In this episode of the Evan Carmichael Show, Evan and co‑host Nina discuss a box of unused hockey cards that have been taking up space in their condo. After a dealer deems them worthless, they decide to give the cards away for free via a Kijiji post, asking respondents to share why they want the cards and their personal stories. The hosts read several submissions, ranging from casual collectors to a heartfelt plea from Stephanie, who wants the cards as a sentimental gift for her fiancé Jamie, who is about to become a father. After deliberation, they select Stephanie’s entry as the winner, citing the emotional connection and love theme. The segment concludes with two entrepreneurial takeaways: (1) declutter and let go of items that occupy space without value, and (2) do thoughtful, love‑focused gestures for partners. The episode ends with typical show sign‑offs and a promotion for Evan’s newsletter.
Chapters
Welcome to the Evan Carmichael Show.
To the show?
No. This is Nina. Hi. Hi. So we've been cleaning up. I've been cleaning up. Have we been cleaning up? You've been cleaning up. I've been cleaning up.
Slowly.
So I've been cleaning up slowly, as Nina says, and I've come across these sports cards. There's some hockey cards, and I don't even know how I came across these ones, and I took them to the dealer. We went to the dealer and he said they're basically not worth anything, which is very sad. Tears. He wouldn't even take them. He wouldn't give me anything for them. Nothing. Not even a dollar. So I struggled and I held on to them. I wasn't sure what to do with them because I don't want to just throw them away. I feel like somebody could benefit from them. You know, there's Doug Gilmour. Leaf Nation. Doug Gilmour on the front. Anyway, so I didn't know what to do with them and they've been kind of sitting in my place for months and months and months. I've had these for years and you just carry them from place to place to place. We live in a condo and it's a pretty big condo and it's basically the right size for us.
No.
But just this box is taking up too much space in our condo right now. So okay, we gotta find a home. So what I did was I posted on Kijiji and I said cards for free, free cards, but tell me why you're interested in them and Give me your story and we'll pick who gets it. So Nina and I are going to now pick the winner of who gets the cards. Okay, so here are the entries. So I said, give me a story, tell me why. Okay, first one from Janeck. Hello, thanks for offering these up for others. I would want them because I love collecting all sorts of things along with sports memorabilia, and I keep them in very good condition, and I just love collecting. Anywho, have a good day. That's okay, that's Average. I don't feel like serious passion out of that one. Tdot. Tdot, that's Toronto. I'm already feeling it. Tdot. And City. Recently started getting back into sports cards because I love sports, but I gave all my childhood cards away to friends. I would love to take over your collection and keep growing it. Let me know if they're still looking for a good home. That one I feel a little, a little, a little better. What do you think?
Because it's Tdot?
No, no, like I feel bad for the guy. Like he gave all his cards away.
He gave away, he doesn't have to. Yeah, but he gave them away as a kid.
Maybe his mom forced him to.
No, he did say he gave all his childhood cards away to friends. Doesn't mean that he gave away when he was a kid.
Maybe his wife forced him to. Moving on to the next one. J Santa. I you— what the heck is that? O still— J Santa, maybe I don't know. Hi, o still have the cards? Oh yeah, hi, do you still have the cards? I lost all mine in a fire, so it mean— the world to me to get some to start collecting, agent. Oh my God.
Collecting again.
Oh my God, the typos are out of control on this one. But I feel bad for this guy, he lost all his cards in a fire. What do you think? Do you think fire or they gave it away to my friends, the guy whose wife forced him to get rid of the cards?
This one, okay.
The fire? Yeah. But the grammar is just out of control on this. Okay, fine. Hi, I will take them. Can pick up on Monday.
No, next Monday.
Wow. Listen, Roger B, I'm not feeling this answer. Okay, next. Do you still have the hockey cards, Sponsor? No. No, Sponsor. That is not an emotional appeal. Next. RMC. I'm interested in some cards for son. If they're free, I can give you my address and you can mail them to me. I don't think so. You're picking these up, friend. That would be much appreciated.
No.
I mean, it's for his son, so that's good.
Well, but if he's paying the mail— But mail them?
I'm not paying the mail. These are free hockey cards, son! Hello, my name is Steph and I am interested in your card collection for my fiancé Jamie. Ooh, that's a good start. His entire life Jamie seems to have had two aspirations: to play hockey and be a dad. He plays hockey still, though not at the level he once hoped, and avidly follows just about every team in the NHL. To make it better, Jamie will get his second hope and become a dad in April. Ah, that's a happy story. Stephanie. My sister's name is Stephanie. Your niece's name is Stephanie. Mm-hmm. It's my niece too, right?
Yeah.
That's how it works. Mm-hmm. We are getting married in December and have been looking for a special gift for Jamie, something that had sentimental value to him and he would be able to hold on to. Pocket cards hadn't even occurred to me until now, but they would be perfect to frame a couple or hold into a book. He would have a little something of the hockey and players he grew up with. On top of that, I know he's hoping our kids will love hockey too, and he would absolutely share those memories with them. He saved all his Matchbox cars from his childhood when he found them at his mom's last year for when we have kids. I think it's a secret, but he's pretty sentimental. I'd love to be able to give all that to Jamie one way or another. I doubt it would matter much who the players were. He knows everyone. If you could help me with this, I'd greatly appreciate your generosity. If not, I want to thank you for some fantastic inspiration. Warm regards, Stephanie. It's pretty good. I'm feeling it.
Yeah, but this is the baseball card.
No, these are hockey.
Oh, these are hockey cards?
Yeah, mostly hockey.
Oh, okay.
I think it's really nice when your wife does good things for you.
You mean I don't do good things for you?
No, no, I'm talking about him.
I know, I feel there's something there.
No, no, I feel like it's nice to surprise your husband with a gift like this, and I'm feeling like Stephanie is in the lead so far. What do you feel like? I think it's a— well, they're fiancés, but they're gonna get married in December. Oh, it's for their wedding. I think it's a nice— it's a heartwarming story. Oh, that's the last one! We're done! Okay, I'm going with Stephanie, the fiancée, because I love love. What do you think? Do we love love? Uh-huh. Okay, Stephanie, winner! So, lesson for entrepreneurs: Number 1: Get rid of stuff that is taking up spots in your tiny condo and stop moving things from one house to another to another if you're not really valuing it. Lesson 2: Do nice things for your fiancé or husband and wife.
Or girlfriend.
Or girlfriend. Well, yeah, girlfriend. And number 3: Love, love. Love is good. Love, love. That's it, we're done. Yay! New cards, new home, new clo— no, we're not getting new cards. New home for the cards. That's it.
Yay! More space for me.
More space for you?
Yeah.
Why?
To store my stuff.
No, that means more like peace of mind for me. But there's less cards. Okay, that's it. Believe, subscribe, comment, like. Bye!
Bye!
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