Stacking Slabs
Sports
About
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.
Episodes
- Passion to Profession: When the Next Generation Sets the Rules in the Hobby with Michael Osacky
On this episode of Stacking Slabs, Michael Osacky and Brett discuss the changing dynamics within the sports card hobby. They cover topics such as social influence, market trends, collector behavior, and the importance of reputation and ris…
- Booked to Last: WrestleMania Patches and the Royalty Debate
This episode of Stacking Slabs features Adam and Ryan discussing Topps Royalty and WrestleMania patches, exploring the wrestling card community's strong reactions to the product. They delve into autograph checklists, chase cards, the rippi…
- The Football Card Podcast #46: Your Kaiju, Your Cards, Your Rules
This episode of The Football Card Podcast by Stacking Slabs explores the concept of identity in card collecting, discussing how individual players and cards gain significance. Topics include new releases, Superfractors, and the personal co…
- Returning to a Collecting Lane: The Power of Rediscovery
This episode of Stacking Slabs discusses the role of rediscovery in collecting, explaining how returning to a collecting lane after a break can lead to greater clarity and a stronger connection to what matters. The host shares personal exp…
- Independent Taste is Earned in Collecting Sports Cards
This episode of Stacking Slabs discusses the concept of independent taste in sports card collecting, differentiating it from simply being different. Host Brett explains how to develop conviction, avoid relying on social proof, and make inf…
- The Staging Area #24: Inside the Acceleration Era of Card Collecting
In The Staging Area #24, hosts Brett and Tory analyze the acceleration of the card collecting hobby. They discuss the challenges of high volume, showcase dcsports87's operational strategies for handling over 100,000 cards weekly, and expla…
- Passion to Profession: Building WeTheHobby — From Collector to CEO with Zach Stanley
This episode features Zach Stanley, CEO and Founder of WeTheHobby, discussing the journey from being a collector to building a business in the trading card hobby. The conversation covers the importance of trust, navigating a hype-driven ma…
- The WNBA Card Podcast: Full Court Press — Season 4 Recap
Season 4 of The WNBA Card Podcast concludes with a reflective episode. Hosts Katelyn and Brett discuss insights gained about the WNBA card market, collector sentiments, and the future of the hobby, spanning different eras of cards.
- Booked to Last: The Product Flood Test — Can Wrestling Cards Handle What’s Coming?
Adam and Ryan discuss the overwhelming number of wrestling card products and releases, exploring how the market and collectors are handling the flood. They cover the collision of scarcity, demand, and timing, and the importance of communit…
- The Football Card Podcast #45: Post-Draft Hype, Chrome Curiosity, and the Cards We Regret Selling
In The Football Card Podcast #45, John and Brett analyze the impact of post-draft hype on football card prices and collector behavior. They also reflect on past selling decisions and the evolution of the card collecting hobby.
- Apex Cards and the Truth About Conformity in Collecting
This episode of Stacking Slabs explores the concept of apex cards, questioning who defines them and how market forces shape collector behavior. It delves into the psychology of conformity in collecting, contrasting legacy trends with indiv…
- Your Collection, Your Hierarchy
Brett discusses how external factors like brands and the hobby environment influence a collector's choices. He differentiates between collector-driven taste and manufacturer narratives, explaining how elements like inserts and product desi…
- Card Ladder Confidential #19: The Same Apex Cards or a Market Ready for Change?
In Card Ladder Confidential #19, hosts discuss the recent surge in high-value sports card sales, exploring whether 'apex cards' are undervalued or stagnant and how new collectors find their niche. The conversation emphasizes perspective ov…
- Passion to Profession: Building a Career on Content and Taking the Leap with John Walaszek
John Walaszek shares his experience turning passion into a profession, detailing how he built a career through content creation in music and now the sports card industry. The episode highlights the importance of taking action and building…
- The WNBA Card Podcast: The Future Is Already Here: The Next Generation with Christian and Sam from @therookiescorner
Sam and Christian from The Rookies Corner join Katelyn to discuss the evolving WNBA card collecting landscape, the influence of NIL, and strategies for identifying and collecting emerging talent before the market recognizes them.
- Booked to Last #16: Oba's Arrival, Roman's Era, and the Card Market Shift
Stacking Slabs Podcast discusses how WrestleMania moments are affecting the wrestling card market, including the performances of Oba Femi, Roman Reigns, and CM Punk, and analyzes the impact on collectors and Topps' week in wrestling cards.
