Hobby Nonsense

Jesse and Ray kick things off by discussing the recent explosion in high-end 1977 Star Wars card sales, including several record-breaking prices that are bringing renewed attention to vintage non-sport cards.

Then they’re joined by Tyler Schmitt and Adam Rips from VeeFriends to break down the upcoming 2026 VeeFriends Topps Chrome release. The conversation covers:


New chase cards and inserts


Key characters collectors should know


And the addition of MrBeast rookie autographs, which could become one of the most talked-about modern creator cards yet

After the interview:


The guys discuss why the new Dick’s House of Sports locations may be dangerous for uninformed hobby consumers


A restaurant introducing Poké Pay as a payment option using Pokémon cards


The hidden value in WWE Royalty, especially when it comes to patches


The 3 hardest Pokémon sets to find and why their scarcity matters

And to close:The newest Lorcana release introduces Pixar characters for the first time, including a certain space ranger already commanding over $1,700 raw.

A packed episode covering vintage grails, modern hype, and the increasingly strange ways collectibles are entering everyday life.
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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray start by reacting to the news of a potential GameStop buyout offer involving eBay, and why the move raises more questions than answers — including what Ryan Cohen’s real intentions might be and how it could impact the hobby.

From there, they break down 30 Years of Toy Story and then 2025 Star Wars Masterwork, including:


A major increase in top-tier autograph signers


A limited case run that could make this one of the most desirable Star Wars products in years

The conversation then shifts to a growing concern: With Costco now selling bulk top loaders, are we seeing signs of another junk wax era? The guys discuss why it might feel that way — and the key differences that could make today’s market very different.

They also dive into:


The difference between TCG vs CCG, and a new CCG pushing hard into collectibility with serialized cards and celebrity autos


And a look at Pokémon promo cards that could be easy flips, along with an experiment testing how social media messaging impacts buying behavior

A mix of speculation, strategy, and real collector concerns about where the hobby is heading.
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What actually goes into making a trading card set?

This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray are joined by Upper Deck President Jason Masherah for a deep dive into the world of entertainment cards — from the collector perspective and the business side.

The conversation covers:


How Upper Deck is approaching the modern entertainment card market


Why some non-sport products take years (sometimes over half a decade) to reach collectors


The challenge of creating products that feel fresh and not just another copy of what’s already out there

Along the way, things take some unexpected turns…

They uncover older Upper Deck sets that even Jason didn’t realize existed, discuss the idea of employee-only PMGs, and explore the future of Michael Jordan golf cards.

They also break down recent successes like Scooby-Doo and Looney Tunes, and what made those products connect with collectors.

It’s a rare, candid conversation with someone who clearly sees himself as a collector first and a business leader second — and offers a unique look at where the hobby could be headed next.
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On this episode of Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray start with reactions to the latest releases of Disney Neon and Fantastic Four Finest — including a wild break that produced three 1-of-1 pulls… but still left them feeling like something was missing.

Then the show shifts.

They’re joined by Mike Wilbur of Warehouse Collectibles, who gives them access to something most collectors never see — a massive warehouse filled with millions of comics, action figures, and trading cards. Think Costco, but every pallet is packed with collectibles.

Inside, they’re uncovering:


Previously unknown Stan Lee signed comics


Todd McFarlane signed Spawn figures


And countless items ranging from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars

Mike walks through how they’re sorting, valuing, and selling these items — and how collectors can get access.

After the interview:


A shocking stat on how few non-sport cards have actually been graded, and why that suggests the market is still early


A breakdown of the First Partner Pokémon set and why it may be one of the best values right now


And a candid conversation about market turbulence and what it means for everyday collectors

A mix of discovery, opportunity, and a look at just how much is still out there in the hobby.
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There’s always something said at conferences… and then there’s what actually matters.

On this episode of Hobby Nonsense, Jesse shares his raw reactions coming out of the Topps Industry Conference, including what stood out, what surprised him, and what it revealed about the future of the entertainment card space.

The guys break down key announcements and insights, including:


Fanatics Four Finest, Star Wars Masterwork, and Disney Chrome


New easter eggs and chase elements in upcoming products


Why Star Wars Masterwork may include one of the biggest chases ever


And how Disney Chrome continues to innovate rather than rely on past success

They also touch on:


A new Pokémon seller debuting on eBay Live and what that could mean for collectors


Early buzz around Fleer Ultra Superman and its standout designs and sketches

Then things get interesting…

Jesse and Ray discuss a Topps Marvel card almost no one knew existed — originally distributed internally — that is now surfacing on the market at massive prices.

To close the show, they share what they’ve been buying and where they’re seeing opportunity in the current market.
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