The Shallow End

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...

Welcome to "27 Decisions," a limited-run series all November presented by The Shallow End. Today's guest is Steve aka @bigtime_sportscards . As he looked through his collection and thought about the hobby, Steve felt like something was missing. Then he thought about the uniqueness of the region where he lives, refocused his collection, and is building a collection unlike any other. The Shallow End...

Welcome to "27 Decisions," a limited-run series all November presented by The Shallow End. Today's guest is Sports Cards Live's Jeremy Lee aka @jlee_sportscardslive . Jeremy has been part of the hobby for four decades. He makes his living through sports cards. But earlier this year when he saw a certain Babe Ruth card, he realized something important: a single sports card still had the power to le...

Welcome to "27 Decisions," a limited-run series all November presented by The Shallow End. Today's guest is Adam aka @ajmcards94 . After college, Adam returned to his hometown. His collecting followed suit. His reward is a uniquely personal PC. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/tumblin

Welcome to "27 Decisions," a limited-run series all November presented by The Shallow End. Today's guest is Brandon aka @sportscardstruggles . Brandon was on a break at work when the card of his dreams hit eBay … and was promptly gone before he even had a chance to act. Eventually he got it, and the "load-bearing wall" of his collection was finally in place. 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 @PinwheelCards . Josh's pivot was about as extreme as a pivot can get: from ultramodern basketball to vintage baseball. What most stands out in this conversation is how swiftly he made the move and the strength of his conviction. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dav...

Welcome to "27 Decisions," a limited-run series all November presented by The Shallow End. Today's guest is Todd aka @G7_Cards . Todd collected sports card, mostly of players from the St. Louis Cardinals, but something felt like it was missing. When he discovered cards that captured scenes from literature, he knew he’d found his niche. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportsc...

Welcome to "27 Decisions," a limited-run series all November presented by The Shallow End. Today's guest is Dan aka @1980sCardsWithDan . One day Dan was looking at Bryce Harper cards. He found one, but when he noticed the serial number on the card, in that moment everything about his hobby experience changed. 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 Joe aka @JRFIllini . Joe grew up a Bears fan, but when he decided he wanted to collect a player from 1990s, let's just say the Bears didn't present the most attractive options. Enter: Steve McNair. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠ Music from #Uppbeat (free...

Welcome to "27 Decisions," a limited-run series all November presented by The Shallow End. Today's guest is Austin aka @Carlson_Cards , host of the Carlson Cards Sports Card Podcast . At first, Austin was just another Manning and Brady collector. But when he followed an impulse, he began a set chase that has collectors everywhere rooting for his success. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz...

Welcome to "27 Decisions," a limited-run series all November presented by The Shallow End. Today's guest is Justin aka @Deepsouth_Hobbyist . Justin's decision wasn't to start something new, but to keep something he already had. Sometimes, the best moves are the ones we don't make. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://...