John’s Substack: https://substack.com/@energystraits?r=xah83&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=stories&shareImageVariant=lightThis week’s episode dives into something every collector eventually faces: Why am I doing this, and is it still making me happy? Justin opens up about reevaluating his collecting goals and stepping outside the expectations that can quietly build up in the hobby. Instead of chasing what’s “hot” or what others think he should collect, he’s focusing on what actually brings him joy, and it sparks a bigger conversation about what it really means to collect.We also tackle a question that hits home for a lot of people: How do you budget for cards when real life comes first? From setting aside monthly spending money, to buying and flipping, to selling parts of your collection to fund new pickups- we break down the different ways we approach the financial side of the hobby while balancing family, responsibilities, and everything else life throws at us.Whether you’re deep in the hobby or just starting to question your direction, this episode is all about finding your lane, spending with intention, and remembering why you started collecting in the first place.

Will and John are back for a laid-back but insight-filled catch-up episode that hits on everything happening in their collecting worlds right now.

They kick things off with recent pickups and some honest frustrations-diving into the current state of COMC and what’s really going on with AI-driven decisions at Fanatics Collectibles. From confusing systems to shifting hobby dynamics, nothing is off the table.

Will shares how his focus has been shifting heavily toward the selling side of the hobby. From launching his new online store to hunting for the right inventory and learning lessons at card shows, he breaks down what’s working and what isn’t.

Meanwhile, John has been busy making some major moves of his own. A stunning quad patch card featuring four European basketball mega stars becomes a centerpiece of the conversation, and sparks a deeper debate: would you take a /10 from an ultra high-end set over a 1/1 from a lower-tier product?

It’s a mix of hobby talk, market insight, and plenty of laughs along the way—just two collectors checking in and keeping it real.

In this episode Justin returns to chat with Bernard, a Canadian collector with a passion for hockey and boxing! Bernard starts by discussing how his son's love of Pokemon cards brought him back into the hobby, and continues by discussing and showing off his amazing collection of Steve Yzerman hockey cards! Finally, Bernard and Justin discuss their shared passion for boxing and boxing cards. Bernard's collection is both extremely unique and very extremely thoughtful, so this is definitely an episode you don't want to miss!

In this episode, Will and John jump online for a long-overdue catch-up after some time away from recording together. The two reconnect and dive straight into recent pickups, with both showcasing standout Matas Buzelis cards that have them especially excited.

The conversation then shifts across the pond as Will shares insights into the card collecting scene in England, including a recap of the Birmingham card show and what stood out most while attending the show (hint: there were plenty of small, yellow furry toys all over the place).

They move on to boast about their shared success in their NBA Fantasy Leagues and how it's a great way to wrap up the season.

To wrap things up, Will and John look ahead to Collector’s Fest in Istanbul happening this weekend. While there’s plenty of excitement surrounding the event, they keep things grounded by managing expectations and what they hope to get out of it.

This is a relaxed episode filled with hobby talk, international perspectives, and the shared enthusiasm that keeps collectors coming back.

James  @MadCityCollector  recently launched his podcast, The Soccer Card Collective, a phenomenal survey of the soccer card world and a deep dive into what it means to be an “omniscient collector,” borrowing the phrase from Chris Hoj. In this episode, he and John @istanbulcards discuss 2017 Topps Chrome and 2018 Prizm Landmarks, two iconic sets from what many consider the golden era of global soccer cards. Please come up with ten potentially viral titles for this episode

In this episode, Will sits down with Global Card Collectors regular guest and Pokémon market expert Kieran @shinykiwitcg to break down everything happening in the Pokémon TCG world right now.They cover:• What they’ve both been up to recently• New personal purchases and sales• The current state of the Pokémon market — which continues to surge• Upcoming sets including Ascended Heroes, Perfect Order, Chaos Rising (Greninja), and the highly anticipated Darkrai/Rayquaza set• The approaching 30th Anniversary and why it could send the hobby into overdrive• Ongoing supply issues and the continued lack of booster box reprints• PSA price increases, the Beckett acquisition, and wider grading industry shakeups• The Logan Paul Illustrator Pikachu sale• Growing investor interest and the Liquid Marketplace controversy• Their past predictions — including why they expected a slowdown six months ago• Where they believe the market is heading next• Practical advice for collectors navigating an increasingly competitive and expensive landscapeSix months ago, they thought the bubble might burst. Instead, the market has gone from strength to strength - and with the 30th Anniversary on the horizon, things may only get even more intense.

