MSP Chat

Live from GTIA’s 2026 ChannelCon event in San Diego, Erick and Rich discuss the importance of GTIA’s new regulatory and standards initiatives, as well as why MSPs should stay focused on the fundamentals despite constant technological change. Then they’re joined by GTIA’s Dan Wensley and MJ Shoer for their take on GTIA’s unique role in the channel and where the association plans to train its considerable resources going forward. And finally, one last thing: dogs that hang ten.
 
Discussed in this episode:
GTIA Advances Trusted AI, Strengthens Self-Governance, and Expands Global Community
Dogs ride waves at California’s World Dog Surfing Championships
 
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 Kaseya, Erick and Rich discuss AI’s role in declining member satisfaction with partner programs (it’s smaller than you might think) and three ways to ensure you talk to your clients about AI before someone else does. Then they’re joined by Paul Burke, the Kaseya VP of engineering in charge of the company’s AI-powered digital workforce, for a deeply informed conversation about AI, deterministic reasoning, and the “integration tax” many MSPs are paying today and shouldn’t be. And finally, one last thing: Just in time for the tail end of summer, Snickers Ice Cream has a job opening for a Chief Online Chill Officer. 

Discussed in this episode: 

Don’t Blame AI for Sliding Partner Program Satisfaction
Kaseya Unveils the First Agentic IT Management Platform – Turning Data into Autonomous Action
Searching for Its First-Ever ‘Chief Online Chill Officer’ to Help Bring More Chill and Humor to the Internet

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 Fusion, the new security platform from Sophos, and what it says about the meaning of platform in the security market today as well as three things every MSP can do to ensure their business improves every quarter. Then they’re joined by Yaron Baitch of managed services suite vendor IgnitHQ for a conversation about what it means to build a truly AI-native MSP tool stack in the age of AI. And finally, one last thing: the dangerous lengths to which residents of a city in Greece are willing to go to shave a few minutes from their daily commute. 

Discussed in this episode:
When Is a Security Platform Not a Security Platform?I
gnitHQ Dares to Dream
Locals Keep Driving on This Buckled Bridge Because It’s Quicker Than the Detour 

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 data from ConnectWise’s Service Leadership unit offering preliminary evidence that AI automation software for MSPs is having a productivity and profitability impact on early adopters, as well as suggestions for being smarter and more strategic about when to say yes to clients and when not to. Then Erick’s joined by Juan Fernandez of MSP as a Service to learn more about how that company’s solution is helping newcomers get managed service practices up and running quickly. And finally, one last thing: The $1.5 trillion shock some subscribers got when AWS rounded their bill way, way up.
 
Discussed in this episode:
Service Leadership Takes on Two MSP Mysteries
MSP as a Service website
Amazon Web Services customers receive bills for up to $1.5tn after global glitch
 
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 Ingram Micro’s 2026 Trust X Alliance Unplugged event in (fabulous, trust them) Buffalo, N.Y., Erick and Rich discuss the role community and trust play in adapting to AI transformation and strategies for easing employee anxieties about what AI means for their job. Then Rich is joined by Bill Brandel, Ingram’s EVP and president, North America, for a conversation about how Ingram’s helping partners navigate ever-shifting price changes and supply shortages while preparing for success in the AI economy. And finally, one last thing: a helpful reminder that your local police department would prefer that you NOT bring your unused hand grenades to the station.

Discussed in this episode:
Ontario police: Do not bring grenades to police stations

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.