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 An unexpected conversation with someone who has dedicated his life to something much bigger than himself.

I had an enlightening conversation with Marc Benzakein on Seriously Bud, where we dove into the fascinating background of his parents—his father hailing from the Belgian Congo and his mother from Wisconsin. They met in college in the U.S., leading to a family life that included Marc and his three siblings. Marc shared how he and his siblings, especially his sister, had a typical sibling rivalry growing up, which evolved into a strong, respectful relationship as they got older.

Marc’s personal life is equally intriguing. After marrying and having two biological children, he and his ex-wife adopted six more children from foster care, driven by her personal experience of aging out of the system. They renovated a large house in Milwaukee to create a welcoming environment for their children, even fostering community spirit by making their home a neighborhood hub. Despite the eventual dissolution of his marriage, Marc remains deeply committed to co-parenting and ensuring stability for their children.

Our conversation also touched on Marc’s current relationship with a woman he reconnected with after high school. Although they didn’t interact much back then, they found common ground years later, and their relationship blossomed after Marc’s divorce. Marc reflected on how their different life paths and experiences likely made them better suited for each other now than they would have been in high school.

Professionally, Marc’s journey has been diverse, spanning various industries, from working at Circuit City and starting a camera store to importing coffee and eventually diving into the WordPress community. His entrance into WordPress was sparked by a need to pivot his business model, leading him to create a successful affiliate website. His work with ServerPress, where he served as operations manager, is a testament to his adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit, despite the company’s eventual closure.

Finally, Marc shared a personal anecdote about getting Botox, a first-time experience driven by his supportive role in his girlfriend’s career. This lighthearted moment underscored his openness to trying new things and his dedication to those he cares about. When asked who he would recommend for the next Seriously Bud interview, Marc suggested his longtime friend and business partner, Greg Franklin, who he believes would offer valuable insights and stories.

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 An unexpected conversation with a former bartender who was born with a podcaster's voice and is everyone's best friend.

recently had the pleasure of chatting with Bob Dunn on Seriously Bud. We jumped right into the heart of his story, recalling the fateful night of September 5th, 1982, when he met his wife, Judy, at a bar in Spokane. It was a quiet night, and Judy had stopped by for a glass of wine after a long day of parent-teacher conferences. The two hit it off instantly, leading to a whirlwind romance that culminated in their marriage the following June. Bob shared the amusing detail of how Judy gave him her number—written on a deposit slip with her checking account number—and how quickly they fell in love.

Bob, originally from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, shared a bit about his early life and how his family ended up in Spokane. His father was a truck driver, and his mother, who raised him and his sister after his father passed away when Bob was just seven, played a significant role in shaping his character. He reminisced about his early memories of running around in his cowboy hat and spending time on the boat with his dad. Despite the challenges, Bob looks back on those years fondly, appreciating the sense of community and support he received.

During his high school and college years, Bob embraced the party lifestyle and experimented with various career paths, from auto mechanics to photography. His journey eventually led him to bartending, where he honed his people skills and learned valuable lessons about human nature. Bob’s life took a pivotal turn when he met Judy, and they decided to pursue their passions together. They moved to California, where Bob transitioned from bartending to freelance design work, eventually establishing a successful business in graphic design and copywriting with Judy.

Reflecting on his life’s many twists and turns, Bob expressed gratitude for the experiences that shaped him, even the challenging ones. He admitted that while he never planned his career path meticulously, each phase of his life felt like a natural progression toward the next. When asked about his ultimate dream job, Bob revealed that he had always harbored a desire to be a wildlife photographer, captivated by the idea of capturing the beauty and uniqueness of animals in their natural habitats.

As our conversation drew to a close, Bob emphasized the importance of staying active and engaged, particularly as we age. He sees his work in the WordPress community as a way to remain connected with people of all ages, keeping his perspective fresh and youthful. When asked to recommend a future guest for the podcast, Bob suggested Josepha Haden Chomphosy, a prominent figure in the WordPress community, reflecting his deep respect and curiosity for the stories of those who have shaped the digital world he is so passionate about.

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 An unexpected conversation with someone who is mature beyond her years and could not be nicer if she tried.

