News & Announcements

Welcome to the News & Announcements section of Collectors MD—your hub for all the latest updates from the movement. Here, we’ll be sharing everything from new partnerships and upcoming events to industry news, recovery tools, and behind-the-scenes progress as we continue building a healthier, more intentional collecting culture. Whether it’s a collaboration with a mental health provider, an announcement about a live event, or an update on advocacy work happening across the hobby, this page is where you’ll find it first. Think of it as a living bulletin board for our most important milestones—transparent, timely, and community-driven. Check back often—we’re just getting started.

Partnership Announcement: SlabTrack

Published January 03, 2026

Collectors MD is excited to announce a new partnership with SlabTrack, a next-generation platform designed to bring structure, clarity, and intention back into modern collecting.

At Collectors MD, our mission is simple: to help collectors collect with intention—not compulsion. That means supporting tools and systems that slow people down, reduce emotional decision-making, and help collectors understand what they actually own.

SlabTrack was built from that exact mindset.

Founded by collector and entrepreneur Sherwin Gilani, SlabTrack was created in response to the growing chaos of the hobby—fragmented tools, manual tracking, emotional spending, and a lack of visibility once collectors are already deep in it. Rather than pushing speed, hype, or volume, SlabTrack focuses on organization, transparency, and informed decision-making across the entire collecting lifecycle.

Through this partnership, the Collectors MD community will now have direct access to SlabTrack via our affiliate link—giving collectors a powerful operating system to track cards, understand true value, organize collections, and make decisions rooted in clarity instead of impulse.

This isn’t about flipping faster or chasing the next spike. It’s about replacing overwhelm with structure—and reaction with intention.

Sherwin also recently joined us on The Collector’s Compass, where he shared the personal journey that led him to build the platform, the infrastructure gaps holding the hobby back, and why better systems are essential for healthier collector behavior. That conversation reinforced something we strongly believe: people don’t need more willpower—they need better tools.

Collectors MD is not anti-hobby—we’re pro-support. And partnering with SlabTrack is another step toward building a hobby that prioritizes awareness, accountability, and long-term sustainability.

Collect With Intention. Heal With Support.
#CollectorsMD | #SlabTrack | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

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Partnership Announcement: CardsHQ

Published January 02, 2026

Collectors MD is proud to announce a new awareness partnership with CardsHQ as part of the continued expansion of our #RipResponsibly initiative.

This partnership introduces the official #RipResponsibly break disclaimer, now being implemented across the CardsHQ breaking ecosystem. More than an intro, this disclaimer represents a shared commitment to transparency, care, and collector well-being—meeting people where they are, in real time, as decisions are being made.

The modern hobby moves fast. Momentum builds quickly. And without intention, the line between enjoyment and overextension can blur. CardsHQ is choosing to lead by normalizing pauses, removing shame around stepping back, and clearly pointing collectors to support when ripping begins to feel chaotic or overwhelming.

We’re proud to share that Collectors MD is now the official responsible-ripping partner of CardsHQ, offering free resources, education, and peer support for collectors who want to stay engaged in the hobby without losing themselves in it.

This partnership is in addition to our existing affiliate partnership with Market Movers, with both initiatives operating under the broader Sports Card Investor ecosystem. Together, these relationships reflect a growing, intentional shift toward a hobby that values informed decision-making, accountability, and long-term sustainability—not just short-term excitement.

This is what leadership looks like. Not manufactured urgency or performative hype—but intentional guardrails and transparent messaging that put collectors first.

Our goal is for this approach to become the standard moving forward. Not someday. Not selectively. But across the entire industry.

Awareness doesn’t dilute the fun—it preserves the purity and joy that make collecting worth protecting in the first place.

This is how collecting stays healthy. This is how trust is built. This is how the hobby moves forward—safely, sustainably, and responsibly.

Collect With Intention. Heal With Support.
#CollectorsMD | #CardsHQ | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

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Partnership Announcement: 800-GAMBLER

Published December 26, 2025

Collectors MD is proud to announce a new awareness partnership with The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (800-GAMBLER) as part of the launch of our #RipResponsibly campaign.

This collaboration brings together two organizations focused on prevention, education, and early intervention—connecting the world of collecting with established gambling-harm resources to better support individuals navigating compulsive spending, high-risk behaviors, and gambling-adjacent mechanics within the hobby.

As the collecting landscape continues to evolve, this partnership helps ensure that collectors have clear, accessible pathways to support when the hobby begins to feel overwhelming or out of control.

Why This Matters

Modern collecting has changed. Live breaks, chase products, high-velocity marketplaces, and social pressure have introduced dynamics that closely mirror gambling—often without the safeguards, language, or awareness that exist in regulated gaming environments.

