Pax8 Academy Live

What if you could uncover gaps in a client's incident response plan before a real cyberattack puts it to the test, while also creating a valuable new security service for your MSP? In this episode of Academy Live, we're breaking down how a cybersecurity tabletop exercise can be such a powerful addition to an MSP's security practice. 🔑 Key Topics Covered ✅ What a cybersecurity tabletop exercise a...

Cybersecurity threats may be evolving, but the truth is surprisingly simple: Many organizations are still getting compromised because they haven't mastered the basics. In this special Cybersecurity Awareness Month episode of Academy Live, we're joined by Dom Kirby, Senior Director of Professional Services at Pax8, to separate cybersecurity facts from cybersecurity fear. Together, we discuss what i...

In a world of remote work, AI, automation, and digital collaboration, is bringing people together in person still worth it? In this episode of Academy Live, we're joined by Ike Hill, owner of Nocwing and longtime friend of Academy, for a conversation about leadership, community, mentorship, and why face-to-face connection still matters. As organizations become increasingly distributed, leaders are...

Everywhere you look, people are talking about change. AI is evolving rapidly. New tools are arriving every week. Business models are shifting. Customer expectations are changing. And yet... Some of the most important principles for building successful businesses remain exactly the same.  In this episode of Academy Live, Amanda Glidden, Chris Kaiser, and Rex Frank take a step back from the constant...

In this episode of Academy Live, we're joined by Sara Ehrich, Manager of Academy Instructor-Led Training, to explore an uncomfortable truth about leadership: AI doesn't fix poor leadership. It exposes it. AI has made knowledge more accessible than ever, but access to information isn't the same thing as good judgment. Leaders no longer create value simply by being the person with all the answers. I...

Are MSPs hiring less because of AI? In this episode of Academy Live, Adam Hannemann and Peter Kujawa join us to unpack one of the biggest trends emerging across the managed services industry: MSPs are slowing hiring while increasing investments in AI and automation tools. And the data suggests it's driving meaningful gains in efficiency and profitability.   🔑 Key Topics Covered ✅ The latest MSP...

AI is changing how businesses operate and Managed Service Providers have a choice: lead the transformation or watch someone else do it. In this episode of Academy Live, we're joined by David Schafran, VP of Partner Enablement at Pax8, to unpack the newly available Managed Intelligence Provider (MIP) Program and explain how MSPs can begin their journey into managed intelligence services. 🔑 Key Top...

Did You Miss Pax8 Beyond 2026? We’ve Got You Covered! In this episode of Academy Live, we’re recapping Pax8 Beyond 2026 through the lens of what Academy does best… turning insight into execution. Beyond delivers world-class keynotes and community moments, as well as Academy breakout sessions that are helping MSPs clarify value, scale faster, and operate smarter. And in this episode we will highlig...

In this episode of Academy Live, we’re helping you build your Pax8 Beyond 2026 session plan… because with 24 Academy sessions on the agenda, you want a strategy, not guesswork. Beyond is built around Community, Education and Innovation, and today we’re zeroing in on Education to show you how to pick sessions based on the industry trends you care about most: MIP, scalability, strategic leadership,...

In this episode of Academy Live, we explore one of the most important frameworks for understanding where AI is headed: the Gartner Hype Cycle and why it matters for MSPs, business leaders, and anyone preparing for what’s next. As Pax8 looks ahead, there’s a clear focus on the future of digital labor powered by agentic AI. But preparing for the next technology curve doesn’t mean abandoning the busi...

What does it really take to grow from an individual contributor to a leader and beyond? In this episode of Academy Live, Jennifer Roy, CEO of Nucleus Networks, shares her journey from service manager to leading a $25 million MSP and what she wishes she had known earlier in her career. 🔑 Key Topics Covered ✅ Jennifer Roy’s journey from service manager to CEO ✅ How to move from individual contrib...

What happens to all the great ideas that never make it on stage? In this episode of Academy Live, we sit down with Tara Rummer, Director of Community at Immy.bot, and Dean Trempelas, Head of MSP Success at Empath, to explore two movements shaking up the MSP space: RejectionCon and Spicy Monday. 🔑 Key Topics Covered ✅ What RejectionCon is and how it started ✅ Why rejected talks can be the most v...

A great strategy means nothing if it never turns into results. In this episode of Academy Live, Scott Berns, SVP of Revenue & GTM Americas at Pax8, breaks down the fundamentals of building a business plan that actually drives outcomes. 🔑 Key Topics Covered ✅ Why many MSPs struggle to translate strategy into real results ✅ How prioritization helps businesses focus on what truly moves the nee...

In this special Women’s History Month episode of Academy Live, we’re joined by Sara Ehrich, Manager of Academy Instructor Led Training at Pax8, to explore what modern leadership really looks like and how to build inclusive teams that perform at a higher level. Sara leads Pax8’s leadership curriculum, including programs for first-time leaders, new managers, and middle managers stepping into more st...

Great sales isn't about pitching harder. It is about asking smarter questions that create curiosity and move buyers toward action. In this episode of Academy Live, Keith Marchiano, Senior Executive Coach and Program Manager for Sales Enablement at Pax8, breaks down how MSPs can use the Results Selling Framework to sell more, prospect more effectively, and strengthen their marketing message. Keith...

In this episode of Academy Live, Amy Luby, Executive Coach with Pax8 Academy, joins the conversation to break down why so many MSPs struggle when they try to move beyond founder led sales. Amy walks through the three most common mistakes MSPs and founders make when scaling sales, clarifies the difference between marketing and go to market, and explains why truly knowing your clients and verticals...

In this episode of Academy Live, Chris Wicks, Manager of Academy Coaching at Pax8, breaks down the power of dispatching and why it’s one of the smartest investments an MSP can make. With 20 years in the industry, Chris shares how proper dispatching boosts operational efficiency, improves engineer satisfaction, and prevents client chaos. All while saving your MSP thousands of dollars per year. 🔑 K...

Technical skills may get you hired, but they are no longer enough to help you grow. In this episode of Academy Live, we explore how engineers and technical professionals can evolve their careers by building account management skills, stronger client relationships, and early leadership capabilities. As MSP roles continue to change, clients expect more than reactive support. They want trusted adviso...

What makes someone a great leader in 2025? It is not technical mastery or being the smartest person in the room. In the age of AI, the most impactful leaders are the ones who coach, communicate, and elevate the people around them. In this episode of Academy Live, Tyler Vallario, Senior Learning Experience Facilitator and Advisor at Pax8, unpacks what leadership really requires today. 🔑 Key Topics...

AI is changing the game for engineers, but only if you feed it the right data. Are you an MSP and wondering how to implement this in your shop? We’ve got you covered… welcome to Academy Live! In this episode, Pax8 Senior Executive Coach Rob Hird breaks down his Beyond 2025 Breakout Session: AI and Engineers 101. We’ll explore the 5 Cs of AI adoption: Confidentiality, Compliance, Cost, Capacity, an...

In this episode of Academy Live, Chance Weaver, VP of AI Adoption Americas at Pax8, joins the show to break down how Managed Service Providers can evolve into Managed Intelligence Providers (MIPs) and start selling AI today! This episode walks through the frameworks that turn AI from an intimidating buzzword into a revenue-generating reality. 🔑 Key Topics Covered ✅ What is the Managed Intelligen...

In this episode of Academy Live, we sit down with Dr. Jake Necessary, CISO at StaffDNA, to break down what it really takes to lead high-performing remote teams. Jake has spent decades thriving as a remote employee, long before remote work became mainstream. Through case study research, he uncovered a major gap in how organizations manage distributed teams. His findings reveal that traditional lead...

AI can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to. In this episode of Academy Live, Rex and Chris sit down with Dave Wiseman, Data and AI Program Manager at Pax8, to unpack what real AI success looks like and how to prepare if you haven’t started yet. Dave shares practical ways to measure AI outcomes, like efficiency gains, increased profitability, and reduced risk, while offering advice for leader...

What does it really take to grow a successful MSP? In this episode of Academy Live, we chat with Jeff Wolverton, CEO of PivIT Strategy, to hear his story of transformation, perseverance, and growth. Jeff shares how joining Pax8’s Phoenix Peer Group gave him the foundation to strengthen his MSP across sales, service, and operations. We’ll hear his stories about how the lessons learned (and tough lo...

Pricing isn’t just about numbers — it’s about knowing your value. In this episode of Academy Live, we sit down with Jonathan Mack, Lead Executive Coach at Pax8, to dive deeper into his Beyond 2025 session: Did You Raise Your Rates? Jonathan unpacks why 99% of clients accept rate increases, the importance of knowing what level of provider you really are, and how to avoid the most common mistakes MS...