The Weekly Rip 9.7.25 [Long-game]
I got a question from a student that inspired me to explore the traits of a long-game collector.
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The Weekly Rip
Your Stacking Slabs Sunday Update
September 7, 2025
I drove down 70 West last week, back to Greencastle, Indiana, where I spent four years figuring out who I was and what I wanted to do with my life. DePauw University is where I started forming ideas that eventually led me here—building Stacking Slabs and making sports cards a central part of my work.
Walking into that lecture hall, facing a group of students three weeks into the semester, I was reminded of what it felt like to be sitting where they were. You’re curious, you’re hungry, and you’re full of questions. I gave a talk called, Taking The Leap To Build A Business You Love In The Creator Economy. A special shout out to Graeme aka @wrestlingcardwizard for helping me put the deck together. It’s been a blast working with so many amazing creatives in the hobby to help elevate the appearance of Stacking Slabs!
One of those questions stuck with me long after I left campus.
“How do you differentiate your content with so many options out there and make sure the right people keep coming back to it?”
That question wasn’t about likes, clicks, or algorithms. It was about building something that endures. And it immediately made me think about collecting.
Because whether we realize it or not, each of us faces the same question in the hobby every day: What are we building here—and who is it really for?
I’ve always said my content is designed for a specific type of person. Not the hobby tourist chasing the flip. Not the person who sees cards only as a fast path to cash. My content—and my collecting—is for the long-term players. The ones who would rather have cards in their case than cash in their pocket.
Think about the collectors you respect most. They don’t follow the hype cycle. They don’t panic when prices go up or down. They stay true to their lane.
Here’s what I’ve learned about long-term collectors:
They collect with passion over profit. The thrill isn’t selling at the peak—it’s looking at a card and knowing it’s theirs for the long haul.
They focus on their niche. A favorite team. A set. A player who meant everything to them growing up. Their collection isn’t a copy of anyone else’s—it’s their story in card form.
They practice patience. Some of the best cards never show up when you want them to. Long-term players wait. And when the right one surfaces, they act with conviction.
They lean into community. It’s not just the cardboard—it’s the conversations, the trades, the late-night DMs, the friendships that last as long as the cards do.
They adapt to life. Careers shift, kids are born, priorities change. Long-term players find ways to keep the hobby fun and sustainable no matter what’s happening outside it.
None of us wake up one day and suddenly become long-term players. It’s a process.
We start with the spark—ripping packs, trading on the playground, falling in love with the game. Then, many of us get caught up in the hype phase, chasing every hot rookie or new release. We make mistakes. We overpay. We learn.
At some point, the focus narrows. We realize that not every card is meant for us. We decide to build something that reflects who we are, not what everyone else says is important. That’s when the hobby gets really fun. That’s when it sticks.
So back to that student’s question: how do you make sure the right people keep coming back?
The answer is the same in content as it is in collecting: you commit to the long game. You stay true to your values. You let go of what doesn’t fit and double down on what does. You recognize that the real payoff isn’t today or tomorrow—it’s years from now when you can look back and see the story you’ve built.
That’s what being a long-term player is all about.
Get Your Free Copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On Hype Today
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Collectors are joining Stacking Slabs Patreon to consume exclusive content, connect with other collectors, and promote their cards. I’m putting out new collector focused content in the group on a daily basis and it’s the hub for all of SSP’s video content. If you’re enjoying what I’m putting out on the main feeds check out what the group has to offer. I appreciate your attention and commitment to helping grow the damn brand. Join Today
Stacking Slabs Patreon is the one stop shop for exclusive content AND video versions of all the shows that you listen to on the main feed. This week we dropped a new episode of Card Ladder Confidential. I drop video versions of each chat 24 hours before it hits the main feed.
Cool Cards at Auction
We reserve this space for members of the Stacking Slabs Patreon Community to highlight cards that are up for auctions.
2003 Finest Gold Refractor Marvin Harrison /150 BGS 9
From the 2003 Topps Finest release, this Gold Refractor /150 captures Marvin Harrison at the peak of his Hall of Fame career. Graded BGS 9 Mint, it’s a true gem of an early 2000s parallel.
Harrison is one of the most precise route runners the league has ever seen, an eight-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl champion, and a key piece of one of the greatest QB–WR duos in NFL history with Peyton Manning. Pairing that legacy with the iconic Finest Gold makes this a card that will always stand out in any football collection.
Reissue: All Roads Lead Through Gold
Reissue: The Long Game
Ben (@nonsensenamecards) on Playing the Hobby on Your Terms
What happens when you stop chasing every new release and start building something timeless?
That’s the story Ben shared on his episode of Stacking Slabs. It wasn’t just about his collection — it was about his mindset. The way he thinks about scarcity, strategy, player attachment, and building something that lasts.
Ben isn’t interested in hype cycles. He’s not worried about what the market might say next week. He collects with intentionality. He collects with direction. And he’s building a collection that tells his story — not anyone else’s.
This is what “Collecting for Keeps” looks like in real time.
Let’s break it down.
What We Learned from This Episode
Ben isn’t afraid to be different. In fact, he leans into it. Whether it’s his focus on players like Christian McCaffrey, or his deep interest in specific sets and parallels, Ben’s approach is grounded in personal significance — not price tags.
He talked about making fewer, more meaningful acquisitions. Taking your time. Learning the landscape. Building up knowledge over time instead of throwing money at it.
He brought up an important point: Most cards won’t matter in five years — not because they aren’t valuable now, but because attention fades fast when collectors aren’t deeply connected to what they’re buying. That’s why he sticks to cards that feel personal, unique, and durable in meaning.
There’s also this sense of quiet confidence in the way Ben operates. He’s not broadcasting every move. He’s not trying to impress with flashy mail days. He’s building something that holds up with or without outside attention. And that kind of approach takes discipline — and time.
Ben emphasized the power of reflection. He’s constantly revisiting what he owns, why he owns it, and how it fits the larger narrative of his collection. That’s the long game. That’s the blueprint.
What This Means for Collecting in 2025
The market’s loud. The noise is constant. And the pressure to keep up is real.
But the best collectors aren’t chasing the next thing. They’re building something with roots.
Here’s what we can take from Ben’s approach:
Don’t collect for today — build for tomorrow. Think about what will still matter to you a year from now, five years from now, or even longer.
Know your players. Know your sets. Most people rush in trying to grab the next hot card. Ben takes time to understand what makes certain cards stick.
Rarity matters — but not just in print runs. Emotional rarity. Cultural rarity. Aesthetic rarity. That’s what turns a card into a cornerstone.
You don’t need 100 cards. You need the right 10. It’s about fit. Alignment. Purpose.
This episode reminded us that longevity isn’t just about holding cards. It’s about holding convictions. And letting those convictions shape a collection that’s bigger than hype.
That’s what it means to collect for keeps.
Enjoy Week 1. Time to put on my Colts jersey and head to Lucas Oil Stadium.
I appreciate your support for Stacking Slabs. Tell a damn friend.
Take care,
Brett