The Talking Shop Podcast

Did WhatNot just kill transparency for collectors? Plus, Opening Day…. in Japan? The guys are back to recap Topps Hobby Rip Night and look ahead to Opening Day in Japan , where the Dodgers and Cubs will kick off the season…yes, in Japan. In Hobby News , we break down WhatNot’s latest controversial move—limiting access to past show videos. Is this a red flag for buyers? Plus, The Rock’s "Final Boss...

The Rock’s 1/1 Superfractor, Marvel’s First Topps Now, and a Probstein Shake-UpThe guys are back, debating which is more irrelevant —the NFL All-Star Game or the NBA All-Star Game ? And has Mac McClung actually saved the dunk contest ? Plus, a trip down memory lane as they talk favorite video games — Halo trading cards exist now?? In Hobby News, 2025 Topps Series 1 has been out for a week—is it a...

Topps first flagship release of 2025 sets the tone for the rest of the hobby season 2025 Topps Series 1 is finally here, kicking off the collecting season with a fresh batch of rookies, new inserts, and some wild chase cards! In this episode, we break down everything you need to know— biggest rookies, toughest pulls, and new twists like the Player Number Variations. Plus, we catch up on the latest...

Will the hobby let the disgusting comments from it’s biggest breaker go unpunished and forgotten? This week on Talking Shop , the guys react to the Backyard Breaks controversy—will the hobby hold them accountable, or will the money keep flowing? Plus, Mookie Betts reveals who’s getting Card #1 in Topps Series 1 , Rhea Ripley pulls a Liv Morgan card while looking for her own, and The Rock’s 1/1 fro...

Was the Skenes 1/1 Staged? Doubts About Topps & the 11-Year-Old’s Journal The Paul Skenes 1/1 Rookie Debut Patch card was pulled by an 11-year-old collector on Christmas morning… or was it? Some in the hobby think something doesn’t add up. The guys break down the wild theories—was it staged by Topps? Was the journal actually written by an 11-year-old? Or is this just collectors overthinking an...

DOES THIS LEAVE THE 2012 Prizm TOM BRADY 1/1 AS THE LAST OF THE MODERN MISSING GRAILS? In Episode #143 of the Talking Shop Podcast, the guys dive into a packed week in the hobby and beyond: Did anyone make it to the bustling Salisbury Card Show, and who’s gearing up for the Hickory Show next weekend? Michael’s curse continues as the Lions lose—can he stop rooting for teams? Plus, we break down the...

Can a card from today’s collecting world, become as revered and as special as a card pulled from 20 years ago? In Episode #142 of the Talking Shop Podcast, we ask the big question: What card pulled today could become as legendary as a 1-of-1 LeBron James Logoman pulled on Christmas morning 20 years ago? The guys reflect on this iconic story and debate which modern cards have the potential to reach...

With Images Of The Jackson Holliday “Fun Face” Bat Knob Emerging, The Guys Open Up The Year Asking “WHAT IF?” In Episode #141 of the Talking Shop Podcast , the guys kick off the new year by asking the ultimate “WHAT IF?” Inspired by the Jackson Holliday “Fun Face” Bat Knob 1/1 , they imagine what other iconic baseball memorabilia could make its way into trading cards. Could Billy Ripken’s infamous...

Pop culture cards continue to sell for crazy prices — are they catching up to sports cards in collectability and long-term value?? In this week’s episode, the guys recap their weekends, with Josh breaking down the South Carolina Card Show. In Hobby News , we dive into PSA’s new custom-fit slabs for die-cut cards, the debut of Topps Graphite featuring Carlos Alcaraz, and a Walmart card heist gone w...

In Episode #138 of the Talking Shop Podcast, the guys kick off with a festive opening rip featuring weekend highlights, Christmas chatter, and college football playoff bracket predictions. But the real talk starts in Hobby News! John Elway’s imaginary MLB rookie card makes its debut in 2024 Bowman Draft, and we’re asking the big questions: Who did it better—Elway or Brady? And how good are these h...

The Guys Highlight Players to Watch and an Insert That May Get Some "Action" This week on the Talking Shop Podcast, the guys recap their Thanksgiving weekends, sharing the best food they ate and how Black Friday and Small Business Saturday went at Grand Slam Cards. Josh also recaps Sunday’s Lorcana Tournament and breaks down how to get started in this exciting card game. In Hobby News, we take a d...

In Episode #137 of the Talking Shop Podcast, we dive into the latest card bounty —this time featuring Paul Skenes’ 1/1 Rookie Debut Patch Auto . The Pittsburgh Pirates are offering an insane trade package for it, but now Olivia Dunne has entered the conversation! Would you take the trade, or hold onto the card? We also discuss Mickey Mantle’s rookie card , which continues to reign supreme in the h...

