The Shallow End

Latest Episodes:

The Shallow End ep 107 - 'The Hobby has Lost the Plot' Dec 26, 2025

Show notes

There is so much noise in the hobby, so much content, so many distractions, and so many options. Ribhu (@PerimeterCollectibles), a dealer and collector for 25 years, is here with an important message: Think about what you like, then collect it.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

The Shallow End ep 106 - Coming Alive Through Your Cards Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

We're still talking about Walter Benjamin's 1931 essay about collecting. In this episode, Aaron @Two2SportsCards jumps on the mic to discuss the Benjamin quote that most resonated with Aaron and his collecting: “… ownership is the most intimate relationship that one can have to objects. Not that they come alive in him; it is he who lives in them.”

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

Overthinking Baseball Cards: Ranking the Best Years for Baseball Cards 2001-2025 Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

The baseball card landscape has witnessed several shifts since the turn of the millennium. In this tiered ranking, we determine which years stand out, which fall back, and which years do we wish would just go away?

OBC is hosted by Jason @contrarian_cards and Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

The Shallow End ep 105 - What Being a Collector Means Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

In 1931, German philosopher Walter Benjamin wrote an essay about collecting. Nearly a century later, that essay is as applicable today as it was then.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards (IG)

The Shallow End ep 104 - We Can't Stop Talking about Gambling and Addiction Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

In all walks of life, we have a habit of talking about a problem once and moving to the next thing. Last summer, gambling and addiction in the sports card hobby had a moment. It seemed everyone was talking about it. Then, we moved on to the next big thing, whether it was The National or the latest scandal. In this episode, Alyx of CollectorsMD returns to update us on his organization's mission to help collectors who feel out of control. We also talk about a well-known sports card company using a 13 year old in an ad campaign for its repack product.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

The Shallow End ep 103 - What Pat Learned from Setting up at a Card Show for the First Time Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

Pat (@Insta_account_haver) returns to The Shallow End to discuss his experiences setting up for the first time at a card show—and with only 24 hours notice to get ready. What Pat found at the show, besides the cards, made it all worth it.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

The Shallow End ep 102 - "I don't need to collect everything" Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

Just because you're a fan of a team, or a player, or even a comic book, it doesn't mean you have to collect their sports cards. In this episode, Aaron (@collect_like_a_champion) shares his story of how his collecting journey became more rewarding once he stopped trying to collect so much and focused on what was most important.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

The Shallow End ep 101 - Collecting at 36,000 Feet Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

Sometimes we have moments that put life into perspective. What is important? What matters? When that happens, it's also a chance to re-evaluate how we feel about our sports cards.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

Overthinking Baseball Cards BONUS - Overthinking Ohtani Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

Shohei Ohtani's performance in the Dodgers' NLCS clincher drove us back to the microphones a few weeks early. We talk about his cards, his performance, his cards, his legacy, and his cards.

Overthinking Baseball Cards is hosted by Jason @contrarian_cards and Dave @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

Overthinking Baseball Cards episode 3: Baseball Cards are Beautiful Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

Jason (@Contrarian_Cards) and Dave (@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards) pick out the most eye-catching individual cards, sets and genres of baseball cards throughout the decades. Agree? Disagree? Let us know. This episode is also available on YouTube.

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