What exactly is the VIX? How is it calculated? Why doesn't it always move opposite the market? And what's really driving VIX futures, options and volatility ETPs?

This week on Options Boot Camp, Mark Longo welcomes back the legendary "Dr. VIX" himself, Russell Rhoads, for an extended deep dive into the world's most popular volatility index.

Whether you're new to volatility trading or looking to sharpen your understanding of advanced VIX concepts, this episode is packed with practical insights, common pitfalls, and actionable ideas.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What the VIX actually measures (and what it doesn't)
• How the VIX is calculated using SPX options
• Why VIX can sometimes rise alongside the stock market
• The mechanics and risks of VIX settlement
• Spot VIX vs. VIX futures—and why the difference matters
• Contango, backwardation and the infamous "negative roll yield"
• How VIX options are priced and what futures drive them
• Common mistakes new VIX traders make
• The pros and cons of VXX, UVXY, UVIX and SVIX
• How Russell uses volatility products as hedges and trading tools
• Listener questions on volatility products, risk reversals and today's market environment

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the financial industry—but could it eventually become your options broker?

In this exclusive interview from the Options Industry Conference 2026, Mark Longo sits down with Jim Swartwout, CEO of Prosperum Fintech Holdings, to discuss how AI is being integrated into brokerage services, options trading, customer support, education, and portfolio management.

Jim brings decades of experience from some of the biggest names in the brokerage industry, including Schwab, Fidelity, E*TRADE, TradeMonster, Scottrade, Ally, and Robinhood. He shares how Prosperum is developing AI-powered tools that can assist traders with options strategies, account monitoring, education, and eventually even trade execution.

They also discuss:

• The future of AI-powered brokerage services
• Building "Alex," Prosperum's AI trading assistant
• Can AI help traders manage complex options strategies?
• The role of education in successful options trading
• 24-hour options trading and market access
• 0DTE options and evolving market structure
• Prediction markets and their growing popularity
• Crypto, tokenization, and the future of financial markets
• What traders should expect from Prosperum in the months ahead

Mark Longo sits down with Fateen Sharaby, Head of Index Derivatives at Bloomberg, during the 2026 Options Industry Conference to discuss the future of index derivatives, competition in benchmark products, and the evolution of the options marketplace.

In this interview, they explore:

• Bloomberg's growing equity index business
• The launch of Bloomberg 500 and Bloomberg 100 futures with MIAX
• Why Bloomberg believes the index marketplace needs more competition
• The rise of 0DTE index options
• Institutional and retail adoption of index derivatives
• Volatility-based and options-based investment strategies
• The potential impact of major IPOs on benchmark construction
• 24-hour trading and the future of global market access
• The growing interest in perpetual futures and derivatives
• What traders should watch as Bloomberg expands its derivatives ecosystem