We’re going Broadway on this one.

In this episode of Card Ladder Confidential, we unpack the psychology behind the rookie card obsession, debate the growing importance of Black Finite across sports, and explore the concept of “turning point” cards—those game changers that shift how you collect forever.

Topics include:

• Why we chase firsts and what makes a card matter
• Rookie catalog analysis and how it can make or break a PC
• The rise of Black Finite across WNBA, basketball, and beyond
• Market reactions to Caitlin Clark’s one-of-ones
• A philosophical breakdown of rarity, significance, and decision-making in collecting

This episode will challenge the way you think about collecting. And you’ll walk away with a better understanding of your own rules—and when to break them.

Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs

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Ted from TNT Sports Cards has been in the game since 1994 and selling on eBay since 1998. In this episode of Passion to Profession sponsored by eBay, he shares the secret behind his staying power: consistency, service, and a deep-rooted passion that started when he learned to read from the backs of 1980 Topps cards.

We talk about:

• What it was like selling during the junk wax era
• Why eBay became his lane early on
• His evolution from local shows to high-volume sealed wax seller
• What collectors miss when they overlook the importance of operations
• How the rise of Pokémon relates to rising hobby box prices
• Why 1996–1999 was the golden era of innovation in card design

Ted keeps it real about business, customer expectations, and what it takes to build something that lasts. Whether you’re a collector, seller, or trying to figure out your next step in the hobby, this is a conversation worth your time.

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

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This week on The WNBA Card Podcast, we ask the big question: what will it take for another WNBA player—not named Caitlin Clark—to break through to collectors outside the space?

Brett and Katelyn explore the current dynamics shaping the W card market, discuss how narrative and rhetoric shape demand, and spotlight why players like Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart deserve more hobby attention.

We get into:

• Why comparing Clark to Curry helps collectors connect
• How Sabrina Ionescu’s market is impacted by expectations
• Why Stewie is the most undervalued winner in the hobby
• What the $274K Black Finite sale tells us about parallel preferences
• The future of college cards and whether they can rival pro releases

We also share our weekly pickups, celebrate a collector on the rise, and round it out with some buzzer beater questions—including Brett’s all-time Notre Dame starting five.

This is the Caitlin Clark episode... but it’s also a reminder that the WNBA has depth, stories, and stars worth your collecting attention.

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What would it take for you to leave the country to get a card?

For Jonah (@jd9cards), the answer was three trips to Puerto Rico and years of research for a card most collectors will never see in person: the Josh Gibson from the 1950–51 Toleteros set.

At 25, Jonah isn’t your typical vintage collector. He’s building a collection rooted in history, rarity, and significance—tracking down Negro League legends, studying card photography, and connecting with sellers who want their stories carried forward.

This episode is about more than a transaction. It’s about patience, trust, and collecting with purpose.

You’ll walk away thinking differently about what matters in your collection.

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What happens when a card you’ve been circling for months suddenly appears with a price that feels right?

In this episode of Smashing BIN, Joe (@low_pop_papi) returns to break down his acquisition of the 2018 Panini Kaboom! Gold Stephen Curry /10 PSA 10 — a card that changed the trajectory of his entire collection.

We talk about:

• The emotional tension behind a high-dollar BIN smash
• Why Kaboom Golds were heating up in mid-2023
• Comparative analysis across the 2018 multisport checklist
• How a single card can push a collector to go all-in on a player
• Why the Panini era’s non-numbered inserts might be the hobby’s best-kept secret
• And what the $500k+ Curry Topps Now sale signals about the hobby’s time-shifted future

This isn’t just a Curry story. It’s a collector’s blueprint for doing your homework, trusting your instincts, and building a meaningful PC.

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We’re told rookie cards matter most. But what happens when a player writes their legacy wearing a different uniform?

In this episode, I take a personal and collector-first look at why Tyrese Haliburton’s Pacers cards might matter more than his Kings rookies. This isn’t about ignoring the rookie card—it’s about questioning hobby programming, thinking independently, and considering what actually connects you to a card.

I share the real-time perspective of being a fan during the most meaningful Pacers run of my life and how that clarity has reshaped the way I see Haliburton’s card catalog.

You’ll hear about:

• What cards are available and which ones aren’t
• The difference between collector-controlled and commodity cards
• Why emotional connection matters more than labels
• How this applies beyond Haliburton

It’s not a take—it’s a question. What if the best card isn’t the first one?

This episode is for anyone looking to find ways to land cards with collectors through trust.

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Welcome to the debut episode of The Staging Area, presented by dcsports87  and hosted on the Stacking Slabs feed.

In this first conversation, Brett is joined by Tory from dcsports87 to talk about what really happens behind the scenes of one of the largest sports card consignment operations in the hobby. They dig into the numbers—over $7 million in monthly sales, 60,000 auctions per week—and explore what it takes to stay ahead during big moments like The National or the NBA Finals.

