The Card Diary by Hobby S. Thompson

Bryan (on IG @goatz_sportz_cardz) got an experience of a lifetime by making a trade with his favorite baseball player, Bobby Witt Jr. where he traded a $7,000 rookie card of his for meeting him and getting a couple of game used and autographed bats. Bryan is also opening up his very first LCS later this year and so we are going to talk about that, the Witt experience, how it was talking with Topps about sharing it on social media, and much more!

If you ever felt that you have been spending too much money getting into breaks or hiding packages and cards from your spouse, but think you have no one to talk to about this and you might be in over your head, Collectors MD might be the thing you have been waiting for. Alyx of Collectors MD (collectorsmd.com and on IG under collectorsmd) comes onto the pod to share what Collectors MD is all about and why it might be well over due for The Hobby.

What happens after you pull a card of a lifetime with your family while on family vacation? Chris and Jake from @JakesBreaksUK traveled from the United Kingdom to Orlando, FL and pulled THE product hit - a Superfractor 1/1 Auto of Lamine Yamal from 2023-24 Topps Chrome UCC. Then, they graded it with PSA and sold it on Goldin Elite Auctions.With that money, *spoiler* they decided to open up a LCS in their neighborhood in Nottingham, England where there is no LCS. Their grand opening is the first weekend of May, which comes close on the heels with the opening of Fanatics & Topps' first ever LCS in London, England.My summary does not do the story justice! Please enjoy Chris and Jake telling their story and thank you for listening.

We have Ryan on back to back as he has an upcoming show on Saturday May 3 at the Silver Spring Civic Center. We talk way more about Pokemon than either of us wanted to, because the chat wanted to know, and we also get into whether Pokemon collectors are happier than sports card collectors, plans and past experiences with The National, and even whether we think 100 men could beat one gorilla in a fight. Thank you to the lively chat for helping steer the conversation!

Disclaimer:  Nothing that Ryan and I discussed should be construed as legal or tax advice.  As with everything regarding the legal and tax fields, please consult a professional legal or tax advisor, such as a CPA, to help your individual needs.  One such person you can reach out to is James Skorheim, The Hobby CPA (on Instagram @the_hobby_cpa) and you can also reach out to him via phone at (949) 438-7430.  Let him know Denny sent you!  Neither he nor anyone else sponsored this reply of a special dual live stream episode.

About three months ago, I split two 2024 Panini Prizm NFL Hobby Boxes with a complete stranger on the internet, and we became fast card friends. I have Dan on a second time on YouTube, first time on the podcast, to talk about coming back to the hobby he loved as a kid and how he decided to get back into it with breaking and why.You can check out our first video here: https://youtu.be/vYICcev2a9gDan can be found on Instagram and Whatnot under epic_breaks_

This is NOT sponsored content and I do not have an affiliate code with Center Stage. I get nothing out of having the CEO of Center Stage, John Wie, on the podcast other than a great chat with a kind hobby friend. Center Stage is a free app to scan cards, available in the Apple Store for iPhone users! There are paid memberships, and so it is a freemium model.Here is a link to a FAQ about Center Stage:https://centerstagehq.com/faq/Here is a link to the different membership tiers:https://centerstagehq.com/membership-plans/Thank you John for a fantastic chat! We will have you on again later this year.

The episode that was supposed to happen last time is happening this time! Live recording, cross streamed with YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Why is a new father on the way promoting a card show? Dakota of dakotastorm_rips_cards will tell you why!Dakota's show will be at the Heritage Community Church in Severn, MD from 9am to 1pm on March 1, 2025 with free admission for all! 40 tables, tons of giveaways, and it benefits the Royal Rangers, an organization that helps young boys turn into upstanding young men!

In 2025, I plan to tell 2-3 long arc stories following the hobby paths of three hobbyists trying out new ventures. The sixth episode of Season 3 was supposed to be the start of the first such story and it was supposed to be recorded with a card friend who is a new card promoter and has a baby on the way, but he had to reschedule (not because of the baby's arrival!). This is when having good card friends is handy, because on short notice before the livestream, Bryan (on IG @goatz_sportz_cardz) was able to join the podcast studio to tell us about the plans for his new card shop in Northern Virginia. Bryan also shares a poignant childhood story about losing his entire collection (and his dad's) to a house fire, which took him away from the hobby for a while, but when he came back, he was ready to jump in with both feet. That is why, even though they are not a sponsor or affiliate of this podcast, I would like to let listeners know about Collectibles Insurance Services (collectinsure.com) if you are interested in insuring your cards!

Untimely at time of publishing this as a podcast episode, but timely at the time of recording in the evening of January 17, 2025. I had a live stream where I invited Hobby TikTokers to come share their thoughts on the potential end of TikTok come January 19 and how this affects their business, their hobby, and their lives. No one came on, citing personal and business reasons, which are understandable!

This group podcast welcomes Austin (@carlos_rodon_pc on IG) and Chas (@thehobbyohio on IG) to talk about their experiences with having an eBay storefront with a monthly subscription plan. They will help me figure out if it's worth it for me or not as I continue to form my selling plans for 2025. We also look at their eBay stores to see their approaches to how they present their cards. Both had different approaches and so it was interesting to see!

John (on IG @zbocards) is a player collector, and you can take one guess as to who he collects! When I was very new to Hobby Instagram, I was amazed at how well he took photos of his cards (and I still am!). With just his iPhone, he has been able to capture the intricacies of the cardboard we all love. We talk about why and how he started collecting Zach Randolph cards, the state of the NBA, and what he looks for when buying sealed wax online!

This is a random special bonus episode that is part of my YouTube series of the road to 1,000 subscribers. It was recorded the morning of January 12, 2025, when I was at 571 subscribers. Whether you're trying to grow your podcast audience, YouTube subscribers, Instagram or other social media presence, I hope that you enjoy this series, and for the full series, please check it out in my playlists on YouTube!

The second episode of Season 3 of The Card Diary by Hobby S. Thompson is a monologue episode, where I talk about how the hobby is supposed to be an escape, but you can't help but see on your social media feed the absolute devastation and destruction of the fires in LA. So that's the fire. The ice part is about the super extended winter break due to snow and ice in the DMV and I do (somewhat) bring it back to the hobby. Everything Nice is just what I want in 2025.This episode is NOT brought to you by any affiliate or sponsor, but I do mention why I made the personal decision to get insurance for my trading card collection from Collect Insurance Services. You can see if it's a good fit for you by going to collectinsure.com or calling 888-837-9537. If you found out about them through me, use code DENNY. Just kidding, but if you told them you found out about them through me, I would really appreciate that!

First episode of Season 3! Episode 101 was cross streamed live on Neo Cards & Comics's Youtube channel and I still cannot believe that we went almost a full three hours on stream. We started talking about the 2024 Year in Grading with Ryan from GemRate, but then the three of us started going down some interesting Hobby rabbit holes, talking about Pokemon/TCG, incentives for content creators making certain types of content, gambling in the hobby, whether PSA could start grading sealed hobby boxes, the future of Beckett, and so, so much more. I even kept in the audio at the end of the stream past the end of the podcast where we talk about grading comics. One of my most fun podcasts to record, easily the longest, please enjoy this in piecemeal or however you like to enjoy long form content!

100 is a nice, round number, but it's just a number. 100 podcast episodes is certainly a milestone, but in this centennial episode, I discuss why the 21st episode is more impressive than the 100th. What is also more impressive is the number 49, which represents the number of guests that I have had on this podcast to this point. 40 solo podcast guests and 9 group podcast guests, and I hope that in future episodes, that I do more group podcasts and live podcast recordings. Thank you to every single person who has appeared on this podcast in some capacity in the last year and a half. Finally, the "thesis" I have come to a conclusion with doing this podcast about trying things in the hobby is that when you get good enough in doing something, you can become a threat to those in that same space who are feeling inadequate, and people can start doing the comparison game and take their inadequacies out on you, specifically in the content creation side of things and specifically in the social media side of things. Thank you all for listening and supporting this podcast, especially if you are a day one supporter! Truly means a lot to me, thank you. #thehobby #sportscards #baseballcards #basketballcards #footballcards #hockeycards #pokemon #pokemontcg #podcast #hobbypodcast #dennycards #hobbysthompson #thecarddiary #sportscardspodcast --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

I recorded this episode around 8pm on December 12, right before sitting in the breaker's chair to do an at cost break of a case of 2023-24 Panini Hoops Premium Stock NBA Blasters (20 total boxes). I talk about feeling nervous about doing this break, even if it was an at cost break ($25/team for 30 teams roughly = $32/blaster for 20 blasters). I talk about the origins of breaking, just a rudimentary history based on my past experience, nothing super in depth. Shout out to Chris Justice of Cards Infinity/The Hobby Box for being my first ever breaker back in the early 2010's! I also touch on the potential for shill bidding in streaming platforms when it comes to auction prices for group box breaks (or anything on these streaming platforms such as repacks aka mystery packs and single cards). Finally, Pepperidge Farms remembers back when everyone domed packs and boxes, but alas such is the evolution of language. #thehobby #tradingcards #sportscardhobby #hobbypodcast #hobbyboxopening #collectiblecards #collector #basketball #basketballcards #basketballbreaks #breaking #breakingcards #nba #thecarddiary #hobbysthompson #cardhobby #cardcollector #cardcollecting --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

Being the potential penultimate podcast episode of The Card Diary by Hobby S. Thompson, I thought a lot about who I wanted as its potential last guest on this podcast.However, the answer was right in front of my face, as Nick Andrews (on IG @bostoncardhunter and one half of The  @SportCardMadness  Podcast) is currently at the top of everyone's Instagram feeds. He is a podcaster, YouTuber, Instagram content creator, making funny and serious short form and long form content, and even recently made a mini documentary on the life of  @Fanatics  CEO, Michael Rubin.A lot of people first got to know him about the CT scanning issue with sealed wax, but we did not talk about that topic much. Instead, by listening to this podcast episode, you will learn who Nick was before he became the Boston Card Hunter, what he thinks about bounties and the most recent $30,000 bounty for the Caitlin Clark 1/1 from ghostwrite (Josh Luber's newest company) by Dave & Adam's. Nick also shares whether he thinks collective action could work in The Hobby, and what he thinks about people who tell him that he should stay in his lane. Regardless of what you think about him, he is definitely relevant in The Hobby and in this attention economy, he has your attention.Easily one of my favorite episodes to record, hope you enjoy it! - DennyHere is a link to Nick's YouTube about Michael Rubin:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpCA2-DBFnwHere is a link to the New York Times article about the CT scanning issue with sealed wax: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5987857/2024/12/12/trading-cards-sports-collectibles-scanners-ethics/Here is a link to Dave & Adam's website publicizing the $30,000 bounty for the Caitlin Clark 1/1 ghostwrite figurine:https://www.dacardworld.com/blog/new-releases/1-1-caitlin-clark-ghostwrite-wnba-game-face-bounty/ #thehobby #sportscards #baseballcards #basketballcards #footballcards #hockeycards #pokemon #pokemontcg #podcast #hobbypodcast #dennycards #hobbysthompson #thecarddiary #sportscardspodcast #fanatics #bounty #ghostwrite #daveandadams #caitlinclark #joshluber #sportscardmadness #bostoncardhunter --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

Loose general outline for a Thanksgiving episode where I give thanks for people and things in The Hobby and maybe talk about consumerism with Black Friday and whether I will continue my Collectors Club membership with PSA and Card Ladder. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

Hours after the Mid Atlantic Card Show in Silver Spring, MD, I decide to go live to talk about how I do my card show vlogs and also do a live AMA. Thank you to those of you who joined the YouTube and/or Instagram live stream. If you like this kind of format, maybe I do more of it! As always, if you want to let me know what you thought about this episode or the podcast in general, you can reach me on Instagram or Youtube @denny_cards or email the show at hobbysthompson@gmail.com Thanks for listening! Especially if your name is Josh! =) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

The Mid-Atlantic Sports Card Show is coming to the Silver Spring Civic Center on Saturday, November 23! As its show ambassador, I wanted to bring on the promoter of the show, Ryan McCormick and while I had a set of questions to go through, we ended up talking about his oddball collection and I think both of us were really happy to go down the rabbit holes we did. This was a live stream on YouTube and the chat was involved in the live. Thank you to everyone who joined and shared their thoughts, and thank you to the podcast community for listening! Only four episodes away from 100! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

Happy Veterans Day to all the incredible military service men and women who protect the United States of America! This is an opportunity to hear from military veterans in The Hobby and how their service helps shape their experience with sports cards. Here are their socials and where you can find them: Trent - on Instagram @trentl41 and @slabfalconsportscards and breaking with Jetbreakers on Facebook and Whatnot Dakota - on Instagram @dakotastorm_rips_cards and sets up as a dealer in card shows in the DMV and has his first ever card show as a promoter in March 2025 in Maryland LT - on Instagram  @livinwithlt  and has his own YouTube channel and live streams We talked about their active/past service in the military, whether they like or not like when people say "Thank you for your service," who they PC, how Trent yelled orders at Paul Skenes, how they should always support the Commander In Chief whoever it is, thoughts about Pat Tillman and Colin Kaepernick, what the flag means to them, and so much more! Thank you to all of them and also thank you to those of you who joined and contributed in the first ever live chat in the YouTube stream! It was so much fun! - Denny --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

In this podcast episode, Ryan from GemRate drops by to talk about the state of grading with Victor Wembanyama cards. He shares his knowledge of the data around Wemby's most graded cards, such as which cards of his have the highest (and lowest) gem rate, and then we talk about the now-infamous 2023-24 Panini Crown Royale Kaboom insert set and how there is literally just one Gem Mint PSA 10 (coincidentally, of Victor Wembanyama) out of the hundreds of the graded cards currently out there in the card market across the entire player checklist. If you are into card grading and into Wemby cards, this is one podcast episode you WON'T want to miss! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

With Fanatics Collect Orlando now officially cancelled/postponed (no set date as of this recording on October 16, 2024), I brought on three guests to talk about the impact of this cancellation. This was not a bashing of Fanatics, but it was also a very real, but also civil, discussion about the event cancellation. My three guests were: 1. Whiz (@mf_whiz) - a dealer who was planning to set up and had bought a table for the show 2. Cam (@bigc7_cards) - a hobbyist from Orlando who shared what it's like boots on the ground in that area 3. Mike (@somdbreaks) - a hobbyist who was going to be traveling from out of town with a non refundable ticket Here is the official statement from Fanatics Collect Orlando: https://www.fanaticsevents.com/fanaticscollectorlando Here is the link to the Sports Collectors Daily article about Fanatics cancelling the Pittsburgh Show: https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/2024-fanatics-pittsburgh-show/#:~:text=Fanatics%20has%20canceled%20plans%20for,company's%20new%20Fanatics%20Events%20division. Here is the link to the SI Collectibles article about the Orlando postponement: https://www.si.com/collectibles/news/fanatics-events-postpones-orlando-event-to-next-year --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

Back in July of 2023, I tried to record a podcast episode with Raphael (Prizm Gawd), and we just could not make it work out, but it was just not meant to be. One plus year later, I feel like I am a better podcaster and have a bigger platform in The Hobby. Raphael shares who he was before he became Prizm Gawd and also his post show thoughts after Culture Collision V. Apologies for any audio issues! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

This 90th episode of the The Card Diary compares/contrasts the two varying styles of two different card shows - East Coast National and Culture Collision. They were held on different dates and areas of the country, but I talk about how one was more traditional and there was more baseball (and vintage baseball), while the other felt more modern and possibly going in the trend in which card shows are headed. I also talk about Fanatics Fest, as that was held on the same weekend as the East Coast National. Is this a false choice? Does it have to be either/or? Can it be both? Enjoy this solo podcast episode and let me know what you think! #thehobby #fanatics #fanaticsfest #eastcoastnational #culturecollision #podcast #hobbypodcast #cardshows #baseballcard #sportscard --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

The Card Carver is the first ever card artist to be a guest on The Card Diary podcast. He talks about the different types of card art, his experiences at the last three Nationals, grading companies like PSA recognizing his work, the effect and influence of Piggy Banx, and much, much more! This was essentially a glimpse into one of our phone conversations and so I really hope you enjoy this special episode! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

This episode puts the spotlight on one half of the power couple duo that runs the Culture Collision Trade Show. Prizm Gawdess (on IG @prizmgawdess) joins the podcast studio to talk about her hobby journey and the origins, logistics, and numbers behind one of the largest card shows in the US. The fifth iteration of Culture Collision will be held from Friday, September 13, 2024 to Sunday, September 15, 2024. You can get your general admission, 3 day pass, and VIP pass at www.culturecollisiontradeshow.com (kids under the age of 12 are free)! Note: I shared during this episode that I am happy to announce that I am part of the social media team as an official media ambassador for Culture Collision V! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

Episode 87 of The Card Diary puts the spotlight Bailey (on IG @fire.sportscards), show promoter for a new local card show in the Northern Virginia area, specifically the Ballston neighborhood of Arlington, VA. We rank the 2022, 2023 and 2024 National, our local card show scene in Northern Virginia, and why he decided to get into card show promotion. Enjoy! - Denny --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

Episode 86 of The Card Diary focuses on my latest experience selling 8 low end PSA slabs at auction on eBay and lessons I learned from it, such as being willing to put cards up at auction even if I sell at a loss, I still get liquid. I also share what I do for shipping and packaging. Thanks for watching! Cards Sold and Net Earnings 2021 Bowman University Chrome Prospects Michael Penix Jr. Pink Refractor PSA 9 - $9.96 2002 Hoops Stars #1 Yao Ming Future Stars PSA 10 - $49.98 2023 Topps Cosmic Chrome - Aqua Equinox Refractor Juan Soto /199 PSA 10 - $31.09 2021 Donruss Optic Spencer Torkelson Rated Prospects Signature Mojo /99 PSA 10 - $31.80 2022 Contenders Treylon Burks RC Auto PSA 10 - $22.95 2013 Finest #50 Adrian Peterson Refractor PSA 10 - $29.15 2020 Panini Michael Thomas On The Horizon PSA 9 - $48.27 2023 Topps Series 1 - Silver Pack Autograph #T88C-4 Christopher Morel PSA 10 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

I talk about my plans for Fanatics Fest, but not before talking about the LeBron Curry Durant (or should it be Durant Curry LeBron?) Triple Auto 1 of 1 Topps Now Card Who's going? If you are, comment below or better yet, DM me on Instagram  @denny_cards  so we can maybe meet up! Hope to see you there, and if you are not going, I hope that you subscribe and follow along for a lot of content from me about it! Thanks - Denny --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

Cards To The Moon's very own Clark (@fivecardguys) and I do a special podcast episode where we interview each other in a way. I have been a fan of the podcast for a while, and I've been meaning to have Clark on for a while now and so I'm glad we finally did this. He and I will both be going to Fanatics Fest in NYC from August 16-18, 2024 at the Javits Center. Will you be there? Let's meet up! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

Our thoughts on setting up as dealers at the Greenville NC card show while driving back home! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

Come along with me and first time dealer David as we set forth for a spontaneous road trip adventure to set up as dealers at the Greenville, NC local card show. This would be my first ever show traveling more than an hour and doing an overnight to set up as a dealer, but my sixth time setting up. Recorded the evening of July 26, 2024 as David drives and I press the record button for a pre show conversation! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

What even is a podcast? What is the measure of success? Is there more than one measure? Answers to those questions and what I learned in my one year of making this podcast. Thanks for giving it a listen! - Denny --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

Here is the audio recording from April 21, 2024. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

Spotify for Podcasters has converted to Riverside, and I'm still trying to figure out how to handle this change, but the past music interludes (e..g Compton, Swapping Tubes, and Rodney Skopes) are all gone. We truly are at the mercy of these platforms and have to adjust to whatever changes they make. The actual recording about getting into a break for Eddie Murray back from April 2024 will follow this one as a separate episode as I cannot combine separate audio files with this new format. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

7 min intro recorded on July 7, 2024 Then 44 min monologue recorded on March 30, 2024 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

I hope I got it right this time! This *should* be the full audio of both Tom and myself having a conversation about data in The Hobby. My apologies to both my special guest Tom and to you, the listener, for not uploading the episode correctly the first time and for taking so long to make it right. Thank you to those of you who reached out to let me know about the issue and thank you all for your patience and understanding. - Denny --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

Episode 76 welcomes Tom Ferrera (on IG @pancake_analytics), where we talk about data analytics and how it applies to The Hobby.  We talk about glitches in the Matrix, aka eBay's Terapeak, being on panels for The Hobby, and the reason sometimes we buy into breaks even when we know from an analytical standpoint, it may not make the most sense.  We also of course talk about the biggest debate between pancakes and waffles. You can email the show with your thoughts, questions and comments @hobbysthompson@gmail.com or you can reach me on Instagram @denny_cards. I also have these podcasts up on YouTube with full video (also @denny_cards on YouTube).  If you like the podcast, please share it with a friend in The Hobby.  Thanks for tuning in! - Denny --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

Episode 75 is the second half of my chat with Cage Lawyer, where we talk about the two different sets of value of cards - monetary and sentimental, and whether nostalgia is enough to keep the middle age collector in The Hobby.  We also touch on whether being in The Hobby makes us a better parent, spouse, friend, etc.  We continue to talk about the state of Hobby Content and what even is Hobby Content and of course, we have to touch on The Haters.   Just a great conversation overall, and I hope you enjoy it, because I know that I did.  If you think you know Cage and his cardboard journey, listen to this episode and see if that is the case. You can email the show with your thoughts, questions and comments @hobbysthompson@gmail.com or you can reach me on Instagram @denny_cards. I also have these podcasts up on YouTube with full video (also @denny_cards on YouTube).  If you like the podcast, please share it with a friend in The Hobby.  Thanks for tuning in! - Denny --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hobbysthompson/support

The day has finally come where Cage Lawyer (on IG @cagelawyer) comes onto the podcast.  In this first half of our conversation, we talk about the landscape of Hobby Content, Instagram, running in the content game with horse blinders on, and whether ambient noise filters into our podcast recordings.  Hope you enjoy this one and stay tuned for Part II.  Enjoy! - Denny You can email the show with your thoughts, questions and comments @hobbysthompson@gmail.com or you can reach me on Instagram @denny_cards. If you like the podcast, please share it with a friend in The Hobby.  Thanks for tuning in!

Nick (on IG @breakcompcards) joins the podcast to talk about being the Kayak of the breaking side of The Hobby.  We talk about how he does not consider himself a reporter of group break prices, as well as this Kayak analogy, data aggregation, and how he monetizes (or plans to) monetize this free service (s/o pc_sportscards). We also get into whether he himself gets into breaks and what he PC's and finally, we do get to questions from the Instagram audience.  All in all, a fun episode to record and so I hope you enjoy it! - Denny

It's almost Opening Day 2024!  Tyger, of ta24cards on Instagram and of the 4 and 6 podcast, joins us on today's episode!  We talk about how he is able to triangulate the exact moment that is captured on a baseball card based on information that is readily available online.  We also talk about hockey, because why not.  However, if you love baseball, I think you are really going to enjoy today's episode and if you are not already doing so, I hope you follow ta24cards to enjoy one of my favorite Instagram accounts.  Enjoy! - Denny

We welcome back our first three time guest, Ryan from GemRate (on IG @gemrate and also gemrate.com), who reports on grading companies.  We touch on the acquisition of SGC by Collectors, the parent company of PSA, but end up talking more about BGS and Beckett and what competitive advantages, if any, they have in the very competitive grading space in The Hobby.  We also talk about tribalism within the fan bases of the grading companies. Bonus: If you play this podcast backwards, all you hear is me whispering Arena Club over and over again. =) Enjoy! - Denny

There is a real need for real journalists and real watchdogs in The Hobby.  In this monologue episode, I talk about the different kinds of content creators who report news and happenings in The Hobby.  Why are there so many people out there saying the same exact things over and over again on the same topics over and over again?  As someone who makes content, I try to maybe help explain the thought process.  Enjoy! - Denny

Continuing this mini series of getting to know breakers of all kinds, I bring on Long Island's Finest, Filthbomb Break's owner, Stephen Abbondandolo (on Instagram and all other social media platforms @filthbombbreaks).   We talk about the logistics that went into the 100 case break they recently did of 2024 Topps Series 1 Baseball, but also why having educated buyers is important and how baseball differs from basketball and football when it comes to The Hobby (More sustainable? Lower price points? Higher ROI?) All in all, a really great chat and as with all of the breakers in this Meet the Breaker Series, I am in no way affiliated or sponsored by any of them or any breaking company.  Thanks for listening! - Denny

Sarah (on IG @mrssquirts_cards) is the first ever independent female breaker, and she started out with no allocation, no distribution, just a love of cardboard stemming from when she was a kid collecting sports cards, Pokemon, and pogs.  Hailing from Montana (which is NOT the Midwest, my bad!), she shares how she builds community, how she sees her buyers as real people, and how she puts her heart into everything she does.  Hope you enjoy this one, as I really enjoyed our chat! - Denny

I will fully admit, when I first saw Wizey Official on Instagram (@wizey_official), I did not like him and his content.  He was ripping his shirt off and yelling out “The Hobby Is Alive!”  But what if it had nothing to do with him at all.  Was I intimidated by his confidence? His youth?  Perhaps.   All I initially saw was the outer layer of Wizey, but I am glad that I got to know him more and we peeled some of the layers back in this chat.  We talk about what he did and currently does for Bleacher Breaks.  We get into his life story, about how he struggled with alopecia, bullying, getting into a devastating car wreck, and through it all, being stronger for all of it.  Really enjoyed recording this one, and I hope you enjoy giving it a listen.  The person who might skip this episode is especially the person who should give it a try!

Valor Sports Cards is a Fanatics Live breaker who recently pulled the Tom Brady Superfractor 1/1 from 2023 Bowman Draft.  When it occurred, conspiracies started to form that Fanatics gave him a loaded box.  Can anything be a coincidence anymore?  Listen in to hear how maybe nothing everything in The Hobby has to be a conspiracy…..