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Stacking Slabs

Author: Brett McGrath

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Welcome to the Stacking Slabs, a podcast for sports cards collectors. There's been a tremendous amount of change to our Hobby over the last few years and the one constant has been the passion from the collecting community. Stacking Slabs is built by the collector and lives to tell stories for the collector.
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In this episode of The Football Card Podcast, Pack and Brett step back and look at the category as a whole.They dig into recent rookie quarterback classes and what they actually mean long term. They compare Prizm and Topps Chrome and why one still anchors football collecting. They unpack why Kabooms live in their own lane.This conversation is about context, restraint, and conviction. If you collect football cards and want to feel more confident about what you buy and why, this episode is for you.Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking SlabsFollow 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 HypeGet 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 linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
In this flagship episode of Stacking Slabs, Brett reflects on how his relationship with collecting shifted over the past year. The change was not driven by bigger cards, higher prices, or chasing status. It came from slowing down, buying fewer cards, and spending more time with the ones that stayed.He shares why he stopped explaining cards through history or market logic and started focusing on what they meant to him personally. The episode explores restraint, patience, and learning to trust internal signals instead of outside validation. Brett talks openly about the cards he did not buy, the auctions he walked away from, and the trade offs that sharpened his direction as a collector.This conversation is for collectors who feel overwhelmed by volume, noise, or pressure to keep chasing. It is about building in instead of building up, gaining clarity through honesty, and allowing a collection to reflect how you think today rather than how you used to think.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 HypeStart your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Trust is the foundation of the hobby. In this episode of Built for the Hobby, I sit down with Scott Lock, CEO and Co-founder of InfernoRed Technology, to break down what the Snype shutdown revealed about hobby tech.We talk about what happens when platforms ship too fast. How security gets missed when no one owns it. And why protecting collector data is a responsibility, not a feature. If you use hobby tech or build it, this conversation 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 HypeStart your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Mike Nett, GM of Trading Cards and Memorabilia at eBay, joins Passion to Profession to share his path from childhood collecting to running the largest trading card marketplace in the world. We talk about how his experiences at Pepsi, Amazon, and PSA shaped the way he thinks about collectors, sellers, and trust at scale. Mike pulls back the curtain on how eBay makes product decisions, why sellers are the engine of the hobby, what 2025 data revealed about collector behavior, and how small experience changes can have massive impact. This conversation is about growth, perspective, and building for collectors without losing the human side of 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[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
The first year of a premium product always carries weight. This week, Brett and Katelyn sit with that moment.WNBA Impeccable is here.High price.Low card count.On card autos.Timeless Moments.But the real question is not whether it looks good. It is what a first like this asks of you as a collector.We talk through primacy and why firsts matter. The risk of buying without comps. The opportunity created when context does not exist yet. And how collectors decide when to sit out or step in.This is a collector conversation.Not a hype cycle. Not a checklist read.If you care about meaning, patience, and conviction in your collection, this episode is for you.Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card PodcastShout out to our good friends at Great Lakes Trading Cards for supporting The WNBA Card Podcast and WNBA collectors worldwide!Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On HypeGet 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 linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
In this episode of The Football Card Podcast, Pack Nicholson and Brett dig into one of the hardest questions in the hobby.Who is the GOAT when it comes to defensive players and their cards? They break down real sales data, look at names like Aaron Donald, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Lawrence Taylor, and Reggie White, and explain why defensive players still lag behind quarterbacks in the market.You also hear a deep conversation on spending time with your collection, why connecting cards matters, and how meaning forms when cards stop living in cases and start living together.The guys react to recent sales including a 2012 Ray Lewis Gold Prizm, Ed Reed 2002 Finest X-Factor, Jordan Love Contenders Cracked Ice, and a shockingly cheap Philip Rivers Prizm Gold.If you collect football cards with intention, this one hits home.Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking SlabsFollow 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 HypeGet 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 linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Card Ladder Confidential is back.This episode sits at the intersection of data, taste, and decision making.Chris and Josh break down recent football card sales that stopped them in their tracks and explain why some prices make sense while others raise real questions.You hear how defensive players stack up from a card market view. Why scarcity and set context matter more than hype. This conversation is not about chasing headlines. It is about understanding the signal inside the noise. If you use data to guide your collecting but still trust your instincts, this episode is for you.Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking SlabsGet 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 linkFollow Josh: | InstagramFollow Chris: | InstagramFollow Card Ladder: | Instagram | YouTube | WebsiteFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Most collectors chase what other people want. Hot players. Fast flips. Short term noise This episode pushes back. When you narrow your focus and collect for yourself, value follows. Not because you chased it. Because you built with intent.In this flagship episode, Brett walks through why focus changes outcomes in collecting.You will hear about• Why buying fewer cards often leads to better results• How personal interest sharpens decision making• The link between patience, restraint, and long term value• Why end collectors matter more than speculators• How focused collections earn respect over timeThis is not anti profit. This is about alignment. When your collection reflects who you are, the experience improves and the results follow.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 HypeStart your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
This episode is a look back at the year through the lens of volume, behavior, and decision making.Tory from dcsports87 joins the show to break down what actually mattered this year and what sellers should pay attention to heading into next year.We talk through • Why volume changed the business • How technology shaped the consignment experience • What repackers changed in buyer behavior • Where demand showed up across sports and non-sports • Why certain cards still anchor value across cycles • What sellers misunderstand about growth and scaleThis is not a hype recap. It is a signal check from someone who sees thousands of transactions a day.If you sell cards, consign cards, or track the market closely, this episode gives you clarity on what moved the needle and why it matters going forwardA 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 HypeGet 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 linkFollow dcsports87: | Website | eBay | Instagram | Twitter  Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
In this solo edition of Passion to Profession, Brett shares the full story of how Stacking Slabs moved from a passion project to his profession.He takes listeners back to his earliest days as a collector, walks through the moment he lost his job, and explains why the search for purpose pushed him to go all in on the hobby.He breaks down how fifteen years of professional experience shaped the way he built the brand, the challenges of year one, and the lessons that helped him stay aligned with what matters. This episode gives collectors and creators a clear view of what happens when someone follows the work that gives them energy and commits to it with intention.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 linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
This week’s episode centers on one card.A card that took time, sacrifice, and a lot of reflection to land.Katelyn walks through her journey to the 2019 Donruss Optic Gold Napheesa Collier Rookie out of 10.We talk through the delay, the negotiation, the sacrifices she made, and why the moment the card hit her mailbox everything felt worth it.This conversation goes deep into intention, focus, and the reality of chasing a player you believe in.We explore why collectors lose their way when distractions take over and how the right card can bring you back home.We also cover the Edna Campbell masterpiece one of one sale, break down a group of college players and how their games might translate to the league, and spotlight a collector with wild focus.A full episode built around passion, purpose, and the mindset behind a meaningful pickup.Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card PodcastShout out to our good friends at Great Lakes Trading Cards for supporting The WNBA Card Podcast and WNBA collectors worldwide!Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On HypeGet 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 linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Pack and Brett kick off season three with real talk about the hobby and the season. They break down the Brady Superfractor sale, the Mahomes Gold Vinyl run, and why collectors are giving more attention to early parallels.They talk through the Colts chaos, the Philip Rivers shockwave, and what it means when a whole fan base goes through it at the same time.They close with market trends, personal pickups, and this season’s first Card Call Out.Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking SlabsFollow 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 HypeGet 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 linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Brett shares the story behind picking up his biggest card of the year. The 2012 Prizm Reggie Wayne Black Finite 1/1.He walks through the moment the card surfaced, the nerves, the patience, the conversations, the resources, and the sacrifice that follows higher end deals.This is a look at what happens when a card forces you to make a decision about where your collection is headed and what needs to leave to bring something in.This is not a playbook. This is one collector talking through a rare moment when preparation and opportunity meet.Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On HypeStart your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Brett opens up about the part of collecting that most of us skip. We spend money. We chase. We watch auctions. We plan budgets. We negotiate. We talk about cards all day.We never sit with the cards we already own. This episode breaks down why that gap matters and why your collecting experience shifts the moment you slow down and spend real time with your collection. Brett shares a Saturday night story, the science behind flow states, and the emotional and mental benefits that surface when you sit with your cards on the floor and reconnect with what you built. If you feel stuck or pulled by the pace of the hobby, this one helps you reset your compass.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 HypeStart your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Brett introduces a new format built to help you slow down the week and add context to the moments that shape your collecting.He walks through the record sale of the 2005 Finest Tom Brady Superfractor, shares why a run of Panini One and One golds pulled him deeper into the product, and talks through the tension between hobby marketing and collector retention.This episode gives you space to think about what matters and why.If you want more collector focused content, this format tests a new way to deliver it.Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On HypeStart your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Adam from AMT Memorabilia returns to Passion to Profession for a real look at what it takes to grow a consignment and breaking business on eBay.We talk about the value of domain knowledge, hiring people who know cards, and why trust inside this space matters more than anything. Adam shares why TCG is exploding, why soccer has been a surprise category, and why the vintage segment holds steady.We also walk through real sales from AMT including Messi, Curry, Judge, Mickey Mantle, and even three cases of Flawless Basketball. He breaks down why he built a new consignment portal, the role his personal collection plays in funding growth, and why low numbered cards get locked away faster than ever.If you want to understand what scale looks like in the hobby and what it takes to serve collectors the right way, this episode gives you that view.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 linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
New releases are stacking up, and collectors feel the pull.In this episode, Brett and Katelyn break down how the WNBA release cycle shapes excitement, FOMO, and collecting identity.They talk through the pressure of new products, the challenge of staying grounded, the role of restraint, and the moments that push a collector toward cards that hold real meaning.A focused look at how new releases help, distract, and deepen the collecting experience.Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card PodcastShout out to our good friends at Great Lakes Trading Cards for supporting The WNBA Card Podcast and WNBA collectors worldwide!Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On HypeGet 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 linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Pack and Brett close season two with the type of episode that reminds you why football cards pull you in the way they do.They talk the weight of number twenty four, the players who shaped our fandom, and the cards that changed how they think about collecting. They get into the PMGs, the Crusades, the modern parallels, and why shine matters more than most collectors admit.They  walk through the Stafford Superfractor drop, the Gibbs Gold Vinyl run, the Elway PMG Red sale, and the Dickerson rookie that feels stronger every year. They talk why this league pulls out every emotion and why the hobby reflects that same energy.The season closes with a collecting challenge. It opens with gratitude for you. Season three is coming. Thanks for being here.Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking SlabsVisit Heystack to explore their partner breaks. No more waiting. No more blurry screenshots. Just clear, instant access to what you hit.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 HypeGet 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 linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
You respond to certain cards without thinking. A pattern hits your eye. A refractor shines a certain way.A texture pulls you in. Why?In this episode, we talk about the power of familiarity in your collecting. We explore why your brain gives extra credit to designs you already know and why nostalgia plays a bigger role in your buying than you might admit. From PMG Championship to Scope, from Superfractor to Gold Vinyl, from Atomic to Cracked Ice. These visuals tie generations of collectors together.Brett walks through the psychology, the science, and the moments in your own journey that shaped how you collect today.You hear why brands keep returning to familiar cues and why those cues build trust faster than anything new.This episode aims to help you understand why some cards feel right the second you see them and why the past still shapes the future of collecting.Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On HypeStart your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Brett breaks down the shifts that shaped his collecting in 2025. He talks about moving from player focused to product focused. He shares why Colts Prizm parallels took over his attention. He walks through the questions that helped him sell cards that no longer fit. He talks about the power of clarity, intention, and purpose as a collector. He explains how this focus brought more joy, more energy, and more direction to his hobby life.If you want to think deeper about your own collecting decisions, this episode gives you a clear place to start.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 HypeStart your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
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