

Sockjig Sneaker Podcast
Sockjig
A sneaker podcast about analyzing trends and shifts in the sneaker industry and the sneaker community.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 20, 2024 • 35min
Lost Episode From 2017 - Episode 64
This is special episode of The Sockjig Sneaker Podcast. I found a pilot episode of a sneaker podcast that I originally recorded on November 30th, 2017. I thought it was lost media but I just found it, cleaned it up and publishing for the first time ever. So let's go back to Nov 2017 when Nike Off White The Ten had just dropped, we used to cop Yeezys from EU sites in the middle of the night. A time many look back on now as a golden age.
Timestamps
00:00 2024 Intro
01:15 What is a Sockjig?
02:36 2017 Sneaker Boom
05:11 Rundown
05:40 Nike Off-White The Ten Drop
11:40 Sean Wotherspoon: Need Supply Virginia Drop
15:11 Nike 2017 Year in Review
20:39 Nike Collaborators
20:43 Acronym
21:08 Tom Sachs
22:12 Vlone
23:07 PSNY
23:28 Travis Scott
24:05 Jordan Brand
25:55 New Balance
26:43 Fear of God
27:20 Big Baller Brand
27:30 Yeezys
31:17 adidas Ultraboost
33:23 Pharrell and 4D
33:46 4D
34:15 Outro
Support the show! Buy socks at https://shop.sockjig.com/

Jan 31, 2024 • 1h 29min
2023 Year in Sneakers - Episode 63
In this episode I discuss bold predictions for sneakers in 2024:
Send me your 2024 Bold Predictions. Click Send a voice message button here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sockjig
I also discuss the recent raid at the Project Blitz warehouse, the Stanley Cups hype and what's important about the Kith Loyalty program. I also look at the Nike and Tiger Woods split and why Nike is letting legends walk. I think talk about the challenges in digital media with recent layoffs at Sports Illustrated, Pitchfork and of course Buzzfeed being broke and content creation in this era.
I also talk about my personal goals with content creation and have a retrospective on the podcast, creating best of the year and worst of the year lists. And finally talk about my personal year in sneakers: favourite pickups, misses, regrets and shoes I sold.
The Best Sneakers of 2023 - 64 Tournament Bracket
https://www.sockjig.com/bestof2023/
Top 20 Worst of the Year in the World of Sneakers
https://twitter.com/sockjig/status/1744190809581494595
Timestamps
00:00 - Cold Open
00:19 - Intro
03:00 - On Feet / Pickups / Skips
04:43 - Bold Predictions For 2024
10:05 - Project Blitz Warehouse Raided
13:14 - Stanley Cup Hype
17:59 - Kith Loyalty Program
27:30 - Nike and Tiger Woods: Being the Big Dog
34:43 - Aside: Getting Paid More for Cartoon Dunk Concept Photoshops Than Working at Nike
36:22 - Digital Media and Buzzfeed's Debt Problem
45:16 - Content Creation as an Independant Content Creator
56:27 - Podcast Retrospective
01:05:53 - Sneaker of the Year Lists
01:09:42 - Personal Year in Sneakers
01:22:24 - Worst Of The Year In Sneakers List
01:29:05 - Outro
Support the show! Buy socks at https://shop.sockjig.com/

Dec 23, 2023 • 1h 15min
Disruptive Sneaker Marketing and The Collaborator Playbook - Episode 62
Anthony Edwards, a star associated with the AE1 sneaker marketing, joins Travis Scott, famous for the Cactus Mac sneakers, along with newcomer JaeTips and established collaborator Jerry Lorenzo of Fear of God x adidas. They dive into disruptive marketing strategies that reshape how sneakers gain traction. JaeTips shares insights for new collaborators while Lorenzo contrasts his experiences in the industry. The discussion also touches on sneaker culture's dynamics and the balance between creativity and market expectations.

Dec 1, 2023 • 1h 3min
Lois Sakany, Snobette Co-Founder and Wall Street Sneaker Analyst - Episode 61
In this episode we welcome Lois Sakany, a Wall Street sneaker analyst and co-founder of women's streetwear blog, Snobette. We discuss the current challenges faced by big brands like Nike and Adidas, the state of women's streetwear. Lois offers an insightful analysis of the impact of marketing, design, and distribution on a brand's success. We also discuss Lois attending ComplexCon, what people are wearing in Erewhon, and the impressive rise of Emily Oberg's Sporty and Rich brand.
Timestamps
0:00 - Cold Open
00:12 - Intro
02:39 - Interview with Lois Sakany
03:22 - James Whitner and The Foundation
11:41 - Attending ComplexCon
16:19 - Sneakers at Erewhon
23:39 - Sneaker Analyst for Wall Street
33:04 - What's Next for adidas and Nike?
47:33 - Snobette and Women's Streetwear
Lois Sakany
https://snobette.com/
https://snobette.substack.com/
@LoisSakany

Nov 22, 2023 • 30min
James Whitner's Backdoor Sneaker Ring Busted - Episode 60
In this episode, we delve into the current money laundering allegations against James Whitner of the Whitaker Group, owner of Social Status and A Ma Maniere. The podcast breaks down the possible scheme which allegedly involved selling Nike product to a Chinese buyer, with proceeds said to have been laundered and traced back to Whitner. We explore a possible timeline of events from 2017 to 2022, examine key players involved, and touch on the court documents. We also delve into past backdoor allegations against Whitner and also his growing influence at Nike and the uncertainty of his future in light of the scandal. Amidst all these revelations, we are reminded that allegations remain allegations until proven guilty in a court of law.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Cold Open
04:12 - The Major Players
08:28 - The Scheme
14:00 - Axe to Fall: A Timeline
17:46 - Backdoor Allegations over the Years
19:56 - Influence at Jordan Brand
21:34 - What's Next
29:54 - Outro

Nov 9, 2023 • 1h 33min
The Future of Sneaker Retail - Episode 59
In this episode, I take a deep-dive look into the future of sneaker retail amid the generational shift in what we buy, and the technological changes happening everyday. I look into recent store closures, the decline of big box retailers and malls and contemplate the long-term future of retail. Finally, I examine what retailers need to do to save brick-and-mortar retail, and what Nike can do to help going forward. I also talk about Kanye story in NYT, CPFM Flea 2, and Complex cancelling shows.
Sockjig Socks in Elachi Green available now at shop.sockjig.com
Timestamps
00:00 - George Cold Open
00:20 - Intro
01:45 - Sockjig Socks Available Now
03:58 - Pickups, Skips, Misses
06:34 - Kanye NYT Story
11:17 - CPFM Flea 2
23:28 - Complex and the Future of Digital Media
31:34 - The Future of Sneaker Retail
36:32 - Sneaker Retail Closures
40:13 - History of Retail
41:32 - Classic Retail Model
44:23 - Generations
47:45 - The Decline of Retailers
54:00 - Current State of Sneaker Retail
59:44 - Sneaker Brands and DTC
1:02:48 - Everything Online
1:07:39 - How to Save Retail
1:23:49 - What Nike Can Do To Help
1:29:23 - Summary
Books
Retail Therapy by Mark Pilkington
The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket by Benjamin Lorr
Links
https://linktr.ee/sockjig
https://shop.sockjig.com/

Oct 9, 2023 • 49min
Kith Toronto - Episode 58
In this episode, I recap my trip to Kith Toronto opening night party and the store open and talk about why I was there, how I got invited, and the people I met. I also talk about the Born x Raised Dunk SB drop.
Timestamps
00:00 - Sneak Peek
00:06 - Intro
00:58 - On Feet
01:12 - Pickups
03:24 - Misses
04:20 - Nike dotSwoosh TINAJ
08:17 - Born x Raised Release
21:09 - Kith Toronto
https://linktr.ee/sockjig
https://shop.sockjig.com/

Sep 7, 2023 • 58min
Stolen Sneakers, Fake Sneakers, Backdoored Sneakers - Episode 57
In this episode I talk about early pairs and if they're stolen, fake, or backdoored. I also talk about Kool Kiy, Nightwing's fake apology to me, Tremaine leaving Supreme, and debut a new segment called Size 13 Takes.
Timestamps
00:00 - Funkmaster Flex Cold Open
02:30 - On Feet
03:22 - Pickups / Skips / Misses
11:56 - Size 13 Takes
14:03 - Nike v. Kool Kiy Lawsuit Update
19:43 - Fake Apologies
33:47 - Tremaine Leaves Supreme
39:50 - Fake Sneakers
44:40 - Stolen Sneakers
48:43 - Backdoored Sneakers
https://linktr.ee/sockjig
https://shop.sockjig.com/

Aug 7, 2023 • 1h 12min
The Hater's Guide to StockX - Episode 56
What's there to hate about StockX? Let me count the ways. This is The Hater's Guide to StockX
Timestamps
00:00 - Cold Open - The Unofficial and Probably Incorrect Story of the Founding of StockX
04:55 - Intro
07:04 - Disclaimer
08:44 - What’s Good About StockX?
11:23 - Authentication
23:36 - Nike NFT Lawsuit
26:52 - Fakes on StockX
31:52 - Rapid Fire
34:13 - Voice Messages
38:56 - Buying on StockX
44:30 - Selling on StockX
52:36 - Customer Service
58:12 - Tech Fuck-ups
01:00:38 - Too Stupid or Too Cheap
01:03:26 - How StockX Has Changed Sneaker Culture Forever
01:06:49 - StockX is Spirit Airlines
https://linktr.ee/sockjig
https://shop.sockjig.com/

Jul 5, 2023 • 1h 6min
Joe Freshgoods - Episode 55
Designer, Creative Director, and entrepreneur Joe Freshgoods shares exclusive details about his approach to creating sneakers and storytelling. He discusses the business side of collabs and his experiences with Adidas. Joe also talks about how he handles drops, both in person and online. The conversation provides candid insights and a deep dive into Joe's journey.