Stacking Slabs

In this episode, Brett shares ten lessons that shaped his perspective on collecting this past month. From emotional connection and nostalgia to the psychology of chasing, filtering noise in a booming market, and why integrity still matters most, this one covers it all. Brett reflects on how personal meaning drives collecting decisions, why dopamine hits from the chase can be both thrilling and dan...

Community sits at the center of collecting. It shapes what we chase, who we connect with, and how we grow. In this episode, Brett explores how relationships define our hobby journey. From DM threads to parking lot deals, he shares stories that show how collectors help each other find meaning and momentum. You’ll hear why trust, communication, and shared passion always win, and how the right people...

Most collectors aren’t dropping five figures on a single card. In this episode of The Staging Area presented by dcsports87, Brett and Tory dig into the heart of the hobby — the middle class. They break down what defines the $1–$500 range, why these cards often get overlooked, and how collectors can thrive in this segment. They also cover: The rise of athlete integration in the hobby Early takeaway...

In this episode of Passion to Profession presented by eBay, Brett sits down with Tim Getsch Founder and Chief Product Officer at COMC, to explore how the platform became the home for the $5 card market and what that means for collectors today. Tim shares why COMC’s mission has always been about optimizing joy for collectors , not chasing speculators. He breaks down what’s really happening in the $...

Bowman Chrome University is back, and this time we’re asking a big question—what would need to be true for women’s Bowman Chrome U cards to mirror Bowman Baseball’s success? Katelyn (@coldlunchcards) and Brett dive deep into the rise of college card collecting, the impact of NIL, and how the Bowman “first” tag is changing the women’s basketball market. From Caitlin Clark’s $78,000 Superfractor sal...

Pack Nicholson and Brett McGrath are joined by Josh Johnson from Cardboard Chronicles for a packed conversation that covers every corner of the football card hobby. The trio dives into Bowman University Football and the future of college cards in the NIL era, breaks down their collecting updates (including a Bijan 1/1 and a Tyquan Lewis Black Finite), and debates the biggest “what ifs” in NFL hist...

Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored the story of Prizm from every angle — its rise, its impact, and its meaning to collectors. In this final episode of the trilogy, Brett brings it all home. He talks about the psychology behind why we chase, the ritual of collecting, and how Prizm became more than a product — it became culture. From the early Silvers and Golds to Black Finites and Gold Vinyl,...

Growth in collecting isn’t only about what you add. It’s also about what you let go of. In this episode, Brett explores the psychology behind selling cards, detaching from pieces you once loved, and how that process shapes the evolution of your collection. You’ll hear how emotional bias, fear of regret, and market conditions can influence your decisions — and why letting go can be the most freeing...

In this episode of Built for the Hobby , Brett sits down with Scott Lock, CEO and Co-Founder of InfernoRed Technology, to talk about how technology can make collecting more personal, not less. They discuss why automation doesn’t have to feel cold, how platforms like eBay Live and dcsports87 are using tech to build real relationships, and why human-centered design should guide every decision hobby...

Mike from MC Sports Cards is back on Passion to Profession , presented by eBay. In this episode, Mike breaks down how the current bull market feels different from 2021 and why focusing on quality over quantity continues to separate his business. He shares his perspective from the front lines of the hobby—running high-end consignments, navigating collector psychology, and adapting to the demands of...

Donruss is back in the WNBA for the first time since 2019, and collectors are buzzing. In this episode, Brett and Katelyn talk about what this release means for the WNBA card market, how it lands in the middle of a historic rookie class, and what it teaches us about how collectors approach new products. They discuss Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, and how timing shapes collector behavi...

Pack and Brett are back for Episode 18 — the Peyton Manning episode. They kick things off with a trip down memory lane, reliving the Sheriff’s impact on football and collecting. Then it’s time to enter the Kaboom Room to unpack updates to 2025 Absolute Football, including new Super Bowl Kabooms, golds, greens, and the new purple parallel. The guys talk about the staying power of Kabooms, the psych...

Prizm went from an unknown product in 2012 to the defining set of an entire era. In this episode, Brett breaks down the data, psychology, and collector behavior that fueled Prizm’s rise from underdog to hobby standard. Using insights from Card Ladder, collector conversations, and his own experiences, Brett explores how consistency, accessibility, and collector emotion built one of the most powerfu...

