Shoe-In

In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Bryan Eshelman, Partner & Managing Director, AlixPartners unpacks the results of their latest survey—revealing how shifting consumer habits, earlier shopping timelines, and tariff pressures are reshaping the footwear market. Tune in as Bryan, Matt, and Andy discuss what parents are buying, when they're shopping, and the retail strategies brands must embrace to stay...

What does it take to lead through disruption, stay grounded in values, and still move boldly forward? In this powerful episode of the Shoe-In Show Footwear Leadership Series powered by OrthoLite, Josue Solano, CEO, BBC International and Chairman of FDRA, shares his remarkable leadership journey from his early days at Payless to guiding global footwear strategy today. Packed with insights on preser...

What does it really take to bring American-made footwear back to life? On this episode of the Shoe-In Show, we're joined by Alan Guyan, Founder and CEO of Made Plus and former innovation leader at Under Armour, who's turning heads across the industry. From 3D printing to sustainability to powerful storytelling, Alan breaks down the tools and tactics he's using to transform domestic manufacturing....

What does it take to lead a global brand through rapid change and rising expectations? In this episode of the Footwear Leadership Series powered by OrthoLite, Tara McRae, President and Managing Director of Puma North America, shares how mentorship, networking, and a player-coach leadership style have shaped her path and her approach to building resilient, innovative teams. From navigating uncertai...

What if a simple in-store service could protect shoes, promote sustainability, and keep customers coming back? In this episode of the Shoe-In Show, Oliver Hede, Vice President of Sales at Imbox, reveals how their eco-friendly shoe protection technology is revolutionizing the retail experience. From boosting customer loyalty to empowering store associates, this in-store innovation is creating real...

How does a former heavy metal guitarist end up leading a 175-year-old heritage footwear brand? In this episode of the Shoe-In Show's Leadership Series powered by OrthoLite, Danny Ewoldsen, President of Johnston & Murphy, shares his unexpected path to the C-suite and how creativity, curiosity, and customer obsession guide his leadership style. Danny opens up about blending tradition with innovation...

How are premium consumers shopping—and what's driving their decisions? In this episode, Mike Keisman, Head of Research and Innovation, MakerSights, dives into the evolving mindset of premium footwear buyers. From intentional purchasing and brand trust to the impact of digital discovery and in-store experience, Mike unpacks the key forces shaping the premium market today. Whether you're a brand str...

How does a mailroom job lead to the CEO suite at one of the most iconic athletic brands in the world? In this episode of the Footwear Leadership Series powered by OrthoLite, Todd Krinsky, President and CEO, Reebok, shares his incredible 33-year journey through the ranks. He opens up about bold career moves, game-changing product innovation, and the leadership philosophies that fuel Reebok's reviva...

In this episode of FFANY Trend Watch, host Sandi Mines is joined by Nikara Johns of Footwear News and Kendall Becker of Trendalytics to explore Spring 2026 footwear and fashion trends. From thong sandals and sneakerinas to moto boots and platform sneakers, they break down what's hot—from Coachella to Copenhagen. The conversation covers key style shifts like personalized sneakers, ballet flats, gol...

What drives successful footwear leadership in today's ever-evolving industry? In the debut episode of the Footwear Leadership Series, Wolverine Worldwide's President, Active Brands Group, Susie Kuhn shares global career insights, innovative growth strategies, and her people-first leadership style. Hear how she harnesses trends, AI, and culture to elevate brands like Saucony and Merrell. Powered by...

How are global trade wars reshaping footwear sourcing? In this urgent episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett speak with Steve Reynolds, CEO, Jade Footwear, on navigating shifting tariffs, shipping delays, and factory diversification across Asia. Get insider insight into the real-time chaos impacting 85M pairs yearly. Don't miss this eye-opening deep dive into the industry's chang...

How did Crocs evolve from a simple foam clog to a global footwear icon? In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Anne Mehlman, Executive Vice President and Brand President, Crocs, shares her journey from CFO to brand leader and reveals the secrets behind the brand's unstoppable growth. From bold collaborations and social media buzz to the power of customer feedback, discover how Crocs continues to redefin...

Struggling with rising footwear costs and supply chain chaos? This episode dives into how optimizing packaging can boost efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance transparency. Guest Justin Jaeger, Sales and Marketing Specialist, Trillora Packaging Solutions shares insights on cutting hidden costs, Tetris-style box design, and tackling sustainability regulations. Don't let packaging be an afterthought...

