Hobby Nonsense

On this week’s episode of Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray discuss the growing frustration around PSA grading delays, the increasing relevance of grading in the TCG and non-sport space, and why some collectors are now openly pushing for a complete stop to grading altogether.

From there, the guys break down:

The massive WWE patch bounties, including the $100,000 John Cena WrestleMania patch chase

The kindness shown from a Disney card collector to a sketch artist

And plans for the upcoming card show they’ll be attending, including giveaways and content ideas

The conversation then shifts toward a bigger market question:

Can Disney cards attract collectors the same way Pokémon does?

Jesse and Ray discuss how Pokémon benefits from decades of games, shows, movies, and TCG infrastructure — and why Disney may need to build stronger collector ecosystems around its cards if it wants to reach that next level.

They also cover:

The newly announced 2026 Topps Chrome Disney release

The record-setting $236K Bubble Mew Black Label sale

And why the massive gap between Black Label and PSA 10 prices shows the market is still obsessed with true scarcity

To close the show, Ray shares:

His top undervalued Pokémon cards

And what may be the 25 most popular Pokémon characters in the world

A packed episode covering grading, scarcity, Disney strategy, and where the hobby may be headed next.

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Jesse and Ray kick things off by discussing the recent explosion in high-end 1977 Star Wars card sales, including several record-breaking prices that are bringing renewed attention to vintage non-sport cards.

Then they’re joined by Tyler Schmitt and Adam Rips from VeeFriends to break down the upcoming 2026 VeeFriends Topps Chrome release. The conversation covers:

New chase cards and inserts

Key characters collectors should know

And the addition of MrBeast rookie autographs, which could become one of the most talked-about modern creator cards yet

After the interview:

The guys discuss why the new Dick’s House of Sports locations may be dangerous for uninformed hobby consumers

A restaurant introducing Poké Pay as a payment option using Pokémon cards

The hidden value in WWE Royalty, especially when it comes to patches

The 3 hardest Pokémon sets to find and why their scarcity matters

And to close:The newest Lorcana release introduces Pixar characters for the first time, including a certain space ranger already commanding over $1,700 raw.

A packed episode covering vintage grails, modern hype, and the increasingly strange ways collectibles are entering everyday life.

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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray start by reacting to the news of a potential GameStop buyout offer involving eBay, and why the move raises more questions than answers — including what Ryan Cohen’s real intentions might be and how it could impact the hobby.

From there, they break down 30 Years of Toy Story and then 2025 Star Wars Masterwork, including:

A major increase in top-tier autograph signers

A limited case run that could make this one of the most desirable Star Wars products in years

The conversation then shifts to a growing concern: With Costco now selling bulk top loaders, are we seeing signs of another junk wax era? The guys discuss why it might feel that way — and the key differences that could make today’s market very different.

They also dive into:

The difference between TCG vs CCG, and a new CCG pushing hard into collectibility with serialized cards and celebrity autos

And a look at Pokémon promo cards that could be easy flips, along with an experiment testing how social media messaging impacts buying behavior

A mix of speculation, strategy, and real collector concerns about where the hobby is heading.

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What actually goes into making a trading card set?

This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray are joined by Upper Deck President Jason Masherah for a deep dive into the world of entertainment cards — from the collector perspective and the business side.

The conversation covers:

How Upper Deck is approaching the modern entertainment card market

Why some non-sport products take years (sometimes over half a decade) to reach collectors

The challenge of creating products that feel fresh and not just another copy of what’s already out there

Along the way, things take some unexpected turns…

They uncover older Upper Deck sets that even Jason didn’t realize existed, discuss the idea of employee-only PMGs, and explore the future of Michael Jordan golf cards.

They also break down recent successes like Scooby-Doo and Looney Tunes, and what made those products connect with collectors.

It’s a rare, candid conversation with someone who clearly sees himself as a collector first and a business leader second — and offers a unique look at where the hobby could be headed next.

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On this episode of Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray start with reactions to the latest releases of Disney Neon and Fantastic Four Finest — including a wild break that produced three 1-of-1 pulls… but still left them feeling like something was missing.

Then the show shifts.

They’re joined by Mike Wilbur of Warehouse Collectibles, who gives them access to something most collectors never see — a massive warehouse filled with millions of comics, action figures, and trading cards. Think Costco, but every pallet is packed with collectibles.

Inside, they’re uncovering:

Previously unknown Stan Lee signed comics

Todd McFarlane signed Spawn figures

And countless items ranging from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars

Mike walks through how they’re sorting, valuing, and selling these items — and how collectors can get access.

After the interview:

A shocking stat on how few non-sport cards have actually been graded, and why that suggests the market is still early

A breakdown of the First Partner Pokémon set and why it may be one of the best values right now

And a candid conversation about market turbulence and what it means for everyday collectors

A mix of discovery, opportunity, and a look at just how much is still out there in the hobby.

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There’s always something said at conferences… and then there’s what actually matters.

On this episode of Hobby Nonsense, Jesse shares his raw reactions coming out of the Topps Industry Conference, including what stood out, what surprised him, and what it revealed about the future of the entertainment card space.

The guys break down key announcements and insights, including:

Fanatics Four Finest, Star Wars Masterwork, and Disney Chrome

New easter eggs and chase elements in upcoming products

Why Star Wars Masterwork may include one of the biggest chases ever

And how Disney Chrome continues to innovate rather than rely on past success

They also touch on:

A new Pokémon seller debuting on eBay Live and what that could mean for collectors

Early buzz around Fleer Ultra Superman and its standout designs and sketches

Then things get interesting…

Jesse and Ray discuss a Topps Marvel card almost no one knew existed — originally distributed internally — that is now surfacing on the market at massive prices.

To close the show, they share what they’ve been buying and where they’re seeing opportunity in the current market.

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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray start with one of the most honest conversations in the hobby: why collectors still chase sticker autos and box hits—even when better, guaranteed options exist.

That leads into a broader discussion about collector psychology, risk vs certainty, and why the thrill of the chase continues to drive the market.

From there:

Deadpool Chrome is already surging, with box prices climbing as demand spikes

A heated Sports Boi’s Bugga Boos segment tackles whether breakers are making too much money—or if buyers are responsible for their own decisions

WWE Chrome returns as a flagship release, but does back-to-back WWE product risk cannibalizing itself?

Disney Neon enters as a lower-cost product with strong upside and under-the-radar potential

The guys also revisit the 1966 Donruss Marvel set, which has been climbing rapidly since recent spotlight attention, and break down which cards are seeing the most movement.

Ray shares a speculative play on a Nintendo character he’s buying heavily, as conversations grow around potential expansion into a Marvel-style cinematic universe.

And to close:

Which Pokémon sets are going out of print

And what collectors should be targeting before prices move

A packed episode blending psychology, market trends, and real collector strategy.

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Disney is winning the hobby right now — and this episode explains why.

Jesse and Ray are joined in-studio by Matt Hathorn of Funcle Cards for a deep dive into how Disney 100 (2023) and Disney Chrome (2024) have separated themselves as the most dominant non-sport products in the modern era.

They break down everything collectors want to know:

Why comps don’t always matter for Disney cards

Which parallels actually hold value

Where to grade (and why it matters)

The hierarchy of Disney characters and what collectors prioritize

How Disney stacks up against Pokémon and other TCGs

The conversation also explores a fascinating niche: Cards from the junk wax era of the 80s and 90s. While many were massively produced, surprisingly few exist in high grade — creating opportunities for collectors who know where to look. Matt even shares how he’s turning dollar-bin finds into cards worth hundreds.

Also in this episode:

McDonald’s K-Pop Demon Hunter adult Happy Meal cards

New releases including Topps Chrome Deadpool and WWE Exalted

And a friendly competition to see who pulls the biggest card

Plus, Matt brings 3 Disney cards to give away to listeners.

If you’ve been wondering why Disney cards keep climbing — or how to approach them as a collector or investor — this is a must-listen.

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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray kick things off by recapping Jesse’s first singles show experience and what it revealed about the current state of the non-sport market.

From there, they dive into Star Wars: Smugglers Outpost, breaking down why it may be one of the best collector-focused releases in years and what it’s doing right compared to other modern products.

Next, the conversation turns to 2026 Leaf Pop Century. While the product still delivers strong celebrity appeal, a closer look at resale data raises an important question: are values trending downward even as box prices continue to rise?

They also cover:

The long-awaited Jurassic Park trading card set, featuring autographs from Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum, and Samuel L. Jackson

A new Cardsmiths mini-set tied to the hit film Hail Mary, and whether it could hold long-term value

Celebrities entering the hobby through TCG, including Benji Madden investing in One Piece and Timothée Chalamet spotted at a Yu-Gi-Oh event

Target expanding its card footprint, potentially creating in-store experiences that resemble local card shops

The episode wraps with a debate on Ray’s Pokémon buying strategy, leaving Jesse asking the ultimate collector question: “Is the juice worth the squeeze?”

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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray start the show by discussing the Whatnot lawsuit currently making waves across the hobby, including Whatnot’s response to the allegations and what it could mean for collectors and sellers going forward.

They then follow up on last week’s Topps Disney Neon story with updates on newly revealed IP and signers. The set will feature characters from Gargoyles and Phineas and Ferb, along with exciting new autograph signers — including Owen Wilson signing as Lightning McQueen.

Next, Jesse shares a tip on how collectors have been managing to secure Topps presale products early and how others might be able to take advantage of the same strategy.

The guys also revisit Leaf Photographic, after a Kobe Bryant autograph unexpectedly sold for $31,000, despite earlier skepticism about the product.

The second half of the show features an interview with Grant Sandground of Upper Deck, who walks through everything collectors should know about the new Batman: The Animated Series trading card set. With extremely low print numbers and many retailers already sold out, collectors are starting to feel the FOMO.

To close the show:

Ray highlights new celebrity interest in Pokémon cards, including Kim Kardashian entering the market

And shares valuable tips on what collectors should avoid buying when hunting for Pokémon cards.

A packed episode covering controversy, nostalgia, market surprises, and practical collecting advice.

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