The Collector's Compass

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we sit down with Tyler Santiago—owner of Santiago Sports (@santiago_sports_) and one of the most recognizable voices in the New Jersey card scene.

As the owner of a thriving LCS in Matawan, NJ, Tyler has built Santiago Sports into both a local hub and a respected name nationally. From brick-and-mortar to Instagram sales, card shows to community building, Tyler has carved out a path that balances tradition with modern presence—without relying on the heavy push of platforms like Whatnot or Fanatics Live.

Tyler provides perspective on:

• Building Santiago Sports from its roots into a trusted shop and brand.
• How an LCS can thrive in today’s fast-paced, break-driven hobby.
• Why reputation, relationships, and community matter as much as product.
• The challenges and opportunities shop owners face in an evolving marketplace.
• His philosophy on collecting, breaking, and what it means to stay authentic in the hobby.

Whether you’re a local shop loyalist, an online buyer, or someone curious about how the business side of the hobby works, this episode is a reminder that community and credibility are the cornerstones of collecting with intention.

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

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com

Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: [email protected]

YT: @collectorsmd

IG: @collectorsmd

Follow Tyler & Santiago Sports:

Website: santiagosportsnj.com

YT: ‪@santiago_sports_

IG: @santiago_sports_ | @tyler_santiago_

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#CollectorsMD | #SantiagoCards | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we continue our conversation with Chris “HOJ” McGill (@chris_hoj)—co-founder of Card Ladder (@CardLadder) and one of the most respected voices in the sports card hobby.

In Part I, Chris shared his collecting journey, the origins of House of Jordans, and how Card Ladder was built on data and transparency. In Part II, we go deeper into the culture, language, and future of the hobby.

Chris shares openly about:

• The newly announced Collectors MD x Card Ladder affiliate partnership—and what it means for intentional collecting.
• Why the National has become a metaphor for today’s hobby—where spectacle often drowns out substance.
• The difference between investing and speculating in sports cards—and why precise language matters for kids and newcomers.
• How partnerships and “natural allies” like COMC and Burbank help foster healthier ecosystems.

The future of the hobby won't be defined by hype—it will be shaped by balance, ethics, and intention.

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

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com

Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: [email protected]

YT: @collectorsmd

IG: @collectorsmd

Follow Chris HOJ & Card Ladder:

YT: ‪@chris_hoj‬ | ‪@CardLadder

‬IG: @chris_hoj | @cardladder

Download Card Ladder

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#CollectorsMD | #CardLadder | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we’re honored to welcome Chris “HOJ” McGill—(@chris_hoj) co-founder of Card Ladder (@CardLadder) and one of the most respected voices in the sports card hobby.

Chris’s journey started like many of ours: chasing his childhood grail, the 1993-94 Ultra Scoring Kings Michael Jordan. That passion evolved into content creation with House Of Jordans and eventually into Card Ladder, a platform built on data, transparency, and a vision for long-term hobby sustainability.

In this conversation, Chris shares openly about:

• The difference between investing and speculating in sports cards—and why words matter.
• Why ethical data, transparency, and privacy are non-negotiable in today’s hobby.
• How community, thoughtful content, and responsible guardrails can build a healthier ecosystem for collectors and businesses alike.
• We also explore Chris’s own collection, his philosophy on set building and personal collecting, and his perspective on where the hobby is heading.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a data-driven hobbyist, or someone navigating the noise of modern collecting, this episode is a reminder that the future of the hobby depends on more than adrenaline—it depends on ethics, balance, and intention.

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

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com

Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: [email protected]

YT: @collectorsmd

IG: @collectorsmd

Follow Chris HOJ & Card Ladder:

YT: ‪@chris_hoj‬ | ‪@CardLadder

‬IG: @chris_hoj | @cardladder

Download Card Ladder

Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER

#CollectorsMD | #CardLadder | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we’re honored to spotlight Travis LaVanway—better known in our community as MontanaNorseman.

Travis first joined Collectors MD after winning our second Collector Appreciation Giveaway, but it didn’t take long for him to become a cornerstone of our community. Since then, he’s been a constant presence—attending every peer support meeting, contributing daily in our group chat, lending his time to help with administrative tasks, and offering encouragement to collectors navigating their own struggles.

In this conversation, Travis shares what collecting means to him at its core:

“For me, collecting is getting cards that I like and that make me feel happy. They do not need to be expensive, just expressive. They also do not need to impress others as my collection is what makes me feel good, not the world.”

We’ll explore Travis’s deeply personal collection—from cards tied to his grandfather’s influence and his own U.S. Army service, to tributes honoring a Marine friend he lost to suicide. His story reflects what “collecting with intention” looks like when it’s grounded in memory, meaning, and legacy.

Whether you’re someone who has struggled with compulsive behaviors in the hobby or you’re simply looking to reconnect with the joy of collecting, Travis’s story is a reminder that the cards we hold matter most when they reflect who we are—not what others think.

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

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com

Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: [email protected]

YT: @collectorsmd

IG: @collectorsmd

Follow Travis:

IG: @montananorseman

Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we sit down with Dr. Aakar (Rick) Shah, D.O., to explore the medical and psychological layers of compulsive collecting. As a physician, Dr. Shah offers an informed perspective on how the same mechanisms that drive gambling behaviors — dopamine spikes, reward loops, and risk-reward psychology — are often at play in the hobby.

