Stacking Slabs

What makes a collector hit “Buy It Now” without thinking twice? This week on Smashing BIN , John (@packnicholson) joins the show to break down the psychology behind BIN moments and the 2024 Prizm Jaylon Johnson Black Finite 1/1 as his subject. We talk about the psychology of passing, the weight of regret, and the feeling of relief when the second chance comes around. We explore what it means to st...

We don’t smash BIN because of comps. We smash because the card hits something inside us. In this episode, I’m talking through the psychology of the BIN smash—the real reasons collectors hit Buy It Now without hesitation. I share my personal process, what I’ve learned from others, and the emotional phases we go through when the right card shows up, and why we created a dedicated show about it.  Thi...

In this episode of Passion to Profession , I sit down with brothers Curt and Aaron from BBC Emporium to talk about their journey from passionate collectors to business owners. We go deep into what it takes to run a successful business in today's hobby, how their mindset has shifted from collecting to serving, and what makes BBC Emporium feel like home to the local collector community. We cover:  –...

Rodney (@enjoycards_ig) joins the show for a collector conversation rooted in passion, purpose, and Pacers. We talk about how he became a fan of the Indiana Pacers and why Tyrese Haliburton became his guy. Rodney shares his collecting story, from Duke days and Grant Hill admiration to his gold Halliburton chase. We explore the psychology of choosing a player, committing to a team, and letting aest...

In this debut episode of Smashing BIN , I sit down with Paul (@wardle_kombat) to break down one of the most legendary Buy It Now moments in recent collecting memory, his late-night Walmart parking lot pickup of a 2000 Bowman Gold Brady rookie /99. We talk about: What made him smash BIN without hesitation How that one decision led to owning three copies Why understanding rarity is more powerful tha...

Letting go of a card right after you bought it doesn’t make you a flipper. It makes you adaptable. In this episode, Brett breaks down why collectors shouldn't feel guilt or shame for making fast moves. You’ll hear about the mindset shift that helped him stop caring what others think and start building a collection that actually means something. Topics covered: Why intent and transparency matter mo...

In this episode of Card Ladder Confidential , Chris and Josh are back to talk cards, collecting strategies, and the psychology behind how we rank and value what we own. We start with a cold open—if your collection was a March Madness bracket, which card cuts down the nets? We dive into: How Card Ladder is improving price prediction with more accurate historical data The fine line between educating...

In this episode of Passion to Profession , I'm joined by Ryan from Ryan's Cardhouse, one of the top live sellers on eBay. Ryan turned a childhood love for Pokémon into a full-time business and built a thriving community around ripping, collecting, and live selling. We talk about: How social media drives his business Why entertainment and community are core to what he’s building The current Pokémon...

In this episode, I'm joined by David (@mostly90sbasketballcards) for a deep conversation about the often overlooked and underrated world of college card collecting. David is a die-hard Wisconsin Badgers fan who’s built his collection around his love for the team, not the draft picks, not the pro careers, but the players who wore the W. We get into: Why college cards matter What makes college colle...

This is it—Episode 57 and the final chapter of Auction Talk. In this one, Brett and Nic reflect on what this show has meant, how it changed their perspective on collecting, and why stepping back (for now) makes sense. They cover: What they learned about the market through weekly conversation The importance of putting yourself out there Respecting different collector personas What the Paul Skenes s...

There’s no single way to collect. In this flagship episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my own collecting evolution and reflecting on what’s changed since the beginning. From flipping to player PCs, from scattered buying to focused goals—I’ve been through it all. This episode is about finding your lane and honoring it. Whether you're a set builder, a nostalgia collector, or someone exploring a...

Sharon (@BlackJadedWolf) has been a fixture in the hobby for over two decades , building a reputation as a sharp dealer, trendsetter, and collector-first business owner. In this episode, we get into: Her early days collecting and transitioning into full-time selling How she carved out a niche in a vintage-dominated market The art of buying, selling, and timing trends What makes WNBA cards such an...

What does it take to build one of the best player collections in the world? Beau (@Roethlisbergercollector7) has been collecting Ben Roethlisberger cards since 2004, stacking some of the rarest and most sought-after pieces along the way. In this episode, we dive into what fuels his passion, how he tracks down key cards, and the evolution of his collection from mass accumulation to a focus on true...

