
Oct 21, 2026 · 33 min
A trading-card heist exposes the strange economics of modern collectibles
$1M Trading Cards Heist, Trevor Milton Returns, The Death Of Common Courtesy | Diet TBPN
The episode connects a nearly million-dollar theft to fragile airline etiquette, ambitious electric vehicles, and the psychology of peak performance.
- 1A FedEx theft near PSA’s headquarters shows how graded trading cards have become valuable enough to demand serious security.
- 2Trevor Milton’s Cyberjet revival raises questions about certification, cockpit redesign, and whether a controversial founder can regain credibility.
- 3The hosts link crowded flights, electric performance SUVs, and athletic flow to a broader debate over comfort, ambition, and overthinking.
Don't miss
A goalie explains that enjoying the game too much can make him consciously overthink his play, leading the hosts into a discussion of flow states.
The brief
Nearly $1 million in graded trading cards disappeared from a FedEx truck outside PSA’s headquarters, prompting questions about certification numbers, insurance, and shipment security.
Trevor Milton’s attempt to revive the Cyberjet private aircraft project brings its development history and FAA certification back into view, while the hosts debate cockpit changes and founder credibility.
An opinion piece about declining airline courtesy leads to complaints about loud calls, videos, seat space, window shades, entertainment, and the economics of flying comfortably.
Mercedes’ announced 1,153-horsepower electric AMG SUV becomes a test of luxury-performance logic: price, range, depreciation, and whether an SUV can deliver sports-car appeal.
The standout exchange comes from a goalie who says having too much fun makes him consciously overthink his play, offering a candid explanation of flow and performance.
What was said on this episode
25 statements · 13 positive · 6 negative · 1 mixed · 5 neutral
The first two stolen card pallets were worth approximately $963,000.
“The value of the first two pallets is estimated to be around $963,000.”
Listen at 1:48
PSA’s job includes shipping valuable trading cards.
“their job is to ship valuable trading cards.”
Listen at 3:19
Every valuable trading-card shipment should be fully insured.
“Every shipment should be fully insured.”
Listen at 3:28
Starting a plane company typically takes a decade or two.
“It just takes a decade to start a plane company, often two, Two decades.”
Listen at 5:43
Cyberjet has held FAA certification for a long time.
“Cyberjet, I believe, has been FAA certified for quite a long time.”
Listen at 5:51
The Cyberjet aircraft achieved FAA certification in October 2005.
“the jet... achieved FAA certification in October of 2005.”
Listen at 7:21
The Cyberjet program built approximately ten aircraft.
“They only built about 10 aircraft across the program.”
Listen at 7:38
Trevor Milton plans to develop Cyberjet’s cockpit independently.
“He's not going to use a Garmin cockpit or a Honeywell cockpit. He's like, I've got to do it myself.”
Listen at 8:51
Cyberjet’s sales pitch is weak.
“I just think it's like a pretty rough. I think it's a rough, rough, rough pitch.”
Listen at 11:09
Cyberjet may offer good value because it needs to sell aircraft.
“the reason you buy right now is because it's going to be a good value because they have to get some planes.”
Listen at 11:51
Many private-jet buyers prioritize features beyond standardized safety.
“A lot of people don't care because the safety is the safety standard, and that's not really where the progression happens.”
Listen at 12:22
People generally respond positively to comeback stories.
“people love a comeback story.”
Listen at 13:32
Cyberjet has effectively no value or prospects.
“It's a zero.”
Listen at 13:46
Demand for private aviation is currently high.
“I think the demand is really high for private aviation.”
Listen at 13:51
Reviving an older aircraft design at a reasonable price is feasible.
“It's not that unreasonable to revive another architecture, even if it's a little outdated, sell it at a reasonable price”
Listen at 13:57
Delta has the best airline movie selection.
“Delta is clearly S tier. They're far and away the best.”
Listen at 21:27
Window-seat passengers should control the window shade.
“if you sit in the window seat, you're the master.”
Listen at 22:16
Courteous passengers should discuss flight preferences with seatmates.
“if you're being really, really courteous, you should, you should have a whole discussion with your seatmate”
Listen at 23:29
Airplane seats should be allocated through live auctions.
“It should all be just open auction.”
Listen at 25:38
John Coogan would not buy Mercedes’ AMG GT 63 SUV.
“Would I buy it? No.”
Listen at 26:46
John Coogan would not recommend Mercedes’ AMG GT 63 SUV.
“Would I recommend a friend or family member buy it? No.”
Listen at 26:48
Mercedes’ AMG GT 63 SUV cannot compete with class rivals.
“I just don't think it can stand up against other products in the class.”
Listen at 27:51
Electric SUVs are sensible, but Mercedes’ SUV cannot drive autonomously.
“Electric SUVs make sense, but this car cannot drive itself.”
Listen at 28:35
BMW XM sales performance has been a major failure.
“the xm has been a massive flop”
Listen at 29:46
Mercedes’ AMG GT 63 SUV will cost considerably less than BMW XM.
“this isn't this is going to be i think Quite a bit less expensive than the XM.”
Listen at 29:50
Statements are attributed to the speaker as said on the episode and reflect their view at the time, not PodLume's. They are not advice.
Weekly email
State of the Pod, every Monday
The week's most-discussed names and stories from podcasts, with the moments behind them. Free, five minutes, unsubscribe in one click.