In this episode, Dan explores the strategic rationale behind trading long-term buy-writes, even when they offer lower theta compared to shorter-term options. While conventional wisdom might suggest optimizing for higher theta, Dan lays out a compelling case for why going long may actually lead to more consistent, reliable results—especially when thinking like an investor rather than a trader.

Special thanks to supporters including Alex H., Bill H., Paul P., Sean K., Steve D., Myron, Glen K., Spencer, and many others. Your backing keeps the show running and the content flowing.

Dan welcomes a special guest to talk about a powerful addition to the buy-write strategy discussed today. Don't miss Episode 26!

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

Visit MarketTaker.com to learn more about Dan Passarelli and the MTM team.

"There's the kind of stock you date, and the kind of stock you marry."

In this episode of Wealth Building With Options, Dan explores what it means to have "commitment issues"—not in relationships, but in trading. Sometimes you don't want to marry a stock for life. You just want to take it for a profitable spin while managing your risk. That's where short-term buy-writes shine.

The Perfect Setup: Dan walks through a $30 stock example where you can capture a 5% out-of-the-money call for 3% premium—creating potential 8% monthly returns (96% annualized when opportunities align).

Okta (OTA) Case Study: How Dan rolled from a covered call assignment at $98 into cash-secured puts at $96, then down to $95 strikes, capturing $2.15 in additional premium while positioning for better entry points.

Rigetti (RGTI) Quantum Play: A speculative quantum computing stock offering 10%+ monthly premiums—demonstrating how to play the "sweet spot" of risky stocks using short-term strategies.

Short-term buy-writes let you profit from stocks you like but don't fully trust, capturing meaningful premiums while maintaining clear exit strategies. Perfect for traders who prefer calculated risks over permanent commitments—and smart enough to know that in trading, as in life, everything is temporary.

Support the Show: Love the podcast? Share it with a friend, leave a review, and consider a paid subscription on Substack (https://wealthbuildingwithoptions.substack.com) to access bonus episodes, detailed trade breakdowns, and monthly AMAs.

Subscribe now so you don't miss Episode 25—another masterclass in confident, systematic trading is coming your way.

Disclaimer: Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Please read the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before investing.

In this episode, Dan shares a hilarious childhood story (yes, he did bite a nurse) and takes a nostalgic look at Highlights magazine to set up a powerful trading lesson about spotting subtle—but meaningful—differences between two nearly identical options strategies: the buy-write and the cash-secured put.

Both strategies aim to acquire stock and generate income, and from a risk-reward standpoint, they appear almost interchangeable. But when you look closely—like Gallant and Goofus in Highlights—you’ll find key differences that can impact commissions, dividends, interest, mindset, and how you manage risk.

Disclaimer

Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Before buying or selling an option, read the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. For more about Dan Passarelli and Market Taker Mentoring, visit MarketTaker.com.

Dan Passarelli kicks off this episode with a wild story from the trading floor—complete with Hulk-like rage and a colorful nickname—and uses it to dive deep into one of the most powerful and misunderstood ideas in options trading: synthetic positions.

This episode explores how synthetics reveal the truth about covered calls and cash-secured puts—that they are, in fact, two sides of the same coin. Dan unpacks the logic behind synthetics, the Greeks that drive them, and why understanding this can make you a sharper, more strategic investor.

In This Episode:

Understanding synthetics isn’t just academic—it’s foundational. If you truly grasp this concept, you’ll:

“If I own 100 shares and I’m short one call, that’s a covered call. If I’m short a put at the same strike—guess what? At expiration, they behave exactly the same.”

Next episode, Dan dives into buy-writes and how to use them effectively in today’s market conditions. Make sure you subscribe so you’re the first to know when it drops.

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

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

Don’t miss future episodes—subscribe on your favorite podcast app.

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:

Subscribe & Share:

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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.