This week on Stacking Slabs , Brett dives into one of his favorite ideas: You’re the CEO of your PC. In this flagship episode, he explores what it means to build your collection with intention—especially in a bull market full of distractions. From defining a vision and setting strategy to creating personal frameworks that guide your pickups, Brett walks through how to move from reactionary collect...

The hobby’s never had more data, tools, or transparency. But are we losing something in the process? In this episode, Brett and Tory dig into the launch of the new dcsports87 app and how it’s changing communication between consignors and collectors. Then they explore a bigger question — what happens when the market becomes too efficient? From the $8K LeBron Downtown PSA 10 to the $7,877 1953 Topps...

On this episode of Passion to Profession presented by eBay, I’m joined by Mike and Cameron from Leahi. Mike’s been on the show before, and this time he’s bringing Cameron to share how their team is shaping the way we think about timelessness, supply and demand, and the next generation of collectors. We talk about: The rise of Modern Marvels and why they created the show How timeless cards outperfo...

Season 3 kicks off with a big question: is A’ja Wilson the undisputed GOAT of the WNBA? Brett and Katelyn break down her three championships, four MVPs, and two Finals MVPs—and ask why her card market still trails her greatness. Using fresh Card Ladder data, they unpack the real story behind A'ja's market growth, supply challenges, and what it means for WNBA cards moving forward. They also explore...

Pack and Brett  are back to talk about the $45,000 Marshawn Lynch 2012 Prizm Black Finite sale that set the hobby on fire. The guys dig into why collectors get so caught up in prices, what makes a card “worth it,” and why emotion still drives this entire thing. They also react to 2024 Eminence Football returning with a cut auto checklist featuring Queen Elizabeth II and Eminem, discuss whether the...

In this episode of Card Ladder Confidential , Brett sits down with Chris and Josh from Card Ladder to unpack a year of major shifts in collecting and the market. The trio kick things off with a Mount Rushmore of Panini athletes before diving deep into the emotional and analytical sides of collecting. Chris shares how his approach to collecting Michael Jordan one-of-ones has completely changed his...

The hobby is louder than ever. Record sales, endless opinions, and constant new content make it hard to know what really matters. In this flagship episode, Brett explores how collectors can separate the signal from the noise and make sense of the hobby in real time. He revisits ideas from Collecting for Keeps through the lens of today’s booming market, sharing frameworks for identifying what’s mea...

Josh Johnson has been a fixture in the hobby for years—from his early Cardboard Chronicles interviews to co-founding one of the most trusted tech tools in collecting, Card Ladder . In this episode of Passion to Profession presented by eBay, Josh shares how a collector’s curiosity turned into a full-time career. He talks about rediscovering cards through Pokémon, building software that serves every...

In this special bonus episode, Brett and Katelyn close out Season 2 by getting personal about their own collecting psychology. From Napheesa Collier’s leadership moment to lessons from another emotional WNBA Finals, the two reflect on fandom, team heartbreak, and the cards that keep them connected. Katelyn shares a framework she built to map her PC—breaking down why she collects certain players, h...

Pack Nicholson and Brett  are back breaking down another week in football and collecting. They start with a conversation on staying up late for games, reality TV in the early 2000s, and what makes sports the ultimate drama. Then they get into the big topic of the week — 2025 Impeccable Football — why it’s an underappreciated product, what makes it unique, and how it’s quietly built a ten-year lega...

Brett pays tribute to the brand that defined the modern era of collecting: Prizm. Before the all of the licenses change hands, he reflects on the rise of Prizm from an underdog in 2012 to the flagship product that shaped collector behavior, inspired projects, and connected us across sports. From the first time he chased a Colts Gold Prizm to the moments of reflection on what these cards represent,...

Every collector knows the rush of the chase. That pounding heartbeat. The late-night scrolling. The gut pull that logic can’t explain. In this flagship episode, Brett explores The Art of Chasing —a look into the psychology of desire and motivation in collecting. He breaks down why some cards hit harder than others, the difference between surface and core motivation, and how to channel the thrill o...