Stacking Slabs

A $115 break spot turned into the pull of a lifetime. Darius, known as @ihitbig2, joins Adam and Ryan to share the full story behind pulling the Rhea Ripley WrestleMania Patch Auto 1/1. He explains why he flew to Seattle to retrieve the card, why he brought it to Wrestling Card Takeover before consigning it, and why selling the card became the right decision for his family. The conversation also covers trust in the wrestling card market, the upcoming Topps Universe and Topps Royalty releases, and recent sales involving Alexa Bliss, The Rock, John Cena, and IShowSpeed. Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What makes one card the defining card of a player? The rookie label? Market value? Recognition? Rarity? Pack and Brett challenge the belief that a player’s rookie card must be his best card. They use the $240,000 Patrick Mahomes Topps Chrome Superfractor and his $195,000 Prizm Gold Vinyl rookie to test where they stand. They also make their NFL division and Super Bowl picks, consider what the Topps era means for Panini case hits, and review sales of Caleb Williams, Jaxson Dart, Randy Moss, and Tom Brady. Plus, they share how fathers can watch football without losing the rest of their Sunday. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Join the Football Card Podcast Pick 'Em LeagueFollow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A landmark card sale creates attention. It also creates assumptions. The 2025 Topps Royalty John Cena WrestleMania Patch Autograph 1/1 has reached six figures with time left in the auction. What does that number tell us about Cena cards, wrestling cards, and other markets where sales data is thin? Brett breaks down the difference between a signal and a comp, introduces the evidence ladder, and shares a process collectors can use before buying, selling, or repricing a card. One sale can be historic without becoming universal. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The hobby has changed. Prices have risen. More cards compete for your attention. Every sale becomes content. It is fair to miss what collecting used to feel like. But the hobby we have now gives collectors access to sales history, checklists, population reports, saved searches, auction archives, and people with years of knowledge. Access is no longer the edge. Judgment is. Brett explains why the modern hobby rewards proactive collectors and shares a system for making decisions with purpose. Build a collecting thesis. Assign a role to each source. Monitor the cards that matter. Record why you buy. Give yourself confidence to pass. The hobby you remember is not coming back in the same form. That does not mean your best collecting years are behind you. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Matthew (@dynastysportscards_) followed Georgia Amoore from college basketball to the Washington Mystics. That connection grew into season tickets, a family business, and a collection centered on the players he watches each week. Matthew joins Katelyn (@coldlunchcards) to discuss the Mystics’ young core, the link between attending games and collecting cards, Shakira Austin’s place on the hobby’s Disrespect Index, and the cards that define his collection. He also shares the story behind his personal grail. It is not his rarest card. It is a Sonia Citron Pink Laser auto /25 that he pulled with his daughter during a hard season for their family. Some cards matter because of what they are. Others matter because of where you were and who was beside you when you found them. Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram  Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Leighton Sheldon has spent more than 20 years building Just Collect by asking questions, studying the market, and treating each collection as part of someone’s story. In this episode of Passion to Profession, Leighton shares why he chose the sports card industry over a career in consulting, what he learned working at Leland’s, and how those lessons shaped his approach to buying collections. He also tells the story of purchasing nearly 1,000 Goudey cards in Arizona, including 18 Babe Ruth cards, and explains why trust mattered more than pressure in closing the deal. We also discuss the problem that led him to cofound AuctionWire, the role content has played in his business, and the traits that give people staying power in the hobby. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Every company in the sports card industry says it supports collectors. The question is whether the collector has power inside the business. In this episode of Hobby Jobs, I break down five places where a collector-first approach becomes visible. What a company measures. How it rewards employees. Where it removes friction. How it responds when something breaks. Whether collector knowledge shapes decisions. I also share the story of Shane Walls, lead buyer at Indy Card Exchange. Shane bought a Tom Brady Black Prizm 1/1 for $600 and sold it years later for $96,000. The value of that story is not the return. It is the experience, relationships, and judgment that allowed Shane to act before the market agreed with him. Knowing cards is not enough to build a career in the hobby. You need to turn what you know into decisions that serve the collector and support the business. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The wrestling card market has attention. That does not mean every card has value. Adam and Ryan examine the John Cena and Rhea Ripley WrestleMania patch auctions, the Cena and Shohei Ohtani one-of-one, and why putting chase cards in the same auction can serve each sale. They also break down the decisions collectors face when prices move:  When should you pay above the last comp?  Which cards should you sell before supply catches up?  How many buyers exist for your card?  What makes a card worth holding? The conversation closes with sales from Oba Femi, John Cena, and Giulia, plus the card elements that matter most when building a collection. Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Football Cards Are Up 380% since 2020. This Is Bigger Than Quarterbacks. When many collectors returned to football cards in 2020, the message was clear: only buy quarterbacks. Since January 1, 2020, the Card Ladder football index has increased 380.99%. That growth extends beyond one position. Pack and Brett separate collecting advice from resale advice. They examine why Barry Sanders and Jerry Rice lead their era, why the early 2000s still lack a settled card hierarchy, and how research creates opportunities for collectors willing to look beyond the current quarterback class. They also discuss the $414,800 Peyton Manning Gem Masters 1/1 sale, a $402,600 Bronko Nagurski, Jason Kelce, game-day rituals, saved-search cleanup, and the Football Card Podcast Pick’em League. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Join the Football Card Podcast Pick 'Em League Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Technology has a larger role in the hobby than it did a year ago. The question is whether it solves problems collectors care about. Scott Lock and Ed Snider of InfernoRed Technology join me to discuss what they saw at The National. We examine Topps’ digital redemption process, the use of AI inside hobby businesses, and where technology can remove friction from buying and selling cards. Scott and Ed also take us inside Enter the Inferno, where collectors presented products built from their experiences in the hobby. The future of hobby tech will not be defined by how much technology companies introduce. It will be defined by whether those tools improve the collector experience without removing the people, conversations, and search that make collecting matter. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A 1997 Metal Universe Michael Jordan Red PMG /100 BGS 8 sold for $1,473,988.80. The same copy sold for $480,000 in 2021 and $360,000 in 2023. This episode is not about deciding whether the buyer overpaid. It is about reading the signal. Brett explains why demand matters as much as scarcity, why one sale does not create a market price, and how money moves through a collecting category. What does this record mean for collectors working with budgets of $150, $1,500, or $15,000? The lesson is not to chase a PMG. It is to study which cards hold meaning, demand, and scarcity after the attention moves on Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What keeps you collecting when your team tests your loyalty? Katelyn talks with Josh (@luvdadubs) about his connection to the Chicago Sky and the cards that preserve it. Josh shares how Candace Parker led him deeper into WNBA collecting, why he buys multiple copies of the same card, and what makes Rittenhouse releases worth chasing. He also explains why in-person autographs mean more to him than the signature alone. The conversation covers the 2021 Sky championship, the Angel Reese trade, the frustration surrounding the franchise, and the players whose card markets deserve more attention. This is a conversation about team collecting when fandom brings joy, anger, and reasons to keep coming back. Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram  Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Shane Walls spent almost 16 years at GameStop before taking a year away from work and turning his life as a collector into a career at Indy Card Exchange. Today, Shane serves as the shop’s lead buyer. He reviews 30 to 50 collection requests each week and helps decide which cards belong in the cases, at shows, online, and in the shop’s kids section. Shane joins Brett to explain why a recent comp is only the start of a card’s value, what he learns from the cards collectors bring in each day, and why trust matters when someone puts a collection in front of you. They also discuss the $600 Tom Brady one-of-one Shane sold for $96,000, the soccer collection that helped him buy a house, and the relationships required to build a career in sports cards. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

CardVault by Tom Brady has grown from three stores to 17, with a stated goal of more than 100. The investor list draws attention. The operating plan matters more. In this episode, Brett examines how CardVault is placing the hobby where sports fans gather, what its expansion means for shops and collectors, and why capital works best after a business has built proof. He also shares lessons from Stephanie Garcia’s path building Mama Breaks and studies five job openings that reveal where hobby companies are placing their bets. The question running through the episode: Can a company scale without losing the collector relationship that made its growth possible? Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

More money is entering wrestling cards. That does not mean every card is rising. Adam Gellman and Ryan Bannister welcome Chad Weldon from Sports Card Junction to explain what he sees from behind the counter. New collectors are entering from other card categories. They understand high-end cards, rare parallels, and chase-driven products. Their spending is changing how wrestling cards get valued. The group discusses why the high-end market operates apart from the low and middle tiers, the growth of Gunther’s rare-card market, and the risk of inscription oversaturation. They also examine the John Cena and Rhea Ripley WrestleMania Patch Autos entering the same auction, the role of Topps Royalty in attracting non-wrestling collectors, and the risks waiting inside Topps Dynasty. Plus, Adam and Ryan play Buy, Sell, or Hold with Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, Lainey Reid, Tatum Paxley, Kevin Owens, Solo Sikoa, and Chad Gable. Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

2026 Topps Football Is Back: Which Cards Will Still Matter? Topps flagship football returns with an NFL license for the first time in more than a decade. Pack and Brett discuss the role paper cards can play in football collecting, the first pack-issued cards of Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiyah Love and Carnell Tate, and the excitement of seeing players in their new uniforms. They also question the speed of today’s chase-card cycle. Kaiju. Tecmo. Alter Ego. Each release brings another card to the front of the line. Which ones will collectors still want after the attention moves? The episode also covers the Black Geometric parallel from 2025 Topps Chrome, the football card market for Patrick Mahomes, Caleb Williams and Jackson Dart, and what your Instagram page represents after you sell a card from your collection. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What does The National show us that sales data cannot? Brett sits down with Chris McGill and Josh Johnson to examine the forces shaping today’s card market. They discuss the 2013 Tom Brady Prizm Black Finite 1/1 approaching $1 million, the rising prices across football cards, and why seeing a card sell multiple times can change how collectors view it. The conversation then turns to what happens away from public marketplaces. Why does being in the same room help deals happen? How do you value a card with no sales history? What questions should you ask before making an offer? Why do trades drive so many deals involving cards that collectors do not want to sell? Chris and Josh also share their National pickups and explain how relationships, timing, and understanding another collection can help you acquire cards that money alone cannot buy. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Josh: | InstagramFollow Chris: | InstagramFollow Card Ladder: | Instagram | YouTube | Website ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The hobby grows when more collectors find a reason to care and a reason to stay. In this episode, Brett explains why categories such as wrestling, WNBA, Disney, Pokémon, and fictional characters matter. He also draws a line between building a collecting community and selling the claim that a market is about to explode. Brett breaks down how to evaluate category growth, why price alone proves little, and how ownership, urgency, repetition, and status shape collector decisions. He shares a framework for separating your collecting thesis from your market thesis, testing demand, and deciding whether a card fits your collection without borrowing someone else’s conviction. More lanes can strengthen the hobby. The growth needs to serve collectors. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What makes someone choose a team and keep choosing it when the wins are not there? Katelyn sits down with Ike (@istockgrizz) to talk about his connection to the Los Angeles Sparks and the cards that bring him closer to the team. They discuss the Sparks game-day experience, the gap between player accomplishments and card prices, and why Ike buys cards he would feel comfortable holding for life. Ike also shares the story behind his Nneka Ogwumike 2008 McDonald’s All-American autograph. He gave up a Candace Parker Gold Prizm PSA 10 to bring it home. This is a conversation about team history, collector belief, and choosing connection over the latest comp. Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram  Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Stephanie Garcia started Mama Breaks while teaching from home and looking for a way to reconnect with cards. Her first goal was to reach 1,000 Instagram followers and host one break. Four years later, she leads a 12-person, multimillion-dollar business. Stephanie shares why she left teaching, how she earned trust with collectors, when she knew it was time to hire, and why the experience around a break matters as much as the cards. She also explains how her love for wrestling, Star Wars, and non-sports cards helped Mama Breaks serve collectors who were being overlooked. This is a conversation about risk, community, leadership, and sharing what you love with your kids. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Supporting collectors gets harder as a business grows. The answer is not to care less. It is to turn that care into a process others can repeat. Brett examines how operators can add capacity without making collectors feel processed. He also sits down with Michael Osacky of Baseball in the Attic at The National. Michael shares what he has learned the years in business, earning trust through independent judgment, staying connected to clients, finding a niche, and refusing to lead with money. Growth matters. The question is whether your standard can survive without you touching every part of the work. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

John Cena’s WrestleMania Patch Auto 1/1 is heading to Goldin’s Summer 100 auction. The opening bid alone will set a public sales record for a Cena card. The final price will tell us how much demand exists beyond wrestling card collectors. Adam and Ryan discuss the card, the bidders who might pursue it, and what the sale means for the wrestling card market. They also break down 2026 Topps WWE Universe, recent sales, Solo Sikoa’s growing collector appeal, and Ryan’s $9,000 Finn Bálor gift to Neil. Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A reported private sale valued Josh Allen’s 2018 National Treasures Platinum NFL Shield autograph rookie card at $1.7 million. The reaction focused on what Allen has not done. He has not won a Super Bowl. Pack and Brett explain why championships alone cannot determine collectibility. They discuss the power of player connection, recognizable card features, career narratives, and the people willing to own these cards for the long term. The conversation also covers Jaxson Dart’s grading volume, Tom Brady’s 2002 Topps Chrome market, Randy Moss and Jerry Rice, cards sitting on your eBay watchlist, and the start of Big Ugly Autumn. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Technology has made it easier to build a product. It has not made it easier to know what deserves to be built. Brett sits down with Josh Johnson, CTO of Card Ladder, at The National to discuss how Card Ladder grew from a problem its team faced as collectors. Josh shares why he spent three months preparing the app for The National, how Card Ladder earned trust through seven years of work, and why the team turns down revenue opportunities that pull the product away from collectors. They also discuss AI, product development, team health, brand building, and what people entering the sports card industry need to understand before trying to serve it. This is a conversation about staying close to collectors and building something that lasts. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The cards are unpacked. The pickup posts have slowed down. That does not mean The National is over. In this episode, Brett looks at the return that does not fit inside a card case: clarity about your collection, evidence that tests your beliefs, relationships worth continuing, opportunities worth testing and a clearer understanding of where your attention belongs. He shares what Wrestling Card Takeover revealed about community participation and offers a 30-minute process for turning your National experience into action. What will be different because you were there? Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card Podcast Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram  Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Dave Thimesch wanted a 1987 Topps Mark McGwire card. That card started an obsession. At 13, Dave opened a card shop. He returned to the hobby during the Stephen Strasburg rise in 2009, moved from opening products to running group breaks, and built DT Sportscards into a PSA submission business handling thousands of cards. Dave joins Brett to discuss why ripping products created debt, how rising product costs forced him to change his business, and why transparency matters when collectors trust you with their cards. They also talk about the systems required to submit 1,200 cards per week, the challenge of giving up control, and the line between working in the hobby and collecting for yourself. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Most people do not have an idea problem. They have a permission problem. In this episode of Hobby Jobs, Brett explains why operators need to build before the market gives them certainty. He shares a 30-day conviction sprint for testing an unresolved problem, examines how Gabe built his college football card expertise into a career with CardCollector2, and spotlights the content creator role at Layton Sports Cards. Then Brett sits down with Collect Talent co-founder Danny Mosse at The National. After 15 years across Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Goldin, and eBay, Danny is building a job and networking hub for the collecting industry. They discuss trust across collecting categories, the path from passion to profession, and why the gap between companies and talent is an infrastructure problem. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Check out Collect Talent — One network where the collecting industry finds its people Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Wrestling Card Takeover filled a room with nearly 400 collectors at The National. The shirts disappeared. The room hit capacity. Deals took shape. One-of-ones surfaced. Collectors traveled from across the country and as far as Germany to take part. Adam, Ryan, and Brett look back on the week that showed how much the wrestling card community has grown. They discuss:  The demand for Oba Femi cards  The John Cena and Rhea Ripley WrestleMania patch autographs  The cards pulled and purchased during Wrestling Card Takeover  The stories behind the deals  The market response to SummerSlam  Why attending The National is about more than buying cards The cards brought everyone into the room. The people made it a night worth remembering. Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Pack and Brett return from The National to process what they saw across the show floor. Cards priced between $100 and $500 moved at a fast rate. Dealers struggled to keep cases stocked. Seeing cards such as the 2017 Patrick Mahomes Prizm Black Finite and Peyton Manning Gem Masters in person changed how they viewed them. They also close out Linebacker Summer with Luke Kuechly, one of the best defensive players of his era. His career is set, but his card market tells a different story. The conversation covers cards that have moved beyond reach, displaying a collection, selling through auction instead of private deals, eBay authentication, and the football card sales that moved during National week. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Most collectors know BCW through penny sleeves, top loaders, magnetic holders, and storage boxes. Behind those products sits a company with more than 100 employees serving collectors, shops, breakers, and dealers. Noah Dock joined BCW as CFO after working in finance, private equity, and his family’s pawn business. He did not earn the role because he knew more about cards than everyone else. He earned it because he understood finance, operations, and how to help a company scale. Noah shares why passion cannot replace skill, why a CEO must become the “chief repeating officer,” and how core values shape hiring, promotions, and customer relationships. He also explains why BCW returned millions of dollars in tariff refunds to 4,000 customers. This conversation is about the work behind the hobby. It is about bringing your skills into the industry, building trust through decisions, and proving what your company stands for when money is at stake. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

After my first 24 hours at The National, I returned to my hotel with more energy than I had when the day began. It wasn’t because of a card, a sale, or a booth. It came from the conversations. In this episode, I explore how conversations give collectors context that sales data cannot provide. They test our thinking, strengthen our conviction, build trust, and remind us that people exist on both sides of every card. We also examine the difference between attention and connection, why networking can turn into extraction, and how better questions can change the way you collect. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Passion gets you into sports cards. It does not build a product people trust. Brett sits down with Card Ladder co-founder Chris McGill at The National to discuss the work behind one of the hobby’s most used tools. Chris explains why seeing collectors rely on Card Ladder creates pressure, why customer service takes up much of the team’s time, and why standards matter when money is involved. They also discuss the start of Card Ladder, the value of bringing experience from outside the hobby, and what people should consider before pursuing a career in sports cards. Loving cards can open the door. Staying requires skills, service, and a problem worth solving. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Gabe did not follow a career path into sports cards. He created one. His interest in college football led him to Bowman University, player research, value boxes, and content built around a part of the hobby few people were covering. Consistency helped Gabe become a trusted voice in college football cards. It also started a relationship with Ryan Johnson of Card Collector 2. That relationship grew through shared interests, phone calls, podcast episodes, and work behind the scenes. It led to a job offer and Gabe moving his family from Arizona to Ohio to join the Card Collector 2 team. In this episode of Passion to Profession, Brett talks with Gabe about identifying an underserved category, building expertise, earning trust, and turning the work he enjoyed into a career. Gabe also explains how he evaluates college football prospects, compares Bowman First cards with later college and NFL releases, and uses player talent, price, program demand, and timing to make buying decisions. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What happens when a collector starts looking at cards as a source of funding for a business? Brett examines the tension between the collector who wants to keep the card and the operator who sees what selling it can fund. He shares four questions every founder should answer before turning a collection into capital. Recorded at The National in the Card Ladder booth, Brett also sits down with Steve Sloan, CEO of Heystack and former president of PSA. They discuss building technology for the card industry, earning business partnerships, hiring for a startup, and why every operating decision reaches the collector. The collector may never see the systems behind a card business. They will feel the results. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Adam is joined by Brett for a collector-focused conversation during the biggest week of the year. They discuss why Fanatics Fest increased their confidence in wrestling cards, what the Wrestling Card Takeover represents for the community, and how Topps is putting WWE beside its other sports at The National. The conversation also covers the rookie cycle surrounding Oba Femi, collecting Roman Reigns across different eras, SummerSlam, and recent sales involving Gunther, John Cena, and Roman Reigns. Wrestling cards once felt hard to find at major shows. That is changing. Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Football season reconnects cards to the games, players, and moments that made collectors care in the first place. Pack and Brett examine what changes when the NFL returns. They discuss the rush of collecting active players, the effect of weekly performance on card prices, and the risk of allowing one game to shape a collecting decision. The conversation covers the offseason price movement of Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, the long-term case for Josh Allen, and the search for value beyond the cards receiving the most attention. Plus, Linebacker Summer rolls through Derrick Thomas, Jack Lambert, and Von Miller. The episode closes with listener questions and sales involving Jayden Daniels, Dan Marino, Drew Brees, and Mark Sanchez. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

More collectors are moving away from quantity and toward concentration. Brett  is one of them. One-of-one cards offer something most cards cannot. Finality. There is no copy to upgrade. One collector owns the card. That does not mean every one-of-one deserves attention. In this episode, Brett explores why one-of-ones appeal to experienced collectors, how modern product volume has changed the meaning of scarcity, and what separates a defining card from a manufactured variation. He also shares his framework for evaluating one-of-ones, building a price range without a direct comp, and setting a walkaway number before the fear of losing the card drives the decision. The stamp confirms supply. The collector determines significance. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Some cards enter your collection. Other cards change how you see everything you own. Brett explores what happens after a major acquisition raises the standard for your collection. He examines the role of identity, sacrifice, loss, and emotion when one card forces you to question an old collecting plan. You will learn how to tell the difference between a card that reveals your direction and a purchase you are trying to defend. Before you make your next move at The National, ask yourself one question: Does this card reflect the collector you are becoming? Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The National shows you how large the hobby has become. It can also make you feel lost inside it. This episode explores why collectors gain clarity when they narrow their focus and find people who understand what they collect. Wrestling Card Takeover serves as the backdrop. Brett shares how a community that spent years fighting for space built its own media, knowledge, relationships, and now an event sanctioned by The National. This is bigger than wrestling cards. Every collector has a sea to shrink. Your lane might be one player, team, set, era, or category. Name it. Find your people. If the room does not exist, help create it. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Beau Thompson started One Million Cubs with a goal: trade one million non-Cubs cards for one million Cubs cards. The project took seven and a half years. It also created relationships, operating skills, and a business that changed the direction of his life. Beau joins Brett to discuss the Ernie Banks rookie card that connected two collectors through loss, the 2021 National dinner that gave him the confidence to leave his job, and his move from 60,000 eBay listings to selling on eBay Live six nights per week. They also discuss separating a collection from business inventory, adapting when sales stop growing, and why anyone who wants to work in sports cards needs to treat the work like a business before taking the leap. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The National brings the sports card industry under one roof. For collectors, the week centers on cards. For people working in the industry, it offers access to the companies and operators shaping its future. Brett shares how to build relationships at The National, why passion alone will not earn a second conversation, and how the right questions can open doors. He also examines an issue facing every hobby business. Companies spend time and money attracting new collectors while people who already buy, submit, trade, and sell cards struggle to feel supported. Collector support must do four jobs: resolve problems, educate customers, identify patterns, and represent the collector inside the company. The episode also covers Evan Parker’s approach to building with the collecting community and a Collector Relations Lead position at Veriswap that combines category fluency with operating experience. Growth starts with attention. It lasts through trust. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The National can overwhelm you before you make it through the first aisle. Adam and Ryan are joined by Bryan (@thzsportscard) and Brett to help wrestling card collectors prepare for the week. They discuss why you need a plan, how dealers evaluate trades, which WWE names collectors are chasing, and why rare Panini cards require more than an old comp. The group also previews Wrestling Card Takeover and the chance to bring the wrestling card community together in one room. The cards matter. The people you meet can matter more. RSVP for Wrestling Card Takeover at The National on July 31 Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What happens to football card market data when the biggest deals happen away from public marketplaces? Pack and Brett discuss whether collectors should report private sales, why the chase receives more attention than owning the card, and how social media has pushed collectors toward a 1/1-or-bust mindset. They also debate the best three-year era in football cards, compare modern quarterback prices with retired legends, and examine sales of Peyton Manning, Deion Sanders, J.J. Watt, Joe Montana, and Jaxson Dart. The National is here. The cards will change hands. How much of that market will anyone see? Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The tools required to build a product have become available to everyone. That does not mean every product needs to exist. Scott Lock, CEO of InfernoRed Technology, joins Brett to discuss the growth of hobby tech and what separates an idea from something collectors will use. They also preview Enter the Inferno, a pitch event created by Sports Cards Live and InfernoRed Technology for The National. Hobby founders will present their ideas to Scott, Ed Snyder, Jeremy Lee, and Dr. James Beckett on the main stage. The conversation covers collector engagement, founder conviction, product demand, AI, and why the next hobby platform should offer more than another way to check comps. Enter the Inferno takes place Saturday at 3 p.m. on the main stage at The National. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The National is here. Six hundred dealers. Five hundred thousand square feet. Thirty-six hours of show floor time. That level of choice can make every card feel important. Every deal feel temporary. Every purchase feel necessary. But the best show experience starts before you walk through the doors. In this episode, Brett shares how collectors can build a hunt list, research dealers, set buying rules, create a flex budget, and protect their collecting taste from the pressure of the room. The goal is not to avoid buying cards. The goal is to make sure the show does not make the decision for you. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What happens when opening boxes leads to becoming a fan? This week, Katelyn is joined by Jason (@notjasondardic), a longtime collector whose path into the WNBA started with cards and evolved into becoming one of the biggest Dallas Wings supporters around.  The conversation explores how collecting shaped his connection to the league, why Paige Bueckers has changed the trajectory of the Wings, and what makes building a focused collection more rewarding than chasing everything. They also discuss:  Why one great card can be enough for a player collection  The appeal of Logo Women, Gold Vinyls, and cornerstone cards  PSA Authentic slabs and Jason's grading philosophy  Why the Dallas Wings are one of the most exciting teams for collectors today  The opportunity Jason still sees across the WNBA card market Whether you're a longtime WNBA collector or looking for a team to follow, this episode is a reminder that collecting and fandom often grow together. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card Podcast Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram  Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What does building Xbox, NASCAR, The Athletic, Mantle, and ONIT Athlete have in common? Community. This week on Passion to Profession, brought to you by eBay, Brett sits down with ONIT Athlete CEO Evan Parker to unpack one of the most unique career paths in the hobby. Evan shares lessons from building brands inside sports, media, and startups before explaining why college collectibles represent one of the biggest opportunities in the industry. They discuss: • Why content shapes the future of collecting • Lessons from NASCAR that apply to today's hobby • Building Mantle from zero • Why collectors need more than hype • How ONIT is creating cards for athletes traditional manufacturers overlook • Why brand takes years to build and moments to lose If you're interested in where the hobby is headed and what it takes to build a business that lasts, this conversation is for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Fanatics Fest is built on excitement. Big pulls. Big personalities. Big moments. That energy matters. It brings people into the hobby. But what happens after the excitement fades? In this episode, Brett shares why the next generation of sports card businesses will separate themselves by making customers smarter. From Topps, PSA, eBay, and Card Ladder to Mike Inouye's work in Formula 1 cards, this episode explores why education compounds while hype expires. If you run a hobby business, create content, or want to understand where the professional side of the industry is heading, this episode is about building trust that lasts. Also in this episode: • Lessons from Fanatics Fest after Day 1 • Why informational content creates stronger customers • The difference between building dependency and building capability • How educational content becomes a competitive advantage • This week's Hobby Jobs spotlight featuring COMC's Corporate Counsel, Commercial & Legal Operations role Every business wants attention. The best businesses earn confidence. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Record sales continue to reshape the wrestling card market. Adam and Ryan break down the Rock and Stone Cold dual Superfractor sale, Bianca Belair's WrestleMania Patch Auto, Rhea Ripley's momentum, and why collectors are chasing wrestlers who have already cemented their legacy. The conversation goes beyond the sales. They discuss why GOAT wrestlers, GOAT sets, and GOAT cards continue gaining strength while many collectors remain focused on the next prospect. They also preview SummerSlam, share updates on Wrestling Card Takeover at The National, and explain how collectors, dealers, and investors should respond when the market reaches new highs. If you're trying to build a collection with a long-term mindset, this episode is for you. RSVP for Wrestling Card Takeover at The National on July 31 Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Every collector has cards they understand immediately. Then there are the cards that take years to appreciate. Pack and Brett explore why some football cards become hobby staples while others never seem to catch on. They discuss the history behind PMGs, why Tom Brady continues to separate himself from every other retired player, and what international NFL legends deserve more attention. They also dive into vintage football cards, linebacker legends, recent Card Ladder sales, and answer listener questions that challenge how collectors think about value and hobby history. Topics include: • Building an all-time international football card starting lineup • Why PMGs still divide collectors • Is Tom Brady in a league of his own? • Vintage football cards worth knowing • The latest market sales • Listener mailbag and collecting philosophy Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Everyone will be talking about what happens at Fanatics Fest. Brett is more interested in what it means. In this episode of Stacking Slabs, Brett looks beyond the athlete appearances, product releases, and show floor buzz to examine Fanatics Fest as a signal for where the hobby is headed. He explores how Fanatics has built an ecosystem that connects sports, collecting, commerce, content, and loyalty, and why attention has become one of the most valuable assets in modern collecting. He also shares why he's attending the event as an observer, what he'll be watching on the show floor, and how Fanatics Fest and The National now serve different roles in the hobby. This isn't a preview of the weekend. It's a conversation about the forces shaping the future of collecting. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Every collector dreams about landing a grail. Very few spend enough time thinking about how to price one. When a card has little or no sales history, the normal playbook breaks down. There are no clean comps. No chart to follow. No market consensus to lean on. That is where your judgment matters. In this episode, Brett shares a framework for evaluating grails when public sales data falls short. He covers how to build a substitute universe, evaluate opportunity frequency, negotiate from a position of strength, know when to walk away, and determine the maximum price you can defend without lying to yourself. A grail is not only a collecting decision. It is a financial decision. It is a psychological decision. It is a test of discipline. If you're heading to Fanatics Fest, The National, or you're chasing a card that rarely surfaces, this episode will help you think through the biggest purchase your collection might ever face. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What does it take to leave a stable career and build one of the fastest growing card shops in the hobby? Live from Columbus Card Fest, Brett sits down with Garrett Borba, owner of Neighborhood Card Shop, to unpack the decisions behind building a modern hobby business. Garrett shares why he walked away from medical device sales, how relationships became his biggest advantage, what it takes to run a card shop in today's market, and why trust matters more than product. This conversation is about far more than cards. It's about betting on yourself, building something that lasts, and earning the reputation that brings people back. Topics include: • Leaving corporate America for sports cards • Building Neighborhood Card Shop from the ground up • The power of referrals and relationships • Running a modern card shop in the Fanatics era • Breaking, distribution, and building trust with customers • Advice for anyone thinking about turning a hobby into a career Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Most collectors share what they buy. Mike Inouye shares why. In this episode of Passion to Profession, Mike explains how content became one of the biggest drivers behind the growth of Leahi51513. Instead of telling collectors what card to chase, he walks through the research, context, and decision making behind every recommendation. We talk about why trust is earned through transparency, why process beats predictions, and why the hobby needs more independent thinkers instead of people waiting for the next hot tip. Mike also shares his thoughts on sports card talent, the responsibility that comes with influence, the growth of Formula 1, and an Aaron Judge card he believes deserves far more attention. If you create content, run a business, or want to become a better collector, this conversation is about far more than cards. It's about learning how to think. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Everyone wants repeat business. Few people spend enough time earning it. This week on Hobby Jobs, Brett explores why trust compounds faster than transactions and why the businesses that last are built long before the first sale is complete. Then Brett sits down with Grant Paterson, owner of Total Sports Cards, live from Columbus Card Fest. Grant shares what it takes to build a modern hobby business, from running one of Canada's top hockey card operations to managing breaks, buying collections, hiring the right people, creating content, and making decisions that put relationships ahead of short term revenue. If you're building a card shop, consignment business, breaking operation, marketplace, or content brand, this conversation is packed with lessons on thinking like an operator. Topics include: • Why repeat business starts before the first sale • Building trust through systems and communication • Running a high volume breaking business • Hiring people who strengthen your business • Why content builds more than an audience • The opportunity Grant sees in hockey cards Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

SummerSlam season is taking shape, but the biggest opportunities aren't coming from title changes. Adam and Ryan break down why absent stars like Bianca Belair, Stephanie Vaquer, Bronson Reed, and Rhea Ripley deserve more attention from collectors while everyone else chases the latest storyline. They also discuss what makes a wrestler collectible beyond the ring, why entrance music matters more than most collectors realize, how to prepare for Fanatics Fest and The National, and the buying and selling principles every collector should follow. This episode is packed with practical hobby advice built from years of buying, selling, and collecting at every level. RSVP for Wrestling Card Takeover at The National on July 31 Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The National is almost here and football collectors are making decisions. Pack and Brett discuss why major cards are changing hands before the biggest show of the year, what Brett learned after consolidating part of his collection into one grail, and why 2012 Prizm Gold continues to establish itself as one of football's defining modern sets. They also break down one of the biggest steals of the year, revisit linebacker legends during Linebacker Summer, answer listener questions about estate planning for collections, and share another round of notable football card sales. Whether you're buying, selling, or staying patient, this episode is about making better collecting decisions. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Brett sits down with Matthias Peuckert, General Manager of PSA Europe, to discuss what it takes to build PSA's European operation from the ground up and why this launch matters for collectors around the world.  Matthias shares why Europe is seeing rapid collector growth, how PSA is preparing for demand, why education is a priority, and what local grading access means for collectors who have faced years of shipping costs, customs delays, and limited access. They also discuss: • Why Frankfurt became the home of PSA Europe • How PSA is building trust with European collectors • What collectors in Europe are buying today • How experience from companies like Amazon applies to collectibles • Why the future of collecting depends on serving the next generation If you want a better understanding of where the hobby is headed beyond the United States, this conversation offers an inside look at one of the biggest infrastructure investments happening in sports cards today. LEARN MORE ABOUT PSA VAULT LEARN MORE ABOUT PSA CONSIGNMENT PSA is the official grading, authentication, and vault provider of Stacking Slabs. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Every collector dreams about landing a grail. Few talk about what happens when that opportunity finally arrives. In this episode, Brett explores the decisions that come before a grail enters a collection. Drawing from a real situation he is navigating, he shifts the focus away from the card itself and toward the process behind the purchase. The conversation examines why access is not obligation, how trust influences private deals, the difference between emotion and conviction, and why opportunity cost deserves as much attention as price. Brett also shares the questions every collector should ask before allowing one card to reshape the direction of a collection. This episode is a reminder that the strongest collections are not built by chasing every opportunity. They are built through patience, clarity, and decisions that hold up long after the excitement wears off. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The best collections start with connection. In this episode, Katelyn is joined by Griff (@rockyscardboard), one of the hobby's most respected WNBA collectors and a passionate New York Liberty fan. They discuss how Liberty fandom shaped his collection, why Sabrina Ionescu became a cornerstone of his PC, and how buying, selling, and collecting all work together to create a more rewarding hobby experience. The conversation also explores eye appeal, collector psychology, the thrill of the chase, and why building relationships often matters as much as building a collection. Whether you're a team collector, player collector, reseller, or somewhere in between, this episode offers a thoughtful look at what keeps collectors coming back. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card Podcast Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram  Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The best businesses in the hobby are not built one deal at a time. They're built one relationship at a time. Mike from MC Sports Cards returns to Passion to Profession to share why trust has become the foundation of one of the fastest-growing consignment businesses in the hobby. We talk about what happens after the first transaction, why honesty wins over short-term revenue, how technology should support relationships instead of replace them, and why saying no has become one of the most important decisions in growing the business. We also discuss the growth of high-end cards on eBay, what serious collectors expect from a consignment partner, how MC Sports Cards approaches customer service at scale, and why every interaction is an opportunity to earn another one. Whether you're building a collection or building a business, this conversation is a reminder that reputation compounds. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Product knowledge gets you in the door. Systems determine how far you go. In this episode of Hobby Jobs, I break down why the next generation of sports card businesses will be built on repeatable processes instead of founder instinct alone. The hobby is getting bigger. Companies are hiring. Events are growing. Expectations are changing. That means the operators who build training, marketing, hiring, customer experience, and operating systems will have the edge. Then I sit down with Ryan Johnson of Cardcollector2 live at Columbus Card Fest. Ryan shares what it has been like to grow from a collector and content creator into the leader of a company with nearly 40 employees. We talk about launching Columbus Card Fest, building teams, making hiring decisions, balancing content with company building, and why people have become his biggest investment. Whether you already work in the hobby or want to build your career here, this conversation offers a look at where the industry is headed and what skills will matter most. Product knowledge helps you start. Systems help you scale. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

