Behind the Breaks

Behind the Breaks sits down with one of the most important voices in the hobby today: Caroline Pougnet, Head of eBay Live. In this rare long-form interview, Caroline gives a detailed inside look at how eBay Live is transforming the trading card and collectibles market and what sellers, breakers, and collectors should expect next. Caroline breaks down how eBay moved from beta to full launch, why tr...

We’re back with a midweek episode of Behind the Breaks — and this one’s a good one. Matt and RJ break in the new studio, recap recent guests, and tackle the biggest headlines shaking the hobby. From Panini’s rumored sale to Fanatics’ growing monopoly, to World Series free agency, we’re diving deep into what collectors, sellers, and investors need to know right now. We also talk:The  ⁨@1KCardProjec...

This week, host Ron “Coach Mac” McKeefery — legendary NFL and college strength coach — reveals how he’s applying elite performance principles to the hobby, turning 1,000 one-dollar cards into 1,000 one-hundred-dollar cards. Whether you’re deep into the dollar box hustle or scaling your eBay Live business, this episode is loaded with next-level tactics for sourcing, grading, and selling cards like...

The 2025 sports card market is heating up — and Behind the Breaks is here to break it all down. In this episode, Matt and RJ dive into the World Series frenzy and NFL midseason madness, delivering sharp collector insights, buy/hold/sell picks, and unfiltered hobby talk that serious collectors crave. From Shohei Ohtani’s postseason card spike to Yamamoto and Kershaw’s legacy cards, plus Vlad Jr. an...

Behind the Breaks returns with the most critical episode in show history. Matt and RJ sit down with Eric Shemtov, Head of Collectibles at Whatnot, for an in-depth discussion on Whatnot’s new Factory Sealed Surprise Product (Repack) Policy, going into effect November 3rd. This episode is essential viewing for breakers, sellers, and collectors who want to understand exactly how Whatnot’s updated rul...

This week’s Behind the Breaks midweek drop dives deep into the wildest new development in the hobby — Topps’ “Three Kings” program — where collectors who own all three 1/1s of a player (Bowman First Superfractor, Topps Chrome Rookie Superfractor, and MLB Debut Patch Auto) can claim an exclusive custom Three Kings card straight from Topps. Matt and RJ break down what it means for collectors, flippe...

If you sell on @whatnot , @eBay ,  @Fanatics  , or anywhere online, the IRS is watching — and 2025 is bringing the biggest tax shakeup the hobby’s ever seen. In this episode of Behind the Breaks, we sit down with Jonny Petrucco, better known as  @sportscardtaxguy  an IRS Enrolled Agent, QuickBooks Pro Advisor, and lifelong card collector who grew up running a million-dollar sports card business wi...

We’re diving deep into the crossover between sports card collecting, fantasy sports, and the futures betting world. In this episode, we sit down with Stephen, the creator behind Wild Card Sports, to unpack how he turned a passion for live sports commentary into one of the most data-driven brands in the hobby. From navigating the 2025 rookie card boom to uncovering trends in fantasy football, prop...

We kick off a new chapter of the show — recording in our freshly built (and freezing) studio, “The Icebox.” For the first time, we’re in the same room, amping up the energy and bringing fresh insights from marathon Whatnot breaks. This episode dives deep into the business, chaos, and fun of live card breaking, from 14-hour Chrome F1 sessions to testing out Gary Vee’s V-Friends super stickers. Expe...

In Episode 27 of Behind the Breaks, we sit down with  @ZiggyNo  to unpack some of the biggest issues and innovations shaping the hobby today. From calls for breaker regulation to transparency in pricing, the rise of AI in grading, and even PSA pulling in over $57M a month, Ziggy isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo.👉 What we cover in this episode:Why breakers aren’t the villains—they may actu...

The National is in the rear-view, but we’re fired up, redesigning the studio, and kicking off something special — our Wall of 50 Slabbed Cards. Twenty-five cards each, all with personal meaning (not just high dollar), and we want you to roast our picks. RJ recaps a recent trip to a Diamondbacks game: great stadium vibes, cool memorabilia, but a frustrating in-stadium card buying experience. $65 bl...

From working in a tax business to CEO of one of the fastest-growing breaking empires, Bryan from Black Gold Sports Cards shares his incredible journey. We dug into how he scaled from PSA submissions to running multiple live streams on Whatnot, Fanatics Live, and beyond. In this episode, Bryan opens up about:How he got started in the hobby and built Black Gold from the ground upScaling from solo br...

We’re back from The National Sports Collectors Convention 2025 in Chicago, and this episode is our full recap and reaction. As credentialed media, not just hobbyists, we walked the floor, interviewed vendors, connected with breakers, and experienced the biggest trading card event in the world. In this episode of Behind the Breaks, Matt and RJ break down eight key takeaways from The National:The st...

We’re packing our cases (smart ones, apparently) and heading to The National! In this episode, RJ reveals his insane quest to collect 143 base cards of one single player—Katie Zelem—for Parkside’s Project Purple challenge. Meanwhile, Matt’s hunting vintage Formula 1 and keeping an eye out for that one-of-one wall art for the studio. But it’s not all fun and foil packs. A major hobby scandal just r...

Ever seen someone absolutely crush it in the Marvel card world? In this episode of Behind the Breaks, we sit down with Mary from Mar_Breaks one of the most exciting and high-energy non-sports breakers on Whatnot.  Mary brings serious heat to every stream, and today she joins RJ and Matt to talk about how she got started breaking Marvel cards, how she’s built a loyal community, and why she’s so pas...

BTB is heading to Chicago with media credentials! We’ll be covering the show, meeting collectors, and dropping content daily. Got a card we should find or someone we should talk to? Let us know. Matt’s “Wall of 50” BeginsMatt’s hunting for 50 cards that mean something. First stop: The National. If a 51st card comes in, one gets cut.eBay Sales Strategy ShiftRJ breaks down recent changes we’re testi...

The New York Times called it a "gold mine." We call it one of the most legendary hauls in the hobby. In this episode, Matt and RJ sit down with Tim from The Big League Find to uncover the wild stories, unbelievable pulls, and sheer joy behind one of the most epic sports card collections ever assembled. From rare vintage gems to the thrill of the chase, this episode dives deep into what m...

In this episode of Behind the Breaks, we sit down with John Siebels, owner of Spring Hill Sports Cards and host of the Cycle and Four Downs podcast  @SpringHillSportsCards  John brings the fire—and the fundamentals—as he shares the passion that fuels his collecting, the mistakes that taught him how to sell smarter, and why the current card market has its value system upside down. You’ll learn:🔥 H...

In this powerhouse episode of Behind the Breaks, we sit down with Andre Chiavelli, founder of the Vintage Sportscard Club and one of the most trusted names in vintage sports cards. With over 40 years in the hobby, Andre shares legendary stories from his start in 1971 flea markets to selling cards inside Yankee Stadium and creating the first-ever card inspection tool—the Inspectorscope. We dive dee...

🚨 Midweek Heat Incoming! This quick-hit show is packed with BIG energy, wild behind-the-scenes moments, and a look ahead at what’s coming to Behind the Breaks later this week.⚾️ What’s Inside:🔐 Locked Out During the Show?!RJ finds himself locked out of the studio mid-recording. We're talking drills, goggles, parenting chaos, and a prized sports card collection at stake — and yes, it’s all o...

This week, we sit down with collector and entrepreneur Rick B (Tik Tok @rbennink & IG @rbennink111) whose story captures the heart of the hobby: rediscovery, connection, and the long game of collecting with meaning. From ripping packs as a kid to coaching his son’s Little League team while hunting grails, Rick shares how collecting helped him heal, grow a legacy, and shift from break-room high...

In this week's Behind the Breaks Midweek Drop, Matt and RJ dive into the latest buzz across the hobby. From Topps 2024 Inception to 2025 Topps Series 2 and Bowman Mega Box drops, we’re breaking down what’s worth chasing—and why Inception might be the most underrated release of the year. RJ gets fired up over the discontinuation of Stadium Club Chrome , shares why design-forward cards matter, a...

In this episode of Behind the Breaks, we sit down with Patrick, better known to collectors and Whatnot regulars as @dads_cards. Patrick’s story is one every hobbyist can relate to—what began as a childhood obsession with ‘80s baseball and hockey cards turned into a traveling card-breaking operation, a family affair, and a growing community powered by heart, hustle, and hotel Wi-Fi. Whether you're...

🎧 Welcome to Behind the Breaks – Midweek Edition! This is your go-to drop for hobby talk, card chaos, and everything in between. We're back with baseball headlines, prospect hype, mystery cards, and a giveaway that could land you something epic. Here’s what’s inside this MIDweek episode:🔥 Massive Giveaway IncomingWe’re closing in on 100 YouTube subscribers—and to celebrate, we’re giving away...

🔥 Ever wonder how a Hollywood TV writer became one of the most explosive live breakers in the sports card world? This week on Behind the Breaks, we sit down with Jason of Hollywoo Cards—now a frontman at Mamba Cards—to hear how he went from writing for MTV’s Ridiculousness and selling shows to Netflix... to pulling heat live on TikTok and Whatnot.📦 What started as a kitchen table hobby during CO...