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The DESPAC Podcast

Chaz Churchwell
SPAC
DESPAC
D&O Insurance
Governance
Churchwell Insurance Agency
Public Company Readiness
Securities Litigation
Winston & Strawn
Public Markets
Cayman Islands
Spacs
Pipe
Valuation
Odyssey Trust Company
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
Thespacconference.com
Transfer Agent
Investor Relations
Public Company
IPO

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 owner of Churchwell Insurance Agency. 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, auditor... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes36Founded8 months ago
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Artwork for The DESPAC Podcast

Latest Episodes

There are four ways to take a company public. Brandon Sun says 95% of companies realistically have access to one.

Brandon Sun, Managing Director and Head of SPAC Investment Banking at Cohen & Company, has closed more than 130 DESPAC and M&A transact... more

Most founders ask what a SPAC is worth before they ask whether they need it at all. Michael Strauss of Boardroom Alpha flips that: the first question is whether you need the capital now, or can afford to optimize price and stay private longer.

Micha... more

Most private companies treat a DESPAC as the finish line. Jeffrey Duncan and Jonathan Grubbs of Aprio explain why day one as a public company is where the real work begins — and why targets that wait until the BCA is signed are already behind.

In th... more

What actually disqualifies a private company from a SPAC deal? Patrick Sturgeon says the answer is often the same thing that would sink a traditional IPO — size. A single-asset biotech at Phase 1B with a sub-$100M valuation "just should not be a publ... more

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Recent Guests

Desiree Carlo
Senior Vice President of Laurel Hill Advisory, head of SPAC department
Laurel Hill Advisory
Episode: Why DESPAC Votes Fail: A Proxy Solicitor's Playbook with Desiree Carlo
Roshan Pujari
CEO of Stardust Power, private company that went public via DESPAC
Stardust Power
Episode: What Founders Aren't Told Before a DESPAC with Roshan Pujari CEO Stardust Power
Doug Ellenoff
Attorney with Ellenoff Grossman Schole (EGS)
Ellenoff Grossman Schole (EGS)
Episode: What Actually Kills DESPAC Deals, With 25-Year SPAC Attorney Doug Ellenoff
Sam Guzman
Practice Leader, GuzmanGray
GuzmanGray
Episode: What Misclassified Warrants and Earnouts Really Cost a DESPAC — Sam Salty & Mark Stoller
Mark Guzman
Chief Marketing Officer, GuzmanGray
GuzmanGray
Episode: What Misclassified Warrants and Earnouts Really Cost a DESPAC — Sam Salty & Mark Stoller
Alex Weniger-Araujo
Partner, Capital Markets and Securities Group
McGuireWoods
Episode: The 3 Non-Negotiables Every DESPAC Target Must Show Today with Alex Weniger-Araujo & Shahrooz Shahnavaz
Shahrooz Shahnavaz
Partner, Tax Department
McGuireWoods
Episode: The 3 Non-Negotiables Every DESPAC Target Must Show Today with Alex Weniger-Araujo & Shahrooz Shahnavaz
James Tunkey
Head of I on Asia; due diligence and investigations expert
I on Asia
Episode: From Fraud Investigations to DESPAC Due Diligence — James Tunkey
Mike Moscarelli
Fairness opinion expert at Houlihan Capital
Houlihan Capital
Episode: How Fairness Opinions Actually Work in a DESPAC Transaction — Michael Moscarelli

Host

Chaz Churchwell
Host of The DESPAC Podcast focused on disciplined private-company preparation for SPAC/DESPAC exits.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 2 ratings
  • Great Show

    Great Show. Love the host

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    David Jackson
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests span law, finance, audits, and transfer agents, offering deep, actionable insights.
Audience notes practical, no-hype guidance on SPAC readiness and governance.
Content emphasizes preparation, not hype, with clear takeaways for public-readiness.
The host brings credibility through real-world experience and candid take on governance.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why The DESPAC Podcast Exists: Protecting Companies After the SPAC
Q: What is D&O insurance and what does Churchwell Insurance specialize in?
D&O insurance covers directors and officers, along with related lines like cyber, crime, and employment practices liability; Churchwell focuses on protecting publicly traded companies, particularly SPAC teams, and uses the DESPAC platform to educate and drive excellence.
Why DESPACs Attract Litigation and How Leaders Defend Themselves
Q: Why is FINRA's corporate actions department a critical consideration for DESPAC exits, and how can companies prepare?
FINRA's corporate actions can delay or block post-DESPAC actions like name changes or reverse mergers. Preparation involves early, proactive communication with FINRA, ensuring a clean cap table, removing problematic shareholders, and having clear governance and board readiness to withstand scrutiny.
Why DESPACs Attract Litigation and How Leaders Defend Themselves
Q: What are the biggest regulatory changes you've seen since Gary Gensler's tenure began, and why do they matter for microcap DESPACs?
There were two significant shifts: the waiver process became simultaneous with 'obey the law' injunctions, giving companies full information during negotiations and reducing last-minute deal blocks; and the dealer exception crackdown in microcap financing was rolled back under Atkins, restoring accessible financing pathways and overall deal flow for small public companies.
What Private Companies Don’t Understand About SEC Filings
Q: What happens if a company waits until the last minute to file or push deadlines?
The fallout includes potential SEC comments, stale financials, and last-minute chaos that can threaten the deal; having a quarterback and disciplined version control mitigates these risks and keeps the process on track.
What Private Companies Don’t Understand About SEC Filings
Q: When should private companies get engaged with a filing partner in a DESPAC process?
Engage early in the DESPAC process to align on timelines, risk, and responsibilities; you should bring the printer in early to avoid last-minute rushes and ensure XBRL tagging and EDGAR formatting are prepared alongside the S4 and other documents.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The DESPAC Podcast

What is The DESPAC Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The DESPAC Podcast delivers practical guidance for private-company leaders navigating SPAC and DESPAC transactions, with a hands-on focus on governance, financial controls, investor communications, and readiness for the public markets. Episodes center on preparing for public life rather than chasing hype, featuring operators, CFOs, auditors, attorneys, bankers, SPAC sponsors, and advisors who share real-world lessons on governance, capital readiness, and post-close discipline. Distinctive strengths include a practical, outcomes-focused approach, candid commentary on structure and valuation, and a breadth of expertise spanning audits, legal considerations, transfer agents, tax planning, and offshore formations. This mix makes it valuable for... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The DESPAC Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The DESPAC Podcast:

1. The SPAC Podcast: Special Purpose Acquisition Company
2. Blurry Creatures
3. Come and See
4. The Dr. Josh Axe Show

How many episodes of The DESPAC Podcast are there?

The DESPAC Podcast launched 8 months ago and published 36 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The DESPAC Podcast?

Recent guests on The DESPAC Podcast include:

1. Desiree Carlo
2. Roshan Pujari
3. Doug Ellenoff
4. Sam Guzman
5. Mark Guzman
6. Alex Weniger-Araujo
7. Shahrooz Shahnavaz
8. James Tunkey

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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