WWE finally gave collectors plenty to talk about. Adam and Ryan break down Night of Champions, Oba Femi's King of the Ring win, Sami Zayn capturing the World Heavyweight Championship, and what those moments mean for the wrestling card market. Then the conversation shifts to something every collector should think about. Are you chasing the biggest cards in the hobby? Building the best player collection? Or collecting the cards that mean something to you regardless of the market? The guys introduce three collector personas that explain how people approach wrestling cards and why understanding your own style can make you a better collector. Later in the episode, Troy from Wax Culture joins the show to share his path from Fanatics Live customer to one of wrestling's top breakers. It's a story about betting on yourself, building relationships, and why the wrestling card community continues to stand apart. Topics include: • Night of Champions reactions• Oba Femi, Sami Zayn and card market impact• The three wrestling card collector personas• Triple H, Alexa Bliss and other recent market sales• Wax Culture's growth on Fanatics Collect• Wrestling Card Takeover at The National RSVP for Wrestling Card Takeover at The National on July 31 Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Chris Johnson reminded football fans why collecting is about more than championships. After sharing his ALS diagnosis, collectors looked back at one of the most electric careers of the last 20 years. Pack and Brett revisit what made CJ2K special, why his cards matter, and why memorable seasons leave a lasting mark on the hobby. The conversation then shifts into one of the biggest collector debates today. Will vintage football cards ever break through? Why are Topps Chrome Superfractors selling at such a premium compared to Black Finite cards? And why do the biggest sales often come from patch autos while so many collectors chase shiny parallels? Also in this episode:  The greatest No. 54 linebackers  Bobby Wagner and Chuck Howley appreciation  Why football history feels overlooked  Wide receiver 1/1 sales from Card Ladder  National preparation and collector strategy If you collect football because of the players and the memories they created, this episode is for you. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The sports card market keeps reaching new highs. Sales volume continues to climb. Record prices keep falling. New collectors keep entering the hobby. But are collectors making better decisions? In this episode, Brett and Chris McGill discuss what the data is telling us and where they see warning signs. They compare today's market to 2021, break down the record Tim Duncan sale that has everyone talking, and explore why so many collectors wait for validation before making their biggest purchases. They also dive into one of the most overlooked collecting skills and why it will matter even more over the next decade. Topics include: • Why today's market feels different than 2021 • The significance of Tim Duncan's record one of one sale • Why social proof holds collectors back • Building conviction before the market agrees with you • The underrated skill that creates long term collecting advantages Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Josh: | InstagramFollow Chris: | InstagramFollow Card Ladder: | Instagram | YouTube | WebsiteFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

You spend years preparing for the grail. You save.You study.You build relationships.You pass on other cards so you're ready when the opportunity comes. Then it happens. The card is finally yours. Now what? This episode explores the part of collecting that rarely gets discussed. What happens after the chase ends. I break down why landing a grail can feel different than you expected. Why ownership is a skill. And how the best collectors turn a major acquisition into something that keeps adding value long after the mail day. We talk about: • Why the chase and ownership are two different experiences • How to keep a grail from becoming another card in the case • Why stories matter more than scans • How community deepens ownership • Why your grail should reorganize your collection instead of ending it • Questions every collector should ask after landing a major card If you've ever chased a grail or you're preparing for one, this episode is for you. Happy collecting. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What does it feel like to collect a team with no history? This week, Katelyn is joined by Mark (@ramjamsportscards / @valkyriescardvault), a collector who has built his collection around the Golden State Valkyries from day one. They discuss what makes expansion team collecting different, why patience leads to a better collection, how emotional connections form without nostalgia, and why documenting the beginning of a franchise feels like creating a scrapbook in real time. If you've ever thought about collecting a team instead of chasing the biggest names, this conversation will change how you think about building your collection. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card Podcast Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram  Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What happens when experienced business operators build a sports card company instead of longtime collectors? In this episode of Passion to Profession, Brett sits down with Gavin Hoover, Chief of Stuff at Tombstone Collectibles, to discuss what happens when enterprise experience meets the hobby. Gavin shares how his background building large retail organizations shaped the way Tombstone approaches breaking, hiring, branding, analytics, customer relationships, and growth. Instead of thinking like a breaker, Tombstone thinks like a business. The conversation covers why trust is the biggest challenge in scaling, how data drives decisions, why great breakers look more like sales professionals than entertainers, and why the future of the hobby depends on keeping collecting at the center of it all. If you've ever wondered where the hobby is heading as more capital and experienced operators enter the space, this conversation will give you a different perspective. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Growth in the hobby is easy to spot. More inventory.More content.More followers.More customers. The growth that matters is harder to see. As your business expands, your role has to change with it. If every decision, customer issue, hire, and piece of content still depends on you, you've built a bottleneck instead of a company. In this episode, I break down why leadership capacity is becoming one of the biggest competitive advantages in sports cards. I also look at what businesses like Mint Inc, Rare Candy, and Dave & Adam's are hiring for and what those roles tell us about where the hobby is heading. If you own a business, want to work in the hobby, or want to understand where the industry is going next, this episode is for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Who's right? Who's wrong? Adam Gellman and Ryan from RBICru7 put the biggest wrestling card opinions to the test. Are we at the peak of the market? Will Panini-era cards continue to rise? Is 2024 Flawless WWE already an iconic product? Are one-of-ones overrated? Has Topps already changed wrestling cards for the better? Along the way, they break down recent WrestleMania Patch Auto sales, Rey Fenix, Roman Reigns, John Cena, WWE Sapphire print runs, and what makes a great wrestling card breaker. Some takes they agree with. Some they completely reject. Every one of them will make you think differently about wrestling cards.  I like this because it tells the listener exactly what they're getting. The title creates curiosity, and the description pays it off. It also mirrors the energy of the episode instead of reading like a standard market recap. RSVP for Wrestling Card Takeover at The National on July 31 Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What makes a football card iconic? This week Pack and Brett McGrath discuss one of the biggest Peyton Manning rookie cards ever to reach the market and why sales like this help define the hobby. From Calvin Johnson and Patrick Surtain to Bronko Nagurski and Mike Ditka, they look at the cards that shape collecting across generations. They also tackle a collector question that sparks a bigger conversation. How should we rank the greatest players of all time? Is it MVPs? Championships? Peak performance? Or something else entirely? Plus: • The Peyton Manning Gem Master 1/1 Heritage auction • Ranking the greatest quarterbacks, running backs, and receivers • Trade night thoughts • Buying cards without buyer's remorse • Calvin Johnson Superfractor sale • Patrick Surtain Honors Shield Auto • New pickups • Cracked Ice Card Call Out Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What does the sports industry see when it looks at the hobby? In this episode of Built for the Hobby, Brett McGrath is joined by Scott Lock of InfernoRed Technology and Dan Kaufman, Managing Director at Sports Business Journal, for a conversation at the intersection of sports, collecting, media, technology, and fan engagement.  Dan brings a perspective few people can offer. He's a lifelong collector, a sports business leader, and someone who spends his days talking with executives across leagues, teams, media companies, and technology organizations.  Topics include:  Why sports cards are becoming a bigger part of fan engagement  How younger fans consume sports differently  The relationship between athlete performance and card values  Premium experiences in sports and collecting  The role of technology and AI in shaping the future of fandom  Why collecting remains one of the strongest emotional connections between fans and sports This conversation offers a look at where sports and collecting are heading and why the connection between the two continues to strengthen. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode of Stacking Slabs, Brett continues the conversation around taste, conviction, and building a collection that reflects your point of view. This is not an episode about what to buy. It is about how to think. Brett walks through the questions serious collectors need to ask before making decisions: How do you spot opportunity before consensus forms? How do you separate overlooked cards from cards that lack demand? How do you balance personal conviction with market reality? What role should community feedback play? How do you know if your collection reflects your own interest or the market’s influence? This episode is a call to slow down, build with intent, and audit the decisions shaping your collection. Because the strongest collectors do not need the room to agree first. They know what they notice. They know why it matters. They know where they might be wrong. And they build from there. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Most collectors focus on the outcome.The card.The deal.The mail day.The auction win. But the best things in this hobby rarely happen overnight. They come from trust built over years.Relationships formed without expectations.Research completed before the opportunity appears.Conviction developed long before consensus arrives. In this episode, Brett explores the power of planting seeds as a collector. Why patience is an active skill. Why clarity creates opportunity. Why trust compounds. And why the collectors who seem to have the best cards, strongest relationships, and deepest collections are often the ones doing the work nobody sees. If you're feeling pulled in too many directions or frustrated by the pace of the hobby, this conversation is for you. Because the best things in collecting don't come from forcing the moment. They come from doing the right work long enough that the moment knows where to find you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What does it take to build one of the largest hobby businesses in Canada? John Amendola, CEO of Mintink, joins Passion to Profession to share the story behind turning a pandemic-era card business into a national brand. John discusses the early days of Breaks After Dark, scaling livestream commerce, hiring and developing talent, creating community through retail, and why relationships matter more than transactions. We also explore leadership, mental health, customer experience, the future of hobby retail, and the opportunities most businesses still overlook. This conversation is packed with lessons for collectors, entrepreneurs, and anyone building something for the long haul. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode of Hobby Jobs, Brett breaks down why “building for the hobby” is too vague to guide a real business. The sports card industry is not one customer. It is trust. It is convenience. It is liquidity. It is discovery. It is fandom. It is customer behavior. Brett expands on this week’s Operator Note and explains why the best operators in sports cards do not build for a category. They build for a person with a clear problem. This episode also looks at lessons from Bryan Shaffer of THZ Sports Cards, the value of category fluency, and why companies like CardVault show where hobby work is headed. For anyone working in sports cards or trying to find a path into the industry, this episode is about sharpening your thinking, understanding the customer, and creating value that the market remembers. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Ryan is back in the saddle with Adam for a loaded episode of Booked to Last. This week, they dig into the state of WWE booking, the impact it has on wrestler collectability, and why collectors are trying to make sense of a market that is moving week to week. They break down Topps Cosmic WWE, the ripping experience, the planet odds, and why product structure matters so much in wrestling cards. The main event is a deeper conversation around high-value wrestling cards. With recent WrestleMania patch autograph sales from Tiffany Stratton, Jey Uso, Finn Balor, and Rey Fenix, Adam and Ryan walk through what sellers need to understand before moving a major card. They cover comps, buyer pools, platforms, auctions, private sales, promotion, patience, grading, and reputation. They also discuss the long-term value of event-worn relics, why Universe and Royalty relics might be underappreciated, and how collectors should think about match-used and event-used material before the market catches up. RSVP for Wrestling Card Takeover at The National on July 31 Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

One year ago, we launched The Football Card Podcast with a simple idea: create a place where football card collectors could gather every week and talk football cards. Fifty-two episodes later, we're reflecting on what we've learned. Pack and Brett revisit the cards they highlighted in Episode 1, discuss why patience remains one of the biggest advantages in collecting, and explore the growing disconnect between one-of-one sellers and buyers. They also debate whether Ray Lewis is the greatest defensive player of all time, discuss the value of longevity in sports and collecting, examine the rise of Topps NOW, review recent market movers, and answer listener questions about preparing for grails, flag football, and team collecting. The cards change. The market changes. The collectors who stay committed are the ones who get to experience the payoff. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What makes a card worth chasing? In this episode, Brett breaks down the purchase of one of the most important cards to enter his collection in years: the 2025 Topps Chrome WWE John Cena Superfractor 1/1. But this isn't a story about a big card. It's a story about the process behind the decision. From negotiating against a $10,000 asking price to identifying what makes a card canonical, Brett explores the factors that create conviction in collecting. He discusses scarcity versus significance, the power of personal connection, the role of side collections, using collection equity with intention, and why the best long-term purchases often sit at the intersection of market understanding and lived experience. If you've ever wondered how to separate impulse from conviction when a big card surfaces, this episode is for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

One of the biggest mistakes collectors make has nothing to do with buying the wrong card. It has everything to do with waiting. Waiting for a sale.Waiting for a content creator to talk about it.Waiting for the market to tell you it's safe. In this episode, Brett explores why waiting for validation is rarely about needing more information and often about seeking permission. Using examples from PMG Greens, Michael Jordan 1/1s, Nat Turner's collecting journey, and Chris McGill's pursuit of overlooked lanes, Brett breaks down the psychology behind social proof, regret, independent taste, and conviction. If you've ever felt pulled toward a player, parallel, set, or category that nobody else seems to care about, this episode is for you. The best collections aren't built by following consensus. They're built by collectors who trust themselves enough to do the work before the crowd arrives. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The Connecticut Sun are entering their final season. For many fans, that means more than a franchise relocation. It means the end of routines, memories, and connections built over decades. In this episode, Katelyn sits down with Steve (@showley2003), a lifelong basketball fan and dedicated Connecticut Sun collector, to explore what made the Sun unique and why this season carries so much emotion. They discuss:  How a trip to a Sun game with his daughter changed his collecting life  Why team collecting creates a different kind of connection  The role accessibility plays in building WNBA fandom  Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, Jonquel Jones, and the players who defined the franchise  The history of the Connecticut Sun and their tribal ownership  How collectors navigate the loss of a team they love  What the future of WNBA fandom in New England might look like This conversation is about more than cards. It's about the people, memories, and experiences that make collecting matter. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card Podcast Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram  Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What does it take to build a sustainable card business in a market that is still finding its footing? This week on Passion to Profession, Brett sits down with Bryan from THZ Sports Cards to discuss his path from high-end NBA cards to becoming one of the most recognizable wrestling card dealers in the hobby. Bryan shares how years of buying, selling, and building relationships helped him uncover opportunities that most collectors never see. The conversation explores sourcing rare cards, navigating shows, prospecting WWE talent, building trust with collectors, and why patience remains one of the most important skills in the hobby. They also discuss:  Why Bryan moved away from high-end NBA cards  The appeal of the WWE card market  Oba Femi, Sol Ruca, Zaria, and the next generation of talent  How super collectors shape the wrestling card community  Why eBay remains the best marketplace for high-end wrestling cards  Mistakes collectors make when selling big cards  The importance of relationships when buying and selling If you've ever thought about turning your hobby knowledge into a business, this conversation offers a practical look at what it takes to make it work. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Most people think opportunity in the hobby comes from knowledge. Know the player.Know the card.Know the market. Those things matter. But as the sports card industry becomes more sophisticated, another asset is becoming more valuable than ever: trust. In this episode of Hobby Jobs, Brett explores why reputation has become one of the most important forms of leverage in the hobby. From eBay authentication  to Veriswap's focus on secure trading, the industry's biggest companies are investing in trust infrastructure because trust drives transactions. Brett breaks down the three ledgers that shape your reputation, why attention and trust are not the same thing, and how the best operators build careers through accumulated proof rather than short-term visibility. The episode also examines what current job openings at Sotheby's, Veriswap, CardCollector2, and Collectors reveal about where the hobby is headed and why the future belongs to people who can translate collector behavior into business value. If you're building a business, pursuing a career in the hobby, or looking for your next opportunity, this episode is for you.  Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Ryan is out this week, so Brett steps into the co-host seat alongside Adam Gellman for a wide-ranging conversation on the current state of wrestling cards. Based on the episode transcript.  The guys break down WWE's King and Queen of the Ring tournaments, Oba Femi's momentum, the global appeal of WWE, and why international fandom has not fully translated to wrestling card collecting yet. On the card side, they discuss Cosmic Chrome, the early reaction to the Planet chase cards, AJ Lee's return to autograph products, and what the market is telling us about new releases. They also tackle bigger hobby questions:  Are wrestling cards truly growing, or are the same cards changing hands?  Does locking big cards into collections make the market stronger or more unpredictable?  Why do so many collectors relist 1/1s at 2-3x the price?  Are great cards always liquid cards?  What opportunities are being missed while everyone chases the newest release? Plus thoughts on the Jey Uso WrestleMania Patch Auto auction, major recent sales, Wrestling Card Takeover at The National, and why relationships remain the most valuable asset in the hobby. RSVP for Wrestling Card Takeover at The National on July 31 Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

