In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we tackle one of the most urgent and uncomfortable realities facing today’s hobby: how misinformation, pressure tactics, and high-speed live-selling environments are reshaping the collector experience—and why so many people are getting hurt in the process.

Our guest, Jack Miller (JBMcards), has emerged as a trusted voice calling out deceptive practices in the live-selling space. Jack recently posted a viral clip showing a well-known Whatnot seller falsely claiming a $2,000 “last sale” on a Yoshinobu Yamamoto PSA 9—when the true comp was closer to $300. The card was immediately run in a 10-second sudden-death auction, ultimately selling for more than double its real value while the buyer was congratulated for “getting a steal”.

Together, Alyx and Jack break down exactly what happened—and why it matters far beyond one clip. They examine how countdown timers, hype-driven chat, selective data, and fabricated comps create environments where truth can’t keep up with urgency. They explore why buyers are so vulnerable in these moments, how platforms reward speed over accuracy, and how easy it is for entertainment to cross the line into exploitation.

This conversation goes deeper than the clip itself. Alyx and Jack unpack the structural issues that enable manipulation: the misuse of eBay “Best Offer” data, how platforms incentivize theatrics, the psychology behind FOMO bidding, and the erosion of trust when sellers weaponize half-truths in high-pressure settings. Jack offers rare insight from both sides—as someone who buys and sells on these platforms, and as someone who understands how quickly the line between enthusiasm and harm can blur.

They also examine why these discussions are so often dismissed in the hobby. Why do transparency and accountability get treated as “too serious”? Why do bad actors keep getting rewarded? And what will it take to build systems that protect collectors rather than prey on them?

This episode points toward a healthier future—one where sellers embrace responsibility, platforms adopt guardrails, collectors feel empowered to slow down, and community-led movements like Collectors MD provide education, support, and harm-reduction resources for those who need it.

Whether you’re a live-stream buyer, a seller, a hobby veteran, or someone who has felt burned by impulse-driven platforms, this episode brings clarity, honesty, and a blueprint for what ethical selling could—and should—look like.

Subscribe, share, and join the movement toward intentional collecting—because the truth isn’t just protection. It’s power.

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Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: hopp.bio/collectorsmd

Weekly Meeting Sign-Up: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: [email protected]

YouTube: ‪@collectorsmd

Instagram: @collectorsmd

Follow Jack Miller:

Instagram: @JBMcards

X: @JBMcards

#CollectorsMD | #JBMcards | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we dive into one of the most pressing and often avoided questions in the modern hobby—why does a space built on nostalgia, community, and joy so often drift into manipulation, exhaustion, and financial harm?

Our guest, Charles Howard (@CollectorCharles), is one of the hobby’s clearest and most respected voices on market behavior, hype cycles, grading inconsistencies, and the underlying mechanics that shape collector psychology. Through his channel and commentary, Charles has made a name for himself by cutting through industry noise, challenging harmful narratives, and unpacking how modern collecting culture pushes people toward risk without them even realizing it.

Together, Alyx and Charles examine the uncomfortable realities many collectors feel but rarely articulate: the manufactured hype behind new releases, how price floors and hidden volume shape perceived value, the ways breaking formats mimic casino mechanics, and why scandals never seem to create real accountability. They explore how content creators, platforms, and market makers influence collector behavior—and how easy it is for excitement to transform into pressure, chasing, or burnout.

The conversation also revisits the recent episode with Professor Sports Cards, using that moment as a lens to highlight how often serious issues are minimized, laughed off, or dismissed as “too heavy” for hobby content. Charles offers a deeper, clearer breakdown of why these subjects matter—and why collectors deserve transparency, guardrails, and honest discussion rather than constant highlight reels.

This episode points toward a healthier future for the hobby: one built on awareness instead of confusion, intention instead of impulse, and accountability instead of silence. Charles shares what needs to change structurally, what collectors can do individually, and how community-led movements like Collectors MD can help reduce harm while keeping the joy alive.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a returning hobbyist, a content creator, or someone trying to understand why the hobby feels so different today, this episode offers clarity, grounded insight, and a path forward that puts people—not hype—at the center.

