Sole Material: Recent Episodes
Sole Material
Listen to our take on sneaker culture along with untold stories from behind the scenes of the footwear industry. Growing up in the DMV during the 80’s & 90’s has strongly influenced our lifestyle so pay attention to the details when you’re tuned in. Whether home or away, donning the same uniform or not, your hosts TMart Da Street Shark & The OG EOH are ready to trash-talk, motivate and shock the podcast world in the same fashion as the Fab5 DC duo Juwan Howard & Chris Webber! The Podcast You Cheer For!
Sole Material spotlights our DC Family as Washington Basketball is on the rise and so is the city behind it. The Podcast You Cheer For chronicles the Wizards rebuild -- from the growth of the young core to the biggest draft storylines, including landing a generational talent like AJ Dybantsa with the #1 Pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. We celebrate the rise and speak life into a new era of DMV Hoops!
Sole Material concludes our "Curry Heat Check" Sneaker Watch Series with the announcement that Steph Curry is taking CURRY Brand to Li-Ning in a deal that could reshape the sneaker industry and expand his global influence beyond Under Armour. We break down what the deal means for Curry, the business of basketball and the future of athlete-brand partnerships.
Sole Material dives the sneaker culture surrounding the biggest tournament in futbol. The Podcast You Cheer For breaks down the best soccer-inspired sneaker releases, iconic styles and how the game continues to influence fashion around the world. Tune in for our hottest takes, favorite 2026 FIFA World Cup picks and everything connecting kicks and the beautiful global game.
Sole Material breaks down the latest LeBron James NBA free agency rumors, potential landing spots, and how his decision could reshape the league again. We also explore the legacy of LeBron's iconic Nike sneaker line, his impact on basketball culture, and why the influence of King James extends far beyond the court.
Sole Material laces you up with another Clarity Over Popularity episode showcasing discount finds at in-store and online retailers during the Spring 2026 season.
Sole Material gives a Clarity Over Popularity hot take on the pending lawsuit in the case of adidas vs sneaker blogger, Sole Retriever.
Sole Material discusses the announcement of NBA prospect Darius Acuff Jr. being the next Reebok signature athlete. The conversation dives into cutting-edge design, materials and speculative model silhouette renderings that could define the next generation of Reebok basketball shoes. From on-court performance to off-court style, we unpack how tech and creativity are poised to inspire the next generation.
Sole Material shares personal memories of the NCAA Tournament while bringing back the nostalgia that made the Road to the Final Four a staple in creating a legacy of hardwood classics.
Sole Material celebrates Air Max Day 2026 by exploring the legacy, innovation and cultural impact of Nike’s iconic Air Max line. From groundbreaking design to this year’s standout releases, we break down why Air Max remains a global sneaker phenomenon for collectors and casual fans alike.
Sole Material kicks off the New Year with another clarity over popularity episode showcasing bargain finds from discount and outlet retailers during the Winter 2025-26 season.
Sole Material spotlights noteworthy footwear hitting the NBA hardwood in the first quarter of the 2025-26 season including commentary on the latest signature shoe releases.
Sole Material hands out superlative awards in various categories representing the Clarity Over Popularity compilation of 2025 Sneakers of The Year.
Sole Material gives the gift of best practice shopping habits just in time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday with the annual Holiday Buying Guide episode.
Sole Material kicks off the new season with hot takes on Steph Curry ending his relationship with Under Armour as he steps into the biggest NBA free-agency decision off the court. The Podcast You Cheer For breaks down the brand bidding wars, what he actually wants in a signature line and how this move could reshape the future of performance basketball footwear. Plus, we compare the leverage of Curry's personal brand to past superstar sneaker moments and predict who lands the two-time MVP.
Sole Material sits down with Washington DC native DJ Heat, a true footwear connoisseur and the official soundtrack composer for the Mystics (WNBA), Wizards (NBA), Defenders (UFL) and Unrivaled League.
From unforgettable bargain sneaker deals to her all-time favorite purchases, this episode dives deep into the memories behind the kicks. Plus, first-person stories of unboxing exclusive shoe deliveries from footwear brands! The finale concludes with a rapid-fire Q&A that reveals some hilarious and unexpected takes.
Whether you’re hunting for deals, building your collection, or just love a good sneaker story, this one’s packed with energy, laughs and heat.
Sole Material sits down with Washington DC native DJ Heat, a true footwear connoisseur and the official soundtrack composer for the Mystics (WNBA), Wizards (NBA), Defenders (UFL) and Unrivaled League.
DJ Heat breaks down what it’s really like working in the radio industry, the power of networking for long-term success and how being an in-game DJ keeps the energy alive for fans. Plus, we dive into a few business ventures and how those experiences tie back to music, sports and creative hustle.
Whether you’re chasing a radio career, spinning at live events, or just love hearing stories from behind the scenes — this episode is packed with gems, laughs and motivation.
Sole Material sits down with Washington DC native DJ Heat, a true footwear connoisseur and the official soundtrack composer for the Mystics (WNBA), Wizards (NBA), Defenders (UFL) and Unrivaled League.
From managing successful retail stores to navigating the ever-changing world of streetwear, DJ Heat shares hard-earned insights on what it took to rise up in the DMV shoe game. We also take a trip down memory lane—talking about the kicks that started it all, the culture that shaped her passion and what shoes really mean beyond the hype.
Whether you’re a sneakerhead, nostalgia enthusiast, or just love a good origin story, this episode is packed with inspiration and real talk from someone who’s lived it.
Sole Material takes a timeout to show appreciation to our loyal supporters around the globe for this commemorative Season 5 Finale.
Sole Material wraps up Season 5 with another clarity over popularity episode showcasing bargain finds from discount and outlet retailers during Summer 2025.
Sole Material reviews the intricate details often overlooked in footwear packaging while highlighting a deeper appreciation for the artistry and thought behind the unboxing experience.
Sole Material shares our first-person experience of the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco hosted by the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry.
Sole Material gives a clarity over popularity spotlight to footwear designer Aaron "AC" Cooper and his EQLZ brand collaboration with 3x NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner Nate Robinson.
Sole Material breaks down the shift in the seasonal launch strategies of the WNBA, adidas, Reebok and CONVERSE while exploring the timing of story-telling, on-court moments and how injuries impact the demand-to-retail cycle on part 2 of this SNEAKER BUSINESS TALK conversation.
Sole Material breaks down the shift in the seasonal launch strategies of NIKE and PUMA while exploring the timing of story-telling, on-court moments and how injuries impact the demand-to-retail cycle on part 1 of this SNEAKER BUSINESS TALK conversation.
Sole Material highlights Reebok's effort to regain the marketshare and brand equity they once held in the 90's by enlisting Shaquille O'Neal as President and Allen Iverson as Vice President of Basketball.
Sole Material shows love to the WNBA by reviewing the new A'Ja Wilson signature shoe from Nike and compares them to previous women's models from the swoosh brand.
Sole Material serves up another signature episode of Sneaker Business Talk by sharing the hottest sales and deals from discount retailers in Spring 2025.
Sole Material reviews the rollout of the Nike Book 1 signature shoe line for NBA All-Star and Gold Medalist Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns.
Sole Material chronicles the evolution of Ja Morant's marketability on and off the court that has led to a potential re-invention of his signature Nike series.
Sole Material reflects on the career and impact of the newest first-ballot Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Carmelo Anthony.
Sole Material discusses the rise of live social selling and details how the WhatNot app marketplace is the next resell platform taking over the sneaker community.
Sole Material delivers another episode of Clarity Over Popularity by sharing the hottest sneaker sales hitting discount retailers in early 2025.
Sole Materials analyzes the retail market performances from signature basketball shoe NBA players De'Aaron Fox and LaMelo Ball.
Sole Material hands out a compilation of awards in various categories representing the 2024 Sneakers of The Year. *In Memory and Dedication of DJ Clark Kent
Sole Material spotlights noteworthy footwear hitting the NBA hardwood in the first quarter of the 2024-25 season including commentary on the newest sneaker free agent signings.
Sole Material celebrates the first signature shoe for De'Aaron Fox under Curry Brand with the introduction of Speed that Scares in the Fox 1 launch campaign.
Sole Material kicks off a new podcast season with Black Friday and Cyber Monday tips for your 2024 holiday shopping experience.
Sole Material celebrates 3 years podcasting with the Season 4 Finale by thanking our supporters, acknowledging our international fans and sharing our favorite episodes!
