Author: Alyx Effron

A National Call To Action

Collectors MD is proud to officially launch A National Call To Action: Funding Responsible Collecting & Harm Reduction, a new initiative focused on increasing awareness, education, prevention, and support surrounding gambling-adjacent harm within modern collectible and digital consumer environments. This initiative represents an important step forward as Collectors MD continues building bridges between the collectibles industry, public health organizations, recovery communities, councils, coalitions, creators, and community leaders. Over the last several years, the collectibles ecosystem—along

Bigger Than The Hobby

Presented By All Touch Case A lot of people still hear the name “Collectors MD” and assume this work only applies to sports cards or collectibles. On the surface, that makes sense. That’s where the conversation started and the world many of us came from. But the deeper we’ve gotten into this work, the clearer it’s become that this was never just about cards. At its core, it’s about patterns. More specifically, it’s about environments

Rock Bottom Isn’t What You Think

Presented By All Touch Case The first Gamblers Anonymous meeting I ever attended was in November of 2022. I walked in, sat down with a group of complete strangers, and for the first time in my life, I told the truth about what was really going on. It was intimidating, but also strangely therapeutic. I’ve always been a strong communicator, so I leaned into that. I told my story with conviction, with emotion, with detail.

Partnership Announcement: HobbyScan

Collectors MD Collectors MD is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with HobbyScan, an AI-powered platform designed to help collectors instantly scan, identify, value, organize, and manage their cards from a single streamlined workflow. This partnership represents a meaningful step forward as we continue to align with tools and platforms that support intentional collecting, clarity, and better decision-making within today’s fast-moving hobby. HobbyScan is now included as a featured platform within the Intentional Collector’s

Collector Spotlight: April 2026

Presented By All Touch Case Dave Soffen, @bigdogdave99 This month, we’re proud to feature Dave Soffen (@bigdogdave99)—a larger-than-life personality in our community whose energy, honesty, and willingness to show up have made a real impact over the past year. If you’ve been in a Collectors MD meeting, chances are you’ve heard Dave. He’s boisterous, engaged, and never afraid to speak his mind—but underneath that is someone who’s deeply reflective and committed to doing the work.

Secondhand Gambling

Presented By All Touch Case In the early stages of recovery, we tend to overlook the people standing just outside the blast radius. Everyone understands the dangers of secondhand smoking. You don’t have to be the one holding the cigarette to feel the effects. You don’t have to inhale directly to carry the consequences. The damage spreads anyway – quietly, indirectly, and often without consent. The same dynamic plays out in other forms of addiction.

Partnership Announcement: All Touch Case

Collectors MD is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. This partnership marks an exciting step forward as we continue to align with brands that share our commitment to intentional collecting, thoughtful engagement, and long-term sustainability within the hobby. All Touch will serve as a presenting sponsor across the Collectors MD media ecosystem, including The Collector’s

Partnership Announcement: C3 Grading

Collectors MD is proud to announce a new partnership with C3 Grading, a collector-first grading company built around transparency, accessibility, and trust. At Collectors MD, we believe a healthier hobby isn’t just about what collectors buy – it’s also about how they protect, preserve, and understand what they already own. That means supporting companies that help slow things down, reduce unnecessary friction, and bring more clarity and confidence to the collecting experience. C3 Grading aligns

The Elephant In The Room

Presented By All Touch Case There’s been a lot of buzz around the Topps Industry Conference this week. Watching it all unfold from a distance – amid a frenzy of exciting hobby updates – I couldn’t help but notice what wasn’t being said. There was a clear opportunity to acknowledge what a lot of people are already feeling but don’t always have the language for. The pace and pressure of the hobby have fundamentally changed,

Complacency In Recovery

Presented By All Touch Case One of the most dangerous parts of recovery is that complacency rarely feels dangerous when it creeps in. There’s no dramatic crash or obvious warning sign. It builds through small shifts in mindset, routine, and honesty. A few things start to slip. Structure loosens. And the more disciplined version of you begins to fade before you even realize it. Progress in recovery can create comfort, and comfort can blur awareness.

The Healthy Hobby Initiative

Collectors MD is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with The Certified Trading Card Association (CTCA) to launch The Healthy Hobby Initiative. This new collaboration represents an important step forward in bringing more responsibility, transparency, education, and long-term sustainability into the trading card space. As the only 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association dedicated exclusively to the trading card industry, CTCA was created to support and elevate the businesses, retailers, and stakeholders helping shape the future

Collector Spotlight: March 2026

Conor McGrath This month, we’re proud to feature Conor McGrath—one of our own team members and a collector whose story is deeply rooted in Boston sports, 90s basketball, and the moments that stay with you long after the game ends. Conor’s collection is built on more than players and cardboard. It’s tied to identity, memory, and the emotional imprint that sports can leave behind. Growing up just outside of Boston, sports weren’t just part of