Stacking Slabs

Most collectors spend their time watching big sales. Few spend time learning how to find great cards.

That gap matters.
In this conversation with Max (@putnamcards), creator of Hoops Collectors, we talk about what actually creates an edge in the hobby.

Not headlines.
Not hype.
Not million dollar cards.

We get into:
Why most content focuses on cards no one can afford
How research leads to better collecting decisions
Why overlooked sets and inserts hold real opportunity
The role nostalgia plays in what you chase
What happens when you stop following the crowd
Max shares how he approaches discovery.
How he uses tools like checklists and daily sales to uncover cards others ignore.
And why some of the best cards in the hobby are still sitting in plain sight.
If you want to build a collection that reflects your taste and not the algorithm, this one will hit.

Check out the Hoops Collectors Podcast on YouTube, Apple, or Spotify.
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In this flagship episode of Stacking Slabs, Brett shares a tough experience that every collector fears. A highly anticipated card arrives… but the package is empty.

Instead of sitting in frustration, Brett breaks down what happened, what he learned, and what he would do differently moving forward. From shipping decisions to platform protection, this episode focuses on how collectors can reduce risk in a hobby where more value is moving through the mail than ever before.

This conversation goes beyond one missing card. It’s about trust, responsibility, and how collectors can protect what matters most to them.
If you’ve ever made a deal, waited on a package, or worried about something going wrong, this one will hit home. 

Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you.
Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype
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Over the past 18 months, Brett has spent time talking with owners, builders, and operators across the sports card industry.
More than 60 conversations.

Shop owners.
Tech founders.
Marketplace operators.
Auction leaders.

A pattern kept showing up.

The hobby is growing fast. Online card sales tracked by Card Ladder reached $481M in a single month.

Companies are expanding.
Infrastructure is growing.
New businesses are launching.

But the knowledge required to build a business in this space remains scattered.

Much of it lives in private conversations.
Phone calls.
Text threads.
Direct messages between operators.

There is no central place where industry knowledge, jobs, and operator insight live.
That realization led Brett to create Hobby Jobs.

In this episode of Stacking Slabs, Brett explains the thinking behind the launch and why the sports card industry is ready for a new kind of resource.

The conversation covers:
• Lessons from 60+ conversations with hobby operators
• Why trust and relationships drive successful hobby businesses
• The growing infrastructure behind the sports card industry
• How Hobby Jobs will surface industry roles and business insight
• Why the next generation of hobby operators will shape the future of the hobby

Stacking Slabs will always serve collectors.

But collectors power the hobby while operators build the infrastructure that supports it.
Hobby Jobs is Brett’s first step toward documenting the business side of the hobby and creating a place where operators can learn from each other.

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Many collectors think running a card business starts with inventory.
Matt from 941 Sports Cards will tell you it starts with people.

In this episode of Passion to Profession, Brett sits down with Matt to talk about how a hobby side project turned into a growing sports card operation built on live breaking, community, and relationships.

Matt shares how he moved from ripping boxes in a small room at home to running multiple streaming channels and building a storefront designed to bring collectors together.

Along the way he talks about the hard lessons that came with scaling too fast, trusting the wrong people, and trying to operate across multiple states.

You will hear how Matt thinks about:
• Building trust with collectors through consistent service
 • Managing allocation and inventory as a breaker
 • Hiring breakers who represent your brand the right way
 • Balancing online live streams with the in-store experience
 • Why mentorship and outside perspective matter for operators

Matt also shares why community is the real goal behind his next step: a 4,800 square foot card shop designed to host collectors, events, watch parties, and live breaks under one roof.

If you care about the future of hobby shops, breakers, and collector communities, this conversation delivers a clear look at what it takes to build something real in the hobby today.

A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card.
Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon
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What does it mean to collect a franchise player?
In this episode of The WNBA Card Podcast, Katelyn sits down with Mike (@mikeksportscards) to talk about building a collection around greatness.
The conversation centers on A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. Two players who define the present era of the WNBA. Two players whose dominance shapes how collectors think about cards.
Mike shares how he began collecting A’ja Wilson after watching the league in 2021. What started as curiosity turned into conviction. He walks through the mindset behind building a focused player collection and why he aims for cards that represent peak moments.
The discussion explores the difference between prospecting and collecting established players. The role of championships and MVP seasons in creating cards that collectors hold long term. And why the best collections often come from patience and intention.
They also examine how products like 2020 Prizm helped establish the modern WNBA card market. Which cards from this era carry long term significance. And how collectors can identify the cards that matter before everyone else does.
Mike also shares some of the centerpieces of his A’ja Wilson collection and explains the thinking behind each card.
This episode is a conversation about dominance. Dominance on the court. Dominance in collecting. And the discipline required to build a collection that reflects both.
If you collect the WNBA or want to understand how serious collectors approach franchise players, this episode will give you a clear framework for how to think about the cards you pursue
Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of The WNBA Card Podcast
Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram 

Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype
Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon
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