- The Football Card Podcast #44: Temptation, Timing, and the Truth About New Cards
This episode of The Football Card Podcast addresses the rapid price fluctuations and market pressures associated with new football card releases, using Topps Chrome Football as an example. Hosts Brett and Pack explore the temptation to inv…
- From Hype to Meaning: How Your Collecting Motivations Change
This episode of Stacking Slabs delves into how collecting motivations evolve. Brett explains the shift from early collecting driven by hype and external signals to mature collecting focused on personal values, identity, and meaning, moving…
- The Psychology Behind New Releases and Why You Keep Chasing
This episode of Stacking Slabs analyzes the psychology driving new releases in collecting hobbies. Host Brett discusses how factors like FOMO, anchoring, and narratives influence collector behavior and advises listeners to understand these…
- The Staging Area #23: The New Release Trap, eBay Changes, and the Cost of Attention
Brett and Tory discuss eBay's new buyer cancellation policy and its implications for sellers and buyers. They also analyze the 'new release attention economy,' questioning who profits and advising collectors on discipline and awareness.
- Passion to Profession: Building What the Hobby Relies On with BCW Supplies CEO Eric Brownell
Eric Brownell, CEO of BCW Supplies, shares insights on growing a business that serves the entire trading card hobby, focusing on scaling, hiring, and managing inventory during high demand.
- Booked to Last #15: WrestleMania, Chrome Chaos, and a chat with Bryan (@THZSportscards)
Adam and Ryan analyze WrestleMania's impact on sports card value, focusing on Topps Chrome WWE releases. Guest Bryan of THZ Sports Cards shares his transition from NBA to wrestling cards and discusses market trends.
- The Football Card Podcast #43: Topps Chrome Frenzy, Froth Season, and the Cards That Make No Sense
This episode analyzes the new Topps Chrome Football release, covering market hype, pricing, and collector decisions. It also delves into the history of Topps Chrome, discussing good and bad years, and offers advice for collectors on making…
- Finding Your Lane in a Noisy Hobby with James (@madcitycollector)
James (@madcitycollector) joins Brett to discuss how he carved out his niche in the soccer card collecting hobby, emphasizing intentional collecting over hype and the role of nostalgia and research.
- You Don’t Have a Collection. You Have a Reflection.
This episode challenges the notion that collectors build collections, arguing instead that collections are reflections of the collector. It examines how purchasing decisions reveal deeper signals about identity, control, risk, patience, an…
- Topps Chrome Football Has No Competition and What This Means
This episode of Stacking Slabs discusses the implications of Topps Chrome Football having no direct competition, shifting the collector's decision-making from comparison to participation. It examines how concentrated demand and market shif…
- Passion to Profession: From Card Breaker to CEO with Ryan Johnson (@cardcollector2)
Ryan Johnson discusses his transition from a card collector and content creator to a CEO, detailing the challenges of scaling a business, managing a team, and the evolution of his motivations for collecting.
- The WNBA Card Podcast: The Weight of Expectations and How Paige Met the Moment with Ryan (@reservoirsportscards)
Ryan details his experience collecting Paige Bueckers cards, shifting from market flipping to focused collecting after recognizing her potential. The episode covers his conviction, strategic investments, and the changing landscape of women…
- Booked to Last #14: Topps Chrome Takeover, Industry Secrets, and the Future of Wrestling Cards
This episode of Booked to Last covers the current state of wrestling cards, focusing on Topps Chrome
- The Football Card Podcast #42: Topps Chrome Football Is Back… Now What?
Episode 42 of Stacking Slabs discusses the return of Topps Chrome Football, analyzing its impact on collectors, supply dynamics, and strategies for navigating the hobby. It covers the hype, the role of breakers, the concept of parallels, a…
- Shrink the Sea: Why Niching Down Builds Stronger Collectors
This episode argues that the collecting hobby becomes stronger through focus and specialization rather than broad appeal. By shrinking the market, collectors can find their niche, connect with like-minded individuals, and build identity an…
- Patience is the Difference Maker: How to Collect When Everything Tells You to Buy Now
This episode of Stacking Slabs discusses the challenges of collecting in a market with high sales volume and constant engagement, contrasting impulsive buying with a deliberate, rule-based approach to collecting.
- The Staging Area #22: The Ohtani Effect, $605M Month, and Why the Hobby Won’t Slow Down
This episode of Stacking Slabs discusses the record-setting $605M in monthly card sales, dcsports87's performance, and a $15K Shohei Ohtani card. The hosts analyze how content influences brand growth, the rise of niche categories, market d…
- Passion to Profession: From Pulling a LeBron Logoman to Running a Breaking Empire with Ethan of Tombstone Collectibles
Ethan of Tombstone Collectibles shares insights on building a modern hobby business at scale, focusing on infrastructure, talent management, and market dynamics rather than just pack ripping. The episode covers common failure points for br…
- Booked to Last #13: Chrome Is Coming… So What Are You Doing With Your Money?
The podcast episode "Booked to Last #13: Chrome Is Coming" discusses the upcoming Topps Chrome release and its impact on the wrestling card market. Hosts Adam and Ryan explore strategies for collectors to navigate multiple releases and man…
- The Football Card Podcast #41: Patience, Pricing, and the Problem with How We Move Cards
In this episode of The Football Card Podcast, Brett and Pack address the rapid pace of the sports card market, discussing how speed impacts collectors, the pros and cons of auctions versus direct sales, and the hidden costs associated with…
- Building in Public: How to Scale a Dealer Business Online and In-Person with Max (@Cardsmax)
Brett sits down with full-time card dealer Max to discuss scaling a business both online and in-person. Max explains his journey from childhood card collecting to running a national operation, emphasizing the importance of understanding bu…
- Discovery Gets Real When You Find the People
This episode explores how true collecting discovery involves finding and connecting with people, not just cards. It emphasizes how community, trust, and access within niche collector groups shape an individual's advantage and overall colle…
- Card Ladder Confidential #18: Why Patience Wins in a Market That Won't Slow Down
In Card Ladder Confidential #18, hosts discuss the booming sports card market, noting record sales but cautioning against chasing rising prices without clear reasons. They explore why patience is a key advantage for experienced collectors…
- Passion to Profession: How Black Gold Sports Cards Doubled Their Team in a Year
Bryan Thiessenhusen details how he scaled Black Gold Sports Cards from a side hustle to a 30+ person company by leveraging his accounting background for systems, using content for growth, and taking calculated risks. The episode explores b…
- The WNBA Card Podcast: Everything Feels Different Now — The Caitlin Clark Effect with John Broggi (@johnbroggi)
In this episode of Stacking Slabs, host Katelyn discusses the WNBA card market with guest John Broggi. The conversation focuses on the impact of Caitlin Clark on the hobby.
- Booked to Last #12: WWE Chrome Debut Patch Chase Is Here + The Shop Owner Perspective with Jamison of Port City Sports Collectibles
Jamison Long discusses the shift from collector to shop owner, wax pricing, community importance, and the WWE Chrome debut patch chase with Adam Gellman. The episode also touches on wrestling storylines, prospecting, and the impact of new…
- The Football Card Podcast #40: The Briggs Bandit, $31K Gronk, and Why You’ll Always Miss Cards
Episode 40 covers the mystery of a stolen Lance Briggs card and the current pressures collectors face due to the hobby's speed and the fear of missing out. It also touches on data, social media's influence, selling strategies, and signific…
- What 12 Hobby Operators Know That Collectors Can Miss
This episode contrasts the 'comps' mindset of collectors with the 'systems' approach of hobby operators. By analyzing insights from 12 operators, the episode explains how understanding their perspective on trust, regret, and market dynamic…
- Discovery Is the Edge Most Collectors Ignore
This episode of Stacking Slabs explores the collector's edge found in discovery – identifying valuable cards before they become popular. It discusses the psychology of discovery, how attention drives prices, and offers a system for intenti…
- The Staging Area #21: WBC Hype, Opening Day, and The WhatNot of It All
This episode of Stacking Slabs discusses the World Baseball Classic
- Passion to Profession: Husband and Wife. One Business. Fifteen Hires in a Year with Michael and Mikaela from Rated Rips
Michael and Mikaela transitioned from CPA careers to establish Rated Rips, a trading card business, leveraging demand during COVID. They grew the business rapidly, shifting from breaking to consignment and hiring 15 employees within a year.
- The WNBA Card Podcast: Panini and Sabrina — The Rise of New Forces with Kyle (@kyle_collects)
This episode discusses the significant shift in WNBA card collecting, focusing on the transition from 2019 Donruss to 2020 Prizm and the subsequent rise of interest coinciding with Sabrina Ionescu's arrival and the global shutdown. It exam…
- Booked to Last #11: From Blaster Boxes to Building a Collection of 1/1s with Steve (@s.a.m_wwe)
Steve, a dedicated collector of Rhea Ripley cards, shares his journey from opening blaster boxes to acquiring 1/1 cards. The episode details his strategies for collecting, the impact of scarcity, and the importance of relationships in the…
- The Football Card Podcast #39: Let’s Talk About That $162K 2002 Finest Tom Brady Gold Refractor
Pack and Brett discuss the difference between collecting and investing in the football card hobby, exploring how money enters the market, scarcity versus value, and analyzing recent sales including a notable Tom Brady card.