Our conversation digs into how the brain responds to breaks, repacks, and high-risk chase products, why compulsive collecting tends to fall into a “gray area” between gambling and addiction, and what collectors can do to spot red flags before things spiral. We also touch on how medical insight, peer support, and community awareness can combine to create a healthier and more sustainable hobby.

Whether you’re a collector, a loved one trying to understand compulsive habits, or someone curious about the science behind the rush of ripping packs, this episode offers clarity, tools, and hope for balance.

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

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com

Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: [email protected]

YT: @collectorsmd

IG: @collectorsmd

Follow & Contact Dr. Shah:

Endeavor Health Profile: bit.ly/4kUlg8z

Contact: [email protected]

IG: @thegeminicollection76

Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we sit down with therapist-in-training Traylor Disbrow to explore the connection between mental health and the sports card hobby. From his own wake-up call in 2020 to his work with people in addiction recovery, Traylor brings a unique clinical perspective on how collecting can shift from passion to compulsion—and how we can recognize the signs before it’s too late.

Our conversation dives into how dopamine and reward loops drive collecting behavior, why compulsive collecting exists in a “gray area” between gambling and other addictions, and the ways marketing and product design can fuel unhealthy habits. We talk about the red flags every collector should be aware of and how peer support and professional therapy can work hand-in-hand to build a healthier and more sustainable hobby.

Whether you’re a collector, a mental health professional, or someone questioning your own relationship with the hobby, this episode offers perspective, practical tools, and a reminder that balance is possible.

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

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com

Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: [email protected]

YT: @collectorsmd

IG: @collectorsmd

Follow & Contact Traylor:

Psychology Today Profile: bit.ly/435R0Qc

Contact: [email protected]

IG: @traylordisbrow

Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In this episode of The Collector's Compass, we sit down with Andrew Smith—better known in the hobby as TecmoCards—for a raw, honest conversation about mental health, depression, anxiety, and how collecting helped him rediscover connection, community, and purpose.

Andrew opens up about his experiences with therapy and medication, shares how the hobby became a lifeline during dark times, and reflects on the harm caused by predatory behavior in the space.

This one goes beyond the cards—it’s about healing, hope, and holding space for others. A must-listen for anyone navigating the intersection of mental wellness and collecting.

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

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com

Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: [email protected]

YT: @collectorsmd

IG: @collectorsmd

Follow Andrew:

IG: @tecmocards

Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER

#CollectorsMD | #TecmoCards | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In this episode of The Collector's Compass, we sit down with licensed therapist Dayae Kim for a heartfelt conversation about mental health, identity, and the emotional toll collecting can take when passion turns into pressure.

Dayae shares her clinical perspective and personal connection to the hobby, breaking down how therapy can help collectors reconnect with their values, set healthier boundaries, and navigate stress, burnout, and compulsive behaviors.

We explore topics like people-pleasing, anxiety, life transitions, and the power of defining your own path—one step, one word at a time.This episode is about more than collecting. It’s about clarity, intention, and reclaiming joy.

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

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com

Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: [email protected]

YT: @collectorsmd

IG: @collectorsmd

Follow & Contact Dayae:

Website: dayaekimtherapy.squarespace.com

Psychology Today Profile: bit.ly/4q6okAw

Contact: [email protected]

IG: @dayaekimtherapy

Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In our debut episode of The Collector's Compass, we’re joined by Kevin, a Licensed Gambling Counselor and Drug & Alcohol Counselor with a deeply personal story. Kevin doesn’t just talk the talk—he’s walked the walk. Having overcome his own struggles with addiction and gambling, Kevin has now been sober for 7 years and uses his experience to help others.

In this episode, Kevin shares his journey from battling addiction to becoming a licensed counselor, providing firsthand insights into the psychology of gambling behaviors and how they relate to the world of collecting. We dive deep into the triggers, emotions, and compulsions that drive gambling-like behavior in hobbies like sports card collecting, TCGs, and more.

But this episode is more than just a story—it’s a conversation filled with practical advice. Kevin breaks down the psychology behind compulsive spending, the importance of understanding your triggers, and how to recognize when a hobby is becoming harmful. He also shares his approach to counseling, emphasizing empathy, understanding, and zero judgment.

If you’ve ever struggled with your own collecting habits, felt out of control, or worried about a loved one, this episode is for you. Kevin’s wisdom and lived experience make this a must-listen for anyone navigating the fine line between passion and compulsion.

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

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com

Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: [email protected]

YT: @collectorsmd

IG: @collectorsmd

Follow & Contact Kevin:

Contact: [email protected]

IG: @kjk92_

Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In this episode of The Collector's Compass, we sit down with Denny_Cards (@denny_cards), to continue the conversation we had on his show, The Card Diary—to unpack where the collecting world stands and where it might be heading.

We talk about the highs and lows of the modern hobby, the mental health impact of compulsive collecting, what accountability really looks like, and why the current system feels so broken to so many.

This isn’t just a conversation about cards—it’s a conversation about clarity, purpose, and how to collect without losing yourself in the process.

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

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com

Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: [email protected]

YT: @collectorsmd

IG: @collectorsmd

Follow Denny:

YT: @denny_cards

IG: @denny_cards

Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER

#CollectorsMD | #DennyCards | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly