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 Sachs
Robot 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.

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 Report
On-demand webinar: The MSP playbook: Insights from the 2026 State of MSP Report
Which 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.

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 Boardroom
Cynomi Redefines How MSPs Scale Cybersecurity Services and Growth with the Launch of New CISO Intelligence AI Agents
Police 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.

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 Speed
New Survey Highlights Gap Between Perceived AI Readiness and Tested Disaster Recovery CapabilityAutonomous but Not Controlled: AI Agent Incidents Now Common in Enterprises
Agentic 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.

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:By
Richard Stiennon: Mythos Preview Is a Break-Glass Moment
From 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.

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 Report
Backup and recovery solutionsRethinking cyber resilience for modern IT
Owl found napping on antique store shelf in New York
Real-life possum found hiding in soft-toy display at Tasmanian airport

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 mandate
Rev.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.

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 robbery ever, and its amusing aftermath. 

Discussed in this episode:
Treeline Raises $25 Million to Reinvent IT ServicesSonic
Wall Reframes Annual Research Around SMB Protection Outcomes, Reveals the Seven Deadly Sins in 2026 Cyber Protect Report
Thieves steal 12 tons of KitKat bars in Europe chocolate heist
How a Massive KitKat Heist Turned Into Crisis PR Gold 

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 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 finally, one last thing: You know spring has finally arrived when they’re burning socks in Annapolis. 

Discussed in this episode:

Closing the AI Governance Gap
Start Grow Manage home page
Decades ago, a Maryland sailor burned his winter socks. Now it's a spring tradition 

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 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 conversation about what MSP rollups, cyber resilience, and AI herald for the future of managed services. And finally, one last thing: the crazy price paid at auction for a Flamin’ Hot Cheeto shaped like a Pokemon character. 

Discussed in this episode:
Summit Holdings Launches “MSP-as-a-Service” Operating Model to Help MSPs Scale Faster and Increase Recurring Revenue
Further thoughts on AI and managed services from Alex Stanton:
Mapping the Next Golden Age of Managed Services
AI “Systems of Action” Have Worrying Implications for PSA Vendors'Cheetozard' auction results in a Guinness World Record 
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.