MSP Chat

MSP Chat

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

Episodes

June 12, 2026 100 mins
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 fr...
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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 the...
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May 29, 2026 62 mins
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 ...
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May 8, 2026 47 mins
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 ...
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May 5, 2026 63 mins
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 dee...
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May 1, 2026 65 mins
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? 

D...
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April 24, 2026 83 mins
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: Ev...
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April 17, 2026 85 mins
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 event...
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April 14, 2026 59 mins
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 sho...
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April 10, 2026 76 mins
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 th...
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April 3, 2026 68 mins
Erick and Rich discuss Treeline, a new kind of venture capital-backed MSP with interesting implications for the competitive landscape, as well as tips for driving more business with clients by clarifying your value proposition. Then they’re joined by Michael Crean of SonicWall for a look at the interesting and sobering results of the company’s 2026 Cyber Protect Report. And finally, one last thing: The most European rob...
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March 30, 2026 71 mins
Live from the 2026 RSA Conference in San Francisco, Erick and Rich discuss the puzzling lack of interest in AI governance among MSPs and a go-giver lead generation concept proven to work by Erick himself. Then they’re joined by Jeff Loehr and Joe Rojas of MSP consultancy Start Grow Manage for a fun and fact-filled conversation about lead generation, sales meeting success, employee motivation, and operational efficiency. And f...
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March 20, 2026 90 mins
Erick and Rich discuss MSP-as-a-Service, a new outsourcing option for newcomers to managed services and existing MSPs who need more time to go all-in on building an AI practice, plus three practical steps any MSP can take to ensure they’re dedicating time to growth, margin protection, and leadership instead of fighting fires all day. Then they’re joined by ex-MSP and current thought leader Alex Stanton for an insightful...
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March 16, 2026 54 mins
Erick and Rich talk about why Slide’s Series B funding round, the MSP Well initiative, and GTIA’s 2026 Community and Councils Forum all underscore why community is more important than ever in the channel. Then Erick explains why reviewing client profitability on anything other than a company-by-company basis is guesswork, and Rich speaks with GTIA research czar Carolyn April about the 2026 State of the Channel Report. A...
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March 6, 2026 96 mins
Erick and Rich discuss recent evidence about security awareness and alert fatigue that show why outsourced, AI-based automation must play a critical part in how MSPs protect their clients, as well as practical ways to enforce proper security with your clients rather than rely on the good intentions of their employees. Then they’re joined by Robin Ody of Omdia for an in-depth conversation about the analyst firm’s 2026 MS...
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March 2, 2026 86 mins
Erick and Rich discuss the right and wrong way to think about automating customer relationships with AI, as well as the connection between scalable service delivery and attractive exit prices. Then they’re joined by ScalePad CEO Chris Day for a deep dive into some of the surprising findings in that company’s recent MSP Trends report. And finally, one last thing: prepping for your performance review with an AI-powered ve...
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February 20, 2026 67 mins
Erick and Rich discuss the reasons MSPs need to be implementing AI automation tools and the risk limits they should consider when doing so, as well as concrete strategies for growing profits and exit value by simplifying your tool stack and customer base. Then they’re joined by Pinar Ormeci of Lexful to discuss that company’s ambitious new AI-native system of record for MSPs. And finally, one last thing: A boxing ring T...
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February 13, 2026 65 mins
Erick and Rich discuss why the channel’s AI maturity is stuck in a three-year rut according to IDC and what MSPs can do about it, plus strategies for converting focus and discipline into accelerated growth. Then they’re joined by the managing director of partner programs for Google Cloud, Phil Larson, for an insider’s take on opportunities for MSPs in cloud and AI. And finally, one last thing: how a real-life Jimm...
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February 6, 2026 74 mins
Erick and Rich discuss Lexful’s ambitions to build the ultimate AI-native data repository for MSPs, as well as proven strategies for updating your managed services prices between renewals. Then they’re joined by M&A expert Abraham Garver of FOCUS Investment Banking for an insider’s take on today’s exit environment for MSPs and the rise of “mega mega” MSPs with nine-figure top lines. And final...
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January 30, 2026 72 mins
Erick and Rich discuss the impact that security and AI maturity are having on MSP valuations and three concrete techniques for increasing valuations by increasing EBITDA. Then they’re joined by Michael Assraf, CEO and founder of Flamingo, to explore that company’s unconventional open-source approach to MSP tooling. And finally, one last thing: A data-based look at the most overused buzzwords in email, and a confession b...
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