TubbTalk: The Podcast for Managed Service Providers

In this interview, Richard Tubb speaks to John Espirian, a technical copywriter for many years. Having seen success on LinkedIn, he now works exclusively as a LinkedIn consultant. He has a private community to help people get their businesses seen online, and is the co-founder and co-host of Uplift Live, a LinkedIn-focused annual conference. Richard asks John about AI-generated posts and responses on LinkedIn and how to find a happy medium. They discuss using company pages, Sales Navigator and the premium version of the platform. John shares a ton of helpful advice on how to be relentlessly helpful and create content your audience will value, how to use LinkedIn to grow your business and what you should do if you feel like you’re being left behind. Richard asks John about some dos and don’ts when using the platform, including third-party tools, sending DMs and connection requests, the benefits of getting recommendations and how to use LinkedIn Ads. John explains what’s working well on LinkedIn right now and how to stand out. He shares some quick wins to improve your personal profile and why consistency is the key to success. Mentioned in This Episode * Espirian [https://espirian.co.uk/] * Connect with John on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnespirian/] * Join Espresso+ [https://espirian.co.uk/join/?1] * Richard's previous interview with John [https://tubblog.co.uk/podcasts/leveraging-linkedin-for-msps/] * LinkedIn Conference: UpLift Live [https://uplift-live.com/] * LinkedIn Company Pages expert: Michelle Raymond [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellejraymond/] * LLM/AI company: OpenAI [https://openai.com/] * Content expert: Juma Bannister [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jumabannister/] * LinkedIn expert: Louise Brogan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisebrogan/] * Book: John Espirian: Content DNA [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Content-DNA-consistency-congruence-everywhere-ebook/dp/B087GS75G5/] * Book: Bob Burg: The Go-Giver [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Go-Giver-Little-Story-Powerful-Business-ebook/dp/B003AYZBJI] * Content marketing expert: Mark Schaefer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markwschaefer/] * Lunchtime LinkedIn event: UpLift Live Nano [https://espirian.thrivecart.com/uplift-live-nano-cardiff-2025-09-11/]

In this episode, Richard speaks to Gerald Beuchelt. He's the Chief Information Security Officer at Acronis, a company protecting millions of endpoints across 54 data centres, many of them managed by MSPs just like you. He's led security through IPOs, a $5 billion merger, and now heads up the Acronis Threat Research Unit, or TRU. And that's a team uncovering wild cyber threats that potentially pose a risk to all MSPs and their clients. Richard asks Gerald to explain the role of a CISO in his own words, how he got into cybersecurity and how his background in mathematics helps him in his work today. They explore the Acronis Threat Research Unit (TRU) and what Acronis looks like in 2025, with Gerald talking through the changes they’ve made. He also offers suggestions on how MSPs can deal with vendor fatigue and how bringing everything into one place makes it easier. Richard asks Gerald to explain what a cyber snake and chaosRAT are and how MSPs can support clients using older systems, as well as cyber threats to be aware of and how to educate clients on them. Gerald shares his thoughts on what a security-first MSP is, why EDR and RMM are merging and how MSPs can prepare for that and how AI use by cyber criminals is getting ever more sophisticated. He gives one practical habit MSPs can use to improve their security posture, how to get started with Acronis and make the most of its features and what’s coming next for the organisation. Mentioned in This Episode * Acronis [https://www.acronis.com/en-gb/] * Windows domain networks directory: Active Directory [https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/get-started/virtual-dc/active-directory-domain-services-overview] * Computer programme: Kerberos [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerberos_(protocol)] * Threat knowledge base: MITRE ATT&CK [https://attack.mitre.org/]  * Verizon breach report [https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/dbir/] * CRM software: Salesforce [https://www.salesforce.com/eu/] * Cyber threat: Sidewinder ATP [https://www.picussecurity.com/resource/blog/sidewinder-threat-group] * Speaker and author: Karl Palachuk [https://karlpalachuk.com/] * Dark web: Digital Underground [https://q6cyber.com/digital-underground] * MSP event: MSP Global [https://www.mspglobal.com/] * Cyber event: Infosec London [https://www.infosecurityeurope.com/] * Cloned Richard podcast [https://tubblog.co.uk/podcasts/ai-synthesised-message/]

In this episode, Richard Tubb speaks to Polly Brennan, a renowned mental fitness coach. She supports organisations to bring themselves back to a healthier mindset, boosting resilience and wellbeing no matter what comes along. Polly explains what mental fitness is, her approach to it and her journey from the NHS to running her business. She and Richard discuss why we should all talk about mental health and normalise the challenges people have. Polly shares her thoughts on how MSP owners can bring the spirit of adventure into their workplace culture, why they need to give their team permission to make mistakes and how to build a connected team. Richard asks Polly for some practical advice on how to manage wellbeing, how to create a workplace culture where mental health is openly talked about and how leaders can not only support their employees but manage their own mental health. Polly explains why multitasking doesn’t work and why everyone needs a coach, even coaches. She also explains why simplicity and consistency are key for mental fitness and how we can all learn to be more resilient, as well as one daily habit to strengthen yours. Richard and Polly discuss why you should start and end your day with intention and some quick tricks to get out of work mode at the end of the day, as well as why breathwork and meditation are beneficial. Richard asks Polly about the biggest adventure of her career so far, her new membership and why she’s a Brené Brown coach. Polly talks about firewalking and glass walking and shares the books and people who’ve inspired her. Mentioned in This Episode * Polly’s website: Adventurous Coaching [https://www.adventurouscoaching.com/] * Koast Radio [https://koastradio.co.uk/] * Richard’s interview on Koast Radio [https://tubblog.co.uk/podcasts/business-wellbeing-growth/] * Richard's book: The IT Business Owner's Survival Guide [https://tubblog.co.uk/book/the-it-business-owners-survival-guide-how-to-save-time-avoid-stress-and-build-a-successful-it-business/] * Academic: Brené Brown [https://brenebrown.com/] * Personality profiling: i3 profiling [https://www.i3profiling.com/] * Team communication tool: Slack [https://slack.com/] * Slack polling tool: Geekbot [https://geekbot.com/] * Podcast interview with Kevin O' Laughlin  [https://tubblog.co.uk/podcasts/cybersecurity-ma-mission-nostra/]of Nostra IT [https://www.nostra.ie/] * Podcast interview with Dray Aga [https://tubblog.co.uk/podcasts/go-to-threat-ops-expert-msps/] of Huntress [https://tubblog.co.uk/vendor/huntress/] * Free download: five first steps for MSP owners noticing mental strain * Speaker and author: Karl Palachuk [https://karlpalachuk.com/] * Podcast interview with Nigel Moore [https://tubblog.co.uk/podcasts/msps-learn-leader-of-tech-tribe/] of The Tech Tribe [https://tubblog.co.uk/techtribe/] * Podcast interview with Dan Scott [https://tubblog.co.uk/podcasts/grow-business-msp-community/] of Evolve/IT Nation [https://itnation.connectwise.com/] * Polly’s online on demand mental fitness programme: Adventure Map [https://www.adventurouscoaching.com/adventuremap] * Polly's membership: The Adventure Club [https://www.adventurouscoaching.com/adventure-club] * Logi Firewalking [https://www.logi-firewalking.co.uk/ignite-your-potential-the-firewalking-experience/] * Performing circus: Let’s Circus [https://www.letscircus.com/] * Comedian: Cal Halbert [https://www.youtube.com/c/calhalbert] * Book: Bob Burg: The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003AYZBJI?tag=tubblog-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1] * Book: Bill Perkins: Die with Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0358567092?tag=tubblog-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1] * Book: Hugh van Cuylenburg: The Resilience Project: Finding Happiness Through Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B081K7ZYB4?tag=tubblog-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1] * Book: Belinda Kirk: Adventure Revolution: The life-changing power of choosing challenge [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08YWH1J7Y?tag=tubblog-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1] * Book: Brené Brown: Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0241257409?tag=tubblog-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1] * Brené Brown leadership programme: Dare to Lead [https://brenebrown.com/train-to-become-a-dare-to-lead-facilitator/] * Connected Coaching Northeast [https://www.connectedcoachingne.com/]

In this episode of TubbTalk, Richard Tubb speaks to Kevin O'Loughlin, the founder of Irish MSP Nostra. He started it in 2006 with the aim of making a positive impact and demonstrating Ireland's potential for global success. From a starting pioneering cloud email adoption service in 2007, Nostra has grown to deliver €50,000,000 in annual revenue and is growing at 30% year on year through strategic acquisitions and organic growth. And it's on its journey to become a market leading, full-service IT managed service of either business. Kevin tells Richard why he founded Nostra, their approach to cybersecurity and the tech stack they use, as well as why cannibalising the services they offer has led to growth. Richard asks Kevin about the companies they partner with and why it’s important to nurture your vendor relationships. They also discuss why MSPs are so resistant to change in an industry where change happens constantly. Having gone through several mergers and acquisitions, Kevin explains Nostra’s approach to them and red flags to be aware of. He also shares his tips on choosing the right tools for your MSP without feeling overwhelmed. Finally, Richard asks Kevin how he became an Entrepreneur of the Year finalist and what that meant for him and Nostra. Kevin shares how he keeps going when things are hard, and reveals his biggest inspirations. Mentioned in This Episode * Nostra [https://www.nostra.ie/] * MSP community: IT Nation [https://itnation.connectwise.com/] * Cybersecurity and backup: Datto [https://www.datto.com/] * Cybersecurity software: Acronis [https://www.acronis.com/] * IT management software: Kaseya [https://www.kaseya.com/] * Cybersecurity partner: Huntress [https://tubblog.co.uk/vendor/huntress/] * Cybersecurity software: Webroot [https://www.webroot.com/] * SOC as a Service: Enhanced [https://enhanced.io/] (Formerly InSoc)  * MSP solutions: Barracuda [https://www.barracuda.com/] * PSA tool: Autotask [https://www.autotask.net/] * Network security: SonicWall [https://www.sonicwallonline.co.uk/] * Cloud marketplace: Pax8 [https://www.pax8.com/] * Book: Rhonda Byrne: The Secret [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Rhonda-Byrne/dp/1847370292/] * Investor: Ray Dalio  [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Dalio] * Author and speaker: Tony Robbins [https://www.tonyrobbins.com/] * Investor: Warren Buffett [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffett]

In this episode of TubbTalk, Richard Tubb is joined by Kennedy, the founder of Email Marketing Heroes and the host of the Email Marketing Show podcast. He’s a professional mind reader turned email marketing expert. He combines psychology, showmanship and strategy to provide his clients with seriously powerful marketing insights. Richard asks Kennedy what MSPs are missing out on by not having a proper email marketing strategy, and how getting it right means your clients know, like and trust you. Kennedy shares his advice on the importance of consistency, segmentation and how to get prospects onto your list, as well as why you can’t just rely on social media to grow your MSP. He also shares his approach to writing emails and how to get personality into your emails without losing credibility, as well as how to avoid your newsletters ending up in the spam or read later folders. Richard also asks Kennedy about his business, Email Marketing Heroes, the Email Marketing Show podcast, how he became a mind-reader and why he’s in performer mode so often, even when he’s off-stage. Kennedy explains how to measure the ROI of marketing and emails in your MSP business, a simple automation that even the smallest MSP should have in place, and one thing you think you want from email marketing that you actually don’t. Mentioned in This Episode * Kennedy's website [https://emailmarketingheroes.com/] * Book: Bob Burg: The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0141049553?tag=tubblog-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1] * Event (Newcastle upon Tyne): The Podcast Paddock [https://www.cluarantonn.com/ourevents/] * Download the free Fast and Forever Framework [http://www.emailmarketingheroes.com/tubb] * Sign up for Kennedy’s email newsletter [http://www.emailmarketingheroes.com/free]