Many collectors don’t identify as gamblers. They identify as fans, hobbyists, or investors. But the emotional patterns—chasing losses, escalating spending, secrecy, and distress—often look the same.

This partnership exists to help close that gap.

By aligning Collectors MD’s peer-support and education model with the expertise and resources of 800-GAMBLER, we’re helping ensure that collectors who need support can find it earlier, more clearly, and without stigma.

How The Partnership Works

#RipResponsibly Awareness Campaign

A co-branded education and awareness initiative designed to:

Encourage intentional, informed collecting
Promote healthier engagement with high-risk hobby behaviors
Normalize conversations around boundaries and self-awareness
Provide visible pathways to support when collecting stops feeling fun

Cross-Referral Support

Collectors MD members who need professional or clinical support are guided toward 800-GAMBLER and affiliated resources.
Individuals contacting 800-GAMBLER whose challenges stem from collecting or hobby-based spending can be referred to Collectors MD for peer support and education.

Education & Prevention

Shared messaging around gambling-adjacent risk in collectibles
Collaboration on awareness materials for collectors, families, and community partners
Ongoing dialogue between harm-reduction professionals and the collecting community

Community-Focused Outreach

Co-branded #RipResponsibly content across social platforms
Educational resources designed to meet people where they are
Emphasis on prevention, not punishment

Why 800-GAMBLER?

The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey has long been a leader in prevention, education, and recovery support. Their commitment to meeting people before crisis—and providing real, judgment-free help—aligns directly with the mission of Collectors MD.

Together, we’re building a bridge between:

Awareness and action
Community and clinical care
Collecting culture and responsible engagement

This partnership represents an important step toward a healthier, more transparent future for the hobby.

Join The Movement

If collecting has started to feel overwhelming—or if someone you care about may be struggling—support is available.

📞 800-GAMBLER
🌐collectorsmd.com

Weekly Support Meetings

Collectors MD Peer-Support Group
Wednesdays | 8–9 PM ET (5–6 PM PT) | Virtual

Unboxed: Powered By Collectors MD (with PGCC)
Thursdays | 7–8 PM ET (5–6 PM MT / 4–5 PM PT) | Hybrid)

Collect With Intention. Heal With Support.
#CollectorsMD | #800GAMBLER | #HobbyHealth | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

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Partnership Announcement: Evive

Published December 04, 2025

Collectors MD is proud to announce a new partnership with Evive, a free mobile app that helps people understand their relationship with gambling and find support—bringing practical tools to collectors navigating compulsive spending and gambling-like mechanics in the hobby. As part of this collaboration, Collectors MD will host a dedicated peer-support group inside the Evive Community, creating a direct bridge between in-app recovery tools and live, recovery-informed support.

This collaboration connects Collectors MD’s peer support, education, and accountability with Evive’s evidence-informed in-app guardrails—so people can pause, plan, and rebuild healthier habits one day at a time.

Why This Matters

Compulsive collecting often mirrors gambling—live breaks, razzes, repacks, and high-velocity marketplaces can trigger chasing, overspending, secrecy, and emotional fallout. Many collectors (and their families) need both community support and day-to-day structure.

This partnership helps bridge that gap: weekly meetings and education from Collectors MD, paired with Evive’s tools to help manage urges, budgeting, and recovery routines—so support doesn’t end when the meeting does.

How It Works

Collectors MD Community Inside Evive: A dedicated Collectors MD subgroup in the Evive Community, moderated by Alyx Effron, with weekly peer-support meetings, discussion threads, and curated resources for collectors and their families.
In-App Signposting: A Collectors MD resource card inside Evive for one-tap access to meetings, Daily Reflections, and recovery guides.
Warm Hand-Offs: Clear pathways between the Evive app and Collectors MD meetings so support continues between sessions—without friction or confusion.
Community Crossover: Joint content, AMAs, and ongoing resource updates that live both in the Evive Community and across Collectors MD channels.
Collectors MD Advisory Board: David Robbins, Head of Product at Evive, has joined our Advisory Board. David brings a unique combination of deep hobby knowledge and tech-startup experience, strengthening our strategy as we continue to scale.

Why Evive? Why Now?

Evive is a fast-growing digital recovery platform used by people rebuilding their relationship with risk and money. Pairing Evive’s daily guardrails with Collectors MD’s peer-led model gives our community immediate, modern support—exactly when triggers hit. This framework is designed to scale and adapt across collecting verticals and adjacent industries.

Weekly Support Meetings

Collectors MD Peer-Support Group
Wednesdays | 8–9 PM ET (5–6 PM PT) | Virtual

Unboxed: Powered By Collectors MD (with PGCC)
Thursdays | 7–8 PM ET (5–6 PM MT / 4–5 PM PT) | Hybrid

Join a meeting, continue the work inside Evive, and build a sustainable plan you can actually live with.

Collect With Intention. Heal With Support.
#CollectorsMD | #Evive | #HobbyHealth | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

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Referral Network Announcement: Better Way of Miami

Published November 25, 2025

Collectors MD is proud to announce a new partnership with Better Way of Miami, a long-standing nonprofit organization dedicated to addiction recovery, mental health support, and community care.

At Collectors MD, our mission has always been clear: help collectors collect with intention—not compulsion. That means acknowledging the emotional, financial, and behavioral struggles that often mirror addiction, and building a healthier ecosystem rooted in community, accountability, and real support.

For more than 40 years, Better Way of Miami has provided residential treatment, outpatient programming, and long-term recovery services for individuals facing substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health diagnoses. Their dual-diagnosis expertise—treating both addiction and underlying mental health conditions—aligns directly with the complex challenges many collectors quietly navigate behind the scenes. Their work is grounded in compassion, evidence-based care, and the belief that recovery is possible with the right structure and support.

Through this partnership, Collectors MD members will gain direct access to Better Way of Miami’s professional resources, educational materials, and clinical support pathways. Together, we will collaborate on programming that connects traditional addiction treatment with the modern realities of compulsive collecting—impulsive spending, dopamine-driven decision-making, gambling-adjacent behaviors, financial distress, emotional burnout, and the shame that often keeps people silent.

This partnership strengthens the safety net for anyone in our community who may need more than peer support alone. It expands access. It reduces stigma. And it ensures that collectors who are struggling with addiction-like patterns—whether related to cards, spending, or other behaviors—know they have a place to turn for real help.

Better Way of Miami President & CEO, Ryan Roelans was recently featured on Episode #19 of The Collector’s Compass, where he shared his perspective on addiction, mental health, and the role professional treatment plays alongside peer support in helping individuals find safer, more sustainable paths toward recovery.

Collectors MD is not anti-hobby—we’re pro-support. And this collaboration reinforces our commitment to protecting collectors’ well-being, mental health, and long-term stability both inside and outside the hobby.

Collect With Intention. Heal With Support.
#CollectorsMD | #BetterWayOfMiami | #HobbyHealth | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

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Partnership Announcement: Market Movers

Published November 24, 2025

Collectors MD is excited to announce that we have officially joined the Market Movers affiliate program!

At Collectors MD, our mission has always been clear: to help collectors collect with intention—not compulsion. That means giving our community access to tools, resources, and support systems that keep the hobby joyful, sustainable, and grounded in reality rather than hype.

Market Movers has become one of the most widely used platforms in the hobby for tracking card values, analyzing trends, and helping collectors make informed decisions. Their commitment to transparency, data accuracy, and long-term collector empowerment aligns closely with the work we’re doing every day.

By joining the Market Movers affiliate program, we’re giving our community another reliable option for research, budgeting, and intentional collecting. Whether you’re trying to set limits, avoid impulse buys, or simply understand the true value of the cards you love, having access to accurate tools is essential.

With this partnership, Collectors MD community members will now have direct access to Market Movers through our affiliate link. When you sign up, you’ll gain a powerful resource for staying informed—while also supporting our mission to build a healthier, more mindful hobby for everyone.

This isn’t about chasing comp spikes or turning collecting into speculation. It’s about equipping collectors with knowledge, structure, and accountability so they can stay aligned with their goals, values, and financial well-being.

Collectors MD is not anti-hobby—we’re pro-support. And adding Market Movers to our ecosystem is another step toward ensuring collectors have the tools they need to thrive.

Stay tuned for a future episode of The Collector’s Compass with Market Movers founder, Geoff Wilson, where we’ll dive deeper into responsible collecting, data literacy, and how tools like Market Movers and other platforms can contribute to a more informed and intentional hobby.

Collect With Intention. Heal With Support.
#CollectorsMD | #MarketMovers | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

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Referral Network Announcement: Joshua Klein, MBA

Published November 24, 2025

Collectors MD is proud to announce the addition of Joshua Klein, MBA to their growing referral and support network.

Joshua is a financial professional who helps collectors move from financial stress to stability and long-term success. He specializes in clear prioritization, debt reduction, and building sustainable financial confidence through a holistic, personalized process that meets clients where they are—without judgment or shame.

Drawing from both his professional expertise and his genuine passion for sports cards and memorabilia, Joshua understands the emotional and psychological ties collectors have to the hobby. His approach blends practical financial strategy with mindful awareness, helping collectors develop healthier relationships with money, spending, and long-term planning.

As a parent, Joshua also shares the hobby with his children, using those moments to teach balance, perspective, and intentionality—reinforcing that collecting can be meaningful when guided with awareness and care.

