Behind the Breaks

Matt Hasson and RJ Watters
  • 0.0 (0)
  • SPORTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to "Behind the Breaks,” a podcast that delves into the dynamic world of trading card breaking, where passion meets profit and community thrives. Whether you're a collector, a seller, or simply curious about the magic behind the cardboard, our podcast is your gateway to the heart and soul of the hobby.

  1. 3D AGO

    NO PSA MAY Gets REAL + TAG’s Historic First 1000 Grade | E56

    RJ’s at it again! You have to hear this one! What started as a normal drive from Phoenix to Vegas quickly became an off-road survival story through the Arizona desert after wildfires shut down the highway. Dirt roads. No signal. Google Maps failing. Semi trucks disappearing into the wilderness. And somehow… RJ still made it to Vegas.But that was only the beginning. In this episode of Behind The Breaks, we dive into: The insane Arizona desert detour story PSA controversy and the growing “No PSA May” movement TAG grading transparency and their first EVER perfect 1000-point card Beckett’s new logo revealSports card grading frustrations The future of AI grading in the hobby Could collectors build their OWN grading company? Baseball talk, Cal Raleigh struggles, Yankees prospects, Cubs pain, Connor Griffin hype and more If you’re into sports cards, Pokemon cards, grading drama, PSA, TAG, Beckett, Fanatics, Topps, eBay flipping, baseball cards, hobby investing, or card collecting culture… this episode is packed. SUBSCRIBE for weekly hobby news, grading debates, sports card investing, baseball card talk, and complete nonsense. ⁨ @taggrading⁩  #sportscards #psa #taggrading #pokemoncards #baseballcards #sportscardinvesting #thehobby #beckett #tradingcards #sportscardpodcast #sportscardcollector #mlb #baseball #cardgrading #sportscollectibles

    57 min

  2. 6D AGO

    Should I Sell My Entire Sports Card Collection Before The Market Crashes? | E55

    RJ is 80% ready to liquidate his entire sports card collection… and we are here for it. The process has already started... but listen to this one and hear his rationale. With fears of an MLB lockout, changing card prices, and too much cardboard piling up, we debate: • Selling grails • Keeping sentimental cards • Market timing • One-of-ones • Starting over as a collector This is every collector’s nightmare conversation. Would you hold… or cash out? Comment your answer below. #sportscards #baseballcards #cardmarket #cardcollecting #tradingcards #sportsinvesting #aaronjudge #ohtani #cardcommunity

    18 min

  3. MAY 4

    PSA Is Being SUED… And Nobody Stopped Submitting Cards | E54 BTB

    The hobby is booming… but something feels off.In this episode, we break down everything happening around PSA right now—from a new antitrust lawsuit to missing high-value submissions, price hikes, and ongoing controversy around grading consistency.Even more surprising? PSA just set a record with over 2 million cards graded in a single month.So the real question is:If everyone is frustrated… why is nothing changing?What We Cover:Whatnot’s new seller cancellation policy (and why it matters)eBay making auction sales final (huge shift for the market)PSA’s lawsuit and what it actually meansThe missing card story that sparked outrageUpcharges, grading inconsistencies, and trust issuesTAG’s transparency vs PSA’s “black box”Why submissions are still skyrocketing despite all the noiseThe proposed PSA boycott in May — does it stand a chance?Key TakeawayThis isn’t just about PSA.It’s about trust, transparency, and where the hobby is headed next.Join the ConversationAre you still submitting to PSA?Would you switch graders?Is a boycott even realistic?Drop your thoughts below — we read everything.If You Enjoyed This EpisodeLike, subscribe, and share with someone deep in the hobby.

    57 min

  4. APR 21

    Should He Sell His Entire Card Collection?! (80% Serious…) | E52

    RJ drops a bombshell—he’s seriously considering selling his entire sports card collection. Years of collecting, rare cards, one-of-ones, and serious value… all potentially gone.Is this a smart move ahead of a possible baseball market dip?Or a decision he’ll regret instantly?We get into:What his collection might actually be worthThe cards he refuses to sell (for now)The “keep only five” challengeWhy starting over is so temptingAnd whether he can actually pull the triggerThis quickly turns into part strategy, part therapy session.Should he sell everything… or walk it back?

