BEST TO BEST KNOWN | $500 & A LAPTOP BECOMES A CRN's MSP 500 LIST POWERHOUSE | John Kampas | EMPIST
Fri Feb 06 2026
The TECH ONE, TWO Podcast is BACK – and we’re coming in hotter than ever. This reboot launch episode flips the script as 444 Media’s CEO/Founder and pro podcast host John Morris sits down with EMPIST CEO/Founder — and TECH ONE, TWO host — John Kampas for an unfiltered, high-energy origin story you won’t hear anywhere else. Episode Breakdown In this premiere reboot, John Morris pulls back the curtain on:
The early days of EMPIST and how John Kampas built a 25-year tech powerhouse from the ground up.
The journey from small beginnings in Chicago to becoming an award-winning global MSP recognized on the Channel Futures MSP 501 and CRN’s MSP 500 lists.
What it really takes to build a culture-first, people-obsessed organization that fuels client success every single day.
The mission to become the best – and best-known – IT MSP brand on the planet, and why bold branding is non‑negotiable in today’s market.
A sneak peek at the future of the TECH ONE, TWO Podcast: powerhouse partners, visionary founders, and business leaders joining John Kampas to talk tech, growth, cybersecurity, and scaling with confidence.
Why You Need This Episode If you’re a business leader, founder, tech decision-maker, or brand builder, this episode delivers real-world, battle-tested insights from a proven IT innovator and brand builder. You’ll hear how EMPIST went from a small IT shop to a recognized leader in Managed IT, Cybersecurity, and Cloud Solutions with a quarter century of expertise backing some of the most demanding organizations out there. You’ll also get the mindset, principles, and culture playbook behind a team that shows up energized, obsessed with service, and relentlessly focused on client outcomes. About EMPIST EMPIST is a Chicago-headquartered, award-winning IT Services and Consulting company delivering Managed IT, Cybersecurity, Cloud, and Digital solutions to businesses that refuse to settle for average. With over 25 years of experience and recognition including Channel Futures MSP 501, CRN MSP 500 Pioneer 250, and more, EMPIST is built to keep organizations secure, productive, and ready for what’s next. From 24/7 support to strategic technology leadership, EMPIST helps businesses reduce risk, cut costs, and turn technology into a competitive advantage. Keep the Conversation Going Tap into the EMPIST ecosystem and stay plugged into all things TECH ONE, TWO:
EMPIST Website: https://www.empist.com
EMPIST YouTube Channel – full episodes, thought leadership, and more tech deep dives. / @empist
TECH ONE, TWO YouTube Shorts – fast, punchy clips for tech leaders on the go. https://empist.com/podcast/
EMPIST on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X – culture, wins, insights, and behind‑the‑scenes from the team that’s redefining what IT can be. https://www.linkedin.com/company/empist
Connect with John Kampas on LinkedIn for leadership, culture, and technology strategy insights. https://www.linkedin.com/company/empist
Hit subscribe, turn on notifications, and buckle up — the TECH ONE, TWO Podcast is just getting started. Powerhouse founders, CMOs, CIOs, partners, and business leaders will be joining John Kampas to talk about scaling smart, protecting what matters, and building brands that actually stand out. https://empist.com/top-it-services-in-chic... Tech One Two Podcast, EMPIST podcast, EMPIST Tech One Two, EMPIST Managed IT, Chicago managed service provider, MSP 501, CRN MSP 500, IT services Chicago, managed IT services, cybersecurity services, cloud solutions, IT strategy for business, digital transformation, IT leadership, IT for SMBs, best MSP in Chicago, business technology podcast, IT and cybersecurity podcast, John Kampas EMPIST, John Morris 444 Media, tech founder stories, MSP growth, IT brand strategy. #TechOneTwo #EMPIST #ManagedIT #MSP #Cybersecurity #CloudSolutions #ITServices #BusinessIT #DigitalTransformation #TechLeadership #ITStrategy #MSP501 #CRNMSP500 #ChicagoTech #ITConsulting #BrandBuilding #FounderStories #BusinessPodcast #TechPodcast #ITPodcast #CIO #CTO #CEO #SmallBusinessIT #MidMarketIT #ITSecurity #FutureOfWork #ITInnovation #CultureDriven
