Hobby Nonsense

This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray start the show by discussing the Whatnot lawsuit currently making waves across the hobby, including Whatnot’s response to the allegations and what it could mean for collectors and sellers going forward.

They then follow up on last week’s Topps Disney Neon story with updates on newly revealed IP and signers. The set will feature characters from Gargoyles and Phineas and Ferb, along with exciting new autograph signers — including Owen Wilson signing as Lightning McQueen.

Next, Jesse shares a tip on how collectors have been managing to secure Topps presale products early and how others might be able to take advantage of the same strategy.

The guys also revisit Leaf Photographic, after a Kobe Bryant autograph unexpectedly sold for $31,000, despite earlier skepticism about the product.

The second half of the show features an interview with Grant Sandground of Upper Deck, who walks through everything collectors should know about the new Batman: The Animated Series trading card set. With extremely low print numbers and many retailers already sold out, collectors are starting to feel the FOMO.

To close the show:


Ray highlights new celebrity interest in Pokémon cards, including Kim Kardashian entering the market


And shares valuable tips on what collectors should avoid buying when hunting for Pokémon cards.

A packed episode covering controversy, nostalgia, market surprises, and practical collecting advice.
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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray dive into one of the busiest weeks in the non-sport hobby.

They kick things off by recapping their 12-hour break of WWE Universe, sharing their thoughts on the product and some of the highlights from the marathon rip. They also preview the upcoming Topps Chrome WWE First Day Release arriving this Friday and explain how collectors can get access.

Next up are several upcoming releases and hobby updates:


Topps Disney Neon, a lower-cost Disney product aimed at fans of classic animated characters


Upper Deck Batman: The Animated Series, featuring some unique inserts including a full collectible playing card deck with major characters and Wild Jokers


A new tool collectors can use to track which non-sport 1/1 cards have already been pulled from modern products

The conversation then shifts to the broader market with insights from Funcle Cards, including why Disney 100 may already be the GOAT of modern non-sport sets and why a vintage Batman product is starting to gain momentum.

Things take a wild turn when Jesse and Ray discuss the Hong Kong-based company MemeStrategy, which announced plans to acquire 25% of the PSA 10 Felt Hat Pikachu population—a move that has pushed the card’s market cap higher than the Michael Jordan rookie card.

They wrap up the show with a look at where Pokémon 151 prices may be headed and why 151 Charizard and Felt Hat Pikachu are starting to show some surprising similarities.
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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse is back from Europe 🇮🇪🇬🇧 — and there’s a lot to unpack.

They kick things off with insights from the Dublin and London card shows, breaking down what the European hobby scene is doing well, where it still needs improvement, and what Jesse bought overseas — and why.

Next up is the rise of TCG Rush of Ikorr, including an upcoming Championship featuring a $100,000 prize purse 💰, signaling that competitive TCG is heating up.

Then they’re joined by Adam Gellman to talk WWE cards and why WWE Universe is hitting on the right buttons for collectors. They preview upcoming releases including:


WWE Royalty


WWE Exalted


Topps Chrome WWE

Adam also shares which undervalued up-and-comers 📈 collectors may be sleeping on.

After the interview, Jesse and Ray react to several major record-breaking non-sport sales — including the highest-selling Pixar, Iron Man, Simpsons, and Labubu cards ever recorded — and what those results mean for the broader market 🔥

They close with a breakdown of three upcoming Marvel releases from Topps:


Topps Chrome Deadpool (comics + movie focus)


Topps Brooklyn Collection – Captain America


Topps Finest Fantastic Four

And before signing off, Jesse and Ray debate the big question:

👉 Is the hobby healthy right now — and how should collectors be navigating it?
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Ray is out this week as Jesse travels across England visiting card shops and shows to see firsthand how the hobby is growing overseas. Stopping in at 3rd Down Trading Cards, Jesse sits down with owner Ben Reynard and podcast host Jordan to talk about the realities of running one of the few local card shops in the UK and why the future of the European hobby looks incredibly promising.

The crew also breaks down two exciting upcoming Topps releases — Disneyland 70th Anniversary, featuring park-used relics, Cosmic inserts, sketches, and major chase potential, and Star Wars Smuggler’s Outpost, which is delivering an on-card autograph in every box. Plus, thoughts from the London Card Show, the rise of young collectors in the UK, and why the international hobby boom feels very familiar.
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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray turn the entire episode over to YOU with a full MAILBAG special, answering listener questions, hot takes, and hobby debates.

Topics include:

🎨 Are sketch cards everywhere now… and is that hurting demand? 📈 Why does Leaf’s Pop Century sometimes outsell Topps Marvel Studios 20-to-1? 🤔 Are celebrity autograph products priced and structured differently for a reason? 🪀 Could Pogs actually make a comeback in today’s collectible world? 💰 And the big one… what are Jesse and Ray buying right now?

From product strategy to market trends to collector psychology, this episode is packed with honest opinions, speculation, and actionable insight for anyone trying to navigate the non-sport hobby in 2026.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s hype, what’s value, and what’s actually worth your money — this one’s for you.
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