The SPAC Podcast: Special Purpose Acquisition Company
🎙️ 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
đź”” 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.
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The SPAC Podcast
Where sponsors meet stories, markets meet momentum, and strategy meets execution.
The SPAC Podcast: Special Purpose Acquisition Company
Guest Spotlight: James Campanella
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
From the NYSE trading floor in 1994 to navigating multiple SPAC booms and pullbacks, James C. has seen capital markets from every angle.
In this opening clip, James shares his background, how his perspective evolved beyond the trading floor, and why the SPAC market may be entering a needed rebrand phase after years of volatility.
This is context worth hearing before talking strategy.
Connect with the Guest: James Campanella
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
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/
👉 ...
 Mike Blankenship here with the SPAC podcast today I'm joined by James Campanella. James, why don't you give us a few minutes about yourself?
Sure. Thanks guys. I appreciate you guys inviting me. Um, I started on the New York Stock Exchange in 1994.
I worked there for 13 years where I was a member and a specialist. Uh, I was the primary specialist in W Pharmaceuticals. I was also a, uh, partner and managing director at Van the Moon and USA while I was on the floor. I left the floor in oh seven to go upstairs and learn a little bit about capital markets and everything that was going on upstairs.
'cause on the floor you were a little bit kind of guarded down there, right? Especially as a specialist, you really focused on one stock and one situation. Um, as well as managing the firm. So in 2011, I went upstairs and started trading capital markets for a fund, and I've been doing that for the last 15 years, seeing a few boom and bust over the last 15 years, as you guys can imagine, especially in the SPAC world.
Um, I kind of think of the days of, uh, I forgot what year it was, early eighties when they did death to disco in the, uh, Astrodome. I think 2021 was the death of the spac and people were, uh, just cheering it. But, you know, those were a lot of good years before that got exposed to them around 14, 15, and now seeing a little bit of a comeback, uh, here in 24, 25 with a few headwinds.
But I think we're looking for, uh, a decent rebrand in the SPAC market.