The Options Insider Radio Network

Latest Episodes:

The Option Block 1451: Crude, Vol and Predictions...Oh My! Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

Strap in for a high-octane episode of The Option Block as the All-Star panel breaks down a "day trader's paradise." Host Mark Longo is joined by "Uncle Mike" Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) and "The Flowmaster" Henry Schwartz (Cboe Global Markets) to navigate a market defined by red screens, spiking crude oil, and the return of prediction markets.

In this episode, we dive into:

The Trading Block: A look at the "wild and wooly" week in the markets, from the S&P 500 hovering at 6,700 to VIX hitting 35.
The Prediction Game: Why binary event contracts on XSP are the "new hotness" and how Cboe is simplifying the options landscape for new traders.
The Odd Block: Unusual activity in Mosaic (MOS), Barclays (BCS), and a massive 50% jump in Lightwave Logic (LWLG).
Mail Block: The panel answers your questions on the Iran conflict's market impact and whether VIX 70 calls are a genius hedge or "WTF" territory.
Around the Block: Predictions for the week ahead, including earnings from Adobe and Beyond Meat, and why "the only source of unbiased news is the S&P 500 chart."

Options Boot Camp 381: We've Got Two Questions...One for Each of Ya! Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

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 against you? Are you obsessing over direction while the pros look elsewhere?

In this episode of Options Boot Camp, your drill instructors Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli tackle a rapid-fire mail call to help you navigate the complexities of the options market. From the viability of the Ratio Stock Repair strategy to the psychological divide between beginner and veteran traders, we break down the tactics you need to survive and thrive.

We also dive deep into the changing landscape of Crypto Options, specifically how the explosion of IBIT (BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF) has shifted market skew to look more like traditional equities—and what that means for your income-generating strategies.

In This Episode:

The Wheel Strategy: Is Ratio Stock Repair the best escape hatch for a losing wheel trade?
Beginner vs. Pro: Why novices fixate on Delta while experts prioritize Volatility and Time.
0DTE Popularity: Analyzing the massive liquidity surge in equity zero-days.
The 90% Myth: Debunking the classic "options expire worthless" statistic.
Time Spreads (Calendars): The one thing most traders get wrong about Volatility Term Structure.
Bitcoin Evolution: How IBIT has "democratized" Bitcoin options and changed the skew.

Check out more from the Options Insider Radio Network:

Pro Trading Crate: theoptionsinsider.com/pro
Education & Brokerage: tastytrade.com/podcasts
Advanced Training: markettaker.com

The Option Block 1450: Live from the FIA Boca Conference 2026 Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

Volatility is back with a vengeance! In this special episode, Mark Longo reports live from the FIA Boca Conference 2026 while the markets take a nosedive. As the S&P 500 flirts with red for the year and the VIX threatens the 30-handle, the All-Star panel breaks down the chaos.

Joining Mark to dissect the madness are Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi from OptionPit.com and "Uncle" Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management.

On This Episode:

The Trading Block: A deep dive into the "Day Trader's Paradise." We discuss WTI breaking the $100 par strike, the resilience of the S&P 500, and why the small-caps (IWM) are turning back into a pumpkin.
VIX Watch: Analyzing the massive paper hitting the tape, including heavy activity in the April 60 calls.
The Odd Block: The Rock Lobster spots unusual activity in Wells Fargo (WFC), a massive closing trade in United Airlines (UAL), and the wild 38% surge in Hims & Hers (HIMS).
Strategy Block: Uncle Mike schools us on Covered Call management in a falling market. Do you sit on your hands, buy a protective wing, or roll for time?
Around the Block: Predictions for the rest of the week, including the "daily miasma" of oil prices and the "dark horse" potential of Silver and Gold.

Featured Broker: Tastytrade.com/podcasts Go Pro: TheOptionsInsider.com/Pro

The Hot Options Report: 03-06-26 Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

The market may be melting down, but the options tape is heating up! Join us for the Friday, March 6th edition of The Hot Options Report as we wrap up a volatile week. We're diving deep into the "1K Oddball Scan" to uncover massive spreads hidden outside the major indexes and breaking down the massive volume moving the needle in the top 10 most active symbols.

In this episode, we cover:

The 1K Oddball Scan: Why SM, SMCI, SILJ, ORCL, and SMR are lighting up the scanners with massive ratio spreads.
Marvell's (MRVL) Earnings Banger: A nearly 18% rally despite a broader market sell-off—did the $90 calls pay off?
The "Almost Index" Volume: Why SoFi (SOFI) is seeing massive 160k contract prints on the March 23 calls.
Tech Under Pressure: Breaking down the late-day action and "worthless" sweeps in Nvidia (NVDA), Apple (AAPL), and AMD.
Tesla (TSLA) & Amazon (AMZN): A look at the battle for the "Par" strikes as the week comes to a close.

Whether you're tracking golden sweeps or hunting for stealthy badges, we have the flow you need to stay ahead.

Visit TheHotOptionsReport.com for real-time scans and professional options data.

Volatility Views 671: Revenge of the Loggins? Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

The VIX is screaming higher, hitting a 27 handle as the "Danger Zone" officially reopens. On this episode of Volatility Views, Mark Longo is joined by Russell Rhoads, Andrew Giovinazzi, and Matt Amberson to break down a chaotic week fueled by active conflict in the Middle East and a "charitably termed" terrible non-farm payrolls number. Plus, the legend himself, Kenny Loggins, returns to the program as volatility looks skyward.

On this episode, the panel dives into:

The Volatility Review: Analyzing the 6-point spike in VIX Cash and the massive 15-point jump in the VVIX.
The Oracle of New Hampshire: Matt Amberson (ORATS) explains why things are spicy enough for him to start buying straight puts.
Russell Rhoads' Weekly Rundown: A deep dive into VIX option flow, including the massive interest in the March 20 puts and the July 60 calls.
The Return of the Loggins: Kenny Loggins joins the show as the market flirts with "panic" territory and the backwardation deepens.
Stagflation Worries: Andrew Giovinazzi and the team discuss why $90 oil and bad employment data are a nightmare for the Fed.
Crystal Ball: The team makes their bold (and high) VIX prognostications for next week.

TWIFO 487: An Explosive Week in Energy, Equity, Crypto and More Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

The markets are anything but calm this week. Join host Mark Longo and special guest Erik Norland, Chief Economist at CME Group, as they break down a historic surge in volatility across every major asset class. From geopolitical tensions driving double-digit moves in crude oil to the "incoherent" signals between gold and treasury yields, we dive deep into the data you need to navigate this changing landscape.

On this episode, we discuss:

Energy: WTI Crude's 21%+ surge—is the market pricing in a long-term Middle East disruption, or is the move surprisingly muted?
Metals: Why Gold and Silver are decoupling from the "flight to quality" narrative and what the 6,000 strike in Gold tells us about long-term sentiment.
Crypto: The "Digital Gold" debate—Erik explains why the correlation between Bitcoin and Gold remains near zero despite the recent volatility.
Rates & Credit Spreads: A look at the massive volume in 10-year notes and why narrowing credit spreads might be ignoring brewing risks in private credit.
Equities: The rotation from large-caps to small-caps—is the Russell 2000 rally overdone, or is there more room to run?

The Option Block 1449: Yet Another Blood-Red Thursday Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

The markets are seeing red, and the "Flowmaster" Henry Schwartz is back to take the blame for another Thursday sell-off! Join Mark Longo, Uncle Mike Tosaw, and Henry Schwartz as they dissect a volatile session where the S&P 500 is testing key levels and the VIX is flirting with a 25 handle.

In this episode, the panel explores the unusual correlation of "risk-off" sentiment—where even gold and silver are being dumped alongside equities—and whether crypto is actually acting as the new flight-to-safety asset.

Key Topics Discussed:

The Trading Block: A deep dive into the VIX spike, the S&P's magnet-like attraction to the 6845 level, and a breakdown of February's record-breaking trading volume (1.32 billion contracts!).
Sector Analysis: Why industrials (XLI) are leading the decline while energy (XLE) remains a lone green shoot.
The Odd Block: Unusual activity in StubHub (STUB) following a post-earnings puke, a predictable "jelly roll" in Hertz (HTZ), and a curious call buyer in Warner Music Group (WMG).
Crypto vs. Metals: Analyzing the surprising resilience of Bitcoin earlier in the week versus the traditional flight to quality in gold.
Mail Block: The panel reviews listener sentiment on cheap VIX puts and how long the current geopolitical conflict will impact market volatility.

The Hot Options Report: 03-05-26 Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Hot Options Report, Mark Longo breaks down the stocks dominating the options market and the trades lighting up the tape. Nvidia (NVDA) takes the top spot once again as options traders pile into short-dated calls following a sharp intraday recovery back above the $180 level. Meanwhile Broadcom (AVGO) surges nearly 5% after earnings, drawing heavy options activity as traders position around key levels.

We also explore unusual and stealthy options trades from the 10K Club, including activity in VIX, Wells Fargo, Warner Bros. Discovery, and HYG, along with today's most active options names.

Other major stocks driving options flow today include:

Tesla (TSLA) recovering off earlier lows
Microsoft (MSFT) pushing higher with heavy near-term call activity
Amazon (AMZN) flirting with the $220 level
Apple (AAPL) seeing large in-the-money put activity
Palantir (PLTR) and SoFi (SOFI) attracting speculative options flows

Tune in for a fast-paced breakdown of the Top 10 most active options stocks, key strikes traders are targeting, and the trades that could shape tomorrow's market action.

If it's lighting up the options tape, you'll hear about it on The Hot Options Report. For more options data, go to TheHotOptionsReport.com.

Wide World of Options: Dealer's Choice: When Market Makers Meet Main Street Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

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.

The Futures Rundown 68: Energy is Inescapable Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

Energy is the "800-pound gorilla" in the markets this week. As geopolitical tensions escalate in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz becomes a critical flashpoint, products like crude oil, heating oil, and RBOB are dominating the tape. Is this a permanent shift or a temporary shock?

In this episode, host Mark Longo is joined by Brian Pieri, founder of Energy Rogue, to break down the "geopolitical premium" currently baked into energy prices. We dive deep into why energy is truly inescapable for any futures trader and why one specific product—heating oil—is outperforming the rest of the complex by nearly 30% in a single week.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Why 20-25 million barrels a day are at risk and what "naval escorts" actually mean for supply.
Crude Oil Outlook: Brian's case for why WTI and Brent might actually head back to the $60s despite the headlines.
The "Heating Oil" Phenomenon: Analyzing the massive spread between gasoline (RBOB) and distillates.
The Trading Pit: Winners and losers in Silver, Palladium, and a surprising rally in Bitcoin futures.

Resources:

Analyze the markets with Brian: EnergyRogue.com
Futures Brokerage: tastytrade.com/podcasts
Join the Network: TheOptionsInsider.com/Pro

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