Skip to content
Sign in
Artwork for The Collector's Compass
Health & FitnessMental HealthLeisureHobbies

The Collector's Compass

Collectors MD

The Collector’s Compass is the official podcast of Collectors MD exploring the stories, struggles, and solutions within the world of collecting. Hosted by Alyx Effron, Founder of Collectors MD, each episode features real conversations with collectors, experts, and advocates that dive into the emotional and psychological side of the hobby – compulsive spending, decision-making, and the pursuit of more intentional collecting.

Through thoughtful dialogue and lived experience, the podcast offers a deeper understanding of how the modern collecting environment shapes behavior, and what it looks like to engage with it more consciously. Whether you’re into cards, comics, sneakers, or collectibles of any kind, The Collector’s Compass offers perspective, support, and a clearer path forward for collectors at every stage.

Watch all episodes of The Collector's Compass on YouTube.

Make sure to also check out our other video series, Behind The Breaks & Collectors MD Features, streaming on all platforms.

Play
Open in
  • 23 episodes
  • Avg 1 hr 32 min
  • English

Episodes 23

NewestOldestLongest
All20Unplayed20In progress0Played0
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • S1 · E58
    September 22 · 1 hr 39 min

    #58: The Healthy Hobby Initiative | Nick Jarman, The CTCA

    In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Nick Jarman, Founder & CEO of The Certified Trading Card Association (CTCA) and Founder of The Global Trading Card Registry (GTCR), to discuss what it will take to build a healthier, more transparent, and more sustainable future for collecting. Nick brings more than 25 years of leadership experience to The CTCA—a nonprofit trade association exclusively focused on the trading card industry—uniting manufacturers, hobby shops, breakers, grading companies, platforms, and collectors around shared standards, education, trust, and accountability. Alyx is also proud to serve on The CTCA Advisory Board and has witnessed firsthand the collaboration taking place among industry leaders working together to help shape the hobby's future. The conversation explores Nick's journey, the inspiration behind The CTCA, and why the modern hobby needs stronger collaboration, greater transparency, and proactive leadership as collecting continues to evolve. Fresh off Fanatics Fest, Alyx and Nick reflect on the takeaways from connecting with collectors, businesses, manufacturers, platforms, and industry leaders while promoting The Healthy Hobby Initiative and #RipResponsibly. They also explore The Healthy Hobby Initiative, a strategic partnership between Collectors MD and The CTCA designed to promote healthier collecting habits, consumer awareness, transparency, trust, and long-term sustainability. Collectors MD focuses on education, support, awareness, and advocacy for collectors and families, while The CTCA works with industry stakeholders to strengthen standards and confidence across the hobby. Nick also shares the vision behind the Global Trading Card Registry (GTCR), an initiative focused on bringing greater organization, connectivity, and innovation to collecting. Finally, they discuss why collaboration—not competition—will help shape the hobby's future, and why responsible collecting doesn't diminish its excitement—it helps protect it for generations to come. Whether you're a collector, hobby business, breaker, content creator, parent, investor, or simply passionate about the future of trading cards, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around transparency, education, responsibility, and building a healthier hobby. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: collectorsmd.com/peer-support-meetings Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Support The CMD Foundation: lohas.org/client/the-cmd-foundation Learn More About The Healthy Hobby Initiative: Website: thehealthyhobby.com Follow Nick: IG: @nickjarman LI: Nick Jarman Learn More About The CTCA: Website: thectca.org YT: ‪@thectca1‬ IG: @thectca FB: The CTCA X: @thectca LI: The CTCA Learn More About The GTCR: Website: thegtcr.com IG: @thegtcr X: @thegtcr Get Help Now: collectorsmd.com/helpnow Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. #CollectorsMD | #TheCMDFoundation | #CTCA | #GTCR | #HealthyHobby | #RipResponsibly

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E57
    September 15 · 2 hr 12 min

    #57: Family First: Raising Young Collectors | Like Father Like Son

    In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Ryan and Desiree Knowles, better known as Like Father Like Son, one of the hobby's fastest-growing family brands. As a husband-and-wife team, parents, content creators, breakers, and passionate advocates for responsible engagement, Ryan and Desiree have built a thriving community centered around family, positivity, and teaching the next generation what collecting is truly about. Alyx, Ryan, and Desiree explore what it means to raise children in today's rapidly evolving hobby and why parents play such an important role in shaping healthy collecting habits from an early age. The conversation begins with Ryan's journey into the hobby and how collecting became something his entire family enjoys together. They discuss the life lessons collecting can teach—from communication and negotiation to patience, entrepreneurship, and financial responsibility—and why those lessons extend far beyond sports cards. Desiree also shares her unique perspective on entering the hobby from the outside. Unlike Ryan, she didn't grow up collecting and wasn't a sports fan. She simply wanted to spend more quality time with her family by participating in something they genuinely loved. What began as a way to connect with her family gradually became a passion of her own, offering a powerful reminder that collecting isn't just about the cards—it's about creating shared experiences, strengthening relationships, and finding meaningful ways to connect with the people who matter most. They also dive into the realities parents should understand as more children enter today's hobby. From live breaking and social media to influencer culture and highly stimulating hobby environments, Ryan and Desiree share their perspective on protecting young collectors while preserving everything that makes the hobby so special. Fresh off Fanatics Fest and the West Coast Card Show, Alyx, Ryan, and Desiree reflect on the tremendous growth of the hobby, the incredible number of young collectors entering the space, and the opportunities—and responsibilities—that come with collecting becoming more mainstream than ever before. Finally, they discuss #RipResponsibly, the importance of promoting healthier collecting habits, and why creating awareness isn't about discouraging collecting—it's about helping ensure the hobby remains fun, meaningful, and sustainable for future generations. This episode is about family, education, responsibility, and protecting the future of collecting. Whether you're a parent, collector, breaker, hobby business, or simply someone who wants to see the hobby grow in a positive direction, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around healthier collecting, family, community, and responsible engagement. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Nonprofit: lohas.org/client/the-cmd-foundation Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Like Father Like Son: YT: @LikeFatherLikeSon_Cards IG: @likefatherlikeson_cards FB: Like Father Like Son Cards & Breaks Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. #CollectorsMD | #TheCMDFoundation | #LikeFatherLikeSon | #RipResponsibly

