
WP Tavern
238 episodes — Page 3 of 5

#136 – Matthias Pupillo on Enhancing WordPress With AI Translations
On the podcast today we have Matthias Pupillo, co-founder of FluentC.ai. He's here to discuss AI-driven language translations, with a focus upon WordPress websites. Matthias has a rich background in technology and WordPress, and reveals how FluentC enables translations in up to 140 languages within seconds by leveraging AI models, and creating a contextual layer for high-quality outputs. He also shares insights on the future of AI translations, the importance of open-source models, and potential integration with WordPress Core, reflecting on the broader implications for the industry. If you're interested in the intersection of AI and WordPress, or are looking to enhance your website's multilingual capabilities, this episode is for you.

#135 – Jonathan Bossenger on Enhancing WordPress Learning Experiences
On the podcast today we have Jonathan Bossenger. Jonathan discusses his transition from software development to becoming a developer educator for WordPress. He emphasises the importance of making WordPress learning accessible globally through the Learn platform, providing up-to-date, freely available educational content. The conversation highlights the platform's transformative potential with tools like Playground, enabling interactive coding practice. Jonathan talks about the challenges of keeping content current, structured learning pathways for different user levels, and the role of contributors in translating and internationalising content. He also invites listeners to participate in the Learn project. If you’re curious about how people learn about WordPress, and how you can be a part of that project, this episode is for you.

#134 – Chris Ferdinandi on ADHD, Focus, and Working in Tech
On the podcast today we have Chris Ferdinandi. He shares his experiences managing ADHD in both his personal and professional life. Chris describes how ADHD affects his focus, impulse control, and emotions, viewing these traits as both challenges and potential strengths. He offers practical strategies for ADHD individuals, such as structuring workdays with dedicated focus times and utilising small tasks to kickstart productivity. Chris also discusses the importance of workplace accommodations and understanding ADHD subtypes. For those curious about transforming ADHD-related challenges into career strengths, Chris provides further insights and resources on his website. If you're curious about how ADHD can turn challenges into career strengths, this episode is for you.

#133 – Blake Bertuccelli-Booth on Automated Accessibility Testing in WordPress
On the podcast today we have Blake Bertuccelli-Booth, a web designer and founder of Equalify, a company focused on improving web accessibility. Blake's journey into web accessibility advocacy began through his work with higher education organisations and his personal experiences with dyslexia. The episode gets into Blake's development of an automated tool that surveys websites for accessibility issues, revealing over 2.1 million issues across wordpress.org properties. Blake discusses the moral imperative of web accessibility, its real-world impacts, and the need for better education for developers and designers. If you're passionate about web accessibility or eager to learn how your work can make a tangible difference in people's lives, this episode is for you.

#132 – Katie Keith & Matt Cromwell on Making a Success of Your WordPress Product
Katie Keith, founder and CEO of Barn2 Plugins, and Matt Cromwell, co-founder of GiveWP, discuss their podcast 'WP Product Talk' where they interview WordPress product owners about running successful businesses. They summarise insights from their interviews and unveil a blueprint for building successful WordPress products, presented at WordCamp Europe. Key topics include enhancing the WordPress admin interface, organic content marketing, market gap identification, and event attendance. They emphasise explainer videos, correct product pricing, customer feedback, the importance of transparency, human touch, and an updated 'About Us. page. If you’re a WordPress product developer or just interested in the intricate world of WordPress business, this episode is for you.

#131 – Abraham Waita on Nurturing Young WordPress Enthusiasts in Uganda
On the podcast today we have Abraham Waita, a Woo Happiness Engineer at Automattic. Abraham is deeply involved in the WordPress communities in Kenya and Uganda and recently spoke at WordCamp Europe. The discussion centers on Abraham's efforts to introduce WordPress to high schools in Uganda, fostering a young and rapidly growing WordPress community through the ICT curriculum. We delve into the community's growth, challenges, and the essential role of sponsorships and hardware donations. The conversation also highlights the broader impact on students' futures and ways companies and individuals can support this educational initiative. If you're passionate about education, WordPress, or community growth, this episode is for you.

