What connects people, ideas, and even a 12-server Linux church organ? Networking—and Jim Kennedy knows it better than anyone.
In this episode of What is IT?, host Douglas Wood sits down with Jim, longtime Director of IT at Trinity Church Wall Street, to explore the art and science of keeping one of New York’s oldest institutions digitally alive. From running networks across 25 historic properties to creating a Halloween-themed haunted house that raised hundreds of thousands for charity, Jim’s story proves that great technologists build more than systems—they build communities.
Together, Doug and Jim unpack why networking is both invisible and essential, what human teams can learn from computer networks, and why empathy, curiosity, and communication matter just as much as routers and switches. You’ll hear how Jim’s foresight helped Trinity move to the cloud before the pandemic, why the best IT feels as simple as opening a refrigerator door, and how he uses his anxiety as a “superpower” to plan for the unexpected.
This episode is part tech talk, part philosophy, and all heart—because the best networks, human or digital, are built on trust, harmony, and connection.
Jim's Take-aways:
Build trust like a network: communicate clearly, listen actively, and keep your protocols consistent.
Use anxiety as foresight: channel worry into preparation—it’s your built-in early-warning system.
Stay curious: whether it’s AI or a shower valve, the best technologists never stop learning.
Remember the symphony: one bad note can ruin the harmony—so tune your relationships as carefully as your systems.
