From Aug. 14-31, 18 brave sports-card collectors shared with you their stories of mistakes, failures, and perspectives. Before we move on to other topics, let's stay in this world just a little longer. In this episode of The Shallow End, I'll share my 18 takeaways — one from each collector. If you want to catch up on the limited series, 'Failing Up' is available in full on the Shallow End's podcast feeds.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

In this 18th and final episode of Failing Up, we welcome Dave, known on IG as @paperstreetsportscards. When Dave came back to the hobby, he did a little exploring and discovered cards he found interesting. But when he approached the so-called experts about his interests, they told him his point of view was wrong. They preached a "better" way of doing things. Spoiler alert: the experts were wrong.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

Let's welcome Matt Worley (@slabnomics), host of the up-and-coming Slabnomics podcast. He’s an exciting, honest new voice in the card space. In this episode you’ll hear Matt describe, in detail, something many of us went through when first getting into — or getting back into — the hobby. This is a lesson about what happens when you’re still finding yourself, and the mistakes that come with that.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

Today’s guest is Marty, otherwise known as @signed1933goudey. He’s all about starts and stops, pushing and waiting, patience and passion. This series about sports cards might be called Failing Up, but to Marty, a little bit of struggle isn’t failing. It’s learning. It’s understanding. And it’s getting just a little bit better, one day at a time.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

Today in this 18-part limited series we’re talking with John, co-host of the Global Card Collectors podcast and @Istanbulcards on Instagram. John is a basketball and soccer collector. He’s thoughtful. He’s deliberate and disciplined. Yet anyone, even collectors who stay on their path, are not immune from a painful lesson: Not all 1-of-1s are created equal.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards on IG

Today we’re talking with someone who has been a great help to many in the collecting space, Zan, @zanoo23_sportscards on Instagram. These days those who follow Zan know him for his refined collection of football and baseball cards, and for his ability to spot fake serial numbers in some of the hobby’s most popular sets. But when Zan first re-entered the hobby, he wasn’t drawn toward singles, he gravitated toward opening boxes. As he tumbled toward a hobby of low ROI and, as he put it, a path headed toward addiction, he knew he had to make a change.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

In this episode we welcome Jeff, @MyFavoriteCardboard on Instagram and part of two wonderful shows, Blabbin’ 'bout Slabbin’ and Spitballin’ Cards. I appreciated Jeff’s willingness to share some of his stories because he’s such a good storyteller, but also because they’re so relatable. This is an episode about the persistence of hope, even when there is none, and a reminder that sometimes the worst wounds are self-inflicted.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

Today we welcome to the program Josh Adams, @MidwestVintageCards on IG and one of the driving forces behind the 90s Auctions platform. Many years ago, nearly two decades, Josh said he had a great plan to make some money in the hobby. He’s here today with a warning for all of us: Not all plans … work out.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

Today’s guest is Mark, @mjs_sportscards on Instagram. These days, Mark is known for a few things, from his Jrue Holiday collection, to the WNBA, and of course his beloved L.A. Lakers. But when he first got back into the hobby, he made the sort of moves and mistakes that might have sent many right back out of the hobby, perhaps for good. Yet Mark stuck around. And just as importantly, he learned, and he pivoted. He got himself pointed in the right direction.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

Today we welcome to the show Nick, the Instagram user known as @TastyCardSandwich. Among other things, Nick is a connoisseur of early 2000s cards. But sometimes, as he points out, it’s possible to become SO focused on your lane that you miss out on what’s happening around you. In Nick’s case, it was the rise of some of the biggest modern cards in The Hobby.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards