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In this episode of WP Minute+, we sat down with Brendan O’Connell, a WordPress agency employee, freelancer, and content creator. Brendan shared his journey in the WordPress ecosystem, from his early days with Divi to his current role at an agency and his transition to using the Bricks builder.

Brendan’s story is a testament to the evolving landscape of WordPress development and the challenges faced by agencies and freelancers in adapting to new tools and technologies. He offers valuable insights into the world of page builders, the importance of community involvement, and the future of WordPress.

Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:

• Transitioning between page builders can be challenging but may lead to improved workflows and client satisfaction.
• Staying up-to-date with core WordPress developments, including Gutenberg and site editor improvements, is crucial.
• Creating content (like YouTube tutorials) can lead to unexpected business opportunities and community growth.
• Attending local WordPress meetups can provide valuable insights into user struggles and needs.
• Balancing multiple roles (agency work, freelancing, content creation) requires careful time management and focus.
• The WordPress ecosystem benefits from a healthy third-party plugin and theme community.
• AI will likely impact the industry, but human interaction and interpretation remain essential in web development.

Important URLs mentioned:

1. Brendan’s YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@BrendanOConnellWP
2. Brendan’s Website: brendan-oconnell.com
3. Bricks Builder: bricksbuilder.io
4. Pine Grow (Custom Block Builder): pinegrow.com/wordpress

Chapter Titles with Timestamps:

1. [00:00:00] Introduction and Brendan’s WordPress Journey
2. [00:04:00] Transitioning from Ruby on Rails to WordPress at the Agency
3. [00:08:00] The Shift from Divi to Bricks Builder
4. [00:15:00] Page Builders vs. Core WordPress Development
5. [00:20:00] Evaluating and Choosing Page Builders
6. [00:24:00] WordPress Onboarding and Hosting Considerations
7. [00:27:00] Brendan’s YouTube Channel and Content Creation
8. [00:31:00] Future of WordPress and Exciting Developments
9. [00:32:42] AI in Web Design and Development