Topics include:

• How dcsports87 preps for The National 
• The impact of player performance spikes on card submissions and service levels
• The Trout vs. Ohtani effect in the current hobby
• A closer look at real-time card trends with the “Most Watched” segment
• Why knowing when to sell is just as important as what you sell

This show is for the collector who cares about more than price tags. It's for anyone who wants to understand the full life cycle of a card—from mailbox to marketplace.

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. 

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In this episode of Passion to Profession sponsored by eBay, Matt from 5 Star Cards shares how a side hustle turned into a full-time operation. We explore the early grind of weekend shows, how eBay became a backbone for sales, and what it takes to run a consignment business collectors trust.

Matt gets real about the transition from collector to business owner, how he handles volume without losing his collector-first mindset, and why building relationships is the most important part of staying in the game.

If you’ve ever thought about scaling your passion or you’re curious how the top sellers work behind the scenes, this conversation will give you a real look at the process.

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

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The WNBA Card Podcast hits double digits. In Episode 10, Brett and Katelyn unpack what makes the WNBA card community special—from helping fellow collectors build rainbows to celebrating hobby positivity online and in-person.

They spotlight the white-hot rise of the Golden State Valkyries and what their flawless expansion rollout means for fan engagement and card collecting. The duo also react to the $11K sale of an A’ja Wilson Rittenhouse Platinum rookie and break down what it signals for high-end momentum beyond Caitlin Clark.

They cover:

• A collector-to-collector Gold Vinyl deal that shows what trust looks like
• The Valkyries' breakout moment and how it could spark new collectors
• Why the Donruss Downtown insert doesn’t connect with real fans
• What collectors should know about legacy, lineage, and manufactured hype
• Pickups of the week, market updates, and a collector spotlight

This episode is all about growing the hobby the right way—and how each collector plays a part.

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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

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What happens when a lifelong NBA collector opens up space for the W?

In this Collector Conversation, Carter (@mcbasketballpc) shares his journey from Grizzlies fandom and Mike Conley collecting to building one of the most thoughtful WNBA collections around.

We talk about:

• What NBA collectors miss when they ignore the W
• How Carter built a foundational Mike Conley PC
• The importance of rarity and card catalogs in WNBA
• Why Asia Wilson’s cards are still undervalued
• What newcomers need to know when collecting beyond Caitlin Clark

This episode is for anyone thinking about expanding their collecting lens—and doing it with intention, joy, and long-term thinking.

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

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In this week’s episode of Smashing BIN, Brett welcomes back his brother Tim (@timmerscards) to talk collecting continuity, 49ers cardboard, and the moments that define BIN smashes. Tim walks us through the process of building a custom display vault for his collection and the mindset behind why the presentation of your cards matters.

We get into three types of BIN smashes—traditional, social media listing, and private deal—and break down the stories behind some of the most meaningful additions to Tim’s collection. From Alex Smith Superfractors to Randy Moss Black Finite 1/1s, this one’s packed with lessons in timing, trust, and community.

We wrap with some Card Ladder BIN smash reactions and share thoughts on cards that hit hard—from Montana patch autos to Kittle golds and the underrated power of 2002 Finest X-Fractors.

This one is for the collectors who care about building the right way.

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What are you doing to become the kind of collector someone else would trust with their favorite card?

In this week's flagship episode of Stacking Slabs we explore the topic of trust, psychology, and the let-go moment that collectors make when they feel comfortable moving key cards to other collectors. 

We dig into: 

• Why Collectors Let Go (Even When They Don’t Plan To)
• What Does It Mean to Be a Collector Others Trust?
• Real Strategies to Become a Collector Someone Will Sell To
• The Trust Loop: How the Right Sale Builds the Hobby

This episode is for anyone looking to find ways to land cards with collectors through trust.

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In this episode of Vaulted, I walk you through the exact process of selling 14 cards straight from the PSA Vault—no packing, no shipping, no scanning, no hassle.

This episode is for the collector who wants to make moves without giving up weekends to the grind of listings and logistics.

I break down how I used PSA’s grading and vaulting to streamline selling on eBay, why consolidation matters in my collecting journey, and how this approach gave me more time to focus on what matters most—building a collection that truly reflects who I am.

If you’re building your collection card by card and move by move, this one’s for you.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PSA VAULT

LEARN MORE ABOUT PSA CONSIGNMENT

A special thank you to PSA for sponsoring Vaulted. 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

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In this episode of Passion to Profession, presented by eBay, I’m joined by James from Topp Tier Cards and Topp Tier Breaks. James turned his collecting obsession into a full-time operation, and this conversation breaks down how he made it all happen.