Auction Talk is back with another big week of sales and insights from the auction market. Nic at The Wharf Sports Cards had his biggest weekly auction yet, and we break down what’s driving the momentum. We cover key sales, including a monster Paul Skenes card that’s flirting with a million dollars, the ongoing rise of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and under-the-radar plays collectors should be watching...

The National is on my mind, and even though I don’t go to a ton of shows, I have strong opinions on how to make the most of your time when you're there. This episode is all about preparation, efficiency, and making sure you're operating on offense—not just showing up and hoping for the best. I’ll share my strategies for pre-work, why collector-to-collector deals are the best, and how relationships...

In this episode of Passion to Profession , I sit down with Stan and Roger from 4 Sharp Corners, one of the biggest names in the graded card market. We talk about how childhood friends turned their love of collecting into a full-time business that has submitted over 5 million cards to PSA. They share how they saw the opportunity in professional grading before it took off, the challenges of scaling,...

Women's basketball cards are having a moment. Katelyn (@coldlunchcards) returns to Stacking Slabs to break down the growth of WNBA and NCAA women's basketball cards, the role Caitlin Clark has played in driving the market, and the rise of prospecting for the NCAA Women's Tournament. We talk about: The explosion of interest in WNBA cards How Unrivaled is changing the game What makes this NCAA Women...

This week on Auction Talk , Nic and I dive into the latest trends, key sales, and the cards collectors are chasing. From rare ‘90s inserts to modern monsters, we cover it all, including: The Tom Brady 2004 Fleer EX Essential Credentials Now /19 jersey number copy and why it might be undervalued. A 1998 Ultra Masterpieces Cal Ripken Jr. 1/1 and the case for Ripken getting more hobby love. The covet...

The best collectors don’t go at it alone. Conversations shape the way we collect, helping us make smarter purchases, uncover rare finds, and build lasting relationships. In this episode, I break down why talking to other collectors is the most underrated edge in the hobby. I’ll share insights from my recent conversations like what I learned, how they changed my perspective, and why surrounding you...

Adam at AMT Memorabilia turned his passion for collecting into one of the top-selling eBay businesses in the hobby. In this episode of Passion to Profession , he shares his journey from breaking UFC cards for fun to running a full-scale consignment and breaking operation. We talk about: The mindset shift from collecting to business His approach to standing out in a crowded marketplace The challeng...

In this episode, I sit down with longtime collector Joey (@the.e.trader) to talk about what it means to identify cards as good stores of value. Joey has built his collection by recognizing opportunities, whether it's picking up rare Kobe PMGs or capitalizing on market shifts in Tom Brady gold parallels. We break down: How to spot undervalued cards The balance between collecting and investing Why u...

This week on Auction Talk , Nic from The Wharf Sports Cards and I go deep into auction trends, and the conversation takes a turn right away. We spend time analyzing a key threshold—$3,000—and what it tells us about the market’s health. Collectors are making moves, consolidating into bigger cards, and the numbers back it up. We discuss: The rise in $3K+ sales and what it means Why GOATs like MJ, Le...

Collectors have lanes, but sometimes stepping outside those lanes can lead to some of the most rewarding moments in the hobby. In this episode, I explore what it means to identify opportunities beyond your primary collection. When do you recognize a shift? What drives the decision to explore a new category? How do you balance curiosity with discipline? I share a personal experience of spotting an...

Passion to Profession is back, and this time, we’re diving into the fast-growing world of F1 cards. Mike at Leahi51513, the largest seller of F1 cards on eBay, joins the show to break down how he built a thriving business, why he believes F1 cards are a generational opportunity, and what he’s seeing in collector behavior. We talk about: How F1 cards went from overlooked to must-have The global col...

Luka Doncic is a Laker. The move that nobody saw coming has sent shockwaves through the NBA and the hobby. How are collectors reacting? What’s happening to Luka’s key cards? And what does this trade say about the player vs. team collecting dynamic? Chris McGill (@chris_hoj) joins me to break it all down. We get into: The immediate market impact on Luka’s cards How the trade has shifted collector s...