The WP Minute+

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminuteBecome a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/supportOn this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Eric Karkovack is joined by Mary Hubbard, the Executive Director of WordPress. Mary gives us the scoop about her first year in the role, the project’s momentum, community engagement, and upcoming developments for WordPress 7.0. They also explore the challenges and opportunities in open-source leadership, AI integration, and community revitalization. It’s a can’t-miss episode for anyone interested in the future of WordPress! Takeaways:Much of Mary’s first year as Executive Director was spent immersed in the WordPress community.WordPress 7.0 will be a milestone release, with an AI connector, revamped media handling, and responsive design controls.Nobody knows what the future holds for AI, but WordPress will be ready to adapt.Non-coding WordPress contributions should be acknowledged.Meetups are a vital part of building a community.The WordPress educational programs aim to attract the next generation of contributors.Important Links:Read Mary’s Post: Big Picture Goals for 2026WordPress Community MeetupsConnect with Mary: WordPress.org | LinkedInThe WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminuteBecome a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/supportOn this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, we explore the new my.WordPress.net project. It’s a browser-based WordPress sandbox that emphasizes privacy, portability, and AI integration. WordPress contributors Alex Kirk and Brandon Payton join Eric to demonstrate how this tool might transform personal and professional workflows. The demo covers potential use cases, including a contact management app, chat-to-blog functionality, and an experimental AI playground.Takeways:my.WordPress.net represents an evolution from traditional server-based WordPress to a browser-based, private environment.Built with WordPress Playground, the project is user-focused.Early iterations support personal projects like CRMs, private blogging, and family memories.Plugins are rebranded as app-like modules for tailored functionality.You can use AI integration for content creation, plugin modification, and automation.Plans include syncing between devices and environments.A private, local environment is a sandbox for experimentation before production deployment.Future potential use cases include private social networks, personal dashboards, and community app development.Alex and Brandon note the importance of user-centric design to lower barriers for non-developers.There are opportunities for community innovation with new WordPress-based apps.Important Links:my.WordPress.netYour Browser Becomes Your WordPressMatt Mullenweg: WordPress EverywhereTechCrunch: WordPress debuts a private workspace that runs in your browser via a new service, my.WordPress.netThe WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminuteBecome a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/supportOn this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Eric Karkovack chats with Adam Warner from GoDaddy. Adam fills us in on the company’s community engagement, the Airo® AI suite, and its agency program. The discussion also examines how GoDaddy is integrating AI into its offerings, the importance of personal relationships in business, and the tools available for agencies to manage their clients effectively. The conversation highlights the future of WordPress in the context of AI and the ongoing developments at GoDaddy. Takeaways:Airo® simplifies user experience for website building and other tasks.Building personal relationships is still crucial for customer satisfaction.The agency program at GoDaddy supports growth and improves efficiency.Airo™ Site Designer for WordPress caters to both DIYers and professional builders.GoDaddy Pro Hub offers a centralized location for client management.GoDaddy’s tools aim to streamline site maintenance and client interactions.AI integrations are a key focus for GoDaddy’s future developments.Community feedback directly influences GoDaddy’s product roadmap.Important Links:Airo®:–Reintroducing Airo™​​ for WordPress: Full WordPress, full control–Try Airo® for freeGoDaddy Agency ProgramGoDaddy Pro HubGoDaddy Agent Name ServiceConnect with Adam: Bluesky | LinkedIn | Twitter/XThe WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminuteBecome a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/supportOn this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Eric is joined by Mary Job, who shares her journey from studying philosophy to becoming a leader in the Nigerian WordPress community. Mary discusses the importance of community building, the challenges of volunteering, and the need for sustainable practices in open-source contributions. She emphasizes the role of businesses in giving back to the community and the necessity of engaging the next generation of WordPress users and contributors. The conversation highlights the ethical considerations in technology and the value of human connection in the digital space. Takeaways:Philosophy has shaped Mary’s approach to community and technology.Community building requires understanding and empathy towards people.Mary’s journey into WordPress began with a love for writing.The Nigerian WordPress community was built through intentional outreach and meetups.Sustainable community practices are essential to prevent burnout.Businesses should be intentional about their contributions to the WordPress ecosystem.Every contribution to WordPress, no matter how small, is valuable.Engaging the next generation is crucial for the future of WordPress.Volunteering can be sustainable and rewarding without compromising passion.Important Links:Mary Job’s WebsiteConnect with Mary: LinkedInRead Mary’s HeroPress Essay: WordPress Gave Me the Perfect IdentityThe WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminuteBecome a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/supportOn this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Ben Pines shares his journey from being an early employee at Elementor to starting his own consulting business focused on founder-led marketing. He discusses the unique challenges business owners face in marketing, the importance of building authority, and the current state of the WordPress plugin market. The episode also includes thoughts on attention, monetization, and distribution, with an emphasis on the need for a strategic marketing approach. Ben also highlights the significance of community engagement and finding internal motivation