Market Misfits

Steamroom Trading

Market Misfits is where real traders talk real markets. No fluff, no hype, just raw insights from those who live and breathe trading. Hosted by Joe Pokrzywa from Steamroom Trading, this podcast cuts through the noise with in-depth conversations on what’s moving the market right now and exclusive interviews with traders who have made it to the top. From hard-hitting strategies to the craziest market stories, Joe and his guests—top traders, educators, and market pros—break down the wins, the losses, and the lessons you won’t hear anywhere else. If you trade stocks, options, or futures, Market Misfits delivers the unfiltered truth from inside the world of trading. Subscribe now!

  1. 5D AGO

    Pinned Index, Extreme Skew, and March OpEx (EP. 23)

    Joe and Smiddy return after a brief break to break down the strange market environment traders have been navigating. While the major indices have gone nowhere for months, individual stocks have been moving aggressively beneath the surface, creating one of the highest dispersion environments since the financial crisis. They discuss how dealer gamma positioning, Vanna effects, and the upcoming March OPEX are helping keep the market pinned despite rising volatility and chaotic headlines. The conversation also dives into skew reaching extreme levels, why some strategists see a potential bullish risk reversal setting up, and how traders are navigating expensive hedges in a market filled with geopolitical uncertainty. Finally, they explore the macro forces in the background — from oil shocks tied to Iran tensions to the global safe haven scramble across Treasuries, gold, and even Bitcoin — and what it could mean for volatility and market structure in the weeks ahead.   DISCLAIMER: Past performance is not indicative of future results. The material discussed has been provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Investing involves the risk of loss. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be or regarded as personalized investment advice or relied upon for investment decisions. All opinions expressed by anyone on the podcast are solely their own opinion.

    35 min
  2. 12/23/2025

    Origin Story: Joe "Poko" Pokrzywa (EP. 20)

    In this special "origin story" episode of the Market Misfits Podcast, host Joe Pokrzywa takes the hot seat and becomes the guest, handing the mic over to Steamroom Trading Managing Partner Charlie Bathgate. Joe shares the raw, unfiltered journey of how he went from a trading novice to a respected voice in the trading community—through career detours, humbling losses, personal rock bottom, and the obsessive deep dive that unlocked his edge. Joe opens up about his early days selling payroll, crashing headfirst into options trading, and navigating the high-stress worlds of structured finance and esports—where he worked with legends like Hector Rodriguez and Andy Miller. He details the moment everything fell apart: a broken engagement, job loss, and moving back home with nothing left to lose. It was at that lowest point that Joe doubled down on the markets, immersing himself completely in options theory, gamma, dealer positioning, and zero-DTE dynamics. Through discipline, study, and relentless curiosity, he transformed from a lurker in the Steam Room to a trusted resource for top traders—developing a unique approach that now helps others decode market movement. This is a story of resilience, obsession, and finding your niche when everything else falls away. Whether you're a trader or just love a comeback story, Joe’s journey proves that sometimes the deepest insights come from the hardest lessons.   DISCLAIMER: Past performance is not indicative of future results. The material discussed has been provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Investing involves the risk of loss. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be or regarded as personalized investment advice or relied upon for investment decisions. All opinions expressed by anyone on the podcast are solely their own opinion.

    1h 25m
  3. 12/03/2025

    Inside Fast Tape: Gamma, Vol, and Risk (EP. 18)

    Joe and Smiddy are back to break down one of the most chaotic market swings of the year — a 4% intraday reversal that left traders stunned and liquidity vanished. They dive into how negative gamma, high Vanna, synthetic positioning in levered ETFs, and vol traps created a perfect storm. The guys also reflect on how the trading environment has changed, the new volatility regime, and what it means for sizing, patience, and emotional control. From understanding regime shifts to the mechanics behind failed rallies, this episode is a must for anyone who trades intraday or manages macro risk. They close out with a surprising shift into casino stocks and precious metals, plus a spicy take on why gold might be headed to $10K.   DISCLAIMER: Past performance is not indicative of future results. The material discussed has been provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Investing involves the risk of loss. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be or regarded as personalized investment advice or relied upon for investment decisions. All opinions expressed by anyone on the podcast are solely their own opinion.

    42 min
  4. 09/11/2025

    Sitting on a VIX Powder Keg ft. Wall St. Jesus (EP. 16)

    In this episode of the Market Misfits Podcast, hosts Joe and Smiddy are joined by the legendary "Wall Street Jesus," Jay, to break down the most pressing themes in the market. The crew dives headfirst into the chaotic "stock picker's market," where low-priced AI power and crypto-treasury plays like NBIS, BE, and HUT are exploding. But is this a sign of a healthy rotation or the final blow-off top before a major correction? They tackle the million-dollar question on everyone's mind: the upcoming Fed decision. Should they cut? What happens to a market at all-time highs when economic data is softening? Jay provides a masterclass on market microstructure, explaining the critical divergence between "systematic" and "discretionary" fund positioning and why it's preventing a major meltdown—for now. The conversation takes a deep, wonky dive into the terrifyingly large short position in the VIX, the potential for a historic volatility explosion, and why the next market crash could be breathtakingly fast thanks to levered ETFs and options. Plus, the group shares war stories from the trenches, including Smiddy's brutal year with client accounts and the dark side of crypto trading. DISCLAIMER: Past performance is not indicative of future results. The material discussed has been provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Investing involves the risk of loss. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be or regarded as personalized investment advice or relied upon for investment decisions. All opinions expressed by anyone on the podcast are solely their own opinion.

    1h 41m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Market Misfits is where real traders talk real markets. No fluff, no hype, just raw insights from those who live and breathe trading. Hosted by Joe Pokrzywa from Steamroom Trading, this podcast cuts through the noise with in-depth conversations on what’s moving the market right now and exclusive interviews with traders who have made it to the top. From hard-hitting strategies to the craziest market stories, Joe and his guests—top traders, educators, and market pros—break down the wins, the losses, and the lessons you won’t hear anywhere else. If you trade stocks, options, or futures, Market Misfits delivers the unfiltered truth from inside the world of trading. Subscribe now!

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