Episodes

Securities litigator Jon Uretzky of PULP Law Firm on D&O insurance for newly public companies — why DESPACs attract elevated litigation, how SEC inquiries trigger shareholder lawsuits, and what protects directors and officers.

Seth Farbman of VStock Transfer on cap table management for newly public companies — the real role of transfer agents, why communication failures create financial risk, and when to engage early.

Elliot Goldstein of Federal Filings on what an EDGAR agent does in a DESPAC — the realities of SEC filings, XBRL tagging risk, and the hidden costs that derail deals and frustrate regulators.

Long Long, a veteran SPAC sponsor, on what SPAC sponsors look for in a target — internal ownership, deal cadence, promote structures, and why public readiness failures lead to lawsuits.

Securities attorney Morris Zarif on the hidden costs of going public through a DESPAC — governance cleanup, IP diligence gaps, audit exposure, and the D&O coverage requirements most targets underestimate.

Mike Blankenship of Winston & Strawn on annual risk reviews for newly public companies — insurance audits, litigation trends, M&A readiness, and using public currency for strategic growth. (Go Public Series: Step 8 — Continuing to Evolve)

Mike Blankenship of Winston & Strawn on SOX compliance after a DESPAC — governance structure, reporting cadence, internal audit controls, and the discipline that drives long-term public-company success. (Go Public Series: Step 7 — Institutionalizing Discipline)

Mike Blankenship of Winston & Strawn on what happens when a DESPAC closes — listing day, market communications, the first earnings report, and demonstrating alignment with prior projections. (Go Public Series: Step 6 — List and Launch)

Mike Blankenship of Winston & Strawn on executive communication before going public — aligning messaging, preparing for analyst and investor scrutiny, and avoiding hype that erodes trust. (Go Public Series: Step 5 — Building Market Trust)

Mike Blankenship of Winston & Strawn on D&O insurance before a DESPAC closes — the diligence phase, S-4 disclosures, tail coverage, and the risk framework targets must finalize pre-close. (Go Public Series: Step 4 — Undergoing Diligence)

Mike Blankenship of Winston & Strawn on how to choose a SPAC sponsor — evaluating track record, structuring deal economics, and building narratives that establish trust over hype. (Go Public Series: Step 3 — Positioning the Deal)

Mike Blankenship of Winston & Strawn on choosing the right advisors for a DESPAC — vetting securities counsel, structuring D&O/cyber/crime insurance before the S-4, and why missing private D&O coverage creates serious litigation risk. (Go Public Series: Step 2 — Organizing Advisors)

Mike Blankenship of Winston & Strawn on internal readiness before a SPAC merger — self-audits, cap table cleanup, governance prep, and stress-testing projections. (Go Public Series: Step 1 — Getting Ready)

The Go Public Series kickoff — Mike Blankenship of Winston & Strawn on the GO PUBLIC framework: an 8-step end-to-end system for private companies evaluating a DESPAC, from internal prep through life as a public company.

The debut episode — Chaz Churchwell in the guest seat with Executive Producer Josh Wilson on why The DESPAC Podcast exists: post-SPAC execution risk, D&O insurance, and protecting companies from preventable litigation after going public.

Host Chaz Churchwell on why he started The DESPAC Podcast: practical guidance from operators, auditors, attorneys, bankers, and sponsors to help private companies become disciplined public companies.