MSP Chat

Episode 122: Place Your Bets

01 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Episode 121: FOMO Pressure

24 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss why agentic AI makes business resilience versus just cyber resilience a necessity for end users and a strategic relationship bu...

Episode 120: Master of Time and Space

17 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss what Anthropic’s Mythos Preview model and Project Glasswing initiative portend for the future of security in managed services...

Bonus Episode: Zero Tolerance

14 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Episode 119: Lopsided Biceps

10 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 lon...

Episode 118: That Newfangled Thing

03 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss Treeline, a new kind of venture capital-backed MSP with interesting implications for the competitive landscape, as well as tips...

Episode 117: Embrace the Cookie Cutter

30 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 le...

Episode 116: Accidental F-Bomb

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Episode 115: Stick the Landing

16 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Episode 114: Haves and Have Nots

06 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss recent evidence about security awareness and alert fatigue that show why outsourced, AI-based automation must play a critical p...

Episode 113: Chatbot Doom Loop

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss the right and wrong way to think about automating customer relationships with AI, as well as the connection between scalable se...

Episode 112: No Seagulling

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Episode 111: The Wave is Here

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 fo...

Episode 110: Buying Into Florida

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 m...

Episode 109: Inherited Chaos

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss the impact that security and AI maturity are having on MSP valuations and three concrete techniques for increasing valuations b...

Episode 108: You Got Chocolate in My Peanut Butter

23 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss what ConnectWise buying zofiQ says about the future of AI automation and tool stacks for MSPs and how to make sales excellence ...

Episode 107: S’mores for the Channel

16 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss the easily overlooked opportunity for MSPs in AI prep work like implementing infrastructure and how MSPs can prepare themselves...

Episode 106: The AI Sh*t’s Getting Real

09 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss why the rise of AI-native “systems of action” poses a potential threat to the future of PSA solutions, as well as strategie...

Episode 105: Slop!

02 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss overcoming the gap between employer enthusiasm toward AI and employee mistrust, plus strategies MSPs can use for transitioning ...

Episode 104: AI Dog Years

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss what MSPs should make of AI-native, venture-funded MSP rollup Shield Technology Partners working side-by-side with OpenAI and h...

Episode 103: Controlled Chaos

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich talk about strategies for changing endpoint and network management from increasingly commoditized services to profit engines, as well a...

Episode 102: Cyber Wargames

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss Veeam’s addition of AI data to its data protection mission and what that says more broadly about challenges and opportunities...

Episode 101: Trading Fours

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Just in time for Thanksgiving, Erick and Rich celebrate 100 episodes of MSP Chat by trading thoughts on the show’s most thought-provoking, headline-...

Episode 100: Caffeine Foul

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Or is it caffeine fowl? You decide after listening to Erick and Rich discuss why venture capital funds are flooding into makers of AI software for SMB...

Episode 99: Hugs for Customers

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich talk about the refreshing candor with which ConnectWise acknowledged past mistakes at its IT Nation Connect event and whether or not MS...

Episode 98: AI is Coming for Us

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Erick and Rich for a whirlwind visit to two tech conferences. First up is Ingram Micro’s ONE show, where they discuss the new definition of dis...

Episode 97: Buzzword Soup of the Day

31 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss the MCP protocol’s underappreciated security risks and how to handle clients at financial risk due to the ongoing federal gov...

Episode 96: Surfjacked

24 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss whether or not we’re in an AI bubble and how much MSPs should be worried if we are, before exploring strategies for increasin...

Episode 95: Kirk Versus Picard

17 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss the opportunity in cybersecurity for MSPs and the skills gap contributing to it, plus three strategies for coping with competit...

Episode 94: Right Industry, Right Time

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss what Kaseya buying INKY says about the strategies stand-alone security vendors must embrace to remain competitive in the future...

Episode 93: Jet Engine on a Paper Plane

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich talk about some flaws in that now famous MIT study suggesting that 95% of AI pilots end in failure, as well as three techniques for set...

