Sneaker History - Retrospect Podcasts
305 episodes listed below
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Nearly 600,000 downloads and still here! A show about sneakers for sneakerheads, by sneakerheads. We're not here to bring people down or play gatekeeper, we are here to show the positive side of sneakers and connect with like-minded sneaker enthusiasts. We talk about sneakers and the footwear industry, interview footwear industry professionals, designers, and creatives who share our passion for sneakers. To advertise to our audience: [email protected] A part of the Retrospect Podcast Network.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/
Based on 6 episodes we listened to · September 2026
Technical shoe knowledge meets candid conversations about design, collecting, creative work and the businesses shaping sneaker culture.
Sneaker History Podcast treats footwear as an object with a memory: design decisions, work histories and personal attachments all remain visible.
An Adidas runner's hidden construction is catnip if you inspect a pair before checking its price.
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Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.
An Under Armour and Steph Curry story that turns a sneaker miss into a sharp brand conversation.
The episode keeps its footing when it leans into the business side of Under Armour, Steph Curry, and the partnership the hosts treat as a serious sneaker miss.
A loose World Cup sneaker chat that ties comfort, style, and the Europe America Air Max split into one easygoing conversation.
This World Cup sneaker chat stays loose and conversational while moving from Mark Gonzalez's Adidas Terrex Sky Chaser GTX to the France Air Max Plus and then into a wider argument about how Europe and America wear Air Max differently.
A sneaker and training episode that keeps its focus on utility, brand building, and the long path to starting something new.
Coffee Time Kicks uses this episode to hang a sneaker and training conversation on a practical point: a shoe that belongs in the gym should still work outside it. That is the clearest thread here, and the brand story helps it land without getting too abstract.
A grounded look at a novelty sneaker that finds real design intent.
This episode treats the Costco Dunk as more than a novelty, and it settles on a clear view: it works, for what it is. The discussion stays close to the shoe itself, from the materials and wearability to the dirt-prone upper, the insoles, the executive hang tag, and the way Nike…
Basketball sneaker talk that balances product detail, family lore, and skepticism about hype.
This episode stays close to basketball sneaker talk, with the Shea 001 and the LeBron 23 Uncharted carrying most of the conversation. The practical details matter more than any marketing gloss: feel, heel view, grip, tech, and the way release copy tries to sell the shoes.
A StockX conversation about people, memory, and the business behind sneaker culture.
Chris Kaufman, one of StockX's original co-founders, talks with Nick Engvall in a conversation that treats sneaker culture as both a people business and a product business.
A sneaker-history conversation about names, images, legacy, and who gets to own a nickname.
The conversation traces how sneaker mythology gets built: the Black Mamba name, the images that outlast explanation, and the way an athlete's identity can settle into the story around a shoe.
A sneaker and streetwear conversation that feels lived in rather than polished.
The episode has a lived-in feel because the two speakers share enough history to move straight into sneakers, streetwear, consulting, and the pandemic without stopping to explain themselves.
Wrestling toy talk with full collector brain.
D'Wayne Edwards explains how a sneaker designer can move from product creation to building Pencil, the only design-focused HBCU in the country, after reopening a historically Black college in Detroit.
These kids feel the gravity of this moment—it's finally real
The host and Pete Forrester finally get the conversation they have been circling for years.
Host Nick Engvall interviews sneaker historian Amado Rodriguez Jr., who runs the blog 'Encyclopedia Sneakerica.' They dive deep into the stories behind iconic sneakers like the Adidas SL 72 and ZX series, exploring forgotten running technology, design philosophy, and how personal history intertwines with sneaker culture.
The hosts open on the Costco Dunk.
Mike opens on the Sneaker History Podcast by framing the conversation around how sneakers and shoes carry stories.
The hosts dig into Under Armour's Curry story and why the brand turned a huge opening into a sneaker-business cautionary tale.
Mike opens a Coffee Time Kicks conversation with Todd Melanie, co-founder of While on Earth.
Mike starts the new year with a solo Coffee Time Kicks session.
The episode opens on Kobe, the Black Mamba identity, and the visual language around Michael Jordan and snake imagery.
Nick Engvall opens the show’s new shape with Chris Kaufman, one of StockX’s original co-founders.
Nick opens with the Nike Mind 001 and 002.
Mike opens by talking about meeting Devin Chris at ComplexCon.
The episode opens loose.
Nick brings JT back on the show.
Nick Engvall opens by framing the show around World Cup shoes and the rock-and-cop check-in.
Mike Guillory talks with Jamal Burger, a photographer, sneaker enthusiast, and philanthropist, about the Kickback Foundation’s work in Toronto and its focus on youth confidence.
Robbie turns a One Piece card drop into a sneaker-release case study, describing Portland, Oregon stores with late shipments, lineups around the block, and box prices ranging from $140 to $165.
Shake James discusses his Adidas collaboration, the Addy Star Control 5, and says the shoe became a way to tell his personal story after a delayed project forced a reset.
Nick Engvall sits down with sneaker photographer and digital media teacher Andy (AD Sneaks) to discuss his coffee table photo book 'The Art of the Sneaker', releasing March 24 via Familius.
The Sneaker History Podcast compares the adidas AE2 and the Nike Ja 3, with both hosts repeatedly weighing design, colorways, and how each shoe looks on foot.
Hosts discuss upcoming sneaker releases for NBA All-Star Weekend, including the Bad Bunny Adidas model and the history of L.A.
Nick Engvall shares his journey of turning his passion project into a sustainable business, discussing his background in the sneaker industry and his new monetization strategy.
The hosts interview Giri Nathan about his book on the Sinner-Alcaraz tennis rivalry, with a segment on recent sneaker purchases.
Host Mike interviews Daryl Glover about his favorite sneakers for coffee runs, discussing specific models like the Vomero 5 and Kobe 8s.
The hosts discuss sneaker culture, industry news, and personal experiences in the footwear business.
This episode features an interview with sneaker photographer Andy Dutton, discussing sneaker culture and industry insights.
Host introduces a new solo segment 'Coffee Time Kicks' and interviews Matt Halfhill of Nice Kicks about sneaker culture and what they're currently wearing.
This episode features an interview with a Vans archivist discussing sneaker history and industry insights.
Host Nick Engvall interviews two sneaker educators about the positive side of sneaker culture and their personal journeys.
A follow-up episode discussing Nike lawsuits and featuring a special guest, with a humorous intro and co-hosts sharing their passion for sneakers and cars.