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.

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 become a disciplined public company. Each episode cuts through confusion and delivers practical insight from operators, CFOs, auditors, attorneys, bankers, SPAC sponsors, PIPE investors, and advisors who understand the process end to end.

Chaz started this show out of frust...