Stacking Slabs

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: From 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: This 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: | Instagram Follow Chris: | Instagram Follow Card Ladder: | Instagram | YouTube | Website Follow 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: If 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: If 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 | Tiktok Follow 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: If 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 | YouTube Follow Adam: | X | Instagram Follow 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 | Tiktok Follow 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: If 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: This 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: We talk about: If 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: Garrett 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 | Tiktok Follow 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: If 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 | YouTube Follow Adam: | X | Instagram Follow 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: They 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: This 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 | Tiktok Follow 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: Michael shares stories behind: If 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: Dave shares stories from: We 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: They 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 | YouTube Follow Adam: | X | Instagram Follow 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 | Tiktok Follow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★