At some point, every serious collector learns the same lesson: You can wait for the perfect copy. Or you can own the card. This week, Pack and Brett discuss how scarcity changes collecting decisions. When a card only surfaces once every few years, grades start to matter less and ownership starts to matter more. The conversation spans:  Rare cards versus perfect grades  The psychology of chasing low-pop football cards  Why some cards never stay available for long  Market observations from the Midwest Monster  Black Finite sales and football card demand  Andre Johnson versus Calvin Johnson  Tom Brady's market strength  Madden nostalgia and football culture The longer you collect, the more you realize that some opportunities don't come around twice. I would lean toward the first title. It has a story built into it and connects directly to the Frank Gore moment, which is the most memorable moment in the episode. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A Monday morning workout turned into one of the most memorable collecting moments Brett has experienced in years. While checking his saved eBay searches from the treadmill, he stumbled across two cards he had never seen before: a 2015 Prizm Frank Gore Gold Vinyl 1/1 and a 2015 Prizm Frank Gore Gold /10. He didn't check comps. He didn't open Card Ladder. He didn't negotiate. He hit Buy It Now. Twice. But this episode isn't really about Frank Gore. It's about what happens when a card stops being a card and becomes part of a collector's identity. Brett explores why some cards create instant clarity while others sit on watchlists for months. He examines collector psychology, psychological ownership, scarcity, regret, identity, and the invisible work that happens long before a purchase is made. What looks impulsive from the outside is often the result of years of research, focus, and commitment to a collecting lane. The cards collectors never hesitate on might reveal more about who they are than the cards they spend months debating. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Last week's conversation with Drake (@drakes_pc) sparked a bigger question: What separates collectors who land grails from those who miss them? In this episode, Brett explores the mindset and systems behind successful private market collecting. Topics include:  Why patience and urgency are not opposites  Building a readiness stack before opportunities appear  How to think about premiums in private deals  The dangers of anchoring and the winner's curse  Why liquidity matters more than most collectors admit  How to become a trusted buyer in your category  Turning transactions into long-term relationships  Preparing for The National and summer show season The private market rewards preparation. Don't wait until the grail appears to become the collector capable of landing it. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

For Episode 3 of the Team Collector Series, Katelyn sits down with Mitch (@almanacsportscards), a lifelong Indiana Fever fan and one of the hobby's most dedicated collectors of Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas. Mitch shares what it was like growing up with basketball in Indiana, how the Fever became a centerpiece of his collecting journey, and why community remains the foundation of WNBA fandom. The conversation explores:  Building a collection around a team and its legends  Why Tamika Catchings remains one of the hobby's most overlooked players  The evolution of Fever collecting before and after Caitlin Clark  How collectors can find focus in an era of endless releases  The role community plays in the WNBA card hobby  Mitch's personal grail and the story behind acquiring it If you've ever wondered what it means to build a collection around loyalty, history, and connection to a franchise, this episode is for you. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card Podcast Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram  Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What does it look like when a lifelong collector turns his hobby into his profession? Adam Gray has spent decades immersed in basketball cards. From launching Basketball Card Fanatic magazine to creating content for some of the biggest companies in the hobby, he has built a career around storytelling, education, and helping collectors understand why cards matter. In this conversation, Adam shares the path from private equity controller to full-time hobby creator. We discuss the rise and fall of Basketball Card Fanatic, building a reputation through consistent work, creating card stories that reach millions of viewers, balancing family and entrepreneurship, and why context is often more valuable than the card itself. Adam also opens up about the challenges of working in the hobby, the opportunities being created by industry growth, and the responsibility content creators have as the line between collecting and gambling continues to blur. If you've ever wondered whether your passion can become your profession, this episode is for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The sports card industry continues to break records. Nearly $680 million in online trading card sales moved through the market in May alone. Most people look at those numbers and see cards. I look at those numbers and see problems that still need solving. In this episode, I expand on the central idea from Hobby Jobs #12: the best opportunities in the hobby don't exist yet. They show up as friction. They show up as weak systems. They show up as moments where collectors, businesses, and marketplaces want something better than what currently exists. I discuss: • Why the next wave of hobby careers will be built around solving problems • How growth at eBay, Fanatics, PSA, and major events is creating new demand for operators • What Ryan Greene's career journey can teach aspiring professionals • Why transferable skills matter as much as hobby knowledge • The eBay role that reveals where the industry is heading If you want to build a career, company, or meaningful role in the sports card industry, this episode is for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Oba Femi beats Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. Then WWE decides to run it back. Adam and Ryan break down why the decision has frustrated wrestling fans and collectors, what it means for Oba's momentum, and how it impacts one of the hottest card markets in wrestling. The guys also discuss:  Grande Americano vs. Ludwig Kaiser and a Match of the Year candidate  Early thoughts on Topps Cosmic Chrome WWE  PSA shutting down value submissions  The return of major 2022 Prizm Black 1/1s  Massive sales from Royalty, Chrome, and Universe  Why wrestling card values continue to swing wildly  The growing challenge of pricing true grails in today's market Plus updates on Wrestling Card Takeover at The National and why wrestling collectors are entering a new era. RSVP for Wrestling Card Takeover at The National on July 31 Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Episode 50 is here. Pack and Brett kick off Linebacker Summer by celebrating some of the greatest defenders to ever play the game, including Mike Singletary, Mike Vrabel, Ken Strong, and more. They break down the massive Myles Garrett trade to the Rams and what it means for collectors. They discuss why defensive players might be entering a new era of hobby relevance and share some of their favorite Garrett cards making the rounds after the news broke. The mailbag delivers one of the best questions in Football Card Podcast history. Can an old-school collector who grew up building sets and registries find enthusiasm in a world of Prizm rainbows, parallels, and endless inserts? Other topics include:  The future of football cards under Fanatics  Why collectors are getting creative with Topps Chrome Football  PSA's grading pause and hobby demand  Breaking up a player collection  The psychology behind buying expensive 1/1s  Recent sales featuring Caleb Williams, Clay Matthews, Marshall Faulk, Rob Gronkowski, and more Plus, Pack shares a new vintage Bears pickup and Brett celebrates the return of a major card to his collection. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What happens when the hobby knows you'll spend big money on the cards you need? In this episode, Brett sits down with Drake (@drakes_pc) to discuss the realities of being a known buyer in today's sports card market. The conversation explores how visibility attracts opportunities, why private deals have become a major part of Drake's collecting journey, and what happens when sellers assume every Peyton Manning card belongs in his collection. Along the way, Drake shares stories behind some of his biggest acquisitions, including multiple Peyton Manning Superfractors and Prizm Black Finite cards, while offering lessons on patience, reputation, negotiation, and building relationships that lead to cards most collectors never even know are available. Topics include: • Building a reputation as a collector• Why posting your cards matters• The advantages of private deals• Seller tactics and unrealistic expectations• Navigating negotiations without burning bridges• Why relationships matter more than transactions• How serious collectors prepare for rare opportunities If you've ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of major private deals, this episode provides an inside look. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Sports cards are competing for attention in a world built on endless scrolling. Every day, collectors are hit with clips, highlights, reactions, reveals, and hot takes. But what happens when the hobby becomes all spark and no substance? In this episode, Brett explores the role long-form content plays in the sports card ecosystem and why it might be one of the most important assets the hobby has. This isn't a debate about podcasts versus reels. It's a conversation about trust. About learning. About community. About why serious hobbies need serious content somewhere in the system. Drawing from industry research, collector behavior, and five years of building Stacking Slabs, Brett shares why long-form content continues to matter, how collectors consume information differently, and what happens when education gets replaced by pure stimulation. If you've ever listened to a podcast while driving, working out, cutting the grass, or sorting cards, this episode is for you. Because the goal isn't to win the scroll. The goal is to matter after the scroll. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Season 5's team collector series continues with a deep dive into the Phoenix Mercury. Katelyn sits down with Gavin (@card_collecther), a Mercury season ticket holder and dedicated team collector, to explore what makes the franchise one of the defining organizations in WNBA history. They discuss the Mercury's identity, the influence of Diana Taurasi, Alyssa Thomas' place on the hobby's Disrespect Index, the power of the X-Factor fan base, and how team collecting creates a deeper connection to the game. The conversation also explores collecting philosophy, personal grails, community, rivalries, franchise history, and why collecting a team often becomes about much more than the cards. If you've ever built a collection around a team, a city, or a feeling, this episode is for you. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card Podcast Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram  Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Athletes have never been more visible in the hobby. From Tom Brady and CardVault to Fanatics Fest, athlete-led content, and players publicly sharing their collections, sports cards have become part of the conversation in a way we haven't seen before. Ryan Greene sits at the center of it. As Director of Athlete + Artist Partnerships at PSA, Ryan works directly with athletes who collect, grade cards, participate in signings, and build collections of their own. In this conversation, we discuss:  Why PSA created a role dedicated to athletes and artists  How professional athletes are entering the hobby  The types of cards athletes collect  Why authenticity matters more than sponsorships  The impact Fanatics is having on athlete participation  Stories from working with Mike Trout and other athletes behind the scenes  Where athlete involvement in the hobby is headed next If you've noticed athletes becoming a bigger part of collecting culture, this episode offers a look behind the curtain at what's driving it. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What does it look like to build a career in the sports card industry? In the debut episode of Hobby Jobs, Brett McGrath shares the vision behind the platform and why the hobby needs a dedicated place for operators, builders, and aspiring professionals. This episode explores the shift from hobby to industry and why the biggest opportunities often start as repeated friction, not business plans. Brett breaks down the signals coming from companies like PSA, eBay, GameStop, and Card Collector 2 and explains what they reveal about where the hobby is headed. Topics include: • Why Hobby Jobs was created • The growing demand for skilled professionals in the hobby • How to identify opportunity before everyone else sees it • Why proximity is a competitive advantage • Lessons from Jeremy Lee and Sports Cards Live • What hiring trends reveal about the future of the industry • Why content, trust, and systems matter more than ever If you're building in the hobby, looking to break into the industry, or trying to understand where the next wave of opportunity is forming, this episode is for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What happens when you stop reacting to the wrestling card market and start thinking about where it's headed? This week, Adam and Ryan tackle a series of big-picture questions facing wrestling card collectors. Will there be more six-figure wrestling card sales by 2028? Has Topps Royalty already become the most important wrestling card release of the Fanatics era? Will WrestleMania moving to Saudi Arabia impact the hobby? Who will define wrestling cards in 2027? The conversation moves from Oba Femi and Stephanie Vaquer to WrestleMania Patch Autos, celebrity collectors, Topps Chrome, Cosmic Chrome, and the future of the category. The goal isn't predicting the future. It's thinking about the hobby differently. Plus:  Clash in Italy preview  Logan Paul's injury and The Vision curse  Danhausen's rise in mainstream sports culture  Cosmic Chrome WWE checklist reactions  Major Hulk Hogan and Stephanie Vaquer sales  Wrestling Card Takeover updates A conversation built around the questions collectors will be debating for years. RSVP for Wrestling Card Takeover at The National on July 31 Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

John and Brett open the episode talking Indy 500 stories, McDonald’s nostalgia, and why modern experiences feel overbuilt before diving into one of the biggest football card sales in years. The guys break down the $1.3M Josh Allen NFL Shield Auto and what the sale says about Fanatics shaping collector attention in real time. They discuss why this card matters beyond Josh Allen, how manufactured prestige is changing the hobby, and which quarterbacks they believe are next in line for a million-dollar football card. Later in the episode, they react to The Athletic’s recent story on gambling culture in sports cards and discuss accountability, breaking culture, dopamine chasing, and how collectors can build healthier habits inside the hobby. They also tackle a big question from the audience:Are collectors losing the ability to have independent taste? Other topics include: 2025 Finest Football reactionsThe Des Bryant 2012 Prizm Black Finite saleTom Brady Topps Chrome Superfractor pricingWhy projects matter more than trendsCards they would keep foreverWhy collecting should leave you fulfilled instead of emptyPlus:Nebula pickups, linebacker summer talk, and another vintage football card lesson from Episode 49. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What happens when the value of your card turns from mystery into responsibility? In this flagship episode, Brett explores one of the tensions at the center of collecting. The longer you own a unique card, the more meaning it absorbs. The chase. The story. The memory. The identity tied to it. But eventually every collector runs into a hard question: At what point does ownership become a decision? This conversation digs into the difference between lived value and liquidation value. Why some cards become more meaningful when they are difficult to price. Why constant comp checking changes collector behavior. Why monster sales create permission structures across the hobby. And why mature collecting requires knowing when to hold onto mystery and when to face value with intention. Brett also shares personal reflections on evaluating his own collection, balancing family and business responsibilities, and the emotional reality behind deciding whether a card still belongs. Topics include: • Why mystery is part of the reward of owning unique cards• How ownership changes the way collectors value cards• The psychology behind selling decisions• Why public auctions create emotional pressure• The difference between optimization and conviction• A framework for evaluating whether a card still fits your collection• Why selling is sometimes part of preserving collecting integrity If you’ve ever stared at a card and thought “I have no idea what this is worth and I’m not sure I want to know,” this episode is for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Every collector talks about value. But what happens when the card means more to you than the market says it should? In this flagship episode, Brett explores one of the hardest truths in collecting: Can collectors ever fully separate emotional attachment from financial decision making? This conversation digs into the tension between memory and money. Between identity and allocation. Between the card you want and the story you tell yourself about why you want it. Brett breaks down: • Why ownership changes how we value cards• The role identity plays in collecting• How emotional attachment impacts buying and selling• Why collectors blur the line between investment and personal collection• The danger of unexamined emotion• A system to help collectors make cleaner decisions without losing the passion that makes the hobby matter This is not an episode about removing emotion from collecting. It’s about understanding it before it controls you. If you’ve ever overpaid for a card because it felt important…Held onto something longer than you should have…Or convinced yourself a purchase was “smart” when it was really personal… Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Check out the Northeast Sports Card Expo in Marlborough, Mass June 26-28, 2026 Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A million dollar Josh Allen card.A nearly $200K Wemby Gold Refractor.A Dennis Rodman PMG Green pushing nearly $350K. The hobby keeps moving higher. But what is really happening underneath the surface? In Episode 20 of Card Ladder Confidential, Brett sits down with Chris and Josh from Card Ladder to break down the latest Premier Auction and the conversations collectors are having right now. The discussion explores: • Why the Josh Allen NFL Shield Auto created mixed reactions• Whether Victor Wembanyama has already reached all-time collectability status• How monster sales impact collector psychology• The difference between broad market strength and concentrated conviction• Why transparency around private sales matters• The role cultural impact plays in long-term collectability The crew also discuss the tension between legacy cards and manufactured modern concepts, the sustainability of current pricing, and why certain cards still feel undervalued despite historic importance. If you care about collector behavior, category shifts, and the stories behind the prices, this episode is for you. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Josh: | InstagramFollow Chris: | InstagramFollow Card Ladder: | Instagram | YouTube | WebsiteFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Jeremy Lee has become one of the most trusted voices in sports card media. But before Sports Cards Live became a Saturday night destination for collectors, Jeremy was balancing a career in finance while building relationships, studying the hobby, and creating content because he loved the cards. In this conversation, Jeremy shares the full story behind Sports Cards Live, the growth of his auction coverage content, and the mindset shift that helped him turn hobby passion into full-time work. We also discuss:  Why relationships became the foundation of his business  The pressure and uncertainty of becoming a full-time creator  What consistency has taught him about community  The evolution of hobby media and trust  The creation of Hobby Spectrum  Why Pops and Comps became a 400-page passion project  The role psychology plays in collecting and market behavior This episode is for anyone thinking about building something in the hobby. Collectors. Creators. Operators. Jeremy opens up about all of it. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Season 5 of The WNBA Card Podcast starts with a live recording from Saint Paul at the All Women’s Sports Card Expo hosted by Great Lakes Trading Card Co. Katelyn sits down with Spencer from Great Lakes to talk about what’s happening in the women’s sports card market right now and why this moment feels different. They discuss:  Building a hobby shop centered around community  Why women’s sports collectors operate differently  The rise of PWHL cards and niche collecting  Why legends still matter in women’s sports  The future of women’s sports card shows  What today’s collectors are chasing  Why accessibility and representation matter in hobby spaces The episode also includes live audience Q&A covering Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, JuJu Watkins, Olivia Miles, rookie card trends, and the future of women’s sports collecting. This conversation is about more than cards. It’s about building spaces where collectors feel seen. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card Podcast Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram  Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The wrestling card market keeps moving faster. Adam and Ryan break down the fallout from the Randy Orton WrestleMania Patch Auto sale and the reaction across the hobby after Randy himself responded publicly. They discuss why these patch autos are becoming wrestling card versions of Logomans and what the John Cena WrestleMania Patch Auto might ultimately sell for. The conversation also explores:  Why WWE’s current rookie call-up system feels “sink or swim”  Brock Lesnar’s return and the impact on Oba Femi  Sapphire vs. Logofractor vs. Royalty  Why relationships drive the hobby more than people realize  The emotional side of grail card acquisitions Plus, Mike from MC Sports Cards joins the show to discuss consigning high-end wrestling cards, building trust in the hobby, and why wrestling cards are entering a new era. A loaded episode centered around wrestling, collecting, relationships, and the moments that make this hobby stick with you. RSVP for Wrestling Card Takeover at The National on July 31 Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Pack and Brett open the show talking about the NFLPA Rookie Premiere Event and why moments like this matter for the future of football cards. From Caleb Downs sitting with Ryan Johnson talking cards to the growing connection between athletes and collectors, this conversation explores where the hobby is heading and why storytelling around players is becoming part of the product itself.  The guys also debate the value of game-used shields versus identifiable patches, discuss how they organize their collections, react to big recent sales from Card Ladder, and talk through why Topps Chrome Football feels different this time around. Plus:  Daryl “Moose” Johnston nostalgia  Zach Thomas PMGs  Micah Parsons Black Finite prices  Marshall Faulk Topps Chrome Superfractor  Cam Ward Gold Prizm rookie speculation  Colts and Bears schedule reactions  The psychology behind football card organization If you collect football cards with intention, this episode is for you. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Show season is here. Fanatics Fest. The National. Midwest Monster. Local shows packed wall to wall. The energy around cards feels different right now. In this conversation, Brett sits down with Kevin Randall (@DaCaptain37) to talk through the realities of operating in the current market as both a collector and dealer. They discuss:  Why rare goat cards continue to separate from the market  The danger of treating every monster sale like a category reset  Why hesitation at shows can cost you the card  The growing divide between online and in-person deals  How Kevin prepares inventory ahead of summer show season  The emotional side of moving PC cards  Why collectors need a game plan before entering Fanatics Fest or The National  The difference between consolidating and escalating  Why “comps” are no longer enough for rare cards This episode is filled with tactical advice for collectors heading into the busiest stretch of the hobby calendar. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What happens after a monster sale hits your category? Not just the headline.Not the screenshots.Not the dopamine. What happens inside the minds of collectors? In this flagship episode of Stacking Slabs, Brett breaks down the psychology behind category repricing through the lens of the Randy Orton WrestleMania Patch Auto sale and why these moments impact collectors far beyond the final hammer price. This conversation explores:  Why collectors react emotionally to monster sales  How identity and ownership shape pricing behavior  The difference between a signal and a true market shift  Why niche categories only need a few serious buyers to change liquidity  How collectors confuse attention with actual demand  Why one grail sale does not automatically reprice an entire category  The danger of turning headlines into inventory decisions This is an episode about interpretation. The collectors who win long-term are not the fastest reactors. They are the clearest thinkers. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

There comes a point in collecting when the question stops being “Do I want the card?” and becomes “What am I willing to move to get it?” In this episode, Brett breaks down consolidation through the lens of a living collection. Not the hobby cliché version. The real version. The version tied to timing, sacrifice, identity, liquidity, and conviction. With show season approaching and more major cards surfacing across auctions, trade nights, and show floors, collectors are facing tougher decisions. This conversation explores what consolidation really is, why it matters, where collectors get it wrong, and how to know if the move is making your collection more true or simply more expensive. Topics include:  Why consolidation is about depth over breadth  The difference between consolidation and escalation  Judgment Day and deciding what leaves  The psychology of ownership and attachment  Collection equity vs. outside money  Why readiness matters more than collectors admit  The risks of concentration and emotional decision making This episode is for collectors trying to build collections with purpose instead of reacting to opportunity. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Karn Rai has been around cards since he was ten years old. What started with hockey cards, Pokémon packs, and trips to the Toronto Expo turned into one of the fastest growing consignment businesses in Canada. In this episode of Passion to Profession, Karn breaks down the evolution of Slab Sharks and why the future of the hobby belongs to operators who think beyond cards on a table. We talk about:  Building trust through customer experience  Why storytelling matters in auctions and consignments  The shift from “garage eBay sellers” to real infrastructure businesses  How Canada’s hobby market is changing  The role of technology, AI, and reinvestment in scaling a company  Why emotional intelligence matters when handling collections This conversation goes far beyond buying and selling cards. It’s about building systems, earning trust, and understanding the emotional connection collectors have with their cards. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week on Booked to Last, Ryan is joined by Kevin Kulikowski of Roadshow Cards for one of the biggest conversations in wrestling card history. The guys break down the fallout from Backlash, the rise of Jacob Fatu, Bron Breakker’s momentum, and where WWE creative is headed into SummerSlam season. Then the conversation shifts to the card market. Ryan shares an update on the 2025 Topps Royalty Randy Orton WrestleMania Patch Auto that sold for over $42,000. The guys unpack why the card mattered, how the auction unfolded, what the sale means for wrestling cards moving forward, and why this moment feels different than anything the category has experienced before. They also discuss:  Sapphire WWE  Garbage Pail Kids Chrome WWE  Jade Cargill market movement  Travis Scott cards  Jey Uso Black Prizm 1/1  Advice for collectors entering high-end wrestling cards This episode is about more than price tags. It’s about connection. It’s about collector conviction. It’s about what happens when wrestling cards stop feeling niche and start feeling important. RSVP for Wrestling Card Takeover at The National on July 31 Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On Episode 47 of The Football Card Podcast, Brett and Pack Nicholson unpack one of the biggest questions in the hobby right now: Why hasn’t a football card sold for over $1 million in nearly 3 years?  The conversation moves from Brady and Mahomes to PMGs, Kabooms, Gold Prizm, and the difference between expensive cards and true high-end cards. The guys challenge hobby language, collector behavior, and the way narratives shape value. They also dig into:  Why football still trails basketball and baseball at the top of the market  The difference between institutional cards and collector cards  Why thoughtful collectors operate differently than the masses  Favorite NFL rule changes  Disney character NFL draft talk  New sales featuring Brady, Peyton Manning, Luther Burden, Patrick Willis, Saquon, and more If you collect football cards with intention, this episode is for you. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The Beckett brand means something different to every collector. For some, it was the magazine sitting on the counter at the card shop.For others, it was the first slab they chased.For many collectors, Beckett represented authority, trust, and standards. Now the company is entering a new chapter. In this conversation, Brett sits down with Colin Hudson, General Manager at Beckett, to discuss the recent relaunch, updated labels and slabs, customer feedback, technology investments, and the challenge of rebuilding trust in the hobby. Colin shares what surprised him most after stepping into the role, why subgrades remain central to Beckett’s identity, how the company is approaching customer experience, and what collectors should expect over the next 12 to 18 months. This conversation is about more than labels and slabs. It’s about what trust means in a hobby built on opinions, transactions, and reputation. Check out the new updates at Beckett Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Do you collect what you like? Or do you like what the hobby already taught you to collect? In this flagship episode of Stacking Slabs, Brett explores one of the hardest questions in the hobby: Can collectors truly separate personal taste from social influence in a world built around visibility, market validation, and public scoreboards? This conversation digs into the forces shaping collector behavior every day. The crowd. The market. The stage. Social media reward loops. Completion chasing. Ownership bias. The pressure to conform. The desire to feel safe. Brett breaks down how modern collecting environments influence taste without collectors even realizing it and why true independence in collecting is less about rejecting the market and more about building awareness, discipline, and honest reflection. If you’ve ever questioned why you wanted a card, why urgency suddenly appeared, or whether your collection reflects your taste or the room’s approval, this episode is for you. This is a conversation about collector psychology, authorship, conviction, and learning how to hear your own judgment again. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

AI is everywhere right now. Collectors are curious.Dealers are experimenting.Business owners are trying to figure out what matters and what is noise. In this episode of Built for the Hobby, Brett sits down with InfernoRed Technology CEO Scott Lock to answer real AI questions submitted by people inside the hobby.  Topics include: • Can AI help price rare cards with little sales history?• Can dealers use AI to source better inventory and improve margins?• What does AI look like for collectors focused on enjoyment instead of profit?• Will AI eventually anticipate opportunities before we even recognize them ourselves? This conversation explores where AI fits into sports cards right now and where the biggest opportunities still exist for collectors, dealers, hobby shops, and businesses trying to build better experiences. If you’ve been wondering where AI is heading in the hobby, this episode is for you. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What happens when a new generation of collectors, entrepreneurs, and operators begins shaping the future of the hobby? On this episode of Passion to Profession, Brett sits down with Michael Osacky to explore the changing dynamics inside sports cards. From social influence and FOMO to trust, reputation, buyer premiums, startups, and manufactured scarcity, this conversation looks at the forces shaping the hobby in 2026 and beyond. Michael shares stories from decades in the industry and explains why understanding cards and understanding the card market are two different things. They also discuss:  Why reputation still matters most  How speed and access are changing collector behavior  The dangers of following hype accounts  What newer collectors need to understand about risk  Why patience is becoming rare in the hobby  The future of grading, marketplaces, and trust This episode is for collectors trying to think long term in a hobby moving faster than ever. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Topps Royalty arrived and the wrestling card community has not stopped talking about it. Adam and Ryan break down the entire product from every angle. The autograph checklist.The WrestleMania patches.The chase cards.The ripping experience.The market reaction. They discuss why Royalty feels different than anything wrestling collectors have seen before and why the product is creating strong reactions across the hobby. The conversation also moves beyond the cards. This episode is about friendship, collecting with people you care about, and why moments attached to cards matter. From massive pulls to community stories to the future of premium wrestling products, this is one of the deepest wrestling card conversations yet. RSVP for Wrestling Card Takeover at The National on July 31 Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Pack and Brett open with a question that hits deeper than it should. What makes a player feel bigger than the game? The new Kaiju inserts spark a conversation about identity in collecting. Not every player fits the label. Not every card earns the meaning. From there, the conversation moves through the hobby in real time. New releases. Superfractors. College uniform cards. And the tension between what looks good and what feels right. They also dig into the collector mindset.  When does a card cross from cool to meaningful  Why some cards feel like the center of your collection  And how personal history shapes what you chase Plus:  The reality of posting cards you no longer own  “Hall of Very Good” players and who gets remembered  The kind of card you’d show someone to explain why you care about this hobby This one is part hobby talk, part self-check. Because at some point, you have to decide what matters to you. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Rediscovery is part of collecting whether you plan for it or not. There are more lanes in this hobby than any one person can fully explore. Players. Eras. Sets. Parallels. Nostalgia. Upside. Community. Content. All of it pulls at you at the same time. That tension creates movement. But movement is not the same as alignment. In this episode, I break down what happens when you step away from a collecting lane and then find your way back. Why leaving does not mean the passion was never real. Why returning can feel different. And why second runs in collecting often bring more clarity than the first. I share my own experience with wrestling cards. The lane that brought me back into the hobby. The break I took. And what it feels like to return with a new perspective, new standards, and a stronger connection to what matters. This is not about nostalgia for the sake of it. This is about understanding what still belongs in your collection and why. If you have ever stepped away from something you loved in the hobby, this one will hit. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What does it mean to have your own taste as a collector? In this flagship episode, Brett explores the tension between following the crowd and building your own point of view in the hobby.  Most collectors say they want independence. Few are willing to do the work that comes with it. Because independent taste is not about being different. It is about being accountable. Brett breaks down why consensus feels safe and why so many collectors lean on it. He explains how social proof shapes buying decisions and why it often replaces real thinking. Then he offers a clear framework to help you pressure test your own ideas so you can build conviction that holds up over time. This episode covers: • The difference between collecting from conviction and inherited hierarchy• Why validation is not the same as agreement• How to stress test a card before you buy it• The role of taste in building a collection that lasts• The hard truth about wanting independence but needing approval If you want your collection to reflect you and not the algorithm, this episode will challenge how you think and how you buy. You are the CEO of your PC. Act like it. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Check out the Northeast Sports Card Expo in Marlborough, Mass June 26-28, 2026 Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The hobby is moving faster than ever. In this episode of The Staging Area, Brett and Tory break down what speed means right now for collectors and operators. They dig into the pressure of rising volume and what it takes to keep up. Tory shares how dcsports87 is handling over 100,000 cards a week and the real decisions behind cutting services, hiring aggressively, and tightening operations to reduce wait times.  You’ll hear how speed impacts your strategy as a collector. When to sell. When to grade. When to move on. They also explore:  Why new release timing matters more than ever  How breakers, consignment, and marketplaces are collapsing timelines  The rise of moment-based cards and why they hit harder than ever  What operational excellence looks like behind the scenes If you’re trying to keep up, this episode will help you think more clearly about how to move. Because in this environment, slow decisions cost you. A special thank you to dcsports87 for supporting this series. Check out dcsports87 for your eBay consignment needs and visit the dcsports87 eBay store to find great cards ending every night. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow dcsports87: | Website | eBay | Instagram | Twitter  Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What does it take to go from collector to company builder? In this episode of Passion to Profession, I sit down with Zach Stanley, CEO and Founder of WeTheHobby. Zach didn’t stumble into this.He built it from inside the hobby. We talk about:  The shift from collecting cards to building a business  Why trust is the foundation of everything in the hobby  The realities of operating in a market driven by hype, speed, and attention  What it looks like to create something that collectors rely on You’ll hear how Zach thinks about long-term positioning in a space that often rewards short-term moves. You’ll also hear the pressure that comes with it. This is a conversation about building something real in the hobby.Not chasing moments. Building systems. If you’ve ever thought about turning your passion into your profession, this one will hit. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Season 4 closes with a conversation that looks back before it looks forward. After 50 episodes and a season built on collector voices, Brett joins Katelyn to reflect on what this run revealed about the WNBA card market, the people shaping it, and where it goes next. This episode moves across eras, from early history to the Rittenhouse years to today’s surge in attention. It surfaces what collectors missed, what they’re chasing now, and what still feels underappreciated. You’ll hear how perspectives changed through the season.Why certain cards and moments hit harder than expected.And what it means to collect with intention when the market is still forming. There is also an honest conversation about the gap between what collectors want and what manufacturers deliver. If you followed the season, this is the reset.If you’re new, this is the entry point. The goal stays the same.Collect what matters.Understand why it matters. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card Podcast Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram  Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

You’re feeling it right now. More products. More releases. More noise. This week Adam and Ryan sit down and talk through what’s actually happening in wrestling cards… and what it means for you. Topps Chrome is still fresh.Royalty is about to hit.Cosmic is on deck.Sapphire is looming. It’s not slowing down. So the real question becomes simple: Can the wrestling card market handle all of this? They break down the reality collectors are facing right now: • Why the current release schedule is testing budgets and attention• What happens when hype moves faster than collectors can react• How scarcity, demand, and timing are colliding in real time• Why some products are getting ignored… and why that matters• The role of community when things start moving too fast There’s also a deeper layer in this conversation. You’ll hear stories about collectors helping each other chase cards.Text messages flying during breaks.People looking out for one another in a competitive market. That’s the part that doesn’t show up in sales charts. If you’re trying to figure out how to navigate this moment… This episode will help you slow down, think clearly, and make better decisions. Because the market is moving fast. But you don’t have to. Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The draft is over. Now the real game starts. John and Brett break down what happens next for collectors when hype meets reality. New rookies enter the system. Narratives form fast. Prices follow. They talk about why every draft pick looks like a future Hall of Famer right now… and why that feeling never lasts.  The conversation moves into collecting decisions that stick. Selling a card you should have kept. Chasing players before they prove anything. Knowing when to ignore comps and when they matter. There is also a deep look at how the hobby has changed. More parallels. More product. More noise. So how do you stay focused? If you collect football cards, this episode will challenge how you think about value, timing, and what actually matters in your collection. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What makes a card an apex? And who decided it in the first place? This episode started with a simple question coming out of a recent conversation with Card Ladder. But it turned into something bigger. A look at how collectors think.How the market shapes what you chase.And why so many of us follow a path that was already drawn. You’ll hear:  Why legacy grails continue to dominate  What it means to buy clarity vs create conviction  The real reason conformity feels good in collecting  How advanced collectors start to move differently  Why most “rare” cards will never matter  What needs to be true for a new apex card to emerge There is tension in this hobby. Between fitting in and standing out.Between buying what is proven and backing what you believe. If you’ve ever questioned your own decisions as a collector, this one will hit. Because the real question is not what the apex is. It is whether you are collecting for approval or for truth. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Every card a collector buys is tied to a story. Some come from personal taste.Some come from brands.Some come from the environment around the hobby. In this episode, Brett breaks down how those stories shape what collectors chase. He explores the difference between collector-driven taste and manufacturer-driven narratives.And how inserts, naming, and product design influence perception of importance. He also shares a recent example from 2026 Topps Chrome WWE that challenged his own preferences. The core message is simple: If a collector does not define what mattersThe hobby will do it for them Build your own hierarchyTrust your own eyeLet the hobby suggestDon’t let it decide Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Big sales hit the timeline all at once. A Kobe Bryant PMG Green.A Michael Jordan game jersey auto.Multiple seven-figure deals in a matter of days. It felt like the hobby stopped and stared. But what did it really mean? In this episode of Card Ladder Confidential, I sit down with Chris and Josh from Card Ladder to break it down. We get into the tension every serious collector feels right now. Are these still the cards that define the hobby?Or are we stuck repeating the same story? We talk about: • Why timing of big sales can mislead your perception of the market• The idea that “apex cards” might be both undervalued and stale at the same time• Why discovery matters more than ever when everything feels expensive• How new collectors enter lanes and what respect looks like when they do• The role patience plays when the market is moving fast This conversation goes deeper than price. It’s about perspective. And how your perspective shapes what you chase next. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Josh: | InstagramFollow Chris: | InstagramFollow Card Ladder: | Instagram | YouTube | WebsiteFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What does it look like to turn your passion into your profession more than once? In this episode of Passion to Profession, Brett sits down with John Walaszek, Content Strategist at PSA, to unpack the path from music blogs to the sports card industry. John didn’t wait for permission. He built. He started a blog when no one replied to his emails.He created content when no role existed for it.He followed what held his attention and turned it into a career. Now he’s doing it again. This time in cards. This conversation covers:  Why doing the work before the opportunity matters  How building on the internet became his resume  What he learned working inside major media and record labels  Why authenticity still wins, even in crowded markets  The gap between music content and sports card content  Why the hobby still feels early from a content standpoint  What it takes to make the jump into the industry If you’ve ever thought about building something around what you care about, this one will hit. Because the path isn’t linear.It’s built through action. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The future of women’s basketball cards is not coming. It’s already here. Katelyn is joined by Sam and Christian from @therookiescorner to talk about what it means to collect players before the hobby tells you who matters. This conversation is about the shift happening right now. From reacting to pricesTo forming your own opinions From waiting for consensusTo collecting in uncertainty They break down:  Why NIL changed everything for collectors  How social media and storytelling are driving demand  The tension between “first cards” and licensed college products  The difference between collecting for belief vs collecting for validation  The next generation players they’re buying before the market catches up They also share how they’re building community through cards and why this era feels more personal than transactional. If you’ve been wondering how to navigate college cards, prospecting, and the explosion of WNBA interest… this episode gives you the framework. Because the collectors who win in this era are not waiting. They’re watching.They’re learning.They’re choosing early Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card Podcast Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram  Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

WrestleMania delivered moments that will shape wrestling and the card market for years. Adam, Ryan, and Brett break it all down. They start with the split between Night 1 and Night 2 and why it felt like two different shows. Then they get into the moments that mattered. Oba Femi stepping into the spotlight.Roman Reigns reminding everyone who runs the business.CM Punk proving he belongs on the biggest stage. They also go deeper than the matches. What actually moved the card market.Who gained momentum.Who lost it.Where collectors should be paying attention next. Ryan shares what it was like attending his first WrestleMania with his family and why the experience hits different when you see it through your kids’ eyes. They close with a look at Topps’ biggest week yet in wrestling cards and what it signals for the future. This isn’t a recap. It’s a breakdown of what matters for collectors.  Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The new release cycle is loud. Prices move fast.Cards show up everywhere.Everyone has an opinion. In this episode, Brett and Pack sit in that tension. They break down what they’re seeing with Topps Chrome Football.The temptation to jump in early.The pressure created by volume, hype, and social feeds. There’s a real story here. A $25 pull turns into a $15K ask overnight.A $1K offer gets ignored.And suddenly you’re asking yourself what any of this is worth. This conversation goes deeper than comps. It’s about patience.It’s about timing.It’s about knowing when to sit still. They also hit:  Why early sales rarely tell the full story  How supply reveals itself over time  Why “first” isn’t always what it seems  The difference between watching and acting If you’ve felt the pull of a new product, this one will hit Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Last week sparked a wave of reflection. This week goes deeper. If your collection is a reflection of you, then what happens when you change? In this episode, Brett breaks down how collecting motivations shift over time. Not in theory. In real life. He explores why most collectors enter the hobby reacting to hype, momentum, and the promise of fast outcomes… and what happens when that stops working. You’ll hear:  Why early collecting is driven by noise and external signals  The moment friction hits and forces real self-awareness  How taste develops through learning, not luck  The shift from accumulation to curation  Why mature collectors focus less on what the market values and more on what they value  How legacy, identity, and meaning start shaping decisions This is a conversation about growth. About moving from unconscious buying to conscious collecting. And about building something that feels like you. If you’ve ever looked at your cards and asked, “What am I really doing here?” this episode is for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

New releases drive the hobby. They grab your attention.They push you to act. In this episode, Brett breaks down the psychology behind new product cycles. From chasing Shaquille O'Neal rookies to the nonstop hype around Topps Chrome, the playbook is the same. The volume is not. FOMO.Anchoring.Narratives. If you collect, you need to understand what is influencing your decisions. Because the collectors who slow down and think build better collections over time. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

New releases are everywhere right now. You feel it.The noise.The urgency.The pressure to act. In this episode, Brett and Tory break down what is really happening in the hobby. They start with eBay’s new buyer cancellation policy and what it means for sellers, buyers, and auction integrity. Tory shares what it looks like operating at scale and why this change matters more than people think. Then they shift into the main topic. The new release attention economy. Topps Chrome Football just dropped.$1,000 boxes.Breaks everywhere.Singles flying. But step back for a second. Who is actually making money?What happens after the first 72 hours?And how should you respond as a collector? This conversation is about discipline.It’s about awareness.It’s about protecting your time, your money, and your collection. If you’ve ever felt the pull of a new release, this one is for you. A special thank you to dcsports87 for supporting this series. Check out dcsports87 for your eBay consignment needs and visit the dcsports87 eBay store to find great cards ending every night. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow dcsports87: | Website | eBay | Instagram | Twitter  Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What does it take to build a business that the entire hobby depends on? In this episode of Passion to Profession, Brett sits down with Eric Brownell, CEO and President of BCW Supplies. You’ve used their products.Top loaders. Sleeves. Storage. But you probably haven’t thought about what it takes to keep the hobby stocked when demand explodes. Eric shares the story behind BCW’s growth from a small family business into a 100+ person operation that supports collectors, hobby shops, breakers, and distributors across the country.  This conversation goes deeper than supplies. It’s about:  Scaling a business without losing your foundation  Hiring people who push the company forward  Staying disciplined when the market gets hot  Protecting your core customer while still growing Eric also breaks down how BCW thinks about inventory, forecasting, and preparing for moments like the pandemic when demand surged beyond anything the industry had seen. If you care about where the hobby is going, you need to understand the businesses holding it together behind the scenes. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

WrestleMania is here. Adam and Ryan break down the matches that matter. Not only for wrestling fans, but for collectors paying attention to where value moves next. They dig into what needs to happen.Who wins matters. But why it matters for cards is the real conversation. Then it shifts. Topps Chrome WWE hits the market and everything changes.The product is getting ripped everywhere.Big cards are moving fast.Some sales make sense. Others don’t. This is where collectors get tested. Bryan from THZ Sports Cards joins the show.He shares how he moved from NBA cards into wrestling.Why the community pulled him in.And how he is building around Sol Ruca before the rest of the market catches up. There is a difference between watching and acting.This episode sits right in the middle of that gap. If you care about timing, attention, and where collectors are placing their bets, this one will hit. Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Topps Chrome Football is here.And the hobby is already moving fast. We break down what we’re seeing in real time. The hype. The pricing. The decisions collectors are making before the dust settles. A Jaxson Dart auto out of /275 sparks a $2K debate. What does that say about where we are right now? We talk through:  Why Topps Chrome is built for attention  How Fanatics is changing promotion and demand  What early sales are telling us about collector behavior  The difference between ripping for experience and chasing outcomes We also go deep on:  The best and worst years of Topps Chrome Football  Why 2015 might be the worst product ever made  How collectors should think after getting “skunked”  When a card pulls you outside your collecting lane And we close with a new segment:Pairing players with music catalogs.Because collecting is about connection. Not just cardboard. If you’re feeling the pull of a new release… This episode will help you slow down and think before you act. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Brett sits down with James (@madcitycollector), creator of The Soccer Card Collective Podcast, to explore what happens when a collector ignores the spotlight and builds his own lane. James shares why he chose soccer cards over more crowded markets, how nostalgia shapes his decisions, and what he’s learned by studying overlooked players, sets, and eras. The conversation digs into:  Why modern attention is narrow and where opportunity exists  How to collect with intention instead of following hype  The role of nostalgia, lineage, and discovery in building a collection  What the soccer card community reveals about micro-markets and demand  How disciplined spending and long-term thinking shape better collectors This is a conversation about awareness, patience, and choosing your path in a hobby driven by noise. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Collectors often believe they are building collections. This episode challenges that idea. In this flagship conversation, Brett explores the concept that every collection is a reflection of the person behind it. Drawing from consumer psychology research and personal collecting experience, he breaks down how buying decisions reveal deeper signals around identity, control, risk, patience, and validation. Through real examples and practical questions, this episode pushes collectors to think beyond surface-level decisions and examine why they acquire what they do. Key themes include: • buying certainty vs. buying conviction• the role of status and social comparison• how structure in collecting creates a sense of control• why two collectors with the same resources build entirely different outcomes This is not an episode about what to buy. It is about understanding what your collection says about you. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Topps Chrome Football is back. But this time it stands alone. No competing brand. No second option. No alternative lane. That changes how you collect. In this episode, I’m not breaking down the checklist or the hits. You can find that anywhere. I’m focused on what this moment reveals about you as a collector. For years, your decisions were shaped by comparison. The question shifts from what do you like more to do you participate at all. That is a different game. We talk about: • why no competition creates pressure on your decisions• how concentrated demand can look like real demand• the difference between collecting and compliance• why this release is a mirror for your conviction• how to slow down and make better decisions in a loud market This is one of the most important shifts in football cards in a long time. Not because of the product. Because of what it reveals about the people buying it. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Ryan Johnson didn’t set out to build a 35-person company. He wanted to open cards.Share what he was buying.Be the resource he never had. Then the business grew. In this conversation, Ryan walks through the shift from collector and content creator to operator responsible for people, systems, and outcomes. We talk about:  The moment decisions started impacting other people  Letting go of control and building a real team  Why communication breaks when you scale  How cash becomes a tool for speed and growth  The hardest lesson he learned about hiring and culture  Balancing being a collector while running a business  Why his “why” for collecting has changed This is a conversation about growth. Not the highlight reel. The real stuff that happens when the hobby turns into a business. If you’re building something in this space, this one will hit. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Katelyn sits down with Ryan (@reservoirsportscards), a UConn collector who went all in on Paige Bueckers before the market caught up. This is a conversation about conviction. Ryan didn’t start as a collector. He started flipping cards. Watching markets. Chasing value. Then Paige changed everything. What started as an idea turned into a strategy.Then a PC.Then an obsession. We get into:  The moment Paige became “the one”  Turning a $19K purchase into a record-breaking sale  Why Bowman Chrome changed WNBA collecting  The shift from flipping to collecting with purpose  How prospecting in women’s basketball is changing the hobby This isn’t about hype. It’s about what happens when you believe early… and act on it. If you’ve ever thought about going all in on a player, this episode will make you think twice about how you do it. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card Podcast Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram  Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This is one of the biggest weeks wrestling cards has seen in years. Adam and Ryan break down everything happening right now. Topps Chrome WWE is live. Prices are high. Demand is higher. The product feels like a turning point. Ryan shares what he saw firsthand at the Topps Industry Conference. What matters. What doesn’t. And what collectors should be paying attention to. They get into: • Why Chrome feels different this year• What the future of Fanatics’ ecosystem looks like• How premium products like Royalty and Dynasty will reshape the market• What’s happening behind the scenes with dealers, breakers, and distribution Then it all builds to a major announcement. Booked to Last is bringing the wrestling card community together at The National. If you care about where this hobby is going, this episode matters. Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Topps Chrome Football returns and the hobby is already moving fast. In this episode, we break down what this release really means for collectors. Where the hype is coming from.Why positioning matters more than ever.And how to avoid getting caught chasing the wrong things. We also get into: • The reality of breakers dominating early supply• Why “first year” narratives need to be questioned• How to think about parallels when nothing has history yet• The tension between chasing new vs staying focused on your lane Plus: A deep dive into undervalued legends like Ronnie LottA conversation on junk slabs vs real scarcityAnd why some of the best opportunities are still being ignored If you’re thinking about buying Chrome next week…You need to hear this first. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The hobby isn’t one market. It’s many. But we still act like everything should live under one roof. In this episode, I push on a simple idea. The hobby gets stronger when we get more focused. Not bigger. Narrower. When everything sits in one place, collectors get lost. They default to the loudest voices and the most visible cards.  Depth disappears. When you shrink the sea, something changes. Collectors find their lane.They find people who collect like them.They build identity, trust, and connection. That’s where real collecting starts. I break down why micro-markets matter, how structure creates engagement, and what happens when you build around a specific category instead of chasing the whole hobby. We talk about:  Why more options leads to less action  How niche communities drive retention  The role of curated auctions, content, and events  What operators, creators, and collectors should do next If you’ve ever felt like the hobby doesn’t speak to you, this episode will help you understand why. And what to do about it. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

There is more money, more cards, and more noise in the hobby than ever before.Over $605M in monthly sales.  Every platform is built to keep you moving.Scrolling. Watching. Bidding. Buying. So where does patience fit? In this episode, I slow things down and challenge a hard question. Can patience survive in a system designed to push you to act fast? I break down the forces working against you.Why urgency feels real.Why auctions pull you in.Why losing a card makes you want to buy another. Then I walk through a different way to operate. Not waiting.Not resisting. Building a system. We talk about: How to separate collecting from stimulationWhy patience is not willpowerHow to design rules that protect your decisionsWhat it looks like to collect with intention, not reaction If you feel like the hobby is speeding up around you, this is for you. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Brett and Tory break down a record-setting moment in the hobby. Card Ladder reports $605M in monthly sales.dcsports87 hits its biggest month ever.And a Shohei Ohtani All Aces PSA 10 sells for over $15K. This conversation goes deeper than headlines. You’ll hear what happens when content drives brand growth.Why niche categories like wrestling and TCG are heating up.How scarcity, demand, and perception collide in today’s market.And what Ohtani is doing to rewrite the rules collectors have followed for years. They also unpack the real decision behind selling a card at peak hype. Hold or sell?First to market or long-term bet? If you’re trying to understand where the hobby is going next, this is the conversation. A special thank you to dcsports87 for supporting this series. Check out dcsports87 for your eBay consignment needs and visit the dcsports87 eBay store to find great cards ending every night. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow dcsports87: | Website | eBay | Instagram | Twitter  Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What happens when a single moment turns into a career? Ethan from Tombstone Collectibles joins Passion to Profession to break down how one pull opened the door… and what it actually takes to build a modern hobby business at scale. This is not a conversation about ripping packs. This is about building infrastructure, managing talent, and operating in a market that moves fast. We get into:  Why most breakers fail before they ever get started  The importance of relationships in live selling  How Tombstone scaled from one stream to a multi-location operation  What it takes to manage inventory, shipping, and customer experience at volume  Why talent is the hardest problem in the breaking business  The real opportunity in international markets and where growth is heading Ethan shares what’s working, what broke along the way, and what collectors don’t see behind the scenes. If you’ve ever thought about turning your passion into a business… this is a conversation you need to hear. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Adam and Ryan are back and the timing couldn’t be bigger. With Topps Chrome around the corner, the wrestling card calendar is about to hit hard. Exalted is here. Chrome is next. Then more follows. The question isn’t what’s coming.It’s how you’re going to handle it. In this episode, they break down:  Why Exalted feels mistimed in the current release cycle  The overwhelming momentum building behind Chrome  What collectors are missing when they look at wrestling market data  How private deals are shaping the hobby behind the scenes  A real strategy for navigating multiple releases without blowing your budget They also react to major sales, early product reactions, and what the next 60 days might look like for wrestling cards. If you collect wrestling cards, this is a checkpoint episode. Because the hobby is about to speed up.And you need a plan before it does. Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

You feel it every time you log in. Everything is moving fast.Listings. Prices. Decisions. The hobby wants you to act now. In this episode, Brett and Pack slow it down and ask a harder question: Can you stay patient when everything around you pushes speed? They get into: How collectors lose control when money moves too fastWhy auctions feel better than direct dealsThe hidden cost of selling your own cardsShipping mistakes that create risk for everyoneWhat “fair value” really looks like in today’s marketThere’s also a conversation about what’s broken. Sticker autos.Fake patches.Repack culture. And what happens when accountability disappears. If you’ve ever felt pressure to move faster than you should, this one is for you. Because the best collectors don’t rush. They understand the environment.Then they operate inside it. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What does it look like to go all in on cards and make it work? In this conversation, Brett sits down with Max (@Cardsmax), a full-time dealer who has built his business in the open. He shares how he went from ripping packs as a kid to running a national buying and selling operation driven by shows, eBay, and content. Max breaks down the reality of life as a dealer. The travel. The shipping pressure. The constant decisions around where to deploy capital. He explains why understanding your buyer matters more than chasing the next card. They also get into content. Why documenting your process works. Why polished content often falls flat. And how transparency builds trust in a space that lacks it. You’ll hear how Max thinks about:  Buying with intent and knowing your exit before you enter  The balance between liquidity and scarcity  Why storytelling and positioning move cards  The difference between dealer shows and collector shows  How content compounds into relationships and revenue This is a conversation about operating in the hobby at a high level. Not theory. Real decisions. Real risk. Real reps. If you’ve ever thought about turning cards into more than a hobby, this one will challenge how you think. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Discovery doesn’t end when you find the card. That’s where most collectors stop. That’s where most collectors miss. In this flagship episode, I take the next step from last week and break down what really drives better collecting. It’s not being early. It’s not guessing right. It’s finding the people who already know what you’re chasing. I share a message that stopped me in my tracks and forced me to rethink discovery. Then we get into how community shapes your edge. You’ll hear: • Why “being first” is the wrong goal• How niche collectors hold the real information• Why your network determines what you see and what you miss• The role of trust, pricing, and access inside small communities• A simple system to find your people and build real relationships Discovery is not a solo act. It’s a shared process. And when you find the right people, everything about your collecting changes. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The market is running. Prices are climbing. Headlines are everywhere. And yet… the smartest collectors aren’t chasing. In this episode of Card Ladder Confidential, I sit down with Card Ladder team members Chris McGill and Josh Johnson to break down what’s really happening right now. We start with the data.February recorded $481M in online card sales. An all-time high.  But numbers don’t tell the full story. We get into:  Why rising prices without clear reasoning should make you pause  How new collectors are entering fast and burning out faster  Why patience is the edge no one talks about  What experienced collectors are doing instead of chasing  How to think about “zagging” when everyone else is piling in  The strategy behind buying non-rookies, obscure 1/1s, and overlooked sets This isn’t a hype conversation. It’s a reality check. If you’re feeling the pressure to keep up, this episode will help you slow down and make better decisions. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Josh: | InstagramFollow Chris: | InstagramFollow Card Ladder: | Instagram | YouTube | WebsiteFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On this episode of Passion to Profession, Brett sits down with Bryan Thiessenhusen, CEO of Black Gold Sports Cards. Bryan didn’t start with an advantage. He started with tubs of cards, a full-time accounting job, and a willingness to take risk. What followed was a fast build. He turned grading prep into revenue.Turned live streaming into scale.Turned a side hustle into a 30+ person operation. In this conversation, Bryan breaks down:  How he used his accounting background to build systems and track every dollar  Why being early and doing what others avoid created momentum  The role of content in driving growth and attention  What most people get wrong about risk, work ethic, and scaling in the hobby  How culture and trust became the foundation of Black Gold This is a conversation about building something real. If you’re collecting, operating, or thinking about turning your passion into a business, this one will make you think. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card Podcast Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram  Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

With Ryan out this week, Adam Gellman is joined by Jamison Long of Port City Sports Collectibles to talk wrestling cards from a different angle. Jamison has built one of the fastest growing card shops in the country. He also collects at a high level. That combination creates a different lens on the hobby. They cover: • What changes when you go from collector to shop owner• Why most collectors misunderstand wax pricing• The importance of community inside a card shop• WWE Chrome debut patches and why they matter• Big recent sales and what they signal about the market The conversation also hits WWE storylines, prospecting, and how new stars like Oba Femi are impacting collector behavior. This episode is a reminder that the hobby is not only about big cards. It is about how you show up, what you chase, and how long you can stay in it. Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Pack and Brett open Episode 40 with a real-time hobby mystery. A stolen 2025 Prizm Gold Lance Briggs resurfaces across state lines. The hunt is on. Questions start stacking. How many cards disappear before they ever hit public data? From there, the conversation shifts to what collectors are feeling right now. The pressure.The speed.The constant sense of missing out. They break down why the hobby feels like a sprint even when everyone says it’s a marathon. The episode also covers: • The gap between data and decision-making• Why social media is distorting collector behavior• When to sell and how to think about consolidation• Big recent sales including a $31K Gronk Prizm Gold and a $90K Brady  They close with a reminder most collectors need to hear: You don’t need every card.You need the right ones. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Collectors think in comps. Operators think in systems. That gap is where mistakes happen. In this episode, I break down what I learned from 12 hobby operators and how it applies to your decisions as a collector. We cover: • Why trust is the product• Why reacting leads to regret• How operators actually view comps• The role of systems and communication The hobby is growing. But the rules are not evenly distributed. If you understand how operators think, you put yourself in a better position to win and avoid mistakes. Ask yourself one question. Do the people you buy from reduce uncertainty or create it? Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

When was the last time you found a card before the hobby told you it mattered? Not after the sale.Not after the post.Not after everyone started chasing it. Before. This episode is about discovery and why it is one of the most powerful advantages you can build as a collector. We are living in a headline-driven hobby.Attention dictates demand.Most collectors are choosing from the same small list of cards. That creates competition.It creates pressure.It turns collecting into reaction. Discovery changes that. In this episode, I break down:  Why discovery gives you control over your collecting decisions  The psychology behind why discovery feels so rewarding  How attention drives prices and compresses opportunity  The exact system I use to identify cards before the crowd  A real example of how discovery led to one of my favorite recent pickups This is not about being early.This is not about guessing. This is about building a process that helps you collect with intention. If you want your collection to feel like yours, this one matters. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Opening Day is here. Energy is high. Attention is shifting. And the hobby is reacting in real time. Tory and I dig into what just happened with the World Baseball Classic and what it actually means for you as a collector. Not the surface-level hype. The real takeaway. We talk about: Why moments like WBC create short windows of opportunityWhat happens when demand spikes and how to act on itA Kobe Atomic sale that says more about the market than you thinkWhy Topps Dynasty prices aren’t as crazy as they lookThe psychology behind live selling, breaking, and chasingThen we go deeper. We address the Whatnot situation head on. Gambling. Responsibility. And where the line actually is. This is a conversation about awareness. About knowing your tendencies. About deciding what kind of collector you want to be before the moment hits. Because the moment always comes. The question is what you do when it does. A special thank you to dcsports87 for supporting this series. Check out dcsports87 for your eBay consignment needs and visit the dcsports87 eBay store to find great cards ending every night. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow dcsports87: | Website | eBay | Instagram | Twitter  Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What happens when you walk away from stability to bet on cards? Michael and Mikaela did it. Both were CPAs. Both were on a clear path. Then COVID hit. Breaking started. Demand showed up fast. And within months, everything changed. They built Rated Rips from late-night breaks into a full-scale consignment business. They hired 15 people in a year. They shifted from taking money out of the hobby to putting money back into collectors’ hands. In this conversation, we get into what it really looks like to build a business in the hobby. The risk.The trust.The systems.The people. We also talk about: – Leaving a stable career to bet on yourself– Why most collectors run businesses like hobbies– How process and data drive their decisions– The shift from breaking to consignment– Hiring, delegation, and buying back your time– Building trust with collectors at scale If you’ve ever thought about turning your passion into something more, this one will hit. Brought to you by eBay. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This episode is about a moment that changed everything. Katelyn sits down with Kyle (@kyle_collects) to break down the shift from 2019 Donruss to 2020 Prizm and why that stretch still shapes how collectors approach WNBA cards today. They talk through what it felt like to discover WNBA cards before the spotlight. Ripping boxes no one wanted. Finding cards that never made it to showcases. Learning the players one card at a time. Then everything changed. Prizm arrived. Sabrina entered the hobby. The world shut down. People started paying attention. This conversation connects the dots between timing, access, and belief. It explains why certain cards feel different. Why some sets get locked away. Why this era still matters. If you collect WNBA cards or are thinking about it, this episode will help you understand where the foundation was built and how to approach it today. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card Podcast Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram  Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Adam and Ryan sit down with Steve(@s.a.m_wwe) , one of the most focused Rhea Ripley collectors in the hobby. The conversation starts with a simple moment. A blaster box in 2022. That moment turns into chasing rainbows, building sets, and eventually acquiring 1/1 cards. This episode is about how that happens. Steve shares how he built his collection from scratch. Why he chose Rhea Ripley. And how relationships helped him land cards most collectors never even see. They also break down what’s happening right now in wrestling cards. Prices are rising. Access is getting harder. More people are paying attention. If you’re collecting today, you need to understand how to move. This conversation gives you a real look at: • How collectors evolve from ripping to targeting• Why scarcity changes your entire approach• What separates casual collectors from serious ones• How relationships unlock cards you can’t find online If you’ve ever thought about building something meaningful in the hobby, this episode will hit. Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Pack and Brett  open the episode by unpacking the reaction to a viral take about football collectors and why people struggle when opinions get stated in absolutes. They explore a bigger question beneath the noise.Who is actually collecting versus who is investing? The conversation moves into how money enters the hobby.Million dollar sales.Investor behavior.And why volume of collectors matters more than headline prices. From there, they dig into: Why scarcity does not always mean more valueThe difference between meaning and rarity in cardsPMGs and Rubies versus modern 1/1sWhy some players like Tyreek Hill feel under-collectedSelect vs Prizm vs Optic debates through a collector lensThe episode closes with a breakdown of recent sales, including a $161K Tom Brady that raises more questions than answers about the football card market. This is a conversation about how collectors think.And what actually drives demand in the hobby. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Most collectors spend their time watching big sales. Few spend time learning how to find great cards. That gap matters. In this conversation with Max (@putnamcards), creator of Hoops Collectors, we talk about what actually creates an edge in the hobby. Not headlines.Not hype.Not million dollar cards. We get into: Why most content focuses on cards no one can affordHow research leads to better collecting decisionsWhy overlooked sets and inserts hold real opportunityThe role nostalgia plays in what you chaseWhat happens when you stop following the crowdMax shares how he approaches discovery. How he uses tools like checklists and daily sales to uncover cards others ignore. And why some of the best cards in the hobby are still sitting in plain sight. If you want to build a collection that reflects your taste and not the algorithm, this one will hit. Check out the Hoops Collectors Podcast on YouTube, Apple, or Spotify. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this flagship episode of Stacking Slabs, Brett shares a tough experience that every collector fears. A highly anticipated card arrives… but the package is empty. Instead of sitting in frustration, Brett breaks down what happened, what he learned, and what he would do differently moving forward. From shipping decisions to platform protection, this episode focuses on how collectors can reduce risk in a hobby where more value is moving through the mail than ever before. This conversation goes beyond one missing card. It’s about trust, responsibility, and how collectors can protect what matters most to them. If you’ve ever made a deal, waited on a package, or worried about something going wrong, this one will hit home.  Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Over the past 18 months, Brett has spent time talking with owners, builders, and operators across the sports card industry. More than 60 conversations. Shop owners.Tech founders.Marketplace operators.Auction leaders. A pattern kept showing up. The hobby is growing fast. Online card sales tracked by Card Ladder reached $481M in a single month. Companies are expanding.Infrastructure is growing.New businesses are launching. But the knowledge required to build a business in this space remains scattered. Much of it lives in private conversations.Phone calls.Text threads.Direct messages between operators. There is no central place where industry knowledge, jobs, and operator insight live. That realization led Brett to create Hobby Jobs. In this episode of Stacking Slabs, Brett explains the thinking behind the launch and why the sports card industry is ready for a new kind of resource. The conversation covers: • Lessons from 60+ conversations with hobby operators• Why trust and relationships drive successful hobby businesses• The growing infrastructure behind the sports card industry• How Hobby Jobs will surface industry roles and business insight• Why the next generation of hobby operators will shape the future of the hobby Stacking Slabs will always serve collectors. But collectors power the hobby while operators build the infrastructure that supports it. Hobby Jobs is Brett’s first step toward documenting the business side of the hobby and creating a place where operators can learn from each other. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Many collectors think running a card business starts with inventory. Matt from 941 Sports Cards will tell you it starts with people. In this episode of Passion to Profession, Brett sits down with Matt to talk about how a hobby side project turned into a growing sports card operation built on live breaking, community, and relationships. Matt shares how he moved from ripping boxes in a small room at home to running multiple streaming channels and building a storefront designed to bring collectors together. Along the way he talks about the hard lessons that came with scaling too fast, trusting the wrong people, and trying to operate across multiple states. You will hear how Matt thinks about: • Building trust with collectors through consistent service • Managing allocation and inventory as a breaker • Hiring breakers who represent your brand the right way • Balancing online live streams with the in-store experience • Why mentorship and outside perspective matter for operators Matt also shares why community is the real goal behind his next step: a 4,800 square foot card shop designed to host collectors, events, watch parties, and live breaks under one roof. If you care about the future of hobby shops, breakers, and collector communities, this conversation delivers a clear look at what it takes to build something real in the hobby today. A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What does it mean to collect a franchise player? In this episode of The WNBA Card Podcast, Katelyn sits down with Mike (@mikeksportscards) to talk about building a collection around greatness. The conversation centers on A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. Two players who define the present era of the WNBA. Two players whose dominance shapes how collectors think about cards. Mike shares how he began collecting A’ja Wilson after watching the league in 2021. What started as curiosity turned into conviction. He walks through the mindset behind building a focused player collection and why he aims for cards that represent peak moments. The discussion explores the difference between prospecting and collecting established players. The role of championships and MVP seasons in creating cards that collectors hold long term. And why the best collections often come from patience and intention. They also examine how products like 2020 Prizm helped establish the modern WNBA card market. Which cards from this era carry long term significance. And how collectors can identify the cards that matter before everyone else does. Mike also shares some of the centerpieces of his A’ja Wilson collection and explains the thinking behind each card. This episode is a conversation about dominance. Dominance on the court. Dominance in collecting. And the discipline required to build a collection that reflects both. If you collect the WNBA or want to understand how serious collectors approach franchise players, this episode will give you a clear framework for how to think about the cards you pursue Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card Podcast Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram  Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Adam and Ryan open Episode 10 with a week that flipped expectations heading into WrestleMania. Cody Rhodes walks away with the championship after a result that few fans expected. The hosts break down the booking decision and what it means for collectors who track championship momentum and long term hobby demand tied to top WWE stars.  The conversation then shifts to one of the biggest hobby announcements of the week. Topps revealed that the first ever WWE Topps Chrome First Day Issue release will be sold through a Dutch auction. Adam and Ryan talk through what this format means for collectors, how they plan to approach buying, and why demand for the product will likely be strong. They also spend time discussing the Topps Now dual autograph featuring John Cena and Shohei Ohtani. The hosts explain why crossover cards like this matter and how a card like this could become one of the most important wrestling card sales of the year. Later in the episode they welcome Chad Weldon of Sports Card Junction to the show. Chad shares what he is seeing on the ground from the shop side of the hobby. The conversation covers collector demand for wrestling cards, how modern wrestling products perform at the shop level, and what products collectors are asking for most right now. Topics in this episode include WrestleMania storylines and their hobby impactCody Rhodes and championship driven demandTopps Chrome First Day Issue auction strategyThe John Cena and Shohei Ohtani dual autograph cardWrestling card sales moving the marketA shop owner perspective with Chad Weldon of Sports Card JunctionCheck out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Free agency opened the floodgates across the NFL and collectors felt it immediately. On Episode 38 of The Football Card Podcast, Pack and Brett break down how roster moves ripple through the football card market. From Travis Kelce returning to Kansas City to quarterback movement across the league, they explore what actually moves collector demand and why hype often follows opportunity. They also tackle a debate circulating across the hobby. No football card has crossed the one-million-dollar mark since the Tom Brady Contenders Championship Ticket sale in 2023. Does that mean collectors have lost interest in football cards? Or does it reveal something deeper about how the high-end market works across sports? Other topics in this episode include: Ranking every year of Panini Prizm football from 2012 to 2025The free agency moves that matter most to collectorsWhy some collectors sell their player cards when the player leaves their teamThe psychology behind keeping cards tied to memories, not jerseysMarket sales including Randy Moss, Caleb Williams, and Barry SandersThis episode blends the NFL offseason with real hobby insight. If you collect football cards, free agency season tells you one thing. Opportunity creates demand. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Card Ladder tracked $481 million in online card sales in one month. Most collectors see the cards. This episode looks at the system behind the number. Brett reverse engineers the $481M month by examining the infrastructure that allows collectors to transact at scale. Marketplaces, pricing data, grading, and vaults all play a role in building the trust required for buyers and sellers to complete transactions online. Collectors chase cards. Operators build the rails. Both rely on trust. This episode explores the infrastructure powering the modern hobby and what it reveals about the future of the market. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Every collector has a card that got away. In this episode, Brett shares the story of a card that came back around. Earlier this year he lost the 2020 Crown Royale Crystal Platinum Tyrese Haliburton 1/1 at auction after spending hours researching it and building conviction around the card. Then the card appeared again. A second chance. Brett breaks down what happened next and explores the psychology behind second chances in collecting. Why missed grails stay with us, how auctions influence decision making, and how reference prices shape the way collectors experience wins and losses. The first time the card sold for over $1200.The second time Brett set a max bid of $1701.The auction closed at $775. Sometimes the hobby gives collectors another opportunity. The real question is what that second chance reveals about the collector. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In Episode 20 of The Staging Area, Brett McGrath and Tory from dcsports87 discuss the current state of the consignment market. The conversation starts with several notable sales across the hobby. A 1954 Bowman Mickey Mantle PSA 8 set an all-time high at $23,700. A 2013 BBM Shohei Ohtani promo PSA 9 jumped from $3,500 to nearly $20,000. An Aaron Judge Bowman Draft Chrome Auto PSA 10 sold for $7,500 as baseball season approaches. The episode then shifts to a topic many collectors experience but rarely discuss openly. Non-paying buyers. Brett and Tory break down what happens when auctions end and buyers fail to pay, how often this occurs, and what steps platforms and consignors are taking to reduce the problem. The episode closes with a look at the scale of the current market, with dcsports87 moving $14M in January and $17M in February. For collectors who buy, sell, or consign cards, this conversation offers a clear look at how the system works behind the scenes. A special thank you to dcsports87 for supporting this series. Check out dcsports87 for your eBay consignment needs and visit the dcsports87 eBay store to find great cards ending every night. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow dcsports87: | Website | eBay | Instagram | Twitter  Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Tommy Lasorda didn’t inherit a card business. He got fired during the pandemic and decided to bet on himself. In this episode of Passion to Profession, sponsored by eBay, Tommy shares how he went from working as a breaker in someone else’s shop to launching Lasorda’s Card House in March 2025 We talk about: Why he walked away from allocation and buys only what his customers wantHow repacks, done right, protect value and trustWhy football became the focusThe Gold Kaboom Mahomes moment that accelerated growth Why customer care matters more than short-term marginIf you care about trust, reputation, and playing the long game in this hobby, this one is for you. A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Season 4 reaches its midpoint with a solo episode from Katelyn (@coldlunchcards).  The topic is nostalgia and how it shapes the way collectors approach WNBA cards. Many collectors chase rookie cards. That is a bet on the future. Many collectors chase early legends. That is a connection to the past. But the WNBA sits in a different position than most leagues. The league began in 1997. Many collectors building WNBA collections today did not grow up watching those early seasons. So what creates nostalgia when the memory is not personal? Katelyn explores two forces that drive collecting behavior. Individual nostalgiaThe cards tied to your own life and memory. Collective nostalgiaThe stories a community builds together over time. In a league and card market still under thirty years old, collectors are not only preserving history. They are helping define it. This episode explores how cards connect generations of players, collectors, and moments. And why the present moment in the hobby might be the most important one of all.  Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card Podcast Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram  Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