#130 – Elena Panciera & Chiara Pennetta on Making the Web for the Deaf
On the podcast today we have Elena Panciera, an expert in inclusive and accessible languages, and Chiara Pennetta, a special needs educator and deaf advocacy expert, discussing web accessibility for the deaf. They cover the importance of captions and simplification in web content to aid understanding for deaf users and non-native speakers. New technologies, such as AI tools and real-time transcription apps, are highlighted for their role in enhancing communication. The discussion also touches on the European Accessibility Act and its implications for web developers. Whether you’re a web developer, event planner, or just passionate about accessibility, this episode is for you.

#129 – Eneko Garrido on How WordPress Transformed His Life
On the podcast today we have Eneko Garrido, a full-stack developer who became an active WordPress contributor after attending his first WordCamp in Bilbao in 2019. Eneko's involvement in WordPress began during a challenging period marked by anxiety and depression. The inclusive and supportive atmosphere of WordCamp Bilbao inspired Eneko to engage more deeply with the community. He found particular joy in contributing as a polyglot for the Basque locale, strengthening his connection to his cultural roots. Eneko shares how the community opened new career opportunities, fostered lasting friendships, and helped him navigate challenges, including an autism diagnosis in 2021. The episode highlights his preparations for speaking at WordCamp Europe, showcasing his personal and professional growth within the WordPress community. If you're interested in hearing a heartfelt story about the life-changing potential of the WordPress community, this episode is for you.

#128 – Fernando Tellado on AI Tools and Rehumanising the Web
On the podcast today we have Fernando Tellado a prominent figure in the Spanish WordPress community. Fernando discusses the emerging capabilities of AI tools which can generate massive amounts of content quickly. He questions the implications for content quality, and Google's role in distinguishing reliable information. Touching on the evolution of technology, Fernando draws parallels to changes brought about by the industrial revolution, and discusses AI replacing jobs and the addictive nature of mobile phones, especially for children. He argues for responsible technology use, urging parents to guide their children and advocates for a balance between technological advancement and human well-being. If you’re intrigued by the intersection of AI, WordPress, and the call for responsible and reflective use of technology, this episode is for you.

#127 – Rian Rietveld on Understanding the European Accessibility Act and Its Impact on Websites
On the podcast today we have Rian Rietveld, a specialist in the accessibility field. We discuss the European Accessibility Act (EAA) which mandates that public service websites and products must be accessible by June 28, 2025. Key topics include practical steps for ensuring accessibility, the importance of training and constant monitoring, and the economic benefits of accessible websites. Rian emphasises the moral obligation of inclusivity and the need for an accessibility statement. Exemptions for small companies are also noted during our chat. If you’re interested in understanding the implications of the European Accessibility Act and how to make your websites more inclusive, this episode is for you.

#126 – Aaron Jorbin on Navigating WordPress Major and Minor Releases
On the podcast today we have Aaron Jorbin. Aaron has led teams responsible for some of the largest and most prominent WordPress sites in the world including Rolling Stone, Variety, WIRED, The New Yorker, and The White House. He is also a WordPress Core Committer who focuses on improving developer happiness and making the internet usable by everyone. He’s been an integral part of the WordPress community since 2010, and today Aaron opens up about the crucial importance of major and minor WordPress releases, and the need for user trust, which forms the backbone for features like auto updates that enhance WordPress security. If you’ve ever wondered how WordPress is maintained and updated, this episode is for you.

#125 – Davinder Singh Kainth on Content Creation and Business Strategy in WordPress
On the podcast today we have Davinder Singh Kainth, a veteran in the WordPress community. We discuss navigating the WordPress ecosystem, highlighting opportunities in plugin and theme development, SEO, and hosting. Key topics include building trust, diversifying revenue, and the importance of community engagement, especially at WordCamp events.

#124 – Mina Tamang on SEO Techniques That Prioritise the User Experience
On the podcast today we have Mina Tamang, who is an SEO expert at Codewing Solutions. Mina advocates for prioritising user needs over traditional SEO tactics that emphasise keyword ranking. She stresses the importance of integrating user-centric content with core SEO principles, technical optimisations, as well the utility of WordPress plugins. The discussion also addresses the growing role of AI in content creation, and the need to maintain human elements for relatability and accuracy. If you're looking to refine your SEO strategies with a focus on long-term, user-oriented growth, while also navigating the complexities of modern tools and techniques, this episode is for you.

