Hobbies

Pack Fresh Podcast

Welcome to Pack Fresh Podcast, your premier destination for everything Pokémon ! Join us as we dive deep into the world of Pokémon cards, featuring expert discussions on collecting, trading, market trends, and current news. From vintage WOTC cards to the latest Mega expansions, we’ve got you covered!

Latest Episodes:

Inside the Plan to Build a $10M Pokémon Business | Pack Fresh Podcast Episode 26 Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we sit down with Steve from Soflo Retro to break down how he went from flipping video games at yard sales to building one of the fastest-growing Pokémon businesses in the space.

From scaling a massive video game operation to pivoting into Pokémon after a major turning point, Steve shares exactly how he’s approaching growth, capital, and building toward an 8-figure goal in 2026.

🎧 Available now on Spotify and YouTube.

Our Links!
📱 https://discord.com/invite/aa6XDCm4Zg🌐 https://pillar.io/washyourrhands🃏 https://linktr.ee/pokedirect💼 https://linktr.ee/cardboardvault

The BEST Platform for Pokémon Card Streaming | Pack Fresh Podcast Ep. 25 Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we break down the reality of Pokémon streaming and compare the two biggest platforms: Whatnot and TikTok.

Even though streaming looks easy from the outside, there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes, from fees and shipping to building an audience and actually making money.

🎧 Available now on Spotify and YouTube.

Our Links!

📱 https://discord.com/invite/aa6XDCm4Zg

🌐 https://pillar.io/washyourrhands

🃏 https://linktr.ee/pokedirect

💼 https://linktr.ee/cardboardvault

Perfect Order Might Be Better Than You Think | Pack Fresh Podcast Ep. 24 Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

In this video, we break down the upcoming Pokémon set Perfect Order and why it may be performing much better than people expected. Even though the set has been getting written off by a lot of collectors, preorders have been moving fast, and there may be more going on here than people realize.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, and YouTube.

🎙️ Is Perfect Order underrated… or is the market right about it?

Our Links!📱

https://discord.com/invite/aa6XDCm4Zg🌐

https://pillar.io/washyourrhands🃏

https://linktr.ee/pokedirect💼

https://linktr.ee/cardboardvault

Ranking Every Sword & Shield Pokémon TCG Set (Worst to Best) | Pack Fresh Podcast Ep. 23 Feb 21, 2026

Show notes

Sword & Shield defined modern Pokémon, and now we’re ranking every single set from worst to best. From Rebel Clash’s brick status to Crown Zenith’s absurd hit rates and the Evolving Skies alt-art explosion, Wash and Cardboard break down what made this era legendary.

We talk early-era struggles (rainbows and golds), the moment alt arts changed everything, and how Trainer Galleries completely reshaped ripping. Plus: the final showdown between Crown Zenith and Evolving Skies, value vs experience.

We cover the hits, the flops, the sleeper sets, and the biggest chase cards of the era, including Moonbreon, Lugia, Gengar, and Giratina, and debate which set truly deserves the #1 spot.

Key takeaways:

• Evolving Skies is the grail-era heavyweight, but brutal to rip.

• Crown Zenith might be the best modern set to open, period.

• Brilliant Stars and Astral Radiance are criminally underrated.

• Early Sword & Shield sets aged worse than we remembered.

• Biggest chase debate: Moonbreon vs Lugia vs Gengar vs Giratina.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

📱 https://discord.com/invite/aa6XDCm4Zg

🌐 https://pillar.io/washyourrhands

🃏 https://linktr.ee/pokedirect

💼 https://linktr.ee/cardboardvault

The Reality of Being a Pokémon Vendor in 2026 | Pack Fresh Podcast Ep. 22 Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

He walked away from industrial sales to sell Pokémon cards full-time… and built a real business doing it.

This week, Wash and Cardboard sit down with Swans Emporium to break down his full journey, from selling industrial piping in a traditional sales role to taking the leap into Pokémon full-time. We talk card shows, vendor POV content, early grading mistakes, big losses, burnout, and what it really takes to survive long-term in the hobby.

One of our most honest conversations yet about Pokémon as a business, content pressure, sustainability, and why collectibles still matter.

Swans Emporium’s Socials:

🌐 https://swansemporium.com/

📸 https://www.instagram.com/swansemporium/?hl=en

🎥 https://www.youtube.com/@SwansEmporium

🛒 https://www.ebay.com/str/swansonsemporium

🎙️ Question of the Week:

If you had to make Pokémon your full-time income tomorrow, would you focus on card shows, online sales, or content first?

🎧 Available now on Spotify and YouTube.

📱 Join the Community:

👉 https://discord.com/invite/aa6XDCm4Zg

🌐 https://pillar.io/washyourrhands

🃏 https://linktr.ee/pokedirect

💼 https://linktr.ee/cardboardvault

Ascended Heroes: MASSIVE Mega Chases in a LIMITED Pokémon Set | Pack Fresh Podcast Ep. 21 Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Wash and Cardboard break down Ascended Heroes, one of the most anticipated Pokémon TCG releases of the year. With more Mega Evolutions returning, massive chase cards, and a surprisingly large set size, Ascended Heroes is already sparking debate across the hobby before pull rates are even known.

Cardboard & Wash dive into what makes this set different, why collectors are calling it one of the toughest modern master sets, and how Mega chases, illustration rares, and product structure could impact rip value, sealed strategy, and long-term collectability. Also on the table is the uncertainty around pull rates, how hype compares to past sets, and whether Ascended Heroes is shaping up to be a must-rip, a sealed hold, or a wait-and-see release.

🎙️ Question of the Week:

What’s your biggest chase from Ascended Heroes? Are you ripping or holding sealed?

🎧 Available now on Spotify and YouTube.

📱 Join the Community

👉 Discord: https://discord.com/invite/aa6XDCm4Zg

🌐 Wash: https://pillar.io/washyourrhands

🃏 PokeDirect: https://linktr.ee/pokedirect

💼 Cardboard Vault: https://linktr.ee/cardboardvault

PSA BOUGHT Beckett! Is This Too Much Power? | Pack Fresh Podcast Ep. 20 Jan 04, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Wash and Cardboard break down one of the biggest grading shakeups the hobby has ever seen: PSA’s parent company acquiring Beckett.

With PSA, SGC, and now BGS under the same umbrella, collectors are asking the obvious question– is this too much power in one place? The guys dig into what this means for competition, market trust, Black Labels, grading market share, and whether this move actually changes anything for Pokémon collectors and sellers right now.

They also unpack the recent PSA buyback controversy, why it raised red flags across the hobby, and how consolidation plus grading incentives can create uncomfortable conflicts of interest, even if no intent is proven.

If you grade Pokémon cards, buy slabs, or sell in today’s market, this episode gives you the context you need to make smarter decisions without panic.

🎙️ Question of the Week:

Is PSA owning Beckett a real problem for the hobby? Or does nothing actually change? Let us know what you think 👇

🎧 Available now on Spotify and YouTube.

📱 Join the Community

👉 Discord: https://discord.com/invite/aa6XDCm4Zg

🌐 Wash: https://pillar.io/washyourrhands

🃏 PokeDirect: https://linktr.ee/pokedirect

💼 Cardboard Vault: https://linktr.ee/cardboardvault

Everything you need to sell pokemon Cards | Pack Fresh Podcast Ep. 19 Dec 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Wash and Cardboard break down The Collector’s Toolkit: the exact apps, tools, and habits they use daily to price cards accurately, move inventory faster, avoid bad buys, and stay efficient whether they’re vending shows, selling online, or shipping orders.

They cover everything from price tracking and comping correctly in a volatile market, to identifying cards and sets, checking pop reports, verifying slabs, grading tools, selling platforms, shipping systems, and the small habits that prevent costly mistakes.

If you sell Pokémon cards, or want to — this episode is a practical, no-fluff guide to the tools that actually matter and how to use them properly.

🎙️ Question of the Week:

What’s the ONE app or tool you couldn’t live without as a Pokémon collector or seller? Drop it below 👇

🎧 Available now on Spotify and YouTube.

📱 Join the Community

👉 Discord: https://discord.com/invite/aa6XDCm4Zg

🌐 Wash: https://pillar.io/washyourrhands

🃏 PokeDirect: https://linktr.ee/pokedirect

💼 Cardboard Vault: https://linktr.ee/cardboardvault

10 Mistakes New Pokémon Sellers Make (That Cost $$$) | Pack Fresh Podcast Ep. 18 Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

Whether you’re setting up your first table or you’ve been grinding shows for years, these are the 10 vendor mistakes that can cost you money, reputation, and momentum in the Pokémon hobby.

This week, Wash and Cardboard break down everything they wish they knew earlier: avoiding sticky price tags, spotting fake boxes, buying smart so you’re never upside-down on deals, keeping cash flowing in a shifting market, building real relationships with other vendors, and creating systems that keep you profitable long-term.

One of our most actionable episodes yet for anyone who sells Pokémon cards—whether online, at shows, or out of a storefront.

🎙️ Question of the Week:

If you could give ONE tip to a brand-new Pokémon vendor at their first show… what would it be?

🎧 Available now on Spotify, and YouTube.

👉 Discord: https://discord.com/invite/aa6XDCm4Zg

🌐 Wash: https://pillar.io/washyourrhands

🃏 PokeDirect: https://linktr.ee/pokedirect

💼 Cardboard Vault: https://linktr.ee/cardboardvault

How Running To The Rip Build A Pokémon Empire | Pack Fresh Podcast Ep. 17 Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

He left Big Four accounting to chase shiny cardboard… and it actually worked.

This week, Wash and Cardboard sit down with RunningToTheRip to talk about his full journey: walking away from corporate life, the brutal early grind of selling Pokémon cards online, opening a storefront, building a loyal community, taking losses on stream, learning vintage the hard way, and how the Pokémon hobby completely transformed his life.

One of our most real conversations yet about the business side of Pokémon, burnout, opportunity, and why this hobby is so special.

RunningToTheRip’s Socials:

🌐 https://www.runningtotherip.com/

📸 https://www.instagram.com/runningtotherip/?hl=en

🔨 https://www.whatnot.com/user/runningtotherip

📘 https://www.facebook.com/p/Running-to-the-Rip-61575895092361/

🎙️ Question of the Week:

If YOU went full-time in the Pokémon hobby tomorrow… what’s the first thing you’d focus on?

🎧 Available now on Spotify, and YouTube.

📱 Join the Community:

👉 https://discord.com/invite/aa6XDCm4Zg

🌐 https://pillar.io/washyourrhands