Episodes
IPO or DESPAC? The real answer is more nuanced than most founders realize.
In this episode, host Chaz Churchwell interviews Peter Goldstein , founder of Exchange Listing and sponsor of Emmis Acquisition Corp. With over 25 years in capital markets, Peter shares a candid comparison between IPOs and DE...
Is Your DESPAC Built on Governance or Just Hype?
In this international episode, Chaz Churchwell interviews Daniele D’Alvia , Director of the Banking and Finance Law Institute at Queen Mary University of London and founder of SPACs Consultancy. Daniele offers a global perspe...
When Should IR Enter the DESPAC Process? The Answer Most CEOs Miss
In this episode of The DESPAC Podcast, Chaz Churchwell interviews Jordan Darrow , founder of Darrow IR, to discuss the strategic role of Investor Relations in the DESPAC process. Jordan shares insight from representing SPAC s...
Why DESPACs Attract Litigation and How Leaders Defend Themselves
Going public through a DESPAC puts companies under a spotlight most leaders underestimate. In this episode, we sit down with Jon Uretzky, founding partner of PULP Law Firm, one of the most recognized securities litigation firms in the microcap and small-cap markets. Jon explains why DESPAC transactions attract disproportionate regulatory and shareholder scrutiny, how SEC actions trigger cascading class-action lawsuits, and why FINRA’s Corporate Actions department can quietly derail post...
What Transfer Agents Really Do and Why Communication Decides Outcomes
In this episode, host Chaz Churchwell is joined by Seth Farbman , CEO of VStock Transfer, for a deep, practical discussion on the role transfer agents play in DESPAC transactions and ongoing public-company operations. Seth sh...
What Private Companies Don’t Understand About SEC Filings
In this episode, host Chaz Churchwell is joined by Elliot Goldstein of Federal Filings, a veteran EDGAR agent and capital markets operator, for a detailed conversation on the realities of SEC filings during DESPAC transaction...
Inside the Mind of a SPAC Sponsor: How Good Deals Get Done
In this episode, we are joined by Long Long , a veteran SPAC sponsor and capital markets operator, for a deep discussion on what truly drives successful DESPAC transactions. Long shares his journey from corporate finance to l...
What Breaks First After a DESPAC: The Deal or the Company?
In this episode, host Chaz Churchwell is joined by securities attorney Morris Zarif , founder of Zarif Law Group, for a deep conversation on legal readiness, governance discipline, and the hidden risks private companies face ...
Continuing to Evolve: How Public Companies Stay Compliant, Agile, and Ready for What Comes Next
In this final episode of The DESPAC Podcast Go Public Series, host Chaz Churchwell and SPAC attorney Michael Blankenship of Winston & Strawn walk through the last step of the Go Public Framework: C – Continuing to Evolve . Pu...
Institutionalizing Discipline: The Governance and Reporting Standards Every Public Company Must Master
In this episode of The DESPAC Podcast Go Public Series, host Chaz Churchwell and SPAC attorney Michael Blankenship of Winston & Strawn break down the seventh step of the Go Public Framework: I – Institutionalizing Discipline ...
List and Launch: What Happens the Moment Your DESPAC Deal Closes
In this episode of The DESPAC Podcast Go Public Series, host Chaz Churchwell and SPAC attorney Michael Blankenship of Winston & Strawn walk through the sixth step of the Go Public Framework: L – List and Launch . Listing day ...
Building Market Trust: Preparing Leaders and Messaging for Public Scrutiny
In this episode of The DESPAC Podcast Go Public Series, host Chaz Churchwell and SPAC attorney Michael Blankenship of Winston & Strawn break down the fifth step of the Go Public Framework: B – Building Market Trust . Building...
Undergoing Diligence: What Private Companies Must Prepare for in a DESPAC Transaction
In this episode of The DESPAC Podcast Go Public Series, host Chaz Churchwell and SPAC attorney Michael Blankenship of Winston & Strawn break down the fourth step of the Go Public Framework: U – Undergoing Diligence . Diligenc...
Positioning the Deal: Crafting the Narrative and Economics Behind a DESPAC Transaction
In this episode of The DESPAC Podcast Go Public Series, host Chaz Churchwell and SPAC attorney Michael Blankenship of Winston & Strawn unpack the third step of the Go Public Framework: P – Positioning the Deal . Positioning d...
Organizing Advisors: Building the Team That Makes or Breaks Your DESPAC Transaction
In this episode of The DESPAC Podcast Go Public Series, host Chaz Churchwell and SPAC attorney Michael Blankenship of Winston & Strawn dive into the second step of the Go Public Framework: O – Organizing Advisors . This conve...
Getting Ready: The Most Critical Step Before a DESPAC Transaction
In this episode of The DESPAC Podcast Go Public Series, host Chaz Churchwell and SPAC attorney Michael Blankenship of Winston & Strawn take a deep look at the most important part of the DESPAC process: G – Getting Ready . The...
The "GO PUBLIC" Framework Overview for Private Companies
In this kickoff episode of The DESPAC Podcast, host Chaz Churchwell welcomes Michael Blankenship of Winston & Strawn to unveil the Go Public Framework, a complete end-to-end system for private companies evaluating a DESPAC tr...
Why The DESPAC Podcast Exists: Protecting Companies After the SPAC
Most podcasts talk about SPAC deals. This one talks about what happens after. In the debut episode of The DESPAC Podcast, host Chaz Churchwell sits in the guest seat as Executive Producer Josh Wilson leads a conversation on why this show was created and who it is built for. Chaz explains how working closely with SPAC teams and public companies exposed a hard truth. Many private companies enter SPAC transactions without understanding the operational, governance, and legal realities of being p…
The DESPAC Podcast With Chaz Churchwell
The DESPAC Podcast gives private company leaders the guidance, structure, and truth they need to approach SPAC and DESPAC transactions with confidence. Hosted by Chaz Churchwell, the show focuses on the real work required to ...