Collectors MD has always been about bridging peer support with trusted professional resources. By welcoming financial professionals like Joshua into our network, we’re ensuring that members have access to guidance that supports not only emotional recovery, but practical financial stability as well.

Joshua offers holistic financial guidance for those navigating debt, overspending, or seeking clarity around budgeting and long-term planning.

Interested in connecting with Joshua?
Schedule a complimentary 20-minute call or reach out via email to begin the conversation.

Collect With Intention. Heal With Support.
#CollectorsMD | #FinancialWellness | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

Schedule A 20-Minute Call With Joshua

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For more information or to connect with a trusted professional through Collectors MD’s growing network, visit collectorsmd.com/resources.

Partnership Announcement: My Card Post

Published November 20, 2025

Collectors MD is proud to announce a new partnership with My Card Post, a rapidly growing subscription-based marketplace built by collectors, for collectors.

At Collectors MD, our mission is to help people collect with intention—not compulsion. That means supporting platforms that prioritize ethics, transparency, community, and long-term hobby sustainability. My Card Post shares those values wholeheartedly.

Founded and bootstrapped by a lifelong collector, My Card Post was built to solve long-standing hobby frustrations including high fees, rigid restrictions, and the lack of a trusted marketplace to make flexible, collector-to-collector deals online. As newer hype cycles and high-pressure mechanics have emerged across the hobby, My Card Post’s model has only become more relevant. Instead of amplifying those trends, My Card Post offers something refreshingly simple: an honest, community-driven marketplace where collectors can buy, sell, and trade without seller fees, hidden agendas, or pressure-oriented design.

This partnership will focus on co-branded content, responsible-engagement messaging, and shared educational initiatives designed to help collectors navigate the modern hobby with clarity and confidence. Together, we aim to elevate intentional collecting by spotlighting healthy strategies, ethical practices, and community-first tools.

In the coming weeks, you’ll see:

Joint content centered on ethical marketplace habits
CMD x MCP features on responsible trading & purchasing
Co-branded posts and resources that align with our mission of hobby health
Integration of My Card Post within our recommendations for intentional collectors
Collaboration on The Collector’s Compass podcast

Most importantly, this partnership signals a shared belief: The hobby is at its best when collectors—not casinos—set the standard.

My Card Post is not built off collectors—it’s built for them. And that’s exactly the kind of leadership Collectors MD is proud to stand beside.

Collect With Intention. Heal With Support.
#CollectorsMD | #MyCardPost | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

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Collector Appreciation Giveaway #4

Published November 01, 2025

No Buy-Ins. No Trade-Backs. No Gimmicks. Just Gratitude.

To celebrate intentional and responsible collecting, @collectorsmd and @pepperonirips are giving away a 2025 Fanatics Emanate Autographed 8×10 featuring Baltimore Orioles star, Jackson Holliday—as a heartfelt thank-you for your ongoing love and support.

This isn’t about hype.
This isn’t about luck.
It’s about healing—and proving that collecting can be fulfilling, not compulsive.
A reminder that it’s okay to collect with boundaries.

Check Out This Post On IG To Participate:
1. Follow @collectorsmd and @pepperonirips on Instagram
2. Like this Instagram post and tag two friends
3. Comment on Instagram: Share one way intentional collecting has brought you peace or purpose
4. Share to your Instagram story for an optional bonus entry

One supporter who genuinely connects with our mission will be selected and announced Wednesday, 11/12, before our Weekly Peer-Support Meeting.

Collect With Intention. Not Compulsion.
#CollectorsMD | #PepperoniRips | #Giveaway | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

_{^{UPDATE (11/12/25): congratulations to @annestull and her son, Braeden on winning our fourth CMD Collector Appreciation giveaway! Keep an eye out for more of these to come in the future.}}

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Referral Network Announcement: Kevin Kastrava Jr., MA, LPC, LCADC, ICGC-I

Published October 29, 2025

Collectors MD is proud to welcome Kevin Kastrava Jr., MA, LPC, LCADC, ICGC-I to their growing Referral Network.

Kevin is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed/Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor, and International Certified Gambling Counselor (ICGC-I) who brings a rare blend of clinical expertise and lived experience to the work. A recovering addict himself, Kevin understands the shame, secrecy, and “one more” mindset from the inside—then meets it with evidence-based care, accountability, and hope.

What Kevin Brings:

Gambling-Specialized Care: relapse prevention, urges/trigger planning, and recovery stabilization for casino, sports betting, online gambling, and gambling-like behaviors.
Evidence-Based Modalities: Motivational Interviewing, CBT, DBT-informed skills, and trauma-informed work.
Whole-Life Repair: rebuilding financial health, repairing relationship trust, restoring self-worth and identity beyond the gamble, and reconnecting to purpose and community.

