In this episode of Wealth Building with Options, host Dan Passarelli explores one of the most powerful, yet often overlooked, concepts in successful trading: edge. Whether you're seeking an advantage like a card counter at the blackjack table or building consistency through disciplined investing, edge—the measurable statistical advantage—is what separates consistent winners from the rest.

Dan also shares stories from the trading floor and insights from professional mentors, blending theory with real-world examples in a way that brings clarity to complex topics.

Even a 1–2% edge can significantly improve your trading outcomes—especially when compounded over time. Dan explains how mastering these analytical tools can help you trade more confidently and profitably, while avoiding common mistakes.

Subscribe to the show to catch Episode 22, where Dan dives deep into buy-writes and how to maximize capital efficiency using this foundational strategy.

To support the show and get access to exclusive episodes, trade breakdowns, and AMAs, visit:

Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Please review the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before trading.

To learn more about Dan Passarelli and the Market Taker Mentoring community, visit MarketTaker.com

Description:

In this episode, Dan shares a hilariously frustrating story about building a backyard garden with his daughter — and how forgetting one small measurement led to a big headache. Then he breaks down how that same mistake shows up in options trading when traders skip the fundamentals and just “wing it.”

Covered calls and cash-secured puts might seem simple — but if you’re not following this checklist, you’re likely doing it wrong. This episode gives you the must-follow framework to avoid costly errors and start trading with clarity and confidence.

You’ll Learn:

Key Insight:

“You don’t get to think outside the box until you know what’s inside it.”

Don’t Miss:

Be sure to read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before investing with options. Options involve risk, only risk capital should be used. 

In this episode of Wealth Building with Options, Dan dives deep into the three critical criteria for selecting the best strike and expiration when selling cash-secured puts:

Dan breaks down the logic behind what makes these factors so valuable—especially for investors who want to either generate premium or strategically acquire stock. He shares some "campfire knowledge" and real-world tactics that go far beyond theory and into practical application.

Dan is joined by John Kmiecik, who shares how he guides students to find optimal support levels using multiple timeframes, how he filters out the chart “noise,” and what technical indicators (like RSI and moving averages) may or may not be worth your time.

Whether you're trying to invest more confidently or fine-tune your entry points, this episode will give you a sharper lens for executing cash-secured put strategies like a pro.

“Some of this is campfire knowledge... but a lot of it is what I’ve learned from trading for decades.” — Dan Passarelli

“Support and resistance have made it through thick and thin with me. I’ve divorced a lot of technical indicators, but I’m still married to support.” — John Kmiecik

“It’s not just about the flat theta number—it’s about knowing what that number really means over time.” — John Kmiecik

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In this episode, Dan Passarelli dives deep into the strategy that many investors think they understand — but often get wrong: cash-secured puts. While most investors learn to sell puts early in their options journey, few truly master the nuance and mindset that separate solid trades from subtle mistakes.

Dan unpacks the six core guidelines for executing high-quality CSPs, shares his personal evolution from skeptic to strategist, and reveals how most investors fall into the “time bomb strategy” trap — and how to avoid it.

But that’s not all…

Later, frequent guest and coach John Kmiecik joins the conversation to challenge common myths, like the "sweet spot" of the 30 delta put and why most investors choose strikes that are too conservative — even when they say they want to be assigned.

“Cash-secured puts are the meat and potatoes of options trading — but to get the flavor right, you need more than just the recipe. You need the right mindset, the right tools, and the right objectives.”

Like what you’re hearing?

Join us for Episode 19 where John returns to dig into technical analysis for cash-secured puts — and how it fits into a full-spectrum edge-based strategy.

Dan Passarelli is joined by Jeffrey Hirsch, editor-in-chief of the Stock Trader’s Almanac, to talk seasonality, market cycles, and the powerful edge of timing your trades around historical patterns. From family legacy to tactical trade execution, Jeff breaks down how decades of research—plus some good old-fashioned intuition—can give traders a powerful boost.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Featured Guest:

Resources Mentioned:

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Welcome back to Wealth Building with Options! In this episode, we’re diving deep into a trader's secret weapon: the Trade Objective of the covered call strategy — specifically, using covered calls to strategically exit a stock position.

If you’ve ever wondered:

…this episode is for you.

Dan Passarelli breaks down the nuances of “trading out of a stock you own” through smart strike selection, theta analysis, and volatility evaluation — and shares how to do it with confidence, precision, and better returns.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

Special Guest: John Kmiecik

Listener Challenge:

Resources & Mentions:

Subscribe now so you don’t miss Episode 17, featuring a very special guest and even more ways to take your option trading to the next level.

Ready to treat your trading like a business? This is where you start.

Disclaimer: Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Read the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before trading. https://www.theocc.com/getmedia/a151a9ae-d784-4a15-bdeb-23a029f50b70/riskstoc.pdf

To learn more about Dan Passarelli and Market Taker Mentoring, visit MarketTaker.com.

In this deep-dive episode, Dan Passarelli lays out the OG Covered Call setup—the foundational approach to trading covered calls that every serious trader should understand. This episode is Part 1 of a two-part series that walks through the “Skate” Objective—a strategy focused on collecting premium while avoiding assignment.

Dan brings together technical chart analysis, volatility evaluation, and decades of options expertise to show you how to set up covered calls with confidence and precision.

Enjoying the podcast? Help grow the community:

Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Please read the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before trading. https://www.theocc.com/getmedia/a151a9ae-d784-4a15-bdeb-23a029f50b70/riskstoc.pdf

Episode Summary:

With practical examples and 30 years of trading experience, Dan breaks down how delta works, why traders often misinterpret theta, and how cash-secured puts and covered calls use volatility pricing to your advantage.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Key Concept:

Additional Resources:

Support the Show:

Disclaimer:

Episode 13 – The Golden Age of Options: A Conversation with Steven Sears

In this episode of Wealth Building With Options, Dan Passarelli sits down with one of the most influential voices in the options world—Steven Sears. A former senior editor at Barron’s, senior advisor to the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, and a key figure in the rise of electronic options trading, Sears brings decades of front-line experience and deep insight into how options can transform a portfolio.

In this wide-ranging and insightful conversation, you’ll discover:

Whether you're new to options or looking to sharpen your edge, this episode will challenge your assumptions, reframe your strategy, and inspire confidence in a smarter, steadier approach to building wealth.

Listen now and hear how Steven Sears sees the evolving landscape—and how you can thrive in it.

For more information about Dan Passarelli join him on Substack at https://wealthbuildingwithoptions.substack.com

Options Disclosure:

Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Prior to buying or selling an option, you must receive a copy of Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options, also known as the options disclosure document (ODD). It is available at https://www.theocc.com/Company-Information/Documents-and-Archives/Options-Disclosure-Document.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Dan Passarelli breaks down a powerful trading concept: using cash-secured puts as a smarter, more strategic version of limit orders. If you've ever hesitated about assignment or second-guessed a put trade, this episode is for you.

Dan shares real-world stories (including a Vegas twist involving a mastermind event that… wasn’t) and psychological lessons from 7,000+ trading days. He explains why assignment shouldn’t be feared, how premium collection changes the math on your trade entries, and how traders often let emotion sabotage what could be great opportunities.

Later, Dan welcomes back John Kmiecik, a trading coach who’s worked with hundreds (maybe thousands!) of students on mastering this mindset. Together, they explore:

Key Takeaways:

Next Steps: