#48: The Future Of Card Grading | Eddie Wittner, C3 Grading

#49: How Chasing Cardboard Is Changing The Hobby | Ty Wilson

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Ty Wilson—founder and host of ‪‪CHASING CARDBOARD‬—one of the fastest-growing and most influential storytelling platforms in the entire sports card hobby. What started as a creative hobby project quickly evolved into something much bigger. Since launching in 2022, CHASING CARDBOARD has amassed more than 121K YouTube subscribers, over 26 million views, and more than 140 episodes documenting some of the most fascinating collections, collectors, stories, and personalities across the hobby. What separates CHASING CARDBOARD is that it's never just about the cards—it's about the people behind them. Through visits with collectors across the country, Ty shares deeply personal stories about nostalgia, family, identity, grief, and what collecting truly means. Alyx and Ty discuss how CHASING CARDBOARD originally started, how the platform exploded in popularity, and why storytelling has become such an important part of modern collecting culture. They also discuss the emotional side of collecting, why people become attached to cards, and how collections often represent much more than financial assets. Ty shares what he’s learned after hearing deeply personal stories from collectors across the country. The conversation also explores intentional collecting, hobby pressure, gambling-adjacent behavior, and the increasingly blurred line between passion, business, nostalgia, and compulsion within today’s hobby environment. Alyx and Ty also discuss one of CHASING CARDBOARD’s most impactful recent episodes featuring Phil—founder of Sealed Wax Nation and supporter of Collectors MD—who sold part of his collection to help fund children’s hospitals and launch his nonprofit organization. The episode explores how collecting can evolve into something larger than accumulation itself—including charity, meaning, purpose, and community impact. Ty shares his perspective on the current state of the hobby, the rise of live selling, influencer responsibility, hobby trust, market pressure, and why doing things the right way still matters in an increasingly fast-moving and financially driven environment. This episode is about storytelling, intentional collecting, hobby culture, human connection, and the emotional realities behind the cards people chase. If you've ever felt deeply connected to collecting, struggled to find balance, or wondered why the hobby means so much to people, this is a conversation worth listening to. Because behind every collection is usually something much deeper than cardboard. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, intentional collecting, transparency, and building a healthier relationship with the hobby. Watch The Episode On YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P9w3Saj8NU] Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Nonprofit: lohas.org/client/the-cmd-foundation Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Ty & CHASING CARDBOARD: Website: chasingcardboardtv.com YT: ‪‪@CHASINGCARDBOARD‬ | ‪@CHASINGTYWILSON‬ X: @BreakerCulture IG: @chasingtywilson LI: Tyler B. Wilson 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 | #ChasingCardboard | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

#48: The Future Of Card Grading | Eddie Wittner, C3 Grading

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Eddie Wittner—Founder and President of C3 Grading—a collector-first grading company built around transparency, accessibility, speed, accuracy, and trust. At a time when grading has become one of the most powerful infrastructure layers in the hobby, collectors are asking bigger questions about pricing, consistency, market control, upcharges, turnaround times, and the overall direction of the grading industry. With Collectors expanding its grading footprint across PSA, SGC, and Beckett, and with ongoing scrutiny surrounding PSA, the conversation around alternatives has never felt more relevant. C3 Grading has stepped into that moment by offering a different kind of grading experience. With $9 slabs, no hidden fees, no upcharges, fast turnaround times, dual grading, full subgrades, QR-enabled reports, thoughtful slab design, and a customer-first approach, C3 is building around the collector experience instead of simply following the legacy grading model. In this conversation, Alyx and Eddie break down how C3 Grading started, what Eddie saw missing from the grading space, and why he wanted to build the kind of company he personally wished existed as a collector. They also discuss the current state of the grading industry, the impact of consolidation, the frustration many collectors feel with mainstream grading companies, and why independent alternatives have a real opportunity to earn trust by focusing on transparency, consistency, and service. The conversation also dives into the C3 philosophy, including flat-rate pricing, why upcharges bother Eddie philosophically, the importance of dual grading, full subgrades, fading grades, QR reports, slab design, and creating a submission process that feels simple, accessible, and fair. Alyx and Eddie also talk about the partnership between C3 Grading and Collectors MD, including C3’s inclusion in The Intentional Collector’s Guide, the CMD affiliate code, and C3’s support of the #RipResponsibly movement through thank-you cards and packaging touchpoints. At its core, this episode is about grading, trust, transparency, collector advocacy, and what it looks like to build a healthier hobby from the infrastructure up. If you’ve ever submitted cards, questioned grading fees, felt frustrated by upcharges, or wondered where the grading industry is heading, this is a conversation worth listening to. Because grading isn’t just about the number on the slab—it’s about trust, transparency, and protecting the collector experience. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, accountability, transparency, and building a healthier relationship with collecting. Watch The Episode On YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSwZAxgptUc] Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Nonprofit: lohas.org/client/the-cmd-foundation Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Learn More About C3 Grading: Website: c3grading.com YT: @C3Grading IG: @c3grading FB: C3 Grading TT: @c3.grading Use code CMD to grade cards for $8 per card 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 | #TheCMDFoundation | #C3Grading | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