In Kevin’s words:

“I’ve walked through the darkness of addiction and know how isolating it feels. The truth is—you can break free. We’ll do it one honest step at a time.”

Earlier this year, Kevin was our first guest on The Collector’s Compass, where we unpacked the psychology of gambling, how it overlaps with hobby behaviors, and practical ways to recognize warning signs before compulsion takes control.

Availability & Access:

Licensed Counseling: New Jersey (primary practice).
Referral Network Support: Intro 1:1 conversations for Collectors MD members nationwide, with warm hand-offs to appropriate care.
How To Connect: Visit our Get Help page on Collectors MD to request a confidential introduction to Kevin.

Collect With Intention. Heal With Support.
#CollectorsMD | #Therapy | #HobbyHealth | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

Contact Kevin: cardcounselor@hotmail.com, @kjk92_
Watch Episode #1 Of The Collector’s Compass

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For more information or to connect with a trusted professional through Collectors MD’s growing network, visit collectorsmd.com/resources.

Collectors MD Flyer

Published October 17, 2025

Collectors MD isn’t just a movement—it’s a community.

It was built to help collectors slow down, reconnect, and find balance in a hobby that often rewards excess.

If our message resonates, please feel free to share this flyer and spread the positive word.

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

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Partnership Announcement: PGCC

Published October 09, 2025

Collectors MD is proud to announce the official launch of Unboxed, a new support group hosted by the Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado (PGCC) and powered by Collectors MD.

Unboxed is designed for individuals struggling with gambling-like behaviors in collecting—including sports cards, TCG, sneakers, memorabilia, coins, luxury goods, NFTs, gaming, and more.

This program is built on the proven Collectors MD model of peer support, accountability, and recovery, and represents the first franchise-style expansion of Collectors MD at the state level.

Why This Matters:

Compulsive collecting often mirrors the same patterns as gambling—chasing wins, overspending, hiding losses, and the emotional fallout that follows. Young adults, in particular, are vulnerable to the dopamine-driven mechanics embedded in modern collecting and gaming culture.

Unboxed is the first state-level program of its kind, bridging gambling prevention with hobby-specific support.

How It Works:

Weekly PGCC-led Unboxed meetings (virtual and in-person)
Co-branded modules developed in partnership with Collectors MD
Backed by a commitment to fund development and presentation quality
Ongoing access to Collectors MD’s IP, modules, and branding to sustain the program

Why Colorado? Why Now?:

Colorado is home to one of the nation’s strongest problem gambling coalitions. PGCC is leading the way as an early adopter, piloting Unboxed to address the growing overlap between gambling and collecting behaviors.

This model is designed to scale nationally, enabling other states and coalitions to adapt the universal framework for their own communities.

When?:

Date: Every Thursday Evening
Time: 7PM ET | 5PM MT | 4PM PT
Location: Hybrid format: Virtual + In-Person (Lakewood, CO)

To join, simply scan the QR code on the flyer above, use this link, or visit the dedicated page (microsite coming soon).

Join Unboxed: Powered By Collectors MD
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For more information or to connect with a trusted professional through Collectors MD’s growing network, visit collectorsmd.com/resources.

Referral Network Announcement: Traylor Disbrow, LPC-A

Published October 08, 2025

Collectors MD is proud to announce the addition of Traylor Disbrow, LPC-A, to their growing referral and support network.

Traylor is a therapist based in South Carolina who brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to the challenges collectors face. His work spans anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, gambling recovery, and the powerful pull of “immediate gratification” behaviors—whether in collecting, technology use, or spending.

Drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Attachment Theory, Traylor helps clients understand the root of their compulsions while building healthier habits and resilience. His background includes facilitating alcohol and drug recovery groups, working directly with individuals struggling with gambling behaviors, and candidly sharing his own journey with compulsive collecting.

Traylor recently joined founder Alyx Effron on The Collector’s Compass podcast, where he spoke openly about the addictive patterns embedded in collecting, the importance of honest self-reflection, and how peer support and therapy can work hand-in-hand to create lasting change.

Collectors MD has always been about creating a bridge between peer support and professional resources. By welcoming professionals like Traylor into our network, we’re ensuring that members have access to trusted voices who understand both the mechanics of addiction and the unique dynamics of the hobby.

Traylor provides licensed therapy to residents of South Carolina, and offers informal 1:1 conversations and support to collectors nationwide.