#123 – Jamie Marsland on the WordCamp Europe Speed Building Challenge
On the podcast today we have Jamie Marsland. Jamie runs a WordPress plugin business and has recently become a full-time content creator on YouTube. You might know Jamie from his popular WordPress speed builds on that channel, where contestants have just 30 minutes to build a website from scratch. In this episode, we dive into Jamie’s involvement with WordCamp Europe, where he will be bringing this speed build format to the live stage. Contestants will race against the clock to recreate a pre-built website, all while being interrupted with questions from Jamie and the audience. If you're attending WordCamp Europe or you're just curious about how WordPress can be made fun and engaging, this episode is for you.

#122 – Adam Zielinski on How Playground Is Transforming WordPress Website Creation
On the podcast today we have Adam Zielinski. He works as a WordPress developer at Automattic and in this episode, we talk about Playground, a groundbreaking project that is redefined the way we interact with WordPress. Adam's visionary approach to creating a seamless WordPress experience within a web browser has revolutionised how easy it is to access WordPress. This project really does change the way that WordPress can be used, and there’s so many exciting prospects for how it might shape the future of website design and development. If you're interested in hearing about cutting-edge advancements reshaping the WordPress landscape, this episode is for you.

#121 – Alexander Gilmanov on Transitioning From Developer to Entrepreneur. Part 2.
On the podcast today we have Alexander Gilmanov, and he's sharing his story of transitioning from freelancer to agency manager, now overseeing a team of 43. With a focus on WordPress ecosystem, Alexander discusses his leadership approach, avoiding negative motivation and instead fostering a culture of trust and positive reinforcement. He elaborates on the nuances of team management and the benefits of smaller, independent teams coordinated across departments like development, marketing, and support. Key tools like Google Suite, Slack, Jira, and Notion are integral to his operations. His story highlights the importance of community engagement, learning from industry leaders, and the necessity of continuously seeking suitable team members for sustainable management.

#120 – Alexander Gilmanov on Transitioning From Developer to Entrepreneur
On the podcast today we have Alexander Gilmanov. Alex comes to us today from Belgrade, Serbia. He’s a full-stack developer with a rich heritage of freelance and agency work. His company officially launched in 2014, and they’ve continued work with clients, as well as creating a range of WordPress plugins, and their own SaaS apps, mainly in the online booking space. If you’re a developer and are in the weeds of writing code, perhaps you’ve thought about a change of direction. We explore Alexander’s transition from hands-on coding to strategic management. It’s a fascinating conversation, and if you’ve wanted to start an agency but have concerns about what that might bring, this episode is for you.

#119 – Paolo Belcastro on How AI Is Shaping WordPress Wordflows
On the podcast today we have Paolo Belcastro. Paolo works at Automattic, where he’s focused on Jetpack and .blog products. He’s been working remotely since 1994 and managing distributed teams since 1998. He’s on the podcast today to talk about AI, and he certainly brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in integrating AI with web development. With Paolo’s insights into the recent advancements in open source AI models and the collaborative efforts within the AI community to keep platforms accessible but innovative, you’ll gain a comprehensive view of where AI in web development stands today and where it might head tomorrow. If you're a developer, a tech enthusiast, or anyone interested in the intersection of AI and creative processes, this episode is for you.

#118 – Nahuai Badiola on Digital Sustainability Across the Whole WordPress Project
On the podcast today we have Nahuai Badiola. Nahuai is a freelance WordPress developer, theme, and plugin creator. He also writes WordPress code tutorials and enjoys sharing everything he learns about web sustainability in his blog, podcast, and at WordPress events. Nahuai’s life took an unexpected turn one day when he attended a 10-minute lightning talk at a WordCamp. The content of that talk was web sustainability and it profoundly changed his perspective on how we should view our use of the internet. Nahuai has since been a vocal advocate for sustainability within the WordPress community. Today, Nahuai and I discuss the nuances of the environmental impact of web development with a particular focus on WordPress. We discuss ideas like reducing code in plugins, and highlight the Performance Team's efforts to make WordPress more green. If you're curious about sustainability within WordPress web development, and the community more broadly, this episode is for you.

#117 – Maestro Stevens on Inclusivity in Website Design Decisions
On the podcast today we have Maestro Stevens. Maestro is an international speaker and managing director of The Iconic Expressions. His areas of expertise include digital marketing, brand strategy, web development, and project leadership. In this episode Maestro lays out the case for how inclusivity is not just something that we need to be concerned about at things like events, but also in our WordPress website designs. If you're curious about the intersection of creativity, representation, and the WordPress ecosystem, this episode is for you.

#116 – Jonathan Desrosiers on the Challenges and Rewards of Contributing to WordPress
On the podcast today we have Jonathan Desrosier. Jonathan has been a contributor to WordPress Core for many years, and a WordPress Core committer since 2018. Jonathan currently works as a Senior Software Engineer at Bluehost, where he is sponsored full-time to contribute to WordPress Core through the Five for the Future program. We talk about the challenges that come with contributing to such a large and multi-faceted project, from the intricate process of decision-making, involving many stakeholders, to the occasional moments of feeling demoralised when contributions seem like a drop in the ocean. We discuss the importance of regular contributions, and about the sustainability of the open-source ecosystem, emphasising the critical role businesses need to play, and the potential risks when key contributors step back. If you’re curious about how you can contribute, what that looks likes, and where it can take you, this episode is for you.

#115 – Jamie Marsland on Turning Technical Know-How Into Popular Content
On the podcast today we have Jamie Marsland, and he's here to talk to me about his recent journey into YouTube content creation as well as the topic of how WordPress is positioned against the likes of Wix and Shopify. Jamie shares his strategies for effective video creation, from planning to execution, along with his thoughts on sponsored content and its place in the YouTube ecosystem. If you’re curious about the future of WordPress, content creation, or the dynamics of digital learning, this episode is for you.

#114 – Tammie Lister on the Journey Through Design and Theming
On the podcast today we have Tammie Lister. If you’ve been in the WordPress space for a while, Tammie's name is likely a familiar one. She's an 18-year veteran of the project, a talented designer, developer, and a key contributor to the project. Her journey has made her wear a variety of hats in both agency life and product development. Today, Tammie shares insights that span from the practical to the philosophical within the open-source landscape. We get to hear Tammie's perspective on this crucial experimentation phase in WordPress theme development, the balance she seeks between minimalist design and functional complexity, and her active roles, including the default theme task force. Tammie's excitement for what's next is palpable. So, whether you're a developer, a designer, or a WordPress aficionado, this episode is for you.

#113 – Shawn Hooper on Launching WordCamp Canada (WCEH)
On the podcast today we have Shawn Hooper. Shawn Hooper is a key figure in the Canadian WordPress community. He’s an advocate for national and local gatherings that bring WordPress enthusiasts together. Later this year, the first ever WordCamp Canada, or WCEH for short, will be held in Ottawa. The event is deep in the planning stages. The venue is secured, the speakers have been finalised, and it’s now up to the team of volunteers, of which Shawn is one, to make the event a success. We get into the challenges of creating an event of this scale. From conception until now, there’s a lot of moving parts. The venue, food, transport, volunteers, sponsors, speakers, the list could go on. It all needs to be planned, tasks assigned and executed. If attending WordPress events, and volunteering your time, is your thing, this episode is for you.

#112 – Miriam Schwab on Balancing WordPress Success and Family Life
On the podcast today we have Miriam Schwab. Miriam co-founded Strattic to enable WordPress websites to be more secure and performant. After Elementor acquired Strattic, Miriam continued leading the unit before becoming Head of WordPress Relations. With over 15 years of experience, she's a respected member of the WordPress community and a renowned speaker. In today's episode we discuss Miriam’s life. It’s a departure for this podcast which usually focuses upon the code, the plugins and the community. The idea came out of a talk which Miriam presented at WordCamp Asia this year. In this talk Miriam outlined how she carved out a successful career in the world of WordPress whilst also being the mother of seven children, and it’s fascinating. If you’re interested in hearing how one person has managed the stresses and strains of an incredibly busy life, this episode is for you.