Subscribe, share, and join the movement toward intentional collecting—because understanding the system is the first step toward reclaiming control.

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: hopp.bio/collectorsmd

Weekly Meeting Sign-Up: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: [email protected]

YouTube: ‪@collectorsmd

Instagram: @collectorsmd

Follow Charles:

YouTube: ‪@CollectorCharles‬

Instagram: @collectcharles

#CollectorsMD | #CollectorCharles | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we explore a deeply personal and often overlooked question within modern collecting—when does passion for fandom quietly become pressure, and when does connection slip into compulsion? Our guest, Hyde (ChinchillaMajor) is a dedicated member of the Collectors MD community whose journey lives outside traditional sports cards and inside subculture spaces like TCG, anime, cosplay, and fandom collecting. Through their active participation in CMD meetings and Discord, Hyde has courageously shared the emotional realities of overextending finances, identity attachment, and the internal struggle of stepping back before full collapse.

Together, Alyx and Hyde unpack the fragile line between comfort and compulsion, examining how nostalgia, community visibility, and emotional regulation can transform collecting into a coping mechanism. They explore what withdrawal feels like, the grief of redefining identity, and the quiet fear of losing belonging when boundaries are placed around harmful behaviors.

The conversation dives into Hyde’s personal experience of burnout, the decision to distance themselves from triggering environments, and the difficult yet freeing process of rebuilding intention. Alyx connects Hyde’s story to the experiences shared inside Collectors MD—a community where collectors openly navigate shame, overwhelm, and the courage it takes to choose clarity over impulse.

This episode also points toward growth: choosing awareness over denial, boundaries over bingeing, and self-trust over self-escape. Hyde shares the emotional weight of stepping back, the role of accountability, and how healing begins not through perfection, but through intentional pause.

Whether you’re a collector, fandom participant, or someone who’s ever felt trapped by the urge to acquire for comfort, this episode offers a powerful reminder that you are not alone—and that clarity can exist without sacrificing joy.

Subscribe, share, and join the movement toward intentional collecting—because awareness isn’t about restriction. It’s about reclaiming control.

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: hopp.bio/collectorsmd

Weekly Meeting Sign-Up: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: [email protected]

YouTube: ‪@collectorsmd

Instagram: @collectorsmd

Follow Hyde:

Instagram: @chinchillamajor

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we explore one of the most difficult and necessary questions facing the modern hobby—where does collecting end and gambling begin?

Our guest, Saul Malek (@SaulMalekSpeaking), is a keynote speaker, gambling recovery advocate, and emerging voice on the psychological and cultural impact of modern gambling systems. A recovering gambling addict himself, Saul has been featured across major media platforms for his work educating young people, families, and institutions about how today’s gambling environment has evolved—and how easily it pulls people into cycles of secrecy, shame, and financial harm.

Together, Alyx and Saul unpack the growing gray area between gambling and collecting, examining how the same dopamine-driven mechanics found in casinos and betting apps now exist within modern hobby spaces: live breaks, panic bidding, randomized pulls, sudden-death auctions, and “near-miss” reinforcement loops. They explore how these systems condition behavior, increase impulsivity, and blur the line between entertainment and addiction—especially for younger collectors who may not yet understand the risks.

The conversation dives into Saul’s personal journey from fantasy sports to full-blown gambling addiction, his path toward recovery, and the emotional toll of feeling trapped inside a system designed to keep players chasing. Alyx connects these patterns directly to the stories shared inside Collectors MD—a community where collectors openly discuss the anxiety, guilt, and burnout caused by compulsive hobby engagement.

This episode also points toward solutions: education over shame, awareness over denial, and building guardrails that allow people to recognize patterns before they spiral. Saul shares what true prevention looks like, why modern gambling culture is so dangerous, and how the hobby can begin to take responsibility for the harm embedded in its design.

Whether you’re a collector, a parent, a platform user, or someone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by the chase, this episode sheds light on the systems shaping your behavior—and how reclaiming clarity can restore choice.

Subscribe, share, and join the movement toward intentional collecting—because awareness isn’t about restriction. It’s about freedom.

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: hopp.bio/collectorsmd

Weekly Meeting Sign-Up: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: [email protected]

YouTube: ‪@collectorsmd

Instagram: @collectorsmd

Follow Saul Malek:

Website: saulmalek.com

YouTube: ⁨@SaulMalekSpeaking⁩

Instagram: @saulmalekspeaking

Email: [email protected]

#CollectorsMD | #SaulMalek | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we explore one of the most urgent questions facing the modern hobby—how do we build systems that protect collectors instead of exploiting them?

Our guest, Mark Hill, is the founder of My Card Post (@mycard_post), a subscription-based, no-seller-fee marketplace built on fairness, transparency, and community. With nearly 16,000 users and over $4 million in transactions, Mark has quietly created one of the few platforms in the hobby designed for collectors—not off collectors. Bootstrapped, independent, and intentionally ethical, My Card Post stands in sharp contrast to the fee-heavy, gamified, and increasingly predatory systems reshaping the hobby today.

Together, Alyx and Mark dive into the tension between collecting and compulsion, exploring how marketplace design impacts behavior, spending, dopamine, burnout, and the emotional swings that many collectors face but rarely talk about. They examine the rise of “digital slot machine” mechanics—10-second auctions, panic bidding, inflated comps—and the parallels to gambling-style reinforcement loops that drive impulsive purchases and financial regret.

The conversation also looks toward solutions: how ethical platforms can be built without venture-capital pressure, how responsible messaging can be woven into marketplace culture, and why the partnership between Collectors MD and My Card Post represents a new model for hobby reform—one rooted in community, accountability, and long-term health instead of hype.

Mark shares why he walked away from a secure career to build My Card Post from scratch, why he refused to adopt exploitative features for short-term profit, and what it means to prioritize collector well-being over growth-at-all-costs. Alyx explains how Collectors MD is working to address the addiction-like patterns present across the hobby, and how partnerships like this one can help create safer, kinder, and more intentional collecting spaces.

Whether you’re a marketplace user, a frustrated collector, or someone trying to understand why the hobby feels so overwhelming at times, this episode is about reimagining what a healthy ecosystem could look like—and why protecting collectors is not only possible, but necessary.

Subscribe, share, and join the movement toward intentional collecting—because the hobby doesn’t have to feel like a casino. It can feel like community again.

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: hopp.bio/collectorsmd

Weekly Meeting Sign-Up: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: [email protected]

YouTube: ‪@collectorsmd

Instagram: @collectorsmd

Follow Mark & My Card Post:

Website: mycardpost.com

YouTube: @mycard_post

Instagram: @mycard_post | @markhillcards

Email: [email protected]

#CollectorsMD | #MyCardPost | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we’re connecting the worlds of behavioral health and collecting to uncover a deeper question—how do we help people find balance without losing what they love?

Our guest, Ryan Roelans, is the President & CEO of Better Way Of Miami, a licensed clinical social worker, and an adjunct professor at Florida International University, where he teaches graduate-level courses on substance use and mental health treatment. With over 15 years in the field of recovery, Ryan brings a clinical, compassionate, and reform-minded lens to one of the most important discussions in the hobby today—how the principles of therapy, harm reduction, and recovery apply to compulsive collecting.

Together, Alyx and Ryan unpack the parallels between addiction recovery and the modern hobby. They explore how concepts like abstinence versus harm reduction mirror the ways collectors manage—or struggle to manage—their own behaviors. They discuss awareness, accountability, and the illusion of control, the psychology of relapse and impulse, and how recovery principles can reshape how we approach spending, chasing, and collecting.

The conversation also dives into legislative and ethical reform, asking how policymakers could help protect consumers without stripping the joy or freedom from collecting. Ryan shares what he’s learned from decades of treatment work—why connection and compassion matter more than punishment, and how the same community-based solutions that drive recovery can help build a healthier hobby.

