As basketball season approaches, I sit down with Kevin Randall, owner of Da Captain 37 Sports Cards, for a conversation about strategy, collecting, and building a brand in the modern hobby. Kevin shares his journey from the classroom to the card show floor, and we dive into how he’s navigated market cycles, adapted to change, and built a strong presence in the sports card community. We also talk about why long-term thinking and financial literacy are just as important in collecting as they are in life. From prospecting to blue chips, local shows to national stages, this episode is packed with insights for collectors, investors, and anyone passionate about the hobby.

You won’t want to miss this one.

Football is back, and so is the card market energy. In this episode, Nick Kap of Staten Cards joins us to share his journey from childhood collecting to running a full-fledged card business. We cover the rise of Fanatics, the impact of fantasy football on card values, and what collectors should watch for as the season kicks off.

Episode 1 – More Than Cardboard: Featuring Murph from Murph’s Card Town In this debut episode of The Trading Card Playbook, host Nik Kalra introduces the podcast and explores why trading cards are more than just collectibles — they’re a gateway to strategy, storytelling, and financial literacy. Then, Nik sits down with Murph from Murph’s Card Town to talk about his journey from Yu-Gi-Oh! collector to card shop owner, key decisions that shaped his business, market trends like the rise of repacks and Pokémon, and his advice for young collectors. Plus, a fun rapid-fire round you won’t want to miss.