Sole Material takes a trip down memory lane to highlight iconic sneakers from past USA Basketball teams during their quest for a Gold Medal at the Olympics.
Sole Material highlights the latest sneaker deals and clearance item purchases kicking off the Summer 2024 retail season.
Sole Material discusses the current footwear business marketplace trends and brand equity strategies while predicting the next phase of consumer behavior in the sneaker game.
Sole Materials highlights the significance of basketball footwear and style in other major sports via hybrid performance silhouettes.
Sole Material reflects on the influence of basketball magazines and print ads on the pre-digital era of hoops lifestyle consumers.
Sole Material celebrates 30 years of SLAM magazine with a tribute episode to the publication that defined an era of basketball culture and lifestyle.
Sole Material tackles the history and future of performance cross-trainers, signature sneakers and lifestyle collections marketed by NFL players.
Sole Material dishes a hot take on our favorite sneakers and brands worn on the hardwood during the 2024 NBA Playoffs leading up to The Finals.
Sole Material reacts to the news of JD Sports acquiring sporting goods retailer Hibbett Sports in a $1.1 billion buyout.
Sole Material shares stories on specialized customization projects and debates the existence of creativity in today's sneaker game.
Sole Material debates the criteria for earning a signature shoe and forecasts the next NBA star who deserves a performance sneaker of their very own.
Sole Material highlights the latest sneaker deals and clearance item purchases kicking off the Spring 2024 retail season.
Sole Material ends the debate on which geographic region owns the origins of the foamposite sneaker culture popularity, grass-roots influence and long term style adaptation.
Sole Material details the evolution of buy-sell trends with a specific focus on the demographics of resellers and concludes with predictions on the next defining moment for the future marketplace.
Sole Material spotlights the significance of 2-8-24 upon the unveiling of Kobe Bryant's first statue and reminisce on the impact of his legacy.
Sole Materials details Kryie Irving's partnership with Chinese brand ANTA Sports and gives insights on the US market rollout specs for retail stores and digital releases.
Sole Material reacts to Donald Trump's cameo at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia where he unveiled his new footwear collection.
Sole Material analyzes the drivers to consumer behavior in the sneaker industry and forecasts the impact on the retail vertical market.
Sole Material highlights the importance of how footwear brands partnering with local and global boutique shops impacts brand equity in the sneaker marketplace.
Sole Materials reviews the elements of a successful licensed footwear partnership and showcases a sample of our favorite branded releases.
Sole Material takes a trip down memory lane sharing sneaker stories from the 1990's benchmarking iconic styles and nostalgic moments.
Sole Material reviews the history of sneaker grails and debates why the consumer market has produced diminishing returns for holy grails inside the footwear culture.
Sole Material details the history of shoe boxes, custom artwork, story telling and the marketing components that have driven consumer intrinsic value to a low point.
Sole Material reviews signature footwear and sneaker business news across the NBA that have caught our attention to start off the 2023-24 basketball season.
Sole Material discusses the history of December Air Jordan XI retro releases including market impact, media coverage and debating our favorite launch colorways.
Sole Material laces you with more tips on how to catch the best retail deals during Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the Christmas shopping season for 2023.
Sole Material pays homage to ATMOS after their parent company Foot Locker Inc. announced they will be shutting down all USA retail operations including the website and physical store locations.
Sole Material unveils our top 2023 Summer and early Fall activewear deals plus footwear sales including Air Jordan Raptor 7 & 37's, Nike KD15 and a special Nike By You Dunk Low reveal.
Sole Material kicks off Season 4 with a Summer 2023 recap including a retro review of the Reebok ES22 along with a summary of the Washington Wizards Style Showcase prior to NBA Opening Week.
Guest Xavier Jones talks about his origin story with the Sole Material podcast, shares performance details on Reebok's DMX and Hexalite cushioning systems and concludes with a rapidfire of classic silhouettes.
Guest Xavier Jones talks about his personal motivation for joining the sneaker industry along with his take on the future of the consumer marketplace and maintaining executive staff diversity.
Guest Xavier Jones talks about his current role with Nike and shares stories working abroad earlier in his career at the adidas-Reebok Creation Center.
Sole Material reflects on the third season of "The Podcast You Cheer For!" with a finale filled with gratitude towards our listeners and followers across the world.
Sole Material provides clarity over popularity with the signature advice segment detailing retail sales trends and under the radar deals.
Sole Material highlights the year-in-review with milestones ranging from the adidas vs Yeezy litigation, resell market taxes and outlooks on the Ja Morant saga.
Sole Material details the ascension of the Crocs brand during the pandemic and benchmarks why their hold on the footwear marketplace is here to stay.
Sole Material evaluates the staying power of the New Balance as they have managed to redefine their hold on the footwear marketplace through strategic collaborations and reengineered models.
Sole Material pays homage to the original Melo as the NBA All-Star, Gold Medalist and NCAA Champion announced his retirement after 19 seasons.
Sole Material reviews the past, present and future of PUMA's brand equity in the market and examines how they have managed to successfully connect with multiple generations of lifestyle consumers.
Sole Material revisits key performance indicators of footwear tech innovation that impacted consumers and the marketplace alike over the past 3 decades.
Sole Material debates all aspects of the past, present and future of the sneaker culture and emphasizes the importance of finding a personalized niche as an ambassador of the shoe game.
Sole Material takes a trip down memory lane to unveil our favorite uniform designs from past and present NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB pro sports teams.
Sole Material discusses the evolution of strategic partnerships between footwear companies, retail chains, boutiques, artists and athletes for co-branded product collections.
Sole Material spotlights the shoes worn during the 2022-23 NBA season by adidas signature athletes and predicts how the 3-Stripes brand will advance into the next era on the hardwood.
Sole Material applies a financial planning and analysis lens to the failed acquisition and accounts payable debt that led to the DMV-based retailer YCMC closing operations after 74 years of business.
Sole Material retrospectively explores the omni-channel retailer's business growth plan to simplify their footprint including a shared vision with Nike in the future marketplace.
Sole Material discusses the viral mass appeal of the MSCHF brand Astro Boy inspired boots that blurred the lines of art, fashion and click-bait in today's sneaker culture.
Sole Material celebrates the 36th anniversary of the Nike Air Max 1 and discusses how March 26th has become a global phenomenon since its inception in 2014.
Sole Material details the robust evolution of the consumer shopping journey and explains why the future is omni-channel.
Sole Material charts the trending stock for historically black branded apparel during a peak time period of cultural awareness.
Sole Material tackles everything Reebok and discusses how the time is now for the brand to establish equity in a dynamic generation of consumers and taste makers.
Sole Material explores the culmination of changes in e-commerce sales reporting for third-party merchants and how retail tax laws have changed the reseller online marketplace.
Sole Material unveils the most memorable NBA All-Star kicks in our lifetime with a compilation of starting five sneaker rosters. *BONUS EPISODE for Audio Podcast Listeners Only!
Sole Material salutes Lebron James for breaking the NBA all-time scoring record and highlights a 20-year sneaker legacy of A Kid From Akron that has lived up to the hype of being basketball's Chosen One.
Sole Material breaks down how Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant ascended to the top tier of the Swoosh roster with the confirmation of his signature shoe the Nike JA 1.
Sole Material commemorates the golden age when purchasing sneakers was just a phone call away and reveals some of our most memorable deals.
Sole Material honors the direct mail catalog giant Eastbay with our take on the success of their business model and marketing strategy in wake of the retailer permanently closing doors in 2022.
Sole Material celebrates four decades of the Nike Air Force 1 by revealing our favorite releases, purchase history and wishlists.
Sole Material pays homage to the multi-sport legend Bo Jackson by sharing nostalgic memories and spotlights his game changing impact on sneaker history and pop culture.
Sole Material shares memorable sneaker releases that came with detailed packaging, accessories, toys and custom artwork.
Sole Material examines Nike's latest trademark lawsuit against KIY and Reloaded for profiting on shoe designs that infringe on the trade dress overall appearances of the Air Jordan 1 and Nike Dunk models.
Sole Material reacts to how guaranteed authentication services are leveraging consumer trust in resell marketplaces and questions the training required to become an authorized inspector.
Sole Material spotlights residential mail delivery issues with the LaserShip carrier service while offering advice on how to handle packages lost in transit, prep for refund protocols and manage better business claims.
Sole Material highlights the sneakers and brands appearing on the hardwood from our favorite professional basketball players during the first quarter of the 2022-23 NBA season.
Sole Material provides critical instructions on how to develop best in practice buying habits along with what to look for when scavenging for markdown deals and doorbusters.
Sole Material covers the boom of sneaker restoration services in the footwear industry and analyzes the steady demand for previously worn kicks.
Sole Material debates if companies can create systems to promote fairness in today's marketplace and addresses a warning message published by Nike to penalize buyers intending on reselling.
Sole Material dishes out an insider view on the age-old phenomenon of backdooring in the sneaker culture, how to spot red flags and evaluate the risk-reward ratio.
Sole Material details the generational impact of NBA superstars like Lebron James and Steph Curry introducing their children as brand extensions of the Nike Lebron 20 and Under Armour Curry 10.
Sole Material sparks up nostalgia with our Most Wanted Sneakers list of iconic and classic kicks that are overdue for a re-release.
Sole Material decodes the public relations messaging behind the termination of business partnerships with Kanye West, adidas and other corporations through a socially responsible lens.
Sole Material unveils their story behind finding the USA Basketball Redeem Team edition of the Nike Hyperdunk OG for below retail price with what may be one of the greatest deals of the decade.
Sole Material recaps the experience of our journey into the podcast universe and celebrates our 1-Year Anniversary of launching the DMV inspired brand that brought you "The Podcast You Cheer For!".
Sole Material highlights the buying trends and distribution shifts in the footwear industry, culture and consumer economic stability as we navigate through post-pandemic pandemonium.
Sole Material addresses the effect of social media influencers on sneaker culture along with the residual impact of the digital hype machine.
Sole Material delivers our seasonal installment of merchandise hunting stories, sales anomalies and late summer deals.
Sole Material tackles the growth in shady sneaker business practices, greed corrupting the culture and highlight the blindspots that built modern ponzi schemes like the Zadeh Kicks federal investigation.
Sole Material recalls the most memorable athletes with sneaker contracts that ended prematurely and addresses the news of Nike’s intention to not extend their signature shoe deal with Kyrie Irving.
Sole Material devotes an entire episode to our signature advice column with tips on how to stay laced with hot takes on deals, sales and hidden gems from Q1 of 2022.
Sole Material addresses corporate business practices that will impact the future of retail footwear sales along with cautionary tales of aftermarket heartbreaks from third-party resell platforms like GOAT and StockX.
Sole Material debates the final roster, top snubs and the classic sneakers the hall of fame players made legendary on the hardwood.
Sole Material recaps the experience of being featured guest podcasters for our hometown NBA team's pre-game event at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.
Sole Material forecasts the cause and effect of limited global resources in the footwear industry, delivery cycle efficiency and future black market value.
Sole Material tackles the motives behind the sneaker reseller platform era and defines the line between passion and paycheck.
Sole Material unstitches the fabric of the golden age of special edition shoes worn by professionals from Kobe to Primetime Deion.
Sole Material visits Christmas past with die hard childhood stories recalling the gifts, toys and sneakers that made us.
Sole Material takes a timeout to reveal our short list of local and independent brands we love to support with unsponsored recognition of the tastemakers behind these businesses.
Sole Material concludes the first Triple-Double launch of Season 2 with an intense clarity over popularity signature discussion on the digital allusions, trickery and catfishing taking place in today's sneaker culture.
Sole Material details their appreciation and experience with the Nike iD and Nike By You platforms along with unveiling an upcoming surprise from your hosts.
Sole Material initiates a real conversation about how fake kicks and bootleg products have negatively impacted the integrity of the consumers and retail outlets alike.
Sole Material covers the wavering popularity of trendy releases and provides clarity to the buying habits of today's sneakerheads.
Sole Material tackles the historical impact of stress, anxiety, present danger and fears of being a part of the sneaker culture.
Sole Material introduces a staple insights and advice segment for future episodes, the Art of Acquisition.
Sole Material covers a snapshot of the history of sports & footwear marketing, the growth potential of independent brands and the importance of relationships for longevity in the sneaker game.
Sole Material covers the state of the retail strategy of the footwear industry, the rise in consignment shops and how the market has been impacted by the age of digital influence.
Learn about the history of your hosts TMart Da Street Shark & The OG EOH and how the Sole Material podcast got started.