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

Today’s guest is Jonathan, better known on IG as @sportscards.and.sunsets. As one-third of the Rough Cuts Vintage Card Podcast, Jonathan and his partners have fun discussing vintage cards and all related topics, which is why you’ll find this conversation so interesting. This is Jonathan’s tale of what can happen when one wanders a little too far from what makes a collection, a collection.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

Today’s guest is Robert, @robertm_cards on Instagram, where his feed is full of some of the coolest game-worn cards you’ll find. There was a time, a span of about 15 years, when Robert built the sort of collection many of us would love to have. Until, one day, someone came along with an offer he couldn’t refuse.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

Today’s guest is Craig, @NewYorkCitySportsCards on Instagram. Years ago he decided to buy lots of cards of an up-and-coming basketball player, and wouldn’t you know it, Craig nailed his assessment. The player became one of the greatest of his generation. When he decided it was time to sell, what he discovered is sports cards are about the long game, and the first urge to sell might be a better time to instead take a step back.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

Today’s guest is Dr. Jim Beckett, host of the long-running podcast, "Dr. James Beckett Sports Card Insights." It might be hard to believe now, but there was a time when Beckett Media was the upstart underdog. As they began to pick up momentum, Dr. Beckett, who sold the company two decades ago, considered how to manage a then-growing company. But as he learned with one decision, bigger is not always better.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

Today’s guest is Chad, @Blackhat_Cards on IG. Have you ever really wanted to collect a player, so you buy a card online, it arrives, you look at it, and it doesn’t really do it for you? That’s what happened to Chad. Then it happened again. And again. And, well, you get the picture.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards