The SPAC Podcast: Special Purpose Acquisition Company

Joshua Wilson
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Investing

🎙️ Welcome to The SPAC Podcast — your front-row seat to the dynamic world of Special Purpose Acquisition Companies. Hosted by Michael Blankenship, a leading capital markets attorney and partner at Winston Taylor, and Joshua Wilson, executive producer and capital markets advisor, The SPAC Podcast brings you candid conversations, insider insights, and sharp analysis from the people shaping the future of the SPAC market. Whether you're a sponsor, investor, founder, attorney, banker, or just curious about the mechanics and momentum behind SPACs — this show is your go-to source for education, strategy, and real-world stories from the dealmakers behind the deals. 🚀 What You'll Hear In each episode, we'll unpack: The structure, lifecycle, and mechanics of SPACs — from IPO to de-SPACLegal and regulatory insights that matter to sponsors and targetsInterviews with founders, investors, and advisors who've navigated successful transactionsTrends and forecasts from the front lines of capital marketsLessons learned, deal strategies, and ways to leverage SPACs as a growth vehicleWe're not just watching the SPAC market — we're talking to the people building it. 🎧 Meet Your Hosts Michael Blankenship is the Office Managing Partner of Winston Taylor (Houston) and Co-Chair of the firm's Capital Markets practice. He has represented over 100 public companies, private equity firms, and SPACs in IPOs, M&A, de-SPACs, and securities offerings. Known for his clarity, legal acumen, and deal fluency, Michael brings unmatched insight into the regulatory, transactional, and strategic forces shaping the SPAC space. Joshua Wilson is experienced in investment banking and the founder of multiple media brands, including The Investor Relations Podcast. With over 2,000 interviews under his belt and deep experience in real estate, private capital, and investor engagement, Josh brings a fresh voice and strategic lens to every conversation — helping connect deals with the stories and people behind them. Together, they bridge law, finance, and media — guiding listeners through the world of SPACs with clarity, credibility, and curiosity. 🌎 Who This Show is For SPAC Sponsors & CEOsInstitutional and Private InvestorsInvestment Bankers & Corporate AttorneysVenture-backed Founders and StartupsPrivate Equity & Family OfficesFinance Professionals and Capital Markets Enthusiasts🔔 Subscribe, Follow, and Join the Conversation This isn't just a show — it's a platform for education, connection, and business development in the SPAC ecosystem. Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube. New episodes drop weekly. Follow us on LinkedIn and share the show with colleagues, clients, and fellow capital markets pros. The SPAC Podcast Where sponsors meet stories, markets meet momentum, and strategy meets execution.

  1. Taking Fusion Energy Public: General Fusion's SPAC Deal — Greg Twinney

    May 27

    Taking Fusion Energy Public: General Fusion's SPAC Deal — Greg Twinney

    What does it take to put fusion energy on the public markets? Greg Twinney, CEO of General Fusion, joins Mike Blankenship to break down why the company is going public through a SPAC merger with Spring Valley — and why committed, oversubscribed PIPE capital mattered far more to him than counting on the trust account to actually come through at closing. EPISODE SUMMARY Greg Twinney, CEO of General Fusion and a 20-plus-year veteran of commercializing new technologies, walks through one of the most closely watched energy SPAC deals of the cycle. Twinney explains General Fusion's announced business combination with Spring Valley, the rationale for choosing a SPAC over a direct listing or traditional IPO, and how the company structured committed capital to fund critical machine milestones. The conversation digs into redemption risk, trust account dynamics, PIPE financing, and what it takes to move a decades-long fusion program from private science into the scrutiny of the public markets. A clear-eyed look at capital formation, deal structure, and the equity story behind deep-tech. What We Cover Why General Fusion chose a SPAC over a direct listing or IPOThe announced Spring Valley business combination and ~$1B pro forma equity valueHow an oversubscribed PIPE raise (~$108M) anchored the dealTrust capital, redemption risk, and why committed PIPE mattered mostFunding the milestones for a 50% power-plant-scale machineGeneral Fusion's liquid-metal-wall engineering approach to fusionHow fusion economics could translate to commercial power plantsThe decoupled, capital-efficient path to a first-of-a-kind plantWhat going public means for a decades-long fusion programConnect with Greg Twinney Website generalfusion.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/gregtwinney Follow The SPAC Podcast Website thespacpodcast.com · LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/thespacpodcast · YouTube youtube.com/@thespacpodcast Disclaimer: Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and partner at Winston Taylor. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services. Let's Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/  To Contact Us, Please Visit:  https://www.TheSPACPodcast.com/contact/

    15 min
  2. Going Public to Buy Main Street: Teamshares SPAC Merger— Michael Brown

    May 15

    Going Public to Buy Main Street: Teamshares SPAC Merger— Michael Brown

    What if going public meant buying Main Street — 92 small businesses at a time? Michael Blankenship sits down with Michael Brown, Co-Founder & CEO of Teamshares — a programmatic acquirer of $0.5M–$5M EBITDA businesses heading to NASDAQ via merger with Live Oak V. Founded in 2019, Teamshares has acquired 92 companies from retiring owners, runs $400M+ in consolidated revenue across 40+ industries and 30 states, and is part HoldCo, part fintech. Michael walks through the silver tsunami thesis, why most SME exits end in inertia or closure, and how Teamshares structured a SPAC merger and PIPE alongside T. Rowe Price.  🤝 Connect with Michael Brown: 🌐 https://www.teamshares.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/-masb/ 📩 Connect with Michael Blankenship: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ 🌐 https://www.thespacpodcast.com/ 🎙️ Follow The SPAC Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thespacpodcast.com/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@thespacpodcast Important Disclosures and Disclaimers Teamshares has entered into a definitive agreement for a business combination with Live Oak Crest Acquisition Corp. (“Live Oak”), a special purpose acquisition company. In connection with the proposed transaction, a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). This podcast does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. For important information about the proposed transaction, including where to find the Registration Statement and other legal disclaimers, please refer to the press release available at https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260403515446/en/Teamshares-and-Live-Oak-V-File-S-4. Clarifications. References to “segment profit” refer to Pro Forma Operating EBITDA, which includes pre-acquisition results of acquired businesses as if they had been owned for the full year. A full reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, as well as Teamshares’ audited GAAP financial statements, is available in the Registration Statement. Investors should review the full set of assumptions and risk factors accompanying these metrics in the Registration Statement. Disclaimer: Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and partner at Winston Taylor. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services. Let's Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/  To Contact Us, Please Visit:  https://www.TheSPACPodcast.com/contact/

    23 min
  3. The Fairness Opinion Process SPAC Sponsors Should Know — Michael Moscarelli

    May 8

    The Fairness Opinion Process SPAC Sponsors Should Know — Michael Moscarelli

    Most SPAC sponsors don't realize a fairness opinion isn't just a checkbox — it's the line of defense between you and the entire fairness standard if your deal lands in litigation. Michael Moscarelli, Vice President in Houlihan Capital's Valuation and Financial Advisory practice, joins Mike Blankenship to break down what every SPAC sponsor needs to understand about fairness opinions before the BCA vote. From the post–Multi-Plan shift in Delaware litigation exposure, to per-share allocation analysis, to the structural differences between a SPAC fairness opinion and a traditional one — this is the practitioner-level breakdown sponsors, boards, and deal teams need. Houlihan Capital has carved out a niche delivering SPAC fairness opinions across industries, and Michael walks through what good looks like — and what to avoid. 🎯 What We Cover: - Why the entire fairness standard matters post-Multi-Plan - Fair pricing vs. fair dealing — and how an opinion supports both - What to look for when choosing a fairness opinion provider - Typical fee ranges and why contingent fees defeat the purpose - How to keep the opinion process smooth and on timeline - What to prepare before the opinion team gets involved - Why per-share allocation is now the regulatory focus - How warrants, PIPEs, ELOCs, and pro forma capital factor in - What makes valuing a de-SPAC target different from a typical IPO - Why VC/PE-backed growth-stage targets demand specific expertise 🤝 Connect with Michael Moscarelli: 🌐 https://www.houlihancapital.com/fairness-opinions/spac-fairness-opinions/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelmoscarelli 📩 Connect with Michael Blankenship: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ 🌐 https://www.thespacpodcast.com/ 📩 Connect with Joshua Wilson: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ 🌐 https://www.thespacpodcast.com/ 🎙️ Follow The SPAC Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thespacpodcast.com/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@thespacpodcast Disclaimer: Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and partner at Winston Taylor. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services. Let's Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/  To Contact Us, Please Visit:  https://www.TheSPACPodcast.com/contact/

    10 min
  4. After 130 SPACs and 140 DESPACs Here's What I've Learned with Brandon Sun

