The Disciplined Traders Podcast - Master the Market. Build Wealth. Stay Disciplined
What if every trade you made came from a clear, proven process, not emotion, not hype? Trading is simple. Staying disciplined? That's the hard part. Brian Montes has been trading since 2008, navigating bull markets, bear markets, and everything in between. He shares the exact frameworks he uses for swing trading, cash flow creation, and long-term wealth building. The Disciplined Traders Podcast keeps it real, actionable, and process-driven, whether you're just getting started or have experience. No fluff. Just process. If you're ready to trade like it's a business, this is your show.
$TMO - TMO Trade Breakdown: My $720.04 Entry and $796.32 Target
In this episode of Disciplined Traders Academy, I break down my TMO trade, the Stage 2 thesis behind it, and why identifying an uptrend is only one part of a trading plan.
My entry: $720.04
My profit target: $796.32
Potential upside to target: approximately 10.6%, before costs
The importance of defining risk and managing the position with discipline
Disclosure: I hold a position in TMO. For educational purposes only; not personalized investment advice.
The Blue Wave Hangover: Trade the Market, Not the Headlines
The midterms are over and the market is moving on more than the vote. In this episode, we skip the politics and focus on process. We cover how the market reacted, how to read the tape without guessing at Washington, and a set of rules for trading when headlines are loud. We also cover the compliance habits that keep a trader's decisions documented and defensible.
What You'll Learn
Why the first move after a major event is often noise.
How to use relative strength, breadth, key levels, and volume to read a headline-driven...
The Disciplined Swing Trader, Part 1: Build Your One‑Page Swing Trading Playbook
If you’ve been swing trading with scattered rules, random entries, and inconsistent results, this episode will help you turn chaos into a clear, written process.
In The Disciplined Swing Trader, Part 1: Build Your One‑Page Swing Trading Playbook, we walk step‑by‑step through how to create a concise, one‑page trading plan specifically designed for swing traders. Instead of trading from memory or emotion, you’ll learn how to build a documented system that guides every decision you make in the market.
This episode covers:
How to define your swing trading identity (ma...
How Gamma Exposure Reveals Market Truths
Many traders watch price action and volume, but ignore one of the most powerful forces driving modern markets: options positioning and Gamma Exposure (GEX). In this episode, we explain GEX in plain language and show you how to use GEX by expiry to understand who is really moving the market and why certain levels act like magnets or flipping points.
You’ll discover how short‑term GEX (0–30 days), mid‑term GEX (3–6 months), and long‑term GEX (6+ months, including LEAPS) tell different stories about market makers, hedge funds, and large institutions. By splitting GEX into these time buckets, you can see...
Watching Profits Melt Away? Partial Profit Taking is Key Risk Management
In this episode, we break down one of the most practical risk management tools for active traders and swing traders: partial profit taking and raising stop losses as a trade moves in your favor. Whether you trade stocks, options, or swing positions, learning how to scale out of winning trades can dramatically improve your overall profitability and reduce emotional stress.
What partial profit taking is and why scaling out in 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 can be a powerful risk management strategy for swing trading and position trading.
How taking profits along the way locks in gains and increases the probabil...
AI Energy Stocks: The Power Play Nobody's Talking About
Everyone's talking about AI chips — but the real infrastructure play might be in AI energy stocks. In this episode, we break down why artificial intelligence data centers require massive, uninterrupted power, and which energy companies are signing billion-dollar, long-term contracts with the biggest names in tech. From nuclear power deals with Meta to long-duration battery storage, we cover the six stocks quietly powering the AI revolution.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
Why AI data centers demand 24/7 baseload power at gigawatt scale
How major tech companies like Meta and Google are bypassing the gri...
From Trading Hobby to Financial Stability Engine
In this episode of the Disciplined Traders Academy Podcast, we walk through how to stop treating the stock market like a hobby and start using it as a financial stability engine. This is especially for listeners aged 30–60 with strong W2 income or self‑employed business income who are ready to turn trading skills into long‑term security instead of short‑term thrills.
Why your job or business income alone is not enough in a world of rising prices and long‑run inflation.
The difference between using the market as a casino versus using it as a tool for financial...
The Vegetable Shock: PPI, Powell's Denial, and What Stagflation Means for Your Trades
This episode comes directly from the Wednesday update that members inside the DTA community receive.
In this update we discuss:
Inflation just got more aggressive, and today's PPI report proves it. We break down the February 2026 Producer Price Index data, why a 48.9% spike in vegetable prices is more than a blip, and what Jerome Powell's careful word choice is really telling us about the state of the economy.
In this episode:
Why PPI came in at 0.7% — more than double expectations — and what's driving it.Th...What Is a Credit Spread? Strategy Breakdown for Swing Traders
In this episode of The Disciplined Traders Podcast, host Brian Montes breaks down one of the most popular income-generating options strategies used by retail and professional traders alike — the credit spread. Whether you're new to options trading or looking to sharpen your edge, this episode gives you a tactical, no-fluff walkthrough of how credit spreads work, when to use them, and the real pros and cons you need to know before risking a single dollar.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
What a credit spread is and how it works mechanically
The difference betwe...
Let the Trade Come to You
Why Patience, Process, and Emotional Control Are Your Biggest Trading Edge
In this episode of the DTA Podcast, we break down one of the most powerful mindset shifts a trader can make:
👉 Stop chasing trades. Let the trade come to you.
Most traders lose money not because they lack technical skill, but because they lack patience and emotional discipline.
When markets get choppy and volatile, the urge to “do something” becomes dangerous. Breakouts fail. Headlines shake prices. False moves increase. And overtrading quietly drains accounts.
This episode dives into why tra...
How Selling Premium Helps Portfolio Returns
Most traders believe portfolio returns only come from buying low and selling high.
But professional traders understand something different:
You can get paid while you wait.
In this episode, we break down how selling premium through strategies like cash-secured puts and covered calls can enhance portfolio returns, generate consistent cash flow, and reduce volatility in your equity curve.
If you want to build a portfolio that compounds steadily instead of relying on perfect entries and exits, this episode is for you.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
What...
How to Use the Weinstein Stage 2 Breakout Scan to Find High-Quality Swing Trades
Most new swing traders struggle because they chase stocks after the move has already happened. In this episode, we break down the Weinstein Stage 2 Breakout Scan, a proven method swing traders use to identify strong stocks before they enter powerful uptrends.
You’ll learn how to recognize Stage 2 stocks, why institutional accumulation matters, and how to build a watchlist of high-probability swing trading setups using trend, structure, relative strength, and volume.
If you’re looking for a repeatable swing trading strategy that removes emotion and guesswork, this episode is a must-listen.
What You’ll Lea...
Pivot Levels Explained: How Swing Traders Use Pivot Points to Plan Better Trades
Most swing traders struggle not because they lack setups—but because they don’t know where price is likely to react.
In this episode, we break down pivot levels (pivot points) and how swing traders can use them as a framework for identifying support, resistance, and high-probability decision zones on a chart.
Pivot levels are not predictions.They’re reference points—and when used correctly, they help traders trade with structure instead of emotion.
Why Pivot Levels Matter for Swing Trading
Pivot points help swing traders:
Identify logical entry and exit...
Why Simpler Charts Make Better Traders: Using Moving Averages for Swing Trading
Many traders overload their charts with indicators, believing more signals lead to better results. In reality, complexity often works against consistency and profitability.
In this episode, Brian Montes breaks down why simpler charts lead to better trading decisions and how moving averages form the backbone of a disciplined swing trading system.
You’ll learn how to use the 20-day, 50-day, and 200-day simple moving averages to define trend, manage risk, and identify high-probability swing trade setups—without clutter or confusion.
Whether you’re a newer trader or an experienced swing trader looking to refine...
5 Rules That Make You a Super Trader
Most traders don’t fail because they lack information.
They fail because they ignore rules.
In this episode of the Learn to Swing Trade the Stock Market, we break down five foundational trading rules used by elite swing traders to protect capital, improve consistency, and dramatically increase their odds of success.
These principles—popularized by legendary momentum traders—remove emotion from trading and replace it with structure, discipline, and probability-based decision making.
If you want to stop chasing trades and start trading like a professional, this episode is your blueprint.
Key Ta...
Why Margin Trading Can Be Risky
Most traders are taught to fear volatility—but volatility isn’t the real danger.
In this episode of the Learn to Swing Trade the Stock Market Podcast, Brian Montes explains why he does not trade stocks using leverage or margin, and why conflating volatility with risk is one of the most expensive mistakes retail traders make.
