. Discussing the changing landscape of the presidential race, the impact on Congress, and what this means for the industry, our analysts Matt Priest, Andy Polk, and Thomas Crockett present a fresh perspective on the rapidly evolving political environment. Tune in to hear analysis you won't get anywhere else...we promise.

With special guests:

Matt Priest, President & CEO, FDRA and Thomas Crockett, Vice President, FDRA

Hosted by:

Andy Polk, Senior Vice President, FDRA

#434 Decoding Consumer Behavior With First Insight's Greg Petro Jul 22, 2024

What's influencing consumer behavior in the age of inflation? Matt and Sandi welcome economic thought leader Greg Petro to help unpack all the latest footwear consumer and costing trends. As CEO of First Insight, Greg provides analysis around shifts in consumer attitudes, the resilience of footwear companies responding to said attitudes, and his expectations for the economy heading into 2025. Access these valuable insights and more by listening to this timely episode of Shoe-In.

With special guest:

Greg Petro, CEO, First Insight, Inc

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Sandi Mines

#433 The Current State of Shoe Sustainability & Evolving Strategies Jul 15, 2024

Katie O'Hara, Director of Account Management at Dynamic Foam, join us for this fun deep dive into sustainable materials and strategy. There are increasing regulations, but also new and large opportunities of integrating sustainable materials into footwear. The success lies in wise strategy! Join us as we have some laughs and deep dive into key topics impacting our industry.

With special guest:

Katie O'Hara, Director of Account Management, Dynamic Foam

Hosted by:

Andy Polk and Matt Priest

#432 A Look Inside New Sustainable Material Innovations Jul 08, 2024

Leading sustainable material company Lenzing has been working for years to develop a new material for footwear. On this episode we take a look inside the new pioneering technique to make the material, its properties and how their collaboration with Recyc Leather and GANNI is a blueprint for how our industry can make more sustainable materials come to life.

With special guest:

Nicole Schram, Global Business Development Manager, Lenzing

Hosted by:

Andy Polk and Matt Priest

#431 Touring the Southern California Footwear Scene With John Dickinson of SeaJack Jul 01, 2024

It's summertime and what better way to celebrate than to listen to Matt and Sandi explore the Southern California footwear scene with John Dickinson, CEO of SeaJack. We explore John's personal history in the footwear industry, learning how his experiences in action sports and Southern California culture shaped his passion for shoes. With so many great brands including Flojos, Sbicca, Volatile, Very Volatile and Kengos in the SeaJack family, John is well positioned to understand consumer shifts and behaviors across the country. Hear how SeaJack grew amidst the pandemic, and their exciting dedication to sustainability with their latest brand, Kengos. Will the path of SeaJack redefine the footwear industry's future? Tune in to find out.

With special guest:

John Dickinson, CEO at SeaJack LLC

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Sandi Mines

#430 In Search of Footwear Cost Reductions With Nicole Porpiglia From KPMG Jun 24, 2024

In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt and Thomas delve into mitigating duties and cutting costs with Nicole from KMPG. Learn about the increasing interest in and importance of 'first sale', a strategy for reducing import costs, especially amid an environment of additional tariffs. Listen in to get insights about e-commerce strategies, the role of U.S. Customs in enforcement, and the ripple effect of legislative moves in Congress from a footwear industry perspective.

With special guest:

Nicole Porpiglia, Senior Manager Trade & Customs, KPMG

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett

#429 Realtime Shipping Intel & Rate Info with Apex's Mike Piza Jun 17, 2024

Matt and Andy welcome Mike Piza, Senior VP at Apex Logistics International, to discuss skyrocketing shipping rates and unexpected tariffs impacting the availability of capacity for footwear companies. If you're in the business of shipping shoes, you don't want to miss this timely conversation. Mike has all the latest info impacting the movement of shoes worldwide.

With special guest:

Mike Piza, Senior Vice President, Apex Logistics International

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Andy Polk

#428 It’s All Greek to Me: Exploring Emerging Shoe Brand Kheloni With Rebecca Gradler Jun 10, 2024

This week, Matt and Sandi are joined by Rebecca Gradler, the founder of the emerging Greek-rooted shoe brand, Kehloni. She shares her childhood experiences in Greece, the inspiration behind Kehloni, and how she leverages her fresh perspective in a millennia-old industry. Rebecca also discusses the challenges of starting a brand in the midst of a global pandemic and showcases the beauty of her handcrafted, unique, and timeless shoe line. The podcast explores her shift from direct-to-consumer sales to a wholesale approach, her entrance into high-end resort shops and boutiques, and the importance of maintaining a connection with the Greek family-run businesses that manufacture her shoes. The episode highlights the challenges, successes, and lessons learned in establishing a new brand in a vast market.

With special guest:

Rebecca Gradler, Founder, Kheloni

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Sandi Mines

#427 Good Morning Vietnam! OrthoLite in Action With Vietnam Country Manager Mark Coffield Jun 03, 2024

In this edition of Shoe-In Show, Matt sits down with Mark Coffield, Country Manager for OrthoLite Vietnam, as they explore his multi-decade journey through the shoe industry. Mark reflects on his experiences in footwear and the innovative work taking place at OrthoLite's state-of-the-art facility in Vietnam. Matt and Mark also discuss the importance of innovation, customer service, and quality in service to OrthoLite's many iconic customers.

With special guest:

Mark Coffield, Country Manager, OrthoLite Vietnam

Hosted by:

Matt Priest

#426 Current Kids’ Shoe Trends With BBC’s Maureen Duffy-Tan May 27, 2024

Sandi and Matt welcome expert kids' shoe industry leader Maureen Duffy-Tan, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at BBC. Maureen shares her journey through the footwear industry and the valuable lessons she learned from her mentor, Bob Campbell. She also taps into recent kids' shoe trends and the unique aspects and challenges of the kids' shoe business. This includes massive size ranges and the changing needs for our industry's littlest customers. You don't want to miss this episode heading into June FFANY Market Week.

With special guest:

Maureen Duffy-Tan, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, BBC International

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Sandi Mines

#425 Price Check on Aisle 2: Unpacking Recent Shoe Pricing Trends With Gary Raines May 20, 2024

Join us as fellow N.C. State Wolfpackers Matt Priest and Gary Raines unpack the latest shoe pricing data and current footwear costing trends. Together, they dissect recent CPI numbers and margin expectations for men's, women's, and children's footwear. There's more to these numbers than meets the eye!

With special guest:

Gary Raines, Chief Economist, FDRA

Hosted by:

Matt Priest

#424 Footwear So Fresh and So Clean, Clean With Freshy's Scott Willman May 13, 2024

Scott Willman, the founder, CEO, and creative director of Freshy, stopped by Shoe-In this week to bring his creativity and California vibes to Matt and Sandi. With a background in architecture and design, Scott is creating a unique, vibrant, and positive shoe brand for the masses. If you want to learn more about what makes Freshy so unique, and shall we say, fresh, make sure you take a listen.

With special guest:

Scott Willman, Founder, CEO, and Creative Director, Freshy

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Sandi Mines

#423 What We Heard at the 2024 Shoe Executive Summit May 06, 2024

Want to know how to thrive in the 'Artificial Age'? In this episode of Shoe-In, co-hosts reflect on the highlights from the 2024 Shoe Executive Summit, from key takeaways to what we heard from the more than 100 CEOs and Presidents in the room.

Hosted by:

Team FDRA

#422 Checking In With Footwear Product Pro JP Trudeau With Wolverine Worldwide Apr 29, 2024

In this dynamic episode of Shoe-In, Matt and Andy welcome Jon Paul Trudeau, the Vice President of Product Operations at Wolverine Worldwide. Checking in from Hong Kong, JP discusses his journey from rock star drummer to footwear design and development pro, and the importance of focusing on product and innovation. The guys also dive into topics such as the future of sourcing in Asia, the shift away from China, the need for automation in new factories, and the exciting innovations driving material technology. With several decades of shoe experience in Asia, JP brings the knowledge without the noise.

With special guest:

Jon Paul Trudeau, Vice President of Product Operations, Wolverine Worldwide

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Andy Polk

#421 Making Better Shoe Business Decisions With Centric Apr 22, 2024

This is a fun episode featuring Matt Nakari, Sales Director at Centric Software, a shoe dog helping companies better manage their data to help them improve operations and decisions. Matt shares how the company is making data collection easy while focusing on sustainability and speed in the footwear industry. We discuss the importance of breaking down departmental silos, the potential of AI in footwear, and the universal challenges faced across different industries while developing a product. Tune into this episode packed with informed perspectives and engaging discussions.

With special guest:

Matt Nakari, Sales Director at Centric Software

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Andy Polk

#420 Vietnam Vantage: Takeaways from Matt's Recent Trip Apr 15, 2024

In this episode of Shoe-In, Matt shares fresh insights from his recent visit to Vietnam, discussing the changing manufacturing and business landscape. Hear about his experiences at Wolverine Worldwide's Supplier Summit, and uncover insights from his visit to innovative supplier, Ortholite. Discover the rising concerns of factories amidst shifting American consumer behaviors and explore the future of innovative and sustainable operations in the industry. This episode is a goldmine for anyone keen on understanding global sourcing dynamics.

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Andy Polk

#419 The Current State of Shoe Innovation - From Factories to Materials to AI Apr 08, 2024

Industry vet, Chris Hillyer joins the show to discuss the current state of footwear innovation, sharing insights into what's really moving the dial for brands. We cover innovative approaches to challenges, the future of footwear manufacturing, the dynamics of market changes, and new tools being used to transform brands. We also touch on AI's actually uses for footwear. A show not to be missed!

With special guest:

Chris Hillyer, Footwear Innovation Consultant

Hosted by:

Andy Polk

#418 Running Shoe Retail 2024: Key Shifts and Outlook Apr 01, 2024

Michael McCauley, owner and operator at Fleet Feet, joins to share key insights into his running shoe store in Augusta, Georgia. We chat about the running brands best connecting consumers, the changing operations of their retail store, which includes extensive training for new employees, and lengthy customer service processes to find the perfect footwear and build a consumer profile. McCauley also shared insights on running retails evolution, noting how their customer base has shifted from 80% runners to 80% comfort and medical referrals.

With special guest:

Mike McCauley, Owner, Fleet Feet Augusta

Hosted by:

Andy Polk

#417 Exploring the Shoe Industry’s Transformation With Born’s John Heron Mar 25, 2024

Discover how the shoe industry is shifting and adapting in the light of changing economic trends and consumer behaviors in this episode. Special guest John Heron, President of the Born Brands Group at Berkshire Hathaway, shares his journey across the footwear sector, including his time at FFANY and Designer Brands. Gain unique insights into the significance of FFANY's New York market week, the shift towards women-led companies, and the evolution of consumers' tastes and preferences.

With special guest:

John Heron, President, Born Brands Group

Hosted by:

Andy Polk

#416 Exploring the Hottest Shoe Brands Right Now Mar 18, 2024

Jon Weber and Laura Brookhiser, from L.E.K. Consulting, join the show to share insights from their 2024 'Heat Index' report. The report explores what brands consumers desire the most by category and why. We discuss not only who's hot but why, and how companies can take key learnings from this report to build stronger brand loyalty.

With special guests:

Jon Weber, Managing Director at L.E.K. Consulting and Laura Brookhiser, Managing Director at L.E.K. Consulting

Hosted by:

Andy Polk

#415 Catching Up With Washington Shoe Company’s Chief Karl Moehring Mar 11, 2024

In this episode of Shoe-In, Matt and Andy welcome Karl Moehring, CEO of Washington Shoe Company to discuss his journey to footwear having been raised in a shoe family. He also touches on current footwear industry trends, the resilience of consumers in 2024, and fostering a dynamic workplace culture in the hybrid era.

With special guest:

Karl Moehring, CEO, Washington Shoe Company

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Andy Polk

#414 Michael Kors' Jung Yoon to the Rescue Mar 04, 2024

Jung Yoon, Senior VP of Production and Sourcing for Accessories and Footwear at the iconic fashion brand Michael Kors, stopped by Shoe-In to discuss her fascinating career journey. From high-tech to apparel to footwear, Jung explores the complexities of shoe manufacturing, highlighting its multifaceted requirements involving comfort, engineering, technology, architecture, quality assurance, and fashion. Ultimately, Jung advocates for a broader understanding and appreciation of these complexities within the industry.

With special guest:

Jung Yoon, Senior VP of Production and Sourcing for Accessories and Footwear, Michael Kors

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett

#413 Shoe Supply Chain Agility With Dan Friedman Feb 26, 2024

On this week's Shoe-In, Caleres' Chief Sourcing Officer, Dan Friedman, stops by to explore the modern complexities of the footwear supply chain and the ways he's guiding Caleres through such an interesting sourcing landscape. Listen in to hear Dan's amazing shoe industry journey and his philosophy on company culture, the importance of agility, and his unique approach to decision-making, rooted in active listening and continuous learning.

With special guest:

Dan Friedman, Chief Sourcing Officer, Caleres

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Andy Polk

#412 Rough Seas - Navigating the Red Sea Crisis With Pete Mento Feb 19, 2024

Supply chain expert extraordinaire Pete Mento stops by Shoe-In to discuss the latest developments in the Red Sea crisis and how the crisis is impacting the footwear supply chain. As a former Merchant Marine Officer himself, Pete holds no punches as he explains his expectations for the continuing crisis and what's in store for container pricing in the coming year. If you ship shoes anywhere in the world, you don't want to miss this conversation.

With special guest:

Pete Mento, Commercial Director, DSV

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Andy Polk

#411 2024 Shoe Market Predictions With Sam Poser Feb 12, 2024

In the latest episode of Shoe-In, Matt and Sandi welcome the return of Sam Poser, an equity analyst with Williams Trading. Holding no punches, Sam discusses the continued dominance of comfort in design and delves into the importance of customer knowledge and proper product distribution in retail. Advocating for a 'less is more' approach, Sam offers insights into successful footwear brands, attributing their achievements to a combination of relevant, consistently refreshed products, and a profound understanding of their customer base.

With special guest:

Sam Poser, Equity Analyst, Williams Trading

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Sandi Mines

#410 Leading with Passion With Susan Itzkowitz Feb 05, 2024

Industry icon Susan Itzkowitz, president of Marc Fisher Footwear, stopped by Shoe-In to discuss her collaborative approach to leadership and the importance of empowering your team as a leader and mentor in our industry. Susan also explores her forecast for 2024 and the importance of building a culture that is collaborative, creative, and handles challenges head-on. Make sure you listen to this episode. You won't be disappointed!

With special guest:

Susan Itzkowitz, Marc Fisher Footwear

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Sandi Mines

#409 Stepping Into Innovation: Kizik's Hands-Free Footwear Revolution Jan 29, 2024

This week we are joined by Kizik CEO Monte Deere as he discusses the brand's atmospheric rise over the past few years. Monte also shares his journey into the footwear industry and explains how Kizik's revolutionary hands-free shoes are changing the way we think about fit and function. Tune in to hear Monte's key insights and big plans for his rapidly growing shoe brand.

With special guest:

Monte Deere, CEO, Kizik

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett

#408 Sneaker Caucus Drop With Congressman Jared Moskowitz Jan 22, 2024

On this episode of Shoe-In Show podcast, presented by FDRA, Matt and Thomas head to Capitol Hill to check-in with Congressman Jared Moskowitz of Florida's 23rd Congressional District. As the founder of the Congressional Sneaker Caucus, Congressman Moskowitz shares why he loves sneakers so much and the importance they play in American society and culture. He also explains how the focus of the Congressional Sneaker Caucus is to bring together different people from various backgrounds and generations, promote bipartisanship, and relate to the younger generations. This is an episode you don't want to miss!

With special guest:

Congressman Jared Moskowitz (D-FL)

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett

#407 Catching Up With Billy Price of BILLY Footwear Jan 15, 2024

Join us as we chat with Billy Price, cofounder of BILLY Footwear. Billy shares one of our most inspiring "shoe stories" of all time as he overcame a terrible accident to create an innovative shoe company focused on functional need and stylish designs. Consumers and retailers have responded in a powerful way to the amazing offerings BILLY Footwear provides. Something tells us they're just getting started.

With special guest:

Billy Price, Co-Founder, BILLY Footwear

Hosted by:

Andy Polk and Matt Priest

#406 2024 Footwear Outlook With Glenn Barrett, Founder and CEO of OrthoLite Jan 08, 2024

In this great episode Glenn Barrett, founder and CEO of OrthoLite, shares his unique view on current and coming trends, and how brands can navigate continued change. We discuss how transparency, innovation, compliance and supply chain agility are all going to be major factors in 2024.

With special guest:

Glenn Barrett, Founder and CEO, OrthoLite

Hosted by:

Andy Polk and Matt Priest

#405 A New Year, a Fresh Start: FFANY 2024 Trend Watch With Shannon Adducci and Sandi Mines Jan 01, 2024

Happy New Year from your friends at Shoe-In! This week we check in with our own Sandi Mines and Shannon Adducci of Footwear News to hear the hottest shoe trends for 2024. From the comfy footbed sandal to the pointed stiletto to Mary Janes and sneakers, we've got you covered on this week's episode.

Watch the amazing interview here.

With special guest:

Shannon Adducci, Style Director, Footwear News

Hosted by:

Sandi Mines

#404 Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, & Happy Holidays from Team FDRA! Dec 25, 2023

Listen in as Team FDRA kicks back and recalls their recent white elephant gift exchange and unveils some of their holiday family traditions. On behalf of our entire team at FDRA and Shoe-In, we wish you a happy holiday and Happy New Year!

With special guests:

Team FDRA

Hosted by:

Team FDRA

#403 Mapping Shoe Supply Chains and Managing the Data To Comply With New Laws Dec 18, 2023

Join this important episode - sponsored by Centric Software - where we discuss how shoe companies can best map their supply chains, collect and centralized their impact data to report and comply with new regulations in Cali and Europe.

With special guests:

Matt Nakari, Centric Software and Apurva Bhargava, TrusTrace

Hosted by:

Andy Polk

#402 Historic November 2023 FFANY Realtime Recap Dec 11, 2023

FDRA's own Matt Priest, Andy Polk, and Sandi Mines review key takeaways from the just completed Fashion Footwear Association of New York's (FFANY) Market Week. Listen in to hear all the key themes, side conversations, and industry analysis gleaned from this season's critical footwear trade show.

Hosted by:

Matt Priest, Sandi Mines and Andy Polk

#401 Eco-Innovations Helping Update Outsoles! Dec 04, 2023

Thomas Bogle, the founder and CEO of Solum, joins us on the show this week to explore biomaterials for the outsole and how it can revolutionize the industry. Solum is a biomaterials company re-engineering outsoles with plant-based alternatives compared to traditional synthetics and plastics. This is very important as new regulations come forth addressing microplastic abrasion from the soles of shoes.

With special guest:

Thomas Bogle, Founder and CEO of Solum

Hosted by:

Andy Polk and Matt Priest

#400 All in the Family: Exploring the Emerging Shoe Brand D’Amelio Footwear With Marc D’Amelio Nov 27, 2023

Join us to hear Marc's shoe story and how the D'Amelio family is creating a sustainable business model with their brand, D'Amelio Footwear. Marc will discuss their pop-up experience in LA, their design process, their presence at FFANY in New York this week, and much more.

With special guest:

Marc D'Amelio, CEO, D'Amelio Footwear

Hosted by:

Sandi Mines and Matt Priest

#399 Exploring the Complexities of Footwear Trade With US-China Relations: Unpacking the Biden-Xi Summit Nov 20, 2023

Matt, Andy, and Thomas provide their hot takes on the Biden-Xi meeting in San Francisco last week. They also break down the struggling Chinese economy, the positive China pivot towards the U.S., and how the Biden Administration and Capitol Hill might react to the elimination of 301 footwear duties.

Hosted by:

Matt Priest, Andy Polk and Thomas Crockett

#398 Ready, Set, Report! Unpacking the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive Nov 13, 2023

Have you heard of the new mandatory Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive passed in the European Union? Ashton Zeller, Bloom's Chief Scientist, is here to explain what the directive means for companies who do business in Europe and how they can prepare. He offers insight into LCA's, third party auditing schemes, and how the directive requires companies to start gathering sustainability data. Tune in to learn how you can keep your business compliant with the new Directive!

With special guest:

Ashton Zeller, Chief Scientist, Bloom

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Andy Polk

#397 Footwear Inventories, Consumer Debt, and GDP, Oh My! Nov 06, 2023

Gary Raines, FDRA's fearless economist, drops by Shoe-In Show to discuss surprise GDP numbers, current shoe inventory levels, and consumer spending heading into 2024. While GDP is up almost 5%, slowing consumer demand is causing concern. Gary explains how credit card debt, Buy Now Pay Later services, and other financial burdens will likely be headwinds for consumers in 2024. Tune in to learn more!

With special guest:

Gary Raines, Chief Economist, FDRA

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Andy Polk

#396 Leading Well With Kitty Bolinger of Dansko Oct 30, 2023

Dansko President Kitty Bolinger joins Matt and Sandi to outline her vision for the iconic shoe brand under her new leadership. As a sustainability trend setter and customer-centric company, Kitty and her team have a long history of creating great products from their innovative headquarters in Pennsylvania. Get the inside scoop on Kitty’s shoe story and learn actionable insights from this remarkable female shoe leader!

With special guest:

Kitty Bolinger, President, Dansko

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Sandi Mines

#395 Starting a Footwear Brand Off on the Right Foot with Mike Gugat of Jbrds Oct 23, 2023

Footwear industry veteran and successful entrepreneur Mike Gugat joins Shoe-In this week to discuss his children's shoe brand Jbrds. Mike and his team are developing innovative kids shoes designed by a podiatrist, and his innovative approach is attracting critical investment. Get the lastest on Mike’s entrepreneurial journey with Jbrds on this week’s episode.

With special guest:

Mike Gugat, Founder, Jbrds

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett

#394 Realtime Holiday Footwear Consumer Trends in Focus Oct 16, 2023

Matt and Thomas break down the latest FDRA Holiday Shoe Sales Forecast as the 2023 holiday shopping season kicks up into full gear. Listen in to better understand key shoe shopper insights in the face of continued inflation and a softening economy. Contact info@fdra.org to gain access to the full report.

Hosted by:

Matt Priest, President & CEO, FDRA and Thomas Crockett, Vice President, FDRA

#393 Achieving Supply Chain Transparency With Marissa Brock of Sourcemap Oct 09, 2023

Supply chain transparency is all the rage with new and emerging global regulations like the UFLPA and increased environmental standards. Join Matt and Thomas as they welcome supply chain visibility expert Marissa Brock to break down the effective ways in which Sourcemap supports the footwear and apparel industries under increased scrutiny. From an idea born at MIT to a global solutions company, Sourcemap is helping companies navigate emerging supply chain visibility trends today.

With special guest:

Marissa Brock, Sr. Director of Policy and Government Affairs, Sourcemap

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett

#392 Fostering an Empowering Culture Through Localized Retail With Matt Lafone Oct 02, 2023

Shoe industry vet and retail leader Matt Lafone drops by Shoe-In to discuss with Matt and Andy his innovative approach to driving growth in the footwear industry and fostering an empowering culture for his coworkers and consumers. As President and GM of The Athlete's Foot, Matt leverages the retailer's franchising model to curate highly localized assortments in underserved markets and thoughtfully connect with customers at a local level. Tune in to learn to learn Matt's secrets to fostering diverse and impactful experiences for the entire Athlete's Foot community.

With special guest:

Matt Lafone, President & GM of Americas, The Athlete's Foot

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Andy Polk

#391 Court’s in Session With Sneaker Law’s Kenneth Anand Sep 25, 2023

Sneaker Law founder and former Yeezy GC Kenneth Anand stops by Shoe-In to discuss his life-long passion for sneakers and his journey into turning his love of shoes into a successful career in the footwear industry. He also bats around critical intellectual property and legal hot topics with Matt and Thomas and discusses the next frontier in IP protection for brands and creators alike. Oh, and don't forget to buy his book here - https://www.sneakerlaw.com.

