The Shallow End

The degree of difficulty undertaken by Ben ( @big_devers_energy ) should not be understated. In order for Ben to find the sports card he chased, the card first had to survive a gauntlet set up a decade ago by Topps. This is a chase story that has to be listened to be understood. The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sp...

In his modern collecting, Chris ( @venezuelan_league_stickers ) likes parallels and hard-to-find cards. But in his beloved post-war vintage, not a lot of parallels are to be had. So he discovered a sector of vintage that scratches both itches: his love of vintage, and his love of scarcity. The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@I...

Brandon ( @flagshipchromecollector ) knows that a set-build is no small commitment. He is the veteran of multiple successful completed sets. In this episode, he shares the ups and downs, highs and lows of what can only be described as a labor of love and nostalgia. The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠ Mus...

Aaron ( @Irish_Sportscards_21 ) was always a big fan of former Boston Red Sox slugger Mo Vaughn. He knew which Vaughn card he coveted, but ever since he joined the hobby, Aaron recognized the value of fiscal responsibility. So when he decided to finally chase his Vaughn grail, he went about it the right way. The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted b...

What if the sports card you were chasing did not actually exist? That was a reality Joey ( @sac.kings.cards ) wrestled with for some time. Once he confirmed it was, in fact, real, there was the other matter of trying to actually find a copy. It would not be easy. The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠ Music...

For nearly four years, the card Timothy ( @MonsterCollectss ) wanted most was available to him in multiple quantities all day, every day. There was never a moment when over those years when he could not find his grail. It was right there! This is the story of why he waited and the satisfaction that came from waiting. The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is...

Kaushik ( @TheIronSheek ) is one the most plugged-in NBA collectors in all of the hobby, yet for years even Sheek hit dead end after dead end while trying to find his LeBron grail. Finally, he broke through, but along the way he picked up enough lessons and wisdom to remind us that the journey is often more important than the destination. The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast fe...

Anyone who's collected sports cards for a while can tell you that it's not the cards of superstars that are hardest to find. It's the older, rarer cards of second-tier stars that drive us nuts. Caleb ( @calebm2034 ) can testify to that. This is a story of patience and persistence. The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz...

Luke ( @bleeckerstreetcards ) collects, among other things, vintage autographs. When someone came to him looking for guidance, he never could have imagined the friendship it would lead to. The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/tumbli...

It's a fine line: You've found the sports card you're looking for, but it's in someone else's collection. How do you chase down the card when the other person isn't ready to move it? Robby ( @412Sportscards on IG ) has some great ideas on the matter. The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportsc...

Pat ( @Insta_Account_Haver on IG) visits The Shallow End to discuss important matters such as, "Is the hobby really any different now than it used to be? And if so, how?" This wide-ranging conversation about sports cards has a little something for everyone. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

If you collect sports cards, is perfection something to strive for or avoid? How do we even know what perfection means? Is it up to the grading companies to decide for us? Or dealers? Or is it up to us to decide for ourselves? The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

It was one of those days when everything in the sports cards hobby went right. It was one of those days that is important to talk about—and remember. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

Aaron @two2sportscards likes to figure out where he's headed before the start of a journey, not in the middle of it. In today's episode of The Shallow End, we learn about his collection process, what appeals to him, and how he determines from the outset of a PC exactly which cards he wants. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

Sometimes in the sports-card hobby, we lose control. We know the right thing to, but we just can't seem to do it. In those moments, we might need extreme measures to protect us from ourselves. This is one of those moments.

Who do you listen to? Why do you listen to them? In return, are they giving you everything you deserve in order to understand and enjoy the hobby? In this episode, Dave considers recent research to help us uncover which podcasts are worth your time, and which are not.

Dylan ( DoubleD Vintage Baseball Cards on YouTube) loves all things sports cards. And he loves that you love sports cards. In this episode, Dylan, a collector's collector, shares his live-and-let-live philosophy, why having opinions is good, and why we should support one another in the hobby. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

In this wide-ranging episode that covers decision-making, the value of process, media overload and other topics, Jason @Contrarian_Cards and Dave set the stage for the start of a new collecting year. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

The magic is gone, the fire extinguished. What was once the guiding light of your sports-card collection now feels more like a burden than a blessing. It's the end of a PC. How did this happen? And now what are you supposed to do? The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

It's been a big year for sports cards in The Shallow End, but don't confuse the word "big" with good. There have been some fun achievements but also some disappointing failures. In this episode, Dave looks back at his year in collecting 2024. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

Last week The Shallow End wrapped up its limited run November series, 27 Decisions. Today, we take a look back at the series and reveal a big takeaway from each of the 27 episodes with 27 collectors. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

Welcome to "27 Decisions," a limited-run series all November presented by The Shallow End. Today's guest is Matt aka @CatchingHeaters . A few years back, Matt bought a 2019 Stadium Club Chrome Juan Soto in the gold minted parallel. Three years later, he finished the entire set. Here's how—and why—he did it. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠ Music from #Uppbeat (fr...

Welcome to "27 Decisions," a limited-run series all November presented by The Shallow End. Today's guest is Keith aka @thekeithy4999 . Since getting back into the hobby, Keith stayed away from prospects. Too risky. But this past April, he finally invested a little money into one of baseball's top young stars. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠ Music from #Uppbeat (...

Welcome to "27 Decisions," a limited-run series all November presented by The Shallow End. Today's guest is Drake aka @Drakes_PC . Last summer, Drake finally landed his white whale, the best Peyton Manning Essential Credentials in existence. But what happens after you acquire your top card? Where do you go when you've already reached the top of the mountain? The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwa...

Welcome to "27 Decisions," a limited-run series all November presented by The Shallow End. Today's guest is Josh aka @InspiredSportsCards . Josh has lots of interests, but lately one area of the hobby is taking up more real estate than usual: autographs. This conversation stands out because we talked during the planning stage of this big move. In this stage, research is everything. The Shallow End...