We get into what makes his break room different, why staying true to your style matters, and how building a business on eBay gave him the freedom to focus on collectors—not trends. This is an episode for anyone who’s ever wondered what it really takes to build something sustainable in the hobby.

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

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In Episode 9 of The WNBA Card Podcast, Katelyn (@coldlunchcards) and Brett (@stackingslabs) return to talk about why 2004 Ultra is one of the most important sets in WNBA card history. They spotlight the Diana Taurasi Platinum Medallion /25 and explore how a GOAT rookie can elevate an entire product line.

They also cover:

• Why attending a WNBA game might be the spark a new collector needs
• The early dominance of the Lynx and Liberty
• Bri Jones and the Atlanta Dream’s breakout start
• Thoughts on the Commissioner’s Cup and what makes it matter
• A collector spotlight on @giantlegends and her vintage women’s sports card archive
• A debate on collector legacies, the 2018 A’ja Wilson Platinum Edition, and early 2000s set exploration

No pickups this week, but plenty of reflection, community love, and education. Whether you’re new to the W or have been collecting since Catchings was on the box, there’s something here for you.

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

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Ben (@nonsensenamecards) collects stories. And those stories happen to be printed on cardboard.

In this collector conversation, we talk about why Ben focuses on historical figures like Geronimo, Einstein, and Amelia Earhart—and what it means to build a collection based on personal curiosity rather than hype.

This episode is about connection. It's about how one collector follows his interests, turns research into passion, and treats cards as artifacts that tell us something real about the past—and about ourselves.

We talk:

• Allen & Ginter, Felix Potin, and the chase for context
• Why it's OK to collect across sports, eras, and categories
• How collecting can help you slow down and learn

Ben reminds us that there’s no right way to collect—only your way.

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

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Jesse (@goat_wr_collector) returns to Smashing BIN to break down the moment he completed one of the most challenging wide receiver projects in the hobby—a full gold Prizm run of Julio Jones playing years. We talk through the psychology of chasing impossible cards, why wide receiver collectors are having more fun than anyone, and how smashing BIN isn’t just about impulse—it’s about obsession, memory, and meaning.

This episode covers:

• Why 2015 and 2016 Prizm Golds are among the toughest
• The wide receiver collector movement and why it’s no longer taboo
• The story behind smashing BIN on a Julio Jones grail
• Collecting AJ Brown through Titans roots and Eagles glory
• Jerry Rice game-used autos and Hopkins rookie 1/1s

Jesse’s passion and perspective make this episode a must-listen for anyone who’s ever hit BIN on a card that meant more than money.

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We all know the feeling—seeing a card that isn’t listed, isn’t available, and isn’t supposed to move. But still, you want it.

In this episode, I break down the psychology behind unavailable cards and how to approach them with clarity, curiosity, and conviction. I share stories from my own collection, including the Colts Prizm haul that changed everything, and unpack why strong offers matter more than waiting around for a listing to appear.

We explore:

• Why availability doesn’t always mean visibility
• The right way to engage with a collector who isn’t selling
• How strong offers create tension and signal seriousness
• Why going all-in on one card beats scattering pickups across dozens

If you're sitting on the sideline waiting for your grail to hit the market, this episode is for you.

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In this episode of Passion to Profession, I’m joined by James from Z & G Emporium—a name you’ve probably seen on nearly every Pokémon card comp on eBay.

We talk about the path from flipping childhood binder cards to running one of the most trusted graded Pokémon consignment businesses in the hobby. James opens up about:

• How a PSA 3 Charizard kickstarted a customer’s journey
• Why Z & G focuses only on graded Pokémon cards
• The operational systems and discipline behind scaling
• His early days on YouTube and how content built trust
• Trends in the TCG market—and where money is flowing next

This one’s packed with insights for anyone thinking about turning their side hustle into a business. Whether you collect, sell, or want to scale, James drops practical gems throughout.

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

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This week on The WNBA Card Podcast, Katelyn and Brett unpack a question that every WNBA collector runs into: where are the cards?

They share personal stories about missed listings, surprise auctions, and why scarcity in this category isn't always a bad thing. From the idea of a weekly curated WNBA auction to the surprising final prices of Caitlin Clark Gold Prizms, this episode tackles market access, collector psychology, and the case for building more bridges between sellers and buyers.

Plus:

• The rise of Napheesa Collier and the 5-0 Minnesota Lynx
• Why Natasha Cloud is changing how we view the Liberty
• A Nneka Ogwumike collector spotlight and deep card market dive
• A mailbag debate: action shot or photo shoot rookie?
• And what would your Triple Logo Woman card look like?

Whether you're tracking the market or trying to find that one card that never seems to pop up, this episode will make you feel seen.

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

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