Jun 25

Ep 7 – Infrastructure & Operations: The Backbone, the Backup Plan, and the Heart

Infrastructure and Operations may be the least glamorous corner of IT, but it is also the one everything depends on. It is the wiring, plumbing, cloud, networks, devices, help desk, backup plans, and people that keep the digital world running. When it works, nobody notices. When it fails, everybody does. In this episode, Doug sits down with Michael Cartier, CIO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, to talk about the invisible work behind reliable technology and the deeply human purpose behind it. Mike shares how losing his brother, James Marcel Cartier, on 9/11 shaped his view of resilience, teamwork, and service, and how his current role feels like a calling where technology meets remembrance. The conversation moves from disaster recovery and cybersecurity to cloud, AI hype, service expectations, and what it really takes to keep people working when systems fail. Mike also brings the geek credentials, from Active Directory ports to a heartfelt defense of Novell NetWare, and somehow compares infrastructure to a dark roller coaster where the operators better know what they’re doing. But at its core, this episode is not about servers. It is about people. It is about the teams who save the day a thousand times without anyone knowing, the leaders who connect their teams to mission through storytelling, and the technologists who keep the lights on so others can do meaningful work. Mike proves you can be a geek to the core and still lead with heart.

44 min

Jun 22

Ep 6 – AI: The Human Behind the Machine

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere right now, surrounded by equal parts hype, fear, and wildly overconfident LinkedIn posts. But in this episode of What is IT?, Blake Rooney brings AI back down to earth. Blake, Chief Information Officer in the Legal Industry, joins Doug to talk about where AI is actually helping professionals today, where it is still overpromising, and why the real opportunity is not replacing people, but freeing them from low-value work so they can spend more time solving better problems. He shares practical advice on prompting, why AI should be treated like a first draft tool, and how a three-paragraph prompt can completely change the quality of the output. But this is not just an episode about tools. Blake talks about leadership, developing good people, breaking down barriers, and the human responsibility that comes with powerful technology. He also shares one of the best AI hero stories of the season: a trial team facing 400 newly admitted voicemail files, and an AI-enabled effort that turned a potential crisis into a strategic advantage in a single workday. And because this is What is IT?, we also get the human side: Tupac love notes, Chiefs fandom, Palm Pilots, woodworking, photography, and Blake’s reminder that sometimes the most important thing a technologist can do is slow down. Do you work in IT? What got you there? Be sure to share one of your inspiring "nerd moments" below with us. What got you hooked on IT?

39 min

Mar 19

BRMs: Empathy as a Service

Business Relationship Management might have the worst name in IT, but behind it is one of the most important roles in making technology actually work. In this episode, Jeff Warren breaks down what BRMs really do. And it’s not what you think. It’s not about governance, process, or sitting in meetings all day. It’s about understanding people: their goals, their pressures, and sometimes their frustration with IT. And turning that into something meaningful. Because most IT failures aren’t technical. They’re human. Jeff shares what it takes to build trust, navigate resistance, and connect technology to real business outcomes. Not by forcing solutions, but by meeting people where they are and bringing them along. Because IT isn’t just systems. It’s relationships. You can reach Jeff at: https://barkleyconsultinggroup.com/

27 min

Feb 12

Cybersecurity: The Art of Defense

When most people hear “cybersecurity,” they picture hackers in hoodies, complex passwords, and IT emails nobody wants to read. But cybersecurity isn’t about paranoia or red tape—it’s about protection. In this episode, we sit down with Shannon Ramsaywak to explore what cybersecurity really is—and who it really takes. From his early years in Guyana to growing up in the Bronx, to training in mixed martial arts, Shannon brings a unique philosophy to IT security: defense isn’t about fear. It’s about discipline, awareness, and protecting what matters. We talk about what it actually means to defend an organization in a world where everything is connected. About hiring people who deeply understand what they’re protecting. About layered defenses. About staying calm under pressure. And about why security should feel less like a cop saying “no” and more like a firefighter helping you get somewhere safely. If you’ve ever wondered what cybersecurity looks like beyond the stereotypes—or if you’ve ever thought IT was just about fixing printers—this episode will shift your perspective. Because in the end, the art of defense isn’t about technology. It’s about people. Tips from Shannon for living safely in our Digital World (with some supporting links from the FTC): Remember to turn on Multifactor Authentication (MFA) for your important accounts. This extra level of protection makes it very hard for hackers to get in.Double check BEFORE you click. It's the click that gets you in trouble.Keep your devices and software up to date. It can be annoying but the cyber world moves fast and you want to keep pace with those trying to keep you safe. You can reach Shannon and his team at: https://nathanialrand.com/

46 min

Jan 29

Leadership: Built to Serve

IT leadership isn’t about technology. It’s about service, intent, and showing up.In this episode, Earl Newsome shares what he’s learned leading technology at scale and why the job of an IT leader is far more human than most people realize. He breaks leadership down simply: know which hill matters, stay close to the work, and understand the steps it takes to move forward. Most importantly, don’t lead from afar. Be there with your people.Earl talks about why IT professionals are wired to serve and how technology itself is just a tool. Like a hammer, it can break a window or build a house. The difference isn’t the technology, it’s the purpose of the person using it. When leaders understand why they do what they do, technology becomes a way to create meaningful outcomes for the people they serve.We explore the importance of asking better questions, especially the ones business leaders hesitate to ask IT and the ones IT professionals should be asking the business. Progress doesn’t start with answers. It starts with curiosity, courage, and conversation.From storytelling as a leadership skill to why the best technology should feel indistinguishable from magic, this episode is a grounded look at what it really means to lead in IT today. We also tackle AI head-on and why it’s not coming for your job, but the person who knows how to use it might be.This conversation isn’t about hype or trends. It’s about leadership with purpose and the responsibility IT leaders carry to help shape the future, not wait for it. In this episode, Earl asks our listeners: "What have you always wanted to ask I.T. but are afraid to ask?" We welcome you to comment and join the conversation!

44 min

Jan 15

Networking: The Wires That Connect Us

When most people hear “networking,” they think of either blinking boxes in a closet or awkward conversations over bad coffee. In this episode of What is IT?, Doug sits down with Jim Kennedy III, CIO of Trinity Church NYC, to unpack why networking is actually one of the most human parts of IT. Jim brings networking down to earth. He explains how the invisible systems that keep Wi-Fi, video calls, and entire communities connected behave a lot like people do. Trust matters. Communication matters. And when things break, relationships are often what fix them fastest. From managing technology across 27 properties in Lower Manhattan to building strong, loyal teams with almost no turnover, Jim shows that great networking is not just about cables and protocols. It is about building connections that last, whether those connections run through fiber or through people. This episode is a reminder that the networks holding our world together are only as strong as the humans behind them.

44 min

Season 1 Trailer

The What Is I.T.? Podcast

Technology powers our world — but people power technology. What is IT? explores the human side of IT through honest, engaging conversations with the people who build, protect, and improve the systems we all depend on.

1 min

12/03/2025

IT: The Great Identity Crisis

For decades, IT has been the most misunderstood department in business. Is it the team that fixes your laptop? The group that blocks your favorite websites? The mysterious people who vanish into that closet full of blinking lights?In this premiere episode of What is IT?, host Douglas Wood sits down with two IT veterans — Susan Harwood and Kevin Hollister — to take on technology’s biggest branding problem: nobody really knows what IT does, or why it matters as much as it does.Together, they explore why IT still struggles to define itself, how that misunderstanding holds organizations back, and what it really means to work in a profession that powers everything but rarely gets the spotlight. From the boardroom to the help desk, they share real stories, sharp insights, and a few laughs about what happens when technology meets humanity.If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at an IT acronym, waited too long for a password reset, or wondered why “the IT guy” is always a little too calm during a crisis, this episode’s for you.Because IT isn’t just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about building the digital backbone of modern life.

40 min

What is I.T.?

Episodes

Ep 7 – Infrastructure & Operations: The Backbone, the Backup Plan, and the Heart

Ep 6 – AI: The Human Behind the Machine

BRMs: Empathy as a Service

Cybersecurity: The Art of Defense

Leadership: Built to Serve

Networking: The Wires That Connect Us

The What Is I.T.? Podcast

IT: The Great Identity Crisis

Trailer

The What Is I.T.? Podcast

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