Fire Footwear: Sneaker Talk (with Matt Frates)
Step into the world of sneakers with host Matt Frates. Each week, we unravel the unique stories behind the sneakers and the culture. From iconic designs to influential figures, discover fresh perspectives and in-depth discussions on the sneakers that shape our world. If you live for sneaker talk and crave insightful takes, this is your go-to podcast. This podcast is brought to you by the Matty Ice Media Network. Presented by the Matty Ice Media Network. Matty Ice Media Network: https://www.mattyicemedia.com This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Episodes
Matt uses the Bull Airs "The Scarecrow" shoe, and the processing of video making with it, as a means of inspiration recently. Even in the darkest of times, the smallest of things can light that fire of inspiration. Go out and get it.
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Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfratescreates
Like what you hear? Help this content grow: https://ko-fi.com/firefootwearpod
New episodes released on Tuesdays.
Every year the Doernbecher Freestyle Series is unveiled as a vessel to raise money for a children's hospital. As sneakers have grown over the the years, so has the negative criticism of the shoes within the series. Matt talks about showing a bit more grace with these.
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Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfratescreates
Like what you hear? Help this content grow: https://ko-fi.com/firefootwearpod
New e...
Salehe Bembury has established himself, for better or worse, with his own style in sneakers. Whether it be his work with Crocs or New Balance, his work is recognizable. Recently it was leaked of his turning down an offer to work with Nike and people were confused. In the end, betting on yourself is risky, but may be the most rewarding. Matt talks through it.
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After a three week break from sneaker content, Matt is back to catch up on the topics that were over the last month or. From his opinions on the Cool Kicks scandal, to Tom Sachs and the concept of a sneaker participation award, it was good to be back with you all again.
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Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfratescreates
Like what you hear? Help this content grow: https://ko-fi.com/firefootwearpod
Ne...
Creative ruts happen for all creators. At times we get burned out and need new inspiration. As Matt was struggling in what to talk about in coming back to Fire Footwear, inspiration came in a small form: his son.
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Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfratescreates
Like what you hear? Help this content grow: https://ko-fi.com/firefootwearpod
New episodes released on Tuesdays.
Sneaker pre-orders and scamming in the sneaker community. These two stories dominated last week in the game. Matt talks through both and drives home a firm message: accountability and transparency are key.
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Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfratescreates
Like what you hear? Help this content grow: https://ko-fi.com/firefootwearpod
New episodes released on Tuesdays.
Follow Matt Frates on Instagram: h...
As the fourth anniversary of his mom's passing comes, Matt has been thinking about life changes over that time. The growth of self and embracing of passions has filled him with perspective and continued yearning for more. Life is short and we should embrace it as much as we can. Are you?
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Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfratescreates
Like what you hear? Help this content grow: https://ko-fi.com...
Nike and Undefeated released the most coveted grail in all of sneakers with their mass release of the Undefeated Jordan 4. By most measures, the release was a massive success. There has been chatter about delayed shipping, and it begs the question "is sneaker culture spoiled?". Matt gives his take.
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Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfratescreates
Like what you hear? Help this content grow: https:...
Trev, one fifth of the In Kix We Trust podcast team, joins Matt to discuss his life in sneakers and beyond. They talk about sneakers in Toronto, the emergence of runners, and all the sneaker releases we have now. Trev has a lot to provide the culture, and this chat helps shine some light on his contributions.
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Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfratescreates
Nike and Jordan Brand have a unique ability to tell stories with their rich history in sneakers. The frequency of releases has left Matt thinking about whether the brand is diluting their own history by leaving little room between retros. Should Nike lean more into storytelling, or has the culture changed so much that it just doesn't matter?
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Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfratescreates
Angel Reese is a polarizing WNBA athlete who is making a name for herself. Her story is also seemingly tied to Caitlin Clark's, fairly or unfairly. Angel Reese recently announced her first signature sneaker with Reebok, something Caitlin Clark does not have to this point. While a notch in her belt for her legacy, the shoe design itself seems on par with every other basketball shoe on the market. Are companies running out of ide...
Fire Footwear is nearing its third birthday, and looking back on the journey to this point is essential as this podcast grows. Matt sits behind the mic reminiscing about where things started, where they are, and where he wants them to go for the future of this podcast. If you found Fire Footwear recently, this is your chance to get to know the host a little bit more.
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Expounding on his initial episode about the Urban Necessities story, Matt goes into the human elements behind the aftermath. Social media is a mainstay in society and while it has its benefits, it also has many pitfalls. The Urban Necessities situation has been an example of the toxicity that social media can traffic in: taking sides, false narratives, ignorant opinions and more.
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Urban Necessities, a popular sneaker consignment shop, is under fire due to allegations of defaulted payments and lacking customer service. Matt gives an overall take with the information had at the time (more has since been revealed). Like other scandals before it, Urban Necessities tests the trust of the sneaker community.
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Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfratescreates
The nostalgia brought on by the NBA Finals has Matt thinking about iconic moments in sneaker history. This episode presents 15 seminal moments along the road to sneaker culture in 2025. While sports helped drastically shape the mold of what is sneaker culture today, there are other moments sprinkled in that have had major impacts as well. What is your favorite moment?
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Nike has raised prices, seemingly in response to trade decisions and conditions globally in 2025. Sneaker prices have be steadily going up over the years, but consumers continue to pay. With more attention paid to the prices of sneakers, Matt dives into today's prices compared to historical prices (adjusted the inflation) to see if things are as bad as we are making them out to be.
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On the heels of the sale of Sketchers, Dick's Sporting Goods makes a huge splash with their acquisition of Foot Locker. Foot Locker, like many businesses, is seeing a decline in sales and stock prices with the world economy in flux. Dick's pounced on an opportunity they hope will rise their value globally. What does this mean for sneaker culture? Matt returns and gives his thoughts.
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Sketchers is a major global footwear brand, and one that has probably never been mentioned on this podcast. Their recent sale, for close to $9 billion, got Matt's attention. While Sketchers and sneaker culture have never been aligned, could this sale be the jumping point for Sketchers to get into the hype game? Matt gives his thoughts.
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Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfratescreates
Sneaker culture and basketball shoes have been synonymous for ages. Since the advent of the Air Jordan line, countless NBA (and WBNA) athletes have been given the signature shoe treatment. Each year new iterations of these signature lines debut, but has the line grown stagnant. Nike, Jordan Brand, and others need to look to other sports for their future. Matt talks through the possibilities.
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Back from Rome, Matt dives into sneaker conventions, but not in the traditional way. Prior to leaving, friend of the show DeVante Mack (@realmackism on Instagram) recorded an episode for the week Matt was gone. Due to technical issues overseas, it never saw the light of day ... until now. Tap in as Matt reacts to Devante's episode and provides his own commentary on the matter.
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