Wide World Of Options

Hosted by Mark Benzaquen, OIC ^SM Instructor and Principal, Investor Education at OCC, the OIC Wide World of Options podcast will feature a dynamic mix of current events, investor resources and strategy insights.

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This Show Is Presented By:

The Options Industry Council

The Options Industry Council (OIC)^SM is an industry resource provided by OCC that offers education and practical knowledge about the benefits and risks of exchange-listed options.

Since 1992, OIC has been dedicated to increasing the awareness, knowledge and responsible use of options among a global audience of investors including individuals, financial advisors and institutional managers.

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Latest Episode

Wide World of Options: Options for (Premium) Income: Unpacking Covered Calls & Cash-Secured Puts

by The Options Industry Council | Feb 5, 2026

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 covered calls and cash-secured puts.

Previous Episodes

Wide World of Options: Out With the Old, In With the New: A Look at Options for the New Year

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!).

Wide World of Options: Market Madness, AI Boom and a 2026 Outlook

In this insightful episode, Dan Passarelli joins Mark Benzaquen to share his perspective on the surprising market valuations of 2025, offers his outlook for 2026, and discusses the evolution of retail options traders.

Wide World of Options: ETFs, Indices, and More…Oh My!

Host Mark Benzaquen welcomes Bill O’Keefe from Cboe Global Markets for a discussion on the versatile world of options trading – beyond individual stocks on this episode of Wide World of Options.

Wide World of Options: Up, Down, or Sideways: Potential Profits With an Iron Condor

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.

Wide World of Options: Up, Down, and All Around: Decoding Calendar & Diagonal Spreads

Join host Mark Benzaquen as he welcomes Tony Zhang of OptionsPlay to discuss calendars and diagonals on this episode of Wide World of Options.

Wide World of Options: Tales from the Road: Giving the Exchanges Their Voice

Listen to this episode as we talk to educators about significant industry trends, how technology is driving innovation, and the role exchanges play in educating retail investors.

Wide World of Options: Tales from the Road: The Evolution of Retail

Join the Wide World of Options show on the road as host Mark Benzaquen welcomes JJ Kinahan and Jermal Chandler of IG North America (better known to investors as TastyTrade) as they talk about key challenges and opportunities for the retail trader and how technology is driving market growth.

Wide World of Options: Tales from the Road: Volatility & the State of the Industry

In this all-new episode, host Mark Benzaquen talks with Steve Sosnick of Interactive Brokers and Joe Mazzola of Schwab about the state of the options industry, volatility opportunities and roadblocks, and recent marketplace innovations.

Wide World of Options: Options Buyers vs. Sellers: The Long and the Short of It

Join OIC Instructor and show host Mark Benzaquen as he welcomes Jessica Inskip of StockBrokers.com for a lively and informative discussion on forecast & objective, implied volatility considerations and the impact of the Greeks.

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About Your Host

Mark Benzaquen is Principal, Investor Education at OCC??and a regular contributor to the educational efforts of The Options Industry Council SM. Mark began his career in options with Stafford Trading, LLC in 1997 before transitioning to brokerage operations with MF Global in 2000. For more than a decade, Mark was the Lead Broker for his firm in the NDX/RUT trading pit, gaining special insight into customer order flow and trade execution.

At OCC, he is responsible for managing the operations of a comprehensive options resource center that provides information and education about options and supports all products traded on all OCC participant exchanges. In addition?to his responsibilities with OCC, Mark also serves as an instructor for The Options Industry Council, conducting option?seminars and presenting?online webinars for all segments of the investing community, including registered Representatives and Advisors.