The Cars and Kicks Show

In this episode of the Cars and Kicks Show, Jacques Slade, along with Nick Engvall and Erik Valdez, dive into the intersection of sneaker culture and car enthusiasm with Michael Rapetti, the founder of The Motoring Club and Motoring Coffee, one of the coolest a community-driven coffee shop and creative space for car lovers. Michael shares the challenges of entrepreneurship and what drove him to start The Motoring Club, which has evolved to include events and a unique car rental experience. Michael shares insights on building a community, the importance of passion in business, and his aspirations for future growth, and talks about some of his favorite sneakers as well.
https://www.instagram.com/motoringcoffee/
More episodes: https://www.carsxkicks.com
Chapters
00:00 Welcome to the Motoring Club
02:01 The Journey of a Sneaker and Car Enthusiast
04:45 Building a Community Around Cars
09:57 Evolving the Business Model
14:46 Lessons Learned as an Entrepreneur
19:20 Creating Unique Events and Experiences
24:06 Engaging Younger Audiences
29:32 The Rental Fleet Dilemma
34:47 Future Plans and Aspirations

The Cars and Kicks Show is hosted by:
Jacques Slade is a multifaceted creator that explores the world of footwear and sports through the lens of culture. Through sneakers and golf, Jacques has cultivated an industry leading voice in the industry that can be seen online and on television. Or he is just an idiot. The jury is still out on that.
Erik Valdez is a husband, father, actor, producer, and creator, whose passion and knowledge for cars is unmatched. You might have seen him on shows like General Hospital, Graceland, or Superman & Lois. He’s driven in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, the Baja 1000, and the number of cars he’s owned would rival the how collections of many sneakerheads.
Nick Engvall is a consultant and creator who helps brands make more authentic connections with their customers. His obsession with cars and sneakers both toe the line of unhealthiness that is best described as, overly passionate. If he’s not recording podcasts, he’s probably at the burrito shop or chasing down ocean sunsets.

In this episode of the Cars and Kicks Show, hosts Jacques Slade, Nick Engvall, and Erik Valdez welcome Jarod DeAnda, the voice of Formula Drift for over 20 years. The conversation explores the intersection of cars, sneakers, and pop culture, delving into the evolution of drifting, its cultural significance, and the role of fashion in motorsports. Jarod shares his journey from announcing Formula Drift to collaborating with various brands, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and networking in the industry. The episode concludes with reflections on personal growth and the value of relationships in life.
All of the links you need: https://www.carsxkicks.com
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Cars and Kicks Podcast
02:57 Meet the Guest: Jarod DeAnda
05:57 The Evolution of Drifting and Its Culture
08:58 The Intersection of Cars, Kicks, and Pop Culture
12:08 The Role of Fashion in Motorsports
14:58 Authenticity and Networking in the Industry
17:52 The Future of Drifting and Collaborations
21:00 Life Lessons and Personal Growth
23:57 Closing Thoughts and Future Endeavors
The Cars and Kicks Show is hosted by:
Jacques Slade is a multifaceted creator that explores the world of footwear and sports through the lens of culture. Through sneakers and golf, Jacques has cultivated an industry leading voice in the industry that can be seen online and on television. Or he is just an idiot. The jury is still out on that.
Erik Valdez is a husband, father, actor, producer, and creator, whose passion and knowledge for cars is unmatched. You might have seen him on shows like General Hospital, Graceland, or Superman & Lois. He’s driven in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, the Baja 1000, and the number of cars he’s owned would rival the how collections of many sneakerheads.
Nick Engvall is a consultant and creator who helps brands make more authentic connections with their customers. His obsession with cars and sneakers both toe the line of unhealthiness that is best described as, overly passionate. If he’s not recording podcasts, he’s probably at the burrito shop or chasing down ocean sunsets.

On this episode of the Cars & Kicks Show, Erik Valdez and Nick Engvall are joined by Armando De La Torre Jr., owner of Guisados and G's On Sunday car events. Armando shares the story of his businesses, as well as how he got into cars, how he got into kicks, and how important giving back to the community is.
Connect with Armando: https://www.instagram.com/dela_art/?hl=en
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Cars and Kicks Podcast
01:22 Meet Armando: A Car Enthusiast's Journey
02:58 Growing Up in L.A.: Car Culture and Influences
05:15 Finding Your Niche: The Allure of Low Riders
09:49 The Art of Car Design and Personal Expression
14:37 Entrepreneurship and the Car Addiction Connection
15:06 Building a Restaurant Empire
18:25 The Evolution of G's on Sunday
22:07 Creating Community Through Car Meets
26:51 The Importance of Inclusivity in Car Culture
31:58 The Journey of Car Enthusiasm
34:15 Embracing Subcultures and Community
35:38 Cultural Exchange Through Cars
39:10 The Evolution of Car Customization
41:06 Daily Drivers and Personal Preferences
43:35 The Quest for the Holy Grail of Cars
45:06 Future Aspirations and Community Growth

