Hobby Nonsense

In this episode, Jesse kicks things off with a live opening of a Pokémon repack—and absolutely crushes it! From there, he reflects on the current summer lull in non-sport product releases and whether that’s a good or bad thing for collectors. He also dives into the upcoming Rolling Stone card set, analyzing whether it has hit potential or if it might be another swing-and-miss.

Next, Jesse breaks down the surprising attempted comeback of Pogs, exploring how this 90s favorite is borrowing from modern trading card mechanics to create more collectible, chase-based appeal.

Then it’s on to a refreshing collector-to-collector conversation with Lucas Mast, a passionate hobbyist who represents the everyday non-sport card fan. Together, they discuss:

-The charm and simplicity of junk wax era sets

-Why rarer movie cards like Big and Twister still hold appeal

-Thoughts on celebrity autograph products like Pop Century

-How values rise and fall and when to break over buying singles

-Plus: A lively Mailbag segment, including a debate over renaming “non-sport” cards

From rips to real talk, this episode celebrates the everyday collector and the weird, wonderful world of non-sports.

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In this episode, Jesse kicks things off by revealing a new personal collection (PC) character he picked up over the weekend, and reflects on the rising popularity of non-sport cards, including a surprising new social media follower who made his day.

Next, Jesse covers some policy changes at GameStop aimed at getting more product into collectors' hands and weighs in on a possible Simpsons trading card set, fueled by sketch card artist teasers and hobby speculation.

Also in the mix:

-News of the highest-selling Elsa card to date

-Excitement surrounding the newly announced 2025 Topps Chrome Marvel release and what Jesse is most looking forward to in the set

Then, artist Eric Medina joins the show for a fascinating look behind the curtain of the sketch card world. Known for his work on Star Wars, Garbage Pail Kids, Scooby-Doo, and more, Eric shares:

-How companies like Topps, Upper Deck, and Dynamite Comics guide (or don’t guide) the creative process

-The time, technique, and effort that go into creating sketch cards

-What new artists should know about entering the hobby

-And how much artists typically get paid for their work

It’s a fun, informative episode packed with hobby insight—from collectors to creators.

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In this episode, Jesse and Ray kick things off with a recap of Nashville Poké Fest, a non-sport card-only show that drew an impressive crowd. They break down the turnout, vendor mix, and collector demographics, offering a snapshot of what’s working in today’s hobby events.

Then, Adam Gellman, known as the go-to voice on wrestling cards, joins the show to discuss the explosive growth of WWE in the hobby. The conversation covers:

Celebrity involvement and crossover stars

The rise of reality shows like 'LFG'

The differences between vintage and modern wrestling collectors

International market impact and future investment potential

How storytelling fuels long-term hobby interest

Adam shares predictions for breakout stars and offers a sharp perspective on where wrestling cards are headed next.

To close the episode, Jesse and Ray revisit some hot-button hobby topics including:

Disappointment surrounding Pokémon’s latest release

How VeeFriends cards are still commanding sky-high prices

And how PSA Magazine subscribers could be unknowingly sitting on hundreds or even thousands of dollars worth of cards.

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In this episode, Jesse opens with a look into why Topps Chrome VeeFriends, the GaryVee-backed product, is seeing a massive surge—boxes have now 4-5x’d in value, and he shares his theory on what’s driving the demand.

Next, Jesse breaks down a troubling update about a fake autograph in last year’s Leaf Pop Century product and what it means for collectors chasing celebrity autos.

Then it’s on to the world of TCGs, as Evan Garrett of Dragon Fire Games joins to discuss what’s hot in the space and why. They dive into:

Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Lorcana, Yu-Gi-Oh, and One Piece

Why competitive players are struggling to get product

Which TCGs are dominating right now

Whether Lorcana has long-term potential or is a fading trend

Later, Tory Hermens of DCSports87 joins to announce a new TCG community-focused consignment special and what sellers should know.

To wrap it up, Jesse questions his own take from the last episode—are we actually entering a new Junk Wax Era? Especially when multiple companies are now... making Pope trading cards.

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In this episode, Jesse kicks things off by sharing his firsthand experience with 2025 Leaf Pop Century, now that he's had the chance to go through the product himself. From surprises to standout autos, he gives his honest thoughts on one of the most anticipated celebrity autograph releases of the year.

Then, Jesse is joined by Stephanie Garcia of Mama Breaks for a deep dive into the huge wave of entertainment product announcements coming out of the recent Topps Conference. They discuss:

Major celebrity signers and Fanatics’ new partnership with a talent agency to secure even more big-name autographs

Why they’re excited about a smaller, more focused Star Wars release slate, especially Meijo and Smuggler’s Outpost

The upcoming Disney sets, including products themed around the rides, parks, and the high-end Disney Vault collection

The Marvel card lineup, featuring Infinity: MCU Phase 1, which might be the most anticipated Marvel product ever

A quick nod to Garbage Pail Kids and the surprise announcement of a Spongebob trading card release

From pop culture giants to theme park nostalgia, this episode is packed with hobby excitement across the galaxy (and under the sea)!