WrestleMania season changes everything. On this episode of Booked to Last, Adam and Ryan break down the full impact of Elimination Chamber and the release of 2025 WWE Universe. They dig into: Why Randy Orton and Rhea Ripley winning matters for collectorsThe real hobby impact of WrestleMania storylinesWhether WWE Universe is a true win or just hypeWhy event-worn relics change the long-term value conversationWhat rising wax prices mean for youThis is not surface-level talk. It is a real conversation about how moments on TV turn into momentum in the market. If you collect wrestling cards, this episode will sharpen how you think about: Prospecting young talentChasing event-worn gearNavigating breakers vs ripping waxIdentifying what actually holds valueUniverse is not perfect. But it might be one of the most important wrestling releases in years. Let’s talk about why. Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On this episode of The Football Card Podcast, Pack and Brett open Season 4 with momentum. Since their last recording, the hobby has seen 54 six-figure sales and two multi-million dollar sales. Only three were football cards. That gap sparks a bigger conversation.They break down massive 1997 Metal Universe PMG Green sales, including Brett Favre, Jerry Rice, and Dan Marino, and what those numbers mean for football long term. They debate Topps Chrome Football and whether it will match Prizm in price and popularity. They discuss what basketball’s return to Chrome reveals about photography, scarcity, and the power of the Superfractor. They tackle a listener question about market fatigue. Are collectors chasing gold, Finite, and Kaboom because they love them—or because the market tells them to? They also spotlight recent Finite and Gold Vinyl sales, share updates on their personal collecting projects, and introduce a new Season 4 Card Call Out challenge. If you care about scarcity, psychology, and what really drives the football card market, this one hits. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What happens to your collection when your player goes down? In this Collector Conversation, I sit down with Rodney (@enjoycards_ig) to talk about what it’s really like to collect Tyrese Haliburton during a lost season. We revisit the Game 7 injury. The shock. The numbness. The reality of a gap year. Then we dig into the cards. Does an injury change your conviction?Do you slow down or lean in?Are lower prices an opportunity or a warning sign? We talk about market data. We talk about emotion. We talk about why we collect in the first place. Haliburton’s index is down while the broader basketball market is up. Sales volume is shifting. Speculators fade. Core collectors stay. This conversation is about risk, loyalty, patience, and perspective. If you’ve ever collected an active player through an injury, this one will hit home. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Why do some cards stick with you while others fade? It is not the chrome.It is not the serial number.It is not even the grade. It is the story. In this flagship episode, I break down one core thesis. The card is the object. The story is the asset. We talk about: Why narrative shapes attention, memory, and beliefHow peak moments and ending moments drive remembered valueWhy provenance carries a premiumHow viral sales create availability trapsThe difference between meaningful storytelling and manipulationFrom the T206 Wagner to the 1952 Topps Mantle. From the 1989 Upper Deck Griffey to the Jordan and Kobe Logoman. We look at how narrative turns cardboard into cultural artifacts. But this is not hype.This is a call to think. To separate fact from interpretation.To question scarcity claims.To stress test your own stories. If you collect, you are already living inside narrative. The question is whether you control it or it controls you. Tell a damn friend. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Signal vs Substance. What really holds this hobby together? In this episode of Card Ladder Confidential, Brett is joined by Kristina and Josh from Card Ladder to talk about what’s driving collecting right now and what actually lasts. They unpack the West Coast Card Show and why a sports-only format changed the energy in the room. They talk about why the Card Ladder booth has become a landing spot for collectors. And they dig into what happens when price stops leading. You’ll hear: Why moments like Jack Hughes’ gold medal can move markets overnightHow Josh thinks about 1/1 football cards and why scarcity still winsHow Kristina builds her Luka and Maxi PCs with checklists and disciplineWhy research still matters in a scroll economy built on speedReal examples of how Card Ladder data helped land a dealThis is a conversation about patience, conviction, and building a collection that reflects you. Not the feed. Not the hype. You. If you care about long-term thinking in a short-term world, this one is for you. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Josh: | InstagramFollow Chris: | InstagramFollow Card Ladder: | Instagram | YouTube | WebsiteFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Ryan Bannister has been in cards for more than three decades. He opened RBICru7 in 2012 with borrowed money, a small space, and a willingness to grind seven days a week. Fourteen years later, he owns the building his shop sits in and has built one of the most respected brands in the hobby.  In this episode of Passion to Profession, Ryan shares: Why character is a business advantageThe sacrifices he made early to keep the doors openHow relationships opened doors he never could have forcedWhat COVID taught him about adaptabilityHow he used LeBron autos to fund real estateWhy community beats competition in the long runIf you’ve ever thought about turning your side hustle into your full-time work, this is a masterclass in what it really takes. A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode of The WNBA Card Podcast, Katelyn is joined by Joy (@herasportscards) to break down the second half of the Rittenhouse era from 2010 to 2018. This was a collector’s market. Most years had print runs of 500 cards.One year had only 225 rookie base cards.On-card autos. Limited supply. Minimal hype. Joy shares her journey back into the hobby, how community shaped her collecting, and why Rittenhouse cards were bought by people who never planned to sell. They dig into: What the league looked like during this stretch and how that shaped demandWhy Stewie’s rookie and Maya’s jersey auto still matterThe A’ja Wilson Platinum /25 and whether the hobby is undervaluing itRookie vs. star psychology then versus nowWhat collectors today can learn from a true collector-driven eraIf you care about context, scarcity, and long-term thinking in WNBA cards, this episode will sharpen your perspective. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card Podcast Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram  Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week on Booked to Last, Adam Gellman and Ryan from RBICru7 unpack one of the biggest moments in wrestling card history. Randy Orton walked into RBICru7 for Rip Night and stayed for over two hours. He signed for every fan. He answered every question. He took selfies. He even studied Ryan’s personal collection and talked comps. What does it mean when your GOAT shows up at your shop and delivers? The guys break down the full experience and why this wasn’t just an appearance. It was validation for collectors. Then Tim Trout, Product Director for WWE at Topps, joins the show to talk: WWE UniverseEvent-worn relicsWrestleMania patch 1/1sInscriptions and on-card autosWhat’s coming in 2025 and 2026If you collect wrestling cards, this episode matters. This isn’t hype.It’s context.And the game is changing. Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The Football Card Podcast is back for the Season 3 finale and this one hits every layer of the hobby. Brett and Pack unpack the $26,400  Josh Rosen Green Kaboom sale and why the reaction misses the point. They break down why football cards are up 33 percent over the last two years according to Card Ladder and what is really driving that growth. They debate Caleb Williams versus Jackson Dart at 48K and why moments matter more than raw stats. They revisit 1994 Joe Montana Sega nostalgia and what 90s scarcity teaches us about today’s market. They call out hobby practices that help and hurt the experience. They dig into PMGs, rookie golds, and why collecting priorities shift with the season. If you collect football cards, this episode will make you think harder about what you are chasing and why. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

AI is moving fast. Most hobby businesses are not. In Episode 6 of Built for the Hobby, Brett sits down with Scott Lock, CEO and Co-Founder of InfernoRed Technology, to talk about what AI means for hobby operators in 2026. This is not hype. This is practical. Scott breaks down: Why most businesses are underusing AIWhere small hobby shops can remove friction todayHow automation can protect your marginsWhy waiting is the riskiest strategyHow to think about AI without chasing shiny objectsIf you run a $500K shop or a $5M operation, this conversation is about you. AI will not replace your business. But someone who learns how to use it might. If you are AI-curious but stuck using ChatGPT like Google, this episode gives you a clear next step. Built for the Hobby is about one thing: helping operators think better and build smarter. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A $16.5M headline sale grabs attention. It sparks conversations.It shifts emotion.It makes you question what your cards mean now. In this flagship episode, Brett breaks down a hard truth most collectors ignore. The hobby is not one market.It is many micro-markets operating at the same time. Different financial tiers.Different buyer pools.Different motivations. Using the recent PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator sale as context, Brett explores how infrastructure, transparency, and intent-driven collecting are reshaping the environment. He explains why record prices distort perception, how narrative spreads across segments, and why you must identify the lane you’re actually in before reacting to a headline. If you’ve ever looked at a big sale and thought, “What does this mean for me?” This episode will help you answer that question with clarity and control. Because the collectors who understand their market move with confidence.The ones who don’t move with emotion. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

You don’t plan to consign. Then a card pops up that you can’t ignore. In this episode of The Staging Area presented by dcsports87, Brett and Tory talk through the real decisions collectors make when opportunity hits. What moves from the PC pile to the sell pile. Why “being responsible” sometimes means shipping a big box to consignment. They unpack: The Super Bowl eBay Live activation in San FranciscoWhat brand exposure really means when you’re building for the long termHow volume forces companies like PSA and dcsports87 to make tough operational decisionsThe Drake Maye hype cycle and what the data shows after the lossWhy infrastructure today feels different than 2021And whether release consistency even exists anymoreThis is a conversation about scaling, adaptability, and playing the long game in a hobby that moves fast. If you’re trying to make better decisions with your cards and your capital, this one is for you. A special thank you to dcsports87 for supporting this series. Check out dcsports87 for your eBay consignment needs and visit the dcsports87 eBay store to find great cards ending every night. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow dcsports87: | Website | eBay | Instagram | Twitter  Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Anthony Loparo did not set out to build a multi-service card business. He started where many of you did.In his dad’s convenience store.Ripping packs.Falling in love with the process. In this episode, Anthony walks through the real path behind Top Notch Sports Club: Opening cards on YouTube in 2007 when payments came through the mailGrinding two years on Excel spreadsheets, copying and pasting payouts line by lineTaking the leap during COVID and quitting his jobScaling breaking, grading, and consignment under one roofBuilding a website that syncs live with eBayHiring four employees and learning to let goWe talk about: Why speed to list is his competitive advantageWhy he is not afraid of competitionHow he thinks about investing in product and technologyThe role eBay plays in his infrastructureThe mental shift from side hustle to real businessIf you’ve ever thought about turning your passion into your profession, this one is for you. Anthony’s story is a reminder that scale is built on obsession, systems, and trust. A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode of the WNBA Card Podcast, Katelyn sits down with Garrett of WNBACards.com to unpack one of the most important chapters in WNBA collecting history: the Rittenhouse era from 2005–2010  This was the low print run era. Five thousand boxes became five hundred. On-card autos were everywhere. And some of the most important rookie cards in the hobby were born. We break down: Why the 2008 Candace Parker rookie still anchors the eraHow on-card autos from 2005–2007 became cornerstones for collectorsWhat Rittenhouse got right — and what they completely missedWhy culture and marketing matter as much as scarcityHow today’s collectors can approach this era with intentionGarrett shares how he went from chasing Zion to building a seven-figure WNBA card business and launching a database with 60,000+ cards and 77,000+ sales comps. If you care about scarcity, print runs, culture shifts, and long-term significance, this episode will reframe how you think about the middle chapter of WNBA collecting. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card Podcast Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram  Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Booked to Last welcomes its first official guest. Stephanie Garcia of Mama Breaks joins Adam and Ryan for a real conversation about wrestling, collecting, and building community through breaking. Stephanie shares how her love for WWE started with Chyna and Thursday Night SmackDown. How she transitioned from teacher to full-time breaker. And why passion matters when you’re ripping wrestling product. The group dives into: WWE’s current storylines heading into Elimination Chamber and WrestleManiaThe Logan Paul $16.5M Pokémon sale and what it means for the hobbyThe rise of Pick Your Wrestler breaksWhy WWE cards are no longer nicheThe upcoming WWE Universe and Royalty releasesIf you care about wrestling cards, breaking culture, or the long-term growth of WWE in the hobby — this episode is for you. This one is about community. And why every pull tells a story. Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The $16.5M Pikachu Illustrator sale shook the hobby. So John and Brett  asked a serious question: Could a football card ever reach that number? And if it could… what card would it be? In this episode, they break down: What made the Pikachu sale possibleWhy football cards operate under a different ceilingThe importance of myth, scarcity, and global reachWhy the 2012 Tom Brady Black Finite keeps entering the conversationThey also unpack real-time negotiation strategy around a Tyler Warren Gold Vinyl. How far do you stretch for a card you want? When do you send the note? How do you balance conviction with discipline? Plus, they cover: Pat Tillman 2020 Optic Downtown PSA 10 at $16,800AJ Green 2012 Topps Chrome Superfractor raw at $5,1182002 Finest Gold Drew Brees PSA 10 climbing in valueThe challenge of consolidation as collections become more focusedThis episode blends psychology, market perspective, and real collector decisions in real time. If you care about football cards at a high level, this one delivers. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Are you collecting to impress or to connect? In this episode, I sit down with Michael, known as @glenrice_90scards, to talk about what it really means to collect 90s cards in 2026. We cover: Growing up in Chicago during the Bulls eraDiscovering Glen Rice in the 1989 NCAA TournamentLiving through the rise of serial-numbered cards in real timeThe stress and relief of landing a 1997 Metal Universe PMG GreenWhy some of the best 90s cards aren’t PMGs or CredentialsThe reality of competing with deep-pocketed set buildersHow to approach one-of-ones in the 90sWhy patience still wins in this categoryMichael shares stories behind: 1998 Metal Universe Ryan Sandberg PMG1997 Metal Universe Glen Rice PMG Green1997 Flair Showcase Legacy Masterpiece 1/11997 Skybox EX2001 Michael Jordan Jambalaya1997-98 Upper Deck Game JerseysIf you’ve ever felt priced out of the 90s.If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re chasing status or chasing meaning.If you’ve ever sent a message that said “Do you need this card?” This one is for you. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The hobby talks about buying.It talks about selling.It celebrates flips, upgrades, and big auction results. It rarely talks about holding. In this flagship episode of Stacking Slabs, Brett explores the power of keeping the right cards in a market that rewards motion. He breaks down why holding is underserved in a culture built on velocity and why conviction matters more than constant movement. Drawing from his own collecting journey, Brett outlines the three buckets he uses before buying any card and the only three reasons he will sell. The conversation moves into the psychology of ownership, the tension between attachment and arbitrage, and why not every 1/1 deserves long term status. At the center of the episode is one grounding question: If the market shut down for five years, which cards would you still be proud to own? This episode challenges collectors to define their lanes, clarify their rules, and build alignment between their purchases and their purpose. Buy with intention.Sell with discipline.Hold with conviction. Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Brett examines a product that rarely gets treated like a true origin story. 2016 Donruss Optic was the first Optic.The first Gold Vinyl 1/1 in the brand.The first time Donruss moved to chrome stock. Yet it does not carry the same cultural weight as 2012 Prizm or 2013 Select. After spending time with his own Andrew Luck Gold Vinyl 1/1 run, Brett started asking a bigger question. Why doesn’t 2016 Optic get debut chrome respect? He breaks down: • Why Panini launched Optic in 2016 • How Optic fit into the product portfolio next to Prizm • The parallel hierarchy in football vs basketball • Why Gold Vinyl became hobby language • Why the market prices players first and sets second in this release He also pulls real sales data from Card Ladder to frame the conversation. Stephen Curry Gold Vinyl 1/1 sold for $25,000.LeBron James Gold Vinyl PSA 10 once sold for $4,495. Are those numbers reflecting origin status? Or is perception lagging behind structure? If you care about first year anything.If you chase Gold Vinyl.If you value context over comps. This conversation matters. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok2016 Donruss Optic: The Underrated Debut That Started Gold Vinyl ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What does it look like when a lifelong collector turns obsession into a career? In this episode of Passion to Profession, sponsored by eBay, I sit down with Dave Amerman, Head of Revenue at Goldin. We cover: The Logan Paul Illustrator sale and what this moment means for the hobby How Goldin scaled from $25M a year to nearly $500MWhat changed inside the hobby after the pandemic boomWhy understanding how to sell is the key to learning how to buyThe risk Dave took leaving a stable finance career to start overDave shares stories from: Buying collections in college for cashStarting his own auction house in his early 20sTurning a few hundred thousand dollar auction business into an $8M operationJoining Goldin before the Netflix spotlight and helping fuel its growthWe also talk about sustainability in this market. The 86 Fleer Jordan PSA 10 ride.The flood of supply after peak hype. The difference between pop 2 and pop 300. If you collect.If you flip. If you dream about working in the hobby. This conversation will hit. A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

We’re on the road to WrestleMania. Elimination Chamber is set. Bron Breakker is injured. And wrestling card singles are moving in a way we haven’t seen in a long time. Adam and Ryan break down: What Bron Breakker’s injury means for his long-term marketWhy Oba Femi might be the next major riserThe real impact of WrestleMania season on singles demandA wild $4,100 John Cena Baby Milo 1/1 saleWhy Roman Reigns’ first FCW card still matters in any gradeThey also answer listener questions, talk tough deal stories, and Ryan cuts a promo that you did not see coming. If you collect wrestling cards, this is the time of year that tests your discipline. Are you buying smart?Or are you chasing noise? Let’s talk about it. Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On this episode of The Football Card Podcast, Pack Nicholson and Brett McGrath break down one of the most fascinating football card weeks of the year. They start with Ricky Williams. The hype. The trade. The suspension. The comeback. And the uncomfortable truth that his top card sales still lag behind other running backs from his era despite 12,000+ scrimmage yards and 74 touchdowns. From there, they dive into market shock. A verified $70,000 Bryce Young Gold Vinyl Downtown.A $31K Matthew Stafford Superfractor rookie.A Derrick Henry 1/1 Select PSA 10 that raises serious Prizm vs Select questions. They also revisit the Legion of Boom, debate who becomes the face of quarterback liquidity in 2026, and examine what it really means to time a card sale on Super Bowl night. If you care about context over hype and understanding why certain players move markets while others stall, this episode delivers. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★