    Apr 21

    After 130 SPACs and 140 DESPACs Here's What I've Learned with Brandon Sun

    After 130 SPAC IPOs and 140 de-SPACs — the most of any banker he knows of — Brandon Sun shares what 13 years at the center of the blank check market actually teaches you. In this episode, Michael Blankenship sits down with Brandon Sun, Head of SPAC Investment Banking at Cohen & Company Capital Markets. With 130+ SPAC IPOs raising $45B+ in equity capital and 140 de-SPAC transactions representing $210B+ in combined enterprise value, Brandon is one of the longest-serving and most prolific SPAC bankers on Wall Street. A decade at Deutsche Bank followed by three and a half years at Cohen & Company — through the 2021 boom, the 2022–2023 collapse, and the 2025 resurgence — gives him a vantage point few practitioners have. Essential listening for SPAC sponsors, PIPE investors, de-SPAC target founders, and capital markets professionals. 🎯 What We Cover: Why the SPAC offers certainty when the IPO window closes — and why 1,000 filed S-1s are currently stuckThe real advantage of SPACs vs. traditional IPOs and direct listings todayWhy every major quantum computing company went public via SPAC — IonQ, Rigetti, D-Wave, Xanadu, Terra QuantumThe public-private arbitrage driving rare earths, SMR nuclear, and deep tech to SPAC transactionsWhy cross-border listings are flowing to US exchanges as foreign markets lose liquidityWhat separates target management teams that close from the ones that walk awayThe #1 opportunity cost SPAC sponsors underestimate when evaluating targetsHow to think about valuation, structure, and story as one integrated pitch What the rest of 2025 looks like for SPAC deal flow across sectors 🤝 Connect with Brandon Sun: 🌐 https://www.cohencm.com/brandon-sun 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonsun/ 📩 Connect with Michael Blankenship: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ 🌐 https://www.thespacpodcast.com/ 📩 Connect with Joshua Wilson: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ 🌐 https://www.thespacpodcast.com/ 🎙️ Follow The SPAC Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thespacpodcast.com/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@thespacpodcast Disclaimer: Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and partner at Winston Taylor. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services. Let's Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/  To Contact Us, Please Visit:  https://www.TheSPACPodcast.com/contact/

    12 min
  5. The Due Diligence Step Most First-Time SPAC Sponsors Get Wrong — James Tunkey

    Apr 14

    The Due Diligence Step Most First-Time SPAC Sponsors Get Wrong — James Tunkey

    Most first-time SPAC sponsors underestimate what a background check actually uncovers — and what it costs them when something surfaces after the S-1 is filed. James Tunkey is a background check and fraud investigation specialist with deep experience in international due diligence for SPAC IPOs and capital markets transactions. His firm handles approximately 25% of Nasdaq issuances and 40% of Hong Kong Stock Exchange listings annually. In this episode, James joins Michael Blankenship to break down what a rigorous director and officer vetting process looks like — from regulatory sanction screening and negative media searches to cross-border verification challenges and the role AI is beginning to play. Essential listening for sponsors, underwriters, and counsel navigating the SPAC IPO process. 🎯 What We Cover: Why identity verification is the critical first layer of any D&O background checkFINRA and SEC sanction screening — what gets flagged and what it meansHow civil and criminal litigation history is sourced and evaluatedEducation and employment verification: when phone calls still matterInternational due diligence: name localization, foreign databases, and privacy law gapsTurnaround timelines — what to expect in the US vs. cross-border engagementsReal examples: Ponzi schemes caught before listing, directors quietly replacedHow AI is accelerating negative media screening without replacing human investigatorsWho typically engages the background check firm — issuer, underwriter, or counselWhat the final report looks like and how risk ratings are assigned🤝 Connect with James Tunkey: 🌐 https://www.ionasia.com.hk/team/james-tunkey/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamestunkey/ 📩 Connect with Michael Blankenship: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ 🌐 https://www.thespacpodcast.com/ 📩 Connect with Joshua Wilson: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ 🌐 https://www.thespacpodcast.com/ 🎙️ Follow The SPAC Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thespacpodcast.com/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@thespacpodcast Disclaimer: Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and partner at Winston Taylor. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services. Let's Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/  To Contact Us, Please Visit:  https://www.TheSPACPodcast.com/contact/

    13 min
  6. Family Office vs Hedge Fund Money: What SPAC Sponsors Need to Know — Steve Kann

