Stacking Slabs

Brett McGrath
  • 5.0 (1)
  • HOBBIES
  • UPDATED TWICE WEEKLY

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.

  1. Card Ladder Confidential #17: Looking at Signal vs Substance When Evaluating the Hobby

    12 HRS AGO

    Card Ladder Confidential #17: Looking at Signal vs Substance When Evaluating the Hobby

    Signal vs Substance. What really holds this hobby together? In this episode of Card Ladder Confidential, Brett is joined by Kristina and Josh from Card Ladder to talk about what’s driving collecting right now and what actually lasts. They unpack the West Coast Card Show and why a sports-only format changed the energy in the room. They talk about why the Card Ladder booth has become a landing spot for collectors. And they dig into what happens when price stops leading. You’ll hear: Why moments like Jack Hughes’ gold medal can move markets overnightHow Josh thinks about 1/1 football cards and why scarcity still winsHow Kristina builds her Luka and Maxi PCs with checklists and disciplineWhy research still matters in a scroll economy built on speedReal examples of how Card Ladder data helped land a dealThis is a conversation about patience, conviction, and building a collection that reflects you. Not the feed. Not the hype. You. If you care about long-term thinking in a short-term world, this one is for you. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs 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 link Follow Josh: | InstagramFollow Chris: | InstagramFollow Card Ladder: | Instagram | YouTube | WebsiteFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    54 min
  2. Passion to Profession: From Bargain Boxes to Building Owner with Ryan Bannister of RBICru7

    1 DAY AGO

    Passion to Profession: From Bargain Boxes to Building Owner with Ryan Bannister of RBICru7

    Ryan Bannister has been in cards for more than three decades. He opened RBICru7 in 2012 with borrowed money, a small space, and a willingness to grind seven days a week. Fourteen years later, he owns the building his shop sits in and has built one of the most respected brands in the hobby.  In this episode of Passion to Profession, Ryan shares: Why character is a business advantageThe sacrifices he made early to keep the doors openHow relationships opened doors he never could have forcedWhat COVID taught him about adaptabilityHow he used LeBron autos to fund real estateWhy community beats competition in the long runIf you’ve ever thought about turning your side hustle into your full-time work, this is a masterclass in what it really takes. 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 link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    1h 4m
  3. The WNBA Card Podcast: Rittenhouse Evolves — The Later Years with Joy (@herasportscards)

    2 DAYS AGO

    The WNBA Card Podcast: Rittenhouse Evolves — The Later Years with Joy (@herasportscards)

    In this episode of The WNBA Card Podcast, Katelyn is joined by Joy (@herasportscards) to break down the second half of the Rittenhouse era from 2010 to 2018. This was a collector’s market. Most years had print runs of 500 cards.One year had only 225 rookie base cards.On-card autos. Limited supply. Minimal hype. Joy shares her journey back into the hobby, how community shaped her collecting, and why Rittenhouse cards were bought by people who never planned to sell. They dig into: What the league looked like during this stretch and how that shaped demandWhy Stewie’s rookie and Maya’s jersey auto still matterThe A’ja Wilson Platinum /25 and whether the hobby is undervaluing itRookie vs. star psychology then versus nowWhat collectors today can learn from a true collector-driven eraIf you care about context, scarcity, and long-term thinking in WNBA cards, this episode will sharpen your perspective. 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 [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Katelyn: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    1 hr
  4. Booked to Last: Randy Orton at RBICru7, Topps Universe Drops, and the Future of Wrestling Cards with Tim Trout

    3 DAYS AGO

    Booked to Last: Randy Orton at RBICru7, Topps Universe Drops, and the Future of Wrestling Cards with Tim Trout

    This week on Booked to Last, Adam Gellman and Ryan from RBICru7 unpack one of the biggest moments in wrestling card history. Randy Orton walked into RBICru7 for Rip Night and stayed for over two hours. He signed for every fan. He answered every question. He took selfies. He even studied Ryan’s personal collection and talked comps. What does it mean when your GOAT shows up at your shop and delivers? The guys break down the full experience and why this wasn’t just an appearance. It was validation for collectors. Then Tim Trout, Product Director for WWE at Topps, joins the show to talk: WWE UniverseEvent-worn relicsWrestleMania patch 1/1sInscriptions and on-card autosWhat’s coming in 2025 and 2026If you collect wrestling cards, this episode matters. This isn’t hype.It’s context.And the game is changing. Check out RbiCru7 for all your wrestling and sports card needs! Join Adam's Main Event Wrestling Cards group for free 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 Follow Ryan: | Instagram | Website | YouTubeFollow Adam: | X | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    1h 3m
  5. The Football Card Podcast #36: Moments Matter More Than Stats The 26K Josh Rosen Sale and Why Football Cards Keep Climbing

    4 DAYS AGO

    The Football Card Podcast #36: Moments Matter More Than Stats The 26K Josh Rosen Sale and Why Football Cards Keep Climbing

    The Football Card Podcast is back for the Season 3 finale and this one hits every layer of the hobby. Brett and Pack unpack the $26,400  Josh Rosen Green Kaboom sale and why the reaction misses the point. They break down why football cards are up 33 percent over the last two years according to Card Ladder and what is really driving that growth. They debate Caleb Williams versus Jackson Dart at 48K and why moments matter more than raw stats. They revisit 1994 Joe Montana Sega nostalgia and what 90s scarcity teaches us about today’s market. They call out hobby practices that help and hurt the experience. They dig into PMGs, rookie golds, and why collecting priorities shift with the season. If you collect football cards, this episode will make you think harder about what you are chasing and why. Check out Card Ladder the official data partner of Stacking Slabs Follow The Football Card Podcast on Instagram for memes and stuff. 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 [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TiktokFollow Pack: | Instagram ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    1h 25m
  6. Built for the Hobby #6: AI for Hobby Operators

    5 DAYS AGO

    Built for the Hobby #6: AI for Hobby Operators

    AI is moving fast. Most hobby businesses are not. In Episode 6 of Built for the Hobby, Brett sits down with Scott Lock, CEO and Co-Founder of InfernoRed Technology, to talk about what AI means for hobby operators in 2026. This is not hype. This is practical. Scott breaks down: Why most businesses are underusing AIWhere small hobby shops can remove friction todayHow automation can protect your marginsWhy waiting is the riskiest strategyHow to think about AI without chasing shiny objectsIf you run a $500K shop or a $5M operation, this conversation is about you. AI will not replace your business. But someone who learns how to use it might. If you are AI-curious but stuck using ChatGPT like Google, this episode gives you a clear next step. Built for the Hobby is about one thing: helping operators think better and build smarter. 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 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 link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    44 min
  7. The Hobby Is Not One Market. It’s Many Micro-Markets.

    6 DAYS AGO

    The Hobby Is Not One Market. It’s Many Micro-Markets.

    A $16.5M headline sale grabs attention. It sparks conversations.It shifts emotion.It makes you question what your cards mean now. In this flagship episode, Brett breaks down a hard truth most collectors ignore. The hobby is not one market.It is many micro-markets operating at the same time. Different financial tiers.Different buyer pools.Different motivations. Using the recent PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator sale as context, Brett explores how infrastructure, transparency, and intent-driven collecting are reshaping the environment. He explains why record prices distort perception, how narrative spreads across segments, and why you must identify the lane you’re actually in before reacting to a headline. If you’ve ever looked at a big sale and thought, “What does this mean for me?” This episode will help you answer that question with clarity and control. Because the collectors who understand their market move with confidence.The ones who don’t move with emotion. 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 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 link Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    22 min
  8. The Staging Area #19: The Super Bowl Effect, Brand Moves, and the Volume Game

    24 FEB

    The Staging Area #19: The Super Bowl Effect, Brand Moves, and the Volume Game

    You don’t plan to consign. Then a card pops up that you can’t ignore. In this episode of The Staging Area presented by dcsports87, Brett and Tory talk through the real decisions collectors make when opportunity hits. What moves from the PC pile to the sell pile. Why “being responsible” sometimes means shipping a big box to consignment. They unpack: The Super Bowl eBay Live activation in San FranciscoWhat brand exposure really means when you’re building for the long termHow volume forces companies like PSA and dcsports87 to make tough operational decisionsThe Drake Maye hype cycle and what the data shows after the lossWhy infrastructure today feels different than 2021And whether release consistency even exists anymoreThis is a conversation about scaling, adaptability, and playing the long game in a hobby that moves fast. If you’re trying to make better decisions with your cards and your capital, this one is for you. 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 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 [Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this link Follow dcsports87: | Website | eBay | Instagram | Twitter  Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    46 min
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Ratings & Reviews

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Brett McGrath
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    885
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Stacking Slabs
  • Show Website
    Stacking Slabs

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