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E56
    September 11 · 1 hr 50 min

    #56: How Addiction Rewires Your Brain | Megan Poliquin, Zepf Center

    In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Megan Poliquin, LPCC-S, LICDC-GAMB, OCPSA, Manager of Gambling Treatment and Prevention at Zepf Center, to explore how addiction changes the brain—and why modern collecting environments are creating behavioral patterns that increasingly resemble traditional gambling. With nearly a decade of experience treating gambling disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions, Megan brings a unique clinical perspective to a conversation that sits at the intersection of psychology, addiction, recovery, and today's rapidly evolving hobby landscape. Together, Alyx and Megan discuss why modern collecting has changed so dramatically over the past several years. From live breaks and mystery products to constant product releases, scarcity marketing, and social media-fueled hype, they examine how today's collecting environments can activate many of the same psychological mechanisms that drive compulsive gambling. The conversation also explores why so many collectors fail to recognize these patterns until significant financial, emotional, or relational consequences begin to emerge. Megan explains how variable rewards, dopamine, chasing behavior, and emotional avoidance can quietly transform a healthy hobby into something much more difficult to control—and why these behaviors often go unnoticed because they don't resemble traditional gambling. Alyx and Megan also discuss the growing gap between modern collecting and today's behavioral health system. They explore why many clinicians have never been trained to recognize compulsive collecting, why greater awareness is needed throughout the treatment community, and how partnerships between organizations like Collectors MD and Zepf Center can help build stronger pathways for education, prevention, treatment, and recovery. Finally, they discuss harm reduction, intentional collecting, and why the goal isn't to eliminate collecting—but to help people maintain a healthy relationship with the hobby before the chase begins to outweigh the joy. At its core, this episode is about understanding how addiction works, recognizing the warning signs before they escalate, and creating a future where collectors, families, clinicians, and the hobby itself are better equipped to support healthier engagement. If you've ever wondered why it can be so difficult to stop chasing the next card, the next box, or the next release—or if you've watched someone you care about slowly lose control of what started as a hobby—this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around healthier collecting, behavioral health, and responsible engagement. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Nonprofit: lohas.org/client/the-cmd-foundation Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Learn More About Zepf Center: Website: zepfcenter.org/gambling-treatment YT: ‪@zepfcenter6418‬ LI: Zepf Center Follow Megan: LI: Megan Poliquin Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. #CollectorsMD | #TheCMDFoundation | #ZepfCenter | #RipResponsibly

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E55
    August 27 · 1 hr 46 min

    #55: Inside The Mind Of A Hobby YouTuber | Dylan Genschaw

    In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Dylan Genschaw, a Wisconsin-based collector and YouTube creator known for documenting new product releases, PSA submissions, and the realities of modern collecting. Like many collectors, Dylan returned to the hobby chasing a favorite player and the excitement of opening packs. But what started as a simple search for an Aaron Rodgers card gradually evolved into spending hundreds of dollars chasing the next hit, the next rookie, and the possibility of a big return. Eventually, he stepped back, recognized how easily collecting had shifted from enjoyment to chasing outcomes, and made the decision to completely rethink his relationship with the hobby. Today, Dylan has become a vocal advocate for intentional collecting, ending each of his videos with a reminder to "Collect with intent & spend responsibly", while encouraging viewers to learn more through Collectors MD. In this conversation, Alyx and Dylan explore what that journey looked like firsthand—from rediscovering the hobby as an adult to recognizing unhealthy patterns before they spiraled further. They discuss the psychology behind ripping sealed product, the temptation to chase return on investment, and why so many collectors unknowingly find themselves caught in cycles driven by excitement rather than enjoyment. The conversation also examines the growing influence of hobby content and livestream culture. Dylan shares his perspective as a creator, discussing the responsibility that comes with producing ripping content, the pressure to keep opening bigger products, and why creators have an opportunity to encourage healthier habits without taking away the fun that makes collecting special. Finally, Alyx and Dylan discuss what intentional collecting actually looks like in practice. They talk about setting boundaries, rediscovering the joy of collecting for personal fulfillment rather than financial outcomes, and why changing hobby culture doesn't require eliminating excitement—it starts with encouraging collectors to become more thoughtful about how they participate. At its core, this episode is about self-awareness, balance, and proving that you can love the hobby while still protecting yourself from the behaviors that can quietly turn collecting into something much different. If you've ever found yourself chasing the next release, buying boxes you never planned on purchasing, or wondering where the line exists between collecting and chasing, this is a conversation worth listening to. Because the goal isn't to stop collecting. It's to collect with intention. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around healthier collecting, hobby culture, and responsible engagement. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Nonprofit: lohas.org/client/the-cmd-foundation Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Dylan Genschaw: YT: @dylangenschaw⁩ IG: @dylangenschaw X: @dylangenschaw Shop Dylan's Collection: mercari.com/u/dgen42/?sv=0 Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. #CollectorsMD | #TheCMDFoundation | #RipResponsibly