#47: Keeping The Hobby Fun | Kyle Lescalleet, Cosmic Cards

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Kyle Lescalleet—better known online as Cosmic Cards (@CosmicCardsMD)—one of the fastest-rising content creators in the sports card hobby who has built a loyal following through humor, parody, authenticity, and lighthearted hobby content. At a time when the hobby can often feel consumed by drama, ego, nonstop hype, and financial pressure, Kyle has carved out a unique lane by bringing comedy and self-awareness back into the space. Through skits, hobby influencer impersonations, “day in the life” parody videos, card show content, and relatable collector moments, Kyle has become one of the most refreshing and entertaining voices in the hobby. In a short period of time, Kyle has amassed nearly 10,000 followers on Instagram, gone viral multiple times, collaborated with major hobby personalities, and built a strong reputation as someone helping restore positivity and comic relief to collecting culture. In this conversation, Alyx and Kyle break down how Cosmic Cards first started, where the skit ideas come from, and why parody resonates so deeply within the hobby. They discuss everything from influencer culture and hobby stereotypes to card show experiences, viral moments, and the balance between poking fun at the hobby while still genuinely loving it. They also explore the current state of the hobby and why so many collectors feel exhausted by negativity, outrage culture, social media pressure, and the constant intensity surrounding modern collecting. Kyle shares why humor can actually serve an important role in helping collectors reconnect with the fun, human side of the hobby again. The conversation also dives into the reality of setting up at card shows, building a personal brand in the hobby, navigating online attention, and staying authentic while growing an audience in a rapidly evolving space. At its core, this episode is about creativity, community, positivity, and remembering why people fell in love with collecting in the first place. If you’ve ever laughed at hobby culture, felt overwhelmed by the seriousness of the space, or just miss when collecting felt simple and fun, this is a conversation worth listening to. Sometimes the best way to understand and appreciate the hobby, is to laugh at it a little. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, accountability, positivity, and building a healthier relationship with collecting. Watch The Episode On YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaoQTjCEriA&t=30s] 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 YT: ‪@collectorsmd [https://www.youtube.com/@collectorsmd] IG: @collectorsmd Follow Kyle: YT: @CosmicCardsMD IG: @cosmiccardsmd X: @cosmiccardsmd TT: @cosmiccardsmd 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 | #CosmicCards | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

#46: Turning Pain Into Purpose | Rob Sackowitz, Right Choice Recovery

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Rob Sackowitz—Founder, CEO, and Co-Owner of Right Choice Recovery, a leading addiction treatment center in New Jersey, specializing in substance use, mental health, and gambling addiction. With 13+ years of sobriety from both substance use and gambling addiction, Rob has transformed his own recovery journey into a mission to help others. What was once his greatest struggle ultimately became the foundation for Right Choice Recovery. This conversation is especially meaningful for Alyx, who attended Right Choice from 2023–2024 before later joining the team part-time. Since September 2025, he has facilitated gambling addiction groups across multiple programs, offering a unique perspective as both a former client and recovery professional. Together, Alyx and Rob explore what addiction really looks like beneath the surface, why gambling often remains hidden until significant damage has occurred, and the difference between simply stopping a behavior and building lasting recovery. They discuss accountability, step work, service, and the role lived experience can play in helping others heal. The conversation also examines the growing overlap between gambling addiction and compulsive collecting, highlighting the importance of awareness, early intervention, and adapting treatment approaches to emerging behaviors. At its core, this episode is about recovery, transformation, and turning pain into purpose. If you’ve ever struggled with gambling, addiction, or behaviors that feel difficult to control—or want to better understand what recovery really looks like—this is a conversation worth hearing. Sometimes the thing that nearly breaks you becomes the thing that gives your life purpose. 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=dhvFW6DobXs] 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] Learn More About Right Choice Recovery: Website: rightchoicerecoverynj.com Phone: (732) 733-4584 YT: @rightchoicerecovery IG: @rightchoicerecovery FB: Right Choice Recovery TT: @rightchoicerecovery 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 | #RightChoiceRecovery | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

#45: From Sneakers To Cards | Kickstradomis

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Sal Amezcua (@kickstradomis), one of the most well-known sneaker customizers in the world whose work has been worn by NBA players on the court, and the founder of Kicksverse, a platform merging sneaker culture, art, and collectibles. Kicks is an artist who’s built a brand at the highest level of culture. From designing custom sneakers for athletes and celebrities to expanding into trading cards and art, he’s carved out a lane that blends creativity, community, and commerce. Alyx and Kicks explore the crossover between sneaker culture and the modern hobby—two worlds driven by passion, scarcity, and hype, but also increasingly shaped by scale and pressure. They also discuss intentional collecting, staying connected to passion as the hobby becomes more transactional, and how Kicks' journey as an artist has shaped his approach to collecting. With over a million followers and global influence, Kicks shares his perspective on the hobby, the responsibility of influence, and navigating a space where entertainment, commerce, and culture intersect. They also discuss legacy, giving back, supporting emerging artists and brands, and continuing to push creative boundaries through Kicksverse. This isn’t just a conversation about sneakers or cards—it’s about building something real in a space that’s constantly evolving. At its core, this episode is about creativity, culture, and the difference between collecting, creating, and chasing. If you’ve ever thought about the intersection of art, sneakers, and collecting—or wondered where passion fits into a space driven by hype—this is conversation will resonate. Building and chasing are simply not the same. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, creativity, and building a more intentional relationship with collecting. Watch The Episode On YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QwKEVVunX8&t=1870s] 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] Learn More & Follow Kickstradomis: Website: thekicksverse.com | kickstradomis.com YT: @kickstradomis IG: @kickstradomis X: @kickstradomis TT: @kickstradomis 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 | #Kickstradomis | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly