IT Nation Wise Up

From cutting buzzwords and obsessing over customer experience to building products that earn engineer trust, ThreatLocker CEO and co-founder Danny Jenkins shares hard-earned lessons from scaling one of the fastest-growing security platforms in the MSP space. This can't-miss conversation is packed with practical insights MSP leaders can apply to grow the right way.

From figuring out where you fit inside your company and validating ideas before you invest in them, to shipping early and improving with your customers, get a candid look at how founders grow, adapt, and make better decisions over time. In this episode of Wise Up, serial entrepreneur and CEO of ThreatCaptain, Adam Anderson, joins Sean and Matt to unpack the lessons every business builder eventuall...

In this episode of Wise Up, we're covering the rise of AI, changes in service delivery, the impact on staffing, and where the next big opportunities will emerge for MSPs. Hear from Rich Freeman of Channelholic as he breaks down the evolution of the MSP channel, what's shifting right now, and the trends likely to define 2026.

Scaling an MSP is never simple. From planning and stakeholder buy-in to vendor partnerships and standardizing operations, this episode of Wise Up dives into the real-world lessons MSPs need to learn to grow without breaking their business. We're joined by Mark Calzone, Vice President of Operations at Sourcepass, who's sharing what really happens behind the scenes of 12+ acquisitions and a full RMM...

Most MSPs can talk tech, but customers care about risk. In this episode of Wise Up, Brad Powell, Co-Founder of ThreatCaptain and 2025 PitchIT finalist, shares how to reframe cybersecurity as a business conversation that wins trust, drives buy-in, and turns insights into sales results.

Too many MSPs get stuck reacting to issues instead of driving strategy. In this episode of Wise Up, we're exploring why aligning IT with business outcomes matters, how leading with questions builds trust, and what habits move MSPs from vendor to true partner with Kip Fanta, SVP of Partner & Customer Development at GetInSync.

Proposals don’t have to slow you down. Discover how MSPs can simplify proposal creation, cut turnaround time, and deliver a more consistent client experience. In this episode of Wise Up, Nicolas Fry, Founder of Turbo Docx and 2025 PitchIT contestant, joins us to share his expertise.

Discover how automating dispatch and triage can free up staff, why the service coordinator role is so critical, and the habits that help MSP leaders scale smarter. In this episode of Wise Up, Dustin Puryear, former MSP owner and now founder of Giant Rocketship, joins us to share his expertise.

Discover what DMARC really is and how MSPs can turn compliance into a clear value story for clients. In this episode of Wise Up, Taylor Tabusa, Co-Founder of Palisade, explains how to talk about DMARC in plain language and offers expert insights to improve deliverability and show measurable results in QBRs.

Service desk backlogs don’t just frustrate clients; they hold your whole team back. Discover how AI can reduce escalations, speed up ticket resolution, and free up engineers to focus on higher-value work with insight from Mathieu Tougas, CEO and Co-Founder of Mizo, and PitchIT 2025 finalist.

From reducing ticket volume with conversational support to streamlining onboarding through AI-driven training, we're sharing how MSPs can use AI to make daily operations more efficient. Badri Varadarajan, Founder and CEO of HitWit, joins Wise Up to explain how turning existing know-how into “AI wizards” helps MSPs respond faster, learn from real client needs, and create better experiences for both...

Discover how MSPs can turn AI from buzzword into real business impact. From using AI to manage more endpoints per tech to creating "digital workers" that handle tasks 24/7, Anup Ghosh, CEO and Co-Founder of ThreatMate, joins Wise Up to share how MSPs can boost efficiency, strengthen client outcomes, and stay ahead in the fast-changing security landscape.

From finding client workflows worth automating to building practices with lasting impact, we're exploring why the future for MSPs is about delivering outcomes, not just adding tools to the stack. Listen in as Greg Lalle, President of Synthreo and longtime channel leader, joins Wise Up to share how approaching AI the right way can make all the difference for MSPs.

From reasons vulnerability management is table stakes and the right times to outsource SOC/MDR, to the habits that actually help MSPs grow, James Mignacca, CEO of Cavelo and former MSP owner, is sharing what MSPs often get wrong about security. In this episode of Wise Up, we're sharing practical lessons from both sides of the channel.

Even the best tools can’t make up for risky user behavior. In this episode of Wise Up, we're joined by Dexter Caffey, CEO of Smart Eye Technology, to discuss why small changes, such as shutting down devices at night or rethinking how we manage unattended screens, can go a long way in protecting MSP clients from everyday threats and remote attacks.

In this episode of Wise Up, we're sharing how MSPs can offload low-fit clients, expand into new markets, and boost contract value by turning managed services contracts into currency. From AI-driven valuations and risk scoring to escrow protections and reputation ratings, hear from MSPX founder, Matt Yesbeck, as he breaks down how MSPX works and why getting "comfortable being uncomfortable" is a ke...

Over the last 20 years, Rayanne Buchianico, owner of ABC Solutions, has helped MSPs turn messy books and processes into true financial clarity. In this episode of Wise Up, she shares why margins slip, how to scale operations without breaking systems, and the tough staffing choices that protect profitability.

Success in the MSP world isn’t about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about grit, purpose, and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. In this episode of Wise Up, Michael Crean, SVP of Managed Security Services at SonicWall and founder of Solution Granted, shares how pushing past fear, staying true to your word, and finding passion in your work can change the trajectory of your bu...

Compliance can feel like a checkbox exercise, but it doesn’t have to be. Discover how MSPs can approach frameworks in a smarter, more sustainable way on this episode of Wise Up with Mark Heather, CEO of Compliance Aid. From using AI for evidence gathering to making sure policies actually work in real life, Mark is sharing lessons any MSP can take back to their business.

Finding the right talent is one of the toughest challenges MSPs face, and Chris Keith is on a mission to change that. As founder of Hirexe and part of the PitchIT 2025 cohort, Chris shares how his platform uses AI and a South African talent pool to match MSPs with top candidates in days, not months. Hear from the expert about why defining roles up front, culture fit, and long-term career paths are...

Throughout the last 20 years, Gene Reich has been building a successful MSP, launching Traceless, a cybersecurity company, and still finding time for family, gardening, and life outside of work. In this episode of Wise Up, he's sharing how he made the leap from MSP to vendor, why specialization beats trying to serve everyone, and how he's managed to stay grounded while running multiple businesses.

Trying to make sense of frameworks such as CIS and NIST? You’re not alone. From common framework myths to the difference between selling security and doing security, we're breaking down how MSPs can stop chasing trends and start building security programs that work. Don't miss expert insights from special guests, Michael Zbarsky and Jared Casner of Blacksmith Infosec, on this must-listen episode o...

In this episode of Wise Up, we're taking an honest look at what it takes to stay in the game, grow with intention, and build a business that lasts. We're joined by Clay Archer, CEO of DPC Technology, who's spent years building and running his own MSP. Listen in as Clay shares his first-hand experiences and lessons learned from navigating growth, burnout, and leadership evolution.

What really happens when you sell your MSP and step into a larger organization? In this episode of Wise Up, we're unpacking what MSP owners need to know about scaling, acquisitions, and letting go. From the chaos of integration to the reality of exit regret, Joshua Skeens, CEO of Logically, shares lessons learned from building and running one of the largest platforms in the country.

In the MSP world, selling isn’t just about tools—it’s about trust. Learn what works (and what doesn’t) when selling MSP services—and why differentiation is everything. Jonathan Schofield of Skofi shares how MSPs can stand out in saturated markets, build long-term relationships, and lead sales conversations with confidence.