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Stacking Slabs

Brett McGrath
671 episodes   Last Updated: Jun 25, 25
Welcome to the Stacking Slabs, a podcast for sports cards collectors. There's been a tremendous amount of change to our Hobby over the last few years and the one constant has been the passion from the collecting community. Stacking Slabs is built by the collector and lives to tell stories for the collector.

Episodes

Most collectors spend their days refreshing save searches and chasing listings. But some of the best cards? They never hit the market.In this episode, Brett shares two recent pickups—both landed without a public listing and made possible through one thing: conversation. These deals weren’t about luck. They were the result of trust, timing, and building real relationships in the hobby.If you're tired of missing out or feeling stuck in your routine, this episode is your reminder that the best deals often come from the quiet places—the DMs, the group chats, and the unexpected texts from fellow collectors.This one’s about playing the long game and understanding why the best cards in your collection might not come from eBay… but from a conversation you start today.Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok
We’re going Broadway on this one.In this episode of Card Ladder Confidential, we unpack the psychology behind the rookie card obsession, debate the growing importance of Black Finite across sports, and explore the concept of “turning point” cards—those game changers that shift how you collect forever.Topics include:Why we chase firsts and what makes a card matterRookie catalog analysis and how it can make or break a PCThe rise of Black Finite across WNBA, basketball, and beyondMarket reactions to Caitlin Clark’s one-of-onesA philosophical breakdown of rarity, significance, and decision-making in collectingThis episode will challenge the way you think about collecting. And you’ll walk away with a better understanding of your own rules—and when to break them.Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking SlabsGet 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[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow Josh: | InstagramFollow Chris: | InstagramFollow Card Ladder: | Instagram | YouTube | WebsiteFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok
Ted from TNT Sports Cards has been in the game since 1994 and selling on eBay since 1998. In this episode of Passion to Profession sponsored by eBay, he shares the secret behind his staying power: consistency, service, and a deep-rooted passion that started when he learned to read from the backs of 1980 Topps cards.We talk about:What it was like selling during the junk wax eraWhy eBay became his lane early onHis evolution from local shows to high-volume sealed wax sellerWhat collectors miss when they overlook the importance of operationsHow the rise of Pokémon relates to rising hobby box pricesWhy 1996–1999 was the golden era of innovation in card designTed keeps it real about business, customer expectations, and what it takes to build something that lasts. Whether you’re a collector, seller, or trying to figure out your next step in the hobby, this is a conversation worth your time.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[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow TNT Sports Cards: | Website | eBay 
This week on The WNBA Card Podcast, we ask the big question: what will it take for another WNBA player—not named Caitlin Clark—to break through to collectors outside the space?Brett and Katelyn explore the current dynamics shaping the W card market, discuss how narrative and rhetoric shape demand, and spotlight why players like Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart deserve more hobby attention.We get into:Why comparing Clark to Curry helps collectors connectHow Sabrina Ionescu’s market is impacted by expectationsWhy Stewie is the most undervalued winner in the hobbyWhat the $274K Black Finite sale tells us about parallel preferencesThe future of college cards and whether they can rival pro releasesWe also share our weekly pickups, celebrate a collector on the rise, and round it out with some buzzer beater questions—including Brett’s all-time Notre Dame starting five.This is the Caitlin Clark episode... but it’s also a reminder that the WNBA has depth, stories, and stars worth your collecting attention.Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram 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[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkCheck out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking SlabsFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram
What would it take for you to leave the country to get a card?For Jonah (@jd9cards), the answer was three trips to Puerto Rico and years of research for a card most collectors will never see in person: the Josh Gibson from the 1950–51 Toleteros set.At 25, Jonah isn’t your typical vintage collector. He’s building a collection rooted in history, rarity, and significance—tracking down Negro League legends, studying card photography, and connecting with sellers who want their stories carried forward.This episode is about more than a transaction. It’s about patience, trust, and collecting with purpose.You’ll walk away thinking differently about what matters in your collection.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[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkCheck out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking SlabsFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Jonah: | Instagram
What happens when a card you’ve been circling for months suddenly appears with a price that feels right?In this episode of Smashing BIN, Joe (@low_pop_papi) returns to break down his acquisition of the 2018 Panini Kaboom! Gold Stephen Curry /10 PSA 10 — a card that changed the trajectory of his entire collection.We talk about:The emotional tension behind a high-dollar BIN smashWhy Kaboom Golds were heating up in mid-2023Comparative analysis across the 2018 multisport checklistHow a single card can push a collector to go all-in on a playerWhy the Panini era’s non-numbered inserts might be the hobby’s best-kept secretAnd what the $500k+ Curry Topps Now sale signals about the hobby’s time-shifted futureThis isn’t just a Curry story. It’s a collector’s blueprint for doing your homework, trusting your instincts, and building a meaningful PC.Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow Joe: | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok
We’re told rookie cards matter most. But what happens when a player writes their legacy wearing a different uniform?In this episode, I take a personal and collector-first look at why Tyrese Haliburton’s Pacers cards might matter more than his Kings rookies. This isn’t about ignoring the rookie card—it’s about questioning hobby programming, thinking independently, and considering what actually connects you to a card.I share the real-time perspective of being a fan during the most meaningful Pacers run of my life and how that clarity has reshaped the way I see Haliburton’s card catalog.You’ll hear about:What cards are available and which ones aren’tThe difference between collector-controlled and commodity cardsWhy emotional connection matters more than labelsHow this applies beyond HaliburtonIt’s not a take—it’s a question. What if the best card isn’t the first one?This episode is for anyone looking to find ways to land cards with collectors through trust.Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok
Welcome to the debut episode of The Staging Area, presented by dcsports87  and hosted on the Stacking Slabs feed.In this first conversation, Brett is joined by Tory from dcsports87 to talk about what really happens behind the scenes of one of the largest sports card consignment operations in the hobby. They dig into the numbers—over $7 million in monthly sales, 60,000 auctions per week—and explore what it takes to stay ahead during big moments like The National or the NBA Finals.Topics include:How dcsports87 preps for The National The impact of player performance spikes on card submissions and service levelsThe Trout vs. Ohtani effect in the current hobbyA closer look at real-time card trends with the “Most Watched” segmentWhy knowing when to sell is just as important as what you sellThis show is for the collector who cares about more than price tags. It's for anyone who wants to understand the full life cycle of a card—from mailbox to marketplace.A special thank you to dcsports87 for supporting this series. Check out dcsports87 for your eBay consignment needs and visit the dcsports87 eBay store to find great cards ending every night.  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[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow dcsports87: | Website | eBay | Instagram | Twitter  Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok
In this episode of Passion to Profession sponsored by eBay, Matt from 5 Star Cards shares how a side hustle turned into a full-time operation. We explore the early grind of weekend shows, how eBay became a backbone for sales, and what it takes to run a consignment business collectors trust.Matt gets real about the transition from collector to business owner, how he handles volume without losing his collector-first mindset, and why building relationships is the most important part of staying in the game.If you’ve ever thought about scaling your passion or you’re curious how the top sellers work behind the scenes, this conversation will give you a real look at the process.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[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow 5 Star Cards: | Website | eBay 
The WNBA Card Podcast hits double digits. In Episode 10, Brett and Katelyn unpack what makes the WNBA card community special—from helping fellow collectors build rainbows to celebrating hobby positivity online and in-person.They spotlight the white-hot rise of the Golden State Valkyries and what their flawless expansion rollout means for fan engagement and card collecting. The duo also react to the $11K sale of an A’ja Wilson Rittenhouse Platinum rookie and break down what it signals for high-end momentum beyond Caitlin Clark.They cover:A collector-to-collector Gold Vinyl deal that shows what trust looks likeThe Valkyries' breakout moment and how it could spark new collectorsWhy the Donruss Downtown insert doesn’t connect with real fansWhat collectors should know about legacy, lineage, and manufactured hypePickups of the week, market updates, and a collector spotlightThis episode is all about growing the hobby the right way—and how each collector plays a part.Follow the WNBA Card Podcast on Instagram 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[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkCheck out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking SlabsFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram