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—the only 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 NYC 2026, Alyx and Nick reflect on finally meeting in person and share 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, the 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 ecosystem.

Nick also shares the vision behind the Global Trading Card Registry (GTCR), his newest initiative focused on bringing greater organization, connectivity, and innovation to collecting.

Finally, Alyx and Nick 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

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 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

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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g20Iy1o1oN8&t=100s

Today in 1993 Nolan Ryan pitched his last MLB game. Over a record 27-year playing career in the MLB, Ryan pitched for the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers. He is a first ballot Hall of Famer and is widely considered to be one of the greatest pitchers of all time.

More than 30 years after retiring he still holds the records for most strike outs (5,714) and most no-hitters (7). This is his 1st Sports Illustrated cover from 1975 graded at CGC 9.0. It’s a pop 3 with only 2 copies graded higher

With the QB injuries, must feel like doom for some collectors who speculate for the season. This isn't by any means my picks. I just love 'Bomb Squads'

Who you do you think is the season QB buy? 

Hope quick recovery for all the athletes. 

Cheers Alan

Peyton Manning was on the cover of Sports Illustrated twice while in college at Tennessee. This is his 2nd cover and it came out today in 1997.

He became Tennessee's all-time leading passer with 11,201 yards and 89 touchdowns and won 39 of 45 games as a starter, breaking the SECrecord for career wins. He was a consensus first-team All-American, SEC Player of the Year, the Maxwell Award winner, the Davey O'Brien Award winner, the Johnny Unitas Award winner, and the Best College Player ESPY award winner. He finished as the runner-up to Charles Woodson in the 1997 Heisman Trophy voting.

This copy is graded in newsstand at CGC 8.5

Morning! Make the groups of 4. 4 groups in all..reply with how you did, and enjoy!!

(**Additional topic tags has hints sometimes**)

Credit to Sports-Reference, for amazing compiling of facts and figures that get shared for us to all enjoy.

https://connections.swellgarfo.com/game/-P28CM1FXUMbkGWiW3ut