Whether you’re in recovery, part of the hobby, or just trying to understand the link between psychology and collecting, this episode is about rethinking balance, regulation, and responsibility—in the hobby and in ourselves.

Subscribe, share, and join the movement toward intentional collecting—because recovery doesn’t always mean walking away. Sometimes, it means learning how to stay.

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: hopp.bio/collectorsmd

Weekly Meeting Sign-Up: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: [email protected]

YouTube: ‪@collectorsmd

Instagram: @collectorsmd

Follow & Contact Ryan & Better Way Of Miami:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @ryanroelans | @betterwayofmiami

Thriving Minds Profile: bit.ly/43mjW6U

Website: betterwayofmiami.org

#CollectorsMD | #BetterWayOfMiami | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we’re stepping outside the world of sports cards to explore a broader truth about collecting—how intention, authenticity, and self-awareness connect collectors across every community.

Our guest, Mikey Dabb—better known as TheCamp0ut (@TheCamp0utwithazero)—is a longtime sneaker and streetwear collector who helped shape modern sneaker culture. From lining up at KITH, CNCPTS, and Supreme during the early “campout” era to building a platform that champions originality over hype, Mikey’s story embodies what Collectors MD calls collecting with intention.

Together, Alyx and Mikey unpack how sneaker culture evolved from storytelling and community into hype and speculation—and how that same pattern now plays out in cards, memorabilia, and other collecting verticals. They discuss what was lost when “the line” turned into an app, how creators can lead with authenticity, and why joy and meaning still matter more than market value.

They also draw direct parallels between sneakers and cards—the chase, the dopamine loops, the social validation—and talk about how collectors everywhere can rebuild purpose and sustainability in their relationship with the things they love.

Whether you’re a sneakerhead, card collector, or creative in any hobby, this episode is about finding balance in the chase—and rediscovering why you started.

Subscribe, share, and join the movement toward intentional collecting—because real culture starts with connection, not competition.

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: hopp.bio/collectorsmd

Weekly Meeting Sign-Up: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: [email protected]

YouTube: ‪@collectorsmd

Instagram: @collectorsmd

Follow Mikey & TheCamp0ut:

Website: thecamp-0ut.com

YouTube: @TheCamp0utwithazero

Instagram: @thecamp0ut

#CollectorsMD | #TheCamp0ut | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we’re exploring the powerful intersection between gambling recovery and the modern hobby—how the same psychological triggers that fuel addiction in casinos are quietly reshaping how people collect, spend, and chase.

Our guest, Rob “ODAAT” Minnick, founder of One Day At A Time Gambling Awareness (@OdaatGamblingAwareness), joins Alyx to share his lived experience with gambling addiction and his journey toward recovery—one day at a time. Through his movement and growing YouTube platform, Rob provides education, resources, and daily encouragement to help others break free from the cycle of gambling and reclaim their lives.

Together, Alyx and Rob examine the shared mechanics between gambling and collecting—dopamine loops, random rewards, overspending, and the illusion of control—and discuss how both communities can build awareness, accountability, and support. They dive into practical guardrails for staying balanced, how platforms like Right Choice Recovery and Gamban are changing access to help, and why honesty and habit-building are at the heart of long-term recovery.

This episode also highlights the overlap between the gambling world and “the hobby”—from live breaks and razzes to repacks and high-stakes releases—and how education and transparency can help collectors and gamblers alike find healthier ways to engage with the things they love.

Whether you’re in recovery, questioning your relationship with risk and reward, or simply want to understand the psychology behind modern collecting, this episode is a raw, hopeful look at recovery through truth, awareness, and community.

Also make sure to check out our full discussion on ⁨OdaatGamblingAwareness's channel—where we unpack Alyx's story of addiction and recovery, where collecting crosses into gambling, the red flags to watch (break culture, dopamine loops, “just one more”), and how parents can protect kids.

