Advertise on podcast: MSP Chat

Erick and Rich discuss 8bot, Pax8's MSP-ready answer to persistent agents like Meta Muse, as well as strategies MSPs can use to ensure they're running not just a busy business but a profitable one. Then they're joined by Sunny Kaila, CEO of IT By Design, for a tour from the front lines of AI adoption within MSPs and AI service offerings from MSPs. And finally, one last thing: A library break-in by a bookish (and hungry) California bear.   Discussed in this episode: Bonus Post: Move Over, Meta. Pax8’s Got a Muse for MSPs. IT By Design Helps MSPs Eat the AI Elephant IT By Design AI Accelerators Sunny Kaila's LinkedIn post on summiting Everest AI By Design podcast   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.

Coming to you live from TD SYNNEX's 2026 Inspire conference in Greenville, S.C., Erick and Rich discuss the distributor's both new and old identity as an outcome orchestrator, along with why your Q4 conversations with customers should focus on transitioning from technical services to strategic engagement in 2027. Then they're joined by Augie Staab, TD SYNNEX's Director of MSP Sales, and Meredith Payne, the company's VP of Digital Growth and Customer Success, for a look at why TD SYNNEX recently created both those roles and what they mean for its partners. And finally, one last thing: The most disgusting piece of sports memorabilia ever. Discussed in this episode: TD SYNNEX MSP Sales Enablement page TD SYNNEX PartnerFirst Nebraska Selling Used Urinal Troughs from Memorial Stadium, Here's How Much Fans Are Paying 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.

In this special bonus episode of MSP Chat, sponsored by Kaseya, Erick and Rich discuss the large ongoing risk posed by deepfakes and other sophisticated AI threats, as well as what MSPs need to do about them, plus how MSPs can and should help their clients protect clients from social engineering threats with more than just passwords. Then they’re joined by Kaseya’s Matt Sywulak for a deep dive into the email security threat landscape and the latest tools for mitigating those threats. And finally, one last thing: The world’s first inconvenience store.   Discussed in this episode: Gartner Survey Finds 41% of CISOs Reported At Least One Social Engineering Incident Involving a Deepfake in the Past 12 Months Coalition 2026 Cyber Claims Report Gartner Forecasts the Market for Securing AI Will Reach $4.8 Billion in 2027 Seattle’s ‘Inconvenience Store’ features pre-tangled USB cords   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.

Coming to you live from the MSP Summit in Orlando, Erick and Rich discuss why Shield Technology Partners views cutting edge AI as a means to empower people rather than replace them and what MSPs can learn from that strategy, as well as why MSPs must make themselves “customer zero” for AI services before offering anything to clients. Then they’re joined by Omdia analyst Jay McBain for an expert tour through market conditions and AI opportunities for MSPs today, and the power of community in the channel. And finally, one last thing: Batman takes down an evildoer in real life.   Discussed in this episode: Shield’s Secret Weapon Isn’t AI. It’s People. Jay McBain linked in post on channel profits Jay McBain linked in post on partner-led AI opportunity Jay McBain linked in post on vendor incentive models Jay McBain linked in post on GTIA buying ASCII Group Pow! Man in Batman costume chases down suspected Norwich handbag thief   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.

Erick and Rich explain why MSPs and their clients are far less insured against AI-related damages than they think they are, as well as why “what should I charge?” is the wrong first question MSPs should ask about a new service. Then they’re joined by Jeff Gaines of AI-forward MSP Treeline for a front-line view of AI in managed services today. And finally, one last thing: proof that “who’s a good boy?” is sometimes not a rhetorical question about your dog.   Discussed in this episode: Treeline is Different Treeline’s Buying Worst guard dog in the world exposed by Ring camera in San Diego — and the breed won’t surprise you    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.

Erick and Rich discuss Flamingo's hybrid flat-rate/token-based pricing scheme for managed services software and whether or not it’s how all MSP vendors will eventually bill, as well as three strategies for augmenting profits and stickiness with your best clients by going deep with them on business outcomes. Then they’re joined by James Mignacca and Larry Meador, two cyber software vendors who now also help run an initiative named MSP Well aimed at getting stressed-out IT entrepreneurs the mental health support they need. And finally, one last thing: Sometimes that awesome Airbnb listing really is too good to be true.   Discussed in this episode: Somebody Had to Test Token Pricing for MSPs. Flamingo Volunteered. MSP Well Offers a Helping Hand Out of the IT Pressure Cooker MSP Well home page 988 Lifeline home page Fake 10 Downing Street listing on Booking.com highlights security failures   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.

Erick and Rich discuss how a new tool from Clairify illustrates why context quality beats context quantity when it comes to AI tools for MSPs and their clients, as well as three tips for making sure your services prices don’t exceed their fresh-by date. Then they’re joined by MSP and ransomware recovery specialist Oli Thordarson for a front-line view of today’s ransomware threatscape. And finally, one last thing: a new smart device that measures something … unflattering that your Oura ring isn’t tracking for you.   Discussed in this episode: Clairify Builds a Chief of Staff for the Rest of Us How often do you fart? This smart flatulence underwear can tell you that and more   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.

