From Losing it All in 2008 to $115M SPAC CEO | Seth Farbman's Podcast

In this episode, Seth sits down with Peter Goldstein, CEO of a Nasdaq-listed SPAC, to break down the real difference between going public through a SPAC versus a traditional IPO. They dive into what most founders misunderstand about valuation, why certainty matters more than speed in today’s capital markets, and what truly happens after the bell rings.Peter also shares his personal journey from early success and building a broker-dealer, to losing everything in 2008, and rebuilding with a sharper focus on governance, discipline, and long-term sustainability. This conversation is a masterclass for entrepreneurs and CEOs considering the public markets not just about getting listed, but about building a durable company that can survive and thrive once it is.Seth’s CompaniesVstock Transfer – https://www.vstocktransfer.com/Share Media – https://www.sharemedia.co/Listen to the ShowApple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seth-farbman-on-podcast-from-startup-to-stock-exchange/id1356667808Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/54i7xkWaAALAFrUvk4WZcNConnect with SethLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethfarbman/Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sethfarbmanstockTikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@sethfarbmanTwitter (X) – https://x.com/sethfarbman1About the ShowFrom Startup to Stock Exchange, hosted by entrepreneur and investor Seth Farbman, spotlights the journey of founders and CEOs as they scale their companies from early ideas to public markets. Each episode features candid conversations with leaders across industries, offering insights on growth, fundraising, branding, and the mindset it takes to build a company that lasts.Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction & 20+ Years in Capital Markets02:15 – What EMMIS Acquisition (SPAC) Is Building04:40 – Why This SPAC Is Different06:55 – The “Aha” Moment Behind Launching the SPAC09:10 – Early Career Lessons & First Exit at 3011:30 – Losing Everything in 200814:00 – Harvard, INSEAD & The Governance Shift16:45 – Red Flags in Pitch Decks & CEO Mistakes20:30 – SPAC vs IPO: Key Differences Explained25:10 – The Valuation Myth & What Investors Really Want27:20 – What Success Looks Like 3–5 Years From NowConnect with Seth LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethfarbman/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sethfarbmanstock TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@sethfarbman Twitter (X) – https://x.com/sethfarbman1