About The Sneaker History Podcast
The Stories Behind the Shoes. The People Beyond the Products.
For six years and nearly 600,000 downloads, The Sneaker History Podcast has been the industry’s most trusted voice for one simple reason: we’ve actually lived this life.
We’re not influencers chasing the next hype drop. We’re the people who built StockX from nine employees, launched Complex Sneakers, and spent decades inside the brands you wear. We’ve been in the board rooms where signature shoe deals get made, on the factory floors where samples get rejected, and in the moments that change sneaker culture forever.
Then we tell you what really happened.
Why This Podcast Exists
Sneaker media has a problem. It’s either corporate press releases disguised as journalism, or hype merchants selling you on the next “must-have” release.
We built this show because the real stories—the failures, the economics, the people who get erased during restructuring, the cultural shifts that matter—weren’t being told.
Our philosophy: People are more interesting than products. The story of why a shoe exists matters more than what it looks like.
If you want unboxing videos and release date reminders, you’re in the wrong place. If you want to understand how this industry actually works, from people who’ve spent 20+ years inside it, welcome home.
Who’s Behind This
Nick Engvall | Founder & Host
20 years inside the sneaker industry. Employee #9 at StockX. Built Complex Sneakers as founding editor. Led content at Finish Line and Stadium Goods. Launched Eastbay’s first blog. Now runs The Sneaker Newsletter on Substack and consults for brands that actually listen.
Why Nick matters: He’s been in the rooms where decisions get made. When Nike restructures, Under Armour splits with Curry, or a trademark gets abandoned, Nick doesn’t speculate—he knows people who were there.
Robbie Falchi | Co-Host
Creator of “Inside Robbie’s Closet” and veteran sneaker journalist. Written for Sneaker History, Nice Kicks, Finish Line, Modern Notoriety. Collector, historian, and the guy who remembers every obscure player exclusive from 2009.
Why Robbie matters: He connects product to culture. When we talk about a shoe, Robbie knows who wore it, where it dropped, and why it mattered then (and whether it still matters now).
Mike Guillory | Co-Host
Sneaker YouTuber, photographer, writer, and self-described connoisseur. Brings the collector’s perspective and asks the questions casual fans actually care about.
Why Mike matters: He keeps us honest. When we get too deep in industry jargon, Mike translates. When we overthink it, he reminds us these are shoes people actually wear.
Rohit Malhotra | Co-Host
Footwear industry professional, sneaker enthusiast, #GirlDad. The voice of reason when the rest of us get too deep in the rabbit hole.
Why Rohit matters: He works in the industry right now. He sees the shifts happening in real-time and brings context that the rest of us miss.
What We Cover (And What We Don’t)
You’ll Hear:
- Industry deep dives: Why signature shoes fail. How endorsement deals actually work. What happens when brands restructure.
- Insider stories: The LeBron retro launch that almost didn’t happen. The day StockX could have collapsed. What really went wrong with Under Armour and Curry.
- Cultural analysis: How sneakers connect to identity, community, and belonging. Why some shoes transcend product and become symbols.
- Interviews with people who matter: Designers, brand executives, collectors, historians. The people who shape sneaker culture, not just promote it.
- Anti-hype positioning: Highlighting quality brands that don’t fight for your attention algorithmically. Challenging sneaker culture orthodoxy.
You Won’t Hear:
- Release date calendars (that’s what Instagram is for)
- Hype beast takes designed for engagement
- Opinions bought and paid for by brands
- Surface-level product reviews
- Fake outrage about resale prices
Why Brands Partner With Us
1. Our Audience Has Spending Power
62% of our Substack subscribers are manager-level or above. Nike employees, New Balance staff, marketing directors at major brands. These aren’t teenagers begging their parents for Jordans—these are adults who expense our newsletter as “competitive intelligence.”
Your ad reaches decision-makers, not just consumers.
2. Trust Is Our Moat
Our audience knows we’re not for sale. When Nick criticizes Nike’s CEO strategy or calls out Under Armour’s Curry failures, listeners trust it’s because we believe it—not because a competitor paid us.
That trust transfers to partners who align with our values. When we recommend something, people listen.
3. We’re Not Just a Podcast
Partner with us and you’re getting:
- Podcast sponsorship (pre-roll, mid-roll, host-read)
- Newsletter mentions (1,100+ subscribers, growing)
- Website integration (sneakerhistory.com)
- Social amplification (90K+ on Instagram)
- Discord community access (engaged, active members)
- YouTube video credits (growing channel in 2026)
One partnership, six touchpoints.
4. We Deliver Results, Not Just Downloads
We don’t just read your ad copy. We integrate your story into our content.
Example: If you’re a smaller brand making quality gear without algorithmic hype, we’ll feature you in an episode about anti-hype products. We’ll test it ourselves. We’ll tell our audience why it matters. That’s not an ad—that’s advocacy.
Metrics that matter:
- Nearly 600,000 total downloads (and growing)
- Average listen rate: 70%+ completion
- Newsletter open rate: 50%+
- Audience retention: People don’t just download, they finish episodes
Sponsorship Opportunities
Podcast Advertising
- Pre-roll (15-30 seconds): Brand mention at episode start
- Mid-roll (60-90 seconds): Host-read integration at natural break
- Post-roll (30 seconds): Closing mention with CTA
- Episode series sponsorship: “This season brought to you by [Brand]”
Newsletter Integration
- Dedicated sponsorship section in Tuesday free post (1,100+ subscribers)
- Founding Member mentions in premium content (50+ paid subscribers)
- Custom content collaboration (we write about your brand authentically)
Custom Campaigns
- Video series featuring your product in real-world testing
- Exclusive interviews with your brand’s founder/designers
- Community activations (Discord, Patreon, live events)
- Long-form written deep dives on sneakerhistory.com
Pricing: Contact us for a custom media kit tailored to your goals.
What People Say About U
“The only sneaker podcast that actually understands how this industry works.”
— Anonymous Nike employee (they listen, trust us)
“Nick’s newsletter is required reading for anyone working in footwear.”
— Sr. Marketing Director, Major Athletic Footwear Brand
“Finally, someone who talks about sneakers like they matter culturally, not just commercially.”
— Listener feedback, 2024
Connect With Us
General Inquiries & Sponsorship:
podcast@sneakerhistory.com
Host Direct Lines:
- Nick Engvall: nick@sneakerhistory.com
- Robbie Falchi: robbie@sneakerhistory.com
- Mike Guillory: mike@sneakerhistory.com
- Rohit Malhotra: rohit@sneakerhistory.com
Listen:
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere podcasts exist.
Read:
The Sneaker Newsletter on Substack: sneakernewsletter.substack.com
Website: sneakerhistory.com
Follow:
Instagram: @sneakerhistory (90K+)
Discord: [link]
Patreon: [link]
The Sneaker History Podcast is recorded on Riverside and distributed by Captivate.
The Bottom Line
We’re not here to sell you shoes. We’re here to tell you the truth about the industry that makes them.
If your brand values authenticity over hype, substance over algorithm optimization, and long-term relationships over transactional impressions, let’s talk.
We built this show for people who love sneakers enough to want the real story. If that’s your audience too, we should work together.
Hi – Looking into advertising opportunities around this podcast.