    19 min

  5. APR 13

    Everything Going On in Sports Cards Right Now | E52

    We kick things off in San Diego with an unforgettable night at a Padres game — insane atmosphere, elite fan experience, and a walk-off grand slam from Xander Bogaerts that had the stadium going crazy.But that’s just the beginning…We dive deep into the Topps Industry Conference in Phoenix — and ask the question no one else is asking:👉 Is the hobby actually being “advanced”… or just controlled?From only one grading company getting the spotlight, to the lack of real debate and innovation, we break down why this felt more like an echo chamber than a true industry event.Then it gets worse…A father and son pull a MASSIVE Lionel Messi auto — only to have it flagged as FAKE after grading.Now they’ve been waiting over a year for a resolution.Yeah… seriously.We unpack:The growing trust issues with grading companiesWhy PSA vs TAG is becoming a real conversationHow collectors are getting squeezedWhether the hobby is turning into gamblingAnd what it would actually take to disrupt the industryPlus:Early MLB season reactionsA dominant showing from Corbin CarrollMason Miller throwing absolute gasAnd why the Padres might have the BEST in-game experience in baseballIf you care about sports cards, collecting, or where the hobby is headed… this is a must-listen.What do YOU think:Is the hobby still about collecting… or has it become gambling?Drop your take in the comments — we’re featuring responses in future episodes.

    45 min

  6. APR 7

    MLB Is BACK… But Are Baseball Cards Just Gambling Now?! | Rookie Hype, $474K Mistake & Wild Prices

    Baseball is BACK—and so is the chaos.In this episode, we dive into the first week of the MLB season, where rookies are exploding, prices are going insane, and the line between collecting and gambling is getting thinner than ever.From a $474,000 card that might already be a regret… to unknown rookies selling for hundreds overnight… to the wild reality of buying cards in today’s market—this is the real side of the hobby.We also get into:Opening week MLB reactions (and why the Yankees might actually be THAT good)The surge of rookie hype—and whether it’s already out of controlInsane early-season card prices (are these sustainable?)The truth about buying “prospects” vs proven starsBo Jackson’s new card release… and why it might NOT be worth itThe rise of alternative collectibles (Pokémon, One Piece, etc.)Stadium food is getting ridiculous (yes… we talk about the Yankees’ viral “chicken bucket”)If you’re collecting, flipping, or just trying to understand where the hobby is heading—this episode is for you.Because right now… every card might just be a bet.Drop a comment:Are you buying rookies right now—or staying away?Subscribe for weekly episodes breaking down the real hobby—no fluff, no hype.

    40 min

  7. MAR 31

    Sports Card Casino: TAG vs PSA (again), Big Bets, and Opening Day Buys | E50

    We’re back—and this one hits everything happening in the hobby right now.RJ breaks down his recent experience with TAG grading—from hitting multiple 10s to taking a tough (but completely justified) 9—and why the transparency might completely change how collectors think about grading… especially for PC cards.But the bigger question:If TAG shows you exactly why your card graded the way it did… why isn’t everyone using it?Then things take a turn.A lawyer has filed arbitration against Whatnot, claiming the platform operates like an unlicensed casino—and we dig into it. Is that legit? Or is this just someone taking a shot at the fastest-growing platform in the hobby?Because let’s be honest…Are breaks, grading, and prospecting really that different from gambling?From PSA frustrations and vault horror stories to the reality of liquidity, comps, and flipping vs collecting—we unpack what’s actually driving the hobby right now.And with Opening Day here, we go all in:Who we’re buying.Who we’re betting on.And the players we think can 10x this season.From Jordan Lawlar and PCA to under-the-radar plays and pure lottery tickets—this is our 2026 strategy laid out.At the end of the day…you can call it collecting if you want—but we’re all playing the odds.

    44 min

  8. MAR 23

    Sports Card Chaos: Grading Scandals, AI Takeover, Redemption Ethics & Breaker Hacks (MLB 2026)

    We go deep into the biggest debates shaping the sports card hobby heading into the 2026 MLB season.From grading transparency to AI disruption, redemption card ethics, and even a brand-new breaker strategy that could change the game… this episode covers it all.We kick things off with a hilarious moment (yes… involving a gnat), then jump straight into real hobby talk:What we cover in this episode:Should grading companies like PSA, TAG, and SGC publish grader accuracy rates?How AI grading is changing the future of card collectingThe rise of ABS (Automated Ball-Strike System) in MLB and what it means for the gameAre redemption cards from Topps and Panini actually ethical?Why waiting YEARS for a redemption might be the biggest flaw in the hobbyA brand new idea: “Skunk Insurance” for card breaks — could breakers make more money while protecting buyers?The controversy behind Logan Paul’s $16.49M Pikachu Illustrator saleFractional ownership in collectibles — smart investing or a risky play?Big Questions We Ask:Is card grading broken?Can AI fix inconsistency in grading?Are collectors being misled by redemption systems?Is the hobby shifting from collectors → investors?If you’re into:Sports cards investingMLB card collectingPSA vs TAG grading debatesCard breaking strategyModern hobby trends…this episode is for you.

    50 min
See All (64)

Trailer

About

Welcome to "Behind the Breaks,” a podcast that delves into the dynamic world of trading card breaking, where passion meets profit and community thrives. Whether you're a collector, a seller, or simply curious about the magic behind the cardboard, our podcast is your gateway to the heart and soul of the hobby.

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Hasson and RJ Watters
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Matt Hasson and RJ Watters
  • Show Website
    Behind the Breaks