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E54
    August 19 · 1 hr 32 min

    #54: A Parent's Journey Through Gambling Addiction | Kim Freudenberg

    In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Kim Freudenberg, founder of Parents Standing Together, a nonprofit supporting parents and families impacted by gambling-related harm. After experiencing firsthand the devastating effects gambling addiction can have on a family, Kim transformed her pain into purpose. Today, she leads parent support groups, speaks nationally about prevention and awareness, and has become a strong advocate for families navigating gambling-related challenges. Kim has also been an incredible supporter of Collectors MD. She serves on our Advisory Board, has made countless introductions throughout the recovery community, and has consistently recognized the growing overlap between modern collecting and gambling-related behaviors. Alyx and Kim discuss her personal journey and the events that led to the creation of Parents Standing Together. They explore what addiction looks like through a parent's eyes, the fear, confusion, and isolation families experience, and why support for loved ones is often overlooked in recovery conversations. They also examine how gambling has evolved over the past decade and why today's environments have become increasingly difficult for families to navigate. Kim shares what she's hearing from parents across the country, why younger generations face unique challenges, and why activities like sports cards, TCG's, and other gambling-adjacent behaviors are emerging in more family conversations. They focus on the power of community, recovery, and hope. Kim discusses helping families move from isolation to connection, the challenges of supporting someone without enabling harmful behaviors, and lessons she's learned through leading support groups and advocating for parents nationwide. Finally, they discuss prevention, education, and the future of support. They explore the roles schools, treatment providers, and public health organizations can play in raising awareness earlier, why collaboration matters, and what gives them hope as Parents Standing Together and Collectors MD continue to grow. This episode is about family, awareness, prevention, and the reminder that no one should have to navigate addiction alone. If you've ever wondered what addiction looks like from a parent's perspective, questioned how modern environments are shaping risk for younger generations, or wanted to better understand how families can support one another through difficult seasons, this is a conversation worth listening to. Addiction never impacts just one person. It affects entire families. And often, healing begins when people realize they are not alone. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, prevention, family support, and building healthier communities. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Nonprofit: lohas.org/client/the-cmd-foundation Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Learn More About Parents Standing Together: Website: parentsstandingtogether.org IG: @parentsstandingtogether FB: bit.ly/4oIQcua LI: bit.ly/3T0mMMf Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. #CollectorsMD | #TheCMDFoundation | #ParentsStandingTogether | #RipResponsibly

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E53
    August 4 · 1 hr 39 min

    #53: Psychology Of Gambling & Hobby Addiction | Lauren Johnson, LCSW

    In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Lauren Johnson, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker, Marine Corps veteran, mental performance coach, and founder of Ascent Wellness Group. Before becoming a therapist specializing in gambling and compulsive behaviors, Lauren experienced many of the same challenges that countless collectors and hobbyists face today. Through her company, The Playing Field, she became deeply immersed in sports card breaks, finding herself taking risks and blurring the lines between business, investing, and compulsion. Despite understanding addiction professionally, Lauren found herself experiencing firsthand just how powerful and deceptive compulsive behaviors can become, particularly within highly stimulating environments designed around constant access, urgency, and dopamine. Alyx and Lauren discuss her journey into collecting, therapy, and recovery, her experience in the Marine Corps, building a sports cards business, and the difficult realization that collecting had evolved into something far different than she originally intended. They also explore the thin line between business, investing, and gambling, examining risk-taking, chasing, sunk-cost fallacy, and why highly functioning individuals are often vulnerable to compulsive behaviors. Lauren shares the cognitive distortions that can keep people leaning further into the chase and why addiction often affects people who appear to have everything together on the surface. They also explore recovery, resilience, and the power of healing in community. Lauren shares what recovery has taught her, why she calls herself a "delusional optimist," and how her military experience shaped her resilience. They also discuss the "dopamine economy" and how today's increasingly stimulating digital environments - from smartphones to live-streaming platforms - shape our behavior, while sharing practical strategies for healthier engagement. At its core, this episode is about awareness, resilience, intentionality, and understanding why healing happens through connection rather than isolation. If you've ever wondered why some hobbies can slowly become all-consuming, questioned where the line exists between passion and compulsion, or struggled to understand why intelligent, high-functioning people sometimes find themselves caught in cycles they never intended to enter, this is a conversation worth listening to. Sometimes the issue isn't the cards, the breaks, or the platforms themselves. It's learning how to navigate environments intentionally when so many systems are designed to keep us chasing more. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, intentional collecting, and building healthier relationships with our hobbies and behaviors. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Nonprofit: lohas.org/client/the-cmd-foundation Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Contact Lauren: Website: ascent-wellness.co Psychology Today: bit.ly/4vcjZhk Contact: hello@ascent-wellness.co | (303) 550-9757 Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. #CollectorsMD | #TheCMDFoundation | #AscentWellness | #RipResponsibly

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E52
    July 13 · 1 hr 19 min