You’ll learn the critical difference between volatility and risk, how margin trading introduces hidden dangers like forced liquidation and time compression, and why disciplined swing traders actually benefit from volatility when trading without leverage.
If you’re swing t...
Mastering Swing Trading: The Four Stages of Stock Cycles
Most traders don’t lose money because they can’t read charts.
They lose money because they trade without context.
In this episode of Learn to Swing Trade the Market, we break down the four stages of a stock’s cycle and explain why understanding market structure is one of the most critical skills a swing trader can develop.
Every stock moves through the same four stages—accumulation, markup, distribution, and decline. The problem? Most traders don’t know how to identify which stage they’re in, so they apply the wrong strategy at the wrong ti...
Cash Flow Trading: How Swing Traders Turn Profits Into Real Income
Most swing traders are taught to grow their accounts.
But account growth doesn’t equal freedom.
In this episode of the DTA Podcast, we introduce cash flow trading — a structured approach that helps swing traders consistently extract money from the market instead of letting profits sit on a screen.
Cash flow trading shifts the question from:
“How big can I grow my account?” to “How reliably can my trading pay me?”
This mindset shift affects trade selection, risk management, and trader psychology — and it’s the missing link between profitability an...
How Swing Traders Can Use UVXY for Smarter Top-Down Decisions
In this episode of the Learn to Swing Trade the Stock Market Podcast, we break down what UVXY really is, why it confuses so many traders, and how swing traders can use it as a powerful top-down indicator to understand market conditions, avoid getting blindsided, and time entries with more precision.
If you’ve ever wondered why UVXY spikes out of nowhere… why it bleeds lower most of the time… or whether you should use it in your swing trading strategy, this episode clears it up with simple, actionable insights.
What UVXY actually tracks (and why mo...
Why the End of Quantitative Tightening Changes Everything for Swing Traders
In today’s episode, Brian breaks down one of the biggest market shifts swing traders have seen in years: the end of Quantitative Tightening (QT). After three years of the Federal Reserve draining ~$95B/month from the financial system, liquidity is finally coming back — and this changes everything.
Brian explains, in simple terms, how the end of QT affects volatility, trend formation, overnight risk, small-cap momentum, and the overall environment for 3–10-day swing trades. If you’ve been frustrated by stop-runs, fakeouts, and sloppy price action… this episode is your roadmap into a cleaner, calmer, more trend-friendly market.
Finding Trade Opportunities in Volatile Markets
In this episode of the Learn to Swing Trade the Stock Market podcast, host Brian Montes discusses identifying trade opportunities and emphasizes the importance of sector analysis. He uses Ralph Lauren as a case study to illustrate how to identify stocks gaining momentum in a choppy market.
The conversation covers the significance of volume, the top-down trading strategy, and the necessity of being selective in trade choices. Brian also highlights the importance of maintaining a favorable risk-reward ratio in trading.
Look for opportunities outside of common stocks.Sector analysis is crucial for swing trading.Not every...How Swing Trading Fuels Cash Flow to Build a Dividend Portfolio (The Only Real Passive Income)
In this episode of the DTA Podcast, we break down a proven strategy to accelerate your wealth-building:
Using swing trading as a cash flow engine to fund a long-term dividend portfolio — the only true form of passive income.
If you’ve been looking for a clear, sustainable path to financial freedom, this episode gives you the full blueprint.
Why Swing Trading Is the Ideal Cash Flow Generator
How swing trading creates consistent short-term profits
Why part-time traders can outperform with a rules-based system
The...
Why the Stock Market Sold Off This Week - Understanding the Catalyst
In this episode of the Disciplined Traders Academy Podcast, we break down today’s U.S. stock market sell-off and explore the key factors driving volatility. Whether you’re a swing trader, scalper, or long-term investor, understanding the forces behind market moves is essential for making disciplined, profitable trades.We cover:
Major market moves: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq, and the tech/AI sell-off
Post-shutdown momentum fading and what it means for traders
Federal Reserve rate-cut expectations and their impact on growth stocks
Valuation pressure in AI and high-growth tech names
Wh...
Healthy Pullback or Bearish Reversal?
In this conversation, Brian Montes discusses the dual nature of reading charts in trading, emphasizing the blend of art and science. He emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between normal pullbacks and broken trends to protect capital and refine trading strategies.
Key takeaways from this episode:
Reading charts is part art.Understanding market trends is crucial for traders.Differentiating between pullbacks and broken trends is essential.Protecting capital should be a priority in trading.Improving trades requires a keen analysis of market movements.Asking the right questions can lead to better trading decisions.Recognizing...Inflation and Hurdle Rates: How to Protect Your Money from the Declining Dollar
In this episode of the Learn to Swing Trade the Stock Market podcast, host Brian Montes breaks down the powerful connection between inflation, hurdle rates, and the purchasing power of the dollar.
Most people measure success by how much their portfolio or savings account grows — but few stop to ask: Is my money actually keeping up with inflation?
Brian explains why understanding your personal hurdle rate — the minimum rate of return you need to maintain or grow real wealth — is the foundation of sound investing and business decision-making.
You’ll learn how to calculat...
The 7 Hidden Costs of Overtrading Every Trader Must Know
Are you trading too much and losing more than you think? Discover the mental, financial, and emotional toll of overtrading—and how to protect your account.
In this episode, Brian dives deep into the 7 hidden costs of overtrading that can quietly destroy your trading performance, confidence, and growth.
Overtrading isn’t just about losing money—it affects your mental focus, decision-making, learning process, and even your time. If you’re struggling to stick to your trading plan or find yourself taking too many trades, this episode is a must-listen.
Brian discusses:
Mental F...
Navigating Market Volatility: Insights for Swing Traders
In this episode, Brian Montes discusses the recent dramatic sell-off in the stock market, analyzing the factors that led to the decline and emphasizing the importance of having a solid trading system.
He examines market sentiment, geopolitical risks, and the importance of position sizing and stop-losses in swing trading. The conversation provides valuable insights for new traders on how to navigate volatility and maintain discipline in their trading strategies.
Brian discusses:
The recent sell-off was triggered by geopolitical risks and overbought conditions.Market sentiment can shift rapidly, resulting in significant volatility.Having a trading...New Highs, New Opportunities: How to Analyze Stocks Breaking Out”
When a stock reaches all-time highs, most new traders hesitate — assuming it’s “too late” to enter.
In this episode, Brian Montes breaks down a structured approach to analyzing breakout stocks, using volume confirmation, consolidation structure, relative strength, and the 1.618 Fibonacci Extension to identify sustainable upside potential.
Learn how to move from emotion-based trading to structured technical analysis, so you can confidently trade in price discovery territory — where real market leaders are born.
In this episode, we discuss -
Why all-time highs signal strength, not exhaustion.
How to confirm...
Why Pullbacks & Consolidation Are Game-Changers in a Bull Market
Think a bull market is just one long, straight climb? Think again. 🐂 In this episode of the Disciplined Traders Academy Podcast, we break down why pullbacks and consolidation aren’t obstacles—they’re your secret weapons as a swing trader.
You’ll discover:
What pullbacks and consolidations really mean for your trades
Why market pauses are essential for a healthy uptrend
How to time your entries for better risk-reward setups
Tricks to validate trends before committing your capital
Whether you’re just starting out in swing trading or looking to...
Quadruple Witching Explained: What It Means for Swing Traders
Quadruple Witching may sound mysterious, but it’s a very real event that impacts the stock market four times a year — on the third Friday of March, June, September, and December.
In this episode of the Learn to Swing Trade the Stock Market Podcast, we break down:
What Quadruple Witching is and why it happens
How it impacts market volatility, volume, and price action
Why swing traders often see false breakouts on these days
The best way to prepare and trade around Quadruple Witching
You’ll learn how to...
Swing Trading Foundations Podcast - Episode 1
Welcome to the first of a series of episodes designed to give you a foundation for swing trading.
Are you new to trading and feeling overwhelmed by YouTube rabbit holes, endless indicators, and conflicting advice? In this episode of the Swing Trading Foundations Podcast, we break down exactly what swing trading is, why it’s perfect for part-time traders, and how to avoid the most common beginner mistakes.
You’ll learn:
✅ What swing trading is and how it compares to day trading and investing
✅ The 3 pillars of successful swing trading: technical skills...
Position Sizing for Swing Traders
In this episode, we dive into one of the most important — and most ignored — parts of swing trading: position sizing. If you want to stay in the game long enough to actually win, you need to control your downside. That’s exactly what this episode is about.
Why position sizing matters more than your stock picks.
The 1–2% rule and how it protects your account.
The difference between capital invested vs. risk taken.
The exact formula you can use to size every trade.
Common mistakes new traders make with position sizing...
How to Spot Key Support and Resistance Levels
One of the most important skills every swing trader must master is identifying support and resistance levels. These levels show you exactly where price is likely to react, bounce, or stall—and that makes them critical for planning high-quality trades.
In this episode of Learn to Swing Trade the Stock Market, I’ll break down:
✅ What support really means and how to spot it
✅ How to recognize resistance and why it acts like a ceiling on price
✅ The role of support and resistance in entries, exits, and stop placement
✅ Simple techn...
Should I Trade a Set Watchlist or Always Scan for New Opportunities?
As a swing trader, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is whether to trade from a set watchlist of stocks or to scan for new opportunities every day. Both strategies can be effective, but each has its own set of pros and cons that will influence how you approach the market.
In this episode of "Learn to Swing Trade the Stock Market," we break down the advantages and disadvantages of trading from a set watchlist versus scanning for new stock setups. You’ll learn how each method impacts your efficiency, confidence, and ability to catch the str...
How to Recognize Trends and Trend Strength in Swing Trading
Wondering, “Is this stock going up or down, and can I trust that move?” In this episode of Learn to Swing Trade the Stock Market, we break down the fundamentals of trend recognition—one of the most important skills every swing trader must master.
You’ll learn:
How to identify uptrends, downtrends, and sideways ranges
Why recognizing higher highs and higher lows (or lower highs and lower lows) matters
How to use trendlines and moving averages for trend confirmation
Simple ways to avoid common trend misreads that cost traders money
What the Candlesticks or Price Bars Are Telling You
If you’re serious about swing trading, you can’t afford to ignore what candlesticks and price bars are telling you. In this episode of Learn to Swing Trade the Stock Market, we break down how to actually “read” candlesticks — so you can understand the ongoing battle between buyers and sellers, spot shifts in momentum, and make smarter trading decisions.
📈 You’ll learn:
What candlesticks and price bars really represent (beyond just green or red)
The story of price action — who’s in control, buyers or sellers
How wick size, body size, and closing p...
What Is a Stock Chart? And Why Swing Traders Must Learn to Read It
If you’re new to swing trading and find stock charts confusing, this episode is for you. In this beginner-friendly breakdown, Brian Montes walks you through what a stock chart is, how to read one, and why understanding charts is essential for making confident, profitable trading decisions.
You’ll learn:
What a stock chart represents (price vs. time)
Why swing traders rely on daily candlestick charts
The difference between line, bar, and candlestick charts
How volume helps confirm price moves
Why reading charts is a core skill for...
Can You Swing Trade With a Full-Time Job? Yes — Here’s How
Have you ever wondered if it’s even possible to swing trade while holding down a full-time job?
In this episode of Learn to Swing Trade the Stock Market, host Brian Montes answers one of the most frequently asked questions by new and aspiring traders:
"Can I start swing trading if I work 9 to 5?"
The answer is YES — and in this episode, you’ll learn exactly how to make it work.
You’ll discover:
✅ Why reviewing charts after hours is the best time for swing trade planning
Why You're Not Failing — You Just Need a System
You're not failing — you're just trading without a system.
If you’re feeling stuck, discouraged, or like you’re “just not cut out for trading,” this episode will shift your mindset. Brian Montes breaks down why most new traders lose money (hint: it’s not because you’re not smart enough) and how building a simple, structured swing trading system can change everything.
Whether you're a beginner or you’ve been trying to “figure it out” for months (or years), this is your wake-up call to stop winging it and start trading with purpose.
In This...
How to Train Your Mind to Trade Without Emotion
In this episode of Learn to Swing Trade the Stock Market, host Brian Montes explores one of the most important — and often most overlooked — aspects of successful trading: emotional discipline.
If you’ve ever hesitated on a setup, panicked during a drawdown, or chased a breakout that turned into a fakeout, this episode will help you understand why it happens — and what to do about it. You’ll learn how to train your mind to trade without emotion so you can stick to your process, make smarter decisions, and become a more consistent swing trader.
What You’l...
