Card Adventures

What's next for sports cards, and where is the hobby headed? In this episode of the Card Adventures Podcast, we take a collector's perspective on the future of collecting, the sports card market, and the challenges and opportunities facing the hobby. From rising interest and changing card values to market trends, scams, and the growing influence of the sports card industry, we discuss what the fut...

Why are some collectors quitting the sports card hobby? From sports card scams and dishonest sellers to hobby drama and growing frustration with the sports card industry, some collectors have had enough and are walking away. But does that mean you should too? In this episode of the Card Adventures Podcast, we discuss the problems facing sports card collecting, why collectors are leaving the hobby,...

What's it really like to be a new sports card collector? In this episode of the Card Adventures Podcast, we sit down with a new collector to hear his honest thoughts on the sports card hobby. We discuss what attracted him to collecting, what doesn't make sense about the hobby, the challenges and mistakes he's experienced, and how he decides which sports cards to buy. We also explore the influence...

Do sports card comps really matter? In this episode of the Card Adventures Podcast, we discuss the truth about sports card comps, how collectors should use recent sales to determine market value, and why some sellers and flippers don't want buyers relying on them. We'll explore when paying or asking above comps makes sense, and how to comp rare and scarce sports cards. Whether you're buying, selli...

When the sports card you want is WAY overpriced, should you pay up or walk away? In this episode of the Card Adventures Podcast, we discuss greedy asking prices, inflated sports card values, and why collectors need to be careful when paying above recent comps. From researching market value and understanding rarity to avoiding FOMO and knowing when to walk away, we explore how patience and smart bu...

The sports card hobby has become big business—but does that mean collectors have to treat their collections like one? In this episode of the Card Adventures Podcast, I make an argument for simply collecting sports cards. We talk about some of the mindsets that are hurting the hobby, including too much focus on negotiating, selling, and ROI. Making money with sports cards is fine, but I’m here to t...

Which sports cards are actually worth holding onto? In this episode of the Card Adventures Podcast, we discuss which sports cards collectors should consider keeping long-term. From rare and hard-to-find sports cards to cards you personally value above the current sports card market, cards you may have overpaid for, and cards you simply love, we break down what makes a card worth keeping. Before yo...

When should you overpay for a sports card—and when should you walk away? In this episode of the Card Adventures Podcast, we discuss when paying above recent comps can actually make sense—and when it doesn’t. From rare and undervalued sports cards to market value, smart buying decisions, and personal taste, we break down how collectors can decide when a card is truly worth paying a premium for, and...

Are rising prices changing the sports card hobby for the worse? In this episode, Cage Lawyer joins me to tackle some of the biggest hot topics in sports cards right now—including the rising cost of grading sports cards, skyrocketing prices for GOAT cards, expensive hobby boxes, and whether card breaking and live selling are helping grow the hobby or ultimately hurting collectors. We also discuss w...

When sports cards cost so much money, can collecting still feel like a hobby—or does it inevitably become an investment? Opening boxes is expensive. Buying singles of hot players is expensive. Many collectors have thousands of dollars tied up in their collections, making it difficult to ignore card values, market trends, and whether prices are going up or down. In this episode, I discuss why sport...

Who can you trust in the sports card hobby? Bad deals, stolen packages, dishonest buyers and sellers, and even concerns about transparency within grading companies have caused many collectors to develop serious trust issues. In this episode, I share real-life stories about sports card deals that went wrong with people I couldn’t trust—and also some positive experiences with people I could. In a ho...

Is the sports card hobby really in trouble, or are the things that frustrate collectors simply getting more attention? This week, I’m joined by Ty, a.k.a. T-Pott, to talk about some of the biggest concerns we’re hearing from longtime sports card collectors, whether these issues are actually new, and why the biggest concerns may not represent the hobby as a whole. We look at the sports card hobby a...

The sports card hobby seems to be booming—but is it really? In this episode, I’m joined by Jon (@Basketballcardguy) to break down the recent surge in sports card sales, shows, buying and selling activity, and overall hobby momentum. We ask whether this growth represents more collectors actively enjoying the hobby—or whether much of what we’re seeing is actually transactional activity driven by buy...

In this episode of the Card Adventures Podcast, I’m doing a Hobby Health Check-Up by asking collectors five important questions about how they are collecting right now. With the sports card market booming, rising prices, FOMO, and constant pressure to chase the next card, it’s easy to lose sight of why we started collecting in the first place. These five questions are designed to help sports card...

How do you overcome FOMO in sports card collecting? In this episode of the Card Adventures Podcast, I share my recent struggles with FOMO—from missing the National Sports Collectors Convention, to selling my Kobe Bryant collection too early. We'll discuss how fear of missing out affects sports card collectors and how to enjoy collecting again by focusing on better decisions instead of constant com...

How do you balance the risk and reward of prospecting? In this episode of the Card Adventures Podcast, I dive into one of the biggest decisions in the sports card hobby: investing in prospects. From massive upside to the reality that many prospects never reach expectations, we discuss the rewards, the risks, and how to approach prospecting with a level-headed mindset. Whether you collect for fun,...

Is the sports card market in a bubble? Maybe. But I think we’re asking the wrong question. In this episode of the Card Adventures Podcast, I share why I’m less concerned about predicting the next market crash and more focused on protecting something far more important—our enjoyment of the hobby. We’ll discuss how to protect your hobby health during a bull market, stay levelheaded when prices are s...

After almost a decade of building one of my favorite sports card collections, I made the tough decision to sell (almost) everything. In this episode of the Card Adventures Podcast, I share why I decided to sell my Kobe collection, how I approached the selling process, what I learned along the way, and how I honestly feel now that it’s done. I also talk about what’s next—both as a collector and bey...

Are you looking for new ways to enjoy your sports card collection? In this episode of the Card Adventures Podcast, I sit down with seasoned collector Jason to discuss fresh perspectives on collecting, staying engaged in the hobby, and finding creative ways to appreciate the cards you already own. Whether you’re feeling burned out, looking for a new collecting challenge, or simply want to hear how...

Do you need a huge budget to build an amazing sports card collection? In this episode of the Card Adventures Podcast, we discuss practical strategies for collecting sports cards without overspending. We cover topics such as buying cards of non-GOAT players, the value in raw cards and lower grades, exploring products beyond Prizm, and finding ways to stretch your collecting budget while still enjoy...

In this episode of the Card Adventures Podcast, we discuss some of the biggest sports card investing mistakes collectors make and why those “bad” investments aren’t always as bad as they seem. From grading cards that never increase in value to holding players who never reach superstar status, we explore the lessons learned along the way and the importance of enjoying the hobby regardless of financ...

In this episode of The Card Adventures Podcast, Curtis and Max take a deep dive into the world of Kobe Bryant cards and discuss why The Black Mamba remains one of the most collectible athletes in the hobby. We explore what makes Kobe Bryant cards so desirable, whether investors are still targeting his market, and if current prices are sustainable or showing signs of a bubble. We also debate where...

Having a hard time deciding which Sports Cards to sell now? In this episode of The Card Adventures Podcast, we dive into one of the hardest parts of the hobby — deciding which sports cards to sell from your personal collection. From emotional attachment and collection goals to long-term investing, we explore the different exercises collectors can use to figure out what stays and what goes when it'...

The sports card market is absolutely on fire right now… but that doesn’t mean every move is a good one. In this episode of The Card Adventures Podcast, we talk about the current state of the sports card hobby, the rapid rise in prices, the hype surrounding modern cards, and why collectors and investors need to be careful not to get burned in this market. Topics include: • Why the sports card marke...

2025 Topps Finest Football is finally here… but does it live up to the hype? In this episode of The Card Adventures Podcast, I give my honest review of the 2025 Topps Finest Football product and what I think about it. I break down: • Overall card design and quality • Inserts, parallels, and refractors • What I liked (and didn’t like) about the product • Whether 2025 Topps Finest Football is worth...