The Collector's Compass

The Collector's Compass

by Collectors MD

Mental Health Hobbies

Season 1

#11: Running A Modern Hobby Shop | Tyler Santiago, Santiago Sports

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we sit down with Tyler Santiago—owner of Santiago Sports (@santiago_sports_) and one of the most recognizable voices in the New Jersey card scene. As the owner of a thriving LCS in Matawan, NJ, Tyler has built Santiago Sports into both a local hub and a respected name nationally. From brick-and-mortar to Instagram sales, card shows to community building, Tyler has carved out a path that balances tradition with modern presence—without relying on the heavy push of platforms like Whatnot or Fanatics Live. Tyler provides perspective on: Building Santiago Sports from its roots into a trusted shop and brand. How an LCS can thrive in today’s fast-paced, break-driven hobby. Why reputation, relationships, and community matter as much as product. The challenges and opportunities shop owners face in an evolving marketplace. His philosophy on collecting, breaking, and what it means to stay authentic in the hobby. Whether you’re a local shop loyalist, an online buyer, or someone curious about how the business side of the hobby works, this episode is a reminder that community and credibility are the cornerstones of collecting with intention. Subscribe, comment, and join the movement. And remember to collect with intention, not compulsion. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: @collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Tyler & Santiago Sports: Website: santiagosportsnj.com YT: ‪@santiago_sports_ IG: @santiago_sports_ | @tyler_santiago_ Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER #CollectorsMD | #SantiagoCards | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

#12: Smarter Collecting | Chris MacRae, The Smarter Collector

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we sit down with Chris MacRae—CPA, strategic finance pro, and founder of The Smarter Collector. Chris is building a platform that helps collectors move from impulse to intention—tracking collections, organizing projects, and making better decisions without spreadsheets. From the Collection Sandbox (tiering/keep-vs-available) to a Wantlist with live eBay feed and a consignment fee calculator, Chris pairs thoughtful design with a philosophy that treats the hobby as a path to self-discovery, not just accumulation. Chris provides perspective on: Designing for how collectors actually collect—projects, curation, and decision making. Shortening the 2–4 year learning curve from FOMO to intentional collecting. Why structure reduces burnout and keeps joy at the center of the hobby. The role of tools + education alongside community and mental wellness. Potential CMD x TSC integrations: in-app nudges, resources, and responsible prompts. Whether you’re logging your first PC or optimizing a long-time collection, this episode explores how smarter frameworks—and a healthier mindset—can help you collect with purpose and peace of mind. Subscribe, comment, and join the movement. And remember to collect with intention, not compulsion. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: @collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow & Learn More About The Smarter Collector: Website: thesmartercollector.com App: app.thesmartercollector.com IG: @thesmartercollector Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER #CollectorsMD | #TheSmarterCollector | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

#13: Heart, Hustle, Healing, & Hobby | Doc Schwartz, ediSportscards

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we sit down with Doc Schwartz—educator, government veteran, and creator of EdiSportsCards (@edisportscards6275). Doc has become one of the hobby’s most honest voices, speaking openly about addiction, overspending, and accountability. From the conversation we had with him on his channel last month titled “What Happens When Your Collecting Turns Into an Addiction?” to his presence in our weekly peer-support meetings, Doc has helped spark conversations the hobby has long avoided. Doc provides perspective on: Why honesty is non-negotiable when talking about addiction in collecting. How the same dopamine loops appear across hobbies—cards, TCG, sneakers, NFTs, even retail therapy. What realistic regulation and consumer guardrails could look like. The human side: secrecy, shame, and how peer support breaks the cycle. Two recovery lanes: abstinence vs. intentional collecting—and why both matter. How culture can shift from chasing comps to rediscovering nostalgia, connection, and meaning. The role of allies, corporations, and shared advocacy in scaling support. Whether you’re a longtime collector or someone questioning your own relationship with the hobby, this episode explores what it takes to face compulsion honestly—and how to find healthier paths forward. Also make sure to check out our full discussion on edisportscards6275's channel—where we cover how collecting can slide into addiction, the casino-style mechanics behind breaks and FOMO, practical guardrails, and healthier ways to engage. Subscribe, comment, and join the movement. And remember to collect with intention, not compulsion. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: @collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Doc Schwartz & ediSportscards: YT: @edisportscards6275 IG: @edisportscards Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER #CollectorsMD | #ediSportsCards | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

