OICs Wide World of Options

In this episode, host Mark Benzaquen sits down with Steve Sosnick, Chief Strategist at Interactive Brokers, to explore the evolution of volatility from a simple pricing input to a full-fledged asset class. Steve breaks down the VIX, pushes back on the "fear gauge" label, and shares how investors at every level are using volatility-linked products to hedge risk and capture opportunity — before the...

From election contracts to crypto derivatives, a new generation of markets is raising complex questions about oversight, jurisdiction and investor protection. In this all-new episode of Wide World of Options, former CFTC commissioner Dawn Stump sits down to explore how these products work, who's watching and where the regulatory lines are still being drawn.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the world of options trading but what does that actually mean? In this episode of Wide World of Options, host Mark Benzaquen welcomes Financial AI founder and CEO, Pouya Taahol, as he breaks down how investors are using machine learning, predictive analytics, and automation, and explores the questions every trader should be asking. Whether you're new to options...

In investing, we're often fixated on outcomes, where a stock starts and where it ends up. But how a stock gets from one price to another can matter just as much as the destination itself. In this latest episode of the Wide World of Options podcast, host Mark Benzaquen welcomes guest Jay Soloff of Investor's Alley to discuss Path Dependency and how it can shape risk, investor behavior, and real-wor...

Ever wonder what separates the folks pricing options on a trading floor from you clicking "buy" on your phone? In this episode of Wide World of Options, host Mark Benzaquen welcomes market maker Wes Breton of Breton Holdings, LLC to help break down the surprisingly symbiotic relationship between market makers and retail traders. 

Two of the most popular strategies for generating income through options are covered calls and cash-secured puts. In this episode of Wide World of Options, host Mark Benzaquen is joined by Dr. Alan Ellman of The Blue Collar Investor Corp to explore the fundamentals of these approaches including how to select strikes, manage risk, and navigate assignment scenarios. 

It is said that "history repeats itself," but does that go for the options markets as well? Join show host Mark Benzaquen as he welcomes Jessica Inskip of StockBrokers.com to recap 2025, discuss 2026 predictions and the best ways to get started on your New Year's resolutions (assuming they entail learning about options!). 

Join host Mark Benzaquen for the final Wide World of Options broadcast of 2025 featuring Market Taker Mentoring's Dan Passarelli. In this insightful episode, Dan shares his perspective on the surprising market valuations of 2025, offers his outlook for 2026, and discusses the evolution of retail options traders. The conversation concludes with a fun lightning round, with a look into Dan's professi...

Host Mark Benzaquen welcomes Bill O'Keefe from Cboe Global Markets for a discussion on the versatile world of options trading - beyond individual stocks. This episode explores how ETF options can provide exposure to entire sectors with built-in diversification , and the potential advantages and disadvantages of trading index options for broad market exposure. Whether you're hedging portfolio risk...

Explore iron condors with show host Mark Benzaquen and special guest Luis Silva of Sigma Options as they explain this low-volatility options strategy, including its four-legged structure and essential risk management techniques. Whether you're an experienced options trader or just looking to expand your investment toolkit, this is an episode you won't want to miss! 

Looking to take the next step beyond vertical debit or credit spreads? Then join host Mark Benzaquen as he welcomes Tony Zhang of OptionsPlay to discuss calendars and diagonals: how they're structured, how they're priced, and how to potentially manage the position.

In this final episode from our Tales from the Road series, host Mark Benzaquen is joined by Patty Schuler of BOX Options Market and Kevin Davitt from Nasdaq – two educators with a unique perspective on options. Listen in as they talk about significant industry trends, how technology is driving innovation, and the role exchanges play in educating retail investors. 

Join the Wide World of Options show on the road as host Mark Benzaquen welcomes JJ Kinahan and Jermal Chandler of IG North America (better known to investors as TastyTrade) as they talk about key challenges and opportunities for the retail trader and how technology is driving market growth. 

Join the Wide World of Options show as we hit the road again for great conversations with some of the industry's most-recognized names. In this all-new episode, host Mark Benzaquen talks with Steve Sosnick of Interactive Brokers and Joe Mazzola of Schwab about the state of the options industry, volatility opportunities and roadblocks, and recent marketplace innovations.

When it comes to options, buying and selling are two sides of the same coin. But what factors might investors consider when deciding to buy or sell? Join OIC Instructor and show host Mark Benzaquen as he welcomes Jessica Inskip of StockBrokers.com for a lively and informative discussion on forecast & objective, implied volatility considerations and the impact of the Greeks. 

Apart from volatility metrics, investors might also look to the mechanics of implied volatility to help decipher option values. Join  show host Mark Benzaquen as he welcomes back Dan Passarelli of Market Taker Mentoring to discuss volatility concepts including standard deviation, tail risk, and the Rule of 16. 

In this episode, show host Mark Benzaquen welcomes Brian Overby of OptionsPlaybook.com to discuss the downfalls and potential opportunities for profits in the wake of volatile markets.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced options investor, understanding the Greeks is essential to managing risk and making informed market decisions. In this episode, host Mark Benzaquen welcomes Ankit Mehra of Mehra Wealth Management to discuss Delta, Gamma, Theta, Vega and Rho – and breaks down the concepts to explain how each can impact options pricing and trading strategies. 

2025 is the year of the snake and with that brings wisdom, intuition and transformation, so kick off this year of personal growth with some new options education. Join show host, Mark Benzaquen, as he welcomes special guest Emily Kurtz of  Public.com  for a discussion on fundamental concepts and terminology of options including calls & puts, strike price, expiration, exercise & assignment and mone...

Have you ever had trouble understanding the concept of option Greeks because of the math involved? If so, join host Mark Benzaquen and fellow OIC instructor Mat Cashman as they make their way through Delta, Gamma, and Theta using metaphor rather than math in this insightful and unique look at the Greeks.

In this Wide World of Options episode, host Mark Benzaquen welcomes Ed Tom, Senior Director - Cboe, to discuss volatility indices and products. 

To spotlight topics covered in the October OIC webinar series, Wide World of Options host Mark Benzaquen welcomes Dan Passarelli of Market Taker Mentoring to discuss 0DTE and volume in ETFs and indices. 

In this final session of our summer Tales from the Road series, we welcome OIC friends Kevin Davitt of Nasdaq, Patty Schuler of the BOX Options Exchange, and Gary Franklin of Raymond James as they join host Mark Benzaquen for frank discussions about recent market trends, the experience of being a woman on the trading floor, and challenges going forward.

For August, Wide World of Options is featuring recent conversations with some familiar industry names. In this episode, Arianne Adams of Webull, Lex Luthringshausen of Tradier and JJ Kinahan from IG North America join host Mark Benzaquen for discussions about making the market more accessible to a wider audience of investors, how AI might shape the future of trading, and lessons learned over stori...

For July, Wide World of Options is continuing to feature recent conversations with some of the industry's biggest names. In this episode, Meaghan Dugan of the NYSE, Kevin McCarthy of Clear Street and Steve Sosnick of IBKR offer their take on what has propelled record trading volume, how the markets can be made more accessible to a wider range of investors, and recent industry trends.