Global Card Collectors

Will and John are back for a laid-back but insight-filled catch-up episode that hits on everything happening in their collecting worlds right now.They kick things off with recent pickups and some honest frustrations-diving into the current state of COMC and what’s really going on with AI-driven decisions at Fanatics Collectibles. From confusing systems to shifting hobby dynamics, nothing is off the table.Will shares how his focus has been shifting heavily toward the selling side of the hobby. From launching his new online store to hunting for the right inventory and learning lessons at card shows, he breaks down what’s working and what isn’t.Meanwhile, John has been busy making some major moves of his own. A stunning quad patch card featuring four European basketball mega stars becomes a centerpiece of the conversation, and sparks a deeper debate: would you take a /10 from an ultra high-end set over a 1/1 from a lower-tier product?It’s a mix of hobby talk, market insight, and plenty of laughs along the way—just two collectors checking in and keeping it real.

This week, John (@istanbulcards) is joined by Conor Sen, a Bloomberg Opinion columnist who loves sports cards like the rest of us, but also brings a sharp understanding of the macroeconomic forces shaping the hobby. Conor discusses how broader economic trends dovetail with the sports card market, reflects on his childhood and young-adult sporting heroes, and shares how he’s thoughtfully re-entering the hobby in recent years alongside his kids.

In this episode Will and John sit down to catch up after The Card Clan Trade Day, their final event of the year. While it may not have been the biggest show on the calendar, it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable. As vendors, they had the chance to slow down, reconnect with familiar faces, and spend real time talking about collecting, sports, and the hobby with regulars who make days like this worthwhile.From there, the conversation shifts back to what they’re most excited about in collecting right now: consolidation. Selling bulk and lower-end cards to focus on fewer, higher-end pieces—especially rare cards of players they view as true GOATs. Will dives into his ongoing Giannis rookie auto chase, debating whether now is the time to finally pull the trigger with Giannis’ market sitting near historic lows. John shares his own near-miss story with a Luka Dončić International Treasures, including how close he came to landing a version numbered to just /10.They wrap things up with a discussion on the current state of grading, where it stands today, and how it’s impacting collectors and the hobby moving forward.As always, it’s a laid-back but thoughtful conversation about collecting with intention, enjoying the process, and navigating the hobby as it continues to evolve.

In this special **100th episode**, John and Will take a heartfelt (and hilarious) look back at the journey that brought us here. From the moment Will went off and bought microphones for our first episode, to interviewing our first guest outside our circle of friends, it’s been a wild ride—and we’ve loved every minute of it.We reflect on the friends we’ve made along the way, the unexpected opportunities that came with building this channel, and yes… even the awkward moments of rejection when someone said, “Nah, I don’t want to record an episode with you.” 😅Over nearly two years without missing a single week, we’ve gained skills we never imagined -from interviewing, editing, and storytelling to building a community that inspires us to keep creating. This episode is both a celebration and a thank-you to everyone who’s been part of the journey.And because it wouldn’t be a proper milestone without it, we wrap things up by diving into **Mail Day Questions** from our friends:✨ What are our plans for the future?✨ What goals do we have for next year?✨ Where do we hope this hobby takes us next?Whether you’ve been here since Episode 1 or you’re joining us now at Episode 100, we’re grateful you’re part of this adventure. Here’s to the next chapter-and to everything we’ll build together.

In this episode of Global Card Collectors, Will and John catch up on their latest moves in the hobby—focusing on consolidation, strategic collecting, and tapping into the growing Turkish card market.Will shares his mission to sell off lower-value cards in pursuit of a major grail piece—possibly a Giannis rookie auto—while John adds a massive 1/1 Bogdan Bogdanović to his Balkan Ballers PC. Will also picks up a /99 Al Horford One & One patch auto for his Celtics collection.The duo discuss the unique dynamics of the Turkish market: lots of autos, patches, and serial-numbered cards, but very few slabs. They explore the opportunity to import affordable graded cards from the U.S. to increase supply, help collectors start PC building with graded pieces, and potentially turn a small profit.To wrap up, they touch on early NBA season storylines, the buzz around the new Topps flagship release, and their plans to watch more live hoops.

Pablo (@Gasolcollector) has an amazing Pau Gasol collection that has been curated for 20+ years. From acquiring his grail 2001 Topps Chrome /50 Black Refractor to identifying rare inserts like 2004 Upper Deck Flight Team, Pablo shares stories of collecting from Spain with John (@istanbulcards), a fun journey through the world of 2000s cards, Lakers trades, Luka Doncic, Dirk Nowitski, and more.

In this episode John (@istanbulcards) and Will (kart_adami) discuss their reasons for launching this podcast. Both John and Will share what they have been collecting recently, explaining their reasoning for why they've been collecting these cards and John shares a massive recent pick up.