This is Episode 1 of a special five-part Shoe-In Show series in partnership with Centric Software: What's Driving Footwear's New Operational Transformation. In this episode, Andy Polk sits down with David Gardner, Director of Pre-Sales Customer Success at Centric Software, to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in footwear today — product data integrity. From fragmented spreadsheets and siloed systems to AI-powered forecasting and PLM, David breaks down why product data has become a boardroom issue, what it's costing brands in speed, margin, and quality, and what a modern product development foundation actually makes possible. If your teams are working from different versions of the same information, this episode is the place to start.

With special guest:
David Gardner, Director Pre-Sales Customer Success, Centric Software

Hosted by:
Andy Polk, FDRA

In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt Priest and Sandi Mines share everything you need to know about Shoes for a Cure's biggest October yet. Celebrating its 33rd year, the initiative is bringing new collaborations, community events, and an ambitious million-dollar fundraising goal to cities across the country. The conversation takes listeners from the vibrant Miami Design District to Chelsea Market in New York, painting a picture of an industry united around one of the most important fights of our time. Whether you're a longtime supporter or discovering Shoes for a Cure for the first time, this episode will inspire you to get involved and make an impact. The footwear community has always shown up, and this year they're showing up bigger than ever.

With special guest:
Sandi Mines, President & Chair, FFCF

Hosted by:
Matt Priest, FDRA

In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt Priest and Christie Horan sit down with Semaj Neville, Vice President of Business Development at Steve Madden, for a conversation about leadership, empathy, and the power of brick-and-mortar retail. Semaj shares his remarkable journey from incarceration to leadership and makes a passionate case for investing in frontline workers, the regional managers, district managers, and store executives who hold firsthand knowledge about what's driving consumer behavior every single day. With the right culture, strong relationships, and a commitment to listening to the field, Semaj believes brick-and-mortar retail doesn't just survive, it thrives. As he puts it, "there is nothing better than brick-and-mortar, product, and people to comp your quarter."

With special guest:
Semaj Neville, Vice President Business Development, Steve Madden

Hosted by:
Matt Priest and Christie Horan