Episodes
How Fairness Opinions Actually Work in a DESPAC Transaction — Michael Moscarelli
Valuation disputes are the #1 source of litigation, infighting, and blown DESPAC deals. Michael Moscarelli of Houlihan Capital has personally delivered up to 15 DESPAC fairness opinions and breaks down exactly how the process...
The SPAC Market Reset: Why the Next Wave May Be Stronger
This episode provides a quick market update on the SPAC ecosystem and discusses how legal trends and governance practices are shaping the next cycle of deals. Chaz Churchwell explains why securities litigation has dropped dra...
Inside the DESPAC Process: What Investment Bankers Actually Do
Investment bankers play a critical role in the SPAC and DESPAC process, yet their work often happens behind the scenes. In this interview, host Chaz Churchwell sits down with Jesse Busch of iBankers to unpack the mechanics of...
CFO Advisory Secrets: What Private Companies Must Fix Before a DESPAC
In this episode, host Chaz Churchwell speaks with Mohammad Hasham , Partner at Cohn Reznick, about the critical role CFO advisory teams play in helping private companies prepare to become public. Mohammad specializes in capit...
The Gatekeepers of Your Shares: What Every DESPAC Company Must Know About Transfer Agents
In this episode, host Chaz Churchwell interviews Caitlyn Van Valin , Head of U.S. Sales at Odyssey Trust Company, to discuss the role transfer agents play in helping companies transition into the public markets. Caitlyn expla...
Why 90% of SPACs Are Formed in the Cayman Islands (And What Targets Must Know)
In this episode, host Chaz Churchwell interviews Alexandra Low , Cayman counsel at Appleby and one of the leading advisors supporting SPAC IPOs and DESPAC transactions. Alexandra shares her perspective from working with inter...
What Smart Targets Look For in a SPAC (And What Most Miss)
In this episode of The DESPAC Podcast, host Chaz Churchwell interviews Chris Cottone , Vice President at Greentree Financial, a family office active in IPO and SPAC advisory since 1999. Chris shares practical insight from yea...
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...