Options Boot Camp

Hosted by The Options Insider Radio Network

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401

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Jun 2026

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About the show

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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60 recent

June 11, 2026Episode 39440 min

Options Boot Camp 394: Wild Markets, Wacky Puts and Wet Beef

The markets are getting spicy! In this listener-driven episode, Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli break down the sudden return of volatility, wild 245-point S&P 500 swings, and the VIX crossing back over 20. Topics covered include: Buying Straddles: Is a massive market swing the right time to load up on options premium, or are you buying at the absolute top? Is It Too Late for Puts?: How to hedge when the market drops 4-5% off all-time highs and why the Cboe Skew Index is mostly obtuse for retail traders. The $30 Wheel Rule: Why Dan avoids running the Wheel Strategy on cheap stocks (and how bid-ask spreads quietly crush your profits). Vega vs. Theta: Can you make money if implied volatility (IV) explodes but the stock sits perfectly still? Plus, the guys dig into AI math failures and a massive cultural detour into the only correct way to order a Portillo's Italian beef sandwich (completely dunked!).

June 3, 2026Episode 39340 min

Options Boot Camp 393: Are Weekends Dead?

The traditional closing bell is officially on life support. In this episode of Options Boot Camp, Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli break down the seismic shift hitting the markets: the transition to 23/5 and 24/7 trading for equities and single-stock options. With Cboe securing SEC approval for 23/5 stock trading and launching extended-hours options trading for top names like Apple, Nvidia, Tesla, and Palantir, the guys discuss what this means for liquidity, overnight risk, and the psychological impact on retail traders. We also take a deep dive into the mailbag to answer a vital options theory question: When does theta decay stop helping options sellers? (Hint: Beware the Gamma Beast!)

May 27, 202642 min

Options Boot Camp 392: Are Prediction Markets Too Expensive?

Are prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket a rip-off for retail traders? In this episode of Options Boot Camp, drill instructors Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli break down the exact math behind prediction market fees and compare them directly to equity options commissions. They tackle the biggest complaints about event contract fees, payment for order flow, and why wide bid-ask spreads might actually be a bigger problem than the commissions themselves. The mailbag is also packed with listener questions covering the vertical integration of crypto brokers buying exchanges, handling tech stock crashes while running the Wheel Strategy, the fear of automatic option exercise on expiration Friday, and managing short premium positions. 🔥 EXCLUSIVE LISTENER PROMO: Want a powerful trading platform built by option traders, for option traders? Head over to tastytrade.com/insider to check out the latest listener promotions, maximize your trading edge, and take advantage of elite technology, rates, and support designed to help you succeed!

May 20, 2026Episode 39139 min

Options Boot Camp 391: Geopolitical Risk, Gamma Exposure and Your Deathmatch Wishlists

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 concerns, and broker tools for tracking wheel trades. And yes… the listeners are already building their next Deathmatch wishlists. Plus, hear details on the current tastytrade listener promo, including double rebates at tastytrade.com/insider.

May 13, 2026Episode 39042 min

Options Boot Camp 390: Goodbye Pattern Day Trading, Hello Margin Calls!!!

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 accounts. The New "Dynamic" Risk Models: Why your broker might be watching you closer than ever. The Rise of Margin Calls: Is the trade-off for freedom a more aggressive liquidation environment? Zero-Day Options (0DTE): How the explosion of same-day expiration forced the regulators' hands. Implementation Timelines: Why some legacy brokers might keep you under the old rules until October 2025. Plus, we answer listener questions about the impact of this change on stock volatility and the potential for "call skews" to get bid up by a new wave of retail traders.

May 11, 2026Episode 38933 min

Options Boot Camp 389: Live from OIC 2026

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 and Dan pull back the curtain on where the industry is headed. They also dive into the "everything old is new again" trend of event contracts and prediction markets, the potential pitfalls of tokenizing Apple shares, and whether AI chatbots will soon be the ones recommending your next iron condor. In this episode, we cover: The 0DTE Explosion: A look at how single-name zero-day options became a reality despite industry skepticism. The 24-Hour Market Push: Is 24/7 trading an inevitability, and what does it mean for liquidity and "circuit breaker" rest? The "Wheel" Strategy: Dan discusses the ROI metrics you need for the Wheel and why brokers still struggle to track this strategy holistically. AI and the Virtual Pit: Can a registered chatbot truly understand your personal risk tolerance? Event Contracts & Litigation: Why the next big boom in binary options might lead to a billion-dollar battle between states and exchanges.

April 30, 2026Episode 38840 min

Options Boot Camp 388: Should You Stop Selling ODTE Options?

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 Amazon bestseller lists and tackles listener questions on tracking covered call rolls and the future of 0DTE equity options. On this episode, we break down: The 0DTE Shift: Are we giving away the "weekend decay" for free? Statistical Deep Dive: A look at SPX straddle performance over the last 45 and 80 days. Intraday vs. Close-to-Close: Why path dependency is the secret to 0DTE profitability. The Complexity of Backtesting: Why traditional backtesting models fail in the current 0DTE environment. The "Wheel Death Match": Managing covered calls and tracking roles effectively. Go to tastytrade.com/podcasts to see why genius loves company and how you can take advantage of their industry-leading education and support team.

April 22, 2026Episode 38745 min

Options Boot Camp 387: Kicking Butt with the Wheel Strategy

The Wheel Strategy is often touted as the ultimate "income generator," but most traders get it wrong because they lack the right mindset. In this episode, Mark Longo is joined by Dan Passarelli to discuss his brand-new book, Build Consistent Wealth with Options. They go beyond the basic mechanics to explore the three pillars of the Wheel, why most retail traders fail when they actually get assigned, and how to "rewire your brain" for probabilistic investing. Whether you're a passive investor or an active trader looking for an edge, this deep dive into the "Cycle-Recycle" method will change how you view covered calls and cash-secured puts forever. In this episode, we cover: The Three Pillars: Mindset, Objectives, and Methodology. The "Cycle-Recycle" Trade: Why the Wheel only works as a continuous system. The "Skate" vs. "Trade" Objective: How to decide if you actually want the stock. The PAS Indicator: Dan's custom tool for finding the "sweet spot" in premium. Alpha & Taxes: Maximizing your edge while managing the "silent killers" of wealth.

April 15, 2026Episode 38633 min

Options Boot Camp 386: Tax Tips for Options Traders

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 tax rates on short-term trades. The Complexity of Basis: Why multi-leg spreads can become an accountant's nightmare. Double Calendars: Dan clarifies the "Friday-Monday" spread strategy discussed in previous episodes. Defending The Wheel: Dan responds to critics who call his favorite strategy "garbage." Listener Mail Call: Binging 13 years of options education and overcoming the "overwhelming" start. Check out tastytrade - named best broker for options trading. Genius loves Company.

April 8, 2026Episode 38532 min

Options Boot Camp 385: Double Calendar Madness

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 dive into the "Viceroy Special"—the definitive answer to when you should stop trading options and just buy the stock. On the Drill Floor: The Double Calendar: How to trade two ranges at once with lower cost and risk. The Mid-Week Edge: Leveraging new Monday/Wednesday expirations to your advantage. Spicy Volatility: Strategies to lean into (and which to avoid) when the VIX hits 30. The Rate Cut Debate: Is the market pricing in a pivot or more pain? Whether you're looking to harvest premium or survive a market whipsaw, this episode turns complex concepts into actionable drills. Genius Loves Company: See why Investopedia named Tastytrade the best broker for options in 2024. Get low pricing, elite education, and a support team that actually gets how traders trade at tastytrade.com/podcasts .