The Sole Table

The Sole Table

The Sole Table is where sneakers are never just sneakers. Hosted by Evan “R.B.D.” Polk, Ashley Simone, and Uncle Mike, the podcast explores sneaker culture through authentic conversations, industry news, release discussions, interviews, fashion, sports, and the stories behind the shoes. Whether you’re a collector, enthusiast, or simply curious about the culture, pull up a chair and join the conversation. The Sole Table — Live In Your Soles. 👟🎙️

  1. Aug 29

    RETRO'S, VINTAGE, THRIFTING AND NOSTALGIA WITH PROFESSOR SKOOLA

    Episode NotesRETRO’S, VINTAGE, THRIFTING AND NOSTALGIA WITH PROFESSOR SKOOLAIs everything old becoming new again—or did the culture never really leave? On this episode of The Sole Table, we sit down with Professor Skoola for a conversation about the growing influence of retro sneakers, vintage fashion, thrifting, and nostalgia on today’s culture. We dig into why people are searching for pieces from the past, how vintage and secondhand clothing have gone from overlooked to highly sought-after, and why the stories attached to what we wear can sometimes matter more than the price tag. The conversation goes beyond sneakers. We explore the connection between fashion, music, memories, personal style, and identity—and what gets lost when brands try to manufacture nostalgia instead of allowing it to happen organically. IN THIS EPISODE Why vintage and thrifting have become so influential The difference between retro, vintage, and nostalgia Why younger generations are embracing styles from eras they didn’t experience The emotional connection we have with old sneakers and clothing How nostalgia influences what sneaker brands bring back Finding personal style instead of simply following trends Why older doesn’t automatically mean better The hunt, storytelling, and discovery that make thrifting special Whether today’s sneaker culture relies too heavily on the past Professor Skoola’s perspective on preserving culture while still allowing it to evolve And we get into a bigger question: Are we bringing the past back because it was actually better—or because nostalgia makes us remember it that way?This is a conversation about sneakers, but it’s really about memory, identity, history and why the things we wore can become part of who we are.THE SOLE TABLEREAL TALK. DEEPER THAN SNEAKERS.Watch the full episode on YouTube⁠.

    RETRO'S, VINTAGE, THRIFTING AND NOSTALGIA WITH PROFESSOR SKOOLA
  2. Aug 14

    Can LeBron change Philly sneaker culture?

    COULD LEBRON CHANGE SNEAKER CULTURE IN PHILLY?What happens when one of the biggest names in basketball and sneaker history gets connected to one of the most opinionated sneaker cities in America? On this episode of The Sole Table, we ask the question: Could LeBron James actually change sneaker culture in Philadelphia?Philly has always had its own sneaker identity. From basketball shoes and Air Force 1s to New Balance, Jordans, Foamposites, Timbs and neighborhood-specific trends, this city doesn’t automatically follow what the rest of the country is wearing. So how much influence could LeBron really have? We get into the relationship between athletes, signature sneakers and local culture, whether a superstar can still move the needle in today’s sneaker market, and what LeBron’s presence could mean for what people buy, collect and wear around Philadelphia. IN THIS EPISODE: Could LeBron make his signature sneakers bigger in Philly? Does Philadelphia follow athletes—or does Philly create its own trends? What makes Philly sneaker culture different from other cities? Can one superstar still influence an entire sneaker market? Are signature basketball shoes becoming culturally relevant again? What would LeBron have to do to genuinely connect with Philly sneakerheads? Could his influence extend beyond basketball and into fashion and streetwear? Is Philly ready to embrace LeBron—or would the city make him earn it? Plus, the crew gets into the bigger conversation about who actually controls sneaker culture today: athletes, brands, influencers, collectors—or the streets themselves?The Sole Table is where sneaker culture gets a deeper conversation. REAL TALK. DEEPER THAN SNEAKERS.Watch the full episode on YouTube and join the conversation: Could LeBron change Philly sneaker culture—or is Philly’s sneaker identity too strong for any one athlete to change?

    Can LeBron change Philly sneaker culture?
  3. Jul 26

    WHICH SNEAKER BRAND WINS THE NEXT DECADE? | Is Nike’s Dynasty Finally Over?

    👟 WHICH SNEAKER BRAND WINS THE NEXT DECADE?Nike has ruled sneaker culture for decades—but is its reign finally coming to an end? In this episode of The Sole Table, Evan “R.B.D.” Polk and the crew break down the brands they believe are best positioned to dominate the next ten years. From Nike’s efforts to regain momentum to adidas’ resurgence, New Balance’s cultural rise, ASICS’ growing influence, and the performance boom led by HOKA and On, this conversation goes beyond hype and dives into what really creates a winning sneaker brand. In this episode: Why Nike is facing more competition than ever before. Can adidas reclaim the top spot? How New Balance became one of the hottest brands in sneakers. Why ASICS has become a favorite among sneaker enthusiasts. The rise of HOKA and On—and what it means for the industry. What today’s consumers actually value in a sneaker brand. Innovation vs. nostalgia: Which strategy wins? The role of storytelling, athlete partnerships, and community. Our predictions for the sneaker industry through 2036. Key Questions Is Nike still the safest bet? Which brand has the strongest long-term vision? Are retros holding Nike back? What brand would you invest in if you had to choose one for the next decade? Join the Conversation💬 Which sneaker brand do YOU think wins the next decade? Leave a comment on YouTube or connect with us on social media. Follow The Sole Table📺 YouTube: https://youtu.be/-Xkng35l4UE📸 Instagram: @TheSoleTable 🎙 Hosted by Evan “R.B.D.” Polk and the crew. Real Talk. Deeper Than Sneakers.KeywordsNike • Jordan Brand • adidas • New Balance • ASICS • HOKA • On • Puma • Saucony • Sneaker Culture • Sneaker Podcast • Footwear • Basketball • Running • Sports Business • Sneaker News • The Sole Table • Evan “R.B.D.” Polk

    WHICH SNEAKER BRAND WINS THE NEXT DECADE? | Is Nike’s Dynasty Finally Over?

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Sole Table is where sneakers are never just sneakers. Hosted by Evan “R.B.D.” Polk, Ashley Simone, and Uncle Mike, the podcast explores sneaker culture through authentic conversations, industry news, release discussions, interviews, fashion, sports, and the stories behind the shoes. Whether you’re a collector, enthusiast, or simply curious about the culture, pull up a chair and join the conversation. The Sole Table — Live In Your Soles. 👟🎙️