Collect With Intention. Heal With Support.
#CollectorsMD | #Therapy | #HobbyHealth | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

Traylor Disbrow’s Psychology Today Profile
Contact Traylor: traylordisbrow@palmettocounseling.com, @traylordisbrow
Watch Episode #6 Of The Collector’s Compass

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For more information or to connect with a trusted professional through Collectors MD’s growing network, visit collectorsmd.com/resources.

Partnership Announcement: Card Ladder

Published September 23, 2025

Collectors MD is excited to announce that Collectors MD has officially joined the Card Ladder affiliate program!

At Collectors MD, our mission is simple: to help collectors collect with intention—not compulsion. That means providing tools, resources, and support that keep the hobby joyful, sustainable, and healthy.

Card Ladder has long been one of the most trusted names in the hobby for tracking card values and providing transparent market data. By partnering together, we’re making it easier for our community to access reliable tools that cut through the hype and support smarter decision-making.

With this partnership, Collectors MD community members will now have direct access to Card Ladder through our affiliate link. By signing up, you’ll not only gain a powerful tool for intentional collecting—you’ll also be supporting the ongoing work we’re doing to build a healthier hobby for everyone.

This is not about speculation or chasing quick flips. It’s about equipping collectors with the knowledge and accountability to stay aligned with their goals and values.

Collectors MD is not anti-hobby—we’re pro-support. And this partnership is another step toward ensuring collectors have the resources they need to thrive.

You can also check out our recent conversation with Chris “HOJ” McGill, Co-Founder of Card Ladder on The Collector’s Compass, where we dig into the state of the hobby, responsible collecting, and why data matters.

Collect With Intention. Heal With Support.
#CollectorsMD | #CardLadder | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

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Referral Network Announcement: Recovery Resources For The Collecting Community

Published September 17, 2025

At Collectors MD, we recognize the importance of making recovery more accessible, stigma-free, and community-driven. For individuals and families affected by compulsive collecting, gambling, or related behaviors, one option for support is Right Choice Recovery, an outpatient treatment provider in New Jersey specializing in gambling and substance use recovery.

When paired with peer-support models like those offered through Collectors MD, resources from providers such as Right Choice Recovery can help create a fuller pathway toward healing. This may include:

Weekly peer-support groups led by Collectors MD.
Licensed clinical care and recovery resources from programs like Right Choice Recovery.
Educational content highlighting the overlap between compulsive collecting and gambling.
Accessible, stigma-free routes to care for those ready to take the next step.

Collectors MD remains committed to building awareness while pointing toward solutions that can support healthier lives both inside and outside the hobby.

If you or someone you know is struggling with compulsive collecting, gambling, or behavioral addiction, help is available—you don’t have to face it alone.

Learn More About Right Choice Recovery
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For more information or to connect with a trusted professional through Collectors MD’s growing network, visit collectorsmd.com/resources.

Referral Network Announcement: Dr. Aakar “Rick” Shah, D.O.

Published August 20, 2025

Collectors MD is proud to announce their partnership with Dr. Aakar “Rick” Shah, D.O., a Board-Certified Family Medicine physician with nearly two decades of experience in Urgent and Immediate Care medicine. Dr. Shah brings a unique perspective to the Collectors MD community—combining extensive medical expertise with his personal passion for collecting.

Dr. Shah joins Collectors MD’s growing referral and support network, which connects collectors with trusted professionals who understand the behavioral, financial, and emotional challenges tied to the hobby. With a clinical background spanning Endeavor Health/Northwest Community Hospital, Northwestern Medicine, and the University of Chicago Hospital system, Dr. Shah has built a reputation for compassionate, hands-on care, and an ability to guide patients through both acute and long-term challenges.

“I’ve seen how stress, anxiety, and compulsive habits can manifest in all areas of life—including hobbies like collecting,” said Dr. Shah. “Collectors MD is creating a space where people can have honest conversations, find community, and get guidance before things spiral. I’m excited to play a small role in that movement.”

Dr. Shah recently joined founder Alyx Effron on The Collector’s Compass podcast for a candid discussion about health, stress management, and how collectors can take proactive steps to engage with the hobby more intentionally.

Beyond his medical career, Dr. Shah is now offering guidance and support sessions for collectors who want to better understand the psychological and physical toll of compulsive behaviors. His fluency in both medical science and collector culture makes him a relatable, trusted voice for those navigating stress, overspending, or burnout in the hobby.

Dr. Shah’s involvement reflects Collectors MD’s mission to blend professional expertise with peer-driven support, helping collectors reclaim balance, reduce harm, and engage with the hobby intentionally.

As part of this partnership, Dr. Shah will be available for informal 1:1 connections with community members nationwide and will be featured across the Collectors MD ecosystem.

