1219 - My Dirty Jobs

Dr. James Beckett: Sports Card Insights

In this special birthday episode, Dr. Beckett takes a personal dive into his life's journey, covers his early experiences, navigating through various challenging and enlightening jobs. He shares tales from his high school and college days, marked by eclectic jobs that ranged from the grueling to the insightful, all contributing to his education in both the literal and figurative senses. Moving into graduate school, Beckett discusses how he balanced his studies with income-generating activities, including umpiring and engaging in the budding sports card trade. His narrative then transitions into his professional life, highlighting his teaching career, expert witness consulting, then Beckett Publications, culminating in his semi-retirement, though he remains active in the card community, enjoying the hobby and offering consultancy. Throughout the episode, Beckett emphasizes the importance of patience, hard work, and sharp focus on interests, ultimately advocating for a life well-lived through perseverance, personal growth, and the pursuit of passion.

01:03 Early Money-Making Ventures
02:58 High School: Garbage Trucks and Lumber Yards
04:52 College Years: Many Part-Time Jobs
09:04 Grad School Moonlighting
13:08 The Birth of Beckett Publications and Beyond
15:13 Semi-Retirement: Podcasting, Collecting, Consulting