Stacking Slabs

Brett McGrath
  • 4.7 (171)
  • HOBBIES
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

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. The Staging Area #20: Big Sales, Non-Payers, and What It Means for Your Cards

    12H AGO

    The Staging Area #20: Big Sales, Non-Payers, and What It Means for Your Cards

    In Episode 20 of The Staging Area, Brett McGrath and Tory from dcsports87 discuss the current state of the consignment market. The conversation starts with several notable sales across the hobby. A 1954 Bowman Mickey Mantle PSA 8 set an all-time high at $23,700. A 2013 BBM Shohei Ohtani promo PSA 9 jumped from $3,500 to nearly $20,000. An Aaron Judge Bowman Draft Chrome Auto PSA 10 sold for $7,500 as baseball season approaches. The episode then shifts to a topic many collectors experience but rarely discuss openly. Non-paying buyers. Brett and Tory break down what happens when auctions end and buyers fail to pay, how often this occurs, and what steps platforms and consignors are taking to reduce the problem. The episode closes with a look at the scale of the current market, with dcsports87 moving $14M in January and $17M in February. For collectors who buy, sell, or consign cards, this conversation offers a clear look at how the system works behind the scenes. 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
  2. Passion to Profession: Building Lasorda’s Card House on Trust, Football, and eBay Live

    1D AGO

    Passion to Profession: Building Lasorda’s Card House on Trust, Football, and eBay Live

    Tommy Lasorda didn’t inherit a card business. He got fired during the pandemic and decided to bet on himself. In this episode of Passion to Profession, sponsored by eBay, Tommy shares how he went from working as a breaker in someone else’s shop to launching Lasorda’s Card House in March 2025 We talk about: Why he walked away from allocation and buys only what his customers wantHow repacks, done right, protect value and trustWhy football became the focusThe Gold Kaboom Mahomes moment that accelerated growth Why customer care matters more than short-term marginIf you care about trust, reputation, and playing the long game in this hobby, this one is for you. 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 ★

    40 min
  3. The WNBA Card Podcast: On Nostalgia with Katelyn (@coldlunchcards)

    2D AGO

    The WNBA Card Podcast: On Nostalgia with Katelyn (@coldlunchcards)

    Season 4 reaches its midpoint with a solo episode from Katelyn (@coldlunchcards).  The topic is nostalgia and how it shapes the way collectors approach WNBA cards. Many collectors chase rookie cards. That is a bet on the future. Many collectors chase early legends. That is a connection to the past. But the WNBA sits in a different position than most leagues. The league began in 1997. Many collectors building WNBA collections today did not grow up watching those early seasons. So what creates nostalgia when the memory is not personal? Katelyn explores two forces that drive collecting behavior. Individual nostalgiaThe cards tied to your own life and memory. Collective nostalgiaThe stories a community builds together over time. In a league and card market still under thirty years old, collectors are not only preserving history. They are helping define it. This episode explores how cards connect generations of players, collectors, and moments. And why the present moment in the hobby might be the most important one of all.  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 ★

    21 min
  4. Booked to Last: WrestleMania Momentum, Market Moves, and What Matters in WWE Cards

    3D AGO

    Booked to Last: WrestleMania Momentum, Market Moves, and What Matters in WWE Cards

    WrestleMania season changes everything. On this episode of Booked to Last, Adam and Ryan break down the full impact of Elimination Chamber and the release of 2025 WWE Universe. They dig into: Why Randy Orton and Rhea Ripley winning matters for collectorsThe real hobby impact of WrestleMania storylinesWhether WWE Universe is a true win or just hypeWhy event-worn relics change the long-term value conversationWhat rising wax prices mean for youThis is not surface-level talk. It is a real conversation about how moments on TV turn into momentum in the market. If you collect wrestling cards, this episode will sharpen how you think about: Prospecting young talentChasing event-worn gearNavigating breakers vs ripping waxIdentifying what actually holds valueUniverse is not perfect. But it might be one of the most important wrestling releases in years. Let’s talk about why. 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 22m
  5. The Football Card Podcast #37: Only 3 Football Cards in 54 Six-Figure Sales… What Does That Tell You?

    4D AGO

    The Football Card Podcast #37: Only 3 Football Cards in 54 Six-Figure Sales… What Does That Tell You?

    On this episode of The Football Card Podcast, Pack and Brett open Season 4 with momentum. Since their last recording, the hobby has seen 54 six-figure sales and two multi-million dollar sales. Only three were football cards. That gap sparks a bigger conversation.They break down massive 1997 Metal Universe PMG Green sales, including Brett Favre, Jerry Rice, and Dan Marino, and what those numbers mean for football long term. They debate Topps Chrome Football and whether it will match Prizm in price and popularity. They discuss what basketball’s return to Chrome reveals about photography, scarcity, and the power of the Superfractor. They tackle a listener question about market fatigue. Are collectors chasing gold, Finite, and Kaboom because they love them—or because the market tells them to? They also spotlight recent Finite and Gold Vinyl sales, share updates on their personal collecting projects, and introduce a new Season 4 Card Call Out challenge. If you care about scarcity, psychology, and what really drives the football card market, this one hits. 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 23m
  6. Collecting Through Injury: Staying Committed When Your Player Is Out with Rodney (@enjoycards_ig)

    5D AGO

    Collecting Through Injury: Staying Committed When Your Player Is Out with Rodney (@enjoycards_ig)

    What happens to your collection when your player goes down? In this Collector Conversation, I sit down with Rodney (@enjoycards_ig) to talk about what it’s really like to collect Tyrese Haliburton during a lost season. We revisit the Game 7 injury. The shock. The numbness. The reality of a gap year. Then we dig into the cards. Does an injury change your conviction?Do you slow down or lean in?Are lower prices an opportunity or a warning sign? We talk about market data. We talk about emotion. We talk about why we collect in the first place. Haliburton’s index is down while the broader basketball market is up. Sales volume is shifting. Speculators fade. Core collectors stay. This conversation is about risk, loyalty, patience, and perspective. If you’ve ever collected an active player through an injury, this one will hit home. 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 ★

    55 min
  7. The Card Is the Object. The Story Is the Asset.

    6D AGO

    The Card Is the Object. The Story Is the Asset.

    Why do some cards stick with you while others fade? It is not the chrome.It is not the serial number.It is not even the grade. It is the story. In this flagship episode, I break down one core thesis. The card is the object. The story is the asset. We talk about: Why narrative shapes attention, memory, and beliefHow peak moments and ending moments drive remembered valueWhy provenance carries a premiumHow viral sales create availability trapsThe difference between meaningful storytelling and manipulationFrom the T206 Wagner to the 1952 Topps Mantle. From the 1989 Upper Deck Griffey to the Jordan and Kobe Logoman. We look at how narrative turns cardboard into cultural artifacts. But this is not hype.This is a call to think. To separate fact from interpretation.To question scarcity claims.To stress test your own stories. If you collect, you are already living inside narrative. The question is whether you control it or it controls you. Tell a damn friend. 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 ★

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

    MAR 3

    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
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4.7
out of 5
171 Ratings

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
    892
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Stacking Slabs
  • Show Website
    Stacking Slabs

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