Episodios

  • The Option Block 1457: The Super Sexy World of Soup Options
    Apr 2 2026

    Market volatility is mirroring the spring weather—swinging from 80 degrees to 40 in a flash. Host Mark Longo is joined by "The Flowmaster" Henry Schwartz of Cboe and Uncle Mike Tosaw of St. Charles Wealth Management to break down a record-shattering month in the options market and find out why everyone is suddenly trading... soup?

    On this episode, the crew dives into:

    • The Trading Block: A look at a massive "Red Thursday." We recap the overnight sell-off fueled by geopolitical tensions and the surprising intraday recovery.

    • Volume Records: March was a "banger." We break down the OCC numbers showing over 1.5 billion contracts traded—the spiciest month in history.

    • The Odd Block: * Campbell Soup (CPB): Why is there aggressive call buying in a stock the CEO allegedly caught on a hot mic disparaging?

      • Marathon Digital (MARA): Deciphering the massive roll in the 8.5 calls as crypto miners pivot to AI data centers.

      • Replimune Group (REPL): A 300% IV biotech play that has "wild" written all over it.

    • Around the Block: Predictions on the long-term market impact of Middle East conflicts and what to watch for in a truncated holiday week.

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    57 m
  • The Option Block 1456: We're All Trading War Bonds Now
    Mar 30 2026

    Is the treasury market the new "war bond" front? As conflict-driven volatility continues to grip the markets, the Option Block panel gathers to break down a Monday session defined by crushing vol, shifting correlations, and a flight to safety.

    Mark Longo is joined by Uncle Mike Tosaw of St. Charles Wealth Management and Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi from Option Pit to discuss whether we've entered a "sell the rally" regime reminiscent of the 1990s.

    In this episode, the team dives into:

    • The Trading Block: Why the "Grand Conciliatory Gesture" rally failed early, and why small caps are getting rotated into oblivion.

    • The Odd Block: Unusual activity in Palantir (PLTR), a strange call play in Zoom Info (GTM), and a massive historical "home run" trade in Bilibili (BILI).

    • The Strategy Block: How to play a 30 VIX using covered calls—should you sell at-the-money for premium or go further out-of-the-money for the eventual relief rally?

    • Around the Block: Predictions on the "Strait of Hormuz" effect and whether the Fed has officially entered "punt mode" for the rest of 2026.

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    58 m
  • The Option Block 1455: Headline Risk and Suspicious Merger Paper
    Mar 27 2026

    The markets are seeing red this Thursday, but the action in the pits is heating up. Join Mark Longo, Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz, and "Uncle Mike" Tosaw as they break down a wild session dominated by geopolitical tension, spiking energy prices, and some very curious "unusual activity."

    In this episode, the panel dives into:

    • The Trading Block: A look at the "Blood Red Thursday" playbook. With the S&P, Dow, and Nasdaq all sliding, why are VIX puts seeing massive volume? Plus, a look at the "Mag 10" and why small caps are finally feeling the heat.

    • Suspicious Paper: The team revisits last week's look at Brown-Forman (BF.B). Was it luck, or did someone know something? The stock exploded 15% on merger rumors exactly as the unusual call activity predicted.

    • Odd Block: Henry highlights unusual bullish flow in Momo (MOMO) and the high-juice world of Bit Deer (BTDR). Is it time to sell covered calls on crypto miners?

    • Earnings Insight: Why "Love Sack" (LOVE) is the surprise winner of the day and what's expected for Nike's upcoming move.

    • Mail Block: The listeners weigh in—will the Fed actually cut rates this year? The results are closer than you think.

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    1 h
  • The Option Block 1454: The Big Bounce Back?
    Mar 23 2026

    The markets are shot out of a cannon this Monday! Host Mark Longo is joined by Uncle Mike Tosaw and Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovanizzi to break down a wild "Bounce Back" session driven by shifting geopolitical headlines and "weekend risk" reversals.

    On this episode, the panel dives into:

    • The Trading Block: A massive reversal in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. Is the "Taco Trade" back in play? Plus, a look at VIX cash flirting with 26 and a surge in April 30 calls.

    • Odd Block: Unusual activity in a newcomer—TetraTech (TTEK)–and a potential "rubber rebound" in Goodyear Tire (GT).

    • Strategy Block: Uncle Mike shares a "tool for the toolbox" for covered call writers caught in a downtrend.

    • Mail Block: The panel debates: Will the Fed actually cut rates again in 2026?

    Plus, find out if you know what a "somnambulist" is in our 80s Trivia Challenge!

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    1 h y 1 m
  • The Option Block 1453: Getting Drunk on Crude and Coal
    Mar 19 2026

    The "Thursday Effect" strikes again as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East send markets tumbling and volatility spiking. Host Mark Longo is back in the Chicago studio to break down a "Blood-Red Thursday" alongside "Uncle" Mike Tosaw and Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz.

    The panel dives into the massive VIX rolls, the curious lack of a "flight to quality" in bonds and gold, and why the S&P 500 is struggling to hold the 6500 level. Plus, we look at why traders are suddenly piling into coal and spirits.

    In this episode, we discuss:

    • The Trading Block: Market reaction to Middle East escalations, surging oil, and the VIX hitting 25.

    • VIX Watch: A massive 250,000-contract roll in May/August 47.50 calls.

    • The Odd Block: Unusual activity in Alliance Resource Partners (ARLP) and a speculative flurry in Brown-Forman (BF.B).

    • Mail Block: What's keeping traders up at night? Geopolitical risk vs. sky-high valuations.

    • Around the Block: What to watch as we head into the weekend, including FedEx earnings and the "Oil VIX" (OVX).

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    59 m
  • The Option Block 1452: Beaker's Revenge
    Mar 16 2026

    Market volatility is feeling a bit like a Muppet Lab experiment gone wrong. In this episode, Mark Longo is broadcasting from the "Southern Studio" to join "Uncle" Mike Tosaw and Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi for a deep dive into a green Monday that still feels a bit shaky.

    On the Docket:

    • The Trading Block: A look at the green start to the week, the S&P 500 vacillating around 6,700, and why the VIX is holding steady at 24. Plus, the panel discusses the impact of Middle East tensions and oil supply on the broader markets.

    • The Odd Block: Why did someone bail on a massive long-term call position in KE Holdings (BEKE) after only two days? Also, a look back at a "cemented" winner in Cemex (CX).

    • The Strategy Block: Uncle Mike discusses "Neutral-ish" strategies and how to get creative with strike selection and call spreads when your favorite stocks are underperforming.

    • Around the Block: Predictions for Nvidia earnings, Fed speak, and the "lotto ticket" 30-strike VIX calls expiring this week.

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    56 m
  • The Option Block 1451: Crude, Vol and Predictions...Oh My!
    Mar 12 2026

    Strap in for a high-octane episode of The Option Block as the All-Star panel breaks down a "day trader's paradise." Host Mark Longo is joined by "Uncle Mike" Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) and "The Flowmaster" Henry Schwartz (Cboe Global Markets) to navigate a market defined by red screens, spiking crude oil, and the return of prediction markets.

    In this episode, we dive into:

    • The Trading Block: A look at the "wild and wooly" week in the markets, from the S&P 500 hovering at 6,700 to VIX hitting 35.

    • The Prediction Game: Why binary event contracts on XSP are the "new hotness" and how Cboe is simplifying the options landscape for new traders.

    • The Odd Block: Unusual activity in Mosaic (MOS), Barclays (BCS), and a massive 50% jump in Lightwave Logic (LWLG).

    • Mail Block: The panel answers your questions on the Iran conflict's market impact and whether VIX 70 calls are a genius hedge or "WTF" territory.

    • Around the Block: Predictions for the week ahead, including earnings from Adobe and Beyond Meat, and why "the only source of unbiased news is the S&P 500 chart."

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    1 h
  • The Option Block 1450: Live from the FIA Boca Conference 2026
    Mar 9 2026

    Volatility is back with a vengeance! In this special episode, Mark Longo reports live from the FIA Boca Conference 2026 while the markets take a nosedive. As the S&P 500 flirts with red for the year and the VIX threatens the 30-handle, the All-Star panel breaks down the chaos.

    Joining Mark to dissect the madness are Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi from OptionPit.com and "Uncle" Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management.

    On This Episode:

    • The Trading Block: A deep dive into the "Day Trader's Paradise." We discuss WTI breaking the $100 par strike, the resilience of the S&P 500, and why the small-caps (IWM) are turning back into a pumpkin.

    • VIX Watch: Analyzing the massive paper hitting the tape, including heavy activity in the April 60 calls.

    • The Odd Block: The Rock Lobster spots unusual activity in Wells Fargo (WFC), a massive closing trade in United Airlines (UAL), and the wild 38% surge in Hims & Hers (HIMS).

    • Strategy Block: Uncle Mike schools us on Covered Call management in a falling market. Do you sit on your hands, buy a protective wing, or roll for time?

    • Around the Block: Predictions for the rest of the week, including the "daily miasma" of oil prices and the "dark horse" potential of Silver and Gold.

    Featured Broker: Tastytrade.com/podcasts Go Pro: TheOptionsInsider.com/Pro

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    53 m