Hobby Nonsense

In this episode of Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray kick things off with a hands-on review of the new VeeFriends Super Sticker product. They share why they like the cards, while also addressing why some retail customers aren’t happy—especially those whose preorders arrived after shops and breakers had already started ripping.

Next, they welcome Eric Wagenmaker of Reclaim Customs, who creates custom trading cards for athletes, celebrities, and even kids in little league. Eric shares how he got started, what’s driving the popularity of custom cards, and reveals some of the strangest requests he’s ever received—including one jaw-dropping order.

After the interview, the conversation turns to Japan, where a McDonald’s Pokémon pack promotion has collectors and flippers traveling hours and swarming stores to grab packs. The guys compare it to previous McDonald’s promotions and the downsides being seen.

Then it’s Marvel time with the release of Topps Marvel Mint—featuring a high-end Gambit insert and a nod to one of the Marvel Universe’s most infamous villains—and Marvel Sapphire, which could be the most expensive non-sport product of the year. But does the resale price actually justify it?

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Fresh off his trip to The National, Jesse sits down with Ray to share his experience hunting for non-sport cards at the largest card show in the world. Despite the continued rise of Pokémon and Topps Entertainment products, Jesse breaks down the surprising lack of non-sport presence—but also highlights the biggest Star Wars card sale in history, a $100,000 monster that stole the spotlight.

They also discuss a moment with Gary Vee, where Jesse had the chance to film some content around the new VeeFriends Super Sticker product and hear Gary’s compelling case for vintage non-sport cards and their place in the long-term hobby conversation.

Later, they welcome guest Mason LaFevre, the creator behind the popular YouTube channel Wasatch Pop, to talk all things Funko Pop collecting. Topics include:

From Star Wars grails to garage sale gold, this episode covers the full spectrum of collecting culture.

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In this new release packed episode of Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray go all in on the latest hobby news—starting with a recap of some of the wild news coming from San Diego Comic-Con, which now feels like a must-attend event for non-sport collectors.

They break down the exclusive “Fork” redemption card used by “Hangman” Adam Page during AEW All In, which Upper Deck is turning into a real card in an upcoming product. Then they preview the National Sports Card Convention from a non-sport perspective, including how to get the exclusive Star Wars Topps packs being handed out at the show.

Next, they cover:

They also jump into the Marvel universe to talk:

Plus, reactions to this week’s Garbage Pail Kids 40th Anniversary set, complete with throwback artwork and original artist autographs. And as they wrap, they realize they forgot to mention a huge one—the upcoming MTG Spider-Man Expansion Set, which is already seeing a spike in prices thanks to its original comic-based art.

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In this episode of Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray open with breaking news that’s shaking the hobby: reports of hundreds of millions of dollars in forged autographs and fake certificates of authenticity. With autograph collectors now facing serious risks, the team brings on a uniquely qualified guest—Cliff Panezich, a former forger who once ran a multi-million dollar counterfeit autograph operation.

Cliff pulls back the curtain on the forgery world, sharing:

Before that explosive interview, Jesse shares how he pulled the most expensive card of his life during a recent break, and explains how non-sport card breaks work for collectors who haven’t tried them yet.

Later in the show, Jesse and Ray break down the biggest chase cards from recent non-sport releases like:

The episode wraps with a look at how Labubu’s explosive growth is shaking up the collectible world—its parent company Pop Mart is now reportedly larger than Mattel and Hasbro combined—and an update on an upcoming giveaway from Courtyard.io.

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In this episode of Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray kick things off by recapping the Nash-ional, the booming Nashville Card Show that’s quickly evolving into a Pokémon-focused destination. Ray shares details on a major find and how the vibe of the show has changed for collectors.

Then they’re joined by David Campos to finally dive deep into the world of Disney Lorcana. David breaks down:

Later, Jesse introduces a new segment: Throwback Set, spotlighting 2009 Topps American Heritage—a hidden gem packed with cut autos from U.S. presidents, sports legends like Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson, and pop culture icons.

Then in New Releases, Jesse and Ray react to Upper Deck’s Fleer Brilliants Superman drop and discuss the latest Pokémon release, which isn’t wowing collectors.

The episode wraps with Poke Corner, where they dive the latest Pokémon News starting with some eye-popping price jumps, including the surge of 1st Edition Charizard cards and why Pokémon 151 packs could hit $50 and up in the near future.

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In this milestone episode, Jesse officially welcomes Ray Solorio as the new co-host of Hobby Nonsense! Ray will bring his expertise on WWE and modern Pokémon, while diving deeper into the world of non-sport collecting alongside Jesse.

They kick things off with a breakdown of the Dodgers' One Piece promo cards, which were handed out at a recent game and are already dominating the resale market. Then they tackle one of the strangest hobby headlines yet—the Pope signing a Pokémon card—and why it might actually be better than having signed one of his own official cards.

Later, Ryan Nolan returns to discuss the rising interest in vintage non-sport, including American History cards, and dives into the niche but growing world of music cards, from Ozzy and Black Sabbath to The Rolling Stones. They explore what card manufacturers need to do to market modern band and performer cards successfully.

The episode wraps with a look at:

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In this week’s episode, Jesse kicks things off with a major update: the Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy collaboration is now officially the best-selling MTG crossover to date. He explores what that means for future collaborations—and what it might say about past ones, too.

Then it’s on to a new release from Upper Deck: a Scooby-Doo trading card set, complete with surprising inserts and some serious nostalgic appeal.

Next, Jesse revisits a growing problem in the hobby: CT scanning of sealed packs and boxes. A recent sale of a $30,000 Pokémon pack—advertised as scanned and showing a Base Set Shadowless Charizard—raises huge ethical concerns. Jesse breaks down why this is a slippery slope for the hobby and urges collectors and manufacturers to take a stand against it.

He also speculates on a new force behind Pokémon’s global momentum: the expansion of the TCG into the Chinese market, and how that may be quietly fueling increased demand.

To close the show, Jesse interviews Matt Hathorn, a junk wax collector recently featured in PSA Magazine for his passion-filled collection featuring Steve Urkel, ALF, and the rarest Saved By the Bell card set in existence. They talk 80s/90s nostalgia, obscure sets, and what makes collecting fun again.

Plus, Jesse announces a $300 Comic Book Giveaway courtesy of Courtyard.io, and shares how listeners can win.

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In this week’s episode, Jesse is joined by Ray Solorio to unpack Fanatics Fest from the non-sport card collector’s perspective. Jesse shares his thoughts on the card selection compared to last year and what the experience was like for non-sport fans.

Also joining the show is Bryce Joyner, who was set up as a dealer at the event. He shares his firsthand insight on what it’s like to be a Pokémon seller at a largely sports-focused show, whether the event was worth it from the vendor side, and how some social media moments might not have been genuine!

Then the conversation shifts to the massive buzz around the new Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering collaboration. Jesse and Ray break down the most chaseable cards, why prices are exploding, and what it means for both franchises.

They also cover:

-Why Panini’s Rolling Stones set is struggling

-Why 2025 Topps Chrome Marvel is surging in popularity

-A secret trick to finding new Marvel Chrome boxes cheaper than you’ll see anywhere else!

It’s an episode packed with firsthand insights, collector wisdom, and tips you won’t hear anywhere else.

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In this week’s episode, Jesse starts with some big hobby news: a VeeFriends Superfractor—ungraded—just sold for $25,000. Is that too high? Too low? Jesse weighs in on the significance of the sale and where it places VeeFriends in the larger card market.

Then, things get a little wild in the world of Pokémon overload. From Hershey’s Kisses with Pokémon wrappers to browser-based Pokémon catching to Happy Meals, toys, and cards—Jesse asks the real question: Is the Pokémon brand being stretched too far?

Next, it’s a quick update on the release of Topps Chrome Marvel, which has been well-received overall, but Jesse flags one glaring issue collectors are noticing.

To close the episode, Jesse is joined by Tim Fraser of The Whiskey Geeks podcast for a refreshing change of pace—collecting whiskey! They discuss:

Whiskey bottles with non-sport themes

What bottles pair perfectly with a night of box ripping or comic reading

Which bottles hold long-term value and which are just hype

Whether you're into Pokémon, Pop Century, or Pappy Van Winkle—this episode has something for collectors of all tastes.

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In this episode, Jesse is joined again by Ray Solorio to unpack some of the most buzzworthy topics in the non-sport and pop culture collecting world.

They kick things off with a look at the upcoming 2025 Topps Marvel release, discussing what makes it one of the biggest Marvel card sets ever—from the sheer volume of characters to a wide range of inserts and chases. Jesse shares why he’s especially excited about the Marvel Reflections original art cards and the Frank Miller sketch/autograph cards, and they both weigh in on what Topps could have done even better.

Next up is a surprising topic: Linkin Park’s new Topps Now cards—if only you can actually find them on the website.

Then, the conversation turns to Pokémon, as Jesse and Ray explore the most collectible sets in the Scarlet & Violet era, and break down why Black Bolt & White Flare could be one of the most anticipated releases yet.

Finally, they close the show with a look at one of the fastest-rising collectibles on the market—Pop Mart’s Labubu Blind Boxes. From Spongebob to Goofy plushies and collabs with Pharrell Williams, these designer toys are heating up in a big way, and Jesse and Ray break down why.

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