Enlightenment comes from many places and people. On this episode we get it from Joe Foster, the founder of Reebok, who tells the story of how the prize he won in a race as an eight-year-old helped inspire the Reebok name and helped create footwear history. Foster and Sneakers4Good founder Wayne Elsey talk about their backgrounds in the business and their new book "From Reebok to Reuse: Build Brand and Scaling Impact." We are also joined by Daniel Razin, the founder of RunOps, an AI operating platform built for specialty retail, and Toni Jumper of Fleet Feet Columbia, SC, who is using it in her three stores. Tune in to learn about its efficiencies and the analytical perspective it brings to run specialty.

Philadelphia Runner Owner Ross Martinson shares the lessons learned from 20+ years in business, including the differences between running urban and suburban stores and what he wishes he knew two decades ago. We are also joined by Dan Sullivan and Tony Macey of Skechers who discuss the brand's new super shoe and new athlete endorsers.

Andy Kimerling of Westchester Road Runner tells tales of his 40+ years in the business and how his basement full of shoes allows him to keep his customers coming back for more. On the brand side, we are joined by Kevin McHale,

VP Sales, Run Specialty & Omnichannel, ASICS America, who discusses the brand's collaboration with Bandit Running, its work with run club and how ASICS balances growth with a strong commitment to run specialty.

Joe Rubio of Running Warehouse talks about Chinese brands, his journey in the business and what he sees for the future. Abigail Hollie discusses The Running Industry Diversity Coalition's new career event taking place in Philadelphia in October. And our listeners sound off with their Chafes of the Week about how to cope with special discounts. We promise a provocative and entertaining episode.

Marathon Sports CEO Ben Cooke and store designer Holly Weise of 3 Dots Design talk about the recently opened trail centric store in North Conway, NH. The pair talk about the vision to bring the look and feel of famous UTMB (Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc) to a run store. And the challenges in doing that: building a giant rock wall, working with brand partners and getting the kegerator to work. Ben also pulls back the curtain on Marathon's new branding and the store's goal to be " the trusted guide to run culture" in the Northeast.

Two great perspectives on what makes run specialty work. From Tokyo, we are joined by CEO of ASICS America Kodama-san. He expounds on the brand's commitment to run specialty and discusses the changing running landscape in the United States and around the world. Our retail guest is Aleighsha Nichols, GM of Running Lab in Michigan, the reigning store of the Year. Aleighsha recounts her career journey and her adventures in retail. Listen in for her inspiring, entertaining tale. And as a bonus, we are joined by Bobby Rossi, CEO of the Runningman Festival who talks about his event and offers up discounted admission for Slingin' Shoes listeners.

Mark and Chris deliver their hot take on the annual Best Running Stores List. And are joined by Genae Salinas and Emma Galeckas of TRE who explain how the list was developed and how they have adapted the criteria over the past two years. We also get into how business can be better for run stores in a candid discussion with Josh Higgins of OS1st. How can stores drive more traffic, increase frequency of visits and boost the average units per transaction. Listen in for our ideas.

Part 2 of our retailer interviews from the Altra spring/summer meeting. Matt Chandler of Run As You Are in Vancouver, BC talks about the store's innovative membership program, and Chris Winter, GM of Reno Running in Nevada expounds on the critical topic of staffing. Chris shares his ideas on recruitment, training and what to do when it doesn't work out. All that, plus the chafe of the week.