Seth Farbman on Podcast - From Startup to Stock Exchange 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 Companies
Vstock Transfer – https://www.vstocktransfer.com/
Share Media – https://www.sharemedia.co/
Listen to the Show
Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seth-farbman-on-podcast-from-startup-to-stock-exchange/id1356667808
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/54i7xkWaAALAFrUvk4WZcN
Connect 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
About the Show
From 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 Markets
02:15 – What EMMIS Acquisition (SPAC) Is Building
04:40 – Why This SPAC Is Different
06:55 – The “Aha” Moment Behind Launching the SPAC
09:10 – Early Career Lessons & First Exit at 30
11:30 – Losing Everything in 2008
14:00 – Harvard, INSEAD & The Governance Shift
16:45 – Red Flags in Pitch Decks & CEO Mistakes
20:30 – SPAC vs IPO: Key Differences Explained
25:10 – The Valuation Myth & What Investors Really Want
27:20 – What Success Looks Like 3–5 Years From Now
Connect 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