#111 – Josepha Haden Chomphosy on Navigating WordPress’ Evolution, Growth and Change
On the podcast today we have Josepha Haden Chomphosy. Josepha is the Executive Director of WordPress, a role she's held since 2019. She's been contributing since 2012 and has a special fondness for brand-new-to-WordPress learners. During the episode Josepha shares her insights on overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic. She talks about the positive strides made with the Gutenberg project and the need for improved change management during its implementation. We discuss market share of the CMS, community events, and community burnout, as well as how Josepha thinks about measuring WordPress' success, and future goals of the project. If you’re interested in the WordPress project as a whole, and how it’s run and directed, this podcast is for you.

#110 – Thomas J. Raef on the Shift in How Hackers Attack, and How to Protect Your Site
On the podcast today we have Thomas J. Raef. Thomas is the founder of We Watch Your Website, a company that has been removing malware from websites since 2007. During that time he’s seen many changes in the methods hackers use to take over a website, and that’s the focus of the podcast today. With hackers becoming increasingly agile in their tactics, targeting everything from plugins to session cookies, Thomas brings to the table data he’s gathered from 2023 that puts the spotlight on the evolving digital threat landscape. We’re all used to hearing that plugins, themes, and sometimes WordPress Core, are the most likely culprits when something goes wrong. The story goes that out of date code, or a zero day is discovered and leveraged. Whilst Thomas does not doubt that this is true, he’s here to paint a somewhat different picture. A picture which puts the focus upon stolen session cookies as the most important factor in website attacks last year. If you've ever been concerned about the security of your WordPress site or intrigued by the intricacies of cybersecurity, this episode is for you.

#109 – Ben Ritner on How Kadence WP Managed the Pivot Towards AI
On the podcast today we have Ben Ritner. Ben is the founder of Kadence WP, a company that specialises in developing themes and plugins for WordPress, with a focus on enhancing the front end of websites. In this episode, Ben provides us with an insight into how the Kadence team managed the integration of AI into their products, shedding light on the impact it has had on their website building process. We discuss the challenges of migrating content between systems, as well as delving into the role of AI in content creation and design adaptation. Ben talks us through what guided their technical innovations to accommodate AI-generated content and images. Ben’s perspective is pretty unique, working for a company he started, right through to today where they have an install base of over 400,000 websites, all of which could potentially make use of AI, but not at the risk of breaking backwards compatibility with their own products. If you’re interested in the impact of AI in web development and are intrigued by its potential, this episode is for you.

#108 – Mike Auteri on Using GatherPress to Organise WordPress Events
On the podcast today we have Mike Auteri, and we're here to talk about GatherPress, a WordPress plugin for event management within the WordPress ecosystem. Mike delves into the features and benefits of GatherPress, including its focus on replicating important event features for the WordPress community, and responses to the shift to online events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The potential for GatherPress to revolutionise event management within the WordPress community by tools leveraging WordPress certainly seems like something worth exploring. If you’re a WordPress event organiser, or have attended a meetup in the past and are curious about how this could be handled by a freely available plugin, this episode is for you.

#107 – Michelle Frechette on Advocating for Accessibility and Diversity in the WordPress Community
On the podcast today we have Michelle Frechette. She has a long history of community involvement, writing articles, hosting podcasts, managing events and much more. The topic under discussion today is diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Michelle talks about her experiences at WordPress events, and how they were not always easy for her to attend and be a part of. It’s not all about events though. Michelle talks about the wider goals of making all aspects of the WordPress community more opening and inclusive. Being one of the voices promoting this message has not always been easy, and we hear about how Michelle copes with those who disagree with her quest to create change. If you're interested in thinking about inclusivity, and how embracing diverse perspectives can impact the WordPress community, this episode is for you.

#106 – Anil Gupta on the Challenges Posed by Multi Collaboration in WordPress
On the podcast today we have Anil Gupta who is the CEO and co-founder of Multidots, Multicollab, and DotStore. Of specific interest to this episode of the podcast is Multicollab, is a WordPress plugin that allows for Google Doc-style collaboration, including commenting, suggestions, and real-time editing. We discuss the prospects that during the current phase of Gutenberg development, multi collaboration should come to WordPress. As Anil explains, this is by no means an easy undertaking, given that each installation of WordPress is unique. Anil paints a picture of a bright future for WordPress, once this new feature set is completed, but it’s also interesting to see how many challenges the developers will need to overcome before it can be shipped in a future WordPress update. If you’re interested in finding out about the future of editing content in WordPress, this episode is for you.

#105 – Pascal Birchler on Revolutionizing Image and Video Processing Within WordPress
On the podcast today we explore the transformative capabilities of web browsers with guest Pascal Birchler. We discuss the power of WebAssembly, the future potential for moving desktop activities to the web, and Birchler's innovative work in image and video processing. The conversation highlights his queuing system for background image processing and a groundbreaking plugin enabling tasks such as converting animated GIFs to videos. He also shares insights into modern image formats and his project to improve WordPress performance through reduced file sizes and server resource usage. The episode concludes with a glimpse into potential future projects. Go listen...

#104 – Thomas Fanchin on Community Engagement in WordPress Sponsorship
On the podcast today we have Thomas Fanchin. Thomas is a WordPress enthusiast and is the partnership manager for Weglot, which is a solution for translating websites, not limited to WordPress. His role means that he’s immersed in the WordPress community. He’s passionate about connecting with, and learning from, others in the community. Thomas talks on the podcast about Weglot's involvement in WordPress initiatives and events. We get into how they decide what to sponsor and what they hope to get in return. If you're interested in learning about the intricacies of sponsorships, the impact of sponsor engagement at events, and the future landscape of sponsor initiatives within the WordPress community, this episode is for you.

#103 – Emma Young on Exploring WordPress, the Software, the Events and the Community
On the podcast today we have Emma Young. Emma is the Head of Content for Hostinger and is on the podcast today to chat through her new found love of WordPress and the community which surrounds it. Emma's journey is quite inspirational. From having almost no experience with WordPress just a few years ago, she’s now immersed deeply in all that WordPress has to offer. Just over a year ago she'd been using WordPress a little, but that was it. Then she found employment in the space and has been to all three 2023 flagship WordCamps, as well as the Community Summit. So the whole conversation is coloured with this newness and energy, which is quite infectious. If you’re looking for a way to find your place in the WordPress community, this podcast is for you.

#102 – Artemy Kaydash on Exploring AI and How It Will Alter the Workplace
On the podcast today, we have Artemy Kaydash. Artemy is a WordPress and WooCommerce freelance developer who focuses on backend development. Most of this episode centres around the impact of AI on the landscape of web development. We explore the implications of AI tools for web developers, firstly talking about the way that AI systems have rapidly become somewhat essential and the developer's toolkit. We discussed the pivotal role AI may have in the future and how it could become an indispensable time-saver, relegating many uninteresting tasks from needing to be carried out manually. We get into the intersection of AI and web development, highlighting the need for developers to adapt and harness the potential of AI tools to remain at the forefront of innovation. If AI has piqued your curiosity in the past, especially in the WordPress space, this episode is for you.

#101 – Pooja Derashri on Creating Educational WordPress Content
Pooja was on the podcast a few weeks ago talking about diversity, but this time the focus is on creating learning materials for WordPress. We talk about how Pooja got involved and what opportunities are out there for people wishing to assist in the enterprise of making content for those wishing to learn more about WordPress.

#100 – Nick Diego on the Revamp of the WordPress Showcase Website
On the podcast today we have Nick Diego. Nick is a sponsored full-time contributor at Automattic. His official position is a developer relations advocate, which allows him to focus on creating developer orientated content. Apart from his regular responsibilities, Nick is also involved in a separate project called the WordPress Showcase, and this is the focus of the podcast today. The WordPress showcase is a curated collection of websites built with WordPress. Its purpose is to inspire, and show the breadth of what WordPress can achieve. Currently the showcase features around a hundred sites, including large enterprises like the New York times and NASA. It aims to challenge misconceptions about WordPress, and highlight the platforms scale and reach. If you're curious about block development, or how you might convince clients that WordPress is a credible CMS, this podcast is for you.

#99 – Matthias Pfefferle on ActivityPub, WordPress and Decentralised Social Networks
So on the podcast today, we have Matthias Pfefferle. Matthias started using WordPress in its early stages when it was still known as b2. He became passionate about blogging and the web 2.0 era. Over time he dedicated himself to making blogging relevant and developed various tools to compete with social networks, building communities professionally and working for a European hoster. Matthias ultimately joined Automattic to focus on WordPress and the ActivityPub plugin full-time. If you want to learn more about the Fediverse, Mastodon, ActivityPub, or just want to know how to make WordPress a first-class citizen in social networks, this podcast is for you.

#98 – Marieke van de Rakt on Uniting the WordPress Community for a Stronger Future
On the podcast today we have Marieke van de Rakt. Marieke was one of the co-founders of Yoast, but left that roll in May 2023. She's here to talk about the growing divide between those who prioritise community-oriented contributions and those driven purely by commercial interests. She expresses her concerns about the potential consequences if this division continues to widen, including the potential growth of other content management systems. We discuss the potential negative outcomes if WordPress becomes more commercialised, leading to a divide in the community, a divide which might be difficult to undo.

#97 – Estela Rueda, Courtney Robertson and Javier Casares on the Future of Translating WordPress
In this episode of Jukebox podcast, I'm joined by Javier Casares, Estela Rueda, and Courtney Robertson to discuss the challenges of translating WordPress documentation into multiple languages. They share their plans to start translating documentation, create dedicated teams, and establish a writing style guide for language translation. They stress the significance of the journey towards inclusivity and the involvement of dedicated teams for successful translation efforts. Technical aspects, such as updating content and creating tools for managing translation tasks, are also discussed. Despite the challenges, the team aims to make WordPress accessible for everyone and expand the WordPress community through translation efforts.

#96 – Jake Goldman on Agency Mergers and AI in WordPress
On the podcast today we have Jake Goldman. Jake is the President & Founder of 10up, a digital agency that builds websites and tools for content creators, leveraging open platforms like WordPress. He's on the podcast today to talk about the recent merger with Fueled and Insignia. We talk about why the merger was needed and what it brings to the table in the future. Will WordPress still be a part of this, larger, company? We also talk about Jake's view on the roll of AI on the future of WordPress, and the tools that they have been building for the last few years.

#95 – Pooja Derashri on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in WordPress
On the podcast today we have Pooja Derashri. Pooja is a co-founder of WPVibes, a plugin development company based in India. Pooja shares her insights on the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the WordPress community, and explores how you don’t need to be a coder to be a part of the community and all that it is.

#94 – Birgit Olzem and Jill Binder on Creating a Diverse and Sustainable WordPress Community
On the podcast today we have Jill Binder and Birgit Olzem, and they're here to discuss the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the WordPress community. They highlight the creation of a new Slack channel and GitHub project board to address these issues. They also share their experiences in creating inclusive events, gathering diverse speakers, and making WordPress spaces more accessible. We talk about the need to lay the groundwork for DEIB and ensure everyone feels welcomed and included. We get into the challenges of written communication, especially for non-native English speakers, and the importance of understanding different perspectives. We conclude by chatting about resources and upcoming workshops aimed at promoting diversity and supporting underrepresented voices in the WordPress community.

#93 – Piermario Orecchioni on How and Why WordPress Gets Translated
On the podcast today we have Piermario Orecchioni, and he’s here to explore the world of website translations. He questions whether it is morally or legally necessary to provide translations on websites. Piermario discusses the challenges of translating and reviewing strings in WordPress, stressing the importance of maintaining consistency with a glossary in each language. He shares his journey as a contributor to the Polyglots team and highlights improvements in the translation process, thanks to the GlotPress platform. Piermario encourages listeners to join the Polyglots team, emphasising that coding expertise is not necessary. He also talks about the ongoing translation efforts for projects like Openverse and Learn WordPress, making WordPress education accessible in different languages. Listen in for a fascinating discussion on the importance and complexity of translations in the WordPress community.

#92 – Juliette Reinders Folmer on When Contributions Need to Be Paid
On the podcast today we have Juliette Reinders Folmer. Juliette is a highly experienced professional in the field of coding standards. With a deep understanding of industry best practices, she has dedicated herself for many years to ensuring code quality, and consistency within WordPress. Juliette acknowledges that coding standards encompass more than just formatting and white space, they also play a crucial role in maintaining compatibility and preventing conflicts between plugins. We chat about her commitment to WordPress coding standards, and how the work that she’s done in this field have made her a trusted authority. Through her contributions and guidance, she has helped countless developers enhance their code quality, ultimately improving the overall WordPress ecosystem. Maintaining open source projects like WordPress CS comes with its challenges. Juliette tells us about the importance of financial support and adequate resources to mitigate business risk, as projects that go unmaintained can create dependency issues and pose problems during corporate audits. She speaks openly about her recent decision to step away from contributing. The project is so crucial, but underfunded, and Juliette thinks it’s time to draw a line in the sand. It’s time for contributions in return for payment.