for business owners. Takeaways:Founder-led marketing requires a unique mindset and hunger for business.Trusting others to represent your brand can be challenging for owners.Building authority involves being in the know for your audience.SEO is becoming less effective for plugin marketing.WordPress product monetization strategies need to adapt to changing market conditions.Community engagement is crucial for building relationships and authority.Balancing human connection with scalability is a key challenge.Internal motivation is essential for business owners to succeed.Important Links:Ben’s WebsiteConnect with Ben: LinkedInThe WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminuteBecome a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/supportOn this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Matt Medeiros welcomes Olly Feldman, the Head of Global Sales at Hosting.com. Together, they discuss the intricacies of agency sales and the importance of building relationships to understand client needs. Olly shares insights on how agencies can level up by focusing on their core competencies and productizing their services for scalability. He emphasizes the significance of consultative selling, where understanding the client’s pain points leads to better solutions and stronger partnerships. The conversation also touches on the evolving role of AI in sales processes, highlighting both its benefits and limitations in fostering genuine human connections. Takeaways:Focus on building relationships, not just closing deals.Productizing services allows for scalability and efficiency.Understanding client pain points is key to consultative selling.AI can enhance sales processes but can’t replace human connection.Niche down to understand your clients better and serve your target market.Important Links:Hosting.comConnect with Olly: LinkedInThe WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminuteBecome a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/supportOn this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Matt Medeiros welcomes LaunchBay co-founder Sam Chlebowski. They discuss the evolution of agency models, the importance of finding a niche, and how LaunchBay serves as a client onboarding automation platform. They also explore the challenges agencies face in a competitive market, the significance of standardization versus productization, and the role of effective onboarding in agency success. Sam shares insights on the importance of community and expertise, as well as the need for visibility in project management. You’ll also find a live demo of LaunchBay’s features. Takeaways:Finding a niche is crucial for agency success.Standardization can drive profitability without sacrificing quality.Onboarding processes are key to client satisfaction.Community and expertise are essential in a competitive market.Automation can streamline tasks like invoicing and feedback.Visibility in projects helps prevent client complaints.Agencies should focus on their unique strengths.LaunchBay offers solutions for effective client onboarding.Important Links:LaunchBay’s website (includes a special offer for fans of The WP Minute) Connect with Sam: LinkedInThe WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminuteBecome a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/supportOn this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Eric Karkovack is joined by Isotta Peira, head of the WordPress Credits Program, an initiative aimed at connecting students with the open-source community. Isotta shares how the program was developed to provide students with practical WordPress skills while contributing to the community. The episode also provides an in-depth look at onboarding students, assigning mentors, and providing a comprehensive learning experience that culminates in a certificate of completion. The program is designed to be inclusive, welcoming students from various academic backgrounds, and aims to foster a sense of community and collaboration among participants. There’s also a look into the future of the program, its expansion goals, and the potential impact on students’ careers and contributions to the open-source world.Takeaways:The Campus Connect initiative is bringing WordPress education to universities worldwide.The WordPress Credits program partners with institutions to add a WordPress curriculum.Mentorship is a key part of helping students succeed.Empowering teachers will help keep the educational initiative going strong.The education initiatives aim to reach students interested in WordPress, regardless of their major.Students build personal websites and learn about open-source contributions.Students are encouraged to continue as members of the WordPress community and become mentors.Important Links:WordPress EducationWordPress Credits ProgramThe WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminuteBecome a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/supportOn this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Matt is joined by Gabriella Laster, Director of Product Marketing at Elementor. Gabriella shares her journey into the WordPress ecosystem and discusses the launch of Elementor One. The discussion covers the importance of user feedback, the challenges of product development, and the integration of AI into Elementor’s offerings. She also offers insight on the need for clear communication with users and the balance between technical features and user experience. The conversation also touches on the philosophical implications of AI in WordPress and how it can empower users to create customized websites. Takeaways:Gabriella joined Elementor in 2021, driven by passion for the product.Understanding user personas is an ongoing learning process.Balancing user feedback with technical constraints is challenging.Elementor One consolidates multiple features into a single package.The credit system in Elementor One offers flexibility for users.Educating users on technical aspects is essential for their success.AI integration is a significant focus for Elementor’s future.Important Links:Elementor OneIntroducing Elementor One: one experience to power it allThe WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminuteBecome a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/supportOn this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Eric is joined by Rachel Berry, Head of Client Services at Filter. Rachel fills us in on the role of WordPress as an enterprise solution. The discussion also looks at the importance of client relationships, the benefits of WordPress in the enterprise space, and the challenges of changing perceptions about the platform. Rachel shares insights on leveraging AI in client services and offers advice for agencies working in the enterprise market. Takeaways:Filter is a digital-first agency focusing on UX, UI design, and WordPress development.Rachel’s role bridges the gap between client needs and solution delivery.AI is transforming client servicing by simplifying communication and project management.WordPress offers flexibility and cost-effectiveness for enterprise clients compared to proprietary solutions.Changing perceptions about WordPress is crucial for its adoption in enterprise environments.Clients often prioritize outcomes over technical features in their solutions.Building strong client relationships is essential for long-term success.Effective communication and trust are key to client retention.Agencies should focus on understanding client pain points holistically.The future of AI in client services is promising but requires careful implementation.Important Links:Filter’s websiteConnect with Filter: LinkedIn | YouTubeFilter AI PluginThe WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminuteBecome a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/supportOn this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Eric Karkovack interviews Jason Adams, a contributor to the WordPress AI Team. They discuss the mission of the AI Team, the various AI initiatives at Automattic, and how the technology is being integrated into WordPress. Jason explains the building blocks for AI in plugins, the role of plugin developers, and the future of AI in web hosting. They also touch on the roadmap for WordPress 7.0 and the importance of creativity within the WordPress ecosystem. Takeaways:The WordPress AI Team aims to make AI accessible to users without deep technical knowledge.The Abilities API is a foundational piece for integrating AI into WordPress.The MCP adapter allows communication between AI models and WordPress applications.Plugin developers can use the WPAI client to integrate AI features into WordPress.Web hosts should simplify AI setup for users to enhance WordPress functionality.The goal is to empower the entire WordPress ecosystem with AI capabilities.WordPress 7.0 will include “under-the-hood” AI features for developers to leverage.Creativity in the WordPress ecosystem is essential for leveraging AI effectively.AI should be a choice for users, not a forced integration.Important Links:Announcing the Formation of the WordPress AI TeamAI Building Blocks for WordPressAI for WordPress HostsWordPress AI TeamConnect with Jason: LinkedInJason’s WebsiteThe WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminuteBecome a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/supportOn this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Matt Medeiros welcomes Kevin MacGillivray, the Chief Marketing Officer at Pressable. Kevin discusses his transition from Shopify to the WordPress ecosystem, the challenges of marketing in a flexible environment, and the impact of AI on marketing strategies. They also explore how Pressable positions itself within the Automattic ecosystem, the importance of agency partnerships, and the company’s plans for community building and knowledge sharing in 2026. Takeaways:Marketing in WordPress requires specificity to connect with users.AI is changing how marketers operate and interact with products.Trust is built through human connection, not automation.Pressable aims to provide a seamless experience for agency partners.Community building is essential for knowledge sharing and growth.Differentiation in product marketing is key to success.Pressable is focused on co-marketing and storytelling with agencies.The company is expanding its presence at industry events.Important Links:PressableConnect with Kevin: LinkedInThe WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminuteBecome a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/supportOn this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Matt Medeiros and The WP Weekly’s Davinder Singh Kainth discuss the challenges and opportunities in plugin development, the importance of sponsorships, and insights from the annual WP Awards. They also explore the dynamics of plugin marketing, the significance of community engagement, and the future of WordPress, particularly in relation to AI advancements. Takeaways:Davinder encouraged Matt to start the first iteration of The WP Minute.Rebranding can be essential for clarity and marketability.Sponsorships are vital for sustaining WordPress projects.Marketing is crucial for plugin developers, not just development.AI is influencing plugin development positively.The WP Awards have evolved to ensure fair voting.Categories in awards can be contentious and require careful management.Community engagement is key to successful nominations.Transparency in voting is crucial for integrity.WordCamp events continue to grow internationally, even as they shrink in the US.We’ll see more AI integrations in WordPress.Important Links:The WP WeeklyThe WP Awards 2025Plugins DailyConnect with Davinder: LinkedIn | Twitter/XThe WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminuteBecome a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/supportOn this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Matt Medeiros and Remkus de Vries discuss the WordPress ecosystem, including the recent State of the Word address, the roadmap to better site performance, AI integrations, and the challenges faced by their respective businesses. They also examine community engagement, the secrets behind their WordPress-related courses, and the need for collaboration. Remkus shares insights into his business, Scanfully, and the evolution of his courses, which aim to enhance WordPress performance and understanding. The discussion also explores the role education plays in building a healthy community. Takeaways:AI is becoming an integral part of WordPress development.Performance improvements in WordPress have been significant over recent versions.The integration of AI in WordPress needs careful consideration and guardrails.Scanfully is evolving to address content health and performance monitoring.Courses are being developed to fill gaps in WordPress education.Community engagement is crucial for the growth of WordPress.There is a need for a better understanding of the WordPress ecosystem among newcomers.Collaboration within the WordPress community can lead to better outcomes.Content creators should prioritize value over views in their work.Important Links:ScanfullyWithin WordPressConnect with Remkus: LinkedIn | Twitter/XThe WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★