#14: The Wife Of A Compulsive Collector | Ambre LaVanway

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we’re honored to share a story rarely told in the hobby—the perspective of the partner. Our guest, Ambre LaVanway, is both a collector and the wife of veteran hobbyist Travis LaVanway (MontanaNorseman), whose journey we featured in Episode #8. Together, they’ve navigated the highs of connection and the lows of compulsion that so many couples quietly face behind the scenes of collecting. In this conversation, Ambre opens up about what it’s like to love—and live with—a collector. From financial strain and emotional burnout to rediscovering joy and balance, she offers a raw and deeply human perspective on the difference between passion and obsession. We explore Ambre’s Daily Reflection, “A Shift in Perspective", where she writes, “Not everything that sparkles is valuable". We also dive into her unique approach to collecting, including her thought-provoking “Murder Shelf”—a collection centered on empathy, imperfection, and understanding the stories behind flawed figures. This episode sheds light on communication, boundaries, and healing—how couples can move from secrecy to teamwork, from guilt to understanding. It’s also about redefining what collecting looks like when it’s shared with love, intention, and accountability. Whether you’re a collector, a partner, or someone trying to rebuild trust in the wake of compulsion, Ambre’s story reminds us that recovery isn’t just personal—it’s relational. Subscribe, comment, and join the movement. And remember to collect with intention, not compulsion. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: @collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Ambre: IG: @mznapalm_most.hated Follow Travis: IG: @montananorseman Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER #CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

#15: We Need To Fix The Hobby Before It's Too Late | HoosierPulls

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass we’re continuing a powerful conversation that began back in August—this time turning awareness into action. Our guest, Alijah aka Hoosier_Pulls (@hoosierpulls4689), has been one of the loudest and most authentic voices pushing for reform, transparency, and accountability within the hobby. After our first discussion around repacks, short-fuse auctions, and the hidden gambling mechanics shaping collector behavior, we’re bringing it full circle with a deep dive into guardrails, reform, and real change. Together, we unpack how the hobby can evolve responsibly—without losing the joy that makes it special. From realistic spending guardrails and self-exclusion tools to platform accountability, influencer transparency, and community-driven reform, this episode explores what a healthier future for collectors actually looks like. Alijah shares how intentional collecting isn’t about walking away—it’s about walking smarter. We talk about the role creators play in shaping behavior, why EV context and sponsorship labels matter, and how Collectors MD’s partnerships with Birches Health, Right Choice Recovery, PGCC, and Gamban are helping collectors set boundaries before burnout begins. We also introduce Unboxed Powered By Collectors MD, a new weekly community meeting created in partnership with PGCC—Thursdays from 7–8 PM ET / 4–5 PM PT—where collectors can engage in open conversation about reform, recovery, and safer engagement. Whether you’re a content creator, a breaker, or a collector trying to find balance again, this episode offers real solutions—not just critique. Because the future of the hobby depends on more than passion—it depends on protection, empathy, and intention. Subscribe, comment, and join the movement. And remember to collect with intention, not compulsion. Also make sure to check out our full discussion on hoosierpulls4689's channel—where we first unpacked the truth about compulsion, reform, and what real change in the hobby looks like. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: @collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Alijah: YT: ‪@hoosierpulls4689‬ IG: @hoosier_pulls Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER #CollectorsMD | #HoosierPulls | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

#16: The Trading Card Hall of Fame | Brad Sauder

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we’re stepping back in time to move the hobby forward—celebrating the stories, history, and humanity behind the cards that built collecting as we know it. Our guest, Brad Sauder (@tradingcardhalloffame)—founder of The Trading Card Hall Of Fame—joins Alyx to explore how storytelling, nostalgia, and preservation can bring balance back to a hobby that’s lost some of its purity. From the 1954 Topps Ernie Banks to the 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan, Brad’s project honors the most iconic cards in history—not for their prices, but for the meaning they hold. Together, we dive into why these cards matter, how The Hall bridges generations, and what it means to collect from passion instead of profit. Brad shares how The Trading Card Hall Of Fame grew from a personal idea into a full community initiative—inviting collectors everywhere to nominate, vote, and reconnect with the roots of the hobby. We talk about how collecting used to be about connection and curiosity—and how storytelling can restore that sense of joy, history, and wonder that’s been overshadowed by the chase. Whether you’re a vintage purist, a modern hobbyist, or someone rediscovering why you fell in love with collecting in the first place, this episode is a reminder that every great card has a story—and every collector does too. Subscribe, share, and join the movement toward intentional collecting—because joy and history deserve to come first again. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: @collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Brad & The Trading Card Hall Of Fame: Website: tradingcardhalloffame.org IG: @tradingcardhalloffame X: @the_fame36673 Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER #CollectorsMD | #TradingCardHOF | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

#17: Can Collecting Lead To Addiction? | Rob ODAAT Gambling Awareness

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we’re exploring the powerful intersection between gambling recovery and the modern hobby—how the same psychological triggers that fuel addiction in casinos are quietly reshaping how people collect, spend, and chase. Our guest, Rob “ODAAT” Minnick, founder of One Day At A Time Gambling Awareness (@OdaatGamblingAwareness), joins Alyx to share his lived experience with gambling addiction and his journey toward recovery—one day at a time. Through his movement and growing YouTube platform, Rob provides education, resources, and daily encouragement to help others break free from the cycle of gambling and reclaim their lives. Together, Alyx and Rob examine the shared mechanics between gambling and collecting—dopamine loops, random rewards, overspending, and the illusion of control—and discuss how both communities can build awareness, accountability, and support. They dive into practical guardrails for staying balanced, how platforms like Right Choice Recovery and Gamban are changing access to help, and why honesty and habit-building are at the heart of long-term recovery. This episode also highlights the overlap between the gambling world and “the hobby”—from live breaks and razzes to repacks and high-stakes releases—and how education and transparency can help collectors and gamblers alike find healthier ways to engage with the things they love. Whether you’re in recovery, questioning your relationship with risk and reward, or simply want to understand the psychology behind modern collecting, this episode is a raw, hopeful look at recovery through truth, awareness, and community. Also make sure to check out our full discussion on ⁨OdaatGamblingAwareness's channel—where we unpack Alyx's story of addiction and recovery, where collecting crosses into gambling, the red flags to watch (break culture, dopamine loops, “just one more”), and how parents can protect kids. Subscribe, share, and join the movement toward intentional collecting—because joy and history deserve to come first again. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: @collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Rob & ODAAT Gambling Awareness: Website: odaatgamblingawareness.com YT: @OdaatGamblingAwareness IG: @odaatgamblingawareness Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER #CollectorsMD | #ODAAT | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

#18: Do Collectors Still Campout For Sneakers? | TheCamp0ut

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we’re stepping outside the world of sports cards to explore a broader truth about collecting—how intention, authenticity, and self-awareness connect collectors across every community. Our guest, Mikey Dabb—better known as TheCamp0ut (@TheCamp0utwithazero)—is a longtime sneaker and streetwear collector who helped shape modern sneaker culture. From lining up at KITH, CNCPTS, and Supreme during the early “campout” era to building a platform that champions originality over hype, Mikey’s story embodies what Collectors MD calls collecting with intention. Together, Alyx and Mikey unpack how sneaker culture evolved from storytelling and community into hype and speculation—and how that same pattern now plays out in cards, memorabilia, and other collecting verticals. They discuss what was lost when “the line” turned into an app, how creators can lead with authenticity, and why joy and meaning still matter more than market value. They also draw direct parallels between sneakers and cards—the chase, the dopamine loops, the social validation—and talk about how collectors everywhere can rebuild purpose and sustainability in their relationship with the things they love. Whether you’re a sneakerhead, card collector, or creative in any hobby, this episode is about finding balance in the chase—and rediscovering why you started. Subscribe, share, and join the movement toward intentional collecting—because real culture starts with connection, not competition. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Mikey & TheCamp0ut: Website: thecamp-0ut.com YT: @TheCamp0utwithazero IG: @thecamp0ut Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER #CollectorsMD | #TheCamp0ut | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

