MSP Chat

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135

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Jun 2026

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About the show

A look at the strategies, services, and success tips IT providers need to make it big in managed services from two of the industry’s most experienced MSP authorities, Erick Simpson and Rich Freeman of Channel Mastered

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June 12, 2026Episode 1261 hr 40 min

Episode 126: 1-0 Count

Coming to you live from Pax8 Beyond in Salt Lake City, Erick and Rich discuss the many ways Pax8 is trying to accelerate the path from managed service provider to managed intelligence provider, plus three things you can do to reduce recurring issues that consume resources, frustrate clients, and suppress profitability. Then they have two interviews for you, one with Rex Frank, Pax8’s VP of Academy, about making the journey from MSP to MIP and another with Elliott Hyman, CEO of Lyra Technology Group, about what being an MIP looks like in today’s market. And finally, one last thing: Proof that it’s possible the person flying you home from your next business trip isn’t a licensed pilot. Discussed in this episode:Pax8 Launches Managed Intelligence Solutions to Help Partners Monetize AI and Deliver Real Outcomes for Their ClientsThe Pax8 Managed Intelligence Provider Playbook‘Like a movie script’: Former Air Canada pilot arrested after allegedly flying with fake licence: police Some guests on this podcast are clients of Channel Mastered. Compensation plays no part in their appearance or the content of the discussion unless the episode they appear on is a “bonus episode” explicitly labeled as sponsored.

June 5, 2026Episode 1251 hr 31 min

Episode 125: Impostor Syndrome

Erick and Rich discuss why the rapid emergence of usage-based AI pricing schemes is going to make “token economics” and AI spend management essential skills for MSPs as well as the importance of giving everyone inside an MSP an understanding of big picture business performance. Then they’re joined by John Harden to discuss client-facing AI service opportunities and how his new app Lemhi aims to help MSPs seize them. And finally, one last thing: The most (phones) and least (dentures with two teeth) common items in Uber’s lost and found. Discussed in this episode:AI Model Spending is a Black HoleMore reasons to get smart about token spending sooner versus laterLemhi Launches the SaaS Platform MSPs Need to Deliver AI as a Recurring Managed ServiceUber Lost & Found Index includes breast milk, ankle monitor Some guests on this podcast are clients of Channel Mastered. Compensation plays no part in their appearance or the content of the discussion unless the episode they appear on is a “bonus episode” explicitly labeled as sponsored.

May 29, 2026Episode 1241 hr 2 min

Episode124: Fighting the Terminator

Erick and Rich discuss Veeam’s bold attempt to invent a whole new kind of data-focused platform for the age of AI, as well as why and how to earn your way to more and better client referrals. Then they’re joined by Danny Jenkins, CEO of ThreatLocker, for a thoughtful conversation about why AI security risks make left-of-boom, zero-trust security more important than ever. And finally, one last thing: evidence that those “triple washed” bags of lettuce aren’t always triple washed. Discussed in this episode:S**t Happens in AI. Veeam Says It Has the Answer.ThreatLocker launches Zero Trust network and cloud access to stop credential-based cyberattacksLettuce introduce you to the live frog found in this grocery store salad bag Some guests on this podcast are clients of Channel Mastered. Compensation plays no part in their appearance or the content of the discussion unless the episode they appear on is a “bonus episode” explicitly labeled as sponsored.

May 8, 2026Episode 12347 min

Episode 123: More Cowbell

Coming to you live from Nerdio’s NerdioCon event in sunny Palm Springs, CA, Erick and Rich discuss why Anthropic’s new AI services venture for midsize businesses is the latest reason MSPs need to get moving on an AI strategy, as well as techniques for building a strategic, sticky AI roadmap for your customers. Then they’re joined by Nerdio President Joseph Landes for his take on underappreciated MSP opportunities in Microsoft 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365, and Microsoft Copilot. And finally, one last thing: How Bebop the robot inadvertently delayed a flight to San Diego. Discussed in this episode:From Anthropic: Building a new enterprise AI services company with Blackstone, Hellman & Friedman, and Goldman SachsRobot passenger causes flight delay in California Some guests on this podcast are clients of Channel Mastered. Compensation plays no part in their appearance or the content of the discussion unless the episode they appear on is a “bonus episode” explicitly labeled as sponsored.

May 5, 20261 hr 3 min

Bonus Episode: Delicious Feeling

In this special bonus episode of MSP Chat, sponsored by Datto, Erick and Rich discuss why cyber resilience services continue to be a source of revenue and growth for MSPs and what that says about how they should construct their service portfolio and refine their tool stack, as well as why client proposals are sales tools, not technical documents. Then they’re joined by Dan Tomaszewski, Kaseya’s EVP of channel, for a deep dive into some especially interesting findings in the 2026 Kaseya State of the MSP Report, and what MSPs should do in response. And finally, one last thing: An April Fool’s Day gag that turned into a hit product for chronic doom scrollers. Discussed in this episode:2026 Kaseya State of the MSP ReportOn-demand webinar: The MSP playbook: Insights from the 2026 State of MSP ReportWhich brand won April Fools in 2026? Some guests on this podcast are clients of Channel Mastered. Compensation plays no part in their appearance or the content of the discussion unless the episode they appear on is a “bonus episode” explicitly labeled as sponsored.

May 1, 2026Episode 1221 hr 5 min

Episode 122: Place Your Bets

Live from the Kaseya Connect 2026 conference in Las Vegas, Erick and Rich discuss Kaseya’s giant AI platform rollout and strategies for turning your renewal process into a retention machine. Then they’re joined by Cynomi CEO David Primor for an insider’s take on the future of CISO services in the agentic AI era. And finally, one last thing: Who comes out ahead when a thief exchanges pasta for Legos? Discussed in this episode:MSP Chat Episode 88: From the Server Room to the BoardroomCynomi Redefines How MSPs Scale Cybersecurity Services and Growth with the Launch of New CISO Intelligence AI AgentsPolice arrest man who replaced US$34,000 worth of Lego pieces with pasta Some guests on this podcast are clients of Channel Mastered. Compensation plays no part in their appearance or the content of the discussion unless the episode they appear on is a “bonus episode” explicitly labeled as sponsored.

April 24, 2026Episode 1211 hr 23 min

Episode 121: FOMO Pressure

Erick and Rich discuss why agentic AI makes business resilience versus just cyber resilience a necessity for end users and a strategic relationship builder for MSPs, as well as why and how MSPs can boost net revenue retention with their clients. Then they’re joined by Avihay Nathan of Palo Alto Networks for an insider’s take on both the challenges and opportunities of agentic AI security. And finally, one last thing: Ever wished there was a way on long drives to heed the call of nature without pulling off the road? Problem solved! Discussed in this episode:Business Resilience and the System of SpeedNew Survey Highlights Gap Between Perceived AI Readiness and Tested Disaster Recovery CapabilityAutonomous but Not Controlled: AI Agent Incidents Now Common in EnterprisesAgentic AI’s Scary Security RisksChinese car company patents voice-activated 'in-vehicle toilet' Some guests on this podcast are clients of Channel Mastered. Compensation plays no part in their appearance or the content of the discussion unless the episode they appear on is a “bonus episode” explicitly labeled as sponsored.

April 17, 2026Episode 1201 hr 25 min

Episode 120: Master of Time and Space

Erick and Rich discuss what Anthropic’s Mythos Preview model and Project Glasswing initiative portend for the future of security in managed services as well as how to turn your service desk into a powerful extension of your sales organization. Then, live from the Channel Partners Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, they’re joined by Robert DeMarzo of conference host Informa for an insider’s take on in-person events in the age of AI as well as Peter Kujawa of ConnectWise for a conversation about the latest MSP benchmark data. And finally, one last thing: Why a pro soccer club in Dusseldorf replaced Coach Beginning with Coach End. Discussed in this episode:ByRichard Stiennon: Mythos Preview Is a Break-Glass MomentFrom beginning to end: Soccer team switches two coaches with opposite names Some guests on this podcast are clients of Channel Mastered.Compensation plays no part in their appearance or the content of the discussion unless the episode they appear on is a “bonus episode” explicitly labeled as sponsored.

April 14, 202659 min

Bonus Episode: Zero Tolerance

In this special bonus episode of MSP Chat, sponsored by Datto, Erick and Rich talk about why there’s still plenty of growth potential in backup and security for MSPs and why their clients need help in both areas now more than ever, as well as why speed is the ultimate competitive advantage for MSPs and how to cultivate it. Then they’re joined by Kaseya’s Adam Marget for a look at why cyber resilience solutions should be part of every MSP's service offerings and why every end user needs cyber resilience. And finally, one last thing: When those cute items you see on a store shelf turn out to be lifelike because they’re alive. Discussed in this episode:2026 Kaseya Cybersecurity Outlook ReportBackup and recovery solutionsRethinking cyber resilience for modern ITOwl found napping on antique store shelf in New YorkReal-life possum found hiding in soft-toy display at Tasmanian airport

April 10, 2026Episode 1191 hr 16 min

Episode 119: Lopsided Biceps

Erick and Rich discuss why anyone using or selling LLM tokens badly needs FinOps help, as well as why an MSP’s onboarding process determines how long new clients stay, how much they spend, and how profitable they become. Then they’re joined by Rev.io’s Evan Rice for a conversation about why MSPs are the logical candidate to own the agentic layer at SMBs, and how they can go about doing it. And finally, one last thing: We’ve had it with these &*$%-ing bees on this &*$%-ing plane. Discussed in this episode:Balancing AI innovation and cost: The new FinOps mandateRev.io Doesn’t Fear Claude Code. It Loves It.North Carolina flight delayed by bee swarm on turbine Some guests on this podcast are clients of Channel Mastered. Compensation plays no part in their appearance or the content of the discussion unless the episode they appear on is a “bonus episode” explicitly labeled as sponsored.