Volatility Views

The markets keep rallying, volatility keeps fading, and traders keep asking the same question: what could possibly go wrong?
This week on Volatility Views, Mark Longo, Russell Rhoads (Dr. VIX), and Jim Carroll of Ballast Rock Private Wealth dive into the "don't worry, be happy" market regime, VIX refusing to break higher, massive VIX weekly call activity, surprising market resilience in the face of geopolitical risk, and whether traders are underpricing uncertainty.
Plus: • The rise of "Sexy Volatility" (VSXY) • Urban legends, Bobby McFerrin, and market complacency • Historic VIX weekly options activity • Spot-up / vol-up behavior • SVIX vs UVIX performance • Crystal Ball forecasts and more
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Summer has officially arrived in the vol markets. In this episode, Mark Longo and Russell Rhoads break down a week where the markets seemed to ignore everything from Middle East conflict to hot inflation numbers—until a Friday sell-off finally brought a splash of red to the screen.
The guys dive deep into the curious case of the "Unchanged Universe," where SVIX, UVIX, and VXX are sitting almost exactly where they were a week ago. Is this the start of a long, quiet "Volatility Summer," or is the market underestimating the impact of a new Fed regime?
Inside This Episode:
The Volatility Review: A look at the VIX cash spike to 18.50 and the rare "smile" skew appearing in the NASDAQ and Russell 2000.

China Sojourns & Tech Skew: Was there front-running ahead of the tech CEO trip to China?

VIX Option Flow: Analyzing massive positions in the June 65 calls and an intriguing August 1x2 ratio spread.

The "Unched" Report: Why SVIX and UVIX haven't moved in two weeks and what that means for your overriding strategies.

Crystal Ball: Mark and Russell place their bets on where vol heads as we approach the Memorial Day holiday.

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In this episode of Volatility Views, host Mark Longo checks in from the road at the Options Industry Conference (OIC) to break down a week of relentless market rallies and "upside crashes." Joining the show is Hans Albrecht from Option Pit, who steps into the hot seat to discuss why volatility isn't dropping despite the S&P 500 blowing past 7,300.
The duo explores the shifting market structure—from the rise of 0DTE (Zero Days to Expiration) options to the looming world of 24-hour options trading and AI-powered brokers. Plus, a look at the "Evil Hans" trope in fiction and why giving yourself "time to be wrong before you're right" is the ultimate trading edge.
Key Highlights Include:
The OIC Briefing: Predictions for 18 billion contracts in 2024 and the legal battle over "trades vs. bets" in prediction markets.

The Upside Crash: Why the VIX is staying bid even as markets hit all-time highs—and the parabolic moves in names like Micron.

Market Structure Shifts: The impact of CTAs, vol-targeting funds, and leveraged ETFs on daily closing imbalances.

Volatility Term Structure: A deep dive into the contango/slope and why the October "midterm" futures are worth watching.

VIX Options Flow: Analyzing the massive activity in June 65 calls and the unwinding of May upside verticals.

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The bulls are charging, and volatility is getting "taken to the woodshed." Join Mark Longo, Russell Rhoads (the "Volatility Closet" resident), and Mark Sebastian (the "Greasy Meatball") as they break down a massive week in the markets. From the "mother of all tech earnings weeks" to the generational spending on AI, the crew explores why the VIX remains under pressure despite global geopolitical turmoil and a hawkish-leaning Fed.
In this episode, the team dives into:
The Volatility Review: A post-mortem of the April markets, the impact of the FOMC meeting, and how mega-cap tech earnings are reshaping the volatility landscape.

VIX vs. VVIX: Russell analyzes the relationship between the VIX and the "Vol of Vol," and whether the current divergence is the ultimate fade signal.

Russell's Weekly Rundown: A look at the weird and wild trades hitting the tape, including a "penny" VIX binary and a 21-19-17 put fly.

The Crystal Ball: The guys place their bets on where the VIX cash will settle next week.

Pro Trading Crate: Announcing the April winner and the debut of Dan Passarelli's brand-new book.

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Is the traditional volatility conference a dying breed? This week on Volatility Views, host Mark Longo and the "Once, Future, and Present Dr. VIX," Russell Rhoads, dive into the shifting landscape of institutional trading events—from the legendary "swag mazes" of the CBOE Risk Management Conference (RMC) to the distinct lack of retail-friendly education in the space.
The duo breaks down a week of head-scratching market action where the S&P 500 hits new all-time highs while the VIX remains surprisingly "spicy" due to geopolitical uncertainty and ceasefire extensions.
Highlights include:
The RMC Swag Report: Russell reviews the high-end gear at this year's conference and the curious absence of electronic swag.

The VVIX/VIX Ratio: A deep dive into using this relationship as a hard trading indicator.

VIX Options Flow: Analysis of massive prints in the May and June cycles, including a rare 15,000-lot weekly trade that caught Russell's eye.

The "Hair Dryer" Hedge: A wild look at betting markets and a Polymarket trader who allegedly rigged a weather-based bet.

Crystal Ball: Mark and Russell place their bets on the VIX handle for next week.

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