#19: A Path To A Healthier Hobby | Ryan Roelans, Better Way of Miami

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we’re connecting the worlds of behavioral health and collecting to uncover a deeper question—how do we help people find balance without losing what they love? Our guest, Ryan Roelans, is the President & CEO of Better Way Of Miami, a licensed clinical social worker, and an adjunct professor at Florida International University, where he teaches graduate-level courses on substance use and mental health treatment. With over 15 years in the field of recovery, Ryan brings a clinical, compassionate, and reform-minded lens to one of the most important discussions in the hobby today—how the principles of therapy, harm reduction, and recovery apply to compulsive collecting. Together, Alyx and Ryan unpack the parallels between addiction recovery and the modern hobby. They explore how concepts like abstinence versus harm reduction mirror the ways collectors manage—or struggle to manage—their own behaviors. They discuss awareness, accountability, and the illusion of control, the psychology of relapse and impulse, and how recovery principles can reshape how we approach spending, chasing, and collecting. The conversation also dives into legislative and ethical reform, asking how policymakers could help protect consumers without stripping the joy or freedom from collecting. Ryan shares what he’s learned from decades of treatment work—why connection and compassion matter more than punishment, and how the same community-based solutions that drive recovery can help build a healthier hobby. Whether you’re in recovery, part of the hobby, or just trying to understand the link between psychology and collecting, this episode is about rethinking balance, regulation, and responsibility—in the hobby and in ourselves. Subscribe, share, and join the movement toward intentional collecting—because recovery doesn’t always mean walking away. Sometimes, it means learning how to stay. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow & Contact Ryan & Better Way Of Miami: Website: betterwayofmiami.org Thriving Minds Profile: bit.ly/43mjW6U Contact: rroelans@bwom.org IG: @ryanroelans | @betterwayofmiami Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER #CollectorsMD | #BetterWayOfMiami | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

#20: Ethical Platforms & Marketplaces In The Hobby | Mark Hill, MCP

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we explore one of the most urgent questions facing the modern hobby—how do we build systems that protect collectors instead of exploiting them? Our guest, Mark Hill, is the founder of My Card Post (@mycard_post), a subscription-based, no-seller-fee marketplace built on fairness, transparency, and community. With nearly 16,000 users and over $4 million in transactions, Mark has quietly created one of the few platforms in the hobby designed for collectors—not off collectors. Bootstrapped, independent, and intentionally ethical, My Card Post stands in sharp contrast to the fee-heavy, gamified, and increasingly predatory systems reshaping the hobby today. Together, Alyx and Mark dive into the tension between collecting and compulsion, exploring how marketplace design impacts behavior, spending, dopamine, burnout, and the emotional swings that many collectors face but rarely talk about. They examine the rise of “digital slot machine” mechanics—10-second auctions, panic bidding, inflated comps—and the parallels to gambling-style reinforcement loops that drive impulsive purchases and financial regret. The conversation also looks toward solutions: how ethical platforms can be built without venture-capital pressure, how responsible messaging can be woven into marketplace culture, and why the partnership between Collectors MD and My Card Post represents a new model for hobby reform—one rooted in community, accountability, and long-term health instead of hype. Mark shares why he walked away from a secure career to build My Card Post from scratch, why he refused to adopt exploitative features for short-term profit, and what it means to prioritize collector well-being over growth-at-all-costs. Alyx explains how Collectors MD is working to address the addiction-like patterns present across the hobby, and how partnerships like this one can help create safer, kinder, and more intentional collecting spaces. Whether you’re a marketplace user, a frustrated collector, or someone trying to understand why the hobby feels so overwhelming at times, this episode is about reimagining what a healthy ecosystem could look like—and why protecting collectors is not only possible, but necessary. Subscribe, share, and join the movement toward intentional collecting—because the hobby doesn’t have to feel like a casino. It can feel like community again. Watch The Episode On YouTube Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YT: ‪@collectorsmd IG: @collectorsmd Follow Mark & My Card Post: Website: mycardpost.com Contact: mark@mycardpost.com YT: @mycard_post IG: @mycard_post | @markhillcards Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER #CollectorsMD | #MyCardPost | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

2 of 6