$30K Scanned Pokémon Pack Sparks Controversy, Final Fantasy Breaks MTG Records & PSA’s Junk Wax Hero: The Rare Cards You Didn’t Know You Needed
In this week’s episode, Jesse kicks things off with a major update: the Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy collaboration is now officially the best-selling MTG crossover to date. He explores what that means for future collaborations—and what it might say about past ones, too.Then it’s on to a new release from Upper Deck: a Scooby-Doo trading card set, complete with surprising inserts and some serious nostalgic appeal.Next, Jesse revisits a growing problem in the hobby: CT scanning of sealed packs and boxes. A recent sale of a $30,000 Pokémon pack—advertised as scanned and showing a Base Set Shadowless Charizard—raises huge ethical concerns. Jesse breaks down why this is a slippery slope for the hobby and urges collectors and manufacturers to take a stand against it.He also speculates on a new force behind Pokémon’s global momentum: the expansion of the TCG into the Chinese market, and how that may be quietly fueling increased demand.To close the show, Jesse interviews Matt Hathorn, a junk wax collector recently featured in PSA Magazine for his passion-filled collection featuring Steve Urkel, ALF, and the rarest Saved By the Bell card set in existence. They talk 80s/90s nostalgia, obscure sets, and what makes collecting fun again.Plus, Jesse announces a $300 Comic Book Giveaway courtesy of Courtyard.io, and shares how listeners can win.
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1:07:49
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1:07:49
A Pokémon Dealer's Perspective at Fanatics Fest, Final Fantasy's Market Shock & The Hidden Way to Score Marvel Chrome Cheap
In this week’s episode, Jesse is joined by Ray Solorio to unpack Fanatics Fest from the non-sport card collector’s perspective. Jesse shares his thoughts on the card selection compared to last year and what the experience was like for non-sport fans.Also joining the show is Bryce Joyner, who was set up as a dealer at the event. He shares his firsthand insight on what it’s like to be a Pokémon seller at a largely sports-focused show, whether the event was worth it from the vendor side, and how some social media moments might not have been genuine!Then the conversation shifts to the massive buzz around the new Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering collaboration. Jesse and Ray break down the most chaseable cards, why prices are exploding, and what it means for both franchises.They also cover:-Why Panini’s Rolling Stones set is struggling-Why 2025 Topps Chrome Marvel is surging in popularity-A secret trick to finding new Marvel Chrome boxes cheaper than you’ll see anywhere else!It’s an episode packed with firsthand insights, collector wisdom, and tips you won’t hear anywhere else.
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1:19:22
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1:19:22
$25K Michael Rubin VeeFriends SuperFractor, Pokémon Burnout & Geeking Out on Whiskey Collecting
In this week’s episode, Jesse starts with some big hobby news: a VeeFriends Superfractor—ungraded—just sold for $25,000. Is that too high? Too low? Jesse weighs in on the significance of the sale and where it places VeeFriends in the larger card market.Then, things get a little wild in the world of Pokémon overload. From Hershey’s Kisses with Pokémon wrappers to browser-based Pokémon catching to Happy Meals, toys, and cards—Jesse asks the real question: Is the Pokémon brand being stretched too far?Next, it’s a quick update on the release of Topps Chrome Marvel, which has been well-received overall, but Jesse flags one glaring issue collectors are noticing.To close the episode, Jesse is joined by Tim Fraser of The Whiskey Geeks podcast for a refreshing change of pace—collecting whiskey! They discuss:Whiskey bottles with non-sport themesWhat bottles pair perfectly with a night of box ripping or comic readingWhich bottles hold long-term value and which are just hypeWhether you're into Pokémon, Pop Century, or Pappy Van Winkle—this episode has something for collectors of all tastes.
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58:08
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58:08
Marvel’s Massive Set, Pokémon’s Next Hit & The Labubu Takeover
In this episode, Jesse is joined again by Ray Solorio to unpack some of the most buzzworthy topics in the non-sport and pop culture collecting world.They kick things off with a look at the upcoming 2025 Topps Marvel release, discussing what makes it one of the biggest Marvel card sets ever—from the sheer volume of characters to a wide range of inserts and chases. Jesse shares why he’s especially excited about the Marvel Reflections original art cards and the Frank Miller sketch/autograph cards, and they both weigh in on what Topps could have done even better.Next up is a surprising topic: Linkin Park’s new Topps Now cards—if only you can actually find them on the website.Then, the conversation turns to Pokémon, as Jesse and Ray explore the most collectible sets in the Scarlet & Violet era, and break down why Black Bolt & White Flare could be one of the most anticipated releases yet.Finally, they close the show with a look at one of the fastest-rising collectibles on the market—Pop Mart’s Labubu Blind Boxes. From Spongebob to Goofy plushies and collabs with Pharrell Williams, these designer toys are heating up in a big way, and Jesse and Ray break down why.
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1:17:01
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1:17:01
Hit or Miss: Rolling Stone Cards & Pogs 2.0? Plus, Collectors Corner - A Non-Sport Nerd Out!
In this episode, Jesse kicks things off with a live opening of a Pokémon repack—and absolutely crushes it! From there, he reflects on the current summer lull in non-sport product releases and whether that’s a good or bad thing for collectors. He also dives into the upcoming Rolling Stone card set, analyzing whether it has hit potential or if it might be another swing-and-miss.Next, Jesse breaks down the surprising attempted comeback of Pogs, exploring how this 90s favorite is borrowing from modern trading card mechanics to create more collectible, chase-based appeal.Then it’s on to a refreshing collector-to-collector conversation with Lucas Mast, a passionate hobbyist who represents the everyday non-sport card fan. Together, they discuss:-The charm and simplicity of junk wax era sets-Why rarer movie cards like Big and Twister still hold appeal-Thoughts on celebrity autograph products like Pop Century-How values rise and fall and when to break over buying singles-Plus: A lively Mailbag segment, including a debate over renaming “non-sport” cardsFrom rips to real talk, this episode celebrates the everyday collector and the weird, wonderful world of non-sports.
Hobby Nonsense is your weekly dive into the weird, wonderful world of non-sport trading cards and pop culture collectibles. Hosted by Jesse Gibson, the podcast covers everything from Pokémon, Marvel, and Star Wars to Garbage Pail Kids, sketch cards, and vintage oddities from the junk wax era.
Each episode features news, market trends, release breakdowns, and interviews with collectors, creators, and industry insiders. Whether you're chasing Charizards, ripping retro wax, or exploring obscure inserts, Hobby Nonsense delivers insight, nostalgia, and a lot of hobby fun.
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