Explore every episode of the podcast Slingin' Shoes

Hear the story of how slinging bottles of Black Velvet in 7-11 led to Harry Chandler joining the run specialty business and ascending to leadership roles at Charlotte Running Company, the Running Industry Association, and the Running Industry Diversity Coalition. Harry also talks about the Charlotte Run Hub and how it serves his store’s community. We’re also joined by Kristy Morris of Sneakers4Good, who shares information on how run stores can work with her business to support its’ efforts in 20+ countries. And Mark and Chris discuss The Rally Shoe in Seattle.

Episode 8 Under is a special golf celebration where we discuss The Skechers World Champions Cup, an international team competition featuring senior golfers from Europe, Asia and the United States.  Our guests include PGA Golfer Peter Jacobsen, sports marketing executive Charlie Besser, the founder of Intersport, and Ben Stewart, VP of Performance Footwear at Skechers. Jake Morrow of Golf magazine helps with co-hosting duties.

Jacobsen talks about his career as a golfer, the lead singer of Jake Trout and the Flounders and the role he’ll play at the Skechers World Champions Cup in December. Besser discusses how the idea was developed, and Stewart sheds some light on the role golf footwear plays in Skechers’ growing performance portfolio.

How much bigger can run specialty get?

We entertain two points of view. Industry analyst Matt Powell of Spurwink River caused a ruckus recently with comments on LinkedIn saying the run channel was not growing because it caters only to “elites.” Co-hosts Chris Farley and Mark Sullivan press Powell on what he really meant and discuss why the channel’s growth has slowed after a decade of robust expansion.

Our sponsor guest all the way from Japan is Koichiro Kodama, CEO of ASICS America. Kodoma-san talks about his life traveling between two continents, his love of specialty retailers and how he believes ASICS can help grow the pie for run stores.

On this episode, Christi Beth Adams of Fleet Feet Nashville shares her journey from employee to owner of six stores. She takes us through the tears and triumphs of her 19 years in the business and talks about what could be next for her. We are also joined by Matt Baum of Mizuno, who may manage the biggest sales region in the country. Matt pulls back the curtain on what he’s hearing as he visits stores around the country and offers his insight on what stores should expect from sales reps.  And our slinger of the week, Eli Reed of Columbus Running Co. talks about how confidence may be the most important item he sells in his store.

Every run store owner will tell you how crucial their employees are to their success. That begs the question then, how do you attract good employees and retain them? Kris Hartner, owner of Naperville Running helps us attack the thorny issue of employee compensation. In a world where there is no “one size fits all” approach (just like shoes!), Hartner and co-host Chris Farley share what works for them.

On the sponsor side, we sit down with Bill Sternoff of BodyGlide, the man with the smoothest pipes in the business. Bill tells the story of how he got into the run business and dishes on how his former career as a TV anchorman in Los Angeles helped teach him about retail merchandising and service.

The conversations on Slingin’ Shoes Episode 5 run the gamut from the deeply personal to the outer limits of Artificial Intelligence. Co-host Chris Farley shares a story of a random encounter with a shopper that resonated deeply with him. Steve DeMoss of Big Peach Running talks about how his fascination with Artificial Intelligence is being put to use in the store, and Ben Stewart , VP of Tech Performance at Skechers, pulls back the curtain on how the brand is working to become more meaningful in run specialty.

On Episode 4, Mark and Chris analyze the annual Best Stores list: what well known stores didn’t make it, what’s the deal behind one of the Best Stores conspiracy theories and how did the list grow from 50 to 60+ stores.

We also discuss the ASICS resurgence with Kevin McHale and learn how he started his career as a shoe slinger at Potomac River Running.

And we spend time with an up and coming Slinger, Naim Bell of Charlotte Running Co.

On Episode 3, we take a deep dive with Bob Dyer and Jennifer Henderson, who share the story of their hands-on approach to opening a run store in the competitive market of Saint Louis. The couple shares both the personal and business issues they faced and how eight years later, Running Niche is a perennial selection to The Best Running Stores List.

On the brand side, Chris Brewer and Drew Magaha of Mizuno USA discuss the brand’s considered focus on the specialty channel and how their “smooth” approach to product is building momentum.

On Episode 2, we’re Slingin’ Shoes across the USA, starting with Jenni Peters from Varsity Sports in Baton Rouge, LA who discusses her real estate strategy and how she is rolling up her sleeves to help her community develop a trail network. Then from Fleet Feet Montclair, NJ by way of Brooklyn, we interview Axel Arroyo, shoe slinger extraordinaire, who shares how his experience and street smarts allow him to send customers home happy. And Josh Higgins of OS1st offers ideas on how to boost sock sales at run specialty by announcing a contest for stores to boost their sock to shoe sales ratio. First prize is in the Slingin’ Socks with purpose is a $500 credit and a Slingin’ Shoes hoodie (and the hoodies are really nice).

Josh Levinson, founder of CEO of Charm City Run, with 8 stores in the Baltimore area, pulls back the curtain on a topic many store owners think about but don’t always act on: succession planning. Josh discusses what steps he has taken to sell equity to top members of his team and what the future holds for him, them and Charm City.

This episode also includes an interview with Joe Toth, head of sales for Altra Running. He talks about the brand’s (and its parent company’s) promise to specialty and the opportunities he sees in the running business.

Our Shoe Slinger of the week is Farrin Saba, assistant manager for a Pacer’s Clarendon store. Farrin has a Masters in Public Health and talks about how her studies in social connections helps her understand and service customers.

Welcome to Episode Zero of Slingin’ Shoes!

Slingin’ Shoes is a new podcast that will be co-hosted by Mark Sullivan, founder of The Running Event, and Chris Farley, owner of Pacers Running. In this introductory episode, the two discuss what led them to develop the podcast and share the story of how Chris made the co-founder of Whole Foods cry during an interview. The two also elaborate on their plans for Slingin’ Shoes to  offer insight, analysis, fun and community. In short, everything that makes the run channel special.

Slingin’ Shoes will produce two episodes a month and will include interviews with store owners, sales associates, brand executives, athletes and other personalities who are shaping the business we all care so much about.

 We promise to be succinct and honest and will strive for the right mix of serious conversations, humor and irreverence when appropriate.