Subscribe, share, and join the movement toward intentional collecting—because joy and history deserve to come first again.

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: hopp.bio/collectorsmd

Weekly Meeting Sign-Up: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: [email protected]

YouTube: @collectorsmd

Instagram: @collectorsmd

Follow Rob & ODAAT Gambling Awareness:

Website: odaatgamblingawareness.com

YouTube: @OdaatGamblingAwareness

Instagram: @odaatgamblingawareness

#CollectorsMD | #ODAAT | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we’re stepping back in time to move the hobby forward—celebrating the stories, history, and humanity behind the cards that built collecting as we know it.

Our guest, Brad Sauder (@tradingcardhalloffame)—founder of The Trading Card Hall Of Fame—joins Alyx to explore how storytelling, nostalgia, and preservation can bring balance back to a hobby that’s lost some of its purity.

From the 1954 Topps Ernie Banks to the 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan, Brad’s project honors the most iconic cards in history—not for their prices, but for the meaning they hold. Together, we dive into why these cards matter, how The Hall bridges generations, and what it means to collect from passion instead of profit.

Brad shares how The Trading Card Hall Of Fame grew from a personal idea into a full community initiative—inviting collectors everywhere to nominate, vote, and reconnect with the roots of the hobby. We talk about how collecting used to be about connection and curiosity—and how storytelling can restore that sense of joy, history, and wonder that’s been overshadowed by the chase.

Whether you’re a vintage purist, a modern hobbyist, or someone rediscovering why you fell in love with collecting in the first place, this episode is a reminder that every great card has a story—and every collector does too.

Subscribe, share, and join the movement toward intentional collecting—because joy and history deserve to come first again.

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: hopp.bio/collectorsmd

Weekly Meeting Sign-Up: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: [email protected]

YouTube: @collectorsmd

Instagram: @collectorsmd

Follow Brad & The Trading Card Hall Of Fame:

Instagram: @tradingcardhalloffame

Website: tradingcardhalloffame.org

#CollectorsMD | #TradingCardHOF | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass we’re continuing a powerful conversation that began back in August—this time turning awareness into action.

Our guest, Alijah aka Hoosier_Pulls (@hoosierpulls4689), has been one of the loudest and most authentic voices pushing for reform, transparency, and accountability within the hobby. After our first discussion around repacks, short-fuse auctions, and the hidden gambling mechanics shaping collector behavior, we’re bringing it full circle with a deep dive into guardrails, reform, and real change.

Together, we unpack how the hobby can evolve responsibly—without losing the joy that makes it special. From realistic spending guardrails and self-exclusion tools to platform accountability, influencer transparency, and community-driven reform, this episode explores what a healthier future for collectors actually looks like.

Alijah shares how intentional collecting isn’t about walking away—it’s about walking smarter. We talk about the role creators play in shaping behavior, why EV context and sponsorship labels matter, and how Collectors MD’s partnerships with Birches Health, Right Choice Recovery, PGCC, and Gamban are helping collectors set boundaries before burnout begins.

We also introduce Unboxed Powered By Collectors MD, a new weekly community meeting created in partnership with PGCC—Thursdays from 7–8 PM ET / 4–5 PM PT—where collectors can engage in open conversation about reform, recovery, and safer engagement.

Whether you’re a content creator, a breaker, or a collector trying to find balance again, this episode offers real solutions—not just critique. Because the future of the hobby depends on more than passion—it depends on protection, empathy, and intention.

Subscribe, comment, and join the movement. And remember to collect with intention, not compulsion.

Also make sure to check out our full discussion on hoosierpulls4689's channel—where we first unpacked the truth about compulsion, reform, and what real change in the hobby looks like.

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: hopp.bio/collectorsmd

Weekly Meeting Sign-Up: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: [email protected]

YouTube: @collectorsmd

Instagram: @collectorsmd

Follow Alijah:

YouTube: ‪@hoosierpulls4689‬

Instagram: @hoosier_pulls

#CollectorsMD | #HoosierPulls | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly