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Welcome to Episode 5 of POPs & COMPs: The Author Reads! I'm doing something I've never done before. I'm sitting down and reading my book, POPs & COMPs: Truths, Insights and Psychology Behind the Numbers that Drive the Sports Card Market, a few chapters at a time, and sharing it with you here on Sports Cards Live and across podcast platforms. These are raw, one-take recordings. No professional narration, no fancy production, and probably a few stumbles along the way. Just me reading the book as I wrote it. You don't need to own the book to follow along, and you don't need to watch the video. Just press play and listen. In this fifth episode, I'll be reading three chapters: Chapter 12: Population Control Chapter 13: Grading is Not Always Correct Chapter 14: Changing Grading Standards We continue examining some of the more challenging aspects of third-party grading, including population control, the reality that grading companies don't always get it right, and the implications of grading standards that can change over time. How much confidence should collectors place in population reports and assigned grades, and what happens when the standards used to evaluate our cards evolve? POPs & COMPs was a passion project that became a published book, exploring the numbers, psychology, motivations, and behaviours that influence the sports card market and the people who participate in it. I'm making these recordings available for free. My hope is that you'll enjoy listening, perhaps learn something, and come away thinking about the hobby a little differently. If you enjoy the series and would like to support the work I'm doing through Sports Cards Live and in the hobby, please consider purchasing a physical copy of POPs & COMPs. You can order a copy through Amazon, and if you see me at a card show, I'd be happy to sign it for you. If you're in Canada and would prefer to purchase a signed copy directly from me, feel free to reach out by email and we can arrange it. Of course, there's absolutely no obligation to buy anything. I'm happy to share the book this way, and I appreciate everyone who takes the time to listen. Thanks for being part of the community, and I hope you enjoy the book! Jeremy Lee Sports Cards Live Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Episode 4 of POPs & COMPs: The Author Reads! I'm doing something I've never done before. I'm sitting down and reading my book, POPs & COMPs: Truths, Insights and Psychology Behind the Numbers that Drive the Sports Card Market, a few chapters at a time, and sharing it with you here on Sports Cards Live and across podcast platforms. These are raw, one-take recordings. No professional narration, no fancy production, and probably a few stumbles along the way. Just me reading the book as I wrote it. You don't need to own the book to follow along, and you don't need to watch the video. Just press play and listen. In this fourth episode, I'll be reading four chapters: Chapter 8: What and Why to Grade Chapter 9: Identification as a Responsibility of Grading Companies Chapter 10: Qualifiers and Authentic Labels Chapter 11: Transparency and the Black Box of Grading We turn our attention to the grading process itself, exploring why collectors choose to grade their cards, the responsibilities grading companies have when identifying and authenticating them, and the role of qualifiers and authentic labels. We also examine one of the hobby's most persistent questions: how much transparency should collectors expect from grading companies, and what really goes on inside the black box of grading? POPs & COMPs was a passion project that became a published book, exploring the numbers, psychology, motivations, and behaviours that influence the sports card market and the people who participate in it. I'm making these recordings available for free. My hope is that you'll enjoy listening, perhaps learn something, and come away thinking about the hobby a little differently. If you enjoy the series and would like to support the work I'm doing through Sports Cards Live and in the hobby, please consider purchasing a physical copy of POPs & COMPs. You can order a copy through Amazon, and if you see me at a card show, I'd be happy to sign it for you. If you're in Canada and would prefer to purchase a signed copy directly from me, feel free to reach out by email and we can arrange it. Of course, there's absolutely no obligation to buy anything. I'm happy to share the book this way, and I appreciate everyone who takes the time to listen. Thanks for being part of the community, and I hope you enjoy the book! Jeremy Lee Sports Cards Live Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Episode 3 of POPs & COMPs: The Author Reads! I'm doing something I've never done before. I'm sitting down and reading my book, POPs & COMPs: Truths, Insights and Psychology Behind the Numbers that Drive the Sports Card Market, a few chapters at a time, and sharing it with you here on Sports Cards Live and across podcast platforms. These are raw, one-take recordings. No professional narration, no fancy production, and probably a few stumbles along the way. Just me reading the book as I wrote it. You don't need to own the book to follow along, and you don't need to watch the video. Just press play and listen. In this third episode, I'll be reading five chapters: Chapter 3: Understanding Population Reports Chapter 4: The Rise of Grading and the Future of Slabs Chapter 5: Total Population versus Grade-Specific Pop Chapter 6: Cross-Grader Pop Awareness Chapter 7: Volume of Grading Through the Years We continue our exploration of grading population data, looking at how grading has evolved, what population reports can and cannot tell us, and why understanding the differences between total populations, grade-specific populations, and populations across grading companies matters. We also examine how grading volumes have changed over time and what those trends might reveal about the hobby. POPs & COMPs was a passion project that became a published book, exploring the numbers, psychology, motivations, and behaviours that influence the sports card market and the people who participate in it. I'm making these recordings available for free. My hope is that you'll enjoy listening, perhaps learn something, and come away thinking about the hobby a little differently. If you enjoy the series and would like to support the work I'm doing through Sports Cards Live and in the hobby, please consider purchasing a physical copy of POPs & COMPs. You can order a copy through Amazon, and if you see me at a card show, I'd be happy to sign it for you. If you're in Canada and would prefer to purchase a signed copy directly from me, feel free to reach out by email and we can arrange it. Of course, there's absolutely no obligation to buy anything. I'm happy to share the book this way, and I appreciate everyone who takes the time to listen. Thanks for being part of the community, and I hope you enjoy the book! Jeremy Lee Sports Cards Live Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Episode 2 of POPs & COMPs: The Author Reads! I'm doing something I've never done before. I'm sitting down and reading my book, POPs & COMPs: Truths, Insights and Psychology Behind the Numbers that Drive the Sports Card Market, a couple of chapters at a time, and sharing it with you here on Sports Cards Live and across podcast platforms. These are raw, one-take recordings. No professional narration, no fancy production, and probably a few stumbles along the way. Just me reading the book as I wrote it. You don't need to own the book to follow along, and you don't need to watch the video. Just press play and listen. In this second episode, I'll be reading two chapters: **Chapter 2: The Total Graded Population** **Chapter 3: Understanding Population Reports** We begin exploring one of the most important sources of data in the sports card hobby: grading population reports. What do these numbers actually represent? What can they tell us about the cards we collect, and what should we be careful about when interpreting them? POPs & COMPs was a passion project that became a published book, exploring the numbers, psychology, motivations, and behaviours that influence the sports card market and the people who participate in it. **I'm making these recordings available for free.** My hope is that you'll enjoy listening, perhaps learn something, and come away thinking about the hobby a little differently. If you enjoy the series and would like to support the work I'm doing through Sports Cards Live and in the hobby, please consider purchasing a physical copy of POPs & COMPs. You can order a copy through Amazon, and if you see me at a card show, I'd be happy to sign it for you. If you're in Canada and would prefer to purchase a signed copy directly from me, feel free to reach out by email and we can arrange it. Of course, there's absolutely no obligation to buy anything. I'm happy to share the book this way, and I appreciate everyone who takes the time to listen. Thanks for being part of the community, and I hope you enjoy the book! Jeremy Lee Sports Cards Live Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Episode 1 of POPs & COMPs: The Author Reads! I'm doing something I've never done before. I'm sitting down and reading my book, POPs & COMPs: Truths, Insights and Psychology Behind the Numbers that Drive the Sports Card Market, one chapter at a time, and sharing it with you here on Sports Cards Live and across podcast platforms. These are raw, one-take recordings. No professional narration, no fancy production, and probably a few stumbles along the way. Just me reading the book as I wrote it. You don't need to own the book to follow along, and you don't need to watch the video. Just press play and listen. In this first episode, I'll read the front matter and Chapter 1. POPs & COMPs was a passion project that became a published book, exploring the numbers, psychology, motivations, and behaviours that influence the sports card market and the people who participate in it. I'm making these recordings available for free. My hope is that you'll enjoy listening, perhaps learn something, and come away thinking about the hobby a little differently. If you enjoy the series and would like to support the work I'm doing through Sports Cards Live and in the hobby, please consider purchasing a physical copy of POPs & COMPs. You can order a copy through Amazon, and if you see me at a card show, I'd be happy to sign it for you. If you're in Canada and would prefer to purchase a signed copy directly from me, feel free to reach out by email and we can arrange it. Of course, there's absolutely no obligation to buy anything. I'm happy to share the book this way, and I appreciate everyone who takes the time to listen. Thanks for being part of the community, and I hope you enjoy the book! Jeremy Lee Sports Cards Live Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the sports card hobby changing for the better, or are corporate interests, gambling, and rising prices threatening the collecting experience? In the final segment of this Halloween edition of Sports Cards Live, Jeremy Lee, David Chase, Joshua Adams, and Chris McGill tackle a provocative question about the direction of the hobby and whether its growing commercial interests are creating more winners than losers. Joshua offers a particularly strong perspective on Fanatics, corporate consolidation, breaking, and the growing influence of gambling-style products. The panel explores whether these developments are pushing traditional collectors aside or simply creating new ways for people to participate in an expanding hobby. The conversation turns to the future of local card shops, the importance of preserving the relationships and community they provide, and whether these businesses need to evolve to remain relevant in a changing marketplace. Plus, the panel discusses card vaults versus physical ownership, the appeal of tangible collectibles in an increasingly digital world, and the distinction between the hobby as a personal passion and the hobby as a business. As the episode comes to a close, the guys reflect on what it means to enjoy collecting on your own terms, regardless of how everyone else chooses to participate. Check out POPs & COMPs, Jeremy Lee's book exploring the truths, insights, and psychology behind the numbers that drive the sports card market. Discover AuctionWire.ai, where you can search auctions across the hobby in one place. Use promo code SCL for 45% off your first year, bringing the price to just $100. Originally aired October 31, 2026, as part of Sports Cards Live Episode 334. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When a company spends millions of dollars on a sports card for marketing purposes, is that transaction really comparable to a collector buying a card for their personal collection? Jeremy Lee, David Chase, Joshua Adams, and Chris McGill explore the growing role of corporate marketing in the sports card market, including headline-grabbing purchases, the motivations behind them, and what those transactions might mean for collectors trying to interpret sales data. The discussion also examines the psychology of ownership. Does bringing a treasured card to a show make you more willing to sell it? Can repeatedly showcasing a rare card change how the market perceives its scarcity? And how much of a card's value can be tied to the identity and reputation of its owner? Chris and Joshua share their perspectives on marketing, brand building, and the importance of trust and goodwill in the hobby, while the panel considers whether corporate purchases are creating misleading comparisons for everyday collectors. Plus, Jeremy introduces a discussion about the many different ways to collect a player, from vintage cards and modern inserts to team-specific collections, post-playing-days issues, and building a meaningful collection on a limited budget. Check out POPs & COMPs, Jeremy Lee's book exploring the truths, insights, and psychology behind the numbers that drive the sports card market. Discover AuctionWire.ai, where you can search auctions across the hobby in one place. Use promo code SCL for 45% off your first year, bringing the price to just $100. Originally aired October 31, 2026, as part of Sports Cards Live Episode 334. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How much is too much to ask for a sports card? And should marketplaces have any say in what collectors are allowed to charge? Jeremy Lee, David Chase, Joshua Adams, and Chris McGill tackle a question from the Sports Cards Live audience about wildly overpriced eBay listings and whether platforms should impose limits on asking prices. The discussion explores the competing interests of buyers, sellers, and marketplaces, the differences between commodity cards and genuinely scarce collectibles, and whether an outrageous asking price is always as unreasonable as it appears. Then things get personal when Jeremy considers bringing his rare Wayne Gretzky PMG Green to the Toronto Sport Card Expo with a $1 million asking price. Is there anything wrong with displaying a card you don't really want to sell? Should every card in a dealer's showcase have a price? And what happens when a collector's "not for sale" price meets someone willing to pay it? Plus, the panel reflects on the enormous influence of Beckett magazines and price guides, the role they played in shaping generations of collectors, and how those publications continue to serve as valuable historical resources today. Check out POPs & COMPs, Jeremy Lee's book exploring the truths, insights, and psychology behind the numbers that drive the sports card market. Discover AuctionWire.ai, where you can search auctions across the hobby in one place. Use promo code SCL for 45% off your first year, bringing the price to just $100. Originally aired October 31, 2026, as part of Sports Cards Live Episode 334. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are rookie cards really the most important cards to collect? And should collectors feel obligated to stick with the same collecting interests throughout their lives? Jeremy Lee and David Chase explore the appeal of collecting beyond rookie cards, the challenge of finding overlooked and unconventional cards, and why some of the most iconic and valuable cards in hobby history aren't rookie cards at all. Jeremy introduces a twist on the familiar collecting philosophy of "collect what you like," while David shares his growing interest in 1990s inserts, the challenge of learning an entirely new collecting category, and why researching cards can be just as rewarding as buying them. Joshua Adams and Chris McGill join the conversation, bringing some Halloween humour before Chris reflects on Dr. James Beckett's influence on the hobby and the lasting impact of his work. Plus, the panel discusses the overwhelming amount of knowledge available to collectors, the importance of doing your homework before spending money, and what it takes to understand the rarity of 1990s inserts. Check out POPs & COMPs, Jeremy Lee's book exploring the truths, insights, and psychology behind the numbers that drive the sports card market. Discover AuctionWire.ai, where you can search auctions across the hobby in one place. Use promo code SCL for 45% off your first year, bringing the price to just $100. Originally aired October 31, 2026, as part of Sports Cards Live Episode 334. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mikey Singer, the Card Show Maestro, joins Jeremy Lee and David Chase to preview the upcoming Toronto Sport Card Expo, which promises to be the largest edition of the show yet. With more than 800 booths, 46 autograph guests, on-site grading from PSA and Beckett, and an expanding lineup of activities and attractions, what continues to drive the growth of one of the world's largest sports card shows? The conversation goes beyond the show floor as Jeremy, David, and Mikey discuss the evolution of card show culture, the growing presence of kids and families, and how the hobby has become as much about friendships, experiences, and community as it is about the cards themselves. Plus, a look at the upcoming Strongsville show, the challenges of organizing major hobby events, and Jeremy's busy schedule of appearances and interviews at the Expo. Check out POPs & COMPs, Jeremy Lee's book exploring the truths, insights, and psychology behind the numbers that drive the sports card market. Discover AuctionWire.ai, where you can search auctions across the hobby in one place. Use promo code SCL for 45% off your first year, bringing the price to just $100. Originally aired October 31, 2026, as part of Sports Cards Live Episode 334. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. James Beckett of Sports Card Insights joins Jeremy Lee for an Ask Us Anything edition of Sports Cards Live, tackling questions from collectors about the past, present, and future of the hobby. Why did PSA overtake Beckett Grading? What's the difference between defensive and offensive shill bidding? Can artificial intelligence improve grading, and what would it take for a new grading company to compete with the established players? Dr. Beckett also shares his thoughts on counterfeit cards and slabs, grading backlogs, the growing influence of Pokémon and TCG submissions, the importance of eye appeal, and what today's collectors can learn from the hobby's history. Plus, stories from the early days of Beckett publications, advice for new collectors, and a look at how Dr. Beckett approaches his own collection today. Check out POPs & COMPs, Jeremy Lee's book exploring the truths, insights, and psychology behind the numbers that drive the sports card market. Buy it ion Amazon. Discover AuctionWire.ai, where you can search auctions across the hobby in one place. Use promo code SCL for 45% off your first year, bringing the price to just $100. Originally aired October 31, 2026, as part of Sports Cards Live Episode 334. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will today's biggest sports superstars still be hobby legends 20 or 30 years from now? David Chase puts that question to Joe Poirot about his Steph Curry collection, sparking a discussion with Jeremy Lee, Joshua Adams, and Matt from Providence about player legacies, changing collector tastes, and what it really takes for an athlete to stand the test of time. The conversation turns to Jeremy's remarkable Wayne Gretzky PMG Green and the recent $336,000 sale of another copy. What would it take for Jeremy to part with his? And does every card in a collection have a price? Along the way, Matt shares the personal story behind a card that means far more to him than its market value, while the panel explores championship legacies, forgotten stars, and the fascinating world of Fleer Retro inserts. A fun and thoughtful conclusion to another Sports Cards Live! Join us LIVE every Saturday night on the Sports Cards Live YouTube channel. Jump in the chat and be part of the show! Subscribe to Sports Cards Live, hit the like button, and share your thoughts in the comments. Discover your collector identity with Hobby Spectrum. Check out Pops & Comps, available on Amazon. Explore AuctionWire.ai and save 45% on your first year with promo code SCL. Follow Sports Cards Live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Ratings and reviews are always appreciated! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can high-grade vintage cards really be trusted? Matt from Providence raises a provocative question that sparks a fascinating discussion with Jeremy Lee, David Chase, Joe Poirot, and Joshua Adams about vintage card grading, alteration, and the premiums collectors are paying for high-grade examples. How confident should we be in the grades on vintage slabs? Is eye appeal a better way to collect? And what happens if the hobby eventually becomes more accepting of cleaning, restoration, and other forms of card alteration? The conversation also explores the risks facing collectors and investors who put too much faith in the number on the label, and whether the hobby's standards could look very different in the years ahead. Join us LIVE every Saturday night on the Sports Cards Live YouTube channel. Jump in the chat and be part of the show! Subscribe to Sports Cards Live, hit the like button, and share your thoughts in the comments. Discover your collector identity with Hobby Spectrum. Check out Pops & Comps, available on Amazon. Explore AuctionWire.ai and save 45% on your first year with promo code SCL. Follow Sports Cards Live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Ratings and reviews are always appreciated! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are collectors getting a fair shot at the best cards when they attend a card show? Jeremy Lee and David Chase welcome Joe Poirot and Joshua Adams to the conversation alongside Matt from Providence, and things get lively when the subject turns to dealers buying cards before the show opens to the public. Matt has some strong opinions about the practice, while Joshua offers a very different perspective. The panel explores the advantages of early access, the use of dealer badges, and whether the rules of the game are working against ordinary collectors. But the discussion doesn't stop there. What about dealers posting their showcases on Instagram and selling cards to people who aren't even attending the show? It's a spirited conversation about fairness, opportunity, and the competing interests of collectors and dealers. Join us LIVE every Saturday night on the Sports Cards Live YouTube channel. Jump in the chat and be part of the show! Subscribe to Sports Cards Live, hit the like button, and share your thoughts in the comments. Discover your collector identity with Hobby Spectrum. Check out Pops & Comps, available on Amazon. Explore AuctionWire.ai and save 45% on your first year with promo code SCL. Follow Sports Cards Live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Ratings and reviews are always appreciated! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a vintage card dealer encounters a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? And is it really ever just cardboard? Matt from Providence makes his Sports Cards Live debut and shares the story of an incredible 1972 Topps Roberto Clemente autograph he acquired at the Hofstra card show, including the frantic phone call to Tony Leebrick that helped him make the decision. Then Jeremy Lee, David Chase, Tony Leebrick (Southern Collector 14), and Matt tackle a familiar hobby expression: "It's only cardboard." What makes these little pieces of cardboard so meaningful to collectors? Is it the history, the financial value, the friendships, or something much deeper? Tony also shares a powerful personal story involving one of his most treasured cards that puts the entire conversation into perspective. Join us LIVE every Saturday night on the Sports Cards Live YouTube channel. Jump in the chat and be part of the show! Subscribe to Sports Cards Live, hit the like button, and share your thoughts in the comments. Discover your collector identity with Hobby Spectrum. Check out Pops & Comps, available on Amazon. Explore AuctionWire.ai and save 45% on your first year with promo code SCL. Follow Sports Cards Live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Ratings and reviews are always appreciated! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices