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.

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. And finally, one last thing: the chicken-wing flavored, protein-packed espresso martini you never knew you wanted. 

Discussed in this episode:

Slide Raises $70 Million Series B Led by General Catalyst to Expand Its Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) Platform for Managed Service Providers
MSP Well websiteBuffalo Wild Wings unveils wing-flavored protein espresso martini 

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 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 MSP Trends and Predictions Report. And finally, TWO last things: an illustration of the wrong way to incorporate voice AI in the call center and a follow-up on Erick’s suggestion last week that MSPs use AI to practice for big client meetings.  

Discussed in this episode:
Cybercrime Victimization Climbs to Record High 44% Over Five-Year Period
New N‑able and Futurum Report Reveals How AI is Reshaping Cyber Resilience
Overview of Omdia 2026 MSP Trends and Predictions Report
Callers to Washington state hotline press 2 for Spanish and get accented AI English instead

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 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 version of the boss. 

Discussed in this episode:

MSPs Need to Accelerate AI Evolution. Distributors Say They Can Help.Scale
Pad MSP Trends Report 2026
Uber employees have an AI clone of CEO Dara Khosrowshahi — and use 'Dara AI' before talking to the big boss himself 

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 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 TKO in which the “T” stands for toupee rather than technical. 

Discussed in this episode:
Summary of Omdia’s 2026 MSP predictions
Lexful Goes God-Mode on AI
Boxer loses hairpiece in the ring and blames mother’s shampoo

 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.