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 ★

Olly Feldman, Head of Global Sales at Hosting.com with deep agency sales experience, talks about productizing services for scale and niching to simplify selling. He outlines consultative discovery to surface client pain points and the role of mentorship and community in sales. They also explore practical uses of AI for meeting summaries, proposals, and sales efficiency.

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 ★