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The TECH ONE, TWO Podcast is BACK – and we’re coming in hotter than ever. This reboot launch episode flips the script as 444 Media’s CEO/Founder and pro podcast host John Morris sits down with EMPIST CEO/Founder — and TECH ONE, TWO host — John Kampas for an unfiltered, high-energy origin story you won’t hear anywhere else. Episode Breakdown In this premiere reboot, John Morris pulls back the curtain on: The early days of EMPIST and how John Kampas built a 25-year tech powerhouse from the ground up. The journey from small beginnings in Chicago to becoming an award-winning global MSP recognized on the Channel Futures MSP 501 and CRN’s MSP 500 lists. What it really takes to build a culture-first, people-obsessed organization that fuels client success every single day. The mission to become the best – and best-known – IT MSP brand on the planet, and why bold branding is non‑negotiable in today’s market. A sneak peek at the future of the TECH ONE, TWO Podcast: powerhouse partners, visionary founders, and business leaders joining John Kampas to talk tech, growth, cybersecurity, and scaling with confidence. Why You Need This Episode If you’re a business leader, founder, tech decision-maker, or brand builder, this episode delivers real-world, battle-tested insights from a proven IT innovator and brand builder. You’ll hear how EMPIST went from a small IT shop to a recognized leader in Managed IT, Cybersecurity, and Cloud Solutions with a quarter century of expertise backing some of the most demanding organizations out there. You’ll also get the mindset, principles, and culture playbook behind a team that shows up energized, obsessed with service, and relentlessly focused on client outcomes. About EMPIST EMPIST is a Chicago-headquartered, award-winning IT Services and Consulting company delivering Managed IT, Cybersecurity, Cloud, and Digital solutions to businesses that refuse to settle for average. With over 25 years of experience and recognition including Channel Futures MSP 501, CRN MSP 500 Pioneer 250, and more, EMPIST is built to keep organizations secure, productive, and ready for what’s next. From 24/7 support to strategic technology leadership, EMPIST helps businesses reduce risk, cut costs, and turn technology into a competitive advantage. Keep the Conversation Going Tap into the EMPIST ecosystem and stay plugged into all things TECH ONE, TWO: EMPIST Website: https://www.empist.com EMPIST YouTube Channel – full episodes, thought leadership, and more tech deep dives. / @empist TECH ONE, TWO YouTube Shorts – fast, punchy clips for tech leaders on the go. https://empist.com/podcast/ EMPIST on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X – culture, wins, insights, and behind‑the‑scenes from the team that’s redefining what IT can be. https://www.linkedin.com/company/empist Connect with John Kampas on LinkedIn for leadership, culture, and technology strategy insights. https://www.linkedin.com/company/empist Hit subscribe, turn on notifications, and buckle up — the TECH ONE, TWO Podcast is just getting started. Powerhouse founders, CMOs, CIOs, partners, and business leaders will be joining John Kampas to talk about scaling smart, protecting what matters, and building brands that actually stand out. https://empist.com/top-it-services-in-chic... Tech One Two Podcast, EMPIST podcast, EMPIST Tech One Two, EMPIST Managed IT, Chicago managed service provider, MSP 501, CRN MSP 500, IT services Chicago, managed IT services, cybersecurity services, cloud solutions, IT strategy for business, digital transformation, IT leadership, IT for SMBs, best MSP in Chicago, business technology podcast, IT and cybersecurity podcast, John Kampas EMPIST, John Morris 444 Media, tech founder stories, MSP growth, IT brand strategy. #TechOneTwo #EMPIST #ManagedIT #MSP #Cybersecurity #CloudSolutions #ITServices #BusinessIT #DigitalTransformation #TechLeadership #ITStrategy #MSP501 #CRNMSP500 #ChicagoTech #ITConsulting #BrandBuilding #FounderStories #BusinessPodcast #TechPodcast #ITPodcast #CIO #CTO #CEO #SmallBusinessIT #MidMarketIT #ITSecurity #FutureOfWork #ITInnovation #CultureDriven