Episode 92: Sherlocked

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss Microsoft’s newfound interest in SMBs and their MSP partners as a source of cloud growth, plus three tips for avoiding client...

Episode 91: Eaten Alive

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss Syncro CEO Michael George’s take on why Microsoft is destined to dominate the managed services landscape and what that means ...

Episode 90: Bullet Train

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss DarcyIQ and Titan, two companies whose rapid progress in AI for managed services underscores why MSPs need to take AI seriously...

Episode 89: Feature, Product, Platform

05 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich talk about the growing need for virtual Chief AI Officers and what it means for an MSP to be one, plus tips on selling cybersecurity se...

Episode 88: From the Server Room to the Boardroom

29 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss the present-day opportunity for MSPs in cloud FinOps and the emerging need for AI FinOps, plus some proven advice for managing ...

Episode 87: Growing or Dying

22 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss the multiple issues (and yes, AI is one of them) leading more MSPs to consider joining forces with a rollup rather than go it a...

Episode 86: The enSaaSification of Everything

15 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss early examples of how MSPs are re-tooling their workforce for the age of agentic AI as well as effective, empathetic techniques...

Episode 85: Thinking Bigger

08 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss why LLMs, chatbots, and MCP could combine to revolutionize the way technicians interact with RMM, PSA, and other line-of-busine...

Episode 84: If You Build It, Will They Come?

04 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Live and side by side at GTIA’s ChannelCon event in Nashville, Erick and Rich discuss Pax8’s bold plan to re-invent marketplaces for the agentic A...

Episode 83: Private Equity Without Private Equity

25 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss the pros and cons for MSPs of placing bets on today’s emerging crop of startup AI automation vendors and the best practice ro...

Episode 82: Break-Fix of the Future

18 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Wondering about the future of managed services? Erick and Rich (who’s back after a multi-week absence) explain why new research from Barracuda sugge...

Episode 81: Sewer Gators are Real!

27 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Erick flies solo and dives into the newly released 2025 MSP 501 rankings from Channel Futures—the industry’s gold standard for identify...

Episode 80: This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things

20 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A staggering 16 billion credentials linked to major services—Apple, Facebook, Google, and more—have just been confirmed leaked and Erick explore...

Episode 79: Pax8, Nerdio & Making AI Real for MSPs

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Fresh from the floor at Pax8 Beyond 25, Erick and Rich break down one of the event’s biggest announcements: the launch of PAX8’s new Integrations ...

Episode 78: The Holy Triangle

06 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Speaking just after this week’s ConnectWise IT Nation Secure event, Erick and Rich discuss the simplified new ConnectWise Pro subscription plan and ...

Episode 77: 75 Days of Uptime

30 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich ponder the tradeoffs of using an all-inclusive managed services platform versus going with best of breed as well as techniques for migr...

Episode 76: Human to Human

23 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss why vendors are introducing partner loyalty programs and how MSPs can cement their position as trusted advisors while locking i...

Episode 75: Dropping the AI Bomb

16 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Inspired by the panel discussion they led at a recent conference, Erick and Rich discuss how real MSPs are making real money in AI, as well as three p...

Episode 74: No Timmies Allowed

09 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss efforts by Kaseya and Syncro to eliminate the seams between “seamlessly integrated” products by fusing them all into one so...

Episode 73: Naked Farm to Table

02 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss the long-term implications for MSPs of new research on agentic AI from Microsoft and N-able, as well as how and why MSPs should...

Episode 72: Certificate Tsunami

25 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss how economic uncertainty is affecting IT spending plans, as well as what MSPs can do to navigate declining markets, supply chai...

Episode 71: Don’t Buy Voldemort

18 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss why AI might be the spur MSPs need to take SaaS app management as seriously as they do device management, as well as why and ho...

Episode 70: Cheer Not Fear

11 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss the tailwinds and headwinds that Slide, Datto founder Austin McChord’s new BDR venture, is likely to face in the MSP marketpl...

Episode 69: Bad News Quickly, Good News Slowly

07 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss the gap between how much business leaders want AI solutions and how unsatisfied they are with the solutions they’re getting, ...

Episode 68: Throwing Flags

28 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss HP’s solution-focused strategy for avoiding hardware commoditization and three tactics for improving MRR predictability. Then...

Episode 67: The North Star

21 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss new pricing options coming this summer from ConnectWise and techniques for prodding reluctant clients to adopt security best pr...

Episode 66: It Takes a Community to Secure an End User

14 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss Evergreen Services Group’s M&A alternative to centralized MSP rollups and three strategies for enhancing your client onbo...

Episode 65: Game Over, Man!

07 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss why it’s not at all too early to be taking the security implications of quantum computing seriously and three tips for achiev...

Episode 64: Wonderful Synergy

28 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss the five new products from ThreatLocker and what they say about the company’s future direction as well as avoiding the danger...

Episode 63: There’s No Patch for Stupidity

21 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

And trust us, there’s no stupidity in this episode. Just Erick and Rich talking about what New Charter Technologies buying a vendor that specializes...

Episode 62: Rough is Enough

14 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss Atera’s agentic AI RMM feature and how to avoid burning out your technicians. Then they’re joined by Nigel Moore of The Tec...

Episode 61: Under the Big Open Tent

07 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss NinjaOne’s $252 million acquisition of Dropsuite and three tips for managing cash flow and profitability. Then they get an in...

Episode 60: Eat Less, Drink Less, Exercise More

31 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss what dual acquisitions by Cytracom and AvePoint say about the importance of platforms in managed services, as well as why and h...

Episode 59: End Game of End Games

24 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich are joined by Kaseya Co-Founder and Vice Chairman Fred Voccola in his first interview since stepping down as CEO to discuss why he’s ...

Bonus Episode: The Enemy Within

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this special bonus episode of MSP Chat, sponsored by Alchemi Data Management, Erick and Rich talk about the connection between data security and in...

Episode 58: Walk Like a Duck

17 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss Ingram Micro’s platform-based strategy for driving growth and winning partner loyalty, as well as three proven techniques MSP...

Episode 57: Confusing and Misunderstood

10 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss what research from CompTIA implies about the year ahead for the channel in AI, plus three proven strategies for navigating clie...

Episode 56: Living in the Future

03 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to 2025! Erick and Rich kick off the year by discussing research from last month showing just how much MSPs value platforms, explaining how to...

Episode 55: Let’s Go to the Whiteboard

20 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss what agentic AI will mean to MSPs and three techniques for getting more from your vendor relationships. Then they’re joined b...

Episode 54: Punched in the Face

13 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Don’t worry. Listening to this week's episode of MSP Chat will be insightful rather than painful. Erick and Rich discuss what a new collaboration ag...

Episode 53: Prepare for Sprawl

06 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that the average MSP bundle includes 13 product categories? Erick and Rich discuss that and a host of other research insights in this epi...

Episode 52: Password123

29 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In what’s fast becoming an annual Thanksgiving week tradition, Erick and share three semi-serious things they’re each thankful for in 2024, from t...

Episode 51: 2 Packs a Day

22 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Don’t worry, Rich hasn’t acquired a serious smoking habit recently. It just sounds like he has, because after five straight weeks on the road his ...

Episode 50: Getting Intentional

15 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Live from the ChannelPro Defend West event in Newport Beach, Calif., Erick and Rich discuss a quietly weighty new “Automation as a Service” offeri...

Episode 49: Put a Dollar in the Cuss Jar

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

No actual cussing on this episode. Just Erick and Rich discussing Pax8’s new partner program and essential service quality KPIs every MSP should tra...

Episode 48: User = Cloud = Security

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Live from DattoCon 2024 in Miami, Erick and Rich discuss the new Kaseya 365 User security solution and three hiring practices that will set new employ...