    Apr 8

    Family Office vs Hedge Fund Money: What SPAC Sponsors Need to Know — Steve Kann

    Not all PIPE capital is created equal — and the wrong money can destroy a de-SPAC before it ever has a chance to perform. Steve Kann has spent 30 years in small cap investment banking — founding companies, running funds, and advising on capital formation across PIPE financings, IPOs, M&A, and de-SPAC transactions. As Head of US Investment Banking at Arc Stone Securities and Partner at Ocean Street Partners, Steve brings a practitioner's lens to one of the most misunderstood decisions a SPAC sponsor makes: who you let into your deal and when. In this episode, Steve breaks down why hedge fund arb money and family office capital produce different post-combination outcomes — and how pricing determines which investors you can attract. He also shares why most de-SPAC management teams fail to recognize they now have two products to sell, and what that blind spot costs them in aftermarket performance. 🎯 What We Cover: Why hedge funds are structurally misaligned with de-SPAC successHow family office capital functions as sticky, partnership-oriented moneyWhen retail capital enters the picture — and what that signalsWhy de-SPAC CEOs underestimate the equity story as a second product to sellHow inefficient markets create mispricing in small and microcap namesSPAC vs. direct listing vs. IPO vs. reverse merger — when each makes senseThe cross-border complexity sponsors routinely underestimateWhy toxic capital structures leave companies with no second chance to raiseThe SPAC Bootcamp - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7447383788864778241/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAkIjyYBAXZAMcq5y4Coph2bOaN-KqTsMvY 🤝 Connect with Steve Kann: 🌐 https://www.arcstoneglobalsecurities.com 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenkann/ 📩 Connect with Michael Blankenship: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ 🌐 https://www.thespacpodcast.com/ 📩 Connect with Joshua Wilson: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ 🌐 https://www.thespacpodcast.com/ 🎙️ Follow The SPAC Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thespacpodcast.com/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@thespacpodcast Disclaimer: Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and partner at Winston Taylor. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services. Let's Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/  To Contact Us, Please Visit:  https://www.TheSPACPodcast.com/contact/

    18 min
  7. What SPAC Investors Are Actually Looking for Right Now — Christine McNerney

    Mar 30

    What SPAC Investors Are Actually Looking for Right Now — Christine McNerney

    Every SPAC sponsor thinks their pitch stands out. Christine McNerney has seen them all — and most don't. Christine McNerney, Associate Portfolio Manager at Periscope Capital, has been with the firm since 2012 and focused on SPACs since 2021 — from testing the waters through selective PIPE financing. Periscope itself has been active in the SPAC market since 2016.  In this episode, she breaks down exactly what separates fundable sponsor teams from forgettable ones, how Periscope evaluates de-SPAC targets, why the current market is healthier than it looks, and what private companies need to understand before going public via a blank check company. For SPAC sponsors, PIPE investors, and de-SPAC operators navigating today's capital markets landscape, this is an unfiltered look at how decisions actually get made. 🎯 What We Cover: What sponsor teams consistently get wrong in testing the waters meetingsHow to articulate deal criteria beyond generic talking pointsThe ideal sponsor profile — operators vs. dealmakers and why both matterGeographic scope: why non-US targets carry additional risk and scrutinyWhat Periscope looks for first when evaluating a de-SPAC opportunityWhy equity coverage and peer set matter more than most targets realizeHow the SPAC process gives companies a valuation edge over a traditional ECM IPOLessons from 2020–2021 and what's fundamentally different in today's marketWhy repeat sponsors now represent nearly 70% of SPAC IPOs — and what that signalsAdvice for de-SPAC companies struggling with post-combination stock performance🤝 Connect with Christine McNerney: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-mcnerney/ 🌐 https://periscopecapital.com/ 📩 Connect with Michael Blankenship: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ 🌐 https://www.thespacpodcast.com/ 📩 Connect with Joshua Wilson: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ 🌐 https://www.thespacpodcast.com/ 🎙️ Follow The SPAC Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thespacpodcast.com/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@thespacpodcast Disclaimer: Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and partner at Winston Taylor. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services. Let's Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/  To Contact Us, Please Visit:  https://www.TheSPACPodcast.com/contact/

    20 min
  8. What Most Sponsors Get Wrong Before They Ever Find a Target — Bob Brown & Ari Brown

    Mar 23

    What Most Sponsors Get Wrong Before They Ever Find a Target — Bob Brown & Ari Brown

