Hobby Nonsense – Details, episodes & analysis

Introducing the Hobby Nonsense podcast with Jesse Gibson.

Old friends Jesse Gibson and Ray Solorio reunite to talk some non-sports nonsense! After catching up for a bit, they talk about 2025 non-sport releases (11:17). Then, they talk about Pokémon’s surge in popularity and advice for getting into Pokémon collecting for both the new and nostalgic collector (22:41). Finally, they answer your mailbag questions (1:10:53).

Welcome to Hobby Nonsense! Jesse Gibson and Michael Midgette start the pod by discussing Topps Genesis and some issues with its release (9:01). Then, they talk about non-sport grails. They breakdown what they are and how they're different from sports card grails (17:08). Later, they talk about Pokémon's unique market (42:12), before finally answering the question: Is wrestling a sport? (59:00)?

Jesse starts the pod by talking about the drastic increase in the Pokémon market (1:23). Then, he discusses the upcoming Star Wars antiquities release and the lack of news on X-Men 97 (6:02). Later, Jesse is joined by Ryan Nolan from Breakout Cards to talk about his controversial opinion on what is considered a non-sport card, the different categories that make up the non-sport market, vintage superhero cards, and more (8:30)!

Jesse starts the pod by talking about Goldin Auctions using CT scanning to verify contents of an upcoming pokemon auction (6:36)), then he breaks down everything you need to know about the newest Star Wars release (8:26). Later, he is joined by Ryan Cracknell from Beckett to talk about ‘Back to the Future,’ Simpsons chase cards, Batman autos, and many other 80s and 90s non-sport cards (14:18)!

In this episode of Hobby Nonsense, we kick things off with details of the shocking story of forged Pokémon prototype cards that CGC mistakenly graded. How did this happen, and what does it mean for collectors (2:01)? Then, we sit down with Aaron Abrams, Topps’ Director of Culture and Entertainment Cards, to break down the latest Star Wars and X-Men 97 trading card releases. We discuss what makes Hyperspace and Galactic Antiquities unique, how Topps Finest X-Men 97 is bringing back ‘90s nostalgia, and what collectors need to know about these upcoming sets (8:04).

In this episode, Jesse kicks things off with a personal review of the latest non-sport releases, including a hands-on review of Star Wars Galactic Antiquities (0:56). He also breaks down upcoming product drops and provides an update on the latest shifts in Pokémon pricing. Later, special guest Mike Midgette joins the show to discuss the presence of non-sport cards at local card shows. Together, they take a deep dive into Marvel trading cards, exploring iconic sets like Marvel Universe, Marvel Masterpieces, and Precious Metal Gems, while revisiting the massive Marvel market boom of 2022 and the aftermath (19:30).

Jesse is joined by childhood friend Ray Solorio and they start with Nonsense News where they discuss Topps Now releasing its first-ever Marvel Cinematic Universe card! Then, they dive into the increasing popularity of Cardsmiths’ Currency Series cards, where collectors are chasing currency cards including a staggering $100,000 Bitcoin crypto card (8:03)

Next, Jesse and Ray discuss the ethical do's and don'ts of Pokémon collecting. They cover essential tips on spotting fake cards, the ethics of weighing packs, and the surprising rise in prices for heavily printed promo cards. Finally, Ray closes things out with “Ray’s Reqs”, where he shares his takes on which Pokémon cards could see big value jumps in the near future (24:44).

This episode kicks off with one of the wildest auctions in recent memory—the “Cheetozard,” a Flamin’ Hot Cheeto shaped like Charizard, is climbing past $6,700! Then, we break down some big changes (and issues) at GameStop that could impact collectors (0:33)

Next, the hype continues with major announcements: Magic: The Gathering is set to release an Avatar: The Last Airbender set, and for the first time in over 20 years, Marvel and DC are reviving their legendary crossover events! Plus, we take a close look at Topps' new X-Men 97 release and why its higher price tag might be justified (7:39)

Finally, Billy Celio, Senior Product Manager at Upper Deck, joins the show to discuss upcoming DC products, potential future releases, and exciting non-sport sets on the horizon (18:01)!

Join me as I visit the Dublin Card Show, one of the most exciting events for sports card enthusiasts, collectors, and fans of all things memorabilia! In this video, I'll be exploring the wide variety of cards and collectibles, meeting fellow collectors, and checking out some incredible finds.