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In this episode, Jesse kicks things off with a recap of the Topps announcements from WrestleMania weekend in Las Vegas, including the introduction of WWE Debut Patches and the buzz around Cactus Jack/WrestleMania boxes, which are already commanding prices north of $1,000 on the secondary market.

Then it’s on to one of the hobby’s biggest celebrity-driven products—2025 Leaf Pop Century. Jesse breaks down this year’s updates, including new signers, design changes, and some wild multi-auto cards that are already generating buzz.

To round out the episode, Jesse sits down with Robin Black, a veteran toy flipper and reseller, for a fun and informative conversation on the non-card side of the collecting world. They discuss:

-Hot toy trends

-Chase pieces driving value

-What to look for at estate sales, thrift stores, and more

Whether you're into wrestling cards, celeb autos, or turning old toys into treasure, this episode has something for every collector and hustler.

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In this episode, Jesse brings back Ray Solorio for a wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from Pokémon market trends to garage sale flipping tips.

The show kicks off with some unexpected WrestleMania weekend energy, as Jesse and Ray acknowledge the hype in the wrestling world. Then it’s on to the latest non-sport releases, with Jesse giving a detailed breakdown of Topps Star Wars Masterwork—highlighting what’s working, what’s not, and why this year’s public release might finally be done right.

Next up: Pokémon. Jesse and Ray react to the latest set, Journey Together, and dig into the current pricing climate—what's stabilizing, what's still inflated, and what feels artificially pumped. They also weigh in on the big news around the 1st Edition re-release and share thoughts on the latest Courtyard.io Weekly Pack Attack.

To wrap things up, the conversation takes a fun detour as Ray shares his second passion: flipping Amazon returns, Goodwill finds, and garage sale scores. He offers up some real-world tips for anyone looking to make a few extra bucks this summer by hunting treasure in unexpected places.

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In this episode, Jesse kicks things off with a thank-you to the team at Super Break and announces a Bruce Lee Keepsakes giveaway for users of Courtyard.io. From there, the spotlight turns to some of the latest non-sport card releases, including Topps Stranger Things and a closer look at 2024 Topps Star Wars Masterwork.

But the biggest surprise of the week? 2024 Panini Minecraft—a true dark horse in the hobby. Jesse shares his take on why this release is turning heads and why prices are quickly rising.

Later in the episode, Justin Underwood, known as Spidey Hits on YouTube, joins for an in-depth discussion on Marvel sketch cards. Justin breaks down:

The top artists to watch

The most desirable sketch sets

Whether or not sketch cards should be graded

And how collectors can better appreciate this unique side of the hobby

The episode wraps on a personal note with a heartfelt tribute to Jesse’s father-in-law, Steve Hovies, who passed away just hours before recording. Steve was the one who gave Jesse his first complete card set, and the impact on his collecting journey—and life—won’t be forgotten.

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In this episode, we start with some wild hobby news—Pokémon collectors are taking on bots by selling photos of ETBs instead of the actual boxes, in an attempt to tank resale prices. But while it's clever, unsuspecting human buyers might be getting scammed.

Next, we dive into the world of influencer cards with the debut of MrBeast’s first official trading card, and why it could become a major pop culture collectible.

Then, we take a closer look at Courtyard.io, a new platform that's shaking things up in the marketplace space. Find out how it sets itself apart and where it might be heading next.

Finally, I'm joined by Adam Joosten and Raymond Leon of Super Break Products, who share how their company transitioned from a repack brand into a full-fledged card manufacturer. We dive into how their products like Pieces of the Past, The Bar, and Keepsake blend modern design with vintage memorabilia—and why it’s catching the attention of both modern and vintage collectors alike.

Another packed episode full of news, innovation, and hobby evolution!

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This episode kicks off with a refreshing look at collecting in its purest form—through the eyes of Atticus Gibson, an 11-year-old Pokémon enthusiast(and Jesse's nephew) who collects not for value, but for the love of the characters and artwork. We dive into what it’s like to be a kid in the Pokémon hobby today, his thoughts on new releases, and whether he’s excited about the first-ever Pokémon + Lego collaboration.

From there, the conversation shifts to where sports and non-sports cards collide, highlighting past sets that have blended the two worlds and how concepts like Baseball x Pokémon could be a major hit in today’s collecting scene.

Finally, vintage non-sport collector Jay Guiliano joins the show for a deep dive into the weird, rare, and absurd world of non-sport cards. We discuss:

-Why rookie card designations don’t carry the same weight in non-sports (Looking at you, Mickey Mouse!)

-Why rarity doesn’t always mean high value in this space

-Some of Jay’s most unique and intriguing pieces

From pure nostalgia to high-end vintage rarities, this episode is packed with unique insights from collectors of all ages!

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