Global Card Collectors

Paul  @NealSportsCardStories  joins the show again to deep dive a topic that he and John both find fascinating: why Balkan athletes punch so much above their weight in team ball sports, especially basketball and soccer. An episode more about the confluence of sports, history, and culture than sports cards. As always, comments and perspectives are most welcomed.

John and Will sit down to recount their whirlwind weekend as vendors at the Istanbul Card Show 2025. From the early mornings and long hours behind the table to the constant energy of collectors stopping by, they share the real grind of being on the vendor side of a major card event—where fatigue becomes part of the package. But this wasn’t just any show. Selling in Turkey brought its own unique twists, far removed from the classic playbook of card culture in the U.S. or Europe.One highlight? The absolute frenzy around Alperen Şengün cards. Fresh off the Turkish National Team’s EuroBasket success, Turkish collectors have finally gone all-in on Alpy, and John and Will found themselves right in the middle of the mania. They break down what the surge in demand means for the market, and why this feels like a potential launching point for card culture in Turkey.Beyond the sales, the guys rave about the smooth organization, the passion of local collectors, and the way the show felt like a true milestone for the community. Packed with funny vendor stories, cultural surprises, and plenty of hobby talk, this episode is a fun, insightful recap of two unforgettable days in Istanbul.

Join host Will as he chats with Amit—better known as @mr_tradecard_gamer on YouTube and Instagram—a true card enthusiast and a well known collector in the Indian card scene. Amit reveals how he fell into card collecting with a unique origin story, what is driving the rapidly emerging Indian card market, and how his time studying in Otago fueled his love for the Black Caps and Kiwi cricketers. They swap stories about their favorite cricketers and memorable moments from World Cup games, and to end the episode Amit shares a few highlights from his one-of-a-kind card collection. One particular card both Will and Amit are passionate about is the legendary 1996 Futera World Cup Warriors Sachin Tendulkar card—they both consider it a grail card for its stunning design, official Futera branding, serial numbering (it's the only serial numbered Tendulkar card in existence, and Will owns a prized PSA 10 copy of it.

In this episode Will sits down with Turkish card content creator Pokezed to talk about the upcoming 2025 Istanbul Card Show. Pokezed shares what’s in store for collectors this year—from double the number of vendors offering everything from TCG to sports cards and memorabilia, to exclusive giveaways and incredible promo cards that are set to make the show unforgettable.Beyond the event, Pokezed gives a candid look at the state of card collecting in Turkey: the unique challenges local collectors face, but also the passion and persistence that keep the hobby thriving against the odds.Whether you’re curious about the Istanbul show or want to understand the global reach of the card community, this is a can’t-miss conversation.

A few weeks ago, Will interviewed Steve Guinee about the 2025 Auckland Card Show. Now, he’s back—joined by Matt Rogers, the mastermind behind the massive TCG tournaments—to catch up on how it all went down and look ahead to what’s coming next. To begin, Matt talks about what it took to run those epic tournaments—spanning titles like Flesh and Blood, Grand Archive, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Disney Lorcana. Then Steve gives us the full breakdown—how the 2025 show more than doubled in scale, ran across two massive halls, and hosted almost 6,000 attendees and had more than $100,000 in prizes and giveaways.

Steve and Matt don’t just pause to pat themselves on the back though. They’re already unveiling ambitious plans for 2026 that are huge… unbelievable even! After the roaring success of this year’s show, you wouldn’t bet against them pulling it off.

As the curtain falls on the Panini era, Will and John sit down for a reflective farewell before they go. From sticker autos to Gold Prizm and National Treasures RPAs, the boys take a nostalgic stroll through the highs and lows of Panini’s reign from 2009 to 2025. They each reveal their Top 5 Most Iconic or Memorable Cards of the Panini era- some picks are obvious, but the pop reports and long-term impact may surprise you.But this isn't just a greatest-hits parade. Will and John also get real about the lessons learned since their return to the hobby in 2020. The Panini years brought unforgettable moments, but they also came with hype cycles, FOMO, and a few expensive mistakes. For newer collectors, it’s a must-listen warning: do your research, or you’ll be the one holding the bag.A celebration, a cautionary tale, and a personal milestone all wrapped into one episode. Whether you lived through it or are just discovering it, the Panini era was one for the books—and John and Will are here to give it the send-off it deserves.

 In this episode, we sit down with James @cardkiwi, to hear the incredible story of how a $750 card sale in 2020 launched a five-year journey of buying, selling, and grinding his way to an $80,000 boat - all without touching a cent from his day job. James shares how deep market research, disciplined goal-setting, and a love for the hobby helped him turn cardboard into real-life assets.

He then walks us through his carefully curated PC, which features legends from the UFC like Kiwi icon Israel Adesanya, Chuck Liddell, GOAT GSP, Jose Aldo and Anderson Silva. He also shares some incredible low numbered rugby league autos, plus a few standout Pokémon cards that even non-collectors will appreciate. James’ story is a masterclass in patience, passion, and study in the card world.

Tune in for practical insights and some serious inspiration from the Kiwi king of the card grind.

In this episode of Global Card Collectors, Will sits down with our old friend Justin to unpack his experience at the 2025 National Sports Card Collectors Convention in Chicago - and what an experience it was!They kick things off with Justin comparing this year’s show to last year’s, highlighting the major step up in scale, energy, and execution. With Fanatics Fest fresh in the minds of collectors, the National’s organizers clearly brought their A-game- and it showed. From massive crowds to multi-million dollar deals, the hobby today is hotter than ever.Justin shares a deep dive into his two-day adventure at the National, including:-Scoring some grail-level cards 🔥-Hanging out with friends from the vintage boxing collecting community-And finding hidden gems at incredible vintage boxing vendors 🥊But this isn’t just a recap — it’s a masterclass in how to do the National right. Justin drops valuable tips on:-Pre- and post-show strategy: eBay might be your best friend before and after the show-Time management at the event: how to avoid burnout and maximize opportunity-Chasing smart: Go after the rare stuff at the National — the common cards will still be there online (and likely cheaper)So whether you're a seasoned collector or planning to attend your first National, this conversation is packed with insights, strategy, and stories that every hobbyist will appreciate.

In this refreshingly honest episode, we sit down with industry legend Asad, better known as Pokecollection, who has been creating Pokémon content on YouTube for an incredible 16 years—amassing a loyal following of nearly 39,000 subscribers along the way.

From his humble (and admittedly cringeworthy) early videos to interviewing and befriending Veronica Taylor—the original voice of Ash Ketchum—Asad shares his journey through the ever-changing tides of content creation. He opens up about the highs, the lows, and the lessons learned in the long game of YouTube, including the harsh reality of burnout and why staying connected to your "why" is the key to longevity.

Whether you’re just starting your YouTube channel, feeling stuck in the creator grind, or you’re a seasoned veteran in the content world, this episode is packed with real talk, wisdom, and a lot of heart. Asad also reveals the Pokémon characters and cards that mean the most to him—and why his channel remains a celebration of joy, nostalgia, and authenticity.

In this explosive episode, Will sits down with Steve Guinee, the mastermind behind the Auckland Card Show, to talk all things cardboard and collectibles ahead of the 2025 show. And this year? It’s gone from huge to nuclear.

Steve reveals how the show has more than doubled in size, literally- from relocating to the mammoth Auckland Showgrounds to expanding to a two-day event packed with endless vendor tables, an avalanche of cards to buy, sell, and trade, and the first of epic TCG tournaments for Flesh and Blood, Grand Archive and more. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just getting started, there’s something for everyone.

Expect exclusive show deals (yes, Pokémon cards at retail prices while stocks last!), ridiculous giveaways from the main stage, VIP goodie bags stacked with value, jaw-dropping exhibits, and surprises around every corner. Steve also shares key tips for guests, like why getting there early is crucial for snagging the best deals before they vanish.

If you're even remotely into trading cards, you won't want to miss this preview of one of New Zealand’s premium collector event of the year.

🎴 Two days. Thousands of cards. One unforgettable show. Don’t miss it.