    ClearThink Capital structured their SPAC IPO with closing fees under $2 million — at a time when most sponsors are paying $10 to $15 million. Bob Brown helped write the SEC rules that govern SPACs back in 1991. Here's what he and Ari built differently. Robert "Bob" Brown and Ari Brown, Managing Directors of ClearThink Capital, join Michael Blankenship on The SPAC Podcast to break down what separates a well-structured blank check company from one that's already compromised before a target is ever found. Bob brings over three decades of securities and M&A law experience — including working on the very first SPAC in 1991 and helping the SEC write the rules that govern the structure today. Together, Bob and Ari walk through how ClearThink designed their own SPAC IPO to minimize sponsor-side closing costs, why "deal dementia" quietly kills more transactions than bad targets do, what private companies consistently get wrong when preparing for a de-SPAC, and how the current SEC environment and new administration are reshaping cross-border SPAC deal flow. 🎯 What We Cover: How ClearThink structured their SPAC to keep closing fees under $2M vs. the $10–15M industry normWhy sponsors must differentiate on deal quality — not just sector focusThe "deal dementia" trap: how sponsors drift from sound valuation discipline over timeWhat private companies consistently miss in audit readiness and PCAOB compliance before a de-SPACCross-border de-SPAC complexity: double dummy structures, multi-jurisdiction regulatory regimesNASDAQ vs. NYSE: what the data actually shows vs. sponsor perceptionThe S-1 review delay caused by the government shutdown — and how to plan around process riskWhy cadence and timeline discipline matter more than most first-time sponsors expect🤝 Connect with Bob Brown & Ari Brown: 🌐 https://www.clearthinkcapital.com 📩 Connect with Michael Blankenship: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ 🌐 https://www.thespacpodcast.com/ 📩 Connect with Joshua Wilson: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ 🌐 https://www.thespacpodcast.com/ 🎙️ Follow The SPAC Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thespacpodcast.com/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@thespacpodcast Disclaimer: Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and partner at Winston Taylor. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services. Let's Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/  To Contact Us, Please Visit:  https://www.TheSPACPodcast.com/contact/

    14 min
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5
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About

🎙️ Welcome to The SPAC Podcast — your front-row seat to the dynamic world of Special Purpose Acquisition Companies. Hosted by Michael Blankenship, a leading capital markets attorney and partner at Winston Taylor, and Joshua Wilson, executive producer and capital markets advisor, The SPAC Podcast brings you candid conversations, insider insights, and sharp analysis from the people shaping the future of the SPAC market. Whether you're a sponsor, investor, founder, attorney, banker, or just curious about the mechanics and momentum behind SPACs — this show is your go-to source for education, strategy, and real-world stories from the dealmakers behind the deals. 🚀 What You'll Hear In each episode, we'll unpack: The structure, lifecycle, and mechanics of SPACs — from IPO to de-SPACLegal and regulatory insights that matter to sponsors and targetsInterviews with founders, investors, and advisors who've navigated successful transactionsTrends and forecasts from the front lines of capital marketsLessons learned, deal strategies, and ways to leverage SPACs as a growth vehicleWe're not just watching the SPAC market — we're talking to the people building it. 🎧 Meet Your Hosts Michael Blankenship is the Office Managing Partner of Winston Taylor (Houston) and Co-Chair of the firm's Capital Markets practice. He has represented over 100 public companies, private equity firms, and SPACs in IPOs, M&A, de-SPACs, and securities offerings. Known for his clarity, legal acumen, and deal fluency, Michael brings unmatched insight into the regulatory, transactional, and strategic forces shaping the SPAC space. Joshua Wilson is experienced in investment banking and the founder of multiple media brands, including The Investor Relations Podcast. With over 2,000 interviews under his belt and deep experience in real estate, private capital, and investor engagement, Josh brings a fresh voice and strategic lens to every conversation — helping connect deals with the stories and people behind them. Together, they bridge law, finance, and media — guiding listeners through the world of SPACs with clarity, credibility, and curiosity. 🌎 Who This Show is For SPAC Sponsors & CEOsInstitutional and Private InvestorsInvestment Bankers & Corporate AttorneysVenture-backed Founders and StartupsPrivate Equity & Family OfficesFinance Professionals and Capital Markets Enthusiasts🔔 Subscribe, Follow, and Join the Conversation This isn't just a show — it's a platform for education, connection, and business development in the SPAC ecosystem. Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube. New episodes drop weekly. Follow us on LinkedIn and share the show with colleagues, clients, and fellow capital markets pros. The SPAC Podcast Where sponsors meet stories, markets meet momentum, and strategy meets execution.

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