Stacking Slabs

In this episode of Passion to Profession , Brett sits down with Gary from Lucky Vault to unpack the story behind one of the fastest-growing businesses in the TCG world. What started as a side hustle between friends quickly evolved into a full-fledged operation built on trust, hustle, and deep love for Pokémon. Gary shares the early days of Lucky Vault, how he balances buying and selling with commu...

In this episode, Katelyn and Brett open up about the evolution of their personal collections, sharing strategies and philosophies behind intentional collecting. Brett explores the idea of a Notre Dame WNBA player PC, while Katelyn unpacks the importance of longevity and cohesion in her approach. The duo also reacts to the latest product release news from Panini—including the return of Donruss and...

In this collector conversation, I’m joined by Tony (@tj.isonline), a Philadelphia-based collector with a lifelong passion for cards, sports, and stories. From walking to games at the Vet as a kid to building a focused run of Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Reggie Jackson, and Moe Berg, Tony shares how his collection bridges generations. We talk about: Growing up next to the Philly stadiums and how th...

In this episode of Smashing BIN , Austin (@carlson_cards) shares the story behind smashing BIN on a 2005 Finest Gold X-Fractor Randy Moss /10—an elusive card that helped complete a dream pairing he's chased for years. We talk about: The personal connection to the card and the set Why eBay is the ultimate platform for ghost cards Separating flipping from collecting Knowing when to pull the trigger...

This week’s flagship episode is about buying with purpose—and why that matters more than ever. Brett breaks down the motivations behind our purchases and examines how labels like “flipper” or “true collector” oversimplify what’s really going on. From chasing forever cards to flipping with intention, the episode explores how identity, influence, and instinct shape our buying decisions. It’s not abo...

In this episode of Passion to Profession , Brett is joined by Eric from Kruk Cards, a business that’s been buying it all—literally—since 1987. From the card show hustle of the ‘90s to managing thousands of pallets of inventory today, Eric shares the inner workings of one of the most established operations in the hobby. They talk buying strategy, inventory management, tech evolution, and why having...

Episode 4 of The WNBA Card Podcast is here, and we’re tipping off preseason with a full-court press on the league, the hobby, and the cards. Katelyn and Brett break down the early title odds, MVP contenders, and the players they’re watching closely as the W tips off. They explore why superstar marketing is fueling growth, why card prices for legends like A'ja Wilson still don’t make sense, and wha...

Kristina (@kristinaspc) returns to Stacking Slabs for a collector conversation about the unforgettable ride of collecting Luka Doncic. From pulling an Orange /49 on a holiday road trip to moving across the country to watch Luka in person, Kristina shares the real impact collecting has had on her life. We talk about how her fandom started with cards, why design always wins, and how she’s navigating...

In this episode of Smashing BIN , I’m joined by Joe (@joeydscards), a Cavs fan and collector who isn’t afraid to trust his gut and go all-in when the right card shows up. We talk about: Why he smashed BIN on a rare Evan Mobley Gold Prizm Rookie How being a Cavs fan shapes his entire approach to collecting Why comfort, nostalgia, and instinct beat the hunt for deals The way collecting gets better w...

In this week’s flagship episode of Stacking Slabs, Brett explores one of the most important — and most overlooked — questions in collecting: Do you love the card, or are you addicted to the chase? From dopamine hits and slot machine psychology to FOMO and false urgency, this episode breaks down the hidden forces influencing your buying decisions. Brett shares personal stories, mental frameworks, a...

The debut of Vaulted is here. In this first episode, I break down why I finally decided to integrate the PSA Vault into my collecting process after years of hesitation. I share the specific shifts that made the Vault fit my personal collecting workflow, how it’s helping me fund PSA submissions faster, and why it’s made my hobby experience more efficient and less stressful. This episode is built on...

In this episode of Passion to Profession , I’m joined by Ben of Sports Cards Forever, one of eBay’s top vintage sellers. Ben’s calm and methodical approach to buying and selling is rooted in principles, not hype. We go deep on topics that don’t get enough airtime—like how to build a sustainable inventory, why listening is more important than talking, and how to create a business that aligns with y...

We open with a story that stopped the hobby in its tracks—a young collector pulling a Caitlin Clark Gold /10. It’s a reminder of why we collect and how moments like this connect us to the joy of the hobby. From there, we get into: The upcoming WNBA season and the team we think could surprise—or stumble. The most impactful trades of the offseason and what they could mean for card markets. A deep di...

Anthony (@summertime1of1) returns to the show with one of the most fascinating evolutions we’ve seen in the hobby. What started as a COVID-era hustle turned into a deep obsession with the rarest cards in the game: one of ones. In this collector conversation, we cover: His shift from flipper to collector and the turning points that made him believe in cards long-term Why Black Prizms, Nebulas, Supe...

What happens when preparation, routine, and opportunity all collide at 3:30 AM? In this week’s episode of Smashing BIN , I sit down with my brother Kyle (@mcgrathcards) to break down the moment he smashed BIN on one of the most coveted Peyton Manning cards in the hobby—2006 Topps Finest Gold Xfractor /10. We talk about: His early morning routine that gives him a BIN edge Why this card was the one...

Every collector is influenced. The question is how do you make sure it helps, not hurts, your collection? In this flagship episode, I break down the role of influence in our collecting decisions. I share how seeing other collectors’ posts, hearing their stories, or watching a new piece of content can open doors, but also how it can push us toward decisions we regret. I walk through the seven princ...

In this episode of Card Ladder Confidential , Chris and Josh from Card Ladder return for a pre-playoff sitdown that blends basketball analysis with collecting philosophy. We kick things off with a cold open: if they had to freeze their current PCs (Jokic, Luka, LeBron), which playoff player would they collect instead? Their answers spark a deep discussion around Jimmy Butler, Austin Reaves, and ho...

Josh from PC Sports Cards joins Passion to Profession to share how he turned weekend deals and grading experiments into one of the most trusted businesses in the hobby. We get into: His early failures and what they taught him Why PC Sports Cards was built to serve everyday collectors The real power of eBay Live What it takes to earn trust—and why so few are willing to do it Lessons from building a...

Katelyn (@coldlunchcards) is fresh off a 4-day setup at the Minnesota Card Show where she was the only dealer repping a full WNBA and NCAA women’s basketball showcase. In this episode, we break down the sales, the conversations, and the takeaways from collectors of all ages who stopped by her table—including a moment that says everything about why this space matters. We also talk about: Our favori...

It’s WrestleMania week, and I couldn’t think of a better way to kick it off than with a conversation about collecting Rhea Ripley cards. In this episode, I’m joined by Roscoe (@lonnieskywalkerivcollector), who’s built what I believe to be the best Rhea Ripley collection in the world. We talk about: How he got into collecting Rhea The impact of her rise from tag team to top of the card The 1/1 Sele...

In this episode of Smashing BIN , we sit down with Drake (@drakes_pc) to break down one of the most iconic BIN smashes in recent collecting memory: the $1,500 2012 Peyton Manning Gold Prizm. Drake shares the full story—from being nudged by a hobby friend to smash BIN during the pandemic, to watching the market explode around a card he never planned to flip. This conversation is all about the momen...

In this episode, Brett breaks down the personal side of collection management and why it’s the key to staying in the hobby long term. Whether you collect in one lane or across several, managing your focus, budget, and energy helps you build a collection that reflects who you are — and keeps you fired up along the way. Topics covered include: The difference between collection management and portfol...

This week’s Passion to Profession features Mark, owner of Paradise Card Breaks, one of the fastest-growing and most community-driven card shops in the hobby. From humble beginnings breaking on Facebook during COVID lockdowns to building a 22-person team in the heart of Las Vegas, Mark shares what it really takes to build a trusted business in today’s sports card industry. We talk about: Building a...

The debut episode of The WNBA Card Podcast is here. Co-hosts Katelyn (@coldlunchcards) and Brett (@stackingslabs) kick things off by unpacking the growing momentum in women’s basketball cards. They react to UConn’s championship run, share thoughts on Sarah Strong’s market spike, and talk about why Bowman Firsts and Prizm parallels are shaping the future of WNBA collecting. The conversation hits ev...

In this collector conversation, I catch up with my friend Kevin (@dacaptain37) to talk about the current state of the hobby from behind the table. We're hearing a lot about big numbers in online sales, but is that momentum showing up at local and regional shows? Kevin shares what’s moving, what’s not, and how different segments of the market—from Brady rookies to Pokémon to vintage baseball—are pe...