With special guest:

Kenneth Anand, Founder, Sneaker Law

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett

#390 China Trade Expert Frank Lavin is Back! Sep 18, 2023

Listen in as Frank Lavin, Founder and Chairman of Export Now, stops by Shoe-In to discuss the current state of trade policy amidst the 2024 Republican presidential primary season. As former Under Secretary of International Trade, Ambassador to Singapore, and Reagan White House aid, Frank has tons of experience dealing with the challenging and fraught U.S.-China relationship. Discover his key insights during this enlightening conversation on global politics, trade liberalization, and more!

With special guest:

Frank Lavin, Founder and Chairman, Export Now

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Andy Polk

#389 The New Consumer Mentality Ahead of the Holidays Sep 11, 2023

As you prep your holiday sales plans, make sure you listen to our latest episode on the current economic landscape and its effects on consumer spending. Join Andy and Matt as they analyze the data to uncover the effects of the current economic environment and changes in the supply chain, all while looking at what the future holds for the economy.

#388 Focus on Mold: Navigating Supply Chain Challenges with Mike Hanrahan of Superdry International Americas Sep 04, 2023

Do you want to know how to navigate modern supply chain challenges and protect product from moisture and mold? Join us as we speak with Mike Hanrahan, Senior Vice President of Superdry International Americas, about the company's strategies for increasing efficiency, lowering costs, and making sure products are protected in transit. Discover the tips you need to navigate the ever-changing supply chain landscape!

With special guest:

Mike Hanrahan, Senior Vice President of Superdry International Americas

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Andy Polk

#387 Exploring Shoe Sustainability with NIKE's Chief Sustainability Officer Noel Kinder Aug 28, 2023

NIKE's very own Chief Sustainability Officer Noel Kinder joins Matt and Andy to explore NIKE's innovative and transparent approach to all things sustainability. Noel shares his personal shoe story and delves into why NIKE has a Chief Sustainability Officer, along with details of his day-to-day responsibilities. He also discusses the evolution of Nike's science based sustainability strategy, which focuses on carbon reduction, waste reduction, reduced water consumption, and innovation around chemicals used in products. Tune in to get a firsthand account of the progress NIKE is making and to learn more about the company's ambitious goals.

With special guest:

Noel Kinder, Chief Sustainability Officer, NIKE

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Andy Polk

#386 Okabashi 2.0: The New CEO and Circular Evolution of This American Made Shoe Company Aug 21, 2023

American shoe manufacturing is going through a transformation and renaissance. Join us on this episode as we meet Okabashi's new CEO and hear about its new journey towards a new business model and way of doing business more sustainably! Their shoe factory is located in GA, which provides them a unique opportunity to transform.

With special guests:

Sara Irvani, Board of Directors, Okabashi Brands and Pepper Harward, CEO, Okabashi Brands

Hosted by:

Andy Polk and Matt Priest

#385 The Launch of the SOLEcial Studies CommUNITY Academy with Sean Williams Aug 14, 2023

Industry vet, serial entrepreneur, and FDRA friend Sean Williams drops in for a chat with Matt and Sabria about the newly minted SOLEcial Studies CommUNITY Academy (SSCA) in Brooklyn. With the support of Healing Soles and hip hop legend Ali Shahid Mohammed from A Tribe Called Quest, the sky's the limit for the SSCA. The possibilities have us buggin' out! Make sure you take a listen.

With special guest:

Sean Williams, Program Lead / Consultant / Curator, Obsessive Sneaker Disorder LLC / SOLEcial Studies CommUNITY Academy

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Sabria Butler

#384 Unpacking the Latest on Shoe Packaging with Mark Maxwell of Billerud Aug 07, 2023

Are you looking to make your packaging sustainable and cost-efficient? Look no further! Join us on the Shoe-In Show to hear from Mark Maxwell from Billerud, who will guide us through the process and talk about the importance of packaging in the era of sustainability. From understanding the supplies needed to shipping and right-sizing packaging, Mark will share his experience from working at Kmart and General Motors to help brands make their packaging more effective and efficient. Don't miss out on this exciting discussion of sustainability and packaging!

With special guest:

Mark Maxwell, Manager Global Accounts, Billerud Managed Packaging Division

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett

#383 Dr. Funkenstein and the Supply Chain Chaos: A Dungeon & Dragons Adventure Jul 31, 2023

Have you ever wondered what the biggest supply chain issues are in today's global trade market? Pete Mento, the Commercial Director of Customs and International Trade at DSV, joins Shoe-In to discuss the current chaos of the logistics and supply chain industry. Pete explains the challenges posed by evolving supply chains, a lack of free trade agreements, increased regulations, cyber security, and labor unrest. He suggests companies should "consider the worst" when it comes to supply chain resiliency, and suggests corporations use Dungeons & Dragons-style game plans to prepare for any potential worst-case scenarios. (you'll have to listen to the episode to even understand the title)

With special guest:

Pete Mento, Commercial Director of Customs and International Trade, DSV

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett

#382 Innovation in Action: How Biomaterials are Transforming Footwear Jul 24, 2023

Shoes are in the middle of a major transition thanks to new plant based materials that are outperforming traditional materials. Jason Robinson, founder and CEO of Evoco, an innovation company focused on shoe sustainability, reveals how they are changing the shoe game with new bio-chemistry. Jason explains how they are crafting high-performance materials that are 70-80% bio-based, but more importantly why. Hear him explain the importance of sustainability and the innovation process behind it!

With special guest:

Jason Robinson, CEO, Evoco

Hosted by:

Andy Polk and Matt Priest

#381 White Mountain's Fresh Start with the American Exchange Group Jul 17, 2023

Listen in as Matt and Sandi connect with Alen Mamrout, CEO of the American Exchange Group, to unpack his recent acquisition of White Mountain. White Mountain's Robert Geller and Dennis Eichin join in on the conversation to explore the history of White Mountain, and why joining forces with Alen and the American Exchange Group is the "perfect marriage". Get the behind-the-scenes story on how the two dynamic companies came together to form a more perfect union.

With special guests:

Alen Mamrout, Chief Executive Officer, American Exchange Group, Robert Geller, Chief Revenue Officer, White Mountain International LLC and Dennis Eichin, Chief Sourcing Officer, White Mountain International LLC

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Sandi Mines

#380 Footwear Retail in Realtime with DBI's Doug Howe Jul 10, 2023

Do you want to hear about the current state of footwear retail from an industry expert? Doug Howe, the CEO of Designer Brands, joins Shoe-In Show to talk about the family-oriented and collaborative nature of the footwear industry, the recent acquisition of Keds, the return of NIKE, and his economic expectations for the rest of the year.

With special guest:

Doug Howe, President & CEO, Designer Brands, Inc.

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Sandi Mines

#379 Capitol Hill Sneaker Day Recap: Bridging the Gap Between Partisanship Through Soles Jul 03, 2023

Have you heard of the Congressional Sneaker Caucus? It's a bipartisan movement that's bringing people together over a love of shoes! On June 21st, the first ever Sneaker Day was held on Capitol Hill and it was a huge success. Over 75 people, both House and Senate members and congressional staff, got together to show off their shoes, have conversations, and celebrate the impact of sneakers on culture. Representatives Moskowitz and Chavez-DeRemer shared their personal collections and even handed out awards for the "best sneakers". Sneaker Day was a refreshing moment of fun in an era of political partisanship. Don't miss out on this amazing footwear movement!

Hosted by:

Matt Priest, CEO, FDRA and Thomas Crockett, Vice President, Government Affairs, FDRA

#378 A Look at the Evolving Footwear Trade Show Scene With Informa Markets’ Kelly Helfman Jun 26, 2023

In this captivating episode of Shoe-In Show, hosts Matt and Sandi sit down with the esteemed Kelly Helfman, President of Informa Markets Fashion, to explore the ever-changing landscape of the footwear trade shows. With her wealth of knowledge and experience, Kelly dives deep into the exciting trends and innovations shaping the future of these essential events with a key focus on Informa's successful foray into Nashville and longstanding presence in Las Vegas and New York. Get ready to step into the future of footwear trade shows with Kelly on this enlightening episode.

With special guest:

Kelly Helfman, President of Informa Markets Fashion

#377 Navigating the Logistics Landscape: Insights From Mike Piza, SVP at Apex Logistics International Jun 19, 2023

In this episode of Shoe-In Show, our Matt and Andy welcome Mike Piza, Senior Vice President at Apex Logistics International, to delve into the fascinating world of supply chain management. As an industry expert, Mike shares valuable insights on the current state of the logistics landscape, including the impact of container rates, emerging air freight trends, and strategies for optimizing supply chain operations. Join us as we unravel the complexities of the global logistics industry and uncover the secrets to successful navigation in an ever-evolving market.

With special guest:

Mike Piza, Senior Vice President, Apex Logistics International

#376 Winds of Change: Shoe Consumers, Inventory and Sales Jun 12, 2023

The shoe marketplace is as dynamic and changing as ever. Hear how companies are adjusting strategy to find the right level of inventory and price to pair with consumers who continue to spend but are becoming more picky thanks to a lighter purse/wallet.

With special guests:

Team FDRA

#375 Navigating the Waves of Trade With the Port of Long Beach Jun 05, 2023

Listen in as Matt and Thomas sit down with Cesar Sanchez of the Port of Long Beach. Together, they delve into the current state of trade at the port, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities faced by one of the busiest ports in the world. The conversation touches upon the ongoing labor contract negotiations between port workers and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and explores the impact of these negotiations on the overall efficiency and productivity of the port. Additionally, they delve into the strategic investments being made in the port's supply chain infrastructure to enhance operational capacities and maintain its competitive edge in the global trade landscape. Tune in for an insightful discussion that offers a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse into the bustling world of international trade and the crucial role played by the Port of Long Beach.

With special guest:

Cesar Sanchez, Business Development Manager, Port of Long Beach

#374 Stepping Towards Ethical Footwear With Elevate, an LRQ Company May 29, 2023

This week, Matt and Thomas dive into the complexities of supply chain visibility and mapping within the footwear industry. Joined by Suzanne van Huijgevoort, Associate Director, Advisory, and Myrna Grief, Director Supplier Market Development from Elevate, an LRQ Company, the experts shed light on the pressing issue of forced labor considerations and discuss the significant impact of the UFLPA. Additionally, they explore FDRA's innovative Shoe Waste program, aimed at reducing environmental impact and waste within the shoe manufacturing process. Tune in to gain valuable insights into ethical practices and innovative solutions driving positive change in the footwear industry.

With special guests:

Suzanne van Huijgevoort, Associate Director, Advisory, Elevate, an LRQ Company and Myrna Grief, Director Supplier Market Development from Elevate, an LRQ Company

#373 Unlimited Insights With Footwear Unlimited's Pat Mooney May 22, 2023

In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt and Sandi sit down with Pat Mooney, the President and CEO of Footwear Unlimited, for a lifetime's worth of footwear insights. From his start in the warehouse to sourcing in Taiwan and India to back to St. Louis, Pat has a wealth of experience navigating the global footwear industry. Listen in as we discuss Pat's iconic brands like Frye and Spyder and the amazing team that drives Footwear Unlimited's growth and longevity.

With special guest:

Pat Mooney, President & CEO, Footwear Unlimited

#372 Lighting It Up: How Shoe Sensation’s Dave Schoengart Went From Fire Fighting to Selling Shoes May 15, 2023

In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt and Sandi sit down with Dave Schoengart, CEO of Shoe Sensation, to discuss his unorthodox journey from fire fighter to the helm of one of America's best family footwear chains. Dave shares his insights on everything from customer service and store placement to his love of horse racing and bourbon.

With special guest:

Dave Schoengart, Chief Executive Officer at Shoe Sensation, Inc.

#371 Making the Math Work - Shoe Foams That Balance Costs, Performance and Sustainability! May 08, 2023

Shoe foam is going through a transformation as more recycled content is added, as well as bio-content, to make them more green. The trick is making sure the performance and costs are within range. Katie from Dynamic foam shares how the math can work for your brand!

With special guest:

Katie O’Hara, Director of Account Management, Dynamic Foam

#370 Former Crocs PD Manager on New Shoe Operations Strategy and Systems May 01, 2023

Companies can no longer operate like its 2019 thanks to continued consumer shifts and new and growing risks across supply chains. A former Crocs PD manager joins us to share the headaches everyone using old systems are facing and what they need to do to update strategy and systems. He explains what better operations look like - smarter, easier, faster, less risk and more cost controlled - through a Centric Software PLM system that organizes teams and data.

With special guest:

Matt Nakari, Sales Director, Centric Software

#369 RFID In-Focus with Maxim Apr 24, 2023

With shoe retailers placing new RFID requirements on brands in the coming year, we wanted to bring in an expert to help our industry navigate this technology. That's why Josh Macy of Maxim Label & Packaging stopped by to educate Matt and Thomas on all things RFID and footwear.

With special guest:

Josh Macy, Strategic Business Development, Maxim Label & Packaging

#368 New Rules Leading to New Shoe Sustainability Strategies Apr 17, 2023

New customer rules and state regulations are causing companies to rethink and revise their sustainability strategies. Dr. Andrew Hudson shares what is happening and how to think and structure sustainability strategy, step by step, that will succeed!

With special guests:

Dr. Andrew Hudson, Managing Director at Eurofins | BLC Leather Technology Centre Ltd

#367 Bigger and Better in Texas With Prasad Reddy of Twisted X Apr 10, 2023

Prasad Reddy, CEO of Twisted X discusses how Sustainability is one of the core competencies of the company and how the boot business is positioned for growth.

With special guest:

Prasad Reddy, CEO, Twisted X

#366 Critical Supply Chain Considerations With Farrow Logistics Apr 03, 2023

In the era of elevated supply chain, warehousing, and labor costs, Farrow Logistics' own Steven Crerar drops in Shoe-In to discuss creative solutions that drive savings. Strong ties with your supply chain partners is a must as Steven guides Matt and Thomas on ways in which the shoe industry can take advantage of their current and potential partnerships.

With special guests:

Steven Crerar, Director of Business Development, Warehousing, Farrow Logistics Solutions

#365 Technology Trends With Franz at Covision Media Mar 27, 2023

Imaging and scanning innovator Franz Tschimben drops in to discuss new scanning and technology innovations driving digital product engagement. Sandi and Matt explore the ways in which Covision is helping footwear brands drive high resolution, interactive imaging to the industry and its consumers. Franz also helps articulate the future AI applications available to brands using his company's solution.

With special guest:

Franz Tschimben, Co-Founder, Covision Media

#364 The Start-Up Journey of New Shoe Brand QUADSis Mar 20, 2023

We love new shoe brands and their stories! This great episodes goes into why QUADSis was founded for "tweens." The Co-founders, and our friend Caroline de Baere who helped them get started, share their journey and lessons learned from designing and manufacturing their shoes - with an eye on style and health for girls - to their public launch and now efforts to grow.

With special guests:

Janet Ward and Stephanie Guido, Co-Founders, QUADS Designs and Caroline de Baere, Footwear Professor and Shoe Brand Consultant

#363 What the Ongoing War in Ukraine Means for Footwear Mar 13, 2023

This is not another CNN war report, though our guest is a regular on CNN! This episode is a serious discussion with a leading warfare and geopolitics expert on how shoe companies can better understand the War in Ukraine, and its broader impact on footwear (sales, sourcing, supply chains). A must listen!

With special guest:

Ryan Evans, CEO, War on the Rocks & Bedrock Learning

#362 Cliff Sifford Surveys the Footwear Retail Landscape Mar 06, 2023

Footwear exec extraordinaire Cliff Sifford stops by Shoe-In Show for his fourth appearance on the program...a record! Sandi and Matt discuss the latest footwear retail landscape with Cliff and dive into what makes him such an effective and universally loved leader.

Access the 2023 Q1 Shoe Executive Business Outlook Survey here

Learn more about our upcoming executive summit here

With special guest:

Cliff Sifford, Vice Chairman, Shoe Carnival & Chairman, FDRA

#361 Protect Ya IP With Matt and Thomas Feb 27, 2023

Matt and Thomas explore the latest developments in IP protection for footwear through various legislative proposals, the Special 301 comment process, and the infamous actions of MSCHF harming our industry.

With special guests:

Matt and Thomas

#360 Real Talk on AI & Footwear. Part 1. Feb 20, 2023

So much has been said about AI transforming internet search, but it also has the power to transform and optimize our industry in many different ways. On this episode, the first of many on this topic, we discuss how we see AI starting to change different departments and jobs...but also where it currently fails [it cannot classify shoes!]

With special guests:

Team FDRA

#359 Instant Shoe Reaction to the State of the Union Feb 13, 2023

Matt and Thomas break down President Biden's 2023 State of the Union address, unpacking all that was included in the speech and analyzing some of the industry's key initiatives that didn't make the president's list.

With special guest:

Thomas Crockett

#358 Big Plans at the Black Footwear Forum With Dion Walcott Feb 06, 2023

Pensole Lewis College's own Dion Walcott joins Sabria and Matt as they explore the exciting 2023 plans for the all-important Black Footwear Forum. With a new podcast, regional meet-ups, and another national event in Detroit in-store, Dion, Sabria and Matt have their work cut out for them this year. Rest assured, they're up for the challenge.

With special guest:

Dion Walcott, Director of Partnerships, Pensole Lewis College

#357 How Tencel is Making Strides to "True Carbon Zero" Jan 30, 2023

Everyone is making carbon reduction goals, but how do you actually reduce your carbon emissions? Well, glad you asked! Caroline Ledl joins us from Austria to share how Lenzing - you may know them by their product Tencel - set ambitious goals of "True Carbon Zero" AND how they are achieving them!

With special guest:

Caroline Ledl, Product Manager & Innovator, Lenzing (Tencel)

#356 2023 Footwear & Politics Prognostications, Predictions, and Previews Jan 23, 2023

Matt, Andy, and Thomas gather on this week's episode to preview the congressional year ahead and how it will impact the footwear industry and the broader economy.

With special guest:

Thomas Crockett, Vice President, Government Affairs, FDRA

#355 Early 2023 Shoeconomy Check-in Jan 16, 2023

FDRA's own Gary Raines stops by Shoe-In Show to discuss the depth and breadth of the anticipated American recession with Matt and Andy. Listen-in as the guys forecast anticipated shoe sales, inflation trends, and consumer spending power in 2023.

With special guest:

Gary Raines, Chief Economist, FDRA

#354 Footwear Supply Chain Critical Thinking Jan 09, 2023

Footwear supply chain extraordinaire Mary McNelly of Crocs and industry innovator Gordon Downes of NYSHEX stop by the show to wax poetic about the current state of the shoe supply chain heading into 2023. As you'll hear from our conversation, now is the time to strengthen partnerships, think creatively, and execute efficiently.

With special guests:

Mary McNelly, Vice President, Global Distribution & Logistics, Crocs and Gordon Downes, Chief Executive Officer, NYSHEX

#353 Retailers Look “Outside the Box” for Ways To Offer Customers More Value Jan 02, 2023

Great conversation with Jan Deding and Oliver Hede from IMBOX focused on how they offer retailers and customers a quick and easy shoe protection service delivered in-store at check out.

With special guests:

Jan Deding, CEO & President, North America, IMBOX and Oliver Hede, Country Manager, North America, IMBOX

#352 2022 Shoe Industry Recap and 2023 Resolutions! Dec 26, 2022

FDRA Staff get on to talk about the big stories and issues of 2022 and what they hope and expect for 2023!

With special guests:

Team FDRA

#351 Going Global With Simac Tanning Tech's Alice Vago Dec 19, 2022

Explore Milan's Technology Fair for the latest innovations and sustainable solutions within the footwear industry.

With special guest:

Alice Vago, Secretary General and Project Manager at PISIE, The International Polytechnic for Industrial and Economic Development

#350 The Footwear Industry’s Report Card on Sustainability Dec 12, 2022

We surveyed footwear professionals across the industry on their sustainability efforts and opinions. We found some great insights and some somber facts as well. Join us as we review where we are at and what we need to do to get better!

#349 The Law Made Me Do It! Traceability Strategies for Shoe Companies. Dec 05, 2022

Laws now require companies to map their supply chains. But how do we ensure we can map out multiple factories and material suppliers to comply? Glad you asked - this episode features one of the leading minds to help us understand what's happening and strategy to comply!

With special guest:

Rick Horwitch, Chief of Supply Chain & Sustainability Strategy - Bureau Veritas

#348 Shoe-In Collab with Katherine Cousins Nov 28, 2022

As FFANY Market Week kicks off, Wolverine Worldwide Lifestyle Brands Group President Katherine Cousins stops by the show to discuss her new role overseeing Sperry, Keds, and Hush Puppies. Charting a course for these iconic footwear heritage brands is top of mind for Katherine as she explores her plans for product, purpose, and creative collabs for each brand in the coming year.

With special guest:

Katherine Cousins, Group President, Lifestyle brands: Sperry, Keds, Hush Puppies

#347 Holiday Shoe Consumer Survey Rundown Nov 21, 2022

Matt and Andy are back with the results of FDRA’s 2022 Holiday Shoe Sales Forecast. Listen in as they unpack consumer sentiment for footwear this holiday season.

Hosted by:

Matt Priest, President & CEO, FDRA and Andy Polk, Senior Vice President, FDRA

#346 The Ultimate Shoe Fit Experience With Red Wing and Volumental Nov 14, 2022

Footwear retail execs extraordinaire Marisa Kinney of Red Wing and Alper Aydemir of Volumental stop by Shoe-In to explore Red Wing's wholistic approach to the ultimate fit experience. With a hyper focus on the customer experience, reducing returns, and driving more sustainability, Marisa and Alper have partnered to provide Volumental's FitTech solution to Red Wing shoppers across the country. Learn all about it on this episode.

With special guests:

Marisa Kinney, Sr. Director, Global Retail, Red Wing Brands of America, Inc. and Alper Aydemir, CEO & Co-Founder, Volumental

#345 It's Mayday on Shoe-In With Jason Mayden Nov 07, 2022

Designer, educator, critical thinker, advocate, entrepreneur, leader, author, and all around great guy Jason Mayden joins Shoe-In Show to explain what drove him into sneaker design at such a young age. Fresh from the amazing Black Footwear Forum in Detroit, Jason also drops his wisdom on how to empower more black creatives across all industries and unveils which critical comic book character inspired him to greatness.

Pick-up a copy of Jason's design book for kids here.

With special guest:

Jason Mayden, CEO + Founder, Trillicon Valley, LLC

#344 Don’t Be FRIGHTENED by Trade Compliance! Oct 31, 2022

Nicole Porpiglia, Senior Manager in the Trade & Customs Practice at KPMG joins Matt and Thomas this week to discuss critical tools and partners trade compliance professionals need to navigate such challenging times. Get up out of the fetal position, off the floor, and empower yourself to tackle issues head-on, all the while listening to this great episode.

With special guest:

Nicole Porpiglia, Senior Manager in the Trade & Customs Practice, KPMG

#343 The SneakerVangelisT Sean Williams Is Here To Spread the Word Oct 24, 2022

Sneaker historian, podcaster, trailblazer, teacher, curator, host, father (you get the picture, Renaissance man) Sean Williams joins Matt and Sandi to explore his love of all things sneaker culture. From his start in Brooklyn to his days now helping support the amazing work of Pensole Lewis College, Sean is working all angles in support of this industry we love. Oh, and he launched a shoe podcast (Obsessive Sneaker Disorder) way back in 2007, so you have Sean to thank for inspiring Shoe-In.

With special guest:

Sean Williams, Engagement Manager, Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design

#342 That FDRA Family Is Growing! Oct 17, 2022

FDRA's newest amazing employee Jolie Gracia stops by Shoe-In to discuss with Matt and Sabria her recent arrival to the organization and to share some key insights into her background. As you can imagine, we're all excited Jolie is here!

With special guest:

Jolie Gracia, Marketing and Events Assistant, FDRA

#341 Manitobah Mukluks on the March With Greg Tunney Oct 10, 2022

Industry veteran Greg Tunney is back, this time at the helm of the iconic Canadian brand Manitobah Mukluks. Joining Greg is Daman Morissette, Director of Social Impact, as they explore the rich and proud history of their brand's partnership with indigenous artisans and peoples making amazing footwear.

With special guests:

Greg Tunney, Chief Executive Officer, President and Member of the Board of Directors at Manitobah Mukluks and Daman Morissette, Director of Social Impact at Manitobah Mukluks

#340 The Price Is Right? Making Your Retail Strategy Succeed and Feel Less Like a Game Oct 03, 2022

First Insight CEO Greg Petro joins to discuss holiday and 2023 retail outlook, strategy and consumer trends. We get into great discussions on retail strategy including price, inventory and how consumers are shifting. We also discuss how First Insight is helping their partners move old inventory strategically!

With special guest:

Greg Petro, CEO, First Insight

#339 Where Are We Headed? Quick Hit on Shoe Inventory, Imports and Sales Sep 26, 2022

Team FDRA covers some of our latest data and analysis looking at the footwear marketplace - especially related to record imports against already high inventory levels and what that means for pricing.

With special guests:

Team FDRA

#338 Shoe Voters Unite! Time to Get Active Sep 19, 2022

Matt, Thomas, and Andy gather to discuss the recent deal to avoid a rail shutdown and the importance of footwear workers getting involved in the political process this mid term election. FDRA is back with it’s critical shoevoter.info website, empowering American footwear workers to register to vote, find their polling location, understand key voting deadlines, and more!

With special guests:

TEAM FDRA

#337 Coming Full Circle With OrthoLite's Kristin Burrows Sep 12, 2022

Footwear industry veteran Kristin Burrows joins Sandi and Matt to reminisce about her storied career in the shoe industry and unveil the many ways in which OrthoLite is helping footwear companies chart a sustainability course.

With special guest:

Kristin Burrows, Chief Brand Officer, OrthoLite

#336 Forecasting Fall Shoe Sales – Unpacking the Economics of How Consumers Will Spend Up to Holiday 2022 Sep 05, 2022

Footwear sales have been going well for much of the year, but as summer ends and families have to pay off those vacation bills what does that mean for sales this fall? Team FDRA jumps in to discuss different factors that are impacting consumer income and spending power. A must-listen episode to ensure you prepare for Fall Sales 2022!

#335 Sourcing and Supply Chain Execs Sound Off on Critical Strategies Aug 29, 2022

Live from a taped discussion at the New York Stock Exchange, listen in as a panel of footwear sourcing experts explore a variety of critical topics impacting shoe sourcing and supply chains in 2022. Wolverine Worldwide's own Jim Zwiers hosts Jung Yoon, Ronnie Robinson, and Tom Iredale for a fascinating discussion you have to hear to believe.

With special guests:

Jim Zwiers, EVP, Wolverine Worldwide, Jung Yoon, Divisional Vice President of Production and Sourcing, Michael Kors, Ronnie Robinson, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Designer Brands, and Tom Iredale, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Jones & Vining

#334 Resetting Your Brand's Factory Compliance Approach with James McMichael Aug 22, 2022

Factory compliance and social audit expert James McMichael drops by Shoe-In to discuss the ever-changing compliance landscape facing shoe companies today. With increased regulatory initiatives taking shape and more and more jurisdictions requiring enhanced ESG reporting and supply chain visibility, James' company Mosaic is here to help drive better due diligence and informed compliance for FDRA member companies.

With special guest:

James McMichael, Founder & Managing Partner, MOSAIC Responsible Supplier Resource

#333 Enhancing Your Global Impact With Sneaker Impact Aug 15, 2022

Sneaker Impact CEO Moe Hachem and shoe industry veteran John Licata join Andy and Sandi to talk about their amazing shoe stories and how they drive critical environmental change through Sneaker Impact. Check out sneakerimpact.com to learn more about how to change the world one pair of sneakers at a time.

With special guests:

Moe Hachem, CEO, Sneaker Impact and John Licata, Founder & President, 360 Consulting Solutions

#332 Nothing but Michele Love for the Shoe Industry Aug 08, 2022

From Nordstrom to DSW to Sunrise Brands, Michele Love's shoe story is like none other. Join Matt and Andy as they sit back and take in the many epic stories Michele has to offer. And something tells us that in spite of the many years she has already served in the footwear industry, Michele is just getting started.

With special guest:

Michele Love, CEO, Sunsrise Brands - Footwear & Accessories Division

#331 Exploring Wall Street Shoe Inventory & Planning Expectations with Sam Poser Aug 01, 2022

Industry analyst Sam Poser stops by Shoe-In to discuss what Wall Street's expectations are for the increased inventory levels seen across many consumer goods industries including footwear. Listen in as the boys discuss the difficult nature of demand and product planning during such unprecedented times.

With special guest:

Sam Poser, Equity Analyst, Williams Trading

#330 How Crocs President Michelle Poole Drives Brand Relevancy Jul 25, 2022

Crocs president and shoe industry leader Michelle Poole joins Matt and Sandi as they discuss Michelle's vision and plan to drive Crocs to even greater heights. Listen in as the gang discusses Crocs' ongoing phenomenal success, how Michelle brought relevancy to the iconic brand over the past few years, and her amazing plans to ensure consumers of all stripes keep reaching for a pair when they shop for shoes. Oh, and learn more about Crocs' amazing collaborations from Balenciaga to Post Malone to KFC and even Cinnamon Toast Crunch!

With special guest:

Michelle Poole, President, Crocs

#329 Critical Tax Issues Shoe Companies Need to Know NOW Jul 18, 2022

Matt and Thomas welcome Joel Boff and Arvi Kaur of CohnReznick to explore top savings and risk mitigation methods for footwear companies. This includes the understanding of Pass-Through Entity Taxes (PTET) and discovering the impact nexus studies have on ecommerce sales in various states. Listen to this critical episode and learn more at https://www.cohnreznick.com.

With special guests:

Joel Boff, Partner, CohnReznick and Arvi Kaur, State & Local Senior Tax Manager, CohnReznick

#328 Wolverine Worldwide's Brendan Hoffman Steps Up Jul 11, 2022

Wolverine Worldwide President & CEO Brendan Hoffman checks-in with Matt and Andy to discuss his plans to transform the iconic footwear company in the months and weeks ahead. With a strong team and an innovative vision, Brendan shows why he is well-suited to lead Wolverine to new heights.

With special guest:

Brendan Hoffman, President & CEO, Wolverine Worldwide

#327 FFANY Is Back and We’ve Got It Covered Jul 04, 2022

Live from New York we have a recording of Team FDRA as they download on all the latest trends and intel from the June FFANY Market Week. Catch up with Matt, Andy, Sandi and Sabria as they explore the many different themes they heard from footwear companies and executives.

With special guests:

Matt Priest, Andy Polk, Sandi Mines, Sabria Butler

#326 Emergency Shoe-In With Mario Cordero From the Port of Long Beach Jun 30, 2022

Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero joins Matt and Thomas on Shoe-In to discuss the ongoing labor negotiations between the PMA and the ILWU as the current contract between the two sides expires. Mario also discusses lessons learned during the COVID supply chain crisis, important investments being made for the future movement of goods at the port, and that time the leader of the free world mispronounced his name and it went viral.

With special guest:

Mario Cordero, Executive Director, Port of Long Beach

#325 How 3D Shoe Fitting Is Transforming Footwear Sales Jun 27, 2022

Ecomm returns are margin killers, but there is a solution for brands and retailers! This episode explores how Aetrex's technology is helping increase consumer confidence in fit and comfort - boosting sales without returns!

With special guests:

Matt Schwartz, Chief Revenue Officer, Aetrex, Inc. and Jeff Stern, Senior Vice President, Brand GM at Rocky Brands, Inc.

#324 100 Years of Rack Room Shoes With Mark Lardie Jun 20, 2022

Rack Room Shoes' fearless leader Mark Lardie joins Shoe-In to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the iconic family footwear retailer. The gang also discusses the multiple once-in-a-generation challenges currently hitting the footwear industry and how Mark's bullish plans for retail, inventory, and personnel are driving the company towards growth.

With special guest:

Mark Lardie, President & CEO, Rack Room Shoes

#323 The Athlete’s Foot Steps Up Jun 13, 2022

The Athlete's Foot's very own Darius Billings, the Sr. Director of Product & Marketing joins Matt and Sabria to discuss his shoe story and the great work that TAF has done to increase African-American representation and ownership in the footwear industry.

With special guest:

Darius Billings, Sr Director, Product & Marketing, The Athlete's Foot

#322 The Muskats Making Their Move Jun 06, 2022

One of footwear's most active and involved families, the Muskats, stop by Shoe-In to unveil their future company plans as they continue to innovatively transform and evolve Deer Stags in service to their employees, their customers and their industry. A third generation shoe family, Michael, Rick, Danny, Jeni and Jake reveal the many different ways the company is working to pass the torch from one generation to the next...all within the family.

With special guests:

Michael Muskat, CEO, Rick Muskat, President, Danny Muskat, Senior Vice President, Strategic Business Development and Jake Muskat, Vice President, Sales & Digital Marketing

#321 Black Footwear Forum in Focus May 30, 2022

Sabria and Matt preview all the exciting changes taking place at the Black Footwear Forum in 2022, from the establishment of an experienced Advisory Committee to the regional meet-ups in Boston, Atlanta, New York, Columbus, and Portland to the national event in Detroit. You won't want to miss this! Check out more at blackfootwearforum.com.

With special guests:

Matt Priest, President & CEO, FDRA and Sabria Butler, Marketing & Events Manager, FDRA

#320 Rothy's COO on Sustainability, Innovation, Supply Chains and Operations May 23, 2022

Taken from a fantastic webinar, this episode features Rothy's COO talking about operations, supply chain management and sustainability innovation. The conversation was powered by Centric, who provides the top class PLM for footwear companies.

With special guests:

Heather Howard, COO, Rothy's and Colleen Grass, Centric Software

#319 Shoe Inventory 2.0 - A Real 'Fitted' Retail Solution May 16, 2022

Shoe retailers continue to struggle with complex ordering systems and inventory management. But software company Fitted, whose team have a lot of shoe experience, has new tools to help streamline brand and retailer processes, mobilize distribution and optimize relationships. Listen to this great conversation on how retailers are changing how they do business to succeed in this new environment!

With special guest:

Jennifer Hazard, Director of Sales, Fitted

#318 JUNE FFANY Is Back With Salina Ferretti and Rob Perschino From Falc USA May 09, 2022

Salina Ferretti and Rob Perschino stopped by Shoe-in Show to talk about new trends and what's to come at JUNE FFANY in NY.

With special guests:

Salina Ferretti, CEO, Falc USA and Rob Perschino, GM, Falc USA

#317 Running With Purpose With Jim Weber May 02, 2022

Brooks' fearless leader Jim Weber stops by Shoe-In Show to discuss his new book "Running with Purpose" and his inspiring journey as head of one of the world's premier running shoe companies. Join us as Jim shares fascinating stories along his journey from his one-page strategy approach to turning Brooks around to that time he let a voicemail from Warren Buffett go unanswered for five days!! And make sure you buy the book! All book profits will be donated to the Brooks Booster Club to provide performance running footwear, apparel, and funding to under-resourced high school cross country and track teams.

Pick it up on the Brooks site or Amazon.

With special guest:

Jim Weber, CEO, Brooks

#316 Understanding the New Economy and Shoe Marketplace Apr 25, 2022

There are many pieces to the new economic and business puzzle the footwear industry and shoe professionals are trying to understand to make better decisions. Team FDRA works to fill in some gaps on how inflation, demand, war, inventory and consumer shifts are impacting the shoe business. We also share what we think is coming and how to prepare.

With special guest:

Gary Raines, Chief Economist, FDRA

#315 Future Footwear - NFW on Material Innovations Displacing Plastics Apr 18, 2022

Footwear materials are innovating at breakneck speed, but shoes still contain a lot of plastics. Why is that and how is that changing? Ahead of Earth Day we wanted to have a robust discussion on the state of shoe material innovations with Natural Fiber Welding's Alan Lugo and Dr. Stephen Taylor (a soil scientist working on shoe issues!). You'll gain some great insights and wisdom on how to rethink shoe materials and brand sustainability strategy.

With special guests:

Alan Lugo, Product Strategy Manager, Natural Fiber Welding and Dr. Stephen Taylor, Soil Scientist & Circularity Engineer, Natural Fiber Welding

#314 Deckers Brands CEO Dave Powers on Authentic ESG Leadership Apr 11, 2022

Dave Powers joins us on this important episode to talk about the great behind the scenes work being done at Deckers Brands on sustainability. More than buzz words, Dave talks about the importance of how authentic leadership and culture ensures success on ESG issues. We also discuss how important purpose is to a strong workforce willing to innovate. Another must-listen episode!

#313 Work Boot Wake-Up Call With Wolverine's Tom Kennedy Apr 04, 2022

Wolverine's own Tom Kennedy stops by Shoe-In Show to check in with Sandi and Matt on all the latest work boot trends and his approach to diversifying his brands in order to serve a more diverse consumer base.

#312 Shoe Leaders on Supply Chain Shenanigans and Solutions Mar 28, 2022

FDRA's "Supply Chain in Crisis" webinar had some of the industry's top thought leaders discussing what you must be watching as we continue to deal with supply chain headaches. It was so good we had to broadcast it out on Shoe-In to make sure everyone had a chance to listen!

#311 Sourcing Certified Sustainable Materials With Ease Mar 21, 2022

The old world of Excel is crumbling. Data that sits is useless. A new system is being built for a more sustainable future that helps teams visualize, understand data and make better choices at the start. We talk with Material Exchange in this episode about their new updated platform and how it's changing the game for good!

#310 The Challenge Inflation Poses for Footwear Mar 14, 2022

Is inflation the new four-letter word? In this episode, we discuss the many issues and challenges inflation poses to our industry and the economy, with dashes of other random observations and comments on human nature. Yes, this is the latest footwear philosophy episode not to be missed!!!

#309 Chris Burns Lights It Up Again Mar 07, 2022

Industry analyst and sneaker industry expert Chris Burns joins Shoe-In Show again in an attempt to kick-off March Madness in style. As you'll hear, we never really get around to talking basketball as Matt, Andy and Chris explore a plethora of other topics around DTC, e-commerce, NFTs, StockX, brand strategies, and even shoe conspiracies appropriately coined "Shoe-anon." You need a footwear analyst focused on all the right metrics? Chris is your guy.

#308 Beyond the Shoe with Converse Directors Tamara Odom & Brodrick Foster Feb 28, 2022

On this episode we chat with Converse Directors, Tamara Odom and Brodrick Foster and get the inside scoop on what it's like to work at Converse. During this conversation, you'll learn how Converse is committed to diversity and empowering its employees to reach new heights and be their best selves. We also get to hear about the cool projects they're working on, some even featuring NBA superstars! This is a thoughtful and super fun episode that you don't want to miss!

#307 Finding Solutions with Jazerai Allen-Lord Feb 21, 2022

Jazerai Allen-Lord, Founder of True to Size stops by Shoe-In to discuss her latest work and how companies can be greater agents of change to provide safe and fair spaces for workers of color.

#306 Dr. D'Wayne Edwards Makes History Feb 14, 2022

The Shoe-In Show BHM '22 series rolls on as Dr. D'Wayne Edwards joins Matt and Sabria to talk about the opening of the Pensole Lewis School of Business & Design in Detroit, his calling to empower black design students in all industries, and his continuation of the amazing and iconic legacy of Dr. Violet Lewis.

#305 The Way Forward With Brandis Russell Feb 07, 2022

Converse executive and FDRA board member Brandis Russell stops by Shoe-In Show to kick off our BHM '22 series by sharing her own shoe story and to talk about the important changes taking place at the newly reimagined Black Footwear Forum.

#304 Tech Helping Brands Better Message to Customers on ESG Issues and What's Ahead for '22 Retail Jan 31, 2022

What if you could know what sustainable products and language best connect with your customers BEFORE you launch new shoes and campaign? In this episode, we talk about how the most successful brands are leveraging First Insight's new capability on ESG issues to ensure they are hitting the mark. We also have a thoughtful conversation on key challenges and opportunities that will impact shoe sales in 2022!

#303 Innovating Towards More Ethical/Sustainable Footwear Foams Jan 24, 2022

Stuart Jenkins, founder of Blumaka, joins us again to talk about his latest learnings and insights into footwear foams. We talk about the outdated manufacturing processes that need to be updated in order to reduce waste and emissions and get to a more "ethical" path for footwear companies.

#302 Looking Ahead With Sandi Mines Jan 17, 2022

FDRA's new Vice President of Corporate Engagement Sandi Mines is no stranger to the shoe industry having grown up in a shoe family and worked at the helm of Footwear News. Listen in as Sandi shares her "shoe story" with our audience and unveils her bullish plans for FDRA in 2022 and beyond.

#301 Solving 100-Year-Old Logistics Problems with Pete Mento Jan 10, 2022

Supply chain extraordinaire and current Head of Procurement & Commercial Excellence at Wayfair, Pete Mento stops by Shoe-In to try and tackle the many difficult challenges facing the global supply chain in 2022. We may not have all the answers, but we sure do have a ton of questions. If supply chain is top-of-mind for you today, you won't want to miss this episode and Pete Mento's many hot takes.

#300 Shoe Carnival and Shoe Station Join Forces Jan 03, 2022

Shoe Carnival President & CEO Mark Worden is back this time with former Shoe Station President & CEO Brent Barkin to discuss Shoe Carnival's acquisition of the Mobile, Alabama-based Shoe Station. Mark and Brent unveil their plans for the New Year as the two foundational family retailers join forces to grow Shoe Carnival into a larger footwear retailer powerhouse. Digital engagement coupled with bricks and mortar activation is the name of the game for these two footwear execs.

#299 How Tech Is Helping Increase Supply Chain Agility Dec 27, 2021

Taken from a great webinar hosted by FDRA and Centric Software, this episode dives into key insights into supply chain strategy and how technology is helping companies make better, faster decisions across their supply chains!

#298 U.S.-China Decoupling Conundrum with Frank Lavin Dec 20, 2021

Export Now Founder and Chairman Frank Lavin joins Shoe-In Show this week to discuss his recent piece in Forbes exploring the fraught U.S-China relationship. With years of diplomatic experience across many U.S. administrations, Frank has a keen eye on the current challenges impacting the world's most important geopolitical relationship. Curious to explore tips for U.S. companies caught in the crossfire? Make sure you listen to this episode!

Articles referenced during our discussion: Forbes The National Interest The American Interest Grab Frank's book here

#297 Navigating Supply Chain Disruption: A Conversation with First Insight and The Rockport Company Dec 13, 2021

Inflation and supply chain shortages will continue through the rest of 2021 and likely into the new year with consumer demand outpacing supply. The Rockport Company is leveraging First Insight’s predictive analytics solution and real-time voice-of-customer price elasticity data to optimize their assortments and pricing to effectively navigate the supply chain disruption and inflation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hear from Lisa Laich, Chief Marketing Officer and Steven Holt, President at The Rockport Company, and Jim Shea, Chief Commercial Officer of First Insight, one of the world’s leading Experience Management (XM) platforms that empowers companies to incorporate the Voice of the Customer through the use of online consumer engagement tools.

#296 Journeys President on Supply Chain Issues and Continued Consumer Shifts Dec 06, 2021

Mario Gallione, President of Journeys, joins us on this episode to discuss how they are dealing with supply chain issues, how they are rethinking mall traffic measurement, and how they are preparing for continued consumer changes in 2022. A must listen to this fun and insightful episode where the Metaverse also gets a mention!

#295 Josue Solano Talks Supply Chain and Sales Nov 29, 2021

BBC International's fearless leader Josue Solano stops by Shoe-In to discuss the current turmoil impacting the footwear supply chain, his expectations for 2022 production and sales, and the innovative ways BBC is ensuring it has key product at the right time for its retail customers.

#294 Footwear Retail Fundamentals with Chelsea Mueller of FitForCommerce Nov 22, 2021

Shoe-In welcomes FitForCommerce Senior Consultant Chelsea Mueller as she unveils her three key strategies to successful shoe selling in the current retail environment. No matter where you're selling your shoes - in-store, online, or out of the back of your station wagon - this episode is for you.

#293 What’s Up with Shoe Retail Prices? Because They Are WAY UP! Nov 15, 2021

Matt and Andy cover the latest FDRA data showing October shoe retail prices continued to edge higher for the 6th straight month. What's data, what's behind the continued surge and will it continue? Listen to this important episode to find out!

#292 Shoeconomy Update in Realtime Nov 08, 2021

FDRA's Chief Economist Gary Raines joins Shoe-In Show to review all the critical economic updates impacting the Shoeconomy heading into holiday 2021.

#291 Critical Shoe Political Updates with FDRA's Own Thomas Crockett Nov 01, 2021

FDRA's own Thomas Crockett stops by Shoe-In to join in on a political potpourri discussion around the vaccine mandate, infrastructure bill negotiations, China trade, and more.

#290 FDRA's 2021 Holiday Shoe Shopper Forecast Oct 25, 2021

FDRA asked 1,000 families where they plan to buy their shoes this holiday season, how much they plan to spend and what type of shoes they plan to buy.

#289 A Roadmap Helps Shoe Companies To Better Navigate Current Disruptions Oct 18, 2021

This week Matthew Rubel shares some real wisdom on how companies need to think and act more strategically to deal with continued business disruption. We cover supply chain costs, retail/consumer demand shifts, long-term inflation, and capitalization issues - with Matt going through each area and laying out clear things shoe companies should focus efforts and energy on (consumers to employees) to ensure they hit the mark. This is a must listen episode to understand key changes we face as an industry and how to build real agility!

#288 Dr. Priest is Back with Critical COVID Updates Oct 11, 2021

Listen in as Dr. David Priest provides the footwear industry with critical updates around COVID, the delta variant, vaccine mandates, and more.

#287 Day One with Shoe Carnival's New CEO Mark Worden Oct 04, 2021

Matt, Andy and Jasmine check in with Mark Worden, the new president and CEO of Shoe Carnival, during his first week on the job. Mark lays out his bullish vision for the family footwear retailer's future with a focus on bricks and mortar and in-person shopping. Learn Mark's unique background and perspective and find out what shoes he currently wears and what he plans to buy next in Jasmine's Whatcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'? segment.

#286 Optimizing and Increasing Ecomm Shoe Sales Sep 27, 2021

There are a growing number of ecomm platforms you have to be on to grow shoe sales, but they all come with different data and content requirements, and systems making it a real headache to manage. In this episode we are joined by Syndic8 CEO Chris John who explains how brands must think about their data and how to use new technology to be on as many platforms as possible, as seamlessly as possible. If you want to grow eyes on your product and increase sales, give this episode a listen!

#285 Shoe Supply Chain Strategies to Curb Costs and Headaches (Part 2 of 2) Sep 20, 2021

Continuing the conversation from lasts week's episode our panel adds more ideas and takeaways on how to create better supply chain strategies to curb costs and headaches. A must listen on the ways brands and suppliers are getting creative in this age of supply chain chaos.

#284 Shoe Supply Chain Strategies to Curb Costs and Headaches (Part 1 of 2) Sep 13, 2021

Supply chains costs and shipping capacity issues remain large challenges to our industry. This panel discussion, from FDRA's 2021 Supply Chain Summit, provides some ideas and insights from various aspects of the shoe industry to help plant some new ideas and tips to better manage the chaos.

#283 Realtime Footwear Supply Chain Check-in Part Two Sep 06, 2021

Listen in on part two of a fascinating conversation around the current challenges of the global footwear supply chain from industry leaders at Crocs, Michael Kors, Rack Room Shoes and Apex Global Logistics. Receive key takeaways on cost mitigation strategies (if there are any to be had) and important forecasts for how long the shipping chaos will continue.

#282 Realtime Footwear Supply Chain Check-In Part One Aug 30, 2021

Listen in on part one of a fascinating conversation around the current challenges of the global footwear supply chain from industry leaders at Crocs, Michael Kors, Rack Room Shoes and Apex Global Logistics. Receive key takeaways on cost mitigation strategies (if there are any to be had) and important forecasts for how long the shipping chaos will continue.

#281 Cliff Sifford is Back to Discuss Back to School Aug 23, 2021

Footwear fan favorite Cliff Sifford joins Shoe-In again to discuss back to school 2021 and his expectations for an epic shoe selling season. Matt also explores with Cliff the global state of the footwear supply chain and how current challenges are impacting inventory.

#280 Dave Grange Takes the Reins at K-Swiss Aug 16, 2021

Industry leader and footwear exec Dave Grange is back on Shoe-In to discuss his recent appointment as International Brand President at K-Swiss, the history of the iconic California brand, and his vision for its dynamic and exciting future in the age of sneakers and e-commerce.

#279 In-Person FFANY Market Week is Back! Aug 09, 2021

FDRA's own Strategic Marketplace Advisor John Heron stops by Shoe-In Show to discuss the return of in-person FFANY market weeks in New York and the launch of the FDRA X FFANY Digital Directory.

#278 Helping Companies Develop Real Sustainability Strategies to Increase Impact Aug 02, 2021

Most shoe companies working on sustainability lack a coherent holistic approach to ensure their efforts lower costs and magnify impact. In this episode we talk about a new program FDRA and the Footwearists are launching soon to help increase knowledge and help companies form real strategies that tie efforts together. A must listen for every exec and workers in our industry! Visit Shoe Sustainability Summit to learn more!

#277 MAGIC in Las Vegas is Back! Jul 26, 2021

Kelly Helfman, President of Informa Markets, Fashion Division steps into the Shoe-In Show to share the current state of live events and trade shows. MAGIC in Las Vegas is back in full effect this year; listen to this episode to hear how they are transforming footwear in Las Vegas and insights for emerging retailers and brands who are ready to get back connected.

#276 Changing Corporate Culture with LaShae Boone-McCray at RG Barry Jul 19, 2021

This week we have LaShae Boone-McCray, Strategic Account Manager at RG Barry on for the first time! From the shoe store to the corporate office, we learn about LaShae's shoe story and how her career in footwear lead her to take on the challenge of helping to create a more diverse and inclusive culture at RG Barry.

#275 New Insights Into Shoe Supply Chain Issues with the Port of Long Beach Jul 12, 2021

Every company has supply chains front of mind right now and this episode covers so many important topics key to speed and agility for shoe companies. We are joined by our friend Dr. Noel Hacegaba at the Port of Long Beach who provides a real-time update on port logistical issues and provides key insights to what to expect for a record breaking 2021 Holiday import rush!

#274 JUST IN, JUST IN TIME: New Sandal Market Report! Jul 05, 2021

FDRA’s own Chief Economist, Gary Raines, joins the podcast this week to talk about record demand for sandals and whether or not the industry has enough inventory to meet growing footwear consumer appetites. To access the full report, send us a note at info@fdra.org.

#273 Getting Inside the Box With BillerudKorsnäs Jun 28, 2021

Ryan Gaither, International Sales Executive at BillerudKorsnäs returns to Shoe-In Show, to talk about the current paper market crisis, supply chain issues affecting the footwear industry, sustainability challenges, and the importance of packaging with consumers.

#272 Shoe Shoppers Sound Off On Sustainability - What they Understand, What Brands Should Prioritize Jun 21, 2021

This episode is a special review of our shoe shopper survey on sustainability, conducted along with First Insight. Hear what grabs shoe shoppers attention on eco-friendly materials, products and processes to how much more they are willing to pay for sustainable shoes! If you want to get real ROI at the cash register for your sustainable efforts, listen to this important episode!

#271 Kickin’ It With Creator, Erica Dixon at adidas! Jun 14, 2021

This episode of Shoe-in welcomes Erica Dixon, Assistant Manager of Campaign Operations at adidas! We learn all about Erica's journey from passionate intern to thriving in her current role at her dream company. We have a refreshing conversation on Erica's positive outlook on the industry and her love for all things creative and strategy.

#270 EMERGENCY Supply Chain Cost Considerations Jun 07, 2021

It wouldn't be an overstatement to say that supply chain costs are in crisis mode in 2021. With container spot rates reaching $15K, footwear companies are scrambling for space. Apex Logistics' own Rex Paschall joins Shoe-In to discuss the current crisis, options to avoid additional costs and his forecast for the future. Jasmine jumps in with her world famous Whatcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'? segment.

#269 Catching Up With Kerry Rasmussen of Farrow May 31, 2021

Shoe-In favorite Kerry Rasmussen stops by the show to update our listeners on the Canadian marketplace and the importance of declaring the proper value of the shoes you ship into the Great White North. Jasmine jumps in to explore Kerry's very healthy obsession with Fluevogs.

#268 Inside Teva’s New Program to Recycle Sandals May 24, 2021

Teva, one of the hottest brands in the marketplace, joins Shoe-In to discuss how it is building a more sustainable future from 3D design to its new recycling program ‘TevaForever’. Learn more about this innovative program that takes product returns to keep them out of landfills! Anders Bergstrom, Teva’s Vice President & Global GM and Jess Bensley, Senior Product Line Manager at Teva are the driving force behind TevaForever and share why they are working to recycle their sandals and some of the nitty gritty details behind the scenes. Along the way we share a lot of laughs and discuss why Teva did a collab with polaroid! Oh, and learn how to properly pronounce the name of this iconic brand.

#267 Behind the Curtain of Footwear Innovation with Jean-Luc Diard, Global VP of Innovation, Deckers May 17, 2021

The Shoe-in Show is honored to have Jean-Luc Diard, Global VP of Innovation at Deckers and Head of Deckers X Lab on this week! Jean-Luc shares his journey from starting off as a passionate runner to developing one of the hottest running shoes in the business — HOKA One One. We learn a bit about the mindset around creating new products, timing new developments, and the magic behind the innovations of Deckers X Lab.

#266 Marketing 411 with Leslie Gallin May 10, 2021

A Shoe-in Show favorite is back, Leslie Gallin formerly President of Footwear at Informa Markets and now serving as a consultant at FFB Collaboration. FFB is a cultural marketing and strategy agency that helps brands connect with culture and has a unique creation-to-shelf model to ensure companies have success. On this episode Leslie shares some of the backstory of FFB, why it's important to collaborate with multiple generations, and the current evolution of marketing.

#265 Shoe Stories and Seychelles with Sari Ratsula May 03, 2021

In the continuation of our Footwear Leadership Series, Sari Ratsula of Seychelles and BC Footwear joins the podcast to explore her unexpected journey from Finland to Vans to Seychelles. Sari also provides her insights into the ways in which the industry is dramatically changing in these turbulent times. Jasmine jumps in to explore Sari's go-to shoe of choice.

#264 The Amazing Sustainable Journey of Saucony's New ZERO Plastics Shoe Apr 26, 2021

This is an amazing episode about how Saucony's team transformed how they design and produced the new Jazz Court RFG to have just 7 materials and no plastics! We go into the details of how they worked through multiple challenges and innovated their processes and used new materials to make their most eco-friendly shoe ever. Listen as Andrea Paulson, their Head of Product Engineering, goes through the process and journey and how their learnings will help transform other products.

#263 How Technology is Enhancing Shoe Sustainability Practices Apr 19, 2021

Finding and sourcing sustainable materials, keeping track of sustainability certifications and traceability is a real challenge for shoe companies. In this episode we discuss these issues and how Material Exchange is building the future where sustainable materials will be at your finger tips through dynamic filtering by certifications and standards. Join us as we discuss how technology is driving positive change in our value chains!

#262 Speaking of Sperry with Joelle Grunberg Apr 12, 2021

The Shoe-In Show Leadership Series continues as Joelle Grunberg of Sperry stops by to share the latest on the iconic brand and strategies she has adopted in the face of an evolving consumer and retail landscape. Jasmine jumps in with her world famous Whatcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'? segment.

#261 Okabashi's Origins & Making Innovative Shoes in America Apr 05, 2021

Okabashi is not your average shoe company! From its innovative materials to its production facility in America, Okabashi is flourishing. This week, Sara Irvani, Okabashi’s CEO, joins us on this fun insightful episode where she discusses how her family, rich in the footwear tradition, came to America and created a forward thinking shoe company. She shares her take on the current footwear market and how innovation is reshaping the business — We also talk about the current state of domestic footwear manufacturing, and how COVID helped better position the company and its vanilla smelling plant based in Beaufort, GA!

#260 It’s Time To Plug In With FDRA! Mar 29, 2021

This week we are sharing all the ways FDRA is serving the industry. Checking out our site is always a great place to start, but on this episode we have a conversation about what we are doing regarding sustainability, diversity, supply chain and customs issues, and more!

#259 The Missing Link in Shoe Companies Digital Transformation! Mar 22, 2021

COVID threw many people into the digital stream, but there are new tools being added to help brands adapt not only their 3D design and development, but how they use new dynamic digital tools to sell shoes to customers. Romans CAD has helped shoe companies digitize for decades and Jean-Marc Pedeboy joins us to talk about what companies are doing well, and the new tools they are launching to help optimize shoe orders that update everything automatically in the backend. A total workflow solution!

#258 Getting the CEO's perspective on navigating a footwear business in 2021 with Faryl Morse of Farylrobin Footwear Mar 15, 2021

Leadership Series: Faryl Morse, Founder and CEO of Farylrobin Footwear joins the Shoe-In Show for the first time! Faryl shares her journey from working footwear retail as a teenager to owning her own brand. On this episode, we also discuss the importance of company culture during this time, women supporting each other in business and changes in consumer decision-making going forward.

#257 Starting a Shoe Brand With Susannah Davda! Mar 08, 2021

There are a ton of individuals and groups who want to understand how to start a shoe brand and be successful. On this episode, we have on Susannah Davda, aka The Shoe Consultant, who shares with us some of what she offers as a consultant for both start-ups and established brands. We talk about common mistakes, manufacturing, the first steps to starting a brand, marketing and more.

#256 Innovating Better Things in a Better Way With Jad Finck of Allbirds Mar 01, 2021

Our leadership series continues with Jad Finck, the Head of Innovation & Sustainability at Allbirds, the fast growing California-based lifestyle brand and Climate Neutral B Corp, well-known for their merino Wool Runners and other ultra-comfy, nature-based footwear and apparel. As Matt Priest puts it, "Allbirds has become the darling of the industry, from an innovation perspective, a sustainability perspective, and a storytelling perspective." As one of the first employees at Allbirds, Jad led the development of the company’s major material innovations including their eucalyptus fiber Tree fabric and SweetFoam™, a TIME Magazine Best Invention of the Year featuring the world’s first carbon capturing, sugarcane-based EVA. Join us as Jad gives the Shoe-in Show an inside look at the stories behind these sustainable creations and takes us through Allbirds’ pioneering work on publishing and reducing the carbon footprints of all their products in their mission to “reverse climate change through better business.”

#255 Dr. David Priest is back with Critical COVID Updates Feb 22, 2021

Dr. David Priest rejoins Shoe-In Show to provide key critical updates on the spread of COVID, vaccine distribution and critical thoughts around corporate travel, communications, and expectations for 2021. He also answers a slew of questions on the minds of our industry during these uncertain times. A must listen!

#254 Footwear Industry Deep Dives with Diane Sullivan Feb 15, 2021

The Shoe-In Show Leadership Series continues as Diane Sullivan, Chairman & CEO of Caleres, stops by to share her shoe story taking her from chocolate to footwear. You'll also hear Diane's 2021 industry outlook and the key takeaways she has learned throughout the pandemic. Join this fascinating discussion around e-commerce, assortment, inventory management, customer engagement, and more!

#253 2021 Trade Show Updates with Tom Nastos, CCO of Informa Markets Feb 08, 2021

This week we continue our leadership series with Tom Nastos, Chief Commercial Officer of Informa Markets, the fashion industry’s premier trade show organizer. Tom is an industry vet and on this episode he shares stories of working with some of the top fashion brands, trend discovery during this time, and what to expect for trade shows in 2021.

#252 Genesco's Andy Gilbert on 2021 Marketplace Dynamics and Leading Teams Remotely Feb 01, 2021

Our 2021 leadership series continues with the this fun dynamic conversation with Andy Gilbert, President of Licensed Brands at Genesco. Andy provides his view of how 2021 may play out economically and how that will impact footwear sales. We also discuss how retailers and brands will continue to adjust strategy from product to inventory to channel based on consumer demand shifts. We also get into key tips to successful leadership in a continued work from home environment!

#251 Answering a Higher Calling with Doug Palladini of Vans Jan 25, 2021

Vans Global Brand President Doug Palladini stops by Shoe-In Show to discuss why culture is king and doing the right thing will always win the day. You will also hear interesting ways the company is using customization and AI to meet the needs of the brand's passionate consumer base. As a part of our continuing Shoe-In Show Footwear Leadership Series, we think this is one of our best conversations and episodes ever!

#250 2021 Outdoor Outlook with Columbia Sportswear's Own Peter Bragdon Jan 18, 2021

In the continuation of the Shoe-In Show Leadership Series, we welcome Columbia Sportswear's own Peter Bragdon to the program to explore his 2021 expectations for the outdoor industry and the company's active and creative political engagement.

#249 Catching Up With Under Armour's Colin Browne Jan 11, 2021

From footwear factory in England to Chief Operating Officer at Under Armour, Colin Browne joins Shoe-In to share his 2021 outlook for the footwear industry and his very unique shoe story. As a part of our ongoing Footwear Industry Leadership Series we get Colin’s insight on the global footwear marketplace, inventory, productivity and more!

#248 Economic Trends That Will Impact Shoe Sales in 2021 Jan 04, 2021

This is an important episode for all our businesses. We look at various issues impacting consumer spending and confidence in 2021 that will impact shoe sales. Gary Raines, FDRA's Chief Economist, is on the hot seat as we talk about trends and possible issues around disposable income, inflation, and other trends we see around Fed policy that will impact consumers and shoe companies!

#247 Greatest Time of The Year! - Shoe-In Show Holiday Wrap Up Dec 28, 2020

Happy Holidays! Join us for a short holiday wrap episode as Andy, Matt and Jasmine reflect on the year and all the unexpected things that happened! The Shoe-In Show team also talk holiday shoes, traditions and gifts!

#246 Chatting it up with Tony from Chiappetta Shoes Dec 21, 2020

Tony Chiappetta from Chiappetta Shoes is back as he joins the Shoe-In Show team for a discussion on independent footwear retailing, COVID, agility and e-commerce. Jasmine gets Tony to unveil our most interesting pair of shoes yet in her world famous "Whatcha got? Whatcha gettin'?" segment.

#245 Key Footwear Retail Insights with Rack Room's Mark Lardie Dec 14, 2020

Rack Room Shoes President & CEO Mark Lardie joins Matt, Andy and Jasmine as they explore the current state of footwear retail, expectations for 2021 and the success behind the shoes Mark and his team curate for suburban shoppers. Jasmine unveils a new technology that allows for people to scan QR codes off the bottoms of their shoes in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#244 Finally FDRA and FFANY! Dec 07, 2020

Team FDRA comes together to talk about the importance of the merger of FDRA and FFANY with John Heron, FDRA's Strategic Marketplace Advisor. How often should the industry gather for a trade show? What are the best dates? What should a virtual platform entail? Listen in to hear answers to these questions and more. Jasmine jumps in to discuss mask fashion in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#243 Beyond the TV Talking Points: A Fun Discussion on What The Election Results REALLY Mean for Footwear Workers and Consumers Nov 30, 2020

Team FDRA has a fun, enlightening, discussion about the recent election on this episode that covers new ideas you wont hear elsewhere! We go deep into how the election results will reshape policy and politics, what forces inside and outside government will change everyones political calculus and what to look for going forward that could impact your wallets and jobs!

#242 2020 Holiday Shoe Sales Forecast Nov 23, 2020

Listen in as an esteemed panel of experts weigh in on 2020 forecasted holiday shoe sales in the midst of a pandemic and the explosion of e-commerce.

#241 Shoe Trade Strategies Kicking up Significant Savings Nov 16, 2020

With all the discounting taking place at retail, companies are having to rewrite their playbook when it comes to trade, using new strategies to lower costs. KPMG's Nicole Porpiglia joins us to discuss what successful companies are doing today to lower duty costs and raise profits in these challenging times!

#240 Pulling back the curtain on successful shoe eComm - from structure and strategy to data and sales! Nov 09, 2020

Kent Zimmerman, Vice President, eCommerce & Consumer Technology, Shoe Carnival joins us to talk about the new dynamics of online shoe retail today. We go deep on how important eComm is to not just sales but to understanding customers today, how "data wisdom" is key, as well as what sort of talent are needed to staff a robust eComm operation. We also talk about the future as well as preparing for holiday sales during this great conversation!

#239 Exploring Shoes from Mexico with Daniel Sepúlveda Nov 02, 2020

Matt, Andy and Jasmine welcome Daniel Sepúlveda from the Mexican Chamber of Footwear to discuss the strategic ways Mexican footwear producers are increasing their export competitiveness during the era of COVID-19. Jasmine jumps in with her world famous Fashion Footwear in Focus to discuss the latest trends from Slow Man Shoes.

#238 Don't Panic! - Cutting cost within your supply chain with Kerry Rasmussen from Farrow Oct 26, 2020

In 2020 we are seeing the lowest footwear prices we've seen in a very long time! Kerry Rasmussen, Manager, Major Accounts at Farrow joins us this episodes because her career has been dedicated to helping businesses save money which most companies are in serious need of now! Listen to today's episode as Kerry explains a little about the services Farrow provides, how they are managing clients now, and her advice to companies.

#237 JUST RELEASED Holiday Shoe Shopper Data & Insights Just In Time for the Now 3 Month Holiday Season! Oct 19, 2020

Ho Ho Ho! Before Halloween? Yep! According to our just released national survey shoe buyers are looking for the best deals NOW! Don't miss this fun look at exclusive data on shoe shoppers nationwide - sure to help you better market and increase sales. We asked consumers across the US where they were buying this year (online or in-store), what and when they were going to buy, how much they are going to spend and what they are looking for!

#236 The Power of Packaging Oct 12, 2020

This week we have Ryan Gaither, International Sales Executive at BillerudKorsnäs join us to talk about packaging trends, sustainable packaging, the responsibility brands have on supply chain, and how cost will be impacted going into the new year.

#235 How The Foundry is Helping Brands Digitize One Step At A Time Oct 05, 2020

This week we take a look at software and digital tools changing how shoe companies are designing and developing shoes to even how they are selling shoes online. The Foundry is well know for their visual tools and Jenna Villa joins us to talk about how shoe companies are using different tools to optimize remote workflows, cut costs, speed up processes and provide some amazing visuals to help engage customers! This is a great conversation for anyone looking for simple steps to a new digital future!

#234 Reblazing Trails with Sean and Shannon Scott of COMUNITYmade Sep 28, 2020

Shoe-blazers Sean and Shannon Scott drop by Shoe-In to discuss the concept and mission of COMUNITYmade -- an LA-based shoe company making high-quality footwear in the U.S. and giving back to the local community. Jasmine jumps in to discover the shoes on the Scott's feet and what they plan to purchase in her world-famous Whatcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'? segment.

#233 The Real Economics of the Shoe Marketplace From Shoe Sales and Shoppers to The Politics of The Needed Federal Stimulus Sep 21, 2020

This is a must listen for everyone in footwear. In this episode FDRA deep dives into real time marketplace dynamics impacting shoe brands and retailers - from shoe sales numbers to how higher costs in the supply chain against rising discount demands from consumers are putting a historic squeeze on retail profits. We also discuss how the Fed is pumping money to prop up markets against the politics behind the next stimulus needed to help prevent a consumer disposable income crisis in Q3 and Q4. We also do a Holiday sales preview through 2021.

#232 Fighting Footwear Fakes with Vi3 Sep 14, 2020

Vi3's own Paul Foley stops by Shoe-In to discuss the latest technologies being deployed by Vi3 to help track and stop the flow of counterfeit goods and the diverting of legitimate product to unauthorized channels. With an extensive background working for brands like NIKE, Converse and Reebok, Paul knows the industry in-and-out. Find out even more information at fightfootwearfakes.com.

#231 Trans Atlantic Shoe Marketplace Update Sep 07, 2020

This episode we talk to Lucy Reece-Raybould, The British Footwear Association's newest leader about the retail environment in the UK, footwear manufacturing, e-commerce, and upcoming joint briefing between the two associations.

#230 Dan Post Boot Camp: Digital Product Testing Drives Speed, Sell-in, and New Style Success Aug 31, 2020

Learn from Stephanie Greenfield, Managing Director of Product Development at Dan Post Boot Company, how the iconic western brand is leveraging digital product testing and the Voice of the Customer to get to market faster with winning new styles.

#229 The Way Ahead with Ed Rosenfeld Aug 24, 2020

The Shoe-In Show team listens in on Matt's recent conversation with Steve Madden Chairman and CEO Ed Rosenfeld at the Footwear News digital summit. Topics on the agenda include the overall economy, COVID consumer behavior, the US China trade war, get-out-the-vote efforts, social change and more!

#228 A Discussion on Industry Sustainability Ahead of our Digital Footwear Sustainability Week! Aug 17, 2020

For the first time ever FDRA is having a digital sustainability week! Conversations surrounding footwear sustainability have continuously increased over the years and FDRA has been a huge part of the conversation by bringing the industry together to collaborate on these topics. On this week's episode Matt, Andy, and Jasmine casually go through sustainable topics. For a deep dive, best practices, and how we can overall just be more eco-conscious please sign up for our Sustainability Week (August 31 - September 4) to hear from industry leaders and experts. https://www.shoesustainabilitysummit.com

#227 Behind the Campaign Curtain - 2020 Polling and Election Preview with Dr. Spencer Kimball Aug 10, 2020

The 2020 presidential election is upon us so it was only right that we invited Dr. Spencer Kimball, Director of Polling at Emerson College for this week's episode. Listen as Dr. Spencer give us some insight on polling, breaks down the big miss of the 2016 polling, voting during a pandemic, forecasting for November, and much more! We encourage our shoe lovers and shoe-in supports to get educated and vote.

#226 How Brands are Using a "Digital Sample Studio” to Cut Costs & Increase Speed Aug 03, 2020

Michael Su, Co-founder/Business Development Executive, 4D ShoeTech joins us for this Kicks Over Coffee to discuss how they are taking shoe sketches from brands and transforming them into 3D models that help factories make shoe more accurately, but also give brands some great visual assets they can use to sell the shoes. The future is now and as brands look to pivot quickly to digital design and development - a quick turn without having to invest in new software and people would be a 3D “digital sample studio” that can help with several SKUs. Give this a watch to learn more!

#225 A Chat with Kerhyl Gantt, Digital Brand Director of Jordan Brand at Nike Jul 27, 2020

On this episode of Shoe-In Show, Jasmine shares her interview with Kerhyl Gantt, Digital Brand Director of Jordan Brand at Nike. Hear how Kerhyl landed at Nike, experience launching the 2019 Air Jordan 11, best digital tools and platforms, and much more!

#224 Demanding Diversity and Inclusion with Darla DeGrace! Jul 20, 2020

This week we are joined by Reebok's former Senior Recruiter, Darla DeGrace who is now CEO of the DeGrace Group, a diversity staffing and culture solutions firm. Brands and organizations are urgently looking for ways to correct their company culture and become more diverse. Darla lends her expert advice and provides actionable ways in which companies can improve - starting now! Chat with Darla here: https://www.degracegroup.com

#223 MICAM Americas is on the March Jul 13, 2020

Jasmine and Matt welcome Kelly Helfman and Belinda Pina to Shoe-In to discuss the present and future of footwear trade shows in both the digital and physical space. With MICAM Americas set for an entire digital experience this Fall, there is much work to be done. As you’ll hear, Kelly and Belinda are up to the task.

#222 The Importance of Protecting Footwear IP with Sara Vanderhoff of adidas Jul 06, 2020

On this Shoe-In Show episode, Sara Vanderhoff, Associate General Counsel, Global Brands at adidas Group, joins to discuss the importance of protecting your footwear brand in the global marketplace. Walk away with key strategies to building effective and dynamic IP enforcement protocols based on Sara’s vast experience defending one of our industry’s most iconic brands.

#221 Footwear Associations Unite - FDRA X FFANY Jun 29, 2020

FFANY's Executive Director, John Heron joins the Shoe-In Show for an exciting episode! FFANY market weeks are vital to the footwear industry and John stops by to discuss the future of trade shows, pivoting to digital experiences, and why we must continue to have market week gatherings in person. FDRA and FFANY are also moving to join forces - hear how two of the largest footwear associations plan to work together to serve the industry in a bigger way.

#220 A Look Into The Future of Footwear with Dave Grange Jun 22, 2020

Footwear industry veteran Dave Grange joins us to talk about a very hot topic! What will the footwear industry look like post-pandemic? We dive into everything from online sales, which brands will come out on top, trade shows, and much more. Listen now and join the conversation by dropping us a message.

#219 The Current Uncertainty of China! Jun 15, 2020

There is a ton of uncertainty surrounding us all right now. Discussion around moving footwear sourcing out of China has been circulating for a few years now but during the current state of the world the topic has become even hotter! Check out this episode as Andy and Matt discuss some reasons why you may or may not want to continue exploring other sourcing options.

#218 Big ideas to improve online shoe shopping experiences and more profitable delivery models. Jun 08, 2020

This show is all about ideas and new tools - making it a must listen! Shoe E-commerce is exploding but big challenges remain from how shoes are delivered to how consumers shop and interact with shoes online. Team FDRA discusses bold ideas brands can consider to increase profits through new delivery options, new tools to help increase clicks to conversions and reduce returns!

#217 "It's Gotta Be The Shoes" - A Conversation about "The Last Dance" with Ryan Yates of Hoop Mountain Dubai Jun 01, 2020

Jasmine takes over the podcast for a quick chat with Ryan Yates, Coach & Marketing Director, at Hoop Mountain Dubai about ESPN's 10-part doc series "The Last Dance," covering MJ's career. Can't talk basketball without talking footwear, we get Ryan's thoughts on the doc, top retro Jordan's and the impact of the brand. Check Out Hoop Mountain Dubai Here: https://hoopmountain.ae/

#216 Strategies to Save Duties You Can Explore NOW! May 25, 2020

With footwear duties increasing at a historic and astronomical rate, it’s more important than ever that you have the tools in place to try and mitigate the impact. Join us as we discuss these tools and more with Liz Connell of ONESOURCE Global Trade.

#215 Two Ten is stepping it up during the global crisis - hear from their new President and CEO, Shawn Osborne May 18, 2020

Two Ten Footwear Foundation's newest leader, Shawn Osborne, joins the Shoe-In Show for the very first time! Shawn gives us insight on how the over 80 year old organization is filling the gap during the current crisis and ways in which their strategic approach is changing to meet emerging challenges. Jasmine also joins us for her world famous What you got, What You Gettin’? segment.

#214 Shoe Carnival CEO Talks About Stores Reopening from Staff to Storefront to Customer! May 11, 2020

Cliff Sifford, Shoe Carnival’s fearless leader and a Shoe-In Show favorite, joins us to discuss the re-opening of Shoe Carnival stores this past week. Make sure you listen to hear how this major footwear retailer has survived during this unfortunate time, their plans to keep Shoe Carnival associates and customers safe, and the future of retail in a post-pandemic environment.

#213 Our Footwear Innovation Advisor is Back - Tiffany Beers! May 04, 2020

FDRA's Footwear Innovation Advisor, Tiffany Beers, joins us remotely from California to weigh in on the ways the footwear industry is moving digitally. We also explore some of the software out now that people should utilize during these turbulent times, new released sustainable footwear, digital events, and more!

#212 FDRA's Efforts to Stop Fakes in Focus Apr 27, 2020

Matt, Andy and Thomas discuss the latest initiatives under development in DC to combat the prevalence of counterfeit products on e-commerce platforms. There is a lot of momentum in this area so you don't want to miss this conversation! Jasmine joins in with her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#211 Footwear Fitting Technology Transforming Our Industry Apr 20, 2020

Fit is the key reason why most shoes are returned - and that is a major reason why shoe retailers and brands are working with Volumental. On this episode we explore how technology is allowing shoe scans, in just seconds, to link up with inventory to find the right shoes in stores as well as online. We also look at how data and technology are evolving to eventually allow a personalized fit for each person and an end of 'sizes'! Listen to this thoughtful exciting episode on a game-changing tech company!

#210 Looking at Consumer Behavior Through a Different Lens Apr 13, 2020

A year long survey conducted by Deloitte on consumer behavior has sparked conversation between Matt and Andy on this Shoe-In Show episode. Join the conversation as we critically think through consumer behavior and its many factors, you may leave with a new perspective! Check out the full survey.

#209 Insane Shoe Supply Chains! The Pandemic's Impact on Air Cargo Shipments Apr 06, 2020

More and more shoe brands are using air freight for speed to market advantages, but today our supply chains are still reeling from the coronavirus. On this episode we cover the many disruptions impacting our supply chains and discuss how and why air freight has record low capacity and the fear is that will impact price in the short term. A must listen for everyone in footwear from sourcing to retail! It impacts us all!

#208 Tips to Innovate Through the Coronavirus Crisis Apr 03, 2020

Innovation is priority in finding solutions to push through all the changes that have occurred and will occur as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak. Footwear industry veteran Stuart Jenkins, owner of White Hat Innovation and Founder of BLUMAKA, discusses how brands can strategically innovate during this time.

#207 Inside the mind of a footwear CEO during the Coronavirus - A chat with David Kahan Chief Executive Officer of Birkenstock Americas Apr 01, 2020

As a footwear industry we are all trying to navigate during this pandemic and make the best decisions not only for our brands but for our teams, customers, and partners as well. David Kahan, Chief Executive Officer of Birkenstock Americas joins us to discuss his approach to getting Birkenstock through these uncertain times and how he plans to come out on the other side of things stronger than ever! Now is the time for Radical Acceptance!

#206 Footwear Industry Veteran, Leslie Gallin Gives Guidance Around Coronavirus Mar 30, 2020

We are excited to have industry vet, Leslie Gallin back in the Shoe-in Show studio. On this episode we chat about the challenges companies have been facing prior to the Coronavirus outbreak, the need for new product, and what she expects to see after the outbreak subsides.

#205 Coronavirus Impact on Italian Footwear Production & Retail Mar 27, 2020

Cleto Sagripanti, Italian footwear industry veteran and consultant, checks in with the Shoe-In Show gang to provide a first-hand account about the impact of the virus on Italian footwear production and retail. Cleto also explores the broader impact the virus is having on the European marketplace and the move to utilize e-commerce more effectively in Italy.

#204 Critical Coronavirus Business Insights with Matt Rubel Mar 25, 2020

Retail and footwear industry veteran Matt Rubel joins Shoe-In for this emergency discussion around the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the footwear industry in the near, medium and long terms. Matt brings powerful insights to consider NOW as companies look to hold on to cash and weather this historic American retail meltdown.

#203 Navigating the Realtime Retail Coronavirus Impact with Foot Locker's Dick Johnson Mar 23, 2020

The Shoe-In Show team welcomes Foot Locker CEO Dick Johnson to discuss the rapidly evolving impact the coronavirus crisis is having on footwear companies and retail. Matt, Andy and Jasmine also explore the latest trends with Dick that are driving athletic footwear sales, the importance of consumer digital engagement, and close out the session with the world famous Whatcha got? Whatcha gettin'? segment.

#202 Addressing the Student Loan Crisis’ Growing Impact on Shoe Professionals Mar 16, 2020

Student loans have a HUGE and growing impact on our industry – from taking hundreds of dollars out of each paycheck for many to the worries over saving enough for your kids’ college – it is impacting quality of life, productivity, talent retention and sales. On this episode we are joined by one of the leading experts on higher education, Michael Dannenberg, who discusses the student loan crisis in depth and provides exclusive insights and advice for shoe workers preparing for their kids’ college applications and payments, those paying off student loans, as well as explains how and why executives should add student loan benefits in employee packages. Everyone in the footwear industry needs to listen to this episode, a topic which is a personal passion to the Shoe-In hosts! Michael Dannenberg is the director of strategic initiatives for policy at Education Reform Now, and was previously senior advisor to various public officials, including former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA). He has been featured in major publications like the NY Times, Washington Post and other national outlets. He was the lead staff author of the College Quality, Affordability, and Diversity Improvement Act, sponsored by Senator Kennedy and for which National Journal named him to "The Hill 100" list of Congress' most influential aides.

#201 What's new with Soles4Souls! - A Chat with President and CEO, Buddy Teaster Mar 09, 2020

On this episode we check in with Buddy Teaster, President and CEO of Soles4Souls. The Shoe-In Show team learns all about the new happenings over at Soles4Souls, some of the hardships they face helping countries in need, entrepreneurs, and more.

#200 Sourcing Challenges and Strategies in the Age of Uncertainty with WWW’s Mike Jeppesen Mar 02, 2020

In a podcast crossover, Shoe-In’s Matt Priest joins Mike Jeppesen, President of Global Operations at Wolverine Worldwide, to discuss sourcing shifts on Wolverine Worldwide’s own podcast. Tariffs have had a major impact on strategic sourcing decisions, but so too have other risks and opportunities. Listen to this important episode to key get insights and tips on how your brand can source more strategically in 2020 and beyond!

#199 Sabria Butler, FDRA's Events and Marketing Assistant on sneakers and diversity in footwear! Feb 24, 2020

Sabria Butler is FDRA's newest addition! Get to know how her love of shoes started, footwear retail experience, and thoughts on diversity being so new to the industry.

#198 Talking everything from strategy, design, and diversity with author, designer, and sneaker strategist, Jazerai Allen-Lord! Feb 17, 2020

Jazerai Allen-Lord, Author, Designer, and Sneaker Strategist joins us for the very first time as we celebrate remarkable African Americans within the footwear industry during Black History Month. Jazerai has been a voice within sneaker culture for over a decade. It was an honor to have her on to discuss culture, her newest shoe release and business.

#197 Chris Burns, Author and Founder of Arch-USA.com talks his Newest Endeavors and the Biggest Trending Topics in the Sneaker Community. Feb 10, 2020

Chris Burns is back and this time joining us for our African Americans in footwear series. In this episode we discuss his latest adventures, from starting his own record label to his role as a professor. We also talk about the rise of the resale industry and how it will start to affect retailers in the future.

#196 African American Footwear Series: Covering all things footwear related with kickstorian Dee Wells! Feb 03, 2020

Shoe-In Show is honored to have Kickstorian Dee Wells join us for our African Americans in footwear series. In this conversation we talk about everything from memorable episodes with Phife Dawg and Tinker Hatfield on his Obsessive Sneaker Disorder talk show, footwear innovation and we get his thoughts on Kobe Bryant's Influence.

#195 EMERGENCY EPISODE: Dr. David Priest joins Shoe-In to discuss what the footwear industry needs to know about the emerging coronavirus in China Jan 29, 2020

Matt's brother, David Priest, Senior Vice President and Chief Safety, Quality and Epidemiology Officer at Novant Health joins us for a special and very timely episode concerning the coronavirus spreading through China. China is a key sourcing location for the footwear industry making this timely episode so important for your upcoming travel plans and sourcing strategies.

#194 Tech & Supply Chain Insights from Senior Technology Editor, Eric Johnson! Jan 27, 2020

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor with the Journal of Commerce joins the Shoe-In Show squad to help us understand how brands can approach implementing technology to solve supply chain issues, talks investment boom and what's to come in the future!

#193 Jose R. Suarez, Founder & CEO of Impactiva talks vaēso! Learn how vaēso will transform our industry's manufacturing ecosystems! Jan 20, 2020

Jose R. Suarez, Founder & CEO of Impactiva is back but with something new, Impactiva's new SaaS platform, vaēso! vaēso is modernizing retailer & brands’ manufacturing ecosystems by providing real-time quality, productivity, speed and order status data! Learn all about it straight from the CEO!

#192 Sustainability talk with Reebok's brand president, Matt O'Toole! Jan 13, 2020

The Shoe-In Show team is honored to chat with Matt O'Toole, Reebok's brand president. We discuss the evolution of Reebok, footwear innovation, and their new Cotton + Corn plant-based shoe!

#191 In the fast-paced retail environment find out how First Insight is providing solutions for brands and retailers around the world! Jan 06, 2020

First Insight services some of the largest retailers, manufacturers and brands by providing vital consumer insight in order for businesses to make the best investments. Greg Petro, CEO and Founder of First Insight joins us to discuss the importance of the company, the importance of diversity in the marketplace, shopping habits, and much more!

#190 Happy New Year! - 2019 Highlights and More! Dec 30, 2019

FDRA is excited for 2020. On this episode, we discuss some highlights from 2019 and talk about some things to expect from 2020. We also introduce the Shoe-In Show fam to the newest addition of FDRA, Sabria Butler our new marketing and events assistant!

#189 An Honest Discussion on All Things Footwear Sustainability Featuring Teva and Other Industry Leaders Dec 23, 2019

Want a real look at how brands look at and work on shoe sustainability from marketing and sales to product development and sourcing? Listen to this powerful episode. Often hard to define and understand, this panel at FDRA 2019 Sourcing Summit opens up on the realities of sustainability so everyone can get better at making and selling environmentally friendly shoes.

#188 Supply Chain Sustainability Considerations When Moving Your Footwear Dec 16, 2019

Shoe-In Show listens in on a conversation Thomas Crockett had with Mike Piza of Apex Logistics and Kerry Rasmussen of Farrow at the 2019 FDRA Sourcing Summit in New York. Understanding sustainable supply chains even as you develop more sustainable product is key...particularly in the age of e-commerce.

#187 Where to Begin When Launching Sustainable Product: A Keds Case Study Dec 09, 2019

The Shoe-In Show team listens in on a conversation Matt had with Tracy Graham and Suzie Glover of Keds as they explore the launch and learnings from the iconic brand's collaboration with ace&jig at the 2019 FDRA Sourcing Summit. Tracy and Suzie will walk you through the ups and downs of establishing a sustainable product for such a well-known sneaker brand in the dawn of "slow fashion" with ace&jig.

#186 Matt Powell is Back to Discuss Outdoor Trends Now! Dec 02, 2019

The NPD Group's Sneaker extraordinaire Matt Powell joins the Shoe-In Show team to discuss the latest in outdoor trends for Fall '19. Jasmine jumps in to discuss the NIKE x Jun Takahashi collaboration Undercover and the recent Jordan x Knicks drop in her world-famous Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#185 A Captivating Conversation About Shoe Education As Well As Insights Into Starting A Sustainable Shoe Brand in America! Nov 25, 2019

Professor Caroline de Baere joins us on this episode as she discusses her interesting work on testifying in court cases around shoe intellectual property issues as well as her current work to educate the next wave of shoe designers. She also shares her great 'shoe story' from Esprit to Ariat and many other top brands and how that led her to start her own brand in LA that focuses on sustainability!

#184 Increase your online footwear sales with Snap36's 360 product photography! Nov 18, 2019

Jeff Hunt, CEO & CoFounder of Snap36 joins us to discuss consumer shifts, the increase of footwear purchases online and the benefits of 360 product photography to give your customers an "in-store" experience!

#183 New Shoe Sourcing Strategies In the Age Of Trump and Digitization - Featuring Voices From Around the Industry Nov 11, 2019

Listen to one of the key panels at FDRA's 2019 Sourcing Summit discuss current shoe production challenges, strategy and new opportunities they see around the globe. The panel includes Cherie Blum of Adesso-Madden of Steve Madden, Matt Brown of Richlife Footwear, Jean-Marc Pedeboy of Romans CAD, and Luis Humberto Vela, of the Mexican Footwear Chamber & Gösh Footwear.

#182 Getting Technical! Talking compliance with experts from BBC International & TÜV SÜD Nov 04, 2019

Product safety, quality and compliance should be at the top of the list when selling to consumers! Josue Solano, BBC International & Kapil Bansal, TÜV SÜD are experts in the industry and give us best practices to make product safety cost-efficient, avoid product recalls, and much more.

#181 Retail Insights with Footwear Industry Legend Andy Gilbert! Oct 28, 2019

The Shoe-In Show team is honored to have Andy Gilbert, President of Genesco Licensed Brands back in the studio. We get a chance to discuss retail transitions, holiday retail forecast, Genesco's most recent performance, and how Journeys is leading the much of their current success.

#180 Celebrating a 30 Year Career at NIKE with Dan LeBlanc Oct 21, 2019

Global Customs Manager and 30-year NIKE veteran Dan LeBlanc sits down with the Shoe-In Show crew to reminisce about his time at the iconic footwear company and the role he plays in helping drive customs compliance and tariff understanding around new product launches. The crew unveils their current kicks (including Dan's new Joyrides) and what they plan to get in the "Whatcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'?" segment.

#179 Knock it off! Insights and tips to protect your brand from shoe counterfeit to eComm scammers! Oct 14, 2019

Our good friend Bill Snowden flips the script and interviews us! We talk about the challenges of knockoffs to scammers and hackers in an eComm world and get some great insights into new tech tools Verisk is using to help their clients and can help you too!

#178 Breaking Into the China Online Retail Market with Frank Lavin Oct 07, 2019

Export Now Founder and CEO Frank Lavin walks us through the ins and outs of selling product in China on e-commerce platforms. If you're looking to sell product online to the expanding China consumer base but don't know how, Frank's your guy. He walks us through the process as only Frank Lavin knows how.

#177 The Founding of Hoka and Lessons on Innovation Leadership Sep 30, 2019

How did Hoka grow into a top brand? What innovation lessons can we learn from its story and how can we apply those lessons today? Industry legend Stuart Jenkins joins us to share stories and insights never heard before, and a new project he is working on that may change the industry!

#176 A Discussion of Key Innovations Changing Shoe Development Sep 23, 2019

Chris Hillyer of Deckers Brands and Nicoline van Enter of the Footwearists join us to talk about some key tech and tools changing how brands are designing and developing footwear. This fun and insightful discussion covers a wide range of issues and is sure to make you think differently about the future of footwear!

#175 Bloom's innovative and sustainable approach to shoe material development! Sep 16, 2019

Ryan Hunt of Bloom takes us on a journey of how they take algae from lakes, cleaning up the environment, and using that algae to make foam for shoes! We discuss material innovation and the development process in this unique and fun episode.

#174 The Last Is First! Jones & Vining drop by to talk about how innovation is changing how lasts are made. Sep 09, 2019

Last maker Jones & Vining explain how much innovation goes into last making, as well as new materials they are launching. We talk about the process of making lasts, how they are key to fit and comfort, and how one day data will allow us to match lasts data to consumer feet for a perfect fit!

#173 The Magic of the Materials Show - Where Design Inspiration Meets Material Execution! Sep 02, 2019

Taped at the NW Materials Show in Portland, we sit down with our friend Hisham Muhareb to discuss why designers and development teams love the shows, what new materials brands are finding at the show as well as innovations from foam to plastics!

#172 Live From Seaside - Let's Talk Footwear Summer Trends! Aug 26, 2019

The Shoe-In Show crew discusses all things footwear and summer from our favorite summer shoes, consumer favorites, best brands for the summer, and more!

#171 An Insider Look At How Selling Shoes Has Forever Changed Aug 19, 2019

Danny Muskat joins the show to talk about how selling shoes and branding has changed over the past few years. From selling on the internet to brick and mortar retailers, we talk about the evolution in relationships, requirements and how companies are changing their models to adapt to new consumer norms. Don't miss this insightful, thoughtful, episode!

#170 How Sustainable Is the Footwear Industry Really? We Discuss Real Data and Resources on this Episode! Aug 12, 2019

1 in 3 shoe companies have no sustainability program in place and 67% of footwear professionals say they lack education to make forward progress on sustainable shoes. On this episode we break down all the data and stats from FDRA's recent survey and share new ideas, tools and resources to help brands get more sustainable!

#169 Millennial Footwear Insights! Aug 05, 2019

FDRA's newest intern, Ashton Tucker sits down to give us his opinion on what brands high school and college students are loving right now, where they prefer to shop, ideal price points, and more.

#168 Sustainable Consumer Insights with NPD Group Jul 29, 2019

Beth Goldstein from the NPD Group comes on the Shoe-In Show to discuss how consumers view sustainability and the business and marketing opportunities it creates for brands!

#167 A Discussion on How Brands Are Using Air Freight to Increase their Speed to Market Jul 22, 2019

Brands looking to get their shoes to retail faster are using air freight. On this episode, our good friend Mike Piza joins us to share best practices and insights into air freight and what the future of air supply chains hold as consumers start to demand one-day shipping. Jasmine also leads the way with her picks for summer in our "Whatcha got, whatcha gettin'?" segment!

#166 An Interesting Discussion on Supply Chain Disruptions with Kerry Rassmussen of Farrow Jul 15, 2019

Supply chains and trade are getting harder and harder, but there are new tips and tricks that can help. Our favorite Canadian Kerry Rassmussen of Farrow joins us on this episode to discuss successful strategies on navigating the new trade normal as well as insights into customs issues and how you could avoid a higher duty bill! Jasmine takes a second to highlight Rihanna's new luxury line with LVMH. Rihanna has had a lot of success with past footwear collaborations, Jasmine believes her apparel and footwear line will do very well. We also get Kerry's opinion on a new footwear trend!

#165 An Honest Discussion on Sustainability and Recyclability of Footwear Through the Lens of Adidas’ Futurecraft Loop Sneaker Jul 08, 2019

In this episode, we dive into some key issues for the footwear industry around sustainability and the ability - or not! - to recycle old shoes. Joining us is the ever-insightful Nicoline van Enter of the Footwearists.

#164 Innovations and Insights on How the Port of Long Beach Gets Shoes From a Ship to Warehouses Faster and More Efficiently than Ever! Jul 01, 2019

Ports are critical supply chain hubs for footwear companies. Dr. Hacegaba from the Port of Long Beach joins us on this episode to explain port activities, innovations and sustainability as the number of goods shipped into the U.S. keeps increasing. Jasmine also leads our famous "Whatcha got - whatcha gettin'?" segment that made us say wow at Dr. Hacegaba's style!

#163 A Rowdy Discussion on the Politics, Policy and Impact of Shoe Tariffs on Shoe Consumers and Brands Jun 24, 2019

Team FDRA takes off the gloves and gives an open and impassioned discussion on the current state of politics around President Trump's proposed tariff increases on shoes. This covers the impact on prices at retail to how businesses are trying to adapt. A must-listen show for everyone working in the footwear industry!

#162 Consumer Retail Experience Transformation—Increasing Foot Traffic and Conversion Rates Jun 17, 2019

Join Matt as he discusses the current state of footwear retail with a panel of experts at FDRA's 2019 Footwear Executive Summit. Tackling the questions if brick and mortar retail is dead and ways to enhance experiences and drive foot traffic, Ed Rosenfeld of Steve Madden, Mitch Harvey of Deckers, Carren Morris of LaunchPad Services, and Moritz Schiebold from Volumental all bring their unique perspectives to the conversation.

#161 Critical Thoughts on the Current Trade Environment with Ambassador Michael Froman Jun 10, 2019

Ambassador Mike Froman, former United States Trade Representative in the Obama Administration, is back with his thoughts on the current trade environment, with an insider's view on the Trump Administration's strategies as they relate to China and global trade. Some of his answers might surprise you!

#160 Corporate Evolution 140 Years in the Making—a Conversation with Caleres’ Fearless Leader Jun 03, 2019

Direct from FDRA's 2019 Footwear Executive Summit, Matt catches up with Diane Sullivan, CEO, President and Chairman of the Board at Caleres, to explore the many ways she has transformed the iconic footwear company through thoughtful acquisitions and strategic decisions.

#159 Girls Take Over Shoe-In! May 27, 2019

Jasmine takes over the show with the help of teenagers Madalyn Priest and Molly Downey to discuss footwear (of course) and grill Matt and Andy on their own shoe stories. Footwear fun is had by all!

#158 Transformative Leadership in These Monumental Times—a conversation with Columbia Sportswear’s Chief Advocate May 20, 2019

Straight from FDRA's 2019 Footwear Executive Summit, listen in as Matt speaks with Tim Boyle, President and CEO of Columbia Sportswear, on his values, the importance of advocacy and engagement, and his plans to grow Columbia's footwear business in the coming years.

#157 Footwear Tech Potpourri May 13, 2019

At the 2019 FDRA Executive Summit Andy welcomes a panel of footwear technology experts as they explore emerging technologies in the areas of 3D rendering, product integrity, workforce development and learning, and factory efficiencies.

Guests include:

Alban Denoyel, Co-founder and CEO, Sketchfab
Paul Foley, Executive Vice President Global Sales & Strategy, Vi3
Sam Caucci, Founder & CEO, 1HUDDLE
Jose Suarez, Founder & CEO, Impactiva

#156 How a 245-Year-Old Brand Can Thrive in a Modern Market with David Kahan of Birkenstock May 06, 2019

Matt and Andy listen in on David Kahan's address at FDRA's 2019 Footwear Executive Summit as the Birkenstock Americas CEO takes us through the brand's long history and thriving relevance in today's marketplace. You'll get to hear David sing some Dylan as a bonus!

#155 Global Design Innovation and How to Protect It with NIKE Apr 29, 2019

As the global footwear industry celebrates the importance of intellectual property protection this World Intellectual Property Day, Matt catches up with NIKE's Chief IP Officer, Margo Fowler, and Mark Smith, NIKE's VP of Innovation and Special Projects, to discuss the importance of protecting IP and strategies brands can adopt to successfully defend their trademarks, designs, patents, and IP.

#154 Shoe-In Show Live with Tiffany Beers! Apr 22, 2019

FDRA's Footwear Innovation Advisor Tiffany Beers joins Shoe-In Show for this live edition as the crew discusses Foot Locker's recent innovative investments, the latest updates on renewable materials, and the rise of automation and its impact on the American workforce.

#153 Biblical Shoe References and Their Meanings with Dr. Eric Gilchrest Apr 15, 2019

During this Holy Week, Matt, Andy and Jasmine welcome Dr. Eric Gilchrest, pastor at South Run Baptist Church, to explore the many Biblical references to footwear and their meaning. Curious to know the ancient cultural context for these shoe Scriptures? Make sure you listen to find out!

#152 Footwear Compliance Crash Course with Melissa Jones of Stoel Rives Apr 08, 2019

Compliance attorney extraordinaire Melissa Jones of Stoel Rives drops by Shoe-In to catch the crew up on all the latest chemical and safety compliance trends impacting footwear. Need a crash course on footwear safety? Make sure you listen. Jasmine joins in with her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment to discuss graffiti print heels and sneakers becoming trendy in high-end footwear. Does the graffiti make them less desirable or a must-have...we get Melissa's thoughts!

#151 The Next Great Female Designer is Here! Apr 01, 2019

Miranda Woods, an upcoming footwear designer with a plan, drops by Shoe-In to talk about her journey from Washington, DC to the halls of Pensole, New Balance, Ghana and back! She is a rising female footwear designer, so make sure you get to know her now.

Jasmine jumps in with her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment as she discusses the use of turf and other unique materials on footwear uppers.

#150 Shoe Brands Talk Design and Development Transformations Thanks to Material Exchange Mar 25, 2019

Listen to a fun conversation of directors of materials and innovation at Wolverine Worldwide, Ariat and Deckers talk about current design and development challenges and how they are transforming internal processes thanks to the new Material Exchange platform. ME is helping brands increase speed-to-market, cut costs, and increase sustainability.

#149 Supply Chain Insights with Sarah Barnes-Humphrey Mar 18, 2019

In what's sure to be the start of a podcast crossover event, Andy, Matt, and Jasmine welcome Sarah Barnes-Humphrey, host of the popular podcast Let's Talk Supply Chain, to discuss the latest innovations and challenges impacting the movement of goods. Sarah has her fingers on the pulse on all things supply chain and doesn't disappoint. Jasmine joins in the fun in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment focused on shoe styles she wants to discard and those shoe types she can't live without.

#148 Shoe-In Live! (well it was...recorded at an earlier date) Mar 11, 2019

For the first time ever Shoe-In was broadcast live to the masses as Andy, Jasmine, Thomas and Matt weighed in on a variety of issues from trade to the economy to the recent, highly successful African American Footwear Forum. Want Shoe-In live in a taped format? Well, it's your lucky day!

#147 Community Footwear Retail with the Owners of Shoes & Brews Mar 04, 2019

Ever wanted to go to a place where you can pick up a pair of running shoes and then grab a cold frosty beer at the same time? You're in luck! Shoes & Brews is an American original in Longmont, Colorado helping to foster community over the love of running and beer. Colin, Ashlee and Jacob Anderson join Shoe-In to discuss their unique footwear retail concept and the importance of community when it comes to building a lasting presence.

Jasmine unveils her interest in vegan shoes made from coffee beans during her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#146 Diversity Real Talk with Drew Greer, Co-Founder of BRAND I AM Feb 26, 2019

Ending Shoe-In Show’s African American Footwear Series with Drew Greer, Co-Founder of BRAND I AM. Matt, Andy and Jasmine not only get to hear about Drew’s shoe story, working at some of footwear’s biggest brands but we also get the unfiltered experience of being a black African American male in the footwear industry. This is one you don’t want to miss!

#145 African American Footwear Series: Driving Diversity with Geoff Green at Foot Locker Feb 18, 2019

Shoe-In Show’s African American Footwear Series continues with Geoff Green, Vice President of Talent Acquisition at Foot Locker. Geoff shares with Jasmine, Andy and Matt his shoe story and how he got started as a recruiter. Diversity is key in every level of an organization, so listen to hear some of the challenges and strategic ways Foot Locker drives diversity within the company.

#144 African American Footwear Series: Diversity Download with D'Wayne Edwards of PENSOLE Part 2 Feb 11, 2019

In the second installment of Shoe-In Show's African American Footwear Series, footwear designer extraordinaire and PENSOLE Footwear Design Academy founder D'Wayne Edwards is back to continue exploring effective ways to drive diversity throughout the footwear industry.

Jasmine jumps in for her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment to explore the influences of stylist and designer Ade Samuel and her meteoric rise.

#143 African American Footwear Series: Diversity Download with D'Wayne Edwards of PENSOLE Part 1 Feb 04, 2019

In the first installment of Shoe-In Show's African American Footwear Series, footwear designer extraordinaire and PENSOLE Footwear Design Academy founder D'Wayne Edwards walks Matt, Andy and Jasmine through his inspiring story from his younger days as a kid from Inglewood to the peak of his career at NIKE to the launch of PENSOLE in Portland. D'Wayne is just getting started as he works to provide greater opportunity for youth and speaks out on the need to drive diversity within the footwear industry.

#142 The Latest on Vietnam Footwear Sourcing with the Innolux Group Jan 28, 2019

Matt and Andy welcome Davide Degano, Vice President at the Innolux Group to Shoe-In as they explore the ongoing growth and dominance of footwear production in Vietnam. What makes Vietnam such a desirable place to source footwear and how long will the magic last? Listen in to find out! Jasmine jumps in on the fun with her rundown of go-to shoes for bad weather in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#141 Kevin Bruning from Clarks Breaks Down Footwear Compliance Jan 21, 2019

Matt, Andy, Thomas and Jasmine catch up with Kevin Bruning, Import Compliance Manager extraordinaire at Clarks as he discusses his many roles ensuring the UK-based shoe company stays up-to-date on all of its compliance obligations. Jasmine highlights some of Clarks' newest collaborations with the likes of Drake, Wu-Tang Clan, and Mickey Mouse in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#140 Let's talk footwear production - a conversation straight from the experts! Jan 14, 2019

In this episode, we play clips from FDRA’s 2018 Sourcing Summit featuring a panel discussion exploring footwear sourcing themes from domestic production to sustainability issues and more. This diverse panel is composed of different professionals within different areas of the footwear industry to provide a full conversation around footwear production. Panelists include representatives from the Portuguese Footwear Association, Elevate, SGS, and Okabashi.

#139 Shoeconomy with FDRA’s Chief Economist, Gary Raines Jan 07, 2019

For the very first time FDRA’s Chief Economist, Gary Raines joins us for an episode to discuss the state of the “Shoeconomy” and what to expect in 2019!

#138 End of Year Wrap-Up: The Fashion Edition! Dec 31, 2018

In this episode Matt, Andy, Thomas, and Jasmine close out 2018 talking about some of the hottest trends of the year and Jasmine shares a couple predictions for 2019...

#137 A Deep Dive into How Brands Are "Going Digital" Dec 24, 2018

In this episode, we play clips from FDRA's Sourcing Summit featuring an in-depth discussion on how forward-thinking brands are "digitizing" their workflows to speed up material selection, design and development of shoes. The panel discussing these issues include Romans CAD, XRITE, a former shoe development lead and Material Exchange.

#136 The Inside Scoop on How Allbirds Built their Brand with a Total Focus on Sustainability Dec 17, 2018

In this episode, the team talks about 2018 trends and shares audio clips from FDRA's Sourcing Summit featuring Allbirds CEO Joey Zwillinger. Joey explains how they started their brand with a sustainability first mindset and how they strategically built their brand into a rising all start in the fashion industry.

#135 Will the China Trade Truce Hold? Dec 10, 2018

Team FDRA explores all the ins and outs of the recent trade truce between the United States and China and its impact on the footwear industry. Recording and posted on the same day, this episode has all you need to know about the ongoing trade war in real-time. Jasmine jumps in to explore the prevalence of microwaveable slippers in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#134 How Shoe Companies Can Get Duty Payments Back from Uncle Sam's Pocket! Dec 03, 2018

Shoe companies pay billions in duties each year, but there is a way to get a refund from the government if you follow certain rules! Brian London of Charter Brokerage joins us on this episode to explain what "duty drawback" is and how shoe companies can use it to their advantage if they set up their supply chains correctly.

#133 Learning all about the ROCKDEEP brand straight from the CEO, Rocky Parrish! Nov 26, 2018

Rocky Parrish is CEO of ROCKDEEP and a former Sports TV & Radio Host & Contributor, he stops by the Shoe-In Show studio to give the cast all the deets on the ROCKDEEP brand! Also, find out what fashion trend Jasmine is noticing and loving during fashion week!

#132 How Impactiva is Helping Transform Shoe Factory Production to Boost Productivity Nov 19, 2018

Jose joins us to talk about the changes happening on our factory floors. New workers, new managers, new locations and automation are all changing how we make shoes, but we still have an old mindset on how to get the most out of factory workers. Jose explains a better way forward - one that trains and empowers workers to make shoes right the first time. A must listen for any sourcing and production professional!

#131 Let's Chat...The Current State of Footwear! Nov 12, 2018

Join the fun as Andy and Matt casually discuss the current state of footwear in this week's episode. Touching on everything from footwear retail to footwear innovation.

#130 Winter is Around the Corner - These Brands are Ready Nov 05, 2018

For one final tour at FN Platform Jasmine and Kim talk with Pajar Canada out of Montreal and Inuikii out of Switzerland about their latest offerings for the winter season. These unique brands are combining fashion and comfort to help shoppers brave the elements this winter in style.

#129 On the Scene with Fashion Boot Brands Sorel & Miz Mooz Oct 29, 2018

Jasmine and Kim continue to walk the show floor at FN Platform in search of emerging trends and hot brands. This week they talk with leading fashion boot companies Sorel and Miz Mooz, covering the latest in women's fashion footwear.

#128 UNEEK Shoe Brands on the Floor of FN Platform Oct 22, 2018

Jasmine and Kim continue to scout out the floor of FN Platform in Las Vegas to see the latest and greatest in unique brands including the KEEN UNEEKBOT and the emerging brand Switfish.

#127 Shoe-In Sit-down on Sandals with Jerusalem Sandals and Okabashi Oct 15, 2018

Live from FN Platform in Las Vegas, Jasmine and special Shoe-In correspondent Kim take over the show from Matt and Andy to explore the amazing stories of Jerusalem Sandals and Okabashi. One company is bringing together Israelis and Palestinians for the cause of peace and the other is driving sustainability in cool and innovative ways. Two companies to keep your eye on.

#126 The Ongoing Fight to Wear Out Poverty with Buddy Teaster of Soles4Souls Oct 08, 2018

Buddy is back to outline the latest and greatest in the Soles4Souls mission and ways in which the impactful charity is meeting the needs to those less fortunate worldwide. From distribution trips to the opening of regional donation centers to Buddy's new book, Soles4Souls is focused on its mission to wear out poverty. Jasmine joins in for the World Famous Watcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'? segment.

#125 The Inside Story of Dutch Fashion Footwear Brand Blackstone Shoes Oct 01, 2018

Dick de Bruijn, Founder and Owner of Blackstone Shoes stops by Shoe-In to explore the history of the Dutch footwear company and the importance of remaining true to the brand's fashion roots. Jasmine joins the fun as she explores the staying power of the dad shoe trend in her Fashion Footwear in Focus Segment.

#124 It's Gettin' Hot in Herre with Hotter Shoes Sep 24, 2018

Straight from the UK, Shoe-In welcomes Robert Perkins, Chief Operating Officer of Hotter Shoes at FN Platform. As a UK-based footwear manufacturer and retailer, Robert is clued in on all the latest development, sourcing, and fashion trends taking place across the pond. Jasmine steps up with her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment as she explores the ongoing effort of global female footwear buyers to focus on comfort and ditch the heels.

#123 The Art of Launching a Shoe Brand with Casca Sep 17, 2018

Casca Co-founder, Braden Parker, stops by Shoe-In at FN Platform to discuss the highs and lows of launching a shoe brand in today's diverse retail landscape. Braden unveils the highs and lows of bringing the brand's all-day performance footwear to market. And of course, Jasmine is here for the show's absolutely amazing "Whatcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'?" segment.

#122 Cliff Sifford from Shoe Carnival is Back! Sep 10, 2018

Shoe Carnival's fearless leader Cliff Sifford returns to Shoe-In at FN Platform to download on the family retailer's continued success and growth. The laughter and fun abound as Cliff explores the latest trends succeeding in today's diversified footwear marketplace. Jasmine jumps in with her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment as she discusses the continued dominance of slides and Vans.

#121 Tales from the Trade War with China Sep 03, 2018

Dr. Sheng Lu, associate professor from the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies at the University of Delaware, stops by Shoe-In at FN Platform to discuss the impact the trade war with China is having on the fashion industry. Dr. Lu also gives his best prediction on how the current economic conflict will ultimately play out. Jasmine joins in with her world famous "Whatcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'?" segment as the crew provides ideas to Dr. Lu on what shoes to wear while teaching class.

#120 Understanding the USITC with Laura Rodriguez Aug 27, 2018

Laura Rodriguez, International Trade Analyst at the U.S. International Trade Commission and civil servant extraordinaire, drops in to the Shoe-In Show studio for a discussion on the role the USITC plays in formulating and analyzing U.S. trade policy. Her passion for the industry shines through as the discussion focuses in on footwear trade in Africa, the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) process, and the future of footwear sourcing.

Jasmine changes it up a bit with her "Whatcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'?" segment.

#119 Rules for Revolutionaries: Lessons from the Sneaker Market w/ Matt Powell Aug 20, 2018

Matt Powell, footwear retail analyst and all around sneaker industry expert, imparts his knowledge on the 2018 FDRA Executive Summit audience and Matt and Andy unearthed a rare recording! Listen to it right here, right now!

#118 Revolutionary Footwear Retail & the Evolution of Consumerism w/ Foot Locker's Dick Johnson Aug 13, 2018

Matt and Andy listen in on Foot Locker Chairman, CEO & President Dick Johnson's remarks at the 2018 FDRA Executive Summit as he outlines the ways in which Foot Locker, Champs, and the company's other outlets are effectively adapting to the rapidly changing footwear consumer.

#117 Revolutionizing Footwear Consumer Engagement in the Digital World Aug 06, 2018

Taped during the 2018 FDRA Executive Summit, Matt and Andy listen in on a panel discussion focused on innovative consumer engagement with four key footwear and digital executives including D'Wayne Edwards, Jeff Hunt, Sara Irvani, and John Puterbaugh. Listen now for key takeaways before it's too late!

#116 Talking Independent Footwear Retail with Ted McGreer of Ted's Shoe & Sport Jul 30, 2018

Celebrating his store's 20th year, Ted McGreer of Ted's Shoe & Sport in Keene, New Hampshire shares his insights into successful footwear customer service in an ever-expanding e-commerce world. Investments in people, product, and his community are just a few of the keys to Ted's success and longevity. Jasmine jumps in with her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment as she downloads on the rise of orthopedic shoes and the reemergence of closed-toe clear shoes.

#115 Designers and PD Teams Rejoice! Material Exchange is Here! Jul 23, 2018

Chris Hillyer, Director of Innovation at Deckers Brands, joins Shoe-In to unveil the innovative aspects and game-changing tools of the emerging Material Exchange (www.material-exchange.com) website under development by PTC, FDRA, and Substance. Jasmine shocks Matt and Andy with her amazing Fashion Footwear in Focus segment that confidently declares that suede shoes are in even during the Summer. According to Jasmine, everyone is incorporating suede in their summer collection including Deckers' brand Koolaburra.

#114 Lightin' it up with Chris Burns Jul 16, 2018

Footwear industry analyst and commentator extraordinaire Chris Burns rings up Shoe-In to provide his many thoughts on the Puma/Jay-Z collab, the cooling off at adidas, the dominance of NIKE, the importance of the resale market in tracking athletic brand trends, and everything in between. Jasmine jumps in with her world famous Fashion Footwear in Focus segment as she explores the prevalence of mismatched shoes. For more on Chris and his footwear thought leadership, check him out here: Thoughts on Puma Thoughts on adidas Track him here: ARCH CBP YouTube Facebook Twitter

#113 Keeping Pace with Pacers Running Jul 09, 2018

Doug Ricketts, Manager of Pacers Running in Fairfax, Virginia, drops by the Shoe-In Show studio to explore the importance of specialty running stores, tricks to the sit & fit trade, and to download on the latest and greatest brands runners are in search for. Jasmine joins in with her world famous 'Whatcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'?' segment.

#112 Inside Wolverine Worldwide: footwear development innovation and production transformation to increase their speed to market Jul 02, 2018

Andy and Matt take a deep dive into how a footwear leader is scrapping old development processes and digitizing their design and development programs. Listen to hear how Wolverine Worldwide is using 3D technologies and new workers to significantly cut down on development times so shoes go from concept to shelf faster and have a greater chance of success.

#111 The Magic of Footwear Material Management from an Industry Vet Jun 25, 2018

Matt and Andy get an inside look at critical issues surrounding material development and management from Ariat’s Director of Materials Joanne Stetson. Joanne gives us a glimpse into one of the toughest jobs in the business as the one of the keys to helping produce high-quality footwear; making this a must-listen episode for everyone in the shoe business.

#110 Exploring Essential Footwear Material Shows with Hisham Muhareb Jun 18, 2018

The Material Shows founder and operator Hisham Muhareb joins Shoe-In to discuss his amazing shoe story, the bi-annual show he runs where shoe designers get inspired and new materials are found for the next great pair of kicks. New material innovations and insights are also explored.

Jasmine jumps in on the fun as she introduces Allbirds' (aka The world's most comfortable shoes) newest style made from trees.

#109 Andy & Matt Talk Lee & Barrett with Brandon Cohn Jun 11, 2018

There's a quiet shoe making revolution taking place in NYC and its lead revolutionary, Brandon Cohn, CEO of Lee & Barrett, stops by Shoe-In to educate the boys on the Lee & Barrett story and the dawn of a new footwear Americana. Jasmine downloads on how footwear fashion is focused on leathers and suede low tops even for the warm weather...what happened to knit uppers?

#108 FFANY Shoes on Sale Turns 25! Jun 04, 2018

Famous Footwear President Rick Ausick and FFANY President and CEO Ron Fromm stop by Shoe-In to discuss the upcoming FFANY Shoes on Sale event on October 11th as it celebrates 25 years of raising vital funds for breast cancer research. Jasmine explains how Fila's new but very old sneaker will be very on trend this summer in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment. For more information on Shoes on Sale and to get involved visit FFANY.

#107 The Art of Footwear Craftsmanship with Marcell Mrsan May 28, 2018

Esteemed cobbler and master shoemaker Marcell Mrsan joins the show to discuss the importance of the craftsmanship of shoemaking and the opportunities he provides aspiring shoe producers at his shop in Savannah, GA. Jasmine jumps in to highlight the top two shoes from Yeezy Season 6 - Flatform Slides and Mudrat Dad Sneakers in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment. For more info about Marcell's courses, check him out here - https://www.shoemakingcourse.com

#106 Saxon Shoes Sit Down with Gary Weiner May 21, 2018

Gary Weiner, Saxon Shoes President and Owner, joins the Shoe-In Show to discuss the strategies he and his team employ to ensure his customers are comfortable, happy, and loyal. Jasmine observes fashion footwear trends at Coachella including thigh-high Ugg boots.

A Critical Analysis of the Changing Footwear Business Model and Consumer May 16, 2018

A listen of this special episode will be sure to make you think differently about change and innovation as Shoe-in Show’s Andy Polk philosophizes about all the changes to traditional footwear business models — giving some deep thought to the nature of successful companies innovating, the true nature of the changing consumer and why it could mean Amazon doesn’t continue to dominate eCommerce in the future. Taped during FDRA’s Retail Revolution Summit, Shoe-in’s famed producer Blake Althen makes his full debut as a special co-host helping push Andy to open up more on what FDRA sees taking place across the industry.

#105 Exploring Innovative Footwear Design with Tiffany Beers May 14, 2018

Tiffany Beers, lead innovator on the Nike Hyperadapt and 2015 Nike Mag, joins the Shoe-In Show to discuss footwear innovation and the challenges brands face in developing innovative product. She also reminisces about the many ups and downs in developing NIKE's signature self-lacing shoes. Jasmine joins in the fun in the world famous "Whatcha Got? Watcha Gettin'?" segment.

#104 FFANY Market Weeks are Changing...Are You Ready? May 07, 2018

FFANY President and CEO Ron Fromm stops by the Shoe-In Show studio to discuss the monumental changes underway at FFANY as it celebrates its 40th year. Member engagement is high on Ron's list as FFANY's transformation continues. Jasmine jumps in to explore the shoes Ron is wearing and those he plans to buy next in the world famous Whatcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'? For more information about FFANY's upcoming shows and events visit ffany.org.

#103 Jasmine Explores Upcoming Leather Footwear Trends Apr 30, 2018

On this episode, Jasmine discovers the latest in leather trends on the showroom floor of FN Platform. Blackstone, Miz Mooz, and A.S. 98 share a little about their brands, upcoming trends, and some of their top picks for the season. Matt and Andy are just along for the ride.

#102 Jasmine Explores Upcoming Kids Footwear Trends with Boatilus, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Synclaire Brands Apr 23, 2018

Jasmine walks the shoe show floor to explore upcoming children's footwear trends on display at FN PLATFORM. She discusses new styles, best sellers, and marketing strategies with Boatilus, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Synclaire Brands. Matt and Andy are just along for the ride.

#101 The Current State of Footwear Sourcing with BBC's Josue Solano Apr 16, 2018

Josue Solano, President and COO of BBC International drops by the Shoe-In Show set to discuss the evolving state of footwear sourcing, costing, currency, and navigating the patchwork of footwear regulatory demands. Jasmine walks us through another amazing edition of "Whatcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'?"

#100 Our 100th Episode! Apr 09, 2018

Matt, Andy, Jasmine, and Thomas celebrate 100 amazing episodes of footwear fun with some special guests along the way. Are you shocked as much as we are that we made it to 100? Get ready for 100 more! Thanks for all your support! We are extremely grateful.

#99 Jasmine Explores Upcoming Outdoor Footwear Trends with Sorel, KEEN, and Timberland Apr 02, 2018

Jasmine hits the shoe show floor to discover upcoming outdoor footwear trends on display at FN PLATFORM. Sorel, KEEN, and Timberland are all in focus as Jasmine scouts out these exciting new trends.

#98 Launching a New Footwear Brand with Bill Snowden of Jane and the Shoe Mar 26, 2018

Footwear industry veteran Bill Snowden brings his years of experience and knowledge of the footwear industry to Shoe-In as he's in the middle of the launch of his new brand - Jane and the Shoe.

Jasmine notices the potential reemergence of leather in new and bright colors in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

A.S.98 Stavely

Bally

#97 Dissecting the British Footwear Empire with John Saunders Mar 19, 2018

Esteemed British footwear exec and British Footwear Association (BFA) CEO John Saunders stops by Shoe-In to educate the crew on all things British footwear and the British footwear empire. Jasmine jumps in for her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment as she reviews the fashionable return of cowboy boots at this year's New York Fashion Week.

#96 Real-time Footwear Quality Updates with Quality Corrections & Inspections Mar 12, 2018

Matt and Andy welcome footwear quality control expert Michael Levinson from Quality Corrections & Inspections as they review current quality issues impacting footwear - from mold to reappearing invisible ink and everything in between! Jasmine is back this week with her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment highlighting the many ways footwear companies are combining materials in new and innovative collaborations.

Mixed Media

More Mixed Media

And One More

#95 Footwear Design Download with Pensole Footwear Design Academy Mar 05, 2018

Herbert Smith, Marketing Designer and Director at Pensole Footwear Design Academy, drops by Shoe-In at FN PLATFORM in Las Vegas to peel back the layers on the history and purpose of the esteemed footwear design academy. Jasmine brings back her amazing Fashion Footwear in Focus segment as she reviews some of the latest and greatest shoe collaborations now in the footwear marketplace. Pensole/Adidas/Harden Collaboration LeBron James/Kith/NIKE Custom AF1 and Jack

#94 The Evolution of Footwear Media with the Esteemed Michael Atmore Feb 26, 2018

Before his recent brush with royalty, FN Editorial Director and all things footwear media guru Michael Atmore stopped by Shoe-In at FN Platform in Las Vegas to share his shoe story and download on the evolving footwear industry media and business landscape. Jasmine joins in with another world famous Whatcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'? segment as Michael and the boys shed light on the shoes they are currently wearing and what they plan to purchase in the very near future.

#93 The Meaning of Shoes and Their Various Styles with Elizabeth Semmelhack Feb 19, 2018

Elizabeth Semmelhack is back to discuss her newest book Shoes: The Meaning of Style and the unique history and social impact of sandals, boots, high heels, and sneakers. Shoe lovers shouldn't miss this fun journey through shoe history and the many surprises along the way (like, high heels were developed for men!) Jasmine stops by to discuss the ways in which footwear designers are using unique inspirations for their footwear creations: Mops & Yellow Sponges Plaids Corduroy

#92 The World of Independent Footwear Retail with Chiappetta Shoes Feb 12, 2018

Matt and Andy welcome Tony Chiappetta of Chiappetta Shoes in Kenosha, Wisconsin as they learn more about the unique world of independent footwear retail. Tony downloads on the ways in which Chiappetta Shoes has met their customers' needs since opening in 1921. Jasmine jumps in to run through the best winter boots to sport during this cold winter in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#91 One Big Fashion Footwear in Focus Segment with Jasmine Feb 05, 2018

Jasmine takes charge as this entire episode is one big Fashion Footwear in Focus segment. Listen in as Matt, Andy, and Jasmine explore the importance of celebrity, red carpets, and influencers on footwear fashion. She also explores expected footwear trends for 2018, like ugly dad shoes.

#90 Exploring the Amazing Bata Shoe Museum with Elizabeth Semmelhack Jan 29, 2018

Bata Shoe Museum Curator and author Elizabeth Semmelhack joins Shoe-In to discuss the origins of the iconic museum and some of the amazing and interesting stories behind the museum's 13,000 artifacts. Jasmine jumps in for her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment as she explores the rising popularity of gold shoes.

Some examples:

Nike Classic Cortez

Adidas Superstar

Nike Air Max 97 Elizabeth's Books:

Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture

Shoes: The Meaning of Style

Heights of Fashion: A History of the Elevated Shoe

#89 Footwear Holiday Retail Review Jan 22, 2018

Andy, Matt, and Jasmine run through the 2017 footwear holiday retail results and expectations for 2018 sales. Jasmine jumps in as she and the boys explore the shoes they have and what they plan to buy in the world-famous "Whatcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'?" segment.

#88 Exploring Footwear Manufacturing Options in Nicaragua Jan 15, 2018

PRONicaragua Strategy Director Engel Gomez joins Shoe-In from Managua, Nicaragua to explore the various footwear sourcing opportunities available in the Central American country. What opportunities and challenges can you expect to encounter when buying shoes from Nicaraguan manufacturers? Make sure you download to listen. Jasmine explores the rise of eco-friendly shoe brands (VEERAH, The People's Movement, and VEJA) in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#87 To Milano and Back with Rising Footwear Designer Den Ly Jan 08, 2018

Den Ly, the winner of The Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY) & ARSUTORIA School 2017 Joseph C. Moore Footwear Scholarship, is back on Shoe-In to update the crew on his amazing semester in Milan, Italy studying footwear design at the Arsutoria School. Den educates the team on all things Arsutoria and what he learned at this prestigious school from materials and construction to design and development. Jasmine jumps in to explore three unexpected footwear trends popular with shoe shoppers in today's marketplace in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#86 Bold 2018 Predictions with NAM's Chief Economist Chad Moutray Jan 01, 2018

Dr. Chad Moutray, Chief Economist at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), rejoins Shoe-In for another go-round as he provides key bold predictions for the US economy in 2018 and discusses what's driving record-high confidence amongst US businesses. What are Chad's 2018 economic New Year's resolutions? Where will the dollar head in the coming year? How much will the Fed raise interest rates? Download to find out! Jasmine drops by for her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment to discuss the most searched apparel and footwear brands in 2017 per the Sourcing Journal and the popularity of mustard yellow. Make sure you check out Wolverine's own Scott Labbe, VP of Advanced Concepts, as he helps the Shoe-In team start the show with his brand new song 'Yesterday.'

#85 Shoe-In Year-end Fun Around the Proverbial Footwear Christmas Tree Dec 25, 2017

The entire Shoe-In team gathers around the proverbial footwear Christmas tree to wax poetic about the year that was 2017. This is the 2017 Shoe-In Show Shoe Review with a little "Whatcha got? Watcha gettin'?" sprinkled on top. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

#84 Exploring the Great Outdoors with Columbia Sportswear's Tim Boyle Dec 18, 2017

Columbia Sportswear's President and CEO Tim Boyle stops by to discuss the company's proud history serving global outdoor consumers for over 70 years and the innovations and designs driving success through all of its brands - Columbia, Sorel, Mountain Hardwear, and Prana. Tim and the boys trek through a number of topics including innovation, trade, changing retail, the outdoor consumer, and the company's recent Star Wars collaboration. Jasmine explores emerging outdoor trends, such as Outdry Extreme Shoes, in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#83 Holiday Shoe Shopping with Famous Footwear's Rick Ausick Dec 11, 2017

Footwear industry icon and recent Footwear News Achievement Awards (FNAA) Hall of Fame inductee Rick Ausick stops by Shoe-In to download on the current state of footwear retail and innovations driving the overall shopping experience. Rick also educates the boys on all that goes into preparing Famous Footwear's over 1,000 retail locations for the holiday shopping season. The Shoe-In team brings back the world famous "Watcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'?" segment as Rick and the hosts each unveil the shoes they are wearing and the next pair they plan to purchase.

#82 Holiday Footwear Retail Trends in Real Time Dec 04, 2017

Matt and Andy unpack the 2017 FDRA Holiday Shoe Sales Survey and explore the prevailing footwear retail trends impacting shoe shoppers this year. The boys do a deep dive into the ways in which footwear consumers are changing their approach to holiday shoe shopping. Jasmine joins in on the fun with her 'Whatcha got? Whatcha gettin'?" segment as the Shoe-In team unveils the shoes they're each currently sporting and want next such as the Batman Pumas, Allbirds, and the NIKE HyperAdapts.

#81 British Footwear Invasion with Paul Bridge from SGS Nov 27, 2017

Footwear construction expert Paul Bridge calls in from across the pond to discuss the British footwear market and key footwear construction issues impacting the industry today. Topics range from English footwear retail to sole bonding to Northampton Town F.C.'s crest incorporating a leather shoe....The Beatles' Rubber Sole also gets a mention of course.

Jasmine educates the boys on Seth Aaron's recent 3D printed shoe line for Spring '18 in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#80 Navigating Corporate Partisan Politics in the Age of Trump Nov 20, 2017

In the age of Trump and hyper-partisanship, strategic communication experts Claire Buchan Parker and Christy Moran drop by Shoe-In to offer up their corporate communication tips to footwear companies and professionals alike. Claire and Christy bring years of White House, Congressional, and Corporate experience to the conversation. Jasmine discusses Fall 2017 footwear trends in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#79 Real-Time Sneaker Industry Analysis with ARCH-USA.com's Chris Burns Nov 13, 2017

ARCH-USA.com founder and sneaker industry analyst Chris Burns joins Matt, Andy, and Jasmine on this week's episode of Shoe-In to discuss the latest in sneaker industry headlines and hot takes. Chris' vast experience and background help the Shoe-In team break down current shoe resale trends, NIKE's retail realignment, and the potential for Under Armour's Curry 4. Jasmine closes out the show with another amazing Whatcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'? segment.

#78 Honoring Military Veterans and Their Footwear with Matt's Mom & Dad Nov 06, 2017

Matt and Andy welcome in Rick and Alison Priest, otherwise known as Matt's mom and dad, for this special Veteran's Day discussion on footwear. The episode unexpectedly starts off as a roast of Matt and his days as a youngster before turning to the importance of honoring our nation's veterans and the footwear they wear protecting our country. Jasmine interjects with a segment two-fer as she drops both her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment and Whatcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'?

#77 Talking Tax Reform & Footwear with FDRA's Thomas Crockett Nov 01, 2017

FDRA's policy guru Thomas Crockett stops by the Shoe-In Show studio to discuss the latest and greatest on tax reform and its impact on the footwear industry. Matt and Andy push the key ways to get involved both with FDRA and as advocates for the industry we love. Jasmine unveils DSW's latest push to offer in-store shoe rentals and repairs in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#76 LaCrosse & Farrow Tackle Footwear Logistics & Customs in Real Time Oct 30, 2017

Andy and Matt are live on location at the Bridgeport Brewery in Portland's famed Pearl District during FDRA's first-ever Brews & Shoes charity event supporting Raphael House and Soles4Souls. This time around, famed FDRA collaborators Quinn O'Rourke from LaCrosse Footwear and Kerry Rasmussen from Farrow join in the Shoe-In fun as they discuss the ins and outs of all things footwear logistics and customs.

#75 Portland, Packaging, Printing, and 'Pliance Oct 23, 2017

Andy and Matt are live on location at the Bridgeport Brewery in Portland's famed Pearl District during FDRA's first-ever Brews & Shoes charity event supporting Raphael House and Soles4Souls. Portlanders Rick Hawley and Sara Bowersox explain what makes Portland such a hotbed of footwear industry talent while updating listeners on the latest trends in footwear packaging, customs, and compliance.

#74 Footwear Folks Supporting Key Charitable Organizations @ Brews & Shoes 2017 Oct 16, 2017

Andy and Matt are live on location at the Bridgeport Brewery in Portland's famed Pearl District during FDRA's first-ever Brews & Shoes charity event supporting Raphael House and Soles4Souls. Amanda Ives of the Raphael House of Portland and Donna Mattick from Soles4Souls drop by to discuss the important work both organizations are doing to meet vital needs at home and abroad, and ways in which they partner with the footwear industry to get the job done.

#73 The Comfort & Style of Børn Shoes with John Heron Oct 09, 2017

John Heron, General Manager at Børn Footwear, graduates from a Shoe-In Roadisode to the big time with his own Shoe-In Show as he discusses the continued evolution of the Børn brand and its passionate devotion to comfort and style. Matt and Andy dig deeper into John's shoe story and explore what its like to work for H.H. Brown's fearless leader Jim Issler. Jasmine downloads on the emerging trends on Børn's own website in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#72 The Shoe Life & Shoe Times of the Amazing Bob Campbell Oct 02, 2017

If there was a Mt. Rushmore for the footwear industry, Bob Campbell would be there proudly chiseled in stone. Matt, Andy, and Jasmine welcome the founder and fearless leader of BBC International with honor as he recalls the many ups and downs of his life in the shoe business. Join the Shoe-In team as they journey to the past with this shoe industry legend.

#71 Getting the Shoe Details from Genesco's Andy Gilbert Sep 25, 2017

Andy Gilbert, President of Genesco Licensed Brands, joins Matt, Andy, and Jasmine to discuss the proud history of Genesco, its storied brands and retail outlets, and the current and constantly evolving state of the footwear industry as consumers continue to rule. The Shoe-In crew brings back the infamous Whatcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'? segment as they unveil the shoes they're wearing and what they plan to get next.

#70 The NPD Group's Beth Goldstein & the Current State of Footwear Retail Sep 18, 2017

Key footwear industry analyst Beth Goldstein drops by Shoe-In to educate the crew on the latest and greatest (and most challenging) retail issues impacting shoe brands and companies. Beth brings the knowledge as she breaks down segmentation within the industry and the number of brands fighting over footwear consumer market share. For the first time in Shoe-In Show history (which isn't very long) the team does both the Fashion Footwear in Focus and the Whatcha got? Whatcha gettin'? segments.

#69 Exploring the Dominance of Steve Madden with Ed Rosenfeld Sep 11, 2017

Steve Madden Chairman & CEO and FDRA Chairman Ed Rosenfeld helps the Shoe-In team understand what makes Steve Madden such a dominant force in the footwear industry today and shares the keys to the company's success. Ed explains the importance and history of Steve Madden's test and react strategy in an age when the footwear customer is certainly king. Jasmine joins the fun as she explores Steve's current shoe offerings and what makes him so fashionable in the Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

Special Innovation Series, Episode 3: Two Key KEENers Discuss Their Innovative Roles Sep 06, 2017

Matt and Andy take Shoe-In on the road for this special innovation series focused on how KEEN is approaching its 'Built in America' initiative. In the series finale, the Shoe-In crew welcomes KEENers Celine Rosales, Quality Assurance Specialist, and Sara Bowersox, Global Compliance Manager, as they explore the many facets of ensuring KEEN's US-made shoes are of the highest quality and key production materials are available on site and on time.

Special Innovation Series, Episode 2: Built in America in Focus with KEEN Sep 06, 2017

Matt and Andy take Shoe-In on the road for this special innovation series focused on how KEEN is approaching its 'Built in America' initiative. In this episode, Plant Manager Don Wicks and Production Manager Connor Fuerst sit down to explore the opportunities and challenges of operating a shoe factory in the U.S. Get to know these amazing footwear innovators in this special episode.

Special Innovation Series, Episode 1: On Tour in KEEN's US Factory Sep 06, 2017

Matt and Andy take Shoe-In on the road for this special innovation series focused on how KEEN is approaching its 'Built in America' initiative. Take this audio journey tour through an innovative and cutting edge shoe factory right here in the U.S. with KEEN's U.S. Plant Manager, Don Wicks, as your guide.

#68 Analyzing Footwear Industry Financials with Sam Poser Sep 04, 2017

Matt and Andy welcome footwear industry analyst Sam Poser to Shoe-In at FN Platform as they dig deep into the world of footwear financial analysis, unveil the companies that are excelling in a tough retail environment, and get the inside story on Sam's connection to OJ Simpson as a star witness in the 1995 blockbuster trial. You will not be disappointed when you listen to this episode.

Roadisode #20 Deer Stags Concepts Aug 30, 2017

Jasmine grabs a mic and hits the FN Platform show floor to see what brands catch her eye. Next stop, Deer Stags Concepts where Jake Muskat provides insights into this third generation family owned company. A shoe industry lifer, Jake walks Jasmine through the brand's current offerings and what to expect this holiday season.

Roadisode #19 Blackstone Shoes Aug 30, 2017

Jasmine grabs a mic and hits the FN Platform show floor to see what brands catch her eye. First stop, Blackstone Shoes where Peter and Susana give her a rundown on current trends and how quality and style set Blackstone Shoes apart from the competition in this, the brand's 25th anniversary year.

#67 FN Platform in Focus with Leslie Gallin Aug 30, 2017

Shoe show executive extraordinaire Leslie Gallin stops by the Shoe-In Show booth at FN Platform to discuss the important role shoe shows play in the continued success of the evolving footwear industry. Go behind the scenes with Leslie as she discusses the intricate details of planning such a big show. Jasmine joins the fun as she reviews Leslie's own Top 5 Shoe Trends for Spring '18 in the Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#66 Exploring Footbeds, Fashion, & E-commerce with Birkenstock's David Kahan Aug 28, 2017

Birkenstock Americas CEO David Kahan joins Matt and Andy at FN Platform to explore the continued growth of the iconic German brand, innovative ways in which the signature Birkenstock footbed is being used in new and emerging styles, and his vigorous efforts to protect the 240-year-old brand in the age of Amazon. Jasmine joins in on the fun in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment as she downloads on all the new and exciting ways in which Birkenstock is evolving.

#65 The Footwear Show About Nothing Aug 21, 2017

Matt, Andy and Jasmine press the record button without even the slightest idea of what to discuss! It's the Shoe-In Show about nothing. Jasmine shares her crazy story on attempting to get a pair of retro Jordans! Everyone gives their take on the current state of retail, online vs brick-and-mortar and how to improve the customer experience in stores. Jasmine talks kids footwear...introducing some of the emoji shoe collaborations and Free Range Mama x Minnetonka splattered paint moccasins for the fall.

#64 How Footwear Companies and Employees Can Protect Against Cyber Attacks & Hacks Aug 14, 2017

Shoe-In hosts Matt & Andy talk about a company's worst nightmare, cyber attacks. Listen to find out best practices to protect your company from taking a hit from external threats. This is an episode to share with your entire office and it was all recorded on Shoe-In's Facebook Live. Jasmine, Andy & Matt do another segment of "What You Got...What You Gonna Get?'" shoe edition. They all break down what shoes they're currently rocking and what pair they're planning on gettin'.

#63 Matt Powell on Back to School Shoe Sales and Marketplace Shifts Aug 07, 2017

The NPD Group's Vice President of Industry Analysis, Matt Powell is back again! He breaks down his PUNY approach to retail success (Premium, Unique, New & Young) and what that means for the footwear industry. He also gives us his expert analysis on 2017 back-to-school shoe sales, retail, and a rundown on the recent Big Baller Brand shoe side show. The team introduces Matt to the new "What You Got? What You Gettin'?" segment, where everyone shares the shoes they are currently rocking and the pair they plan on gettin'!

#62 The King of Comfort on OrthoLite's 20 Years of Insole Innovations Jul 31, 2017

Style is important but comfort rules in footwear! Glenn Barrett, Chairman and CEO of OrthoLite, sits down with Shoe-In to discuss the innovation of OrthoLite's insole that is found in billions of fashion, casual and athletic shoes. He discusses OrthoLite's commitment to work with brands to make every single shoe comfortable. Jasmine explores Pharrell Williams' continuous creative partnership with Adidas. She touches on his previous Human Race NMD collab and his newest Tennis HU and the multiple colorways that have been made available.

#61 Foot-Where? A Discussion On Dynamic Dichotomies Impacting Global Footwear Production Jul 24, 2017

In this episode, Matt and Andy discuss the curious findings in FDRA's 2017 Footwear Sourcing Report and dive into what they are hearing from sourcing executives and seeing in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, India and other large producers of footwear. As consumer demands keep shifting, it's causing new major challenges to production, make sure you listen to Matt and Andy discuss this and more!

The cast members expose their mankles! Listen to Jasmine's Fashion Footwear in Focus segment to find out why!

#60 A Holistic Approach to 21st Century Footwear Sourcing and Merchandising Jul 17, 2017

Craig Townsend, Executive Vice President at Elan Polo International joins Matt and Andy on this week's show to explore the constantly changing footwear development dynamic in a global supply chain. How does a direct footwear importer like Elan Polo who serves all aspects of the footwear marketplace evolve with its 21st Century supply chain? Download to find out! Jasmine joins in on the fun as she explores the recently announced Under Armour UA ICON initiative allowing footwear consumers to customize shoes and upload their own images for inclusion on the upper. We tried out a few of our own styles.

#59 Top Shoe Movies You May or May Not Want to Watch Jul 10, 2017

Taking a break from the business side of the footwear industry, Matt, Andy and Jasmine have some fun exploring Rotten Tomatoes's list of 24 Most Important Movie Shoes. Would these movies make your list of shoe movies? Download to find out what movie shoes made the list! Andy brings back the world famous "Whatcha Got?! Whatcha Gettin'?!" segment as the Shoe-In crew explores their current footwear selections and those kicks they aspire to get.

#58 Overcoming Your Footwear Trade 'Trumpression' Jul 03, 2017

Using Matt's speech at the 2017 FN CEO Summit as a backdrop, the boys discuss the importance of collective industry engagement in the age of Trump and how to get over one's "Trumpression" when it comes to the Administration's trade policy. Jasmine lightens the mood with some summer celebrity sneaker collaboration suggestions from both Ellen DeGeneres and Kanye West.

#57 Footwear Customs Updates You Need Now! Jun 26, 2017

The esteemed John Pellegrini, FDRA's customs attorney, drops by to ensure Matt, Andy, Thomas, and Jasmine are up-to-date on all things footwear customs classification. Did you know there are 436 ways to classify shoes when you import them into the US? If not, this episode will educate you! The Shoe-In Crew launches a new segment - "Whatcha Got?! Whatcha Gettin'?!" - as they explore the shoes they are currently wearing and what they plan to buy in the near future.

#56 Exploring Summer 2017 Footwear Biznaz Trends Jun 19, 2017

As Summer 2017 sets in, the Shoe-In crew downloads and analyzes current footwear business trends in retail sales and pricing, employment levels, and commodity trends. You will know the footwear biznaz better than ever after listening to this episode. Jasmine unveils the most recent footwear retro releases dropping on global footwear consumers including Bella Hadid celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Nike Cortez, the Nike Air Max 97, and the Adidas Iniki Runner.

#55 Rethinking Footwear Innovation with the SLEM Institute Jun 12, 2017

Matt and Andy welcome Nicoline van Enter and Yassine Salihine from the SLEM Institute as they discuss the latest innovations disrupting traditional footwear design, development, and manufacturing. Nico and Yassine provide a full recap of their most recent SLEMinar with highlights from The NPD Group's Matt Powell, Terna Jibo from Portland Design, Christian Decker from Desma Footwear Automation, and more! Jasmine throws out the reemergence of slides for the summer in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#54 Footwear Download with Mike Sorabella, CEO of the New & Improved Shoes.com Jun 05, 2017

Shoes.com CEO Mike Sorabella drops by to update the boys on all the changes taking place in the footwear retail online marketplace. Mike also downloads on all the changes taking place at Shoes.com, from its name change (formerly shoebuy.com) to coming under the ownership of Jet.com and Walmart. This interview is not to be missed! Jasmine comes online during her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment to introduce the new footwear customization floor in Le Bon Marché in Paris known as L’Atelier du Soulier - where female shoe shoppers can personalize their shoes on the spot.

#53 Footwear Consumer Sentiment in Real Time with the NPD Group May 29, 2017

Esteemed footwear consumer expert Lori Monaco drops in to Shoe-In to discuss current American footwear consumer sentiments and the shifts impacting retail. Matt and Andy also explore with Lori the impact politics play on consumers and if footwear buyers really care about "Made in America". In her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment, Jasmine drops her spring shoe picks for women with denim, satin, embroidered sneakers, mules, and lace-up heels all in the mix.

#52 Beyond Hashtags - How Social Media Influencers Can Boost Your Brand May 22, 2017

Socialfly Co-Founder and Co-CEO Courtney Spritzer educates Matt, Andy, and FFANY's Ron Fromm on the strategic use of influencers, bloggers, and social media to boost brand awareness in the online age. Jasmine drops her Fashion Footwear in Focus knowledge as she unveils GQ's Best Sneakers for Summer 2017 list.

#51 Getting to Know the Next Great Footwear Designer May 15, 2017

Joining Matt, Andy, and FFANY's Ron Fromm on Shoe-In this week is Den Ly, winner of The Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY) & ARSUTORIA School 2017Joseph C. Moore Footwear Scholarship. Den Ly takes the Shoe-In team on a journey to Cambodia and back as he discusses his passion for shoe design and the inspirations driving his creativity. Oh, and there's a monkey named Gizmo involved...just sayin'.

Jasmine leaves her fashion comfort zone as she explores the emerging trend of wearing socks with heels in her Fashion Footwear in Focus Segment.

#50 What Makes Keen Footwear So UNEEK? May 08, 2017

Andy and Matt are joined by Rory Fuerst, Jr., lead KEEN Designer and Director of Innovation at Fuerst Innovation Labs, as he explores the vision behind UNEEK, from design and prototyping to full commercialization. This cutting-edge shoe has changed the way our industry thinks about footwear construction, production, and fit. Jasmine stops by to explore the return of the use of velcro in all types of shoes in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#49 Footwear Factory Compliance in Developing Countries: What You Should Know May 01, 2017

Elevate's Ian Spaulding is back to discuss footwear factory compliance trends in emerging markets around the world. Armed with exhaustive internal Elevate data, Ian educates the boys on footwear production market intel in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Bangladesh.

Jasmine joins in on the fun as she highlights the need for good "statement" shoes through the recent launch of Katy Perry's line of footwear with the Global Brands Group and Lamborghini Shoes for men.

#48 Wearing Out Poverty with Buddy Teaster & Soles4Souls Apr 24, 2017

Matt and Andy are joined by Buddy Teaster, President and CEO of Soles4Souls, as they explore the critical mission of distributing shoes worldwide to those in need. After 10 years and 30 million pairs of shoes distributed, Soles4Souls is just getting started.

Jasmine rocks the Shoe-In Show world as she unveils the Pizza Hut Pie Tops and the Rihanna Puma Satin Shoe.

Special: Talking Kick-Ass Kicks with 311's P-Nut Apr 19, 2017

World-renowned 311 bassist P-Nut joins Matt and Andy for some Shoe-In fun as he unveils his go-to shoes for rocking out at 311 shows. Matt explores his undying 22-year devotion to the band, including his recently designed 8:16 am inspired NIKEiD Roshe shoes. Kobes, KDs, SA's eternal Air Force 1 shoes, and time travel are all covered during this 311/Shoe-In Show collaboration. Jasmine joins the fun as she explores the possible return of square-toed shoes in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment. Make sure you preorder 311's upcoming 17 track album Mosaic here. It includes the new singles "Too Much to Think" and "Too Late." You can also catch them on their 40 date tour this summer. Tickets are available here.

#47 Specialty Running in Focus with Fleet Feet Apr 17, 2017

Matt and Andy welcome Mike McCauley, owner and operator of Fleet Feet Augusta, as he discusses current and future trends in the specialty running retail space. Not all footwear retail is created equal and Mike is here to explain what makes running retail so special. Jasmine stops by for her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment to discuss the ongoing trend of wearing slippers out and about. She also highlights the recent fringe footwear trend asserting itself this Spring.

#46 Elevating Global Footwear Factories with Ian Spaulding Apr 10, 2017

Ian Spaulding, President and CEO of Elevate, drops by the Shoe-In Studio to update the Shoe-In team on current compliance trends in footwear factories worldwide and updated strategies brands and retailers are implementing to ensure shoes are produced in good factories. Jasmine joins the conversation as she discusses the brand new Saks Fifth Avenue Men's Store in New York City and the continuation of fall footwear fashion trends into Spring 2017.

#45 FFANY Fashion Fun with Ron Fromm Apr 03, 2017

Frequent Shoe-In guest and industry icon Ron Fromm stops by to catch up with the boys and take stock of the current fashion retail environment. Footwear philanthropy is also in fashion as Ron gives an early preview of the 2017 FFANY Shoes on Sale benefiting breast cancer research.

#44 Greasing the Skids for Global Footwear Sales Mar 27, 2017

Matt and Andy welcome back Melissa Irmen, import guru with Integration Point, to discuss global footwear compliance challenges in important markets around the world. Jasmine joins in the fun as she unveils crystal covered Crocs on the runway in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#43 Footwear Innovation on the March: Lessons from Deckers' Chris Hillyer Mar 20, 2017

Chris Hillyer, innovation guru at Deckers, stops by Shoe-In to brief Matt and Andy on the current state of footwear materials, design, and production. Nothing is sacred as key challenges and obstacles are also explored. As a bonus, find out what it's like to design shoes for an elephant! Yeah, you heard us right...

#42 Clowning Around with Shoe Carnival's Cliff Sifford Mar 13, 2017

Shoe Carnival President and CEO Cliff Sifford stops by the Shoe-In Show mobile studio at FN Platform to provide a peek behind the curtains at one of our industry's most creative retail experiences. Learn the methods to the Shoe Carnival in-store madness that drive the family retailer's success.

#41 South of the Border with Mexican Footwear Production Experts Mar 06, 2017

With a new Administration and NAFTA on everyone's minds, Matt and Andy welcome Javier Plascencia, President of the Mexican Footwear Chamber of Guanajuato, to fully unpack the American/Mexican footwear partnership. Key stats and anecdotal stories provide a clear picture of the importance of our relationship and the vital economic foundation provided by NAFTA.

Roadisode #18: Talking Boot Trends with Timberland Mar 03, 2017

Tanner gives Andy a rundown on Timberland's new comfort features and upcoming products for Fall 2017. He also gives Andy insights into the sought-after brand's hottest sellers this season.

Roadisode #17: The Latest and Greatest from Nine West Mar 03, 2017

Andy and Noelle run through Nine West's new innovative features for women's fashion footwear, fall trends, and discuss what women want in a pair of fashionable shoes.

Roadisode #16: Kickin' it with Keds Mar 03, 2017

Christa and Nicole from Keds discuss footwear marketing and branding in today's digital world, including the unveiling of Keds' new comfort features and their partnership with Kate Spade.

Roadisode #15: Catching up with Clarks Mar 03, 2017

Steven from Clarks walks Andy through upcoming fall 2017 footwear trends and ways in which this iconic brand engages and supports independent footwear retailers.

Roadisode #14: Breaking Down Born's Continued Success with John Heron Mar 03, 2017

Andy and John discuss current fashion footwear trends driving changes at retail for footwear companies and their consumers.

Roadisode #13: Breaking Bread with Blackstone Shoes Mar 03, 2017

Andy catches up with Susan and Peter from Blackstone Shoes as they dive into current style trends in the marketplace today and discuss how they've kept their emerging footwear brand fresh.

#40 Fashion Footwear in Focus with Chinese Laundry's Tsering Namgyal Feb 27, 2017

Live from the show floor at FN Platform in Las Vegas, Matt and Andy welcome Chinese Laundry President Tsering Namgyal for a taped interview that considers the evolving fashion footwear consumer, and explores strategies to meet her every footwear need. Matt and Andy also discuss Tsering's career as a leading female executive in the footwear industry and her well deserved Women in Footwear Industry (WIFI) Advancement Award at this year's WIFI Impact Awards.

#39 Import Strategies to Lower Footwear Costs Feb 20, 2017

Melissa Irmen, import guru with Integration Point, joins Matt and Andy in studio to discuss various strategies to lower global trade costs through trade lane analysis. Curious about the impact of ACE, FTZs, and other initiatives on importing footwear? Make sure you listen! Jasmine explores the hot fashion of clear booties with Matt, Andy, and Melissa and bats around the recent release of the Air Jordan I Gotta Shine with an iridescent colorway.

#38 Footwear Policy Review in Real-time: What is Going on?! Feb 15, 2017

Matt, Andy and Thomas do an exhaustive rundown on all the latest developments in Washington impacting the footwear business. Concerned about trade? Worried about intellectual property protection? Freaking out over border adjustment taxes? We've got you covered. Jasmine joins in on the fun as she discusses the eternal pursuit of comfortable women's fashion shoes in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#37 Are We in the Middle of an Athletic Footwear Malaise? Feb 13, 2017

Matt and Andy welcome back athletic industry expert and all things sneaker guru Matt Powell as they explore current challenges facing the athletic footwear marketplace. What's in store in 2017 for this vitally important segment of the footwear industry? Find out when you listen to this episode. FDRA newbie Jasmine Pendergrass takes over the Fashion Footwear in Focus segment as she educates the boys on the advent of sock booties. Matt Powell's latest blog Sock booties Sock sneakers

#36 You Run a Global Footwear Business, Do You Know the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act? Feb 06, 2017

Sean Reilly, experienced Washington attorney, comes to the studio to educate the boys on all things Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and its impact on the footwear industry. Wardrobe Oxygen's own Alison Gary stops by to discuss embellished shoes, including Koio Collective's Swarvoski crystal sneakers, in the Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#35 Happy Chinese New Year! with Clay Jenkins of Caleres Jan 30, 2017

Matt and Andy are joined by Clay Jenkins, Senior Vice President, Global Sourcing and Compliance at Caleres as they explore Chinese New Year and its impact on footwear sourcing and the global footwear supply chain. Alison Gary of Wardrobe Oxygen explores the reemergence of kitten heels in the Fashion Footwear in Focus segment. Look at kitten heels here and here.

#34 Adjusting to Border Adjustability Jan 23, 2017

Matt, Andy, and Thomas discuss the proposed border adjustability tax reform initiative being pushed in the House and its potential impact on footwear companies and consumers alike. In the Fashion Footwear in Focus segment Alison Gary of Wardrobe Oxygen discusses all things velvet footwear.

#33 Seven Significant Footwear Business Trends Entering 2017 Jan 16, 2017

Matt and Andy launch 2017 with a bang, exploring key footwear business trends impacting the industry today, including current sales outlooks, footwear material cost trends, and shoe store employment metrics. Alison Gary of Wardrobe Oxygen joins the boys for the Fashion Footwear in Focus segment as she explores the increasing trend of styling hosiery with your footwear.

#32 Exploring Wolverine Worldwide's Global Footprint with Mike Jeppesen Jan 09, 2017

Matt and Andy welcome industry executive and global footwear expert Mike Jeppesen as they dive into footwear sourcing trends, changing retail and consumer behaviors, and emerging footwear development innovations. Mike serves as President of Global Operations Group and Wolverine Heritage Group for Wolverine Worldwide and its 13 distinguished brands, including Sperry, Keds, Stride Rite, Saucony, Merrell and more. Christie discusses several interchangeable footwear options in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment including these interchangeable heels -- and interchangeable uppers from Cat Perkins.

#31 Foster the Footwear People: Catching Up with Cole Haan's Ed Foster Jan 02, 2017

Matt and Andy welcome Ed Foster, Director of Global Logisitics and Customs Compliance at Cole Haan, to explore the intersections between footwear design, classification, logistics, innovation and athleisure. Christie discusses footwear shoppers' willingness to pay full price for athleisure vs. other footwear in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment. Cole Haan Zerogrand

#30 Boxing Day Special: The Australian Footwear Market in Focus Dec 26, 2016

Matt and Andy welcome Garry Johnson, CEO of Steel Blue, as they explore the footwear market down under in Australia. Garry also discusses the push to bring a foreign shoe brand to the United States, including some surprises along the way. http://www.steelblue.com Christie reviews this year's Fall boot trends in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#29 A Tour of the Italian Footwear Landscape Dec 19, 2016

Matt and Andy welcome Cleto Sagripanti, Founder and Owner of Italian Holding Moda and President of the European Confederation of the Footwear Industry (CEC), as he takes the boys on an in-depth tour on all things Italian footwear -- from brands to manufacturing to fashion, it's all here for you to explore, region by region. Christie educates the boys on the offerings of Italian shoe designer Nicolò Beretta - https://www.giannicoofficial.com Italian Footwear Moda -- http://www.italianholdingmoda.it/en/ IFM Brands: Alberto Fermani - www.albertofermani.it Kalliste - www.kalliste.it

#28 Cursing Footwear Customs One Classification at a Time Dec 12, 2016

Matt and Andy commiserate over the complex U.S. footwear classification system as they seek solace and insights from FDRA Chief Customs Counsel John Pellegrini. Christie explores the world of Gianvito Rossi and his relentless pursuit to make stilletos comfortable in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/brands/meet-gianvito-rossi-the-man-making-stilettos-comfortable/

Roadisode #5: Teva Dec 07, 2016

Christie talks with Julie at Teva Footwear about the lifestyle outdoor brand, and how the brand is evolving to fit and create experiences for their influencers, explorers, and loyalist consumers. We also learn colorful outdoor shoes are trending this upcoming season.

Roadisode #4: Run, Jump, Plae Dec 07, 2016

Christie learns all about Plae's children's shoes with Olivia Billingsley, Plae's regional sales manager-- how to customize the shoes, the special fit for children's feet, and the importance of velcro.

Roadisode #3: Crocs Dec 07, 2016

Christie speaks with Jen Spalding of Crocs about the colorful footwear including the classic clog, new styles and patterns, and finds out who is buying and wearing Crocs.

Roadisode #2: Birkenstock Dec 07, 2016

Christie speaks with Scott Radcliffe, Vice President of Marketing of Birkenstock, about the classic Birkenstock sandal, and the expansion of the Birkenstock line into shoes and boots.

Roadisode #1: Shoe-In at the Big Reveal Dec 07, 2016

Shoe-In Show travels to FFANY for this special show on the road, appropriately kicking off the show with the Footwear Fashion in Focus segment. Matt, Andy, and Christie meet with Jenn Rogien, curator of FFANY's The Reveal, for her insight on deciding 2017's newest trends and the stories behind the seven installations. Matt and Andy welcome Eric Harrison, Owner and President of J Renee Group, for an in depth look at current footwear trends selling this season and the upcoming trends of Fall and Spring 2017.

#27 Footwear Executive Insights Into Holiday Sales Dec 05, 2016

Broadcasting from the FFANY Show floor, Matt and Andy discuss the current footwear retail and consumer environment facing footwear companies and brands this holiday season. The boys share interesting insights and key takeaways from leading footwear execs. Christie unveils important winter boot trends, including Gripforce, in her weekly Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#26 Tracking Global Footwear Logistics with an Expert Nov 28, 2016

Selling shoes to a global marketplace is vitally important to your growth but can be quite daunting. Matt and Andy are joined by key footwear logistics executive Greg Pusak from the Global Brands Group to unpack some of the hurdles companies face when selling into markets worldwide. Christie exposes key viral footwear videos making the rounds on social media in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment. Michael Jordan and "WHAT ARE THOSE?!?!" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpT1XFDjJKA

"Damn Daniel!" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfN60IxdbB4 Footwear on Fire - http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/watch-wirral-woman-sets-cheating-12117869

#25 Slipper Time with the Slipper King, Greg Tunney Nov 21, 2016

Greg Tunney, President and CEO of RG Barry Brands, joins Matt and Andy to discuss all things slippers and slipper fashion just in time for the holidays. Christie discusses Instagram's iniative to add shopping to its social network and online platform in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment -- http://blog.business.instagram.com/post/152598788716/shopping-coming-to-instagram

#24 Footwear Millennials in Focus w/ Matt Powell Nov 14, 2016

Matt Powell can't get enough of the Shoe-In Show as he stops by again to discuss millennials and their impact on the footwear industry. You will totally understand the millennial phenomenon after listening to this vitally important episode...we think. Christie educates the boys on all things style product drops, highlighting the buzz driven by Supreme drops during her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment - http://www.supremenewyork.com/

#23 Unpacking the Unknown Risks in the Footwear Supply Chain Nov 07, 2016

Live from FTDC, Matt and Andy are joined by Tony Pelli from BSI (http://www.bsigroup.com/) as they discuss the various internal and external risks impacting footwear production in key marketplaces around the world. The guys dive into the dynamics of factory protests and key indicators that can predict these changing dynamics. Christie raises the rise of concept shops with the boys, unveiling Cole Haan's recent concept shop in California - http://footwearnews.com/2016/business/retail/cole-haans-south-coast-plaza-store-concept-shop-feels-like-home-costa-mesa-267951/

#22 The Ins & Outs on All Things Sneakers & Sneaker Culture Oct 31, 2016

Global sneaker expert Matt Powell of the NPD Group is back to discuss all things sneakers and the continued rise of sneaker culture, shoe trading, and athletic brand development. If you're into sneakers, you won't want to miss this discussion -- especially Matt's word association fun! Christie joins in on the fun in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment as she discusses customized cleats in the NFL and ways in which athletes are expressing themselves through their footwear.

#21 Ethiopia and Footwear - Tales from FDRA's Recent Trade Mission Oct 24, 2016

Fresh off the FDRA trade mission to Ethiopia, FDRA's own Thomas Crockett stops in to discuss the prospects of sourcing footwear from Ethiopia with Matt and Andy. Thomas takes us on a journey through this emerging footwear manufacturing hub as he reminisces about his trip. Christie highlights the growing trend of charitable footwear drives in the Fashion Footwear in Focus segment, showcasing Allison Grady- http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20160927/news/160928861/ and Darrel “Shoe Doctor” Cousin- http://djournal.com/news/shoe-doctor-hopes-deliver-5000-pairs-shoes/ in their efforts to collect shoe donations.

Special Episode: Will the 2016 Election Throw Shade on Footwear Trade? Oct 20, 2016

Will the footwear industry's key trade initiative - TPP - survive in the wake of this vitriol election? $6 billion is on the line for the footwear companies & consumers...but both candidates are throwing shade at trade. In the aftermath of the election will Congress pass TPP, or will it be kicked down the road? Listen to our robust footwear debate - one that is more detailed than either candidates platform!

#20 Exploring Fall Outdoor Footwear Trends w/ Matt Powell Oct 17, 2016

Matt and Andy explore emerging fall outdoor footwear trends with athletic and outdoor footwear expert Matt Powell. The boys bat around the challenges the outdoor segment is facing in light of athletic's continued dominance of the footwear retail marketplace. Christie throws out Keen's UNEEK footwear as an innovative take on the outdoor sandal in the Fashion Footwear in Focus segment. http://www.keenfootwear.com/uneek

#19 Buzzing Around with The Shoe Hive Oct 10, 2016

On this week’s episode of Shoe-In, Matt, Andy, and Christie welcome Elizabeth Todd, Owner, and Christen Kinard, Manager, at The Shoe Hive, a women’s shoe boutique located in Old Town Alexandria. The group discusses the story of The Shoe Hive, the importance of customer relationships, FFANY, fall fashion trends, and more!

During Fashion Footwear in Focus, Christie and Christen discuss the importance of Instagram and the possibility of a digital fashion show.

#18 Must Know Tips For Launching the Next Great Footwear Brand Oct 03, 2016

Matt, Andy, and Christie take listeners down a checklist of must know tips for launching the next great footwear brand in the US. Christie discusses the use of wait lists to drive demand for fashionable footwear.

Special: Talking Footwear Trade with President Obama's Chief Trade Rep Sep 28, 2016

Matt and Andy sit down with President Obama's chief trade advisor, Ambassador Michael Froman, at USTR HQ to discuss the current state of play for TPP, the remaining months of the Obama presidency, and other hot topics relating to global trade. Christie joins in on the fun as she quizzes the boys and Ambassador Froman on all things presidential footwear.

#17 Protect Your Footwear Brand Fools! Sep 26, 2016

Matt and Andy welcome FDRA's IP lawyer David Spooner as he discusses the ins and outs of protecting your footwear brands in markets all over the world. Want to develop a strategy of protecting your brand? Start with this show! Christie uncovers centuries old shoes in the walls of Cambridge University in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#16 Shoe Retail Trends to Know Now Sep 19, 2016

Curious about what's happening in footwear retail right this minute? Download to listen to Matt, Andy, and Christie discuss footwear retail insights, dynamics, trends, and forecasts this fall. You won't be disappointed. In addition, Christie discusses the rise of Jimmy Choo shoes for men in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

http://us.jimmychoo.com/en/men/

#15 Political Trade Reporting with a Pro Sep 12, 2016

Politico Senior Trade Reporter Doug Palmer joins the show to discuss the business of trade reporting from the Battle in Seattle in 1999 to the current heated rhetoric on trade this election year. The crew discusses the Adidas announcement about the opening of an advanced footwear manufacturing facility in Atlanta next year in Christie's Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#14 Shoe Songs You Should Know Sep 05, 2016

Matt, Andy, and Christie bat around great songs focused on footwear, including a controversial list of the top ten shoe songs of all time. Christie updates the boys on all things celebrity shoe endorsements and designs. Key song highlights include some of the following: These Boots Are Made For Walking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbyAZQ45uww Dancing Shoes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aQELo7tXyI Buggin' Out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaIDj6vBEoU

#13 MAGIC Show Recap With USFIA Aug 29, 2016

Matt and Andy welcome U.S. Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) President Julie Hughes as they review takeaways from the August MAGIC/FN Platform show in Las Vegas and rundown key tips to navigating trade shows.

Christie explores how footwear retailers are staying relevant and standing out in the hyper-competitive retail marketplace.

#12 Compliance Continuous Improvement Aug 22, 2016

Factory compliance is constantly evolving as the industry continues to improve its collective efforts to raise standards. Matt and Andy passionately discuss all the important initiatives the industry is undertaking to drive change throughout the footwear supply chain. Christie explores the way in which retailers are using Pokemon Go in this week's Fashion Footwear in Focus.

#11 Back-to-School! Aug 15, 2016

Back to school is the biggest shoe time of the year! Matt and Andy welcome special guests Ron Fromm, President and CEO of FFANY, and Madalyn Priest, sixth grader and resident back-to-school fashionista, as they explore all the latest BTS trends and expectations. Christie joins the fun during her weekly Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#10 Current Global Unrest’s Impact on Footwear Aug 08, 2016

Footwear retail and production is being impacted by global events like never before. Matt and Andy welcome world renowned security expert Dr. Peter Neumann of Kings College London to discus how Brexit is impacting footwear sales in Europe and the ways in which terrorism is threatening footwear sales and production worldwide.

#9 Shoe Show Season is Here! Aug 01, 2016

As August hits, a long litany of shoe shows are lined up to bring our industry together. Matt and Andy welcome FFANY CEO Ron Fromm for a discussion on the important role shoe shows play in driving sales and building collaborations.

Christie discusses emerging trends from new designers in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#8 Footwear Production Memory Lane Jul 25, 2016

Rick Muskat, FDRA Chairman and Co-owner of Deer Stags Concepts rejoins the guys to discuss the evolution of footwear importing and the trail Rick's father and others blazed in global footwear production. Christie updates the guys on all things Yeezys in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#7 The "New" China Jul 18, 2016

What's old is new again as Matt and Andy discuss current sourcing in China with key sourcing executives from Fila, Caleres, and Payless ShoeSource. Christie winds back the clock on the ongoing retro trend in footwear during her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#6 All in the Footwear Family Jul 11, 2016

Matt and Andy welcome Deer Stags Concepts Co-owner and FDRA Chairman Rick Muskat to the show as they discuss running a third-generation family business in the footwear industry. Christie educates the guys on current men's footwear pricing during her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#5 Current State of US Economy -- Manufacturing to Retail Jul 04, 2016

Matt and Andy welcome Chad Moutray, Chief Economist at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) as they discuss the current US economy and the roll trade plays to increase domestic manufacturing. Christie informs the guys about the development of origami footwear during her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

#4 Shoe Politics 2016 Jun 27, 2016

CNN Commentator and former Romney campaign spokesman Kevin Madden stops by to discuss the current political environment and its impact on footwear trade and industry engagement.

#3 Competing for Footwear Customers in the 21st Century Jun 20, 2016

FFANY President and CEO Ron Fromm rejoins Matt and Andy as they discuss new and innovative ways in which footwear companies reach footwear customers in the 21st Century.

#2 Foot-where? Jun 13, 2016

Team FDRA discusses the latest developments in global footwear sourcing and the potential of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) for the industry. Christie unveils a new and caffeine infused footwear collaboration for the boys to discuss in her latest Fashion Footwear in Focus.

#1 - Shoe-ting the Breeze with FFANY's Ron Fromm Jun 01, 2016

Matt and Andy welcome FFANY President & CEO Ron Fromm to the studio to discuss footwear's rapidly changing environment in design, fashion, retail, and the ways in which FFANY is connecting with its customers. FDRA's Christie Horan educates the boys on all things sneaker wedges during her weekly Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

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