If You Had to Pick One Release Between Topps Chrome Update or Bowman Draft, Which Would It Be? In Episode #136 of the Talking Shop Podcast, we dive into the big question for collectors this holiday season: if you could buy just one release, would it be Topps Chrome Update or Bowman Draft ? We break down both options, highlighting the rookies, patches, and prospects that make each release unique. W...

In Episode #135 of the Talking Shop Podcast, the guys catch up on their weekends, recap college football upsets, and Josh shares highlights from the Charlotte Card Show. In Hobby News, we dive into the “magic” of Disney as a Mickey Mouse superfractor recently sold for a whopping $500,000! Is this a thing in the hobby, or a flash in the pan? We also break down the Dodgers’ World Series win and the...

TSP - Episode 134 Let's talk some Shop!!! Shohei's $4 million + ball and his place in history. Plus a sneak peek at 2024 Allen & Ginter.

Debating the Value of Shohei Ohtani’s Historic Home Run Ball vs. His Cards In Episode #133 of the Talking Shop Podcast, we dive into Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball auction . As collectors, we have to ask: would you rather own the historic ball or one of his iconic trading cards ? We break down the auction, debate the value of memorabilia versus cards, and predict what the ball will sell for. I...

Grading Numbers Drop, Whatnot's Livestream Boom, and Playoff Card Buzz In Episode #132 of the Talking Shop Podcast , we dig into Whatnot’s first State of Livestream Selling Report, revealing that 29% of sellers are listing sports collectibles, and some are making over $10k a month! Then, we break down the so-called "end of grading" (not really), as grading numbers took a sharp dip in September—wha...

Who’s Set to Cash In During the Playoffs, and Who Really Owns Shohei Ohtani’s 50/50 Home Run Ball? In Episode #131 of the Talking Shop Podcast, Michael cries over ANOTHER tough Auburn loss, while Josh tries to care as Colorado shines with Deion Sanders and Travis Hunter leading the way. Plus, Alabama survives a Georgia comeback—are they back on top of the SEC? Michael also shares his thoughts on t...

Which Shohei Rookie Should You Collect?

What Collectors Need to Know About PSA’s Updates and Leaving a Hobby Legacy In Episode #129 of the Talking Shop Podcast, we break down PSA’s new rules—from shipping and upcharges to what happens when you crack a slab. Collectors need to stay informed, and we’ve got everything you need to know about PSA’s updated terms and conditions. We also dive into the idea of building a legacy collection. Insp...

A $1.7M Wilt Card, Panini’s Non-Mess Up, and the New Bowman Chrome release In Episode #128 of the Talking Shop Podcast, the guys catch up on life, with Michael discussing his Auburn Tigers' tough loss to the Cal Bears and Josh reflecting on the Colorado Buffalos getting crushed by Nebraska. We also take a quick look at early college football results and highlight a few teams making some noise....

In Episode #127 of the Talking Shop Podcast, the hosts catch up on life and we also dive into the start of the college football season, with Michael trying to convince Josh and Jacob to pick a team and watch the games—plus, he attempts to break down the new 12-team playoff system. In Hobby News, we dive into Shohei Ohtani’s long-term deal with Topps, the UK-exclusive Topps Chrome Marvel release, a...

In Episode #126 of the Talking Shop Podcast, the hosts catch up on life, including a recap of the Rock Hill Card Show and some hilarious back-to-school tips. In Hobby News, we compare the rediscovered Wilt Chamberlain grail card with the newly launched 1/1 Topps Now Ohtani, debating which card holds more significance in the hobby. We also discuss Noah Lyles’ Yu-Gi-Oh! perks, the return of Topps Ch...

Exploring the Future of the National, Fake Slabs at GameStop, and Tom Brady's Hidden Message In Episode #125 of the Talking Shop Podcast, the hosts catch up and discuss a legendary breakdown between Barry Bonds and Greg Maddux. In Hobby News, Mike Trout pulls his own auto in a heartwarming father-son moment, and we dive into the controversy surrounding fake slabs at GameStop. We also talk abou...

In Episode #124 of the Talking Shop Podcast, we catch up on life, reminisce about back-to-school memories, and discuss the potential impact of the 1/1 triple auto card featuring Steph Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant. We wrap up the Olympics with our take on its place in the hobby. In Hobby News, we explore Fanatics Fest NYC, predict MLB playoff breakout stars, discuss football preseason, and...