Episode 47: Human Beings Suck at Probability

25 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss how MSPs can profit from pursuing the same ecosystem strategy that ConnectWise and N-able use to compete in the market for mana...

Episode 46: The Bear in the Neighborhood

18 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss new data from TD SYNNEX suggesting that while AI may be where the growth is in managed services security’s still where the mo...

Episode 45: vAIO

11 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss a wave of private equity-funded vendor M&A activity due in 2025 and what it means for MSPs, as well as advice for building ...

Episode 44: 100% of Your 50%

04 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss why private equity firm Thoma Bravo says Manny Rivelo is the right choice to be ConnectWise’s new CEO and three tips for impr...

Episode 43: Transformational, Not Transactional

27 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss what ConnectWise buying Axcient and SkyKick says about the future of managed services suites and techniques for optimizing serv...

Episode 42: Short Attention Spans

20 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Rich explains the valuation-growing logic of leveraging overseas technical resources and the competitive dangers of not doing so. Erick then shares so...

Episode 41: Hidden Gems

13 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss how recent news from ScalePad underscores the growing trend toward managed service tool makers building integrated platforms wi...

Bonus Episode: Integration is Everything

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special bonus episode of MSP Chat, sponsored by Sxipher, Erick and Rich discuss how integrated MSP tool stacks appear to produce higher sale v...

Episode 40: The AI Trifecta

06 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss why it’s not just smaller MSPs buying into MDR services and other outsourced security offerings and three keys to effective c...

Episode 39: Google Wants YOU

30 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss why the time for MSPs to get serious about online marketplaces is now and three tips for managing growth. Then Rich is joined b...

Episode 38: Egos Are Expensive

23 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss why securing SaaS applications is harder than it ought to be and three techniques MSPs can use to up their cost tracking and ma...

Episode 37: The Cash Faucet

16 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss why MSPs shouldn’t let generative AI’s recent slide toward Gartner’s Trough of Disillusionment stop them from investing i...

Episode 36: Cheesecake Factory Channel

09 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Live from CompTIA ChannelCon 2024, Erick and Rich discuss the importance of finding time to research leading-edge technologies like IoT and blockchain...

Episode 35: Achieving Media Mastery

02 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Missed CompTIA’s ChannelCon event this year? You’re in luck. Erick and Rich have included the session about building successful relationships with...

Bonus Episode: Si Se Puede!

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special bonus episode of MSP Chat, sponsored by SuperOps, Rich kicks things off by sharing some alarming findings from the new SuperOps State ...

Episode 34: PCs are Back!

26 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss the coming “supercycle” of PC sales and three techniques MSPs can use to manage remote employees. Then they’re joined by ...

Bonus Episode: Training, Education, and Success

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special bonus episode of MSP Chat, sponsored by Acronis and its new MSP Academy, Erick and Rich discuss how the XDR solution Acronis recently ...

Episode 33: Pandora’s Jewel Box

19 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss why MSPs should give outsourcing some of their tech work overseas a second look, and the secrets to preventing project creep an...

Episode 32: Bigger Than Kaseya 365

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss Pax8’s budding IT management stack and how MSPs can keep pace with evolving customer expectations. Then they’re joined by K...

Episode 31: PR Is Not What You Think

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Break out the fireworks! Erick and Rich are joined by Channel Mastered PR guru Bill Robbins to dispel common misconceptions about public relations and...

Episode 30: When You Think AI, Think Storage

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss data from ConnectWise unit Service Leadership detailing the advantages MSPs backed by private equity enjoy relative to independ...

Episode 29: AI, RPA, and MSPs

21 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss ConnectWise’s stealthy step into the XDR market and how to set strong, effective Q3 business growth goals. Then Rich is joine...

Episode 28: AI Ain’t Just Software

14 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Erick and Rich discuss Pax8’s ambitious new online marketplace and how to turn lost deals into future sales. Then Dave McQuarrie, chief commercial o...