#91 – Vagelis Papaioannou on How to Learn to Use WordPress and Help With Events
On the podcast today we have Vagelis Papaioannou. Vagelis is a software engineer from Greece. His journey with coding began during his elementary school years, in an experimental coding class. This sparked a lifelong passion within him. His love for WordPress dates back to the early versions. He's on the podcast today to talk about two things. First we chat about his experiences contributing to WordPress events, both local meetups and WordCamps. We then get into a discussion about his work with the Learn Team; how they work and what resources they're creating. If you're a seasoned WordPress enthusiast or just starting your journey in contributions, this episode is for you.

#90 – Olga Gleckler on How Anyone Can Contribute to the WordPress Project
On the podcast today we have Olga Gleckler. Olga is a self-taught developer with many years experience. After initially pursuing a career in marketing, she turned back to her passion for programming and became a full-time developer. Olga has tried her hand in various teams within the community, ranging from Polyglots to Training, Support, and more. She challenges the commonly held misconception that only coders can contribute to the WordPress project, highlighting the many different ways individuals can contribute without coding skills. During our conversation, Olga shares some examples of non-coding contributions that can be made to the WordPress project. We talk about the process of submitting patches and contributions to WordPress, discussing the schedule for releases, and the importance of understanding the processes and deadlines. If you’ve thought about contributing to WordPress, but are not sure where to begin, this episode is for you.

#89 – Scott Kingsley Clark on Why the Time Is Right for the Fields API
On the podcast today we have Scott Kingsley Clark. Scott is a WordPress developer who has been working with WordPress since 2007. He is well-known for his work on the Pods Framework, a popular content and custom fields plugin. He is currently involved in the WordPress Fields API project, which aims to provide a better solution for developers looking to wrangle their data, and that is the focus of the podcast today. As you’ll hear Scott is determined to contribute to the continual growth and improvement of WordPress and try to make the Fields API a reality. We talk about what the Fields API might become. The aim is to simplify the process of working with custom fields and content types in WordPress. With the Fields API, Scott hopes to unify the different methods and APIs for managing custom fields, making it easier for developers and non-developers alike to add fields to different screens within WordPress. It’s a complicated undertaking and we get into some of the areas of WordPress which might benefit from this work.

#88 – Jo Minney on the State of the WordPress Community in Australia
On the podcast today we have Jo Minney. Jo is the founder of a small business that specialises in building websites for organisations, mainly nonprofits and the tech industry. In this episode, Jo shares her insights on the challenges of organising WordCamps and meetups in Australia, where the large size of the country and small population present some unique obstacles. If you’re used to a European or North American setting, it’s really interesting how the geography of the country presents challenges not seen elsewhere. We discuss the importance of paying speakers and covering their travel expenses to create equal opportunities for freelancers and small businesses, as well as to give the Australian community a stronger voice. We chat about the challenges faced by the Australian WordPress community, from limited resources and burnout, to the struggle of attracting new organisers and attendees. Jo shares some exciting success stories, such as organising WordPress events and hosting a successful do_action event. If you’re interested in hearing about how the WordPress community is doing in Australia, this episode is for you.

#87 – Jonathan Wold on Guildenberg, What It Is and How It Aims to Help Product Owners
On the podcast today we have Jonathan Wold. Jonathan has been deeply involved in the WordPress community for almost two decades. He began writing tutorials and freelancing, which eventually led him to the agency world where he worked on large enterprise projects. In the past five to six years, Jonathan has shifted his focus to the broader WordPress ecosystem. Jonathan is one of the co-founders of Guildenberg, and in the podcast today we discuss what this project is, and how it aims to revolutionise the WordPress product ecosystem. We talk about how Guildenberg is trying to solve the problem which developers often face in the WordPress space, discoverability. The idea is to create a WordPress 'app store' as a building block to bootstrap the project to other, more community based, initiatives. If you’re a WordPress developer who is keen to find a way to create visibility for your product, this podcast is for you.