The Hobby
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The Hobby
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Followers
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collectorsmd
May 26
In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Rob Livingston—better known as @Jaybelleshhb—a respected voice in the hobby, longtime Collectors MD community member, and someone who’s been consistently showing up, speaking honestly, and supporting others behind the scenes.
Rob isn’t just observing the hobby—he’s living it. Through over 1,300 posts and a growing following, he’s built a reputation for calling things as they are, while also being open about his own journey with addiction, overspending, and the work it takes to stay grounded.
In this conversation, Alyx and Rob unpack the current state of the hobby—what’s working, what’s not, and where things are starting to break down. From influencers and major platforms to bad actors, incentive structures, and the lack of real guardrails, they explore the growing tension between entertainment, commerce, and responsibility.
They also dive into Rob’s personal story—how awareness started to take shape, what it meant to speak openly about it, and how being part of the Collectors MD community has played a role in his recovery and continued growth.
This isn’t about pointing fingers. It’s about seeing the system clearly—and asking what needs to change.
At its core, this episode is about awareness, accountability, and what happens when you can no longer ignore what’s right in front of you.
Topics covered include:
Rob’s journey in the hobby and building @jaybelleshhb
Becoming a trusted voice through consistency and honesty
His experience with addiction and overspending
Opening up publicly and the impact of that decision
The current state of the hobby and where it’s heading
Influencers, platforms, and incentive structures
Bad actors and lack of oversight in the space
Ongoing lawsuits and growing industry pressure
What’s frustrating—and what’s encouraging
The role of community, peer support, and accountability
What intentional collecting actually looks like
What collectors need to understand moving forward
If you’ve ever taken a step back and questioned where the hobby is headed—or your place within it—this is a conversation worth listening to. Because once you see it clearly, it’s hard to go back.
Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, accountability, and building a healthier relationship with collecting.
Learn More & Join The Movement:
Website: collectorsmd.com
Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com
Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX
Contact: info@collectorsmd.com
YT: @collectorsmd
IG: @collectorsmd
Follow Rob:
YT: @Jaybelleshhb
IG: @jaybelleshhb
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 | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQF55tWVZgw
In
collectorsmd
May 20
In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Paul Baldwin Jr.—aka @Paullydoughnuts—founder of #GetToStackin, trusted hobby voice, and one of the more outspoken, community-rooted personalities in the space today.
Paully brings a grounded, collector-first perspective to a moment in the hobby that feels as exciting as it does uncertain. With 20K+ followers across his socials and years of experience transacting and building trust within the community, he’s become a voice many collectors have turned to as the hobby has started feeling louder, faster, and harder to make sense of.
Alyx and Paully unpack the current state of the hobby from multiple angles—including Fanatics’ branded credit card, this year's Topps Industry Conference, the continued financialization of fandom, and what it all means for where the hobby is headed.
They discuss the return of iconic products like Topps Chrome Football and Bowman Basketball, the Topps licensing takeover, and why modern wax prices have reached a point where we're starting to question who today’s products are really built for.
The conversation centers on trust, transparency, and accountability, honing in on the recent Whatnot controversy, lawsuits, repack concerns, and the growing tension between community and commerce in the live-selling and breaking ecosystem.
They explore what’s changing in the hobby, what's worth protecting, and whether the space is evolving in a way that feels healthier, more sustainable, and more aligned with the people who helped build it.
At its core, this episode focuses on a bigger question: are we building a better hobby—or just a faster, more expensive, more emotionally volatile one?
Topics covered include:
Paully’s roots in the hobby and why his voice resonates
The launch of #GetToStackin and building trust in the community
Fanatics’ new branded credit card and what it signals
The financialization of fandom and hobby participation
Topps’ growing influence and the new licensing era
The return of Topps Chrome Football and Bowman Basketball
The skyrocketing cost of wax and accessibility concerns
Whether modern product is still built for real collectors
The recent Whatnot controversy, lawsuits, and trust issues
Repack culture, transparency, and accountability in the hobby
What still feels worth protecting in today’s hobby
Whether the hobby is becoming healthier or just more intense
If you’ve been feeling both excited and uneasy about where the hobby is headed, this conversation will hit home. Growth isn’t always the same thing as progress.
Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, accountability, and building a healthier relationship with collecting.
Learn More & Join The Movement:
Website: collectorsmd.com
Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com
Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX
Contact: info@collectorsmd.com
YT: @collectorsmd
IG: @collectorsmd
Learn More About Paul & #GetToStackin:
Website: gettostackin.com
YT: @Paullydoughnuts
IG: @paullydoughnuts
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 | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E0cc_bWqGI&t=93s

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