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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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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 distributionThen 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 freeGet exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast PatreonFollow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok
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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 lanePlus: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 ignoredIf you’re thinking about buying Chrome next week…You need to hear this first.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 PatreonSign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for freeFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram
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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 freeGet exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast PatreonFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok
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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 reactionIf 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 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
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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 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
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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 freeA 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 PatreonFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok
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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 freeGet exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast PatreonFollow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok
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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 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
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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 freeGet exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast PatreonFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok
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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 relationshipsDiscovery 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 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
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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 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
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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 freeA 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 PatreonFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok
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Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card PodcastFollow 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
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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 marketThe 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 freeGet exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast PatreonFollow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok
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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 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
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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 communicationThe 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 freeStart your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon TodayFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok
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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 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
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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 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
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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 scaleIf 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 freeA 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 PatreonFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok
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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 PodcastFollow 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
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