IT Business Podcast Episodes

Hitting 1,000 episodes gave me the perfect excuse to bring back some of the original Podnutz Pro crew, look at how far the MSP and IT world has come, and share some real talk about burnout, work–life “balance,” and sticking with this crazy business. We get honest about the basics too—why DHCP, DNS, and real troubleshooting still matter, even in a cloud‑first, AI‑obsessed world.

I’m joined by Brian Weiss from iTech to dig into the real reason Copilot is “failing” for so many MSPs and clients: adoption, not technology. We walk through AI readiness, data governance, Purview, and how MSPs can turn Copilot into a strategic business tool instead of another line item.

A candid conversation with Larry Cobrin from MSPCFO on what your PSA is really telling you about client profitability, contribution per hour, and which customers you should probably fix or fire. We also dig into AI, private equity expectations, and why bad data can still wreck your decisions even with the best tools.

Most MSP owners wait too long to get serious about an exit, then wonder why their “baby” doesn’t get the valuation they expected. In this conversation with Amy Babinchak, we dig into her book “20 Questions Every Owner Asked Before Selling Their MSP” and break down what really drives value, what kills deals, and how to treat your MSP like the nest egg it actually is.

Vendors love to pitch “better, cheaper” tools, but Tom Wyant and I break down the real, often hidden cost of changing your MSP stack, from migration and data ownership to client disruption and staff confusion. We talk honestly about when it actually makes sense to switch, why I’ve stuck with my N-Able‑centered stack plus ThreatLocker and Liongard, and how to evaluate tools without blowing up what already works.

I sit down with N-Able Head Nerds Ben Lee and Marc‑Andre to talk about how MSPs can move beyond “another AI chatbot” and start building real services, automation, and governance around AI. From internal efficiencies to client-facing AI packages, we dig into what mature MSPs are actually asking about, and how Enable is trying to meet them there.

Michael DePalma, OpenText's VP of Business Development, dives into their massive channel revamp after a full year, covering Secure Cloud upgrades and killer MSP partnerships like Hats AI. He breaks down real MSP pain points from 2025 and how OpenText listens to deliver value without the salesy BS.

I sit down with Robert Johnston from N-able (formerly Adlumin) to talk about how MSPs can realistically deliver SIEM, MDR, and true business resilience without trying to build their own 24×7 SOC. We get into the talent gap, compliance-driven security, and why pre-breach hardening and post-breach recovery need to be just as baked into your stack as endpoint tools.

Lewis Pope and Stephanie Hammond from the N‑able Head Nerds team join me live at Empower in Fort Lauderdale to talk about shifting from selling tools to leading with business resilience, governance, and real executive conversations your clients actually care about. We dig into CMMC, compliance, EBRs, and why MSPs need to stop hiding behind tech jargon and start stepping up as advisors.

Frank Colletti from N‑Able joins me live at Empower 2026 in Fort Lauderdale to talk about AI, UEM, security, and how MSPs can turn all of this innovation into real, profitable services. We dig into N‑Able’s partner-first strategy, global Empower roadshow plans, and how peers and head nerds are shaping the next wave of MSP growth.

I sat down with Mike Wise from Clockwork Networks and we got into what it really looks like to run a lean, highly efficient MSP without chasing headcount. We covered niching, compliance, and how smart standardization can outperform traditional growth models.

In this episode, I sit down with Dawn and Dave Sizer to walk through the messy, honest reality of running and rebuilding a growing MSP. We talk about what happens when you think you’re mature and buttoned up… until one key person leaves and exposes every crack in your processes, documentation, and service delivery. If you’re an MSP owner, IT leader, or service manager trying to scale without losing your mind, this conversation is going to hit close to home.

In this episode, I sit down in-studio with my good friend Tim Coach from Cynomi to talk about how MSPs can finally get cybersecurity, vCISO services, and compliance under control without drowning in frameworks and spreadsheets. We dig into what Cynomi actually does for partners, how it turns risk assessments into clear action plans, and why it helps MSPs package and price security in a way clients actually understand. If you’ve ever struggled to move beyond “tools and alerts” into real security outcomes, this one’s for you.