Collect With Intention. Heal With Support.
#CollectorsMD | #Therapy | #HobbyHealth | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

Learn More About Dr. Shah
Contact Dr. Shah: Aakar76@gmail.com, @thegeminicollection76
Watch Episode #7 Of The Collector’s Compass

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For more information or to connect with a trusted professional through Collectors MD’s growing network, visit collectorsmd.com/resources.

Collector Appreciation Giveaway #3

Published August 06, 2025

No Buy-Ins. No Trade-Backs. No Gimmicks. Just Gratitude.

To celebrate intentional and responsible collecting, Collectors MD is giving away TWO 2025 Fanatics Emanate Autographed 8x10s—featuring pitching studs Gerrit Cole and Eury Perez—as a heartfelt thank-you for supporting Collectors MD.

This isn’t about hype.
This isn’t about luck.
It’s about healing—and proving that collecting can be fulfilling, not compulsive. A reminder that it’s OKAY to collect with boundaries.

Check Out This Post On IG To Participate:
1. Follow @collectorsmd
2. Like this post and tag two friends
3. Comment below: What does collecting with passion over profit mean to you?
4. Share to your story for an optional bonus entry

We’ll select TWO supporters who genuinely engage and connect with our mission.

They’ll be announced Wednesday, 8/20, before our Weekly Peer-Support Meeting.

Collect With Intention. Not Compulsion.
#CollectorsMD | #Giveaway | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

UPDATE (8/21/25): congratulations to @aguilar.d21 & @walters_alexander on winning our third CMD Collector Appreciation giveaway! Keep an eye out for more of these to come in the future.

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Referral Network Announcement: Dayae Kim Therapy, LMFT

Published July 31, 2025

Collectors MD is proud to announce their partnership with Dayae Kim, LMFT, a Los Angeles-based licensed therapist who brings both professional expertise and personal insight into the emotional and psychological impact of collecting.

Dayae joins Collectors MD’s growing mental health referral network, which connects collectors with trusted, qualified professionals who understand the unique behavioral and emotional challenges tied to the hobby—especially around compulsive spending, anxiety, and identity.

“I’m excited to be part of a platform that’s bringing real conversations and support to an often-overlooked issue,” said Kim. “There’s a tremendous amount of pressure in collecting culture today, and I’ve seen firsthand how it can impact someone’s mental health. It’s powerful to see a community forming around awareness, recovery, and intentionality.”

Dayae recently joined founder Alyx Effron on The Collector’s Compass podcast for a candid conversation about therapy, burnout, self-worth, and how collectors can build healthier relationships with the hobby.

Dayae represents the kind of compassionate, grounded professionals we want in this space. Her understanding of how collecting can mirror gambling behaviors—and how therapy can help people reconnect with balance—is exactly the kind of voice we need more of.

As part of this partnership, Dayae will be featured on the Collectors MD website and referral directory, providing support to California-based collectors and families navigating addiction, stress, and other mental health concerns tied to the hobby. Dayae also offers coaching for individuals who are out-of-state.

Dayae’s involvement reflects the core values of The Collectors MD platform: integrity, empathy, and intention.

Collect With Intention. Heal With Support.
#CollectorsMD | #Therapy | #HobbyHealth | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

Visit Dayae Kim Therapy
Dayae Kim’s Psychology Today Profile
Watch Episode #5 Of The Collector’s Compass

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Join The Conversation On Mantel

For more information or to connect with a trusted professional through Collectors MD’s growing network, visit collectorsmd.com/resources.

Collector Appreciation Giveaway #2

Published July 02, 2025

No Buy-Ins. No Trade-Backs. No Gimmicks. Just Gratitude.

To celebrate reaching 1K followers on IG, Collectors MD is giving away TWO 2024 Fanatics Emanate Autographed 8×10’s—featuring football legends Archie Manning and Mike Singletary—as a heartfelt thank-you for supporting Collectors MD.

This isn’t about luck.
This isn’t about hype.

It’s about healing—and proving that collecting can be fulfilling, not compulsive. A reminder that it’s OKAY to collect with boundaries.

Check Out This Post On IG To Participate:
1. Follow @collectorsmd
2. Like this post and tag two friends
3. Comment below and share what it means to collect with intention

We’ll select TWO supporters who genuinely engage and connect with our mission—announced Wednesday, 7/9 before our Weekly Peer-Support Meeting.

Collect With Intention. Not Compulsion.
#CollectorsMD | #Giveaway | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

UPDATE (7/16/25): congratulations to @averagejoediversedro & @montananorseman on winning our second ever CMD Collector Appreciation giveaway! Keep an eye out for more of these to come in the future.

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CLLCT Feature Article

Published June 30, 2025

Collectors MD is incredibly grateful to be featured in this powerful piece by CLLCT, highlighting the often unspoken side of the hobby—compulsive collecting, financial stress, and the emotional toll chasing can take.

