In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Eddie Wittner—Founder and President of C3 Grading—a collector-first grading company built around transparency, accessibility, speed, accuracy, and trust.

At a time when grading has become one of the most powerful infrastructure layers in the hobby, collectors are asking bigger questions about pricing, consistency, market control, upcharges, turnaround times, and the overall direction of the grading industry. With Collectors expanding its grading footprint across PSA, SGC, and Beckett, and with ongoing scrutiny surrounding PSA, the conversation around alternatives has never felt more relevant.

C3 Grading has stepped into that moment by offering a different kind of grading experience. With $9 slabs, no hidden fees, no upcharges, fast turnaround times, dual grading, full subgrades, QR-enabled reports, thoughtful slab design, and a customer-first approach, C3 is building around the collector experience instead of simply following the legacy grading model.

In this conversation, Alyx and Eddie break down how C3 Grading started, what Eddie saw missing from the grading space, and why he wanted to build the kind of company he personally wished existed as a collector.

They also discuss the current state of the grading industry, the impact of consolidation, the frustration many collectors feel with mainstream grading companies, and why independent alternatives have a real opportunity to earn trust by focusing on transparency, consistency, and service.

The conversation also dives into the C3 philosophy, including flat-rate pricing, why upcharges bother Eddie philosophically, the importance of dual grading, full subgrades, fading grades, QR reports, slab design, and creating a submission process that feels simple, accessible, and fair.

Alyx and Eddie also talk about the partnership between C3 Grading and Collectors MD, including C3’s inclusion in The Intentional Collector’s Guide, the CMD affiliate code, and C3’s support of the #RipResponsibly movement through thank-you cards and packaging touchpoints.

At its core, this episode is about grading, trust, transparency, collector advocacy, and what it looks like to build a healthier hobby from the infrastructure up.

If you’ve ever submitted cards, questioned grading fees, felt frustrated by upcharges, or wondered where the grading industry is heading, this is a conversation worth listening to.

Because grading isn’t just about the number on the slab—it’s about trust, transparency, and protecting the collector experience.

Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, accountability, transparency, and building a healthier relationship with collecting.

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com

Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: info@collectorsmd.com

YT: ‪@collectorsmd

IG: @collectorsmd

Learn More About C3 Grading:

Website: c3grading.com

YT: @C3Grading

IG: @c3grading

FB: C3 Grading

TT: @c3.grading

Use code CMD to grade cards for $8 per card

Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER

This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind.

#CollectorsMD | #C3Grading | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Kyle Lescalleet—better known online as Cosmic Cards (@CosmicCardsMD)—one of the fastest-rising content creators in the sports card hobby who has built a loyal following through humor, parody, authenticity, and lighthearted hobby content.

At a time when the hobby can often feel consumed by drama, ego, nonstop hype, and financial pressure, Kyle has carved out a unique lane by bringing comedy and self-awareness back into the space. Through skits, hobby influencer impersonations, “day in the life” parody videos, card show content, and relatable collector moments, Kyle has become one of the most refreshing and entertaining voices in the hobby.

In a short period of time, Kyle has amassed nearly 10,000 followers on Instagram, gone viral multiple times, collaborated with major hobby personalities, and built a strong reputation as someone helping restore positivity and comic relief to collecting culture.

In this conversation, Alyx and Kyle break down how Cosmic Cards first started, where the skit ideas come from, and why parody resonates so deeply within the hobby. They discuss everything from influencer culture and hobby stereotypes to card show experiences, viral moments, and the balance between poking fun at the hobby while still genuinely loving it.

They also explore the current state of the hobby and why so many collectors feel exhausted by negativity, outrage culture, social media pressure, and the constant intensity surrounding modern collecting. Kyle shares why humor can actually serve an important role in helping collectors reconnect with the fun, human side of the hobby again.

The conversation also dives into the reality of setting up at card shows, building a personal brand in the hobby, navigating online attention, and staying authentic while growing an audience in a rapidly evolving space.

At its core, this episode is about creativity, community, positivity, and remembering why people fell in love with collecting in the first place.

If you’ve ever laughed at hobby culture, felt overwhelmed by the seriousness of the space, or just miss when collecting felt simple and fun, this is a conversation worth listening to. Sometimes the best way to understand and appreciate the hobby, is to laugh at it a little.

Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, accountability, positivity, and building a healthier relationship with collecting.

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com

Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: info@collectorsmd.com

YT: ‪@collectorsmd

IG: @collectorsmd

Follow Kyle:

YT: @CosmicCardsMD

IG: @cosmiccardsmd

X: @cosmiccardsmd

TT: @cosmiccardsmd

Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER

This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind.

#CollectorsMD | #CosmicCards | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Rob Sackowitz—Founder, CEO, and Co-Owner of Right Choice Recovery, a leading addiction treatment center in New Jersey, specializing in substance use, mental health, and gambling addiction.

With 13+ years of sobriety from both substance use and gambling addiction, Rob has transformed his own recovery journey into a mission to help others. What was once his greatest struggle ultimately became the foundation for Right Choice Recovery.

This conversation is especially meaningful for Alyx, who attended Right Choice from 2023–2024 before later joining the team part-time. Since September 2025, he has facilitated gambling addiction groups across multiple programs, offering a unique perspective as both a former client and recovery professional.

Together, Alyx and Rob explore what addiction really looks like beneath the surface, why gambling often remains hidden until significant damage has occurred, and the difference between simply stopping a behavior and building lasting recovery. They discuss accountability, step work, service, and the role lived experience can play in helping others heal.

The conversation also examines the growing overlap between gambling addiction and compulsive collecting, highlighting the importance of awareness, early intervention, and adapting treatment approaches to emerging behaviors.

At its core, this episode is about recovery, transformation, and turning pain into purpose.

If you’ve ever struggled with gambling, addiction, or behaviors that feel difficult to control—or want to better understand what recovery really looks like—this is a conversation worth hearing. Sometimes the thing that nearly breaks you becomes the thing that gives your life purpose.

Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, accountability, and building a healthier relationship with collecting.

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: bio.collectorsmd.com

Weekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: info@collectorsmd.com

YT: ‪@collectorsmd

IG: @collectorsmd

Learn More About Right Choice Recovery:

Website: rightchoicerecoverynj.com

Phone: (732) 733-4584

YT: @rightchoicerecovery

IG: @rightchoicerecovery

FB: Right Choice Recovery

TT: @rightchoicerecovery

Help for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER

This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind.

#CollectorsMD | #RightChoiceRecovery | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly