Hobby Nonsense

This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray start with one of the most honest conversations in the hobby: why collectors still chase sticker autos and box hits—even when better, guaranteed options exist.

That leads into a broader discussion about collector psychology, risk vs certainty, and why the thrill of the chase continues to drive the market.

From there:


Deadpool Chrome is already surging, with box prices climbing as demand spikes


A heated Sports Boi’s Bugga Boos segment tackles whether breakers are making too much money—or if buyers are responsible for their own decisions


WWE Chrome returns as a flagship release, but does back-to-back WWE product risk cannibalizing itself?


Disney Neon enters as a lower-cost product with strong upside and under-the-radar potential

The guys also revisit the 1966 Donruss Marvel set, which has been climbing rapidly since recent spotlight attention, and break down which cards are seeing the most movement.

Ray shares a speculative play on a Nintendo character he’s buying heavily, as conversations grow around potential expansion into a Marvel-style cinematic universe.

And to close:


Which Pokémon sets are going out of print


And what collectors should be targeting before prices move

A packed episode blending psychology, market trends, and real collector strategy.
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Disney is winning the hobby right now — and this episode explains why.

Jesse and Ray are joined in-studio by Matt Hathorn of Funcle Cards for a deep dive into how Disney 100 (2023) and Disney Chrome (2024) have separated themselves as the most dominant non-sport products in the modern era.

They break down everything collectors want to know:


Why comps don’t always matter for Disney cards


Which parallels actually hold value


Where to grade (and why it matters)


The hierarchy of Disney characters and what collectors prioritize


How Disney stacks up against Pokémon and other TCGs

The conversation also explores a fascinating niche: Cards from the junk wax era of the 80s and 90s. While many were massively produced, surprisingly few exist in high grade — creating opportunities for collectors who know where to look. Matt even shares how he’s turning dollar-bin finds into cards worth hundreds.

Also in this episode:


McDonald’s K-Pop Demon Hunter adult Happy Meal cards


New releases including Topps Chrome Deadpool and WWE Exalted


And a friendly competition to see who pulls the biggest card

Plus, Matt brings 3 Disney cards to give away to listeners.

If you’ve been wondering why Disney cards keep climbing — or how to approach them as a collector or investor — this is a must-listen.
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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray kick things off by recapping Jesse’s first singles show experience and what it revealed about the current state of the non-sport market.

From there, they dive into Star Wars: Smugglers Outpost, breaking down why it may be one of the best collector-focused releases in years and what it’s doing right compared to other modern products.

Next, the conversation turns to 2026 Leaf Pop Century. While the product still delivers strong celebrity appeal, a closer look at resale data raises an important question: are values trending downward even as box prices continue to rise?

They also cover:


The long-awaited Jurassic Park trading card set, featuring autographs from Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum, and Samuel L. Jackson


A new Cardsmiths mini-set tied to the hit film Hail Mary, and whether it could hold long-term value


Celebrities entering the hobby through TCG, including Benji Madden investing in One Piece and Timothée Chalamet spotted at a Yu-Gi-Oh event


Target expanding its card footprint, potentially creating in-store experiences that resemble local card shops

The episode wraps with a debate on Ray’s Pokémon buying strategy, leaving Jesse asking the ultimate collector question: “Is the juice worth the squeeze?”
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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray start the show by discussing the Whatnot lawsuit currently making waves across the hobby, including Whatnot’s response to the allegations and what it could mean for collectors and sellers going forward.

They then follow up on last week’s Topps Disney Neon story with updates on newly revealed IP and signers. The set will feature characters from Gargoyles and Phineas and Ferb, along with exciting new autograph signers — including Owen Wilson signing as Lightning McQueen.

Next, Jesse shares a tip on how collectors have been managing to secure Topps presale products early and how others might be able to take advantage of the same strategy.

The guys also revisit Leaf Photographic, after a Kobe Bryant autograph unexpectedly sold for $31,000, despite earlier skepticism about the product.

The second half of the show features an interview with Grant Sandground of Upper Deck, who walks through everything collectors should know about the new Batman: The Animated Series trading card set. With extremely low print numbers and many retailers already sold out, collectors are starting to feel the FOMO.

To close the show:


Ray highlights new celebrity interest in Pokémon cards, including Kim Kardashian entering the market


And shares valuable tips on what collectors should avoid buying when hunting for Pokémon cards.

A packed episode covering controversy, nostalgia, market surprises, and practical collecting advice.
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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray dive into one of the busiest weeks in the non-sport hobby.

They kick things off by recapping their 12-hour break of WWE Universe, sharing their thoughts on the product and some of the highlights from the marathon rip. They also preview the upcoming Topps Chrome WWE First Day Release arriving this Friday and explain how collectors can get access.

Next up are several upcoming releases and hobby updates:


Topps Disney Neon, a lower-cost Disney product aimed at fans of classic animated characters


Upper Deck Batman: The Animated Series, featuring some unique inserts including a full collectible playing card deck with major characters and Wild Jokers


A new tool collectors can use to track which non-sport 1/1 cards have already been pulled from modern products

The conversation then shifts to the broader market with insights from Funcle Cards, including why Disney 100 may already be the GOAT of modern non-sport sets and why a vintage Batman product is starting to gain momentum.

Things take a wild turn when Jesse and Ray discuss the Hong Kong-based company MemeStrategy, which announced plans to acquire 25% of the PSA 10 Felt Hat Pikachu population—a move that has pushed the card’s market cap higher than the Michael Jordan rookie card.

They wrap up the show with a look at where Pokémon 151 prices may be headed and why 151 Charizard and Felt Hat Pikachu are starting to show some surprising similarities.
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