Collectors MD was built to provide a lifeline to those quietly struggling behind the scenes. We’re not here to cancel the hobby—we love the hobby. But if we want to see the hobby continue to grow in a healthy and sustainable direction, then intention, accountability, and mental health have to be part of the conversation.

Read the full article HERE.

If you’re struggling—or know someone who is—you are not alone.

Collect With Intention. Heal With Support.
#CollectorsMD | #CLLCT | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

Read More Articles On CLLCT

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Partnership Announcement: Gamban

Published June 26, 2025

Collectors MD is proud to announce a new partnership between Collectors MD and Gamban, a global leader in digital self-exclusion and online gambling blocking tools.

Building on the momentum of our recently announced partnership with Birches Health, this collaboration adds another critical layer of protection and support—giving collectors and hobbyists access to stigma-free tools that help them recognize harmful patterns and regain control.

As the hobby continues to grow and go mainstream, so do the risks—particularly for young and vulnerable collectors increasingly exposed to gambling-like mechanics through breaking, repacks, and marketplace apps. This partnership is a proactive step toward building accessible protections for those who need them most.

Together, we’re working to ensure collectors have access to:

Personalized, stigma-free tools to help temporarily or permanently block access to high-risk platforms like Whatnot, Fanatics Live, and other gambling-adjacent apps across mobile, tablet, and desktop devices.
A dedicated information page on the Collectors MD website, where visitors will be able to learn more about Gamban, explore how it works, and access direct links to tools, videos, and educational materials—all in one easily accessible space.
Shared education and awareness initiatives through co-branded content, empowering collectors to recognize harmful patterns and take meaningful action.
Proactive outreach and strategic targeting designed to protect impressionable hobbyists—especially children and teens who are most at risk.

This partnership reflects a shared belief in proactive, community-based solutions. We have no intention of canceling the hobby—we just want to ensure we’re protecting the people in it. This is about meeting the moment with care, clarity, and courage.

If you or someone you know is struggling with hobby-related compulsion, gambling behaviors, or lack of control around breaking or marketplace use—help is here.

Collect With Intention. Heal With Support.
#CollectorsMD | #Gamban | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

Visit Our Dedicated Collectors MD x Gamban Landing Page

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For more information or to connect with a trusted professional through Collectors MD’s growing network, visit collectorsmd.com/resources.

Referral Network Announcement: Birches Health

Published June 02, 2025

Collectors MD is proud to announce a new partnership with Birches Health, a nationwide leader in behavioral health support and addiction prevention.

This collaboration marks a powerful step forward in our mission to bring mental wellness, responsible collecting, and real support to the heart of the hobby.

Together, we’re making sure collectors have access to:

Specialized support and resources, including insurance-covered virtual counseling from Birches Health.
Weekly peer-support groups led by Collectors MD.
Custom content produced by experts in the field, helping collectors recognize at-risk behaviors and build healthier habits.
Dedicated, streamlined pathways to care options for those seeking support.

We believe this partnership reinforces what we’ve been building from day one: A movement that doesn’t just talk about the problem—but actively supports the solution.

If you or someone you know is struggling with compulsive collecting, hobby-related stress or behavioral addiction, you are not alone—and help is here.

Visit Our Dedicated Collectors MD x Birches Health Landing Page

Follow Collectors MD On Instagram
Join Our Weekly Support Group
Join The Conversation On Mantel

For more information or to connect with a trusted professional through Collectors MD’s growing network, visit collectorsmd.com/resources.

Collector Appreciation Giveaway #1

Published May 01, 2025

No Buy-Ins. No Trade-Backs. No Gimmicks. Just Gratitude.

Collectors MD is giving away this 2025 Topps Chrome Black Pitch Black dual on-card auto /25 (first on print) of two HOF legends—Frank Thomas & Carlton Fisk—as a thank-you to everyone supporting Collectors MD and helping us build a healthier, more intentional hobby.

This isn’t about luck.
This isn’t about hype.
It’s about healing—and demonstrating that collecting can be fulfilling, not compulsive. A reminder that it’s okay to collect with boundaries.

Check Out This Post On IG To Participate:
1. Follow @collectorsmd
2. Like this post and tag a friend
3. Share what collecting means to you in the comments

We’ll choose someone who engages meaningfully and truly connects with our mission by next Wednesday, 5/7 before our next weekly Peer-Support Meeting.

Collect With Intention. Not Compulsion.
#CollectorsMD | #Giveaway | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

UPDATE (5/7/25): congratulations to @armyatc22 on winning our first ever CMD Collector Appreciation Giveaway! Keep an eye out for more of these to come in the future.

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Join Our Weekly Support Group
Join The Conversation On Mantel