    #52: The Hidden Psychology Behind Whatnot | Michael, CHIJAYcards

    In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Michael, a Whatnot seller who goes by CHIJAYcards. Michael is also a lifelong collector and a member of the Collectors MD community. Like many hobbyists, Michael's journey began with a genuine love of collecting. Over time, however, he found himself increasingly immersed in the world of live-streaming, breaks, auctions, and the constant activity that platforms like Whatnot make possible. As both a buyer and seller, Michael has experienced firsthand the excitement, entertainment, community, and opportunity that live-selling platforms can provide. At the same time, he's also become increasingly aware of the challenges that can come with being connected to the hobby 24/7. Michael recently made the decision to step away from streaming for a month, creating an opportunity to reflect on his relationship with collecting, Whatnot, and the role the hobby plays in his life. Alyx and Michael discuss how his collecting journey began, what originally drew him to Whatnot, and how he eventually transitioned from buying cards to running his own streams on the platform. They also explore the hidden psychology behind live-selling platforms, including instant gratification, FOMO, entertainment, community, the constant temptation to buy or sell, and why so many collectors find themselves spending far more time and money than they originally intended. The conversation examines Whatnot from both sides of the screen, discussing what Michael observed as a seller, the behaviors that stood out most, and the similarities that can sometimes exist between live-selling platforms and other forms of high-stimulation entertainment. Michael also shares the story behind his recent decision to take a break from streaming, the challenges of stepping away, the role accountability and family support played in that decision, and what he learned by creating distance from the hobby for a period of time. Alyx and Michael discuss what a healthier relationship with collecting looks like, warning signs collectors should pay attention to, practical boundaries that can help prevent hobby burnout, and why maintaining control over our relationship with collecting is ultimately more important than any card we could ever buy. At its core, this episode is about awareness, balance, self-reflection, and understanding the forces that keep collectors coming back long after they intended to log off. If you've ever found yourself opening Whatnot for "just a few minutes" only to realize hours have passed, or wondered why certain hobby platforms can feel so difficult to walk away from, this is a conversation worth listening to. Because sometimes the most important collecting decision isn't what you buy—it's knowing when to step back. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, intentional collecting, and building a healthier relationship with the hobby. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Michael: FB: ChiJay Cards & Breaks WN: @CHIJAYcards Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. #CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E51
    June 30 · 1 hr 17 min

    #51: Conversations That Shape The Hobby | Pang, Courtside Investor

    In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Pang Ming Wee—aka @TheCardBoss2021—the creator and host of Courtside Investor‬, one of the fastest-growing long-form podcast platforms in the hobby. Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Pang has built a global audience by sitting down with collectors, dealers, entrepreneurs, content creators, hobby historians, investors, and industry personalities from around the world. Through thoughtful conversations with guests including Chris Hoj, Adam Gray, Jeremy Lee, Sports Card Dad, Dan The Card Man, T-Pott, and many others, Courtside Investor has become one of the hobby's most respected interview-driven podcast shows. Before fully immersing himself in the hobby, Pang spent 20+ years in accounting and finance while simultaneously competing professionally in Magic: The Gathering, representing Malaysia internationally and capturing a National Championship. What separates Courtside Investor from many hobby platforms is the focus on people rather than transactions. While much of today's hobby content revolves around prices, hype, breaking, and market movement, Pang has built a platform centered around stories, philosophies, collecting journeys, and the lessons that shape collectors. Alyx and Pang discuss his collecting origins, his competitive Magic: The Gathering career, the transition from corporate into full-time hobby entrepreneurship, and what originally inspired him to launch Courtside Investor. They also explore the realities of building a global hobby audience from Malaysia, the evolution of content creation, what makes a great podcast guest, and the lessons Pang has learned from conducting 50+ long-form interviews with some of the hobby's most respected voices. The conversation dives into insights gathered from the guests Pang has had on his podcast, highlighting common themes surrounding collecting philosophy, hobby longevity, personal fulfillment, and what separates healthy collecting from endless chasing. Pang also shares his perspective on the current state of the hobby, including social media's influence on collecting culture, the growing focus on money and investing, hobby hype cycles, content creator responsibility, and how collectors can maintain perspective in an increasingly fast-moving environment. Other topics include collecting philosophy, grail cards, meaningful cards, the future of the hobby, opportunities that many collectors may be overlooking, and the long-term vision for Courtside Investor. At its core, this episode is about collecting, storytelling, community, content creation, and lessons learned. Sometimes the most valuable thing you can collect isn't a card - it's a lesson. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, intentional collecting, and building a healthier relationship with the hobby. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Pang Ming Wee & Courtside Investor: Website: courtsideinvestor.com YT: ‪@courtsideinvestor‬ IG: @thecardboss2021 | @courtside_investor Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. #CollectorsMD | #CourtsideInvestor | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E50
    June 23 · 1 hr 53 min

    #50: The Financialization Of The Hobby | Rob, Smart Rip Society

    In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Rob Shultz—founder of ‪Smart Rip Society‬—a fast-rising and honest voice in the sports card hobby focused on intentional collecting, self-awareness, and the emotional realities behind modern collecting culture. Through transparent videos surrounding spending habits, chasing behavior, hobby burnout, sports betting crossover, survivorship bias, and compulsive hobby patterns, Rob has resonated with thousands of collectors looking for a more grounded and realistic perspective within an increasingly hype-driven hobby environment. What separates Smart Rip Society from traditional hobby content is the balance. The message isn’t anti-hobby, anti-breaking, or anti-collecting. It’s about honesty, moderation, self-awareness, and helping collectors recognize the difference between healthy enjoyment and compulsive behavior. At a time where so much hobby content revolves around giant hits, profit, comps, flipping, and nonstop hype, Rob has taken a different approach by encouraging collectors to slow down, reconnect with why they collect, and think more critically about the emotional and psychological side of modern hobby culture. Alyx and Rob discuss survivorship bias, social media algorithms, hobby flex culture, dopamine-driven behavior, and the way modern hobby environments can increasingly blur the line between entertainment, speculation, gambling-adjacent behavior, and compulsive spending. The conversation dives into breaking culture, emotional chasing, sports betting crossover, hobby burnout, and the psychological impact of nonstop stimulation within livestream selling environments. Rob also shares his perspective on intentional collecting, slowing down, reconnecting with nostalgia, collecting with purpose, and why some of the most meaningful cards in a collection often have nothing to do with financial value. They also discuss the current state of the hobby, creator responsibility, the financialization of collecting, hobby sustainability, younger collectors entering the space, and the importance of creating healthier long-term relationships with collecting moving forward. This episode is about honesty, intentional collecting, emotional self-awareness, hobby culture, and protecting the people participating in the hobby without losing what made collecting meaningful in the first place. If you’ve ever felt emotionally overwhelmed by the hobby, struggled with compulsive buying or breaking behavior, questioned the direction of modern collecting culture, or simply wanted a more honest conversation about the realities behind the hobby, this is a conversation worth listening to. Because for many collectors, the conversation has never really just been about cardboard. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, intentional collecting, and building a healthier relationship with the hobby. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Rob & Smart Rip Society: YT: ‪@SmartRipSociety‬ IG: @smart_rip_society Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. #CollectorsMD | #SmartRipSociety | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E49
    June 19 · 1 hr 6 min

    #49: How Chasing Cardboard Is Changing The Hobby | Ty Wilson

    In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Ty Wilson—founder and host of ‪‪CHASING CARDBOARD‬—one of the fastest-growing and most influential storytelling platforms in the entire sports card hobby. What started as a creative hobby project quickly evolved into something much bigger. Since launching in 2022, CHASING CARDBOARD has amassed more than 121K YouTube subscribers, over 26 million views, and more than 140 episodes documenting some of the most fascinating collections, collectors, stories, and personalities across the hobby. What separates CHASING CARDBOARD is that it's never just about the cards—it's about the people behind them. Through visits with collectors across the country, Ty shares deeply personal stories about nostalgia, family, identity, grief, and what collecting truly means. Alyx and Ty discuss how CHASING CARDBOARD originally started, how the platform exploded in popularity, and why storytelling has become such an important part of modern collecting culture. They also discuss the emotional side of collecting, why people become attached to cards, and how collections often represent much more than financial assets. Ty shares what he’s learned after hearing deeply personal stories from collectors across the country. The conversation also explores intentional collecting, hobby pressure, gambling-adjacent behavior, and the increasingly blurred line between passion, business, nostalgia, and compulsion within today’s hobby environment. Alyx and Ty also discuss one of CHASING CARDBOARD’s most impactful recent episodes featuring Phil—founder of Sealed Wax Nation and supporter of Collectors MD—who sold part of his collection to help fund children’s hospitals and launch his nonprofit organization. The episode explores how collecting can evolve into something larger than accumulation itself—including charity, meaning, purpose, and community impact. Ty shares his perspective on the current state of the hobby, the rise of live selling, influencer responsibility, hobby trust, market pressure, and why doing things the right way still matters in an increasingly fast-moving and financially driven environment. This episode is about storytelling, intentional collecting, hobby culture, human connection, and the emotional realities behind the cards people chase. If you've ever felt deeply connected to collecting, struggled to find balance, or wondered why the hobby means so much to people, this is a conversation worth listening to. Because behind every collection is usually something much deeper than cardboard. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, intentional collecting, transparency, and building a healthier relationship with the hobby. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Nonprofit: lohas.org/client/the-cmd-foundation Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Ty & CHASING CARDBOARD: Website: chasingcardboardtv.com YT: ‪‪@CHASINGCARDBOARD‬ | ‪@CHASINGTYWILSON‬ X: @BreakerCulture IG: @chasingtywilson LI: Tyler B. Wilson Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. #CollectorsMD | #ChasingCardboard | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E48
    June 17 · 1 hr 44 min

    #48: The Future Of Card Grading | Eddie Wittner, C3 Grading

    In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Eddie Wittner—Founder and President of C3 Grading—a collector-first grading company built around transparency, accessibility, speed, accuracy, and trust. At a time when grading has become one of the most powerful infrastructure layers in the hobby, collectors are asking bigger questions about pricing, consistency, market control, upcharges, turnaround times, and the overall direction of the grading industry. With Collectors expanding its grading footprint across PSA, SGC, and Beckett, and with ongoing scrutiny surrounding PSA, the conversation around alternatives has never felt more relevant. C3 Grading has stepped into that moment by offering a different kind of grading experience. With $9 slabs, no hidden fees, no upcharges, fast turnaround times, dual grading, full subgrades, QR-enabled reports, thoughtful slab design, and a customer-first approach, C3 is building around the collector experience instead of simply following the legacy grading model. In this conversation, Alyx and Eddie break down how C3 Grading started, what Eddie saw missing from the grading space, and why he wanted to build the kind of company he personally wished existed as a collector. They also discuss the current state of the grading industry, the impact of consolidation, the frustration many collectors feel with mainstream grading companies, and why independent alternatives have a real opportunity to earn trust by focusing on transparency, consistency, and service. The conversation also dives into the C3 philosophy, including flat-rate pricing, why upcharges bother Eddie philosophically, the importance of dual grading, full subgrades, fading grades, QR reports, slab design, and creating a submission process that feels simple, accessible, and fair. Alyx and Eddie also talk about the partnership between C3 Grading and Collectors MD, including C3’s inclusion in The Intentional Collector’s Guide, the CMD affiliate code, and C3’s support of the #RipResponsibly movement through thank-you cards and packaging touchpoints. At its core, this episode is about grading, trust, transparency, collector advocacy, and what it looks like to build a healthier hobby from the infrastructure up. If you’ve ever submitted cards, questioned grading fees, felt frustrated by upcharges, or wondered where the grading industry is heading, this is a conversation worth listening to. Because grading isn’t just about the number on the slab—it’s about trust, transparency, and protecting the collector experience. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, accountability, transparency, and building a healthier relationship with collecting. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Nonprofit: lohas.org/client/the-cmd-foundation Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Learn More About C3 Grading: Website: c3grading.com YT: @C3Grading IG: @c3grading FB: C3 Grading TT: @c3.grading Use code CMD to grade cards for $8 per card Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. #CollectorsMD | #TheCMDFoundation | #C3Grading | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E47
    June 11 · 1 hr 22 min

    #47: Keeping The Hobby Fun | Kyle Lescalleet, Cosmic Cards

    In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Kyle Lescalleet—better known online as Cosmic Cards (@CosmicCardsMD)—one of the fastest-rising content creators in the sports card hobby who has built a loyal following through humor, parody, authenticity, and lighthearted hobby content. At a time when the hobby can often feel consumed by drama, ego, nonstop hype, and financial pressure, Kyle has carved out a unique lane by bringing comedy and self-awareness back into the space. Through skits, hobby influencer impersonations, “day in the life” parody videos, card show content, and relatable collector moments, Kyle has become one of the most refreshing and entertaining voices in the hobby. In a short period of time, Kyle has amassed nearly 10,000 followers on Instagram, gone viral multiple times, collaborated with major hobby personalities, and built a strong reputation as someone helping restore positivity and comic relief to collecting culture. In this conversation, Alyx and Kyle break down how Cosmic Cards first started, where the skit ideas come from, and why parody resonates so deeply within the hobby. They discuss everything from influencer culture and hobby stereotypes to card show experiences, viral moments, and the balance between poking fun at the hobby while still genuinely loving it. They also explore the current state of the hobby and why so many collectors feel exhausted by negativity, outrage culture, social media pressure, and the constant intensity surrounding modern collecting. Kyle shares why humor can actually serve an important role in helping collectors reconnect with the fun, human side of the hobby again. The conversation also dives into the reality of setting up at card shows, building a personal brand in the hobby, navigating online attention, and staying authentic while growing an audience in a rapidly evolving space. At its core, this episode is about creativity, community, positivity, and remembering why people fell in love with collecting in the first place. If you’ve ever laughed at hobby culture, felt overwhelmed by the seriousness of the space, or just miss when collecting felt simple and fun, this is a conversation worth listening to. Sometimes the best way to understand and appreciate the hobby, is to laugh at it a little. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, accountability, positivity, and building a healthier relationship with collecting. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Kyle: YT: @CosmicCardsMD IG: @cosmiccardsmd X: @cosmiccardsmd TT: @cosmiccardsmd Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. #CollectorsMD | #CosmicCards | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E46
    June 5 · 1 hr 12 min

    #46: Turning Pain Into Purpose | Rob Sackowitz, Right Choice Recovery

    In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Rob Sackowitz—Founder, CEO, and Co-Owner of Right Choice Recovery, a leading addiction treatment center in New Jersey, specializing in substance use, mental health, and gambling addiction. With 13+ years of sobriety from both substance use and gambling addiction, Rob has transformed his own recovery journey into a mission to help others. What was once his greatest struggle ultimately became the foundation for Right Choice Recovery. This conversation is especially meaningful for Alyx, who attended Right Choice from 2023–2024 before later joining the team part-time. Since September 2025, he has facilitated gambling addiction groups across multiple programs, offering a unique perspective as both a former client and recovery professional. Together, Alyx and Rob explore what addiction really looks like beneath the surface, why gambling often remains hidden until significant damage has occurred, and the difference between simply stopping a behavior and building lasting recovery. They discuss accountability, step work, service, and the role lived experience can play in helping others heal. The conversation also examines the growing overlap between gambling addiction and compulsive collecting, highlighting the importance of awareness, early intervention, and adapting treatment approaches to emerging behaviors. At its core, this episode is about recovery, transformation, and turning pain into purpose. If you’ve ever struggled with gambling, addiction, or behaviors that feel difficult to control—or want to better understand what recovery really looks like—this is a conversation worth hearing. Sometimes the thing that nearly breaks you becomes the thing that gives your life purpose. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, accountability, and building a healthier relationship with collecting. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Learn More About Right Choice Recovery: Website: rightchoicerecoverynj.com Phone: (732) 733-4584 YT: @rightchoicerecovery IG: @rightchoicerecovery FB: Right Choice Recovery TT: @rightchoicerecovery Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. #CollectorsMD | #RightChoiceRecovery | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E45
    May 31 · 1 hr 5 min

    #45: From Sneakers To Cards | Kickstradomis

    In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Sal Amezcua (@kickstradomis), one of the most well-known sneaker customizers in the world whose work has been worn by NBA players on the court, and the founder of Kicksverse, a platform merging sneaker culture, art, and collectibles. Kicks is an artist who’s built a brand at the highest level of culture. From designing custom sneakers for athletes and celebrities to expanding into trading cards and art, he’s carved out a lane that blends creativity, community, and commerce. Alyx and Kicks explore the crossover between sneaker culture and the modern hobby—two worlds driven by passion, scarcity, and hype, but also increasingly shaped by scale and pressure. They also discuss intentional collecting, staying connected to passion as the hobby becomes more transactional, and how Kicks' journey as an artist has shaped his approach to collecting. With over a million followers and global influence, Kicks shares his perspective on the hobby, the responsibility of influence, and navigating a space where entertainment, commerce, and culture intersect. They also discuss legacy, giving back, supporting emerging artists and brands, and continuing to push creative boundaries through Kicksverse. This isn’t just a conversation about sneakers or cards—it’s about building something real in a space that’s constantly evolving. At its core, this episode is about creativity, culture, and the difference between collecting, creating, and chasing. If you’ve ever thought about the intersection of art, sneakers, and collecting—or wondered where passion fits into a space driven by hype—this is conversation will resonate. Building and chasing are simply not the same. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, creativity, and building a more intentional relationship with collecting. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Learn More & Follow Kickstradomis: Website: thekicksverse.com | kickstradomis.com YT: @kickstradomis IG: @kickstradomis X: @kickstradomis TT: @kickstradomis Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. #CollectorsMD | #Kickstradomis | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E44
    May 25 · 1 hr 50 min

