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Forget passports – and go beyond borders with "Global Card Collectors," a podcast that connects collectors from across the globe! Join John, the Istanbul aficionado (@istanbulcards), and Will, the Kiwi card junkie (@kart_adami), as they embark on a journey to celebrate the diverse world of card collecting.
From the bustling streets of Istanbul to the sun-kissed shores of Kaiteriteri, New Zealand, each episode dives into the unique collections and captivating stories of passionate collectors worldwide. So give us a try and see what card collecting is like around the world.
From the bustling streets of Istanbul to the sun-kissed shores of Kaiteriteri, New Zealand, each episode dives into the unique collections and captivating stories of passionate collectors worldwide. So give us a try and see what card collecting is like around the world.
105 Episodes
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In this episode, of Global Card Collectors Will sits down with Kaan, the organizer of PCTR Winter Card Fest, an upcoming trading card event taking place in Istanbul on February 1, 2026The interview starts with Kaan’s personal card collecting origin story—from collecting as a kid, to a life-changing trip to Japan where he opened a pack of Chilling Reign and pulled a chase card that reignited his passion for Pokémon cards.From there, we dive deep into what it really takes to organize a large-scale card show. Kaan opens up about the challenges, stress, and risks involved, and why he believes the effort will be worth it once collectors come together under one roof.We also talk about the explosive growth of the card market in Turkey:-Physical TCG stores growing from just 2–3 to nearly 10 in only two years-Online card shops jumping from 1–2 to over 30-How events like the Istanbul Card Show helped create a real collector community-Why PCTR Winter Card Fest is another important step for the sceneFinally, we share our personal thoughts on the Pokémon card market and sealed products—not investment advice, just honest opinions on what we’re buying and why.Will PCTR Winter Card Fest be a success? Time will tell—but the passion and effort are clearly there. So if you’re into Pokémon cards, TCG events, or the global growth of the hobby, this one’s for you.
This week, John (@istanbulcards) is joined by Conor Sen, a Bloomberg Opinion columnist who loves sports cards like the rest of us, but also brings a sharp understanding of the macroeconomic forces shaping the hobby. Conor discusses how broader economic trends dovetail with the sports card market, reflects on his childhood and young-adult sporting heroes, and shares how he’s thoughtfully re-entering the hobby in recent years alongside his kids.
In this episode of Global Card Collectors, Will, John, and Justin come together to share their Top 5 card pick ups from 2025 which is wide-ranging and engaging collection of cards that spans over 100 years of trading card history.They showcase an impressively diverse lineup, featuring everything from vintage boxing and vintage football to ultra-modern cards. Across all three Top 5 lists, a few themes quickly emerge:🔥 Patches on every list✍️ Plenty of autographs💎 Significant rarity❤️ Strong personal connections to the cardsWhether the focus is football, boxing, basketball, vintage classics, or modern releases, this episode highlights what makes collecting special — the stories behind the cards, the shared passion, and the connections built through the hobby.
In this episode Will and John sit down to catch up after The Card Clan Trade Day, their final event of the year. While it may not have been the biggest show on the calendar, it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable. As vendors, they had the chance to slow down, reconnect with familiar faces, and spend real time talking about collecting, sports, and the hobby with regulars who make days like this worthwhile.From there, the conversation shifts back to what they’re most excited about in collecting right now: consolidation. Selling bulk and lower-end cards to focus on fewer, higher-end pieces—especially rare cards of players they view as true GOATs. Will dives into his ongoing Giannis rookie auto chase, debating whether now is the time to finally pull the trigger with Giannis’ market sitting near historic lows. John shares his own near-miss story with a Luka Dončić International Treasures, including how close he came to landing a version numbered to just /10.They wrap things up with a discussion on the current state of grading, where it stands today, and how it’s impacting collectors and the hobby moving forward.As always, it’s a laid-back but thoughtful conversation about collecting with intention, enjoying the process, and navigating the hobby as it continues to evolve.
Dive into the world of Spanish sports cards with this special episode featuring Jon @eurofractor a passionate collector, historian, and expert on Spain’s unique place in the hobby. We break down his latest grail pickup (a stunning Sergio Rodríguez card), explore how Spanish collectors approach basketball vs. football, and dig into why teen star Hugo González is generating major buzz among NBA-focused collectors in Spain.Jon also walks us through the country’s card-collecting culture: the biggest shows, the rise of modern basketball collecting, how Spain’s legendary players are valued in the hobby, and what makes the Spanish market different from the U.S. scene.Whether you're into European basketball, international markets, or just love hearing collectors talk about their passion, this episode is packed with insight, stories, and hobby wisdom.
In this special **100th episode**, John and Will take a heartfelt (and hilarious) look back at the journey that brought us here. From the moment Will went off and bought microphones for our first episode, to interviewing our first guest outside our circle of friends, it’s been a wild ride—and we’ve loved every minute of it.We reflect on the friends we’ve made along the way, the unexpected opportunities that came with building this channel, and yes… even the awkward moments of rejection when someone said, “Nah, I don’t want to record an episode with you.” 😅Over nearly two years without missing a single week, we’ve gained skills we never imagined -from interviewing, editing, and storytelling to building a community that inspires us to keep creating. This episode is both a celebration and a thank-you to everyone who’s been part of the journey.And because it wouldn’t be a proper milestone without it, we wrap things up by diving into **Mail Day Questions** from our friends:✨ What are our plans for the future?✨ What goals do we have for next year?✨ Where do we hope this hobby takes us next?Whether you’ve been here since Episode 1 or you’re joining us now at Episode 100, we’re grateful you’re part of this adventure. Here’s to the next chapter-and to everything we’ll build together.
Boxing cards are officially back so Justin & Will are coming out swinging in this explosive episode of Global Card Collectors. We break down the long-awaited return of Topps Chrome Boxing, the first Topps boxing set in more than 70 years. What does it get right? Where does it stumble? And is it really the future of the boxing-card hobby?Then we step into the ring with Panini’s Combat Anthology, home of the wildly popular Kaboom inserts — and compare how Panini’s approach stacks up against the Chrome revival.From there, we dive deep into the Bad Boys of Boxing: Jack Johnson, Mike Tyson, and other legendary fighters whose careers - and cards - shaped the sport’s legacy. We explore their stories, their cultural impact, and why their cardboard still matters.We close with a big question: Can boxing cards escape the niche and finally go mainstream? Or will they remain a cult favorite for hardcore fight fans?If you love boxing, history, or the hobby - this one will go the full twelve rounds.
In this episode of Global Card Collectors, John finally lands one of his lifelong grails — an authenticated, on-card Dražen Petrović autograph, the crown jewel of his Balkan basketball PC. We break down why it’s so meaningful, and why it instantly becomes the centerpiece of his collection.From there, we dive into our biggest hobby wins:🔥 From John scooping a Megacracks Cristiano Ronaldo PSA 5 at the bottom of the market which is now worth multiples of what he paid.🔥 To Will landing his ultra rare Card Crazy Jonah Lomu Gold card, a card he once stretched to afford… and which has since skyrocketed over 10x in value.Then the conversation shifts to fantasy basketball and the surprising renaissance of young white American players in the NBA. What started with names like Tyler Herro and Austin Reaves has turned into a wave of impactful players across the league. Alongside star rookies like Cooper Flagg and early standout Kon Knueppel, we highlight others making noise, including:Chet HolmgrenRyan KalkbrennerReed SheppardDonovan ClinganPayton PritchardTy JeromeCorey Kispert…and more emerging talents shaping the NBA’s latest identity shift.Whether you’re here for the hobby talk, the market analysis, or hoops breakdowns, this episode has everything: grails, flips, future stars, and the wild ride that connects them all.
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Omar Khokhar, the founder of Sportsnection, one of the most intriguing new companies in the cricket card hobby.Omar opens up about how Sportsnection began, the challenges they faced with Series One, and the many lessons they’ve carried forward as they plan the next chapter. We talk honestly about criticism, growth, and what it takes to build a collectible brand from scratch.Omar also shares exclusive details about Sportsnection’s upcoming high-end release which continues his aim of celebrating subcontinent cricket legends, why this project matters on a cultural level, and how he wants to elevate cricket cards globally.Whether you’re a collector, investor, or fan of startup stories, this is one of the most candid and insightful interviews you’ll hear about the future of cricket trading cards.
In this episode of Global Card Collectors, Will and John catch up on their latest moves in the hobby—focusing on consolidation, strategic collecting, and tapping into the growing Turkish card market.Will shares his mission to sell off lower-value cards in pursuit of a major grail piece—possibly a Giannis rookie auto—while John adds a massive 1/1 Bogdan Bogdanović to his Balkan Ballers PC. Will also picks up a /99 Al Horford One & One patch auto for his Celtics collection.The duo discuss the unique dynamics of the Turkish market: lots of autos, patches, and serial-numbered cards, but very few slabs. They explore the opportunity to import affordable graded cards from the U.S. to increase supply, help collectors start PC building with graded pieces, and potentially turn a small profit.To wrap up, they touch on early NBA season storylines, the buzz around the new Topps flagship release, and their plans to watch more live hoops.
In this episode, Will sits down with one of his closest friends, Paul, someone he's known for almost 20 years- to talk hoops, card collecting, and how sports (and sports cards) help us build lasting memories with our kids.What makes this conversation so refreshing is that Paul is deep into the NBA but hasn’t collected cards since childhood. That means his perspective is totally untainted by the modern card market — no hype, no flipping, just pure fandom.We dive into what really makes cards valuable to a true basketball fan: connection, nostalgia, and storytelling. From the days of trading packs at school to watching games with our own kids, we explore how collecting can bring generations together and remind us why we fell in love with sports in the first place.If you’ve ever felt burned out by the card market or just want to reconnect with the joy of collecting, this one’s for you.
Basketball cards are exploding across Asia — and Courtside Investor host Pang Ming is at the center of it all. He joins us to talk collecting, investing, and how the Asia-Pacific region is shaping the global hobby. We also talk about how he first got into collecting, how his finance background shapes his investment strategy, the ASCC and we even debunk some long held beliefs about Asia’s sports card market.
The NBA season is upon us, and Nathanael joins the pod to discuss some recent pickups, how he's navigating the market, and what is new in the land of through the mail autographs. He and John then break down the players they are watching this year both for real and card performance as well as their top three sets of the Panini era.
In this episode, John and Will sit down with Neil @neilcollectscards a die-hard Toronto Raptors superfan on an unbelievable mission — to collect an autograph card from every single player who’s ever worn a Raptors jersey! From obscure one-season players to franchise legends, Neil’s dedication to preserving Raptors history through cards is seriously next-level.But that’s not all — Neil also gives us a look into his incredible Dražen Petrović collection, paying tribute to one of basketball’s most iconic and tragic figures, and we dive deep into his Kyle Lowry PC featuring some truly rare pieces from the Raptors GROAT himself.This was such a fun and fascinating conversation about collecting, passion, and what it means to be a true fan of the game. Whether you’re into **sports cards**, **NBA history**, or just love seeing passionate collectors chase something special, you’re going to love this one.
In this week's episode Justin sits down with his friend of over 20 years, Jason, to discuss his nostalgic approach to the hobby. Also known as "The Godfather" for getting Justin back into the hobby nearly seven years ago, Jason discusses his everything from his early collecting days, to his choice to focus on vintage football, to the experience of introducing his 11-year-old son to the hobby (who just might make a cameo to show a few cards!). The discussion not only focuses on the journey of collecting vintage football cards, but also on the importance of nostalgia and relationships in the hobby.
Paul @NealSportsCardStories joins the show again to deep dive a topic that he and John both find fascinating: why Balkan athletes punch so much above their weight in team ball sports, especially basketball and soccer. An episode more about the confluence of sports, history, and culture than sports cards. As always, comments and perspectives are most welcomed.
John and Will sit down to recount their whirlwind weekend as vendors at the Istanbul Card Show 2025. From the early mornings and long hours behind the table to the constant energy of collectors stopping by, they share the real grind of being on the vendor side of a major card event—where fatigue becomes part of the package. But this wasn’t just any show. Selling in Turkey brought its own unique twists, far removed from the classic playbook of card culture in the U.S. or Europe.One highlight? The absolute frenzy around Alperen Şengün cards. Fresh off the Turkish National Team’s EuroBasket success, Turkish collectors have finally gone all-in on Alpy, and John and Will found themselves right in the middle of the mania. They break down what the surge in demand means for the market, and why this feels like a potential launching point for card culture in Turkey.Beyond the sales, the guys rave about the smooth organization, the passion of local collectors, and the way the show felt like a true milestone for the community. Packed with funny vendor stories, cultural surprises, and plenty of hobby talk, this episode is a fun, insightful recap of two unforgettable days in Istanbul.
Join host Will as he chats with Amit—better known as @mr_tradecard_gamer on YouTube and Instagram—a true card enthusiast and a well known collector in the Indian card scene. Amit reveals how he fell into card collecting with a unique origin story, what is driving the rapidly emerging Indian card market, and how his time studying in Otago fueled his love for the Black Caps and Kiwi cricketers. They swap stories about their favorite cricketers and memorable moments from World Cup games, and to end the episode Amit shares a few highlights from his one-of-a-kind card collection. One particular card both Will and Amit are passionate about is the legendary 1996 Futera World Cup Warriors Sachin Tendulkar card—they both consider it a grail card for its stunning design, official Futera branding, serial numbering (it's the only serial numbered Tendulkar card in existence, and Will owns a prized PSA 10 copy of it.
In this episode Will sits down with Turkish card content creator Pokezed to talk about the upcoming 2025 Istanbul Card Show. Pokezed shares what’s in store for collectors this year—from double the number of vendors offering everything from TCG to sports cards and memorabilia, to exclusive giveaways and incredible promo cards that are set to make the show unforgettable.Beyond the event, Pokezed gives a candid look at the state of card collecting in Turkey: the unique challenges local collectors face, but also the passion and persistence that keep the hobby thriving against the odds.Whether you’re curious about the Istanbul show or want to understand the global reach of the card community, this is a can’t-miss conversation.
A few weeks ago, Will interviewed Steve Guinee about the 2025 Auckland Card Show. Now, he’s back—joined by Matt Rogers, the mastermind behind the massive TCG tournaments—to catch up on how it all went down and look ahead to what’s coming next. To begin, Matt talks about what it took to run those epic tournaments—spanning titles like Flesh and Blood, Grand Archive, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Disney Lorcana. Then Steve gives us the full breakdown—how the 2025 show more than doubled in scale, ran across two massive halls, and hosted almost 6,000 attendees and had more than $100,000 in prizes and giveaways.Steve and Matt don’t just pause to pat themselves on the back though. They’re already unveiling ambitious plans for 2026 that are huge… unbelievable even! After the roaring success of this year’s show, you wouldn’t bet against them pulling it off.
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