This week I am joined by Mage, we talk about growing up in Brooklyn and New Jersey. How his parents influenced him, and their unique way of punishing them. Getting to know Heron Preston, and how we met in ComplexCon. Being able to be invoice boys and working at Stadium Goods. What he plans to become and work on and much much more!  

Where to find Mage:    

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@mage.ig 

YouTube:  ⁨@mageyt99⁩  

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Lacing Up: The Power of Sneakers 

00:48 Introduction to the Episode 

01:11 Meet Maj: The Sneaker Aficionado 

01:46 The Journey to Social Media Fame 

04:12 First Kicks: The Bred 11 Story 

07:48 ComplexCon Experiences 

11:57 Working at Stadium Goods 

19:37 Meeting Icons: Virgil and Travis 

22:02 The Legacy of Virgil Abloh 

27:28 Future Aspirations and Career Goals 

28:08 The Art of Producing: Beyond Making Beats 

29:05 A Passion for Horror Movies 

31:31 Sneaker Culture and Collecting Stories 

33:21 Navigating Sneaker Trends and Hype 

37:41 The Future of Sneaker Culture 

55:09 Reflecting on Personal Growth and Ambitions

This week I am joined by Tara aka Copemnrockem, we talk about her love for Jordan 11's. How she became copemnrockem, her ambition to own her own sneaker store. How cookies got her a job at Jordan Brand, being a Jordan Historian. Making the choice to bet on herself, and the brands she has worked with. Where her inspiration to be a go getter comes from and much more. 

 Where to find Tara:    

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@copemnrockem 

Twitter/X: https://x.com/CopEmNRockEm 

Hometeam Talent: https://www.hometeamtalent.com/   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

Chapters:

00:00 - The Cool Grey 11s Story

01:03 - Introduction to Tara and the Podcast

04:59 - Sneaker Culture Collaboration and Authenticity

07:11 - What's Your First Kicks? Tara's Story

12:38 - The Importance of Family Support

16:41 - Early Career and Tier Zero Boutiques

21:05 - Networking and Relationships in the Industry

26:05 - Complex Con and Brand Events

27:24 - Hustle and Family Inspiration

33:20 - Learning the Skill of Networking

38:30 - The Entitlement Issue in Social Media

45:00 - Crazy Sneaker Stories and Early Career Struggles

51:00 - Advice to Younger Self & Reflections on Success

This week I am joined by current state senator and mayoral candidate Zellnor Myrie. We speak about his journey with sneakers, what it was like collecting kicks for him. How one trip to Yonkers created the itch for more. The flip that switched to want to create change. How the Knicks hurt us, why Mayor Adams spent money our money on them. What he is trying to do and what he is running for mayor for. Plus so much more!  

Where to find Z:    

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@zellnormyrie 

Website: https://www.zellnor.nyc/    

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

This week I am joined by Zane, we talk about his adventures in graffiti. How he got into reselling and sneaker cleaning. How he went viral for making a fake post for a Supreme drop. Being outside for drops and how he was able to secure pairs. Pursuing art full-time and what he has been able to accomplish and so much more!  

Where to find Zane:    

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@zanestyles 

Website: https://www.zanestyles.com/    

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

This week I am joined by Jeff & Eric who are ItsTheReal, we talk about their sneaker stories. How The Blog Era Podcast success has propelled them, how working with The Lox happened. The legendary convo's they had in their old apartment, and people who didn't wanted to leave. Wild moments in their lives that pertain to sneakers and much much more!  

Where to find Eric & Jeff:   

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@itsthereal 

2J2BD Podcast:  ⁨@itsthereal⁩     

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

This week, I am live from the Unheardof Brand event. I get to sit down with AD and recap why the video and audio came out so bad for the live show. I also get to sit down and catch up with Andy, Aaron, Phil, Elaina, and Melissa. As we get to talk ask them what does the Grandma Couch 2 and the collaboration means to them. How they are impacted by this release and how much they love the shoe. Also I asked each guest if they could share a sneaker story about the matriarch in their family. This Grandma's Couch 2 release was one for the ages and I hope I was able to capture and make up for the live show that I took away from the feed!

Where to find Phil:   

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@unheardofbrand 

Website: https://unheardofbrand.com/  

Where to find Sneaky Leak: IG: https://www.instagram.com/@sneakyleakpod 

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@sneakyleakpod

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

This week Elaina & Janelle co host the pod as we talk to Philip Lipschultz ahead of his Grandma's Couch 2 Adidas release. This was recorded in front of a live audience, as we share stories about our Grand Mothers and Mothers. Also we hear about Phil's process in creating the shoe. Shock dropping an exclusive colorway. What he has instore in the future and much more! Please excuse the quality of the audio and the video cutting in and out. I tried my best to salvage this, due to technically difficulties.   Where to find Phil:   

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@unheardofbrand 

Website: https://unheardofbrand.com/  

Where to find Sneaky Leak: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@sneakyleakpod 

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@SneakyLeakPod⁩    

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

This week I am joined by KJ and we got right into the current state of sneakers. How she got into kicks, how she moves around the space. Her time working with startups, taking over Common Ace. Being able to be on the beach and being known as the Carry on Queen. Also we touch on what the sneaker scene in Toronto is like. How each store interacts with each other and much more!  

Where to find KJ:    

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@beachykj  

Common Ace: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@commonace 

Shop: https://commonace.com/   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

This week JP pulls up to the pod, we connect on growing up in Queens. Share some old Queen Center stories, how JP ended up working at All The Right. The way All The Right connects graffiti and sneakers. He also brings some kicks to show off before they drop. Plus we talk about how sneakers has influenced him and things he wants to see being the Manager of ATR.   

Where to find JP:   

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@justjpsworld  

All The Right: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@alltheright 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alltheright98⁩   

Shop: https://alltheright.com/   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

This week Alfred Banks returns to the podcast, we last spoke almost 4 years ago when I first started the podcast. We catch up on the accomplishments we have achieved since then. I also touch on my time in Cincinatti for the Piggy Runners Adistar release. Alfred talks about the creation of SaxKixAve and their upcoming album. Also performing at the Super Bowl and the path his has carved since his last appearance.  

Where to find Alfred:      

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alfredbanks⁩  

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@underdogcentral

X: https://x.com/underdogcentral 

SaxKixAve: https://www.saxkixave.com/  

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/