The SPAC Podcast
🎙️ 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 & Strawn LLP, 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-SPAC
- Legal and regulatory insights that matter to sponsors and targets
- Interviews with founders, investors, and advisors who’ve navigated successful transactions
- Trends and forecasts from the front lines of capital markets
- Lessons learned, deal strategies, and ways to leverage SPACs as a growth vehicle
We’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 & Strawn LLP (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 & CEOs
- Institutional and Private Investors
- Investment Bankers & Corporate Attorneys
- Venture-backed Founders and Startups
- Private Equity & Family Offices
- Finance 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.
The SPAC Podcast
Determining D&O Insurance Needs with Real Market Data
In this SPAC Podcast Spotlight, Chaz Churchwell, President of The Churchwell Agency, explains how he helps clients determine the right level of D&O insurance coverage. Rather than relying on vague estimates, Chaz emphasizes a data-driven approach, leveraging sources such as Stanford Law Review, Cornerstone Research, and peer analytics to assess litigation trends and coverage benchmarks.
He describes how factors like market cap, industry segment, and peer data can guide companies—especially those preparing for IPOs—in making informed decisions about coverage needs. By combining analytics with real-world risk exposure, Chaz helps companies prepare for potential settlement costs and legal defense obligations.
Disclaimer:
The views, opinions, and statements expressed by the guest are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The SPAC Podcast, its hosts, or affiliated organizations. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, legal, or financial advice.
Connect with the Guest:
Chaz Churchwell – The Churchwell Agency
Website: https://www.churchwellagency.com/about-our-agency/meet-our-owner/team-member/chaz-churchwell/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaz-churchwell-6073694/
View all of their episodes here:
https://www.thespacpodcast.com/guests/chaz-churchwell/
Connect with the Hosts & The SPAC Podcast:
Michael Blankenship LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/
Joshua Wilson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Thespacpodcast
#SPACs #CapitalMarkets #SPACPodcast #DOInsurance #RiskManagement #IPOReadiness #ChazChurchwell
Contact The SPAC Podcast:
https://www.thespacpodcast.com/contact/
Disclaimer:
Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and is a partner at Winston & Strawn LLP. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal, financial, or compliance advice. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, employer, or organization.
Listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel, compliance professionals, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable laws and regulations, including those enforced by the SEC, FINRA, and other regulatory bodies. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation, offer, or recommendation of any financial products, securities transactions, or legal services.
Let’s Connect on LinkedIn:
👉 Michael J. Blankenship - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/
👉 Joshua Bruce Wilson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/
To Contact Us or Collaborate:
Mike: How do you help clients determine coverage limits?
Chaz: Numbers don’t lie, right? It’s all about data. So, I was in Beverly Hills just a few weeks ago at a conference, and one of my clients—who’s about to IPO—met me there. They told me, “Chaz, do you know why we picked you?” And I said, “Not really.” They explained that when they asked other firms how much coverage to buy, the answers were vague: “We’ll pull some data and let you know.”
But I was able to say immediately, “These are the numbers, these are the statistics.” I could show them where they stood based on their market cap and industry. I also had a colleague on the call who shared peer data about what similar companies were purchasing.
For example, Stanford Law Review publishes annual securities litigation trends, and Cornerstone Research organizes that data into clear reports. I drill into it, focusing on micro- and small-cap companies, and use those trends to show clients what coverage makes sense for them. If a client says, “This is our market cap, this is our raise,” I can explain how potential settlements and legal defense costs should be factored in. We then add peer data analytics so they can see what others in their sector are buying, ensuring they understand both the industry benchmarks and their specific risk exposure.