Hobby Nonsense

In the final episode of the year, Jesse and Ray wrap up 2025 in true Hobby Nonsense fashion.

The show kicks off with the big reveal of the inaugural Poppy Awards winners, celebrating the best pop culture, entertainment, and non-sport cards of the year—voted on by the community.

From there, the conversation turns to Logan Paul selling his $5 million Pikachu Illustrator card, and why questions about ownership could complicate the story. Jesse then shares a memorable trip to Texas involving sharks, hippies, and Star Wars cards, before the guys break down the newly revealed McDonald’s 30th Anniversary Pokémon set and debate whether it’s a future hit or just another Happy Meal promo.

Ray recaps a recent local card show, noting a surprising contrast between the sports and non-sports sides of the room, and the discussion shifts to whether Yu-Gi-Oh could be the next breakout, following One Piece’s rise.

The episode closes on a more personal note, as Jesse and Ray reflect on balancing money vs. collecting, what they’ve loved about their first year of Hobby Nonsense, and what they’re excited to build heading into 2026.

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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray kick off a packed episode by officially launching the Poppy Awards, celebrating the best in non-sport cards, products, and ideas of 2025. Voting is now open, and the winners will be revealed on the December 31st episode.

Next, they tackle the growing controversy surrounding Collectors’ acquisition of Beckett, including a Congressional FTC letter questioning potential monopolistic practices. Ray gives his unfiltered take as Jesse addresses accusations of being a “shill.”

The guys then break down new releases including Topps Universe WWE, Marvel Studios, and Star Wars Hyperspace, with WWE Universe standing out at just $169 per box and delivering 2 autos plus a relic.

They also discuss the new Pokémon printing facility in South Carolina—could it finally end the card shortage, or will increased supply hurt long-term values?

Finally, the episode closes with one of the most entertaining segments yet: collectors sharing the wildest things they’ve ever traded cards for—from baby formula to cars, weapons, and even kitchens—raising the question: have trading cards officially become a real commodity?

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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray kick things off with breaking hobby news as PSAs’ parent company acquires Beckett Grading Services. After receiving a few details from PSA President Ryan Hoge, they share insight into why they’re making this move and what it could mean for grading going forward.

From there, they dive into new product releases and reviews, starting with Topps Labubu and WWE BAPE. BAPE quickly proves to be a surprise hit — and pulling one of the biggest 1/1 autographs from the very first box certainly doesn’t hurt! Labubu may be more niche, but its premium packaging and massive fan base could make it a sleeper long-term hold.

Next, Jesse and Ray finally put the rumors to rest and give a definitive answer on whether a Topps x Pokémon collaboration is actually happening.

They’re then joined by Jerry Ellis of ELZ Cardz to break down the One Piece TCG — including the most chased characters, hottest sets, and whether there’s still room for new investors given soaring prices and demand.

Later, they discuss early reactions to Star Wars Galaxy, share an update on how and where Hobby Nonsense will be breaking, and highlight record-breaking sales in both the Batman and Pokémon markets.

The episode closes with the introduction of the Poppy Awards — Hobby Nonsense’s new end-of-year awards celebrating the best of the best in non-sport cards.

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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray open the show by addressing concerns surrounding PSA’s buyback system and whether the issues collectors are seeing are simply flaws — or signs of something more intentional.

Then they’re joined by Tory Hermens of DCSports87 for a deep discussion on what truly drives the value of a sketch card: the artist, the character, or the quality of the piece itself. They also debate whether non-sport products should include less popular characters, and which direction the collector migration is moving — are sports collectors entering non-sports, or are non-sport collectors shifting into sports?

Tory also breaks down the release of Topps Star Wars Galaxy, explaining what sets this year’s product apart — and reveals a huge announcement: 👉 DCSports87 will be offering a special 95% payout on all Star Wars Galaxy cards consigned to them. A massive incentive for Star Wars collectors looking to move big hits.

After the interview, Jesse and Ray discuss a new WWII product from Historic Autographs that takes a very unusual approach to Nazi-related cards. They also touch on the upcoming Leaf Red Carpet release — the most expensive non-sport product ever at $10,000 a box — and whether any box at that price could truly offer a return.

The show closes with the wild Kabuto King Pokémon story, and a warning: while the viral moment has positive aspects, many collectors are paying 100x the value of the card and could be left holding the bag.

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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray dive into one of the biggest release cycles the hobby has seen in months. The episode starts with Jesse breaking down his viral post about clues suggesting a possible Topps x Pokémon 30th Anniversary collaboration set next year — a theory that took off online, even though Ray isn’t convinced it has anything to do with Pokémon (and he might be right).

From there, the guys cover a long list of major upcoming releases:

✨ Pixar Gold — gaining more hype than expected, but everything depends on the final checklist. 🌌 Star Wars Galaxy 2025 — celebrating 20 years of Revenge of the Sith with new original art and sketches from Lucasfilm animators. 🚀 Star Wars Hyperspace 2025 — already outselling last year’s product before release. 🎬 Topps Marvel Studios — featuring MCU characters, art, and massive autographs including the huge chase: a dual Ryan Reynolds / Hugh Jackman auto from Deadpool & Wolverine. ⛏️ 2025 Panini Minecraft — surprisingly underwhelming and lacking the creativity of last year’s release. 🏆 2025 Topps Allen & Ginter — stacked with monster cut autos like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and John Quincy Adams, plus real prizes including Mitchell & Ness apparel and gift cards.

To wrap things up, they issue an important warning for Pokémon buyers on StockX, as reports show authenticated products arriving repackaged and not as described.

A packed episode full of speculation, massive releases, hobby insights, and a must-hear consumer alert.

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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray dive into the world of LEGO collecting — and trust us, it’s way deeper (and more valuable) than most collectors realize.

They’re joined by Samuel, the creator behind Rarest Lego Minifigure on Instagram, who has built a million-dollar LEGO collection filled with rare, vintage, and one-of-a-kind pieces.

Samuel shares how he started collecting as a kid and never walked away, how LEGO exploded in popularity after COVID, and why conventions like BrickWorld Chicago have become massive events, drawing thousands of fans and some of the most unbelievable builds you’ll ever see.

He breaks down: • Why vendors price higher at conventions • How community drives the LEGO hobby • Why some of the most valuable LEGO items are true one-of-ones • How Star Wars saved LEGO and reshaped the brand • The challenges of grading LEGO and why the market is still behind • The rarest and most historic pieces in his collection

If you’ve ever wondered how deep LEGO collecting goes — or how a minifigure can be worth thousands — this episode is a must-listen.

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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray (after discovering Ray might have trypophobia) dive into a packed show covering Pixar, coins, and Pokémon.

First, Jesse and Ray break down Pixar Gold, the newest Topps release celebrating iconic moments from the Pixar universe. With actor autos and “Golden Moments” chases, the product looks gorgeous — but will collectors buy in if the price is too premium?

Then they’re joined by Jeff Starck, market analyst for NumisMaster and host of the Coin Collecting Podcast, to uncover the real truth about coin collecting. Jeff explains why coin collectors can lose money even with “valuable” items, how emotional attachment clouds judgment, how market swings affect values, and why networking and research matter more in coins than almost any other collectible.

After the interview, Jesse and Ray talk Pokémon Phantasmal Flames, why it might be the set that finally fixes the supply issue without tanking values, and the surprising pull rates of its biggest hits. They wrap with a wild record sale of a Topps Tekno Mewtwo, proving one of Ray’s recent predictions was dead-on.

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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse (fighting through a stomach bug) and Ray tackle an off-the-wall episode — packed with industry news, market analysis, and a conversation that collectors won’t forget.

They start with the shocking report that Funko Pop predicts it will be out of business by the end of next year, breaking down what led to the fall, how it affects collectors, and why it might actually be good news for long-term Funko fans.

Next, they reveal new details on Topps Star Wars Galaxy 2025, including one of the strongest autograph checklists in years, and how fans may be able to get full-size posters of their favorite cards.

Then, Jesse and Ray welcome Jeremy Allen, Assistant Director of Pop Culture at Heritage Auctions, who shares an inside look at the explosive rise of non-sport cards — from record-breaking sales of Bart Simpson sketches to Luke Skywalker grails and Batman rookies. Jeremy shares what Pop Culture collectible categories have been performing the best and what his thoughts are for 2026.

After the interview, the guys discuss the latest Pokémon leaks and close with a thought-provoking conversation about gambling in the hobby — from GameStop’s Power Packs to controversial break styles and how they blur the line between collecting and chance.

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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray kick things off by addressing the recent big-pull streak in breaks and the social media chatter accusing Jesse of getting “loaded cases.” They dig into why some people hate seeing big hits and why others think rare cards “should be worthless.”

From there, we cover:

🔥 GameStop reverses course after hobby backlash 🛒 Black Friday Pokémon deals at Target, Walmart, Dollar General & more ✨ Luke Skywalker record sale sparks price bump in lower grades

Then we welcome legendary sketch artist Kevin Graham, whose 20+-year career includes major projects from:

Kevin talks about: 🎨 Creating sketches that later sold for $5,000 🗂️ His favorite projects and upcoming releases 💡 Budget-friendly collecting using Chinese non-sport options

After the interview, Jesse & Ray debate the big question:

👉 Are we at the peak of the sketch boom — or are sketch cards becoming the new fine art of trading cards?

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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray break down a massive week across the non-sport hobby world.

They kick off with an update on Leaf’s $200K celebrity Polaroid purchase, revealing the new Leaf Photographic product — and why the rollout may leave some collectors wanting more. Then, they turn to VeeFriends’ Super Stickers Spectacular Series, a slick new release that looks incredible but raises a few concerns once you dig into the details.

Next up, they dive into the Topps Disney Sapphire and Disney Mint releases, both hitting the market this week. With four major Disney sets released in under two months, Jesse and Ray debate whether we’re seeing the rise of a Disney collecting boom or the first signs of buyer fatigue.

They also preview the upcoming Batman: The Animated Series release from Upper Deck — a nostalgia-packed set sure to excite 90s collectors. Finally, the guys dig into listener’s Mailbag questions including:

From $200K Polaroids to Disney dominance and AI market strategy, this episode is packed with big news and even bigger questions.

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