The Collector's Compass

#43: Losing It All On Sports Cards

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Sean—one of our very first community members and someone whose story sits at the core of why this movement exists today. Sean isn’t just a guest—he’s been with us since day one. From early Instagram Live ripping days, to becoming one of the most active and impactful voices within the CMD community, Sean’s journey reflects both the highs and lows that exist within today’s hobby. Alyx and Sean go all the way back to those early days—what it felt like to be “whales” in the hobby, the energy of live streams, the attention, the identity—and how quickly things can shift when the experience starts to take over. They unpack the moment that changed everything for Sean: a $5K Sandy Koufax auto that planted the seed and set off a chain reaction. What started as excitement quickly turned into chasing that first high, eventually leading Sean deeper into Whatnot, repack breaks, and five-figure nightly spending sessions that spiraled beyond his control. Sean opens up about how fast it escalated, what he was really chasing in those moments, and how the line between collecting, entertainment, and addiction completely blurred. The conversation doesn’t shy away from the reality of what followed—losing his marriage, his home, his financial stability, and being forced to confront the full weight of it all. But more importantly, this episode focuses on what came next. Sean shares what recovery has actually looked like for him—not perfectly, but honestly. From showing up to weekly meetings, to writing some of our most impactful Daily Reflections, to now stepping into a role as a peer support host, his journey highlights what it means to rebuild in real time. This isn’t just a story about loss. It’s a story about awareness, accountability, and what it takes to come back from a place that feels impossible to return from. At its core, this episode explores a bigger question: how does something that starts as a hobby turn into something that can take everything—and what does it take to stop, reset, and rebuild? Topics covered include: * Sean’s rise in the hobby and becoming a “whale” on Instagram Live and Whatnot * The psychology of chasing the high and losing control through repacks and high-volume spending * The emotional, financial, and personal fallout behind the scenes * Recovery, peer support, and Sean’s journey through Collectors MD and GA * What collectors need to understand before the hobby starts taking more than it gives If you’ve ever felt the pull of the chase, questioned your habits, or wondered how far things can go—this conversation will hit home. Sometimes the difference between a hobby and something else entirely isn’t as clear as we think. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, accountability, and building a healthier relationship with collecting. Watch The Episode On YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SFsFmA3rJA] 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 Sean: IG: @bfb_suburban_sports_cards 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

#42: The Current State Of The Hobby With @PaullyDoughnuts

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. Watch The Episode On YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E0cc_bWqGI&t=93s] 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 Paully & #GetToStackin: Website: gettostackin.com YT: @Paullydoughnuts IG: @paullydoughnuts X: @paullydoughnuts 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. Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER #CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

#41: Losing Big & America's Gambling Crisis With Jonathan D. Cohen

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Jonathan D. Cohen—historian, gambling policy lead at the American Institute for Boys and Men, and author of Losing Big: America’s Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling. Jonathan brings a research-driven, public health perspective to one of the fastest-growing—and least understood—issues in modern American life: the rapid rise of legalized online sports betting. In this conversation, Alyx and Jonathan break down how sports betting expanded almost overnight following the 2018 Supreme Court decision, and why the system that emerged has been shaped more by profit and access than by consumer protection. Jonathan explains how mobile betting apps have fundamentally changed the experience—turning what was once occasional into constant, with endless options, real-time action, and design features built to keep users engaged far longer than they realize. They also explore why this has become a growing public health concern, particularly among young men, and how early exposure through sports culture, fantasy formats, and digital environments is normalizing gambling behavior for younger audiences at an accelerating pace. Rather than framing this as a personal failure issue, the conversation focuses on systems—how frictionless design, targeted promotions, and cultural normalization have created an environment where too many people are pulled in before they fully understand the risk. Jonathan also shares practical ideas around reform, including the importance of “adding friction” to slow behavior, improve safeguards, and reduce harm without pretending sports betting is going away. At its core, this episode is about awareness, responsibility, and understanding how modern systems shape behavior—often more than we think. Topics covered include: * The 2018 Supreme Court decision and rapid legalization of sports betting * How mobile apps changed the nature of gambling * Endless scroll, microbets, and constant access * Why young men and younger audiences are most vulnerable * The normalization of gambling within sports culture * Why this is a public health issue, not just a personal one * Behavioral design, addiction, and “the action” * What “add friction” means and how it can reduce harm * Where regulation and policy still fall short If you’ve ever wondered how sports betting became so embedded in everyday life—or what it means for the next generation—this conversation will give you a clearer lens. Because once something becomes normalized, it becomes harder to question. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, accountability, and building a healthier relationship with risk. Watch The Episode On YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OcDV0jUtCI] 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 Jonathan D. Cohen: Website: jonathandcohen.com X: @jonathandcohen1 LI: bit.ly/3PGR2Kz Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪@ALLTOUCHCASE‬, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% off your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind. #CollectorsMD | #JonathanDCohen | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

#40: Building A Better Hobby Culture With Sportano Collecting Club

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Tony Cefalu—founder of Sportano Collecting Club and creator of The Underdog Hobby Show. Tony is a lifelong collector who has built a community-first alternative to the status-driven, hype-heavy side of today’s hobby. Through his events, he’s creating spaces centered on connection, access, and authenticity—where collectors of all levels feel welcome. In this conversation, Alyx and Tony unpack the growing culture shift in the hobby—from gatekeeping and ego to live-selling pressure, inflated pricing, and FOMO-driven behavior. Tony shares what he’s seen on platforms like Whatnot, where speed, urgency, and manipulation can pull collectors—especially newer ones—into decisions they don’t fully understand in real time. The conversation also turns personal, as Tony opens up about his experience with sports betting and how he began recognizing similar patterns in his relationship with collecting—where the focus can quietly shift from the card to the feeling. Together, they explore the difference between collecting with intention and chasing a rush, and what it looks like to build healthier habits without losing the joy of the hobby. At its core, this episode is about accountability, awareness, and building a better hobby—without becoming anti-hobby. Topics covered include: * The origin of Sportano Collecting Club and The Underdog Hobby Show * Gatekeeping and culture issues within the hobby * Whatnot, hype cycles, and live-selling pressure * FOMO, urgency, and collector behavior * Parallels between sports betting and ripping * Self-awareness and recognizing unhealthy patterns * Building a more community-first, intentional hobby * The Sportano x Collectors MD partnership If you still love the hobby but feel conflicted about where it’s heading, this conversation will resonate. Because a better hobby doesn’t happen by accident—it gets built on purpose. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around building a healthier, more intentional hobby. Watch The Episode On YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJMe25Tsdek] Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com [http://collectorsmd.com] Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com [http://bio.collectorsmd.com] Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX [http://bit.ly/45koiMX] Contact: info@collectorsmd.com [info@collectorsmd.com] YT: ‪@collectorsmd [https://www.youtube.com/@collectorsmd] IG: @collectorsmd [https://www.instagram.com/collectorsmd] Follow Tony & Sportano Collecting Club: Website: sportanocollectingclub.com IG: @sportano.collecting Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case [https://alltouchcase.com/], 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 | #SportanoCollectingClub | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

#39: From Childhood Joy To Honest Collecting

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Jay Abrenica—a longtime Yankees collector, father, and active member of the Collectors MD community. Jay’s story reflects the full evolution of the modern hobby. From the simplicity of collecting as a kid to navigating today’s fast-paced environment shaped by live breaks, constant access, social pressure, and manufactured urgency. After struggling with sports gambling, Jay entered recovery through Gamblers Anonymous and has remained sober since March 2024. But like many, the pattern didn’t simply disappear—it shifted. Card breaks became a substitute behavior, carrying many of the same mechanics: variable rewards, instant gratification, emotional chasing, and the illusion of control. Alyx and Jay explore how easily collecting can move from connection to compulsion, and what it takes to recognize that shift in real time. Jay shares the moment his son woke him up during a late-night break session—a turning point that forced him to confront what was really happening beneath the surface. The conversation also expands into financial accountability, denial, and the importance of “doing the math” honestly rather than avoiding the reality of spending patterns and behavior. They also discuss Jay’s framework for intentional collecting, including the three-question test: What am I feeling right now? Can I wait 24 hours? Am I buying the card or buying the feeling? Jay reflects on the role guardrails now play in his life—not as punishment, but as protection. He shares what it looks like to build systems that support long-term stability while still maintaining a healthy relationship with the hobby. The conversation also highlights the importance of community and peer support. Jay opens up about finding Collectors MD, why it felt different from other spaces, and how shared accountability and honest conversations helped him feel less isolated in the process. At its core, this episode is about rebuilding trust—with yourself, your family, and the hobby itself. Topics covered include: * Growing up collecting cards * How the hobby evolved from simplicity to speed and pressure * Sports gambling and substitute behaviors * Card breaks and gambling-adjacent mechanics * Recognizing the shift from collecting to compulsion * Financial accountability * Building guardrails and healthier habits * Family, recovery, and rebuilding trust * Why community and peer support matter * How intentional collecting creates sustainability If you’ve ever felt the tension between enjoying the hobby and feeling pulled by it, this episode offers a clear and honest look at that line—and what it takes to stay on the right side of it. Subscribe, share, and join the ongoing conversation around building a healthier, more intentional hobby through awareness, accountability, and community. Watch The Episode On YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eQGvG8PV18] 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 Jay: IG: @jabrenica69 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