Will sits down with John again for a brand new episode of Global Card Collectors, and this one is a must-listen for serious hobby heads.The conversation centers around John’s three-year odyssey to acquire his ultimate grail card: the 2015 National Treasures International Treasures Nikola Jokić rookie, numbered to just /85. Ultra-rare, on-card auto, and far from cheap — this is the kind of card that defines an entire collection.From there, Will and John naturally segue into a deep dive on why International Treasures is one of the most underrated sets in the hobby. Incredible photography, massive flag imagery, true limited print runs, and a literal who’s who of international basketball players across eras — all capped off with on-card autographs.John breaks down the International Treasures players he’s already collected, from Giannis Antetokounmpo to Andrei Kirilenko, and shares the key cards he’s still chasing, including Rony Seikaly and Luka Dončić.This is a fun, detailed episode that will especially resonate with card fanatics who love to nerd out over niche sets, grail cards, and thoughtfully built collections.

The PCTR Winter Card Festival in Kozyatağa, Istanbul ended up being one of the most encouraging card shows we’ve attended in Turkey.Going in, expectations were low. The event leaned heavily toward Pokémon and One Piece, and as sports card vendors, we weren’t sure what to expect. What we found instead was real interest, real conversations, and a growing group of collectors who genuinely care about sports cards.In this video, Will sits down with his good friend Berk to review the show from a vendor’s perspective - what went right, what surprised us, and why this event felt like a positive signal for collecting in Turkey.We also talk honestly about the challenges the Turkish card market still faces:- Limited access to product- Price gouging- Heavy and often frustrating taxesBut most importantly, we talk about the people we met — new collectors, passionate hobbyists, and moments that made the day feel bigger than just buying and selling cards.This isn’t hype. It’s just us taking a minute to think about where the hobby in Turkey stands right now - and where it might be going.If you collect, sell, or are just curious about the card scene in Turkey, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Global Card Collectors, Will and John break down one of the biggest moments in Will’s collecting journey: finally landing a Giannis Antetokounmpo rookie autograph with his early, full signature after more than a year of chasing it.They walk through the entire process behind the acquisition, from missed bids and dead ends to offers, counteroffers, and ultimately getting the deal done. From there, the conversation opens up into a broader discussion about how collecting changes over time, moving away from impulse buys and toward patience, intention, and having a clear sense of direction.The episode also dives into one of John’s favorite insert sets, International Treasures, and what makes it resonate with collectors. With its focus on international players and a design that centers on flags, the set stands out as something for collectors who value rarity, context, and storytelling within the hobby, they're also perfect for global citizens.It’s a relaxed, in-depth conversation between friends who know the hobby well and enjoy unpacking the why behind the chase.

In this episode, of Global Card Collectors Will sits down with Kaan, the organizer of PCTR Winter Card Fest, an upcoming trading card event taking place in Istanbul on February 1, 2026The interview starts with Kaan’s personal card collecting origin story—from collecting as a kid, to a life-changing trip to Japan where he opened a pack of Chilling Reign and pulled a chase card that reignited his passion for Pokémon cards.From there, we dive deep into what it really takes to organize a large-scale card show. Kaan opens up about the challenges, stress, and risks involved, and why he believes the effort will be worth it once collectors come together under one roof.We also talk about the explosive growth of the card market in Turkey:-Physical TCG stores growing from just 2–3 to nearly 10 in only two years-Online card shops jumping from 1–2 to over 30-How events like the Istanbul Card Show helped create a real collector community-Why PCTR Winter Card Fest is another important step for the sceneFinally, we share our personal thoughts on the Pokémon card market and sealed products—not investment advice, just honest opinions on what we’re buying and why.Will PCTR Winter Card Fest be a success? Time will tell—but the passion and effort are clearly there. So if you’re into Pokémon cards, TCG events, or the global growth of the hobby, this one’s for you.