Bodnars Bids and Banter
Step into the thrilling world of auctions with Bodnar’s Bids and Banter! Join auctioneer extraordinaire Joe Bodnar and his lively crew as they take you behind the scenes of one of the busiest auction houses around. From rare collectibles and antique treasures to quirky finds and jaw-dropping deals, each episode showcases the excitement of the bidding wars and the stories behind the items up for grabs. With Joe’s quick wit and infectious energy, the show blends the fast-paced action of live auctions with heartwarming tales, unexpected surprises, and plenty of laughs. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just curious about the thrill of the chase, Bodnar’s Bids and Banter is your ticket to the ultimate auction adventure!
Episodes

12 hours ago
12 hours ago
🎙️ Bodnar’s Bids and Banter Podcast - Episode 15: Live Auctions, Real Estate, and VIP Bidding with Max Spann Jr.
In Episode 15, Joe and Maureen sit down with Max Spann Jr.—real estate auction powerhouse, past president of the NJSSA, and longtime friend of the show—for a candid conversation about the future of auctions.
They reminisce about auctioning million-dollar farms, launching VIP bidder programs, and the chaotic (but fun) days of live events, crowd management, and coffee-fueled marathon sales.
Whether you’re a buyer, seller, or just curious about the auction world, this episode will pull back the curtain on what really goes down behind the mic.
🔥 Topics Covered:
Real estate auctions vs. personal property sales: the inside scoop
How Max and Joe teamed up for massive municipal auctions and private estate deals
What bidders really want—and why hybrid auctions may be the future
Tales from the auction floor: exhaustion, excitement, and emotional sellers
Why trust, transparency, and human connection still matter in the age of AI
💬 Join the Conversation:Would you ever buy a home at auction? Let us know why or why not!📩 bodnarsbidsandbanterpodcast@gmail.com
🔗 Browse Our Upcoming Auctions:🌐 BodnarsAuction.com
📲 Follow Us:Instagram: @BodnarsAuctionFacebook: @BodnarsAuction

Monday Jun 09, 2025
Monday Jun 09, 2025
The holidays came early in this festive episode as Joe, Maureen, Danny, and Tom break down their visit to an elite vintage Christmas show. We're talking $22,000 snowmen, bottle brush trees, mirrored ornaments, and a tree-spinning Regina music box that blew their minds.
They also get serious with a cautionary tale about a client who may have been scammed out of four tackle boxes of gold and Native American jewelry—no contract, no receipts, and lots of regret.
From Civil War memorabilia and political buttons to queer history and auction ethics, this episode is packed with emotion, education, and plenty of laughs.
🔥 Topics Covered:
Incredible finds from a top-tier vintage holiday collectible show
What to look for (and avoid) in estate sales & consignment deals
How historic objects help preserve identity and community stories
Civil War drums, LGBTQ+ archives, and a Regina music box for your Christmas tree
Joe’s origin story: from paperboy to auction pro
💬 Join the Conversation:What’s your most valuable or sentimental holiday collectible?
📩 bodnarsbidsandbanterpodcast@gmail.com
🔗 Browse Our Upcoming Auctions:🌐 BodnarsAuction.com
📲 Follow Us:Instagram: @BodnarsAuctionFacebook: @BodnarsAuction

Monday May 26, 2025
Monday May 26, 2025
Mike Zapcic is back! The comic book guru and Comic Book Men fan favorite joins Joe and Maureen for an hour of pure pop culture auction chaos. From Avengers #151 to a massive multi-day comic sale, this episode dives deep into collecting, nostalgia, and even a moment when Joe and Maureen told each other to go f* themselves**—and why it actually saved the auction.
Mike also shares how he cut up comic ads as a kid, why encyclopedias still matter, and what it was like growing up with six older brothers and a mountain of broken toys.
🔥 Topics Covered:
The upcoming two-part auction with 144+ long boxes of comics
Why Avengers #151 “punched Mike in the face” (in a good way)
Auction pickup horror stories—from squatters to drunks and angry landlords
Eleanor Roosevelt letters, vintage telephones, and pristine matchbox cars
Why hardcover comics are underrated—and also great to drum on 🥁
💬 Join the Conversation:What comic book or childhood collectible still lives in your heart (or attic)?📩 bodnarsbidsandbanterpodcast@gmail.com
🔗 Browse Our Upcoming Auctions:🌐 BodnarsAuction.com
📲 Follow Us:Instagram: @BodnarsAuctionFacebook: @BodnarsAuction

Monday May 26, 2025
Monday May 26, 2025
In Episode 12, the Bodnar crew goes off the rails in the best way possible—recapping a chaotic team photo shoot, swapping stories of 90s mall culture, and diving deep into the May 22nd Disney + Collectibles Auction featuring Nightmare Before Christmas, Peter Pan, Snow White, and more.
Expect tales of abandoned asylums, creepy estate cleanouts, and the $10,000 Fenton glass piece they accidentally undersold. It’s a wild mix of haunted finds, broken toys, and mall food memories (plus a rant about Ronald Reagan for good measure).
🔥 Topics Covered:
Sears photo day chaos & Danny’s perfect poses
The ghost of the Woodbridge Mall and 7 witch bumps in the road 🌒
What’s in the May 22 Disney + Collectibles Auction: WDCC, Lladro, Armani, Swarovski
Joe’s toy trauma: the fire truck he broke as a kid—and still regrets 🧸
Why people hoard broken collectibles (and what they’re really worth)
Pop culture trends that revive the auction market overnight
💬 Join the Conversation:What’s the one toy, movie, or collectible you wish you never let go of?📩 Send your story to: bodnarsbidsandbanterpodcast@gmail.com
🔗 Browse Our Upcoming Auctions:🌐 BodnarsAuction.com
📲 Follow Us:Instagram: @BodnarsAuctionFacebook: @BodnarsAuction

Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
This episode brings the madness! Joe Bodnar and the team share the highs and lows of auction life, including scoring a suitcase of silver coins, surviving a bedpan fight, and dealing with the rollercoaster of post-pandemic antique and art sales.
You’ll hear the real, behind-the-scenes stories of how auctions survive when the market shifts, what happens when customers lose their minds, and the most outrageous dumpster finds we've ever had.
🔥 Topics Covered:
Selling a Blue Comet Lionel train set and rare coins
How a suitcase of pirate silver made it to auction
The time a bedpan became a weapon during an auction fight 🤯
Why art and antiques are a totally different game post-pandemic
Tips on how to avoid losing money on collectibles
💬 Join the Conversation:What’s the weirdest (or coolest) thing you’ve ever rescued from being thrown away?📩 bodnarsbidsandbanterpodcast@gmail.com
🔗 Browse Our Upcoming Auctions:🌐 BodnarsAuction.com
📲 Follow Us:Instagram: @BodnarsAuctionFacebook: @BodnarsAuction

Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
This isn’t your average episode—Kevin Smith, creator of Clerks, Mallrats, and Jay and Silent Bob, joins the crew to talk about fandom, nostalgia, and the crazy world of collecting.
We relive the auction that changed everything—when Kevin unearthed a forgotten binder of comic art and partnered with Bodnar’s for a six-figure auction. He shares his honest reaction, what it was like seeing Joe in action for the first time, and how that moment inspired him to put Joe in a future film!
🔥 Topics Covered:
Kevin’s secret stash: how one dusty binder brought in over $100K
Why “loving what you love” can lead to unexpected success
SMarction: the Kevin Smith auction event at Smodcastle
The art of auctioneering—and why Joe’s voice is movie-worthy
Collecting as passion vs. profit: where does the heart lead?
💬 Join the Conversation:What’s one item from your collection that tells a story? Let us know!📩 bodnarsbidsandbanterpodcast@gmail.com
🔗 Browse Our Upcoming Auctions:🌐 BodnarsAuction.com
📲 Follow Us:Instagram: @BodnarsAuctionFacebook: @BodnarsAuction

Monday Apr 14, 2025
Monday Apr 14, 2025
In this episode, we go deep into the wild world of auctions—featuring smutty comic books that sold for thousands, a $5,000 Star Wars box lost and found a year later, and the team’s honest thoughts on online trolls, negative reviews, and shipping disasters.
The crew also opens up about the stress of packing giant pop culture sales, why photographing toys is a nightmare, and how it felt when one of their podcast clips went mini-viral.
🔥 Topics Covered:
How "smut sells" dominated the latest comic book sale
A shipping horror story from Australia—featuring crushed boxes and happy endings
A peek behind the curtain: responding to negative Google reviews & trolls
The difficulty of photographing reflective toys and handling angry bidders
Why some buyers don’t want others to know about Bodnar’s… and how that affects reviews
What’s coming in the final installment of the McFarlane Toys collection sale
💬 Join the Conversation:Have you had a ridiculous customer experience or shipping disaster? Tell us your story at:📩 bodnarsbidsandbanterpodcast@gmail.com
🔗 Browse Our Upcoming Auctions:🌐 BodnarsAuction.com
📲 Follow Us:Instagram: @BodnarsAuctionFacebook: @BodnarsAuction

Monday Mar 31, 2025
Monday Mar 31, 2025
This week’s episode is a rollercoaster of auction adventures, shocking stories, and real-world tips. Joe, Maureen, Danny, and Tracy dive into the world of scammy art sales, vintage collectibles, and bizarre behind-the-scenes mishaps (including wasp attacks and misplaced orchids!).
We also preview our upcoming art auction, spotlighting a wild range of items from high-end lithographs to bronzes and Victorian revival pieces. Plus, don’t miss Joe’s Beyond the Gavel segment—where a broken totem pole shocked everyone with its final bid.
🔥 Topics Covered:
The dark side of TV art auctions and how they trick buyers
Auction war stories: setup fails, acrylic cases gone wrong, and bee invasions 🐝
Inside GIA: What it’s really like to study diamonds at the Gemological Institute of America
Why market manipulation is a real threat—and how reputable auctions do it differently
Beyond the Gavel: How a busted totem pole sold for over $2,600!
💬 Join the Conversation:Ever made or missed a big score at an auction? Tell us your story or send it to:📩 bodnarsbidsandbanterpodcast@gmail.com
🔗 Explore Our Upcoming Auctions:🌐 BodnarsAuction.com
📲 Follow Us:
Instagram: @BodnarsAuction
Facebook: @BodnarsAuction