Shoe-In

Covering the ins and outs of all things footwear, from sneakers to heels, loafers to slippers and every type of shoe in between. Brought to you by the FDRA and FFANY, the footwear industry's associations focused on retail, trade, politics and fashion…helping create and enhance conversations on all things footwear.

Shoe-In is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 564 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Shoe-In, a business show with 564 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #545

  #545 Restore Over Replace: Devonn Vidal on Sneakky Klean & the Future of Sneaker Care

  Aug 30, 202625 min

  What happens when a sneaker obsessive spots a gap nobody else is filling? In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt Priest sits down with Devonn Vidal, Founder and CEO of Sneakky Klean, to talk about one of the most unexpected and exciting entrepreneurial journeys in footwear today. Starting in Miami in 2019, Devonn built a premium sneaker cleaning and restoration business from the ground up — creating a professional care category that essentially didn't exist at scale. From free pickup and delivery to locations in New York, Zurich, and the brand's first franchise in Canada, Sneakky Klean is proving that what's on your feet deserves the same care you put into buying them. A conversation about sneaker culture, entrepreneurship, and what it means to build a brand around the idea that you should restore over replace. With special guest: Devonn Vidal, Founder and CEO, Sneakky Klean Hosted by: Matt Priest, FDRA

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  Episode #544

  #544 Jennet Chow & Mike Chen on Reinventing Footwear Through Technology

  Aug 23, 202638 min

  What does it take to build a technology-forward footwear company from the ground up? In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt Priest and Sandi Mines sit down with Jennet Chow and Mike Chen, Co-CEOs of Evolution Design Lab, to talk about one of the most innovative stories in footwear today. From humble beginnings selling shoes at swap meets to building proprietary software that manages the entire shoe manufacturing supply chain, Jennet and Mike have built EDL into a company that sits at the intersection of fashion, technology, and design. They share how they've adapted to market shifts, fostered a collaborative culture where 80% of employees are women, and leveraged AI to transform product development for their clients and their own brand, Jellypop. A conversation about what the future of footwear design actually looks like — and the people building it. With special guests: Jennet Chow, Co-CEO, Head of Design, Evolution Design Lab and Mike Chen, Co-CEO, Evolution Design Lab Hosted by: Matt Priest, FDRA and Sandi Mines, FDRA

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  Episode #543

  #543 800 Years of Footwear History: Jane Wilson on British Footwear & Ancient Tradition

  Aug 16, 202631 min

  What happens when centuries of tradition meet the demands of a modern footwear industry? In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt Priest and Christie Horan sit down with Jane Wilson, Chair of the British Footwear Association and Master of the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers — one of the City of London's most ancient Livery Companies with roots stretching back hundreds of years. Jane shares her remarkable journey through the footwear industry, what it means to lead two of Britain's most storied footwear institutions, and how the industry is navigating today's biggest challenges from both sides of the Atlantic. From royal events to retail headwinds, this is a rare and fascinating window into the history, culture, and future of global footwear. With special guest: Jane Wilson, Chair, British Footwear Association & Master, Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers Hosted by: Matt Priest, FDRA and Christie Horan, FDRA

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  Episode #542

  #542 Navigating the AI Landscape: Tools, Trends, and Tips for Success

  Aug 9, 202629 min

  AI is everywhere right now, but how do you know what's actually worth your time? In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett sit down with Christopher Padilla, Senior Advisor at Brunswick Group and former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, for a conversation about what AI means for business leaders today. Drawing on decades of experience in government policy, global corporate affairs, and supply chain operations, Chris cuts through the noise to talk about practical AI applications, how to select the right tools for your workflows, and how to navigate an evolving regulatory landscape. Connect with Christopher Padilla on Substack Connect with Christopher Padilla on LinkedIn With special guest: Christopher Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group Hosted by: Matt Priest, FDRA and Thomas Crockett, FDRA

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  Episode #541

  #541 Back-to-School 2026: Consumer Shifts, Cost Pressure & What's Next for Footwear

  Aug 2, 202628 min

  What does the 2026 back-to-school season tell us about where the footwear industry is headed? In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt Priest and Andy Polk sit down with Bryan Eshelman, Americas Leader of Retail at AlixPartners, to unpack the findings from the latest FDRA x AlixPartners Back-to-School Footwear Survey. With operating costs at a 14-quarter high, landed costs rising, and consumers making sharper trade-offs than ever before, the data tells a nuanced story about resilience, shifting brand loyalty, and the widening gap between income segments. Bryan breaks down what the numbers actually mean for footwear brands and retailers — from sourcing strategy and inventory management to how consumers are deciding where, when, and how much to spend on shoes this season. Email info@fdra.org to request access to the report. With special guest: Bryan Eshelman, Americas Leader of Retail, AlixPartners Hosted by: Matt Priest, FDRA and Andy Polk, FDRA

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