Uncle Marv's IT Business Podcast (Real Talk for IT Pros & MSPs)

Cybersecurity is a constant battle, and this episode brings you up to speed on the latest developments from Sophos. Uncle Marv welcomes Ryan Gebauer to discuss how Sophos is tackling state-sponsored attacks and ransomware with innovative solutions like AI-powered threat detection and end-to-end cybersecurity tools. Key highlights include: Ransomware Realities : Why paying the ransom often leads to...

Uncle Marv’s IT Business Podcast welcomes Kristen Pittman from CyLutions, a custom software development company that specializes in modernizing businesses through tailored IT solutions. Kristen recounts her journey to ASCII Edge in Orlando and dives into her expertise in Microsoft 365 migrations, SharePoint configurations, and database management. The conversation explores common pitfalls in IT mi...

Why Listen? This episode provides a behind-the-scenes look at how ASCII empowers MSPs to thrive through collaboration, innovation, and foresight. Learn about exclusive tools and strategies that can help you stay competitive while navigating industry challenges like mental health and mergers. In this episode of Uncle Marv’s IT Business Podcast, Jerry Koutavas, President of ASCII, sits down to discu...

This episode provides valuable insights into real-world IT security challenges and solutions. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of why strict security measures are necessary and how they can be implemented effectively. The stories shared by Uncle Marv offer practical lessons for IT professionals at all levels. The Principle of Least Privilege: Marv explains why giving users the minimum le...

Uncle Marv welcomes Sean Lardo, the newly appointed VP of IT Nation Communities at ConnectWise. Sean shares his insights on the upcoming PitchIT competition and the broader vision for IT Nation as the "community of communities" in the IT service provider space. Pitch It Competition Overview: Sean breaks down the PitchIT program structure, including the application process, 16-week boot camp, and f...

This episode offers a real-world example of complex IT problem-solving, providing valuable insights for IT professionals facing similar challenges. It also highlights the importance of persistence and thinking outside the box when troubleshooting network issues. Uncle Marv takes us on a journey through a recent IT project that tested his skills and patience. He describes a referral client with an...

Uncle Marv welcomes Jesse Tuttle, also known as Hackah Jak, to preview his upcoming keynote at the ASCII Edge tour in Orlando. Tuttle, a former hacker who once topped the FBI and Interpol's most wanted lists, now leads AP2T Labs, a cyber threat research and training company. Tuttle's fascinating backstory unfolds as he recounts his journey from a curious 14-year-old hacker in 1994 to initiating wh...

Why Listen This episode offers a wealth of practical advice for MSP owners looking to improve their customer relationships and boost profitability. Listeners will gain insights into soft skills training, accurate time tracking, and understanding business costs, all crucial elements for running a successful MSP. Main Topics Uncle Marv welcomes back Melissa Hockenberry from First Things First Traini...

Why Listen? This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the innovative mindset driving ThreatLocker's success. You'll gain insights into the latest advancements in Zero Trust security, understand how to leverage data for better decision-making, and learn how ThreatLocker caters to both MSPs and enterprise clients. Plus, you'll hear an entertaining story about an Iron Man suit and a charity auc...

Why Listen? This episode offers a unique perspective on Mac security within a business context. Slava’s insights into nation-state attacks, combined with practical advice on hardening your systems, make this a must-listen for any IT professional or business owner concerned about cybersecurity. Learn about the latest ThreatLocker features for Mac OS and how to implement a zero-trust security model...

Why Listen? This episode provides MSP owners and managers with a fresh perspective on how to leverage branding and communication to drive business growth. You'll learn practical tips to improve client relationships, increase retention, and create a company culture that values every interaction. Lisa’s insights will help you transform your MSP from a vendor to a trusted advisor, unlocking new oppor...

Uncle Marv welcomes back Paul Green, founder of MSP Marketing Edge, to discuss simple marketing strategies that can help MSPs attract new clients and grow their business. Paul shares how he has clarified and simplified his mission over the last year, focusing on how effective marketing can transform an MSP owner's lifestyle, reducing work hours and increasing personal time. Paul introduces his thr...

deep dive into cybersecurity with Tiffany Ricks of HacWare. Tiffany shares her unique journey from aspiring NBA star to ethical hacker, and how those experiences shaped her innovative approach to cybersecurity training. The conversation tackles the shortcomings of traditional phishing simulations, which often rely on outdated templates that fail to engage users. Tiffany explains how HacWare levera...

Uncle Marv welcomes back Shannon Simmons, a Profit First professional, to discuss how IT professionals and MSPs can improve their businesses with the Profit First system. Shannon shares her personal tax issue story and how it led her to Profit First. They debunk common myths about the system, such as the misconception that having multiple bank accounts is too much work. Shannon introduces the "Emb...

Uncle Marv kicks off this episode with Melissa Hockenberry. Melissa recounts her early days at Autotask, how she transitioned from retail and non-profit roles into the tech industry, and her passion for customer success. They explore Melissa's transition into consulting, driven by a desire to help MSPs improve their customer relationships and business processes. Melissa shares her insights on how...

Uncle Marv and Brian Weiss kick off their chat at Zero Trust World 2025, discussing the conference's unique focus on education and practical application rather than just sales pitches. Brian shares his experience using ThreatLocker in a co-managed service provider setting. The conversation dives deep into ThreatLocker, with Brian explaining how his company deploys its various modules and the benef...

Uncle Marv kicks off March with marketing and money talk, welcoming back Dave Scott, who’s fresh off a fantastic year and ready to drop some serious knowledge. Dave emphasizes that MSPs need to ditch "guerrilla marketing" and start thinking about their sales and marketing like they do their client's tech stacks – with a strategic collection of AI and automation tools. But how do you avoid sounding...

Uncle Marv kicks off the podcast live from Zero Trust World in Orlando, Florida, joined by JP Keesy and Martin Perkins of Tech Degenerates. They discuss their experiences at the conference, highlighting the diversity of attendees – from MSPs to enterprise IT professionals. The conversation explores the Tech Degenerates community, born from a need for face-to-face interaction and a desire to break...

Uncle Marv kicks off a spontaneous chat with Wayne Selk at Zero Trust World 2025 in Orlando. Wayne is there to present on why cybersecurity is now simply the cost of doing business. He shares alarming stats from the Small Business Administration about security incidents and emphasizes that all businesses using technology are at risk. The conversation evolves into how solution providers need to cha...

Uncle Marv kicks things off with Scully at Zero Trust World in Orlando, reminiscing about past radio shows and brainstorming show names.  The Impact of COVID Scully and Uncle Marv discuss how the pandemic has changed the way we timestamp events and reflect on pre- and post-COVID life. They touch on how it has impacted travel and work-life balance, particularly for those in the IT industry. Sports...

Uncle Marv kicks off a fascinating discussion with Zulfiya Forsythe of Omadli Group and Dmitry Rudman of SafePoint IT about how MSPs can leverage the power of data and AI to better serve their clients. Zulfiya shares her journey from corporate accounting to becoming a data and AI expert, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and continuous learning. Dmitry discusses how a client led him to disco...

Marv and Dawn dive deep into the challenges faced by MSPs, from vendor frustrations to the ever-present need for robust cybersecurity. They discuss the surprising usefulness of ThreatLocker, with Marv admitting he uses ThreatLocker because Dawn told him to! The conversation shifts to vendor stacks, frameworks, and the elusive quest for industry standards, touching on the roles of organizations lik...

Uncle Marv kicks off the show with a big shout-out to Danny Jenkins and ThreatLocker for the Zero Trust World experience. Despite being stationed next to the food (hello, noisy plate clanking!), Marv was thrilled with the turnout at his podcast booth. Listeners will be happy to know that he hasn’t forgotten about that 365 migration that just keeps on going! The main event? A chat with Brian Weiss...

Uncle Marv is live at Zero Trust World 2025, diving deep into cybersecurity with two key figures from ThreatLocker. First up is Kieran Human, a Special Projects Engineer, who sheds light on the frighteningly simple dangers of "rubber duckies" – innocent-looking USBs that can wreak havoc on your systems. They explore how these devices can bypass security and exfiltrate data and also discuss real-wo...

In this episode, Uncle Marv interviews Meredith Payne, Senior Director of Business Development at TDSynnex. They discuss the evolution of TDSynnex and its commitment to supporting MSPs in today's dynamic IT landscape. Meredith shares insights into the MSP Evolve program, a framework designed to help MSPs grow and optimize their businesses. The conversation covers the range of support services, tra...