How can footwear brands turn supply chain traceability into a competitive advantage? This week on Shoe-In Show, we sit down with Shameek Ghosh, CEO and Co-Founder of TrusTrace, to explore how traceability platforms are transforming how companies manage risk, ensure compliance, and drive product value. From mapping deep-tier suppliers to meeting global sustainability regulations, Shameek breaks dow...

How can footwear brands better collaborate with startups to spark real innovation? In this episode, Alan Lugo, Founder, alanandres LLC, and Stephanie Downs, CEO, Uncaged Innovations dive into the disconnect between emerging material innovators and established brands. From navigating R&D hurdles to reshaping risk mindsets, they offer practical strategies for building stronger, more sustainable part...

This week on Shoe-In Show, Marina Levine, CEO of Highline United, takes us on her journey from crafting handmade shoes in a crooked East Village apartment to leading trend-forward brands on the global stage. Originally from Russia, Marina shares how her unconventional path into the footwear world shaped her leadership style and business perspective. Tune in as she opens up about launching her own...

Is AI the future of retail? In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt Priest and Andy Polk explore cutting-edge retail tech with Shalom Moskowitz and Inbar Mor of ShopX. Discover how AI, automation, and immersive experiences are reshaping the in-store shopping journey—boosting profits and revolutionizing customer engagement. From liquor to footwear, the future is here. ShopX Walkthrough Video With spe...

What makes Oofos footwear so uniquely comfortable and recovery-focused? In this episode, Matt Priest and Sandi Mines chat with Chris Peckham, Head of Global Operations at Oofos, to dive into the technology behind their proprietary foam and the brand's rapid growth. Hear how Oofos is shaking up the recovery footwear market, expanding into new retail channels, and navigating industry challenges—all...

What makes a 133-year-old American shoe company thrive today? In this episode, Jeff Burns, President of Weinbrenner Shoe Company also known as Thorogood, shares the brand's rich history, commitment to American-made quality, and innovations in work footwear. Discover how Thorogood balances tradition with cutting-edge production, why they support retail partnerships over direct-to-consumer, and what...

What happens when football fandom meets footwear insight? Join host Matt Priest, co-host Thomas Crockett, and special guest Christie Horan as they dive into Christie's journey from FDRA to commanding the sidelines as the Washington Commanders' dance coach. They discuss game-day energy, sneaker choices for the team's dancers, and the unforgettable moments of an epic season. Get an exclusive peek be...

This episode of Shoe-In Show features a discussion with Ryan Hunt, Co-Founder of Shloop, The Shoe Loop, a footwear factory in Meridian, Mississippi. Andy and Thomas talk with Ryan about 3DTI—an innovative process that leverages food packaging techniques to create plant-based shoe components. Discover how thermoforming and industrial baking racks produce low-cost, high-performance soles that rival...

In this episode we chat with Gautham Rao, the Vice President and General Manager of Americas for Timberland. Gautham shares his personal journey into the footwear world, starting with his childhood in Dubai and his early Timberland fandom as a college student in Wisconsin. Gautham discusses his personal views on Timberland's cultural significance, its relationship with other brands, and recent col...

Is India the next big footwear sourcing hub? In this episode, Matt and Andy talk with industry veteran Neeraj Narayan who leads SIV Impact and Synergy India Ventures. Neeraj discusses India's growing importance as a sourcing destination due to its talent, infrastructure, and trade agreements. Neeraj shares insights from his journey with Nike and beyond, tackling sourcing complexities, material inn...

In this rebroadcast of *OSD Obsessive Sneaker Disorder*, hosts Dee Wells and Sean "Paperchaser" Williams continue their conversation with FDRA CEO Matt Priest. They explore how supply chains, sustainability, and Gen Z are reshaping the sneaker industry, along with the lasting impacts of COVID-era inventory challenges and shifting global manufacturing trends. Plus, Matt shares his all-time favorite...

On this rebroadcast of an episode of *OSD Obsessive Sneaker Disorder*, hosts Dee Wells and Sean "Paperchaser" Williams dive into the intersection of sneaker culture, tariffs, and retail with Matt Priest, CEO of the FDRA. From childhood memories of swapping iconic Jordans for Converse Weapons to today's battles against tariffs driving up sneaker prices, this conversation weaves nostalgic storytelli...