Options Boot Camp is designed to help get you into peak options trading shape by teaching you options trading inside and out, basic to complex. Listeners can even submit their own options questions to be answered on the show.
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This week on Options Boot Camp, Mark and Dan tackle one of the biggest questions facing traders right now: Are markets underpricing geopolitical risk? They dive into valuation concerns, global uncertainty, and what traders should really be watching. Plus, they explore whether gamma exposure metrics are becoming essential tools or just another overhyped signal. The mailbag is packed with listener questions on the wheel strategy, Bitcoin volatility, crypto options growth, pattern day trading conce...
The "Pattern Day Trading" (PDT) era is officially coming to an end! In this episode, Dan Passarelli and Mark Longo break down the massive regulatory shift coming on June 4th—which some are calling "Trader Independence Day." FINRA is moving away from the rigid $25,000 account minimum for active traders, but as the old saying goes: be careful what you wish for. In this episode, the drill instructors discuss: The Death of PDT: What the removal of the "four trades in five days" rule means for small ...
The drill instructors are going mobile! This week, Options Boot Camp is reporting for duty live from the 2026 Options Industry Conference (OIC). Host Mark Longo is joined on-site by the "black-hatted one" himself, Dan Passarelli of Market Taker Mentoring, to break down the hottest trends and most controversial topics buzzing on the conference floor. From the rapid evolution of 0DTE (Zero Days to Expiration) options in single names to the looming reality of 24/7 equity and options trading, Mark a...
The rise of Zero Day to Expiration (0DTE) options has completely transformed the retail trading landscape, but has the market finally "squeezed the juice" out of premium harvesting? On this episode of Options Boot Camp, Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli dive deep into a "back-of-the-napkin" analysis of 0DTE SPX straddles. They explore whether the massive influx of sellers has pushed premiums so low that it actually makes more sense to be a buyer. Plus, Dan discusses his latest book reaching the Amaz...
Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli delve into Dan's new book, "Build Consistent Wealth with Options," revealing why most traders fail at the Wheel strategy due to a lack of proper mindset. They break down the three pillars (Mindset, Objectives, Methodology), introduce the "Cycle-Recycle" system, and explain how to "rewire your brain" for probabilistic investing. The discussion covers practical tips, custom tools, and managing overlooked aspects like taxes and liquidity for both passive and active investors.
It's Tax Day on the network! Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli tackle the most requested topic of the season: how to keep the IRS out of your options profit. From the simplicity of the IRA "end run" to the mathematical beauty of 60/40 tax treatment on Section 1256 contracts (like SPX), the drill instructors break down how to optimize your tax bill. In this episode, we cover: The IRA Advantage: Why tax-deferred accounts are an options trader's best friend. Section 1256 Contracts: How to get long-term...
Can you handle the Double Calendar? In this episode of Options Boot Camp, the drill instructors tackle a strategy never before discussed on the network. Mark Longo is joined by the "Calendar King of Chicago" himself, John Kmiecik from Market Taker Mentoring (MTM), to break down the Double Calendar Spread. John reveals how the addition of Monday and Wednesday expirations for heavy hitters like Nvidia, Apple, and Tesla has completely shifted the risk-reward profile of time spreads. The guys also d...
Happy April Fool's Day! In this special "Options Fool's Day" edition of Options Boot Camp, Mark Longo is joined by guest instructor John Kmiecik from Market Taker Mentoring (filling in for Dan Passarelli, who may or may not be riding donkeys in Santorini). While the spirit of the day is lighthearted, the lessons on what NOT to do are very real. The duo dives into a "too good to be true" scenario involving high-ratio spreads, exploring the seductive but dangerous world of "free lunch" trading. We...
Is the "Wheel Strategy" making you nervous in a high-volatility market? In this episode, Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli field listener questions about navigating black swan fears, the "Greeks" you should watch when the market moves fast, and whether the AI narrative in Nvidia still has legs. Dan also prepares for his upcoming trip to Greece by getting some questionable advice from Mark about riding donkeys in Santorini and ordering "Euros" at the local taverna. Key topics covered in this episode:...
Fall in, recruits! Mark Longo is back in the Chi-Town studio, braving the cold to get you into peak options trading shape. With the energy markets in a state of high alert and WTI futures seeing massive volume, your drill instructors are here to break down the complex world of oil. In this week's Options Drills, Mark and Dan Passarelli explore: Going to the Source: The benefits of trading WTI and Brent futures for pure, one-to-one correlation. The USO Dilemma: A deep dive into the much-maligned ...
To maximize your reach, I've tailored these descriptions to how people actually find content on each platform. For Libsyn, the focus is on scannability for podcast apps and Google search. For YouTube, the focus is on "Watch Time" signals, Chapters, and keywords that trigger the video algorithm. 1. Libsyn Show Description (RSS & Podcast Apps) Focus: Clear summary, scannability, and high-value links. Options Boot Camp 381: We've Got Two Questions...One for Each of Ya! Is the "Wheel" turning ag...
Fall in, recruits! Today, we're taking one of the most classic range-bound strategies and putting it through the 0DTE (Zero Days to Expiration) ringer. Is the Iron Condor the ultimate strategy for the current market environment, or a recipe for disaster? Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli break down the "Great Iron Condor Renaissance." We move past the basic definitions and get into the "drills," applying this strategy to the new Monday and Wednesday weekly options in the Mag 7. In this episode, we c...
In this episode, the "drill instructors" Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli return for Round 3 of their battle against the machines. With Nvidia (NVDA) earnings taking center stage, they put a premium AI model to the test: can a chatbot actually teach you how to trade the "volatility crush," or is it just repeating bad habits? In this episode, you'll learn: The AI Framework: Analyzing the 6-step checklist for earnings success. The Volatility Crush: Why buying "cheap" weekly calls is often a trap. Str...
On this episode of Options Boot Camp, hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli break down the real-world price tag of portfolio protection. Using current market examples, they walk through what it costs to hedge SPY with puts across different strikes and timeframes, why "insurance" isn't free, and how volatility levels can dramatically change the math. They also tackle the evergreen debate: SPY/SPX puts vs VIX calls—and why VIX products may behave more like a speculative "kicker" than a true one-to-o...
Are 0DTE (Zero Days to Expiration) options a retail revolution or a "gamma circus"? In this episode of Options Boot Camp, Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli dive deep into the explosion of short-dated equity options and what they mean for your portfolio. From the surge in volume for Tesla and Nvidia to the rise of intraday dispersion trading, the "drill instructors" break down the data and the drama behind the newest craze in the options market. In This Episode: 0DTE Data Crunch: We analyze the massi...
In this episode of Options Boot Camp, Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli dive into the high-velocity world of single-name zero-days-to-expiration (0DTE) options. With Monday and Wednesday expiries now live for heavy hitters like Tesla ($TSLA) and Nvidia ($NVDA), the "Drill Instructors" break down the massive trading volume shifts and the potential risks of contra-exercise in American-style options. What's Inside This Episode: The 0DTE Surge: A data-driven look at how much volume is flooding into the ...
Hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli delve into the significant shift of 0DTE options expanding to single stocks like Nvidia and Tesla. They highlight the dangers of 'Contra-Exercise,' a technical risk overlooked by many, explaining how physical settlement differs from cash-settled indices. The discussion covers broker deadlines, scenarios where contra-exercise is needed, and risk management strategies to avoid after-hours surprises.
In this episode, Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli take a nostalgic trip back to the 80s to become the Masters of the Volatility Universe. Whether you're a "Prince Adam" of the markets or just starting your basic training, this episode is a comprehensive refresher on the most important force in options pricing: Volatility. The Drill Instructors break down: Volatility as the Speedometer: Why direction matters less than velocity when measuring vol. Realized vs. Historical Volatility: Understanding the...
Options Boot Camp Episode 373 explores two major themes shaping today's options market: the rapid rise of IBIT options volume and the most misunderstood options trading strategies. Hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli break down why strategies like cash-secured puts, long puts, straddles, butterflies, and iron condors are frequently misused by traders, often due to poor education and unrealistic expectations. The discussion explains why "being okay with assignment" is not the same as wanting assi...
Kick off the new year with a fresh set of options trading resolutions on this episode of Options Boot Camp. Hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli dive into what traders should be focusing on in 2026 — from expanding your options strategy toolbox to managing risk, sizing trades properly, and knowing when not to trade at all. With many traders coming off years of strong equity performance, the hosts explore whether it's time to rethink long-only strategies, reduce concentration risk, or introduce ne...
What a year it was for the options market! From the "unprecedented" volatility of April to a record-breaking 15 billion contracts traded, 2025 was anything but boring. In this special year-end extravaganza, your drill instructors Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli (Market Taker Mentoring) look back at the Top 10 Episodes of 2025 to see what resonated most with traders during this historic year. Mark and Dan dive into the data to reveal the most downloaded topics of the year, spanning everything from ...
Mark Longo and Dan Pasarelli tackle the complexities of vertical spreads, specifically addressing a listener's "horror story" where a winning trade resulted in a loss due to after-hours volatility and broker liquidation. They delve into broker routing, payment for order flow, and market maker psychology behind bid-ask spreads. The discussion also covers the rise of prediction markets, posing questions about distinguishing trades from bets, and concludes with an outlook on silver and cryptocurrency.
In this episode of Options Boot Camp, hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli (Market Taker Mentoring) dive deep into the mechanics of the Wheel Strategy—one of the most popular frameworks for generating consistent options income. Whether you are selling cash-secured puts or managing covered calls, the "Wheel" is a powerful tool for any trader's playbook, but what happens when the market moves against you? Mark and Dan break down the specific scenarios traders face when a trade goes south, offering ...
In this vital Options Bootcamp episode, host Mark Longo from The Options Insider provides an in-depth tutorial on butterfly spread strategies alongside guest Brian Overby from OptionsPlaybook.com. They explore both traditional and advanced butterfly strategies—including the Open Wing Butterfly (often known as a Broken Wing Butterfly) and the Intrinsic Value Butterfly—explaining their practical options trading applications and defined risk/reward benefits. This is essential options trading educat...
In this episode of Options Boot Camp, hosted by Mark Longo (The Options Insider) and Dan Passarelli (Market Taker Mentoring), the discussion covers a variety of topics ranging from the importance of implied volatility and the concept of IV crush, to the future of premium selling in zero-day options, and the growing trend of prediction markets. The hosts also tackle listener questions about trading strategies and market behavior, debate the classification of cranberry sauce as a side dish or topp...
This episode of Options Boot Camp delves deeply into various aspects of binary options trading. The hosts discuss the pros and cons of different types of binary contracts, including $1 to $100 and penny to $1 variations, and explore complications like last-minute fluctuations and liquidity issues. Listeners' questions are addressed, covering topics such as arbitrage opportunities for retail traders and the differences between single-strike and multi-strike binaries. The show also highlights the ...
HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Radio Network CO-HOST: Dan Passarelli, Market Taker Mentoring In this episode, Mark and Dan delve into the latest developments in the options trading market, with AI-generated insights on trends, margin changes, retail shifts, and the growth of extended trading hours. They discuss Cboe's launch of the 'Magnificent 10' index options, OCC's margin rule adjustments for zero-day options, and the increase in retail trading activity. The episode also covers the fo...
HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider CO-HOST: Dan Passarelli, Market Taker Mentoring This episode provides an in-depth exploration of binary options and event contracts. The hosts discuss various platforms like Kalshi, ForecastEx, Polymarket, Nadex, and CME Group, comparing their models and fee structures. The episode highlights the recent rise in popularity of event contracts, differences between traditional and new binary markets, and unique offerings from platforms. They also touch on potent...
HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Media Group CO-HOST: Dan Passarelli, Market Taker Mentoring In this episode, hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli delve into the origin and history of binary options, exploring their initial launch with Head Street, subsequent rebranding under Nadex, and their evolution into more widely accessible and diversified financial products. They discuss the intuitive pricing of binary options, their appeal among retail investors, and the impacts of regulatory changes...
HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Radio Network CO-HOST: Dan Passarelli, Market Taker Mentoring This episode covers listener questions about trading futures and the impact of recent Fed cuts on markets. Other topics include insights into fundamental vs. technical analysis, the lofty PE ratios of the S&P 500 and whether they signal market concerns, and a debate on whether we'll see more warrants issued after GameStop's recent move. The hosts also discuss their personal experiences and per...