    #44: The Sports Card Hobby’s Gatekeepers | Rob Livingston

    In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Rob Livingston—better known as @Jaybelleshhb—a respected voice in the hobby, longtime Collectors MD community member, and someone who’s been consistently showing up, speaking honestly, and supporting others behind the scenes. Rob isn’t just observing the hobby—he’s living it. Through over 1,300 posts and a growing following, he’s built a reputation for calling things as they are, while also being open about his own journey with addiction, overspending, and the work it takes to stay grounded. In this conversation, Alyx and Rob unpack the current state of the hobby—what’s working, what’s not, and where things are starting to break down. From influencers and major platforms to bad actors, incentive structures, and the lack of real guardrails, they explore the growing tension between entertainment, commerce, and responsibility. They also dive into Rob’s personal story—how awareness started to take shape, what it meant to speak openly about it, and how being part of the Collectors MD community has played a role in his recovery and continued growth. This isn’t about pointing fingers. It’s about seeing the system clearly—and asking what needs to change. At its core, this episode is about awareness, accountability, and what happens when you can no longer ignore what’s right in front of you. If you’ve ever taken a step back and questioned where the hobby is headed—or your place within it—this is a conversation worth listening to. Because once you see it clearly, it’s hard to go back. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, accountability, and building a healthier relationship with collecting. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Rob: YT: @Jaybelleshhb IG: @jaybelleshhb X: @jaybelleshhb TT: @jaybelleshobbyhotbox Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. #CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E43
    May 24 · 1 hr 3 min

    #43: Losing It All On Sports Cards | Sean

    In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Sean—one of our very first community members and someone whose story sits at the core of why this movement exists today. Sean isn’t just a guest—he’s been with us since day one. From early Instagram Live ripping days, to becoming one of the most active and impactful voices within the CMD community, Sean’s journey reflects both the highs and lows that exist within today’s hobby. Alyx and Sean go all the way back to those early days—what it felt like to be “whales” in the hobby, the energy of live streams, the attention, the identity—and how quickly things can shift when the experience starts to take over. They unpack the moment that changed everything for Sean: a $5K Sandy Koufax auto that planted the seed and set off a chain reaction. What started as excitement quickly turned into chasing that first high, eventually leading Sean deeper into Whatnot, repack breaks, and five-figure nightly spending sessions that spiraled beyond his control. Sean opens up about how fast it escalated, what he was really chasing in those moments, and how the line between collecting, entertainment, and addiction completely blurred. The conversation doesn’t shy away from the reality of what followed—losing his marriage, his home, his financial stability, and being forced to confront the full weight of it all. But more importantly, this episode focuses on what came next. Sean shares what recovery has actually looked like for him—not perfectly, but honestly. From showing up to weekly meetings, to writing some of our most impactful Daily Reflections, to now stepping into a role as a peer support host, his journey highlights what it means to rebuild in real time. This isn’t just a story about loss. It’s a story about awareness, accountability, and what it takes to come back from a place that feels impossible to return from. At its core, this episode explores a bigger question: how does something that starts as a hobby turn into something that can take everything—and what does it take to stop, reset, and rebuild? If you’ve ever felt the pull of the chase, questioned your habits, or wondered how far things can go—this conversation will hit home. Sometimes the difference between a hobby and something else entirely isn’t as clear as we think. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, accountability, and building a healthier relationship with collecting. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Sean: IG: @bfb_suburban_sports_cards Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. #CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E42
    May 19 · 2 hr 2 min

    #42: The Current State Of The Hobby | Paul Baldwin Jr.

    In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Paul Baldwin Jr.—aka @Paullydoughnuts⁩—founder of #GetToStackin, trusted hobby voice, and one of the more outspoken, community-rooted personalities in the space today. Paully brings a grounded, collector-first perspective to a moment in the hobby that feels as exciting as it does uncertain. With 20K+ followers across his socials and years of experience transacting and building trust within the community, he’s become a voice many collectors have turned to as the hobby has started feeling louder, faster, and harder to make sense of. Alyx and Paully unpack the current state of the hobby from multiple angles—including Fanatics’ branded credit card, this year's Topps Industry Conference, the continued financialization of fandom, and what it all means for where the hobby is headed. They discuss the return of iconic products like Topps Chrome Football and Bowman Basketball, the Topps licensing takeover, and why modern wax prices have reached a point where we're starting to question who today’s products are really built for. The conversation centers on trust, transparency, and accountability, honing in on the recent Whatnot controversy, lawsuits, repack concerns, and the growing tension between community and commerce in the live-selling and breaking ecosystem. They explore what’s changing in the hobby, what's worth protecting, and whether the space is evolving in a way that feels healthier, more sustainable, and more aligned with the people who helped build it. At its core, this episode focuses on a bigger question: are we building a better hobby—or just a faster, more expensive, more emotionally volatile one? If you’ve been feeling both excited and uneasy about where the hobby is headed, this conversation will hit home. Growth isn’t always the same thing as progress. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, accountability, and building a healthier relationship with collecting. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Paully & #GetToStackin: Website: gettostackin.com YT: @Paullydoughnuts IG: @paullydoughnuts X: @paullydoughnuts This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER #CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E41
    May 17 · 1 hr 28 min

