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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, auditors, attorneys, bankers, SPAC sponsors, PIPE investors, and advisors who understand the process end to end.
Chaz started this show out of frustration. He has seen too many companies rush into the public markets without the systems, controls, and governance needed to survive. His commitment is simple. Help leaders avoid preventable mistakes and build the internal discipline required to thrive after the deal closes. As he says, he is tired of seeing companies go public only to be crushed in the courts because they were not prepared.
The vision of the show is to be the leading catalyst for disciplined private companies exploring DESPAC deals built for long-term public success. The mission is to arm leadership teams with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate SPAC transactions wisely and win on the public stage.
Each conversation gives you a clear view of what public readiness demands. You learn how to evaluate if your company is a real fit for a SPAC, how to prepare financial controls that withstand scrutiny, and how to build a governance structure that protects your company. You hear how auditors assess your internal processes. You understand what regulators expect. You learn how PIPE investors make decisions. You get direct guidance on investor communication, forecasting discipline, board readiness, and the standards that define public-company performance.
The show serves founders, CEOs, CFOs, COOs, controllers, general counsels, private equity partners, and advisors who want to understand the process without spin. Whether you are preparing a portfolio company for a public exit or exploring a SPAC for the first time, this podcast gives you the insight needed to lead wisely.
What makes The DESPAC Podcast different is its focus on preparation over hype. You hear the truth from experts who have lived through successful transitions and from those who have witnessed failures up close. You learn what to do, why it matters, and how to protect your company from the operational, financial, and legal risks that catch most teams off guard.
If you are considering a SPAC or DESPAC path, this podcast helps you build a clear public-readiness roadmap. If you are already in the process, it helps you strengthen your systems and avoid missteps. And if you have already gone public, it gives you the tools to stabilize, communicate, and operate with more discipline.
The DESPAC Podcast is built for leaders who want clarity, accountability, and a serious understanding of what it takes to succeed as a public company. It is a resource you can trust as you prepare for one of the most demanding transitions in business. Chaz Churchwell built this platform to help you win.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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Do You Actually Need the Capital? Before You Choose a SPAC with Michael Strauss
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Jul 14, 2026 |
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Preparing for a DESPAC: Audit Readiness, Valuation & Public-Company Reporting with Jonathan Grubbs and Jeffrey Duncan
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Jul 08, 2026 |
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What Makes a Good SPAC Target (and What Disqualifies One)
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Jun 30, 2026 |
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Why DESPAC Votes Fail: A Proxy Solicitor's Playbook with Desiree Carlo
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Jun 16, 2026 |
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What Founders Aren't Told Before a DESPAC with Roshan Pujari CEO Stardust Power
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Jun 09, 2026 |
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What Actually Kills DESPAC Deals, With 25-Year SPAC Attorney Doug Ellenoff
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Jun 02, 2026 |
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What Misclassified Warrants and Earnouts Really Cost a DESPAC — Sam Salty & Mark Stoller
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May 26, 2026 |
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The 3 Non-Negotiables Every DESPAC Target Must Show Today with Alex Weniger-Araujo & Shahrooz Shahnavaz
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May 20, 2026 |
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From Fraud Investigations to DESPAC Due Diligence — James Tunkey
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May 12, 2026 |
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How Fairness Opinions Actually Work in a DESPAC Transaction — Michael Moscarelli
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Apr 14, 2026 |
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The SPAC Market Reset: Why the Next Wave May Be Stronger
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Mar 16, 2026 |
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Inside the DESPAC Process: What Investment Bankers Actually Do
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Mar 13, 2026 |
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CFO Advisory Secrets: What Private Companies Must Fix Before a DESPAC
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Mar 10, 2026 |
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The Gatekeepers of Your Shares: What Every DESPAC Company Must Know About Transfer Agents
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Mar 06, 2026 |
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Why 90% of SPACs Are Formed in the Cayman Islands (And What Targets Must Know)
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Mar 04, 2026 |
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What Smart Targets Look For in a SPAC (And What Most Miss)
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Mar 02, 2026 |
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IPO or DESPAC? The real answer is more nuanced than most founders realize.
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Feb 25, 2026 |
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Is Your DESPAC Built on Governance or Just Hype?
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Feb 23, 2026 |
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When Should IR Enter the DESPAC Process? The Answer Most CEOs Miss
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Feb 16, 2026 |
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Why DESPACs Attract Litigation and How Leaders Defend Themselves
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Feb 09, 2026 |
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What Transfer Agents Really Do and Why Communication Decides Outcomes
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Feb 02, 2026 |
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What Private Companies Don’t Understand About SEC Filings
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Jan 26, 2026 |
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Inside the Mind of a SPAC Sponsor: How Good Deals Get Done
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Jan 19, 2026 |
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What Breaks First After a DESPAC: The Deal or the Company?
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Jan 13, 2026 |
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Continuing to Evolve: How Public Companies Stay Compliant, Agile, and Ready for What Comes Next
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Jan 12, 2026 |
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Institutionalizing Discipline: The Governance and Reporting Standards Every Public Company Must Master
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Jan 11, 2026 |
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List and Launch: What Happens the Moment Your DESPAC Deal Closes
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Jan 10, 2026 |
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Building Market Trust: Preparing Leaders and Messaging for Public Scrutiny
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Jan 09, 2026 |
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Undergoing Diligence: What Private Companies Must Prepare for in a DESPAC Transaction
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Jan 08, 2026 |
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Positioning the Deal: Crafting the Narrative and Economics Behind a DESPAC Transaction
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Jan 07, 2026 |
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Organizing Advisors: Building the Team That Makes or Breaks Your DESPAC Transaction
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Jan 06, 2026 |
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Getting Ready: The Most Critical Step Before a DESPAC Transaction
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Jan 05, 2026 |
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The "GO PUBLIC" Framework Overview for Private Companies
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Dec 22, 2025 |
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Why The DESPAC Podcast Exists: Protecting Companies After the SPAC
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Dec 18, 2025 |
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The DESPAC Podcast With Chaz Churchwell
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Nov 25, 2025 |