Erick and Rich discuss CORE, a new offering from Integris that combines traditional monitoring and management with AI services, as well as four ways MSPs can waste less time on meetings. Then they’re joined by Mark Scott and Joel Abramson of Top Down Ventures for a venture capital perspective on investing and M&A in managed services today. And finally, one last thing: Even ChatGPT loves Snickers bars.   Discussed in this episode: Managed BPO Is the New Managed Services Top Down Outliers Blog - May 2026 Top Down Outliers Blog - June 2026 Top Down Outliers Blog - August 2026 The Top Down Outliers podcast Snickers Hungr.AI   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.

Erick and Rich discuss the MSP opportunity in “digital workers” and the potential drawbacks worth considering before diving in, as well as techniques for making your business faster and more effective by granting decision making authority at every level. Then they’re joined by Ryan Walsh of Pax8 for an in-depth exploration of that company’s recently published white paper on The Agentic Workforce Economy. And finally, one last thing: how an Italian scamster created the eight—and worst—wonder of the world.   Discussed in this episode: Pax8 Report: AI Breaking Historic Link Between Revenue Growth and Headcount for SMBs Pax8 Research Finds Small Businesses All-in on AI with 2 in 3 Projecting Stronger Competitive Composure Are Digital Workers the AI Strategy MSPs Have Been Looking For? ‘A sucker born every minute’: The man who duped tourists with a fake Greek amphitheater   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.

Erick and Rich discuss Syncro’s big bet on Claude, ChatGPT, and other chatbots becoming the MSP’s RMM/PSA interface of choice plus three tips for ensuring every interaction with clients builds rather than erodes trust. Then they’re joined by David Schwartz, CEO of Pia, for an AI-native vendor’s point of view on the SaaSpocalypse, AI pricing, vibe coding, and more. And finally, one last thing: Two unbelievably bad examples of billing department idiocy.   Discussed in this episode: Syncro Goes Native David Schwartz blog post Pia ChatGPT webinar Couple initially told to pay cancellation fee for cable, internet after wildfire destroys home Woman dies, comes back to life, gets parking ticket   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.

Erick and Rich discuss the thorny challenges MSPs face on AI pricing as well as strategies for never, ever sending clients an invoice that surprises them. Then they’re joined by Hexi Xiao, CEO of Bumblebee, for an experience- and expertise-based conversation about why AI agents are powerful and why they’re also not the cure-all answer to every business pain. And finally, one last thing: Why the next shrub you drive past may be surveilling you.   Discussed in this episode: MSPs Are Drifting Toward an AI Pricing Niagara New Jersey officers dress up as shrubs to catch distracted drivers on their phones   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.

Live from GTIA’s 2026 ChannelCon event in San Diego, Erick and Rich discuss the importance of GTIA’s new regulatory and standards initiatives, as well as why MSPs should stay focused on the fundamentals despite constant technological change. Then they’re joined by GTIA’s Dan Wensley and MJ Shoer for their take on GTIA’s unique role in the channel and where the association plans to train its considerable resources going forward. And finally, one last thing: dogs that hang ten.   Discussed in this episode: GTIA Advances Trusted AI, Strengthens Self-Governance, and Expands Global Community Dogs ride waves at California’s World Dog Surfing Championships   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.

In this special bonus episode of MSP Chat, sponsored by Kaseya, Erick and Rich discuss AI’s role in declining member satisfaction with partner programs (it’s smaller than you might think) and three ways to ensure you talk to your clients about AI before someone else does. Then they’re joined by Paul Burke, the Kaseya VP of engineering in charge of the company’s AI-powered digital workforce, for a deeply informed conversation about AI, deterministic reasoning, and the “integration tax” many MSPs are paying today and shouldn’t be. And finally, one last thing: Just in time for the tail end of summer, Snickers Ice Cream has a job opening for a Chief Online Chill Officer.  Discussed in this episode:  Don’t Blame AI for Sliding Partner Program Satisfaction Kaseya Unveils the First Agentic IT Management Platform – Turning Data into Autonomous Action Searching for Its First-Ever ‘Chief Online Chill Officer’ to Help Bring More Chill and Humor to the Internet 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.

Erick and Rich discuss Fusion, the new security platform from Sophos, and what it says about the meaning of platform in the security market today as well as three things every MSP can do to ensure their business improves every quarter. Then they’re joined by Yaron Baitch of managed services suite vendor IgnitHQ for a conversation about what it means to build a truly AI-native MSP tool stack in the age of AI. And finally, one last thing: the dangerous lengths to which residents of a city in Greece are willing to go to shave a few minutes from their daily commute.  Discussed in this episode: When Is a Security Platform Not a Security Platform?I gnitHQ Dares to Dream Locals Keep Driving on This Buckled Bridge Because It’s Quicker Than the Detour  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.