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.

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

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.

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

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.

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!