All of the links you need: https://www.carsxkicks.com
The Cars and Kicks Show is hosted by:
Jacques Slade is a multifaceted creator that explores the world of footwear and sports through the lens of culture. Through sneakers and golf, Jacques has cultivated an industry leading voice in the industry that can be seen online and on television. Or he is just an idiot. The jury is still out on that.
Erik Valdez is a husband, father, actor, producer, and creator, whose passion and knowledge for cars is unmatched. You might have seen him on shows like General Hospital, Graceland, or Superman & Lois. He’s driven in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, the Baja 1000, and the number of cars he’s owned would rival the how collections of many sneakerheads.
Nick Engvall is a consultant and creator who helps brands make more authentic connections with their customers. His obsession with cars and sneakers both toe the line of unhealthiness that is best described as, overly passionate. If he’s not recording podcasts, he’s probably at the burrito shop or chasing down ocean sunsets.

On this episode of the Cars & Kicks Show, Erik Valdez and Nick Engvall are joined by Pro Bowl linebacker Eric Kendricks, whose passion for cars and sneakers makes him the perfect guest for the show. They discuss his NFL career, how he got into sneakers, his first car purchase after entering the league, and much more. Then they dive into his growing car collection, an incredible story about his family's connection to the Dodge Viper he owns, and how he enjoys working on cars himself. Eric also talks about his latest car purchase, one that might surprise you.
Connect with Eric: https://www.instagram.com/erickendricks/?hl=en
Chapters
00:00 Welcome to Cars and Kicks Podcast
02:26 Eric Kendricks: From Football to Car Enthusiast
04:47 The Intersection of Cars and Sneakers
10:12 The Itch for Cars: A Lifelong Passion
14:33 First Big Purchases: From Jeep to GT3 RS
22:20 Family Legacy: The Viper Story
26:33 Preserving Family Legacy Through Cars
28:28 The Thrill of the Hunt: Car Collecting Adventures
30:21 The Joy of Diverse Automotive Interests
32:30 Career Reflections and Future Aspirations
34:39 Dream Cars: The Ultimate Automotive Wishlist
40:50 Sharing the Passion: The Next Generation of Car Enthusiasts
43:06 Entrepreneurial Ventures and Giving Back

All of the links you need: https://www.carsxkicks.com
The Cars and Kicks Show is hosted by:
Jacques Slade is a multifaceted creator that explores the world of footwear and sports through the lens of culture. Through sneakers and golf, Jacques has cultivated an industry leading voice in the industry that can be seen online and on television. Or he is just an idiot. The jury is still out on that.
Erik Valdez is a husband, father, actor, producer, and creator, whose passion and knowledge for cars is unmatched. You might have seen him on shows like General Hospital, Graceland, or Superman & Lois. He’s driven in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, the Baja 1000, and the number of cars he’s owned would rival the how collections of many sneakerheads.
Nick Engvall is a consultant and creator who helps brands make more authentic connections with their customers. His obsession with cars and sneakers both toe the line of unhealthiness that is best described as, overly passionate. If he’s not recording podcasts, he’s probably at the burrito shop or chasing down ocean sunsets.

In this episode of the Cars and Kicks Show, hosts Jacques, Erik, and Nick explore various themes surrounding sneakers and cars, including the legacy of the Air Jordan, the authenticity in storytelling, and the recent rebranding efforts by Jaguar. They also discuss the acquisition of Foot Locker by Dick's Sporting Goods and the implications of such corporate moves on the sneaker culture. The conversation is lively, with personal anecdotes and insights into the evolving landscape of both industries, culminating in a surprise guest appearance!
Chapters
00:00 Creative Beginnings and Sneaker Culture
02:57 The Importance of Authenticity in Storytelling
05:51 Jaguar's Rebranding Journey
12:02 The Impact of Rebranding in the Automotive Industry
17:59 Sneaker Pricing Trends and Market Dynamics
27:20 The Price of Nostalgia
30:12 The Impact of Nostalgia on Value
33:35 Authenticity and Personal Connections
39:43 Consumerism vs. Nostalgia
46:49 The Foot Locker and Dick's Sporting Goods Acquisition
All of the links you need: https://www.carsxkicks.com
The Cars and Kicks Show is hosted by:
Jacques Slade is a multifaceted creator that explores the world of footwear and sports through the lens of culture. Through sneakers and golf, Jacques has cultivated an industry leading voice in the industry that can be seen online and on television. Or he is just an idiot. The jury is still out on that.
Erik Valdez is a husband, father, actor, producer, and creator, whose passion and knowledge for cars is unmatched. You might have seen him on shows like General Hospital, Graceland, or Superman & Lois. He’s driven in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, the Baja 1000, and the number of cars he’s owned would rival the how collections of many sneakerheads.
Nick Engvall is a consultant and creator who helps brands make more authentic connections with their customers. His obsession with cars and sneakers both toe the line of unhealthiness that is best described as, overly passionate. If he’s not recording podcasts, he’s probably at the burrito shop or chasing down ocean sunsets.