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
Why the Transfer Agent Market Is Finally Changing
In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Caitlyn Van Valin, Vice President at Odyssey Trust, explains why the transfer agent and trust industry is undergoing a long-overdue transformation and why SPACs have been a major catalyst.
For nearly a decade, one incumbent controlled 99% of the market. SPACs were considered “too risky,” and innovation stalled. That all began to change in 2020. Caitlyn shares how Odyssey broke into the U.S. SPAC space by winning over a marquee client and how that opened the floodgates for sponsors and legal teams looking for better service, execution, and pricing.
This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Odyssey’s client-first approach is driving competition and reshaping expectations across the SPAC ecosystem.
Connect with the Guest:
Caitlyn Van Valin – Vice President, Odyssey Trust
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlyn-van-valin-10963664/
View all of their episodes here:
https://www.thespacpodcast.com/guests/caitlyn-van-valin/
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
Contact The SPAC Podcast:
https://www.thespacpodcast.com/contact/
#SPACs #CapitalMarkets #SPACPodcast #TransferAgent #TrustServices #DeSPAC #FinancialServices
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, tax, or accounting advice.
Disclaimers:
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, tax, or accounting advice.
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/
👉 ...
Michael Blankenship:
I’m seeing a lot more activity in the SPAC space this year. Why are we seeing a shift in the transfer agent and trust landscape now and how has that evolved in recent years?
Caitlyn Van Valin:
For almost 10 years, the incumbent had 99% of the SPAC market. That was partly because SPACs used to be viewed as “risky” or “unattractive,” and a lot of larger transfer agents simply didn’t want to touch them.
That perception began to shift in 2020, as the SPAC boom accelerated and the opportunity became too big to ignore. That’s when firms like Odyssey Trust entered the conversation. When we landed our first major U.S. SPAC, it gave credibility and comfort to corporate counsel and sponsors that we had the experience and operational depth to compete.
We built that trust by offering great service, real execution, and pricing that made sense. The result? Explosive growth and a massive shift in sponsor preferences across the market.