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 cross-country visits with collectors in their homes, Ty tells 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.

Topics covered include:

• How CHASING CARDBOARD originally started

• Building one of the fastest-growing media platforms in the hobby

• Why storytelling changed hobby content

• The emotional side of collecting

• Nostalgia, identity, and attachment within the hobby

• What Ty has learned from visiting collectors across the country

• The psychology behind sealed wax collecting

• Intentional collecting and hobby self-awareness

• The blurred line between passion and compulsion

• The rise of live selling and modern hobby culture

• Influencer responsibility and hobby trust

• The current direction of the hobby

• Purpose-driven collecting and charity initiatives

• Phil and the Sealed Wax Nation episode

• Why meaningful stories resonate beyond the hobby

• Balancing business, collecting, and family life

• What the future of CHASING CARDBOARD looks like

• What intentional collecting means to Ty

If you’ve ever felt emotionally connected to collecting, struggled to find balance within the hobby, questioned where the hobby is heading, or simply wanted to better understand why collecting 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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P9w3Saj8NU

Alyx Effron | June 18, 2026

Presented By All Touch Case

In a lot of ways, recovery can be compared to baseball analytics. In baseball, even the greatest players in the world are expected to fail most of the time. In recovery, however, the margins are far less forgiving.

A player who gets a hit three out of every ten at-bats is considered exceptional. A .300 batting average can earn you All-Star appearances, MVP votes, and potentially a plaque in Cooperstown. Think about that for a moment. The very best players in the world fail roughly 70% of the time.

Recovery doesn’t work that way. In recovery, we’re asked to do something far more difficult. We have to bat 1.000. No pop flies. No ground outs. No strikeouts. Every single day requires another quality at-bat.

A single might look like attending a meeting when you don’t feel like it. A double might be making an uncomfortable phone call, setting a boundary, or deleting an app that’s been pulling at you. A triple might be sitting with anxiety, grief, loneliness, or boredom without escaping into old behaviors. A home run might be making it through one of the worst days of your life without gambling, spending, or chasing something to numb the pain.

The challenge is that nobody gets to call time out. Life keeps throwing us curveballs. There are layoffs. Divorces. Financial problems. Deaths. Health scares. Relationship issues. Unexpected triggers. Life has a way of delivering moments that blindside us without warning and lie completely outside our control.

We’ve all seen it happen. One year of sobriety. Five years. Ten years. Twenty years. Recovery milestones that once seemed unimaginable, followed by a relapse no one saw coming. A sobering reminder that complacency can emerge at any stage of the journey.

Not because we suddenly forgot everything we learned. Not because we don’t care about our recovery. But because recovery doesn’t reward yesterday’s at-bats. It asks us to step into the batter’s box again today. And again tomorrow. And again the day after that.

In baseball, batting .300 makes you elite. In recovery, one bad swing can change everything.

This isn’t meant to create fear. It’s meant to create humility. The thought of batting 1.000 for the rest of our lives can sound overwhelming, even impossible. But recovery rarely asks us to solve the rest of our lives today. It simply asks us to take responsibility for today. A one-day-at-a-time mindset transforms an intimidating lifelong commitment into something far more approachable, realistic, and manageable. We don’t have to worry about every future temptation all at once. We simply have to focus on the at-bat in front of us and make the best decision we can with the pitch we’re currently being thrown.

Recovery isn’t something we achieve once and get to keep forever. It’s something we protect, nurture, and recommit to every single day. Every meeting. Every boundary. Every honest conversation. Every difficult emotion we allow ourselves to feel instead of escape. Every decision to pick up the phone instead of pick up old behaviors. Those are our base hits. And eventually, those base hits start to add up, strengthening our confidence and deepening our resilience to face whatever pitch comes next.

The irony is that while recovery requires us to bat 1.000, none of us do it perfectly. We all have moments of complacency, close calls, and situations where we realize just how vulnerable we still are. That’s exactly why we stay connected, hold ourselves accountable, and keep showing up – not just for ourselves, but for each other.

Recovery isn’t about becoming invincible. It’s about respecting the fact that one swing can change the game. So today, take your next at-bat seriously. Protect your recovery. Stay humble. Stay connected. And keep putting the ball in play.

#CollectorsMD
Recovery isn’t about predicting every future pitch. It’s about stepping into today’s batter’s box and doing the best we can with the pitch we’re currently being thrown.

—
Follow Us On Social: @collectorsmd
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Support The CMD Foundation

This Daily Reflection 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% off your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind.

https://collectorsmd.com/batting-1-000-in-recovery/

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.

Topics covered include:

• Eddie’s collecting journey and how C3 Grading started

• Why grading became such an important part of the hobby

• Building an independent grading company in a consolidated market

• Collectors, PSA, SGC, Beckett, and the changing grading landscape

• Why collectors are frustrated with mainstream grading

• Flat-rate pricing and why C3 avoids upcharges

• $9 slabs, no hidden fees, and fast turnaround times

• Dual grading and why accuracy matters

• Full subgrades and transparency in the grading process

• QR-enabled grading reports and slab design

• Fading grades and “graded on” date stamps

• The role of trust, consistency, and service in grading

• The current PSA drama and what it says about hobby trust

• C3 Grading’s partnership with Collectors MD

• The Intentional Collector’s Guide and CMD affiliate code

• Why #RipResponsibly belongs in the broader hobby conversation

• What the future of grading could look like

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89TfANFR5T0&t=5s

The sports card hobby has never been more exciting, or more stimulating. New products release every week, social media is filled with massive hits, and collectors are constantly being told that the next big card, break, or opportunity is right around the corner.

In this episode of Behind The Breaks, host Collector Charles (@CollectorCharles) explores a concept known as the "dopamine economy crisis" and what it means for today's collectors. From box breaks and hobby boxes to social media algorithms and marketing campaigns, Charles examines how modern collecting environments are increasingly designed to capture attention, create excitement, and keep us chasing the next rush.

This episode dives into the psychology behind collecting, gambling-like behaviors, and the powerful role dopamine plays in decision-making. Charles discusses how stress, anxiety, boredom, and everyday life challenges can make collectors more vulnerable to chasing hits, opening more products, and spending beyond their intentions. He also explores how FOMO, manufactured scarcity, and highlight-reel culture can distort our perception of the hobby and make it difficult to recognize when collecting starts becoming compulsive.

Most importantly, this conversation offers practical ways to take inventory of your own habits and reconnect with why you collect in the first place. From asking difficult questions about spending and accountability to recognizing unhealthy patterns before they escalate, Charles shares tools collectors can use to build a healthier relationship with the hobby.

Dopamine isn't the problem. The problem is when the pursuit of it begins controlling our decisions. Intentional collecting isn't about eliminating enjoyment, it's about creating awareness, setting boundaries, and making sure the hobby remains a positive part of our lives rather than a source of stress.

This episode is for every collector who has ever felt the urge to chase one more break, buy one more box, or convince themselves that the next hit will finally be the one.

Subscribe, comment, and join the movement. And remember: collect with intention, not compulsion.

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 Charles:

YT: ‪@CollectorCharles‬

IG: @collectcharles

X: @collectcharlesx

Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER

This Episode of Behind The Breaks 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 | #CollectResponsibly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPLdaUWRAqQ&t=2s

Alyx Effron | June 13, 2026

Presented By All Touch Case

Lately, I’ve found myself reflecting on the movie Inception. Not necessarily the plot itself, but the famous concept at the center of the film: a dream within a dream within a dream. Every time the characters believed they had reached base reality, another layer appeared beneath them. Every answer created another question. Every destination revealed another place to go.

The more I reflect on this concept, the more I realize how similar modern collecting can feel.

Take a typical box break. On the surface, it seems simple enough. You buy a team and hope to pull a good card. But when you take a moment to dissect the process, there are often layers of uncertainty stacked on top of one another.

First, you need to land the right team through a wheel spin, deck of cards, or whatever random assignment gimmick the breaker happens to be using. Once that hurdle is cleared, often after multiple attempts and far more money spent than originally planned, an entirely new layer of uncertainty emerges. The random team assignment was only the first leg of your parlay. The outcome you were waiting for now becomes dependent on a completely different set of variables. Not only does your team have to hit, the box has to produce the right player, the right parallel, perhaps an autograph or memorabilia, and ideally a card clean enough to justify grading. Every time one layer is successfully navigated, another appears beneath it. Now the card has to grade well, the player has to live up to expectations, the market needs to cooperate, and the timing needs to align when you’re finally ready to sell.

Every outcome unlocks another uncertain outcome. Every layer reveals another conditional layer underneath it.

What makes this dynamic so interesting is that none of those individual steps feel unreasonable on their own. Most of us have said some version of, “I’m just buying into a break”, or “I’m just grading a card”, or “I’m just holding until the season starts”. Each decision feels completely logical when viewed independently. The challenge is that when enough variables begin stacking on top of one another, it can become difficult to recognize how much of our enjoyment is tied to what might happen next rather than what we already have.

Every layer unlocks another layer. A gamble within a gamble within a gamble, all fueled by a perpetual cycle of anticipation and dopamine.

Looking back, there were periods during my active addiction where I spent more time thinking about future outcomes than I did appreciating the cards themselves. I wasn’t focused on the card sitting in front of me. I was focused on what it might grade. What it might sell for. What might happen if the player broke out. What might happen if the market exploded. The card itself slowly became a vehicle for the next possibility – the next hit of excitement.

As we always caveat, there’s nothing inherently wrong with breaking, grading, or investing in cards. Many collectors participate in those aspects of the hobby responsibly, enjoying the excitement, entertainment, and social experience they provide. But problems arise when those layers become more important than the cards themselves, when appreciation is replaced by anticipation, or when collecting starts to feel less like intentionally enjoying a hobby and more like compulsively chasing the next outcome.

One of the questions we encourage intentional collectors to ask themselves is whether they would still want a card if none of those future outcomes existed. If it never increased in monetary value. If it never graded well. If the player never became a household name. If there wasn’t a variable layer attached to it. Sometimes the answer is yes, and sometimes it isn’t. Either way, the answer to that question usually tells us something critical about our relationship with the hobby.

The cards that have remained the most meaningful in my collection were never dependent on another outcome. They remind me of a player I loved watching growing up, a core memory with a friend or family member, a milestone, or a specific chapter of my life. Their value was established the moment I acquired them. That value wasn’t rooted in a price tag, pop report, or future sale. They were never waiting for the market’s permission to be meaningful.

This mindset has become one of the clearest distinctions between intentionally collecting and chasing outcomes. One invites us to appreciate what we already have. The other keeps our attention fixed on what comes next. One creates contentment. The other perpetuates the chase. The deeper we descend into the layers, the harder it can become to recognize when we’ve crossed from one into the other.

Collect With Intention. Not Inception.

#CollectorsMD
When every layer depends on another outcome, it may be worth asking whether you’re actually collecting or simply participating in an endless pursuit of possibilities.

—
Follow Us On Social: @collectorsmd
Join Our Support Group
Join Us On Mantel
Read More Daily Reflections

This Daily Reflection 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% off your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind.

https://collectorsmd.com/hobby-inception/