Uncle Marv's IT Business Podcast (Real Talk for IT Pros & MSPs)

Uncle Marv sits with Josh Liberman live at the ASCII Cup in Philadelphia. Josh reflects on three decades of running Net Sciences and the pivotal decision to go “all in” on managed services. Stories span global travels, challenging transitions, and heartwarming ASCII memories—including an emotional tribute to Alan Weinberger. Don't miss actionable business advice, community-building strategies, and Josh’s signature humor.

Why Listen:

Uncle Marv welcomes Joe Balsarotti, president of Software To Go and longtime ASCII board member. Joe shares a treasure trove of business wisdom from four-plus decades in IT, including how strategic vendor relationships and white-glove service drive MSP success today. Together, they honor the legacy of ASCII founder Alan Weinberger, discuss how referral networks and peer forums fuel growth, and offer advice for newcomers and veteran...

Uncle Marv streams live from the ASCII Edge event in Philadelphia, capturing the energy of the final channel gathering of the year. He’s joined by Steve Copeland from Rythmz, who shares insights on supplying Internet for live events and reflects on his journey from MSP to vendor. The episode pays heartfelt tribute to Alan Weinberger, founder of the ASCII Group, illustrating how his legacy of inclusivity and “community over competit...

I chat with Ryan Redmond, founder of Optrua and a long-time advocate for smarter sales, better systems, and industry progress. Ryan walks us through his background in CRM and ERP, shares why MSPs struggle with sales automation, and explains the challenges facing IT professionals when adopting Microsoft Dynamics and integrating it with existing business tools. We also dig into why process matters more than technology, how co-pilot a...

I share the latest MSP field story—helping a client whose remote staffer in Argentina couldn’t connect via VPN. What starts as a routine setup turns into a wild ride through blocked IPs, throttled Starlink connections, and Argentina’s secret war on VPNs. Hear how Ubiquiti’s VPN options, Microsoft 365 authentication quirks, and a dash of Duo MFA finally kept the user online.

We’ll also chat about the latest MSP headlines, including C...

Uncle Marv welcomes back Kyle Kenyon, “The Pro Tech Guy,” for a lively, no-fluff conversation about cybersecurity, running an MSP, and working smarter — not harder. Kyle opens up about his origins, growing his space, and moving away from “man in the van” operations toward a more structured MSP approach.

They dive into key challenges like client education, tool overload, and balancing personal passion projects with business demands. ...

Uncle Marv hosts a special 10-year reunion with Chad Kempt of Fast Computers to revisit their classic “Man in the Van vs. MSP” debate and explore how the world of solo techs and small MSPs has evolved. They dig into shifting vendor landscapes, realistic service models, and why being lean, documented, and relationship-driven still wins in today’s managed services space.

This episode offers hard-won insights into scaling without losin...

Ever wonder how someone leaps from an art history degree to leading automation in the MSP world? In this episode, Tara Rummer, Channel Captain at Immy Bot and Advisor with Immense Networks, sits down to unpack her real journey—facing down imposter syndrome, championing neurodiversity, and finding her “aggressively friendly” groove. From early days building operational processes for an MSP to becoming the face of rapid automation, T...

This episode explores why professionalism, certification, and ethics matter more than ever in the IT sector. Diana Giles talks about her rise as a recognized industry leader, the transition from side hustle to full-time business, and the benefits of clear communication for IT consultants. Hear insights from Diana’s teaching career and community involvement!​

Diana also demystifies the need for certifications and the impact of evolvi...

This episode opens with a bombshell: Synology finally reversed its drive compatibility policy for NAS units, allowing IT pros and businesses to use third-party drives again—a move that’s sent shockwaves through online forums and social media. I discuss the implications for MSPs and what it means for client storage setups. Next, DattoCon coverage reveals Kaseya’s acquisition of Inky, integrating cutting-edge AI email security into i...

Hear from Bradley Gross, one of the tech industry’s top attorneys and founder of Bradley Gross, PA. With over 20 years representing MSPs, Brad shares what every IT pro must know as lawsuits skyrocket around ransomware events. The conversation covers the specifics of contract language, rising legal standards, and how vendor agreements now shape your liabilities. Listeners also get actionable resources, advice on insurance policies t...

Join Uncle Marv and veteran MSP Tom Wyant as they dive deep into the Ubiquiti ecosystem for IT professionals. Discover real-world tips for replacing SonicWall and Cisco hardware, advanced UniFi management, and transitioning to cost-effective network hardware for MSPs. Whether you’re an Ingenious, Synology, or Cisco fan, get candid pros and cons plus actionable advice designed for IT business owners.

Actionable Takeaways

• Consider ...

This episode explores the journey of Kevin Dutkiewicz launching Tech Brews, his approach to serving underserved small businesses, the struggles with business administration, and the philosophy of running a modern MSP without the typical minimums. Uncle Marv and Kevin debate the realities of break-fix models, Trunk Slammer myths, and community-driven solutions. Listeners gain insight into tech stacks, vendor management, legacy clien...

Uncle Marv sits down again with Jermaine Clark, Sherweb’s Senior Manager of AI Readiness, for a lively discussion about how managed service providers can drive real business results with AI. Jermaine walks through Sherweb’s robust AI initiatives, including training, certification, and hands-on guides for automating onboarding, ticketing, and customer service. The episode covers practical frameworks for integrating AI based on MSP b...

Jermaine Clark of Sherweb sits down with Uncle Marv to discuss what AI readiness means for MSPs, sharing practical advice, personal stories, and vendor insights. The conversation tackles how the rapid adoption of AI has shifted the balance between MSP expertise and client knowledge, emphasizing the need for a security-first approach and regular data governance. Jermaine recounts his journey from saving sea turtles to leading Sherwe...

Ever felt pressured to keep quiet in your business or IT community? Uncle Marv unpacks what Jimmy Kimmel’s comeback teaches IT pros about the freedom to speak in the face of political and industry pressure. With real stories of cyberbullying, shady marketers, and systemic bias, Marv reminds us that doing the right thing means accepting the risk—and the impact—of going public. You’ll get personal experiences, cautionary tales, plus ...

I’m joined by Matt Yesbeck, the innovative co-founder of MSPX, a groundbreaking online marketplace empowering MSPs to buy, sell, and value managed services contracts with confidence. Matt brings deep industry experience as a builder of smart, secure business solutions for IT providers. Together, we unpack the new features of MSPX 2.0, including trust scores, escrow-backed transactions, and tools for contract evaluation that are dri...

If you want a truly no-BS look at life as a Managed Service Provider, this is the episode you can’t miss. I’m joined by Bret Erickson—owner of Passkey Technology up in Golden Valley, Minnesota, and a founding force within the National Society of IT Service Providers (NSITSP). Bret shares how he went from gigging as a musician all over the country to leading a tech business that’s thrived since the late ‘90s. Trust me, there’s some ...

On this episode of the IT Business Podcast, I dig deep into why customer service often misses the mark—sharing both hilarious and infuriating stories from recent tech support calls and product woes. You’ll hear about my battles with big brands like Samsung and Bosch, porting nightmares with Fusion Connect, and wins with vendors who still “get it”—plus practical shout-outs for industry friends and events like the Channel Program, AS...