If you’re still turning off noisy alerts and hoping your basic patching policies are “good enough,” this episode is your wake‑up call. Frank and I talk tough love for MSPs: knowing every IP, understanding real exploitability, documenting what you do and don’t cover, and having the guts to walk away from clients who refuse to secure their environment.

Rick Harber joins me to break down how his MSP uses automation, AI, and solid process to triage tickets in seconds, report real value to clients, and grow without constantly hiring more techs. We also swap real‑world stories about Liongard, DNS disasters, billing for Active Directory accounts, and how to turn tools into true IT solutions instead of just more noise in your stack.

I caught up with Jared Casner of Blacksmith InfoSec after MSP IT Expo to unpack what’s really working for MSPs around security, compliance, and client education. We talk about starting small with CIS IG1, mapping your existing stack to NIST CSF, and using QBRs to show progress instead of just ticket counts. If you’re wrestling with pricing, packaging, and monetizing cybersecurity and compliance services, this conversation gives you concrete strategies you can put to work fast.

I sit down with Jerem Morris from Datatek to unpack how he built a seven‑figure, security‑first MSP in one of the most competitive markets in the country. We dig into people‑first service, all‑in pricing, cybersecurity stacks, 3‑2‑1‑plus backup, and why almost all his managed services business comes from referrals, not flashy marketing. Jerem also shares how QBRs, AI guardrails, and real‑world training keep his clients protected, compliant, and calling him before they make big technology decisions.

I’m joined by sales leader Laura Jeter from Vector Security Networks to unpack how a “big” MSP thinks about co‑managed IT, service desk vs. help desk, and working alongside smaller providers instead of competing with them. We walk through how her team uses tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator and deep account research to find the right IT decision‑makers and build trust in high‑stakes cybersecurity and network projects. If you’re trying to grow your managed services practice, this conversation will help you rethink lead generation, vendor relationships, and your overall MSP growth strategy.

I walk through real‑world stories from my MSP, including how ThreatLocker helps me shift clients from “right of boom” to proactive, left‑of‑boom security thinking, and why guardrails matter when they start playing with AI agents and tools like Tailscale and Super Whisper. I share a conference recap from Channel Pro Defend and ThreatLocker’s Zero Trust World, dig into cyber insurance and MSP risk trends, and wrap with a practical look at swag, gear, and how we can make security both responsible and profitable for managed services providers and IT pros.

A major ruling from the Delaware Supreme Court in the case involving Blackbaud is reshaping cyber liability for MSPs and SaaS providers. This episode breaks down how aggregated claims, weaker dismissal protections, and stricter security expectations could increase legal and financial risk after a breach. If you manage data, backups, or security, this is a wake-up call.

I unbox and live‑test NetAlly’s new LinkRunner AT1500 to see if it really deserves a spot in your MSP go‑bag. We run through real copper cable tests, PoE checks, switch discovery, and Link‑Live integration so you can decide if this “frontline” tester is worth the price tag.​

Juan Fernandez joins me to explain how Summit Holdings’ MSP as a Service framework helps MSPs reclaim capacity, protect margins, and modernize service delivery in the era of AI and MSP 5.0. We dig into common fears about losing control, how white-labeled operations can stay aligned with your tools and processes, and why community-focused, US-based, IT compliance‑minded support can be a game-changer for MSP growth. If you’re wrestling with labor, cybersecurity delivery, and vendor overload, this conversation lays out a practical path forward.

This conversation centers on one core theme: MSPs and channel partners should not have to struggle alone. Larry shares the vision for MSP Well as a dedicated mental health and wellness resource for MSPs, MSSPs, vendors, and media, with plans for education, referrals, and community-backed support across the channel.​

This episode zooms in on Zero Trust as a practical, fully managed offering, with Future Range’s “Future Range Protect” service front and center. Danny walks through why ThreatLocker sits at the core of their stack, how Zero Trust has already saved customers, and why MSPs must tighten cybersecurity if they want clients to safely leverage AI and modern IT solutions.