    #41: Losing Big & America's Gambling Crisis | Jonathan D. Cohen

    In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Jonathan D. Cohen—historian, gambling policy lead at the American Institute for Boys and Men, and author of Losing Big: America’s Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling. Jonathan brings a research-driven, public health perspective to one of the fastest-growing—and least understood—issues in modern American life: the rapid rise of legalized online sports betting. In this conversation, Alyx and Jonathan break down how sports betting expanded almost overnight following the 2018 Supreme Court decision, and why the system that emerged has been shaped more by profit and access than by consumer protection. Jonathan explains how mobile betting apps have fundamentally changed the experience—turning what was once occasional into constant, with endless options, real-time action, and design features built to keep users engaged far longer than they realize. They also explore why this has become a growing public health concern, particularly among young men, and how early exposure through sports culture, fantasy formats, and digital environments is normalizing gambling behavior for younger audiences at an accelerating pace. Rather than framing this as a personal failure issue, the conversation focuses on systems—how frictionless design, targeted promotions, and cultural normalization have created an environment where too many people are pulled in before they fully understand the risk. Jonathan also shares practical ideas around reform, including the importance of “adding friction” to slow behavior, improve safeguards, and reduce harm without pretending sports betting is going away. At its core, this episode is about awareness, responsibility, and understanding how modern systems shape behavior—often more than we think. If you’ve ever wondered how sports betting became so embedded in everyday life—or what it means for the next generation—this conversation will give you a clearer lens. Because once something becomes normalized, it becomes harder to question. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, accountability, and building a healthier relationship with risk. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Learn More About Jonathan D. Cohen: Website: jonathandcohen.com X: @jonathandcohen1 LI: bit.ly/3PGR2Kz Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪@ALLTOUCHCASE‬, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% off your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. #CollectorsMD | #JonathanDCohen | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E40
    May 12 · 1 hr 30 min

    #40: Building A Better Hobby Culture | Tony Sportano

    In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Tony Cefalu—founder of Sportano Collecting Club and creator of The Underdog Hobby Show. Tony is a lifelong collector who has built a community-first alternative to the status-driven, hype-heavy side of today’s hobby. Through his events, he’s creating spaces centered on connection, access, and authenticity—where collectors of all levels feel welcome. In this conversation, Alyx and Tony unpack the growing culture shift in the hobby—from gatekeeping and ego to live-selling pressure, inflated pricing, and FOMO-driven behavior. Tony shares what he’s seen on platforms like Whatnot, where speed, urgency, and manipulation can pull collectors—especially newer ones—into decisions they don’t fully understand in real time. The conversation also turns personal, as Tony opens up about his experience with sports betting and how he began recognizing similar patterns in his relationship with collecting—where the focus can quietly shift from the card to the feeling. Together, they explore the difference between collecting with intention and chasing a rush, and what it looks like to build healthier habits without losing the joy of the hobby. At its core, this episode is about accountability, awareness, and building a better hobby—without becoming anti-hobby. If you still love the hobby but feel conflicted about where it’s heading, this conversation will resonate. Because a better hobby doesn’t happen by accident—it gets built on purpose. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around building a healthier, more intentional hobby. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Tony & Sportano Collecting Club: Website: sportanocollectingclub.com IG: @sportano.collecting Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. #CollectorsMD | #SportanoCollectingClub | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E39
    May 9 · 1 hr 33 min

    #39: From Childhood Joy To Honest Collecting | Jay Abrenica

    In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Jay Abrenica—a longtime Yankees collector, father, and active member of the Collectors MD community. Jay’s story reflects the full evolution of the modern hobby. From the simplicity of collecting as a kid to navigating today’s fast-paced environment shaped by live breaks, constant access, social pressure, and manufactured urgency. After struggling with sports gambling, Jay entered recovery through Gamblers Anonymous and has remained sober since March 2024. But like many, the pattern didn’t simply disappear—it shifted. Card breaks became a substitute behavior, carrying many of the same mechanics: variable rewards, instant gratification, emotional chasing, and the illusion of control. Alyx and Jay explore how easily collecting can move from connection to compulsion, and what it takes to recognize that shift in real time. Jay shares the moment his son woke him up during a late-night break session—a turning point that forced him to confront what was really happening beneath the surface. The conversation also expands into financial accountability, denial, and the importance of “doing the math” honestly rather than avoiding the reality of spending patterns and behavior. They also discuss Jay’s framework for intentional collecting, including the three-question test: What am I feeling right now? Can I wait 24 hours? Am I buying the card or buying the feeling? Jay reflects on the role guardrails now play in his life—not as punishment, but as protection. He shares what it looks like to build systems that support long-term stability while still maintaining a healthy relationship with the hobby. The conversation also highlights the importance of community and peer support. Jay opens up about finding Collectors MD, why it felt different from other spaces, and how shared accountability and honest conversations helped him feel less isolated in the process. At its core, this episode is about rebuilding trust—with yourself, your family, and the hobby itself. If you’ve ever felt the tension between enjoying the hobby and feeling pulled by it, this episode offers a clear and honest look at that line—and what it takes to stay on the right side of it. Subscribe, share, and join the ongoing conversation around building a healthier, more intentional hobby through awareness, accountability, and community. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Jay: IG: @jabrenica69 Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. #CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

    • Transcript
Showing 1–20 of 23 episodes