Outside The Box

There are companies that sell shoes. And then there are companies that shape the way an entire generation experiences them. Eastbay was the latter... and most people have no idea how improbable the whole thing was. Art Juedes and Rick Gering started Eastbay out of a store in Wausau, Wisconsin. Two coaches with 16 years of combined college education, zero business courses between them, and a vision...

Andrew Dutton, better known as @ad__sneaks on Instagram, has built one of the most recognizable sneaker photography accounts anywhere online. Hundreds of thousands of followers. Features from Complex. Brand invitations to NBA All-Star Weekend. And a coffee table book, The Art of the Sneaker , releasing March 24th , that nobody saw coming... including him. Nick and Andy get into how a digital media...

Pete Forester and I have been circling each other in the sneaker and streetwear editorial world for well over a decade. Pete worked at Kith under Ronnie Fieg, wrote news for Complex Sneakers, covered the industry for Esquire, hosted two seasons of High Snobiety's From the Ground Up, and was editorial director at StockX. He also wrote the Sole Collector article that introduced the world to StockX b...

Mike Guillory has been doing this longer than most people realize... and probably better than he gives himself credit for. He's the host of Coffee Time Kicks on YouTube, a co-host on the Sneaker History podcast, and one of the most thoughtful voices in sneaker content. He's not chasing the hype releases, he's not doing "transaction videos," and he's definitely not interested in making content he d...

I need your help making a decision. I'm building the sneaker community on Substack. Not hype. Not product drops. Something real. But I think I got the pricing wrong. 68 people are paying for my newsletter. But since January 1st? Zero new signups. Two cancellations. My free subscribers are growing (+18 in two weeks) but paid subscribers are shrinking. TheSneakerNewsletter.com

Chris Kaufman co-founded StockX and helped build it from the very beginning in a Detroit office to a global marketplace. But this conversation isn't all about that origin story... it's about what he learned watching companies choose short-term profits over long-term culture, and why he wrote a book about empathy at work. We talk about the early StockX days when disagreement was productive, not des...

Outside The Box is back. I'm talking with people who are in the pursuit of something... building brands, chasing dreams, navigating the gap between passion and paying bills. This episode explains why I'm bringing the show back, what's changed, and how it connects to going full-time as a creator in 2026. If you're pursuing a passion that matters to you, these conversations are for you. Subscribe to...

On this episode of the podcast, Nick Engvall speaks with Zellnor Myrie, a New York state senator from Brooklyn, about the intersection of sneakers and politics. Myrie shares his personal journey as a sneakerhead, detailing how his upbringing influenced his passion for sneakers and how he has integrated this love into his political career. The discussion highlights the cultural significance of snea...

On this episode of the Sneaker History Podcast, host Mike interviews Brandon Brubaker, co-owner of Clearweather, who shares his journey from working with iconic brands like Vans and Converse to launching his own footwear brand. Brandon discusses his early love for sneakers, pivotal career moments, and the philosophy behind Clearweather's designs, emphasizing quality materials and a commitment to a...

In this episode, Nick Engvall interviews Aaron and Andy, two sneaker enthusiasts and educators. They discuss their love for sneakers, the positive aspects of sneaker culture, and the impact of social media on the sneaker community. Aaron and Andy share their experiences creating sneaker content and the joy they find in connecting with others who share their passion. They also talk about the influe...

In this conversation, Nick Engvall is joined by Brandon Edler and they discuss their experiences working in the content industry, particularly in the sneaker and media space. They reminisce about their time at Complex and the evolution of social media platforms. They also touch on the importance of storytelling and dynamic visuals in content strategies, as well as the challenges of measuring succe...

In this conversation, Nick Engvall and Jacques Slade discuss the intersection of sneaker culture and golf. They explore the importance of consistency in brand campaigns, the need for change in the culture of golf, and the role of sneaker brands in driving that change. They also discuss the impact of collaborations in golf and the potential for creating a more inclusive golf community. The conversa...

What does it take to turn your passion for sneakers into creative income? I talked to five creatives who each found their own unique niche in the sneaker space: Nightwing2303, Jacques Slade, Reina Koyano, Gary Lockwood, and Tamara Dhia. Connect with Panelists: Jacques Slade: https://www.instagram.com/kustoo/ Freehand Profit: https://www.instagram.com/freehandprofit/ Reina Koyano: https://www.insta...

Jacques Slade has done it all...hosting events alongside A-list celebrities, helping Nike and Kobe Bryant launch new sneakers, covering golf for the PGA tour, working with NBC on the Olympics, unboxing the most insane sneaker packages the world has ever seen, and he's done all that and more while continuing to be one of the most respected and appreciated creators amongst his peers. After over a de...

Tamara Dhia has a resume that includes work for companies like Complex, E!, MTV, NTWRK, and more but the path to success wasn't easy. In this conversation, she talks about being around the opportunities you want, staying true to your own passions and beliefs, and how she went from pouring drinks for Robert "Bobby D" De Niro to hosting red carpet events with Giuliana Rancic. Find out the routines,...

Vince Sirico has photographed the likes of Aleali May, Gucci Man, James Harden, Zion Williamson, WizKid, as well as brands like adidas, Reebok, JD Sports. His work speaks for itself. On this episode we discuss the challenges of navigating the world of freelance photography, how to learn from the opportunities that present themselves, the value of always trying new things, and much more. WATCH THIS...

Ryan Trembath made the most of the pandemic by writing his first book, Signature Shoes - The Athletes Who Wore Them and Delightful Pop Culture Nuggets. In this interview, he discusses how the book came about, some of his surprising discoveries while researching signature sneakers over the last 100 years, and what his tips for aspiring authors are. WATCH THIS INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE Buy The Book: http...

Lucy Crivelli is a hustler at heart. From working as a freelance photographer in the sneaker world to starting her own creative agency, to building communities for startups like Aglet, her work speaks for itself. We discuss the challenges of starting your own business, how to find freelance work, how building communities isn't about short-term metrics like likes and comments, and showing up in all...

Tiffany Beers is one of the most important footwear designers in the sneaker world with shoes like the Nike Air Yeezy, Nike MAG, and countless others. In this conversation, we discuss her upcoming footwear design project, how to learn from your failures, finding your way in the footwear industry, "Air" bag design at Nike, and how being from a small town is actually a competitive advantage that man...

Reham Habib has been a part of making brands like Nike, Jordan, and even 50 Cent's G-Unit, some of the most recognizable names on the planet. Her path to the top of the corporate world is "looks less like a ladder and more like a jungle gym," and that includes living in China for 4 years working for Jordan Brand. Find out how she's managed to balance work with a healthy dose of travel, and how she...

The Profitable Hobbyist, Darrin "DJ" Willingham Jr, joins Nick Engvall for a conversation about turning your sneaker reselling hobby into flipping houses for a living. WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE We discuss: Becoming A Profitable Hobbyist The Benefits of Selling High Dollar Sneakers How Doing What You Love Creates Accidental Opportunities Selling Sneakers to Professional Athletes What to Conside...

Nick Engvall talks with Megan Ann Wilson about being on the first-ever sneaker reality show, her work as a creative, stylist to professional athletes, and as a designer. WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE We discuss: Dealing With Professional Athletes As A Stylist Her Experience at Parsons and Pensole Design School Not Being Too Hard On Yourself About Sustainability How Creators Can Avoid Burnout Havin...

On this episode of the Outside The Box Podcast, Nick Engvall talks with Ross Brodsky and Alex Goldenberg, two high school students who founded the non-profit Sole Purpose NYC, an organization that is collecting and refurbishing sneakers to give back to the New York City homeless. WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE We discuss: The Challenges Of Donating When You're Under 21 Winning A $3,000 Scholarship...

On this episode of the Outside The Box Podcast, Nick Engvall talks with Justin Valley, owner of Prospect, a brand and boutique based in San Diego, California, always after a good laugh, Justin showed up wearing an original Kanye West Dropout Bear costume from 2004. WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE We discuss: The Power of Hiring From Within The Community Paying Attention To Trends That Aren't Online...

On this episode of the Outside The Box Podcast, Nick Engvall talks with Jeremy Green, Founder of Calling All Creators, a global design collective that is poised to change the way the footwear industry thinks about democratizing design work, making sustainability more than a buzzword, and more. WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE We discuss: The Democratization Of Design Getting More Access For All Creat...