OICs Wide World of Options

Hosted by The Options Insider Radio Network

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Episodes

128

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Hosted by Mark Benzaquen, OIC Instructor and Principal, Investor Education at OCC®, the OIC Wide World of Options podcast will feature a dynamic mix of current events, investor resources and strategy insights.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 6, 202623 min

Wide World of Options: Using a Scalpel, Not a Sledgehammer: The Rise of Derivative ETFs

Host Mark Benzaquen sits down with Sara Levin, Managing Director, ETF and Derivative Trading at WallachBeth Capital, for her very first podcast appearance. Fresh off moderating a panel at the Options Industry Conference, Sara breaks down the rapid growth of derivative ETFs — from buffer and defined outcome strategies to FLEX options and box ETFs. She explains how the ETF wrapper has made sophisticated derivatives accessible to both retail and institutional investors, why education remains essential as these worlds collide, and what it really means to take a scalpel rather than a sledgehammer to the market.

July 2, 202630 min

Wide World of Options: The Oxygen of Markets: Making Sense of Volatility

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 conversation takes a lighter turn on life, karaoke, and loving what you do.

June 4, 202618 min

Wide World of Options: The New Frontier: Crypto, Prediction Markets, and the Regulators Watching It All

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.

May 7, 202636 min

Wide World of Options: Demystifying AI in Options Trading

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 or a seasoned investor, this is your guide to understanding one of the biggest shifts happening in financial markets today.

April 2, 202626 min

Wide World of Options: Path Dependency: When Getting from Point A to Point B Isn't Always a Straight Line

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-world returns in ways that a simple beginning and ending price can never fully capture.

March 5, 202625 min

Wide World of Options: Dealer's Choice: When Market Makers Meet Main Street

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.

February 5, 202629 min

Wide World of Options: Options for (Premium) Income: Unpacking Covered Calls & Cash-Secured Puts

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.

January 1, 202625 min

Wide World of Options: Out With the Old, In With the New: A Look at Options for the New Year

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!).

December 4, 202526 min

Wide World of Options: Market Madness, AI Boom and a 2026 Outlook

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 professional projects, including his upcoming book release in April 2026.

November 6, 202522 min

Wide World of Options: ETFs, Indices, and More…Oh My!

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 or pursuing advanced trading strategies, discover how these derivative instruments can enhance your trading toolkit.