I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Svilena Penava on Seriously Bud. Currently living in Sofia, Bulgaria, where she works from home, Svilena is deeply rooted in her Bulgarian heritage. Despite her busy schedule, she took the time to share a bit about her background and her journey, both professionally and personally. We talked about her childhood memories, her close-knit family, and the profound influence her parents, both from the same city in Bulgaria, had on her. Her mother, initially an engineer, became a high school English teacher after the Soviet Union’s collapse, while her father, a soon-to-be-retired bank loan consultant, enjoyed a long career in banking. Svilena admiration for them was evident, especially when she spoke about her father’s successful career in a corporate environment.

Growing up with a much older half-brother, Svilena didn’t have a typical sibling relationship, but she fondly remembers their time together despite the 12-year age gap. We also delved into her academic journey, which took a unique turn when she decided to pursue higher education in Denmark. Even though she initially struggled with the technical aspects of her marketing and management communication studies, she thrived in areas that matched her natural talents, like communication and cross-cultural negotiation. Her English proficiency, which I couldn’t help but admire, stemmed from an early exposure to English-language cartoons and formal education that began at a young age, followed by an English-taught degree in Denmark.

Svilena’s love of history was another highlight of our conversation. She’s passionate about historical novels and biographies, with a particular fascination for figures like Princess Diana and Hedy Lamarr, the latter of whom she admires not just as an actress but as a brilliant inventor. Her interest in Roman history also led to Rome becoming one of her favorite travel destinations, a place she described with genuine enthusiasm.

We wrapped up our conversation by discussing her role at NitroPack, where she’s been for three years, working as the Partnerships Manager. Svilena spoke highly of her experience at the company, emphasizing the supportive environment that has allowed her to grow alongside the company. Looking to the future, she’s optimistic about continuing her journey with NitroPack, though she remains open to the possibilities that lie ahead. Svilena’s thoughtful reflection on her path so far made it clear that she’s someone who embraces both challenges and opportunities with grace and determination.

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 An unexpected conversation with someone who has been everywhere and knows that great things happen at 7-Eleven.

In my latest chat I had the pleasure of speaking with Emma Young, who never fails to surprise with her fascinating stories and adventurous life. Currently, she’s in La Manga, Spain, escaping the Lithuanian winter in a quiet beach town. Emma’s journey is as varied as it is intriguing, starting with her memorable time in Korea, where, believe it or not, she met her future husband in a 7-Eleven. Yes, you heard that right—true love can indeed begin in the alcohol aisle of a convenience store!

Emma’s background is as diverse as her adventures. Her mother is from South Korea and her father from England, and they met in Silicon Valley, bringing together two very different cultures. Emma grew up in New Mexico, where she navigated the complexities of blending these cultures while also dealing with the unique environment of the American Southwest.

In high school, Emma was a diligent student with strict parents who insisted on straight A’s, but she also had a rebellious streak that led her to experiment with, well, almost everything. Despite the occasional teenage mischief, she went on to the University of New Mexico, where she studied strategic communications and marketing. This degree would later play a crucial role in her professional life, especially after she moved to Lithuania and started working with Hostinger.

Emma’s love for travel has taken her all over the world. From backpacking through Southeast Asia to working holiday visas in Australia and New Zealand, she’s seen it all. Her stories from these travels, particularly her harrowing yet humorous experiences in Taiwan, are the stuff of legend. Imagine surviving near misses with plane crashes and gas explosions, all while dealing with the aftermath of a stomach flu—Emma’s resilience is nothing short of remarkable.

Currently, Emma is the Head of Content at Hostinger, where she manages a team of writers and editors. Despite her professional success, she dreams of one day opening a small yoga studio on a beach, complete with a plant nursery and a cozy pub. For now, though, she’s content with her life of travel, hiking, and the occasional plant-based diet experiment, inspired by a Netflix documentary that left her rethinking her relationship with meat.

As for future plans, children aren’t on the immediate horizon for Emma and her husband, but she remains open to whatever life throws her way. Her approach to life is refreshingly flexible, always ready for the next adventure.

Emma suggested I reach out to Nadia Maya, a storyteller with incredible life experiences that could easily be the basis of a lifetime movie. After hearing Emma’s tales, I’m eager to see what unexpected stories Nadia might bring to the podcast.

Emma’s life is a blend of the extraordinary and the everyday, and I have no doubt she’ll continue to live it to the fullest. It was a pleasure to have such an engaging and unpredictable conversation with her, and I can’t wait to see where her adventures take her next.

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 An unexpected conversation with an influential publisher in the WordPress Community who knows just about everyone and everything.

 I had the pleasure of speaking with Birgit Pauli-Haack, someone I deeply admire for her contributions to the WordPress community. We began by diving into her background, starting with her studies at the University of Munich, where she majored in business with a focus on restaurant and hotel management. Birgit shared insights into Germany’s unique apprenticeship system, which combines practical experience with academic learning, a system that shaped her early career in the hospitality industry.

Birgit described herself as a dedicated student, though she admitted to being a bit of a troublemaker, especially during her school years. She fondly recalled memories from her childhood, including her protective nature, which once led her to stand up for a friend in kindergarten. These anecdotes revealed a mischievous side to Birgit, one that still seems to shine through in her personality today.

Our conversation then shifted to her journey to the United States, where she moved with her husband after his company transferred him to Naples, Florida. This transition marked a significant change in Birgit’s life, as she left behind her life in Germany and embraced a new beginning in America. Despite the challenges, Birgit found solace in volunteering and eventually discovered her passion for web development, which led her to start her own agency and dive deep into the world of web design and development.

Birgit’s love for art also surfaced during our chat, as she spoke about her deep appreciation for surrealism and her involvement with art museums in the U.S. and Germany. She recounted memorable visits to the Salvador Dali Museum and other exhibitions, highlighting how art has been a consistent thread throughout her life.

We also touched on Birgit’s significant contributions to the WordPress community, particularly her work with the Gutenberg Times website, which she started in 2018. She has been instrumental in documenting the evolution of the WordPress block editor and has been an active participant in the WordPress core contributor program. Her dedication to keeping the community informed through her newsletters and podcasts has made her a central figure in the WordPress ecosystem.

As we wrapped up, Birgit recommended Milana Capp, a longtime leader in the WordPress documentation team, as a future guest for Seriously Bud. Birgit’s story is one of passion, dedication, and a lifelong love for learning and sharing knowledge, and it was an absolute pleasure to hear about her journey.

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 An unexpected conversation with a graduate of the University of Tasmania who got a degree in journalism and computer science and knows how life can change with the flick of a finger.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Rae Morey, who shared some fascinating insights about her life and work. We started off with a geography lesson, as Rae explained that she was born in Devonport, Tasmania—a regional city on the island state at the southernmost part of Australia. Although she now lives in Melbourne, Rae reminisced about her time growing up in such a remote place and the unique experiences that shaped her.

Rae left Tasmania about 15 years ago after feeling the need for a change. She initially moved to Japan, where she spent a year teaching high school students before settling in Melbourne, which is where she met her husband, Marcus. Their love story began in a craft beer bar, where they bonded over a shared interest in travel, despite having very different backgrounds and interests. Rae’s love for Marcus wasn’t instant, but over time, their relationship blossomed, and they recently tied the knot in October 2023. They now have a four-year-old son named Jackson, who keeps them both on their toes.

A journalist by training, Rae shared her journey into the field and how her passion for technology and storytelling led her to pursue a combined degree in journalism and computer science at the University of Tasmania. Despite the skepticism she faced from faculty at the time, her dual interests have served her well. Rae early experiences in journalism included creating a community newsletter as a teenager, which laid the foundation for her later work in the WordPress community.

Rae is perhaps best known in the WordPress community for her work on the repository newsletter, which she’s been running for over four years. She shared how the newsletter started as a small project with just a few subscribers, but it quickly gained traction and now has over a thousand regular readers. The newsletter curates the latest news and insights from the WordPress ecosystem, and Rae takes pride in highlighting members of the community each week.

In addition to her work on the repository, Rae has a day job in communications and strategy for the City of Melbourne’s Architect’s Office. She spoke about the importance of architecture in shaping our daily lives and how her work helps elevate the city’s design excellence. However, Rae heart remains with WordPress, and she’s considering returning to the community full-time in the near future.

We wrapped up the conversation with Rae recommending John Ng from Human Made as a future guest for the podcast. She noted his deep involvement in the WordPress community and his expertise in the enterprise space. It was a pleasure to chat with Rae and learn more about her journey, both personal and professional.

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 An unexpected conversation with a full-time Mom who owns a full-time web design agency.

In this episode I had the pleasure of speaking with Ann Marie Gill. We started off by getting to know each other, as we had just met, and I was intrigued to learn about how she met her husband. Annemarie shared the charming story of working on small cruise ships in Alaska after college, where she met her husband, a chef onboard. She fondly recounted how his cooking, especially a dish of poblano chicken, won her heart, and how their relationship blossomed through late-night conversations and handwritten letters.

Ann Marie then took me through her life journey, starting with her roots on the West Coast. She grew up in Sacramento, studied psychology in San Diego, and eventually moved to Seattle. Her passion for web design started unexpectedly when she began working with Dreamweaver and HTML, which led her to create websites for friends and family. This hobby soon turned into a full-time business, especially after the birth of her second daughter in 2009, which coincided with her discovery of WordPress.

We also delved into her husband’s career shift from being a chef to becoming a high-end finish carpenter, highlighting how he managed to merge his culinary skills with his new trade by naming his business “The Hammering Chef.” Annemarie shared how they balanced their family life, with two daughters, by hiring help to manage her growing web design business. She spoke about her team, including a former neighbor turned employee who has been with her for nine years, and how they’ve helped her business thrive.

Our conversation naturally flowed into a discussion about life in the small town of Duval, Washington, where Annemarie lives. She described the beautiful surroundings, including nearby Mount Rainier and Snoqualmie Falls, and shared how she enjoys outdoor activities like kayaking with her daughters on the local lake. We also touched on her love for Seattle, where she frequently visits for concerts, coffee shops, and the vibrant city life.

As we continued, Ann Marie spoke about the challenges and rewards of running a web design business, especially in the ever-evolving world of WordPress. She highlighted the importance of staying updated with technology and how she has managed to balance her professional and personal life. We also discussed the supportive nature of the WordPress community, which Annemarie has found invaluable since attending her first WordCamp in 2013.

We wrapped up the conversation with Ann Marie recommending Philip Levine from South Florida as a future guest for the podcast, noting his interesting background and contributions to the WordPress community. Our discussion was a delightful mix of personal stories and professional insights, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to get to know Annemarie better.

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 An unexpected conversation with a born entrepreneurwho had an unquenchable thirst to learn technology at a very early age.

In this episode of Seriously, Bud, I had the pleasure of speaking with Vikas Singhal, the founder of InstaWP. We started off with a light-hearted discussion about a vivid dream Vikas had recently, where he found himself stuck in a tiring time loop. This unusual start to the conversation gave us a chance to ease into the discussion and explore Vikas’s background in a unique way.

Vikas then took me back to his early days, sharing how his fascination with computers began in high school when his school received a few new computers. This sparked a passion that led him to teach himself programming languages like FoxPro and Visual Basic. Despite growing up in a small town in central India, where his father ran a grocery store, Vikas always knew that his true calling was in technology, not in the family business.

We also delved into Vikas’s journey through higher education and his early career. After moving to Bangalore, he pursued a degree in computer engineering, bypassing the usual competitive exams by securing a spot through a donation-based system. His first job at Cisco was a dream come true, where he honed his skills in computer security. However, Vikas confessed that he regrets not starting his entrepreneurial journey sooner, as he spent over a decade in corporate roles before launching InstaWP.

On the personal front, Vikas shared details about his family life. He spoke about his arranged marriage, which is common in his culture, and how his wife has been a crucial support system, allowing him to focus on his startup. They have two young sons, and while Vikas is keen on introducing them to programming, he is also ensuring they are well-rounded by encouraging their participation in sports.

As we moved toward discussing InstaWP, Vikas shared his pride in the platform’s growth, with over 32,000 users and the creation of 2,000 websites daily. He discussed the recent launch of their hosting service, WP Live, which offers a seamless transition for users who want to take their sites live without the hassle of traditional hosting setups. Vikas emphasized the importance of portability and openness in their service, staying true to the spirit of open-source.

We wrapped up the conversation with Vikas recommending Leslie Sim from Newsletter Glue as a future guest for the podcast. The entire discussion was a fascinating glimpse into Vikas’s life, his entrepreneurial journey, and the passion that drives him to continue innovating in the WordPress space. I’m grateful for the insights he shared and look forward to seeing where his journey takes him next.

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 An unexpected conversation with a legendary WordPress podcaster, blogger, WP historian and all around great guy.

Here’s my chat with Jeff Chandler to explore various aspects of his life. We started with Jeff’s upbringing in Cleveland, Ohio, and moved through his education and early career. Jeff shared his brief stint in the Air Force, describing how it was quite different from what he had expected. He also fondly recounted how he met his wife while they were both working at a grocery store, leading to their long-term relationship.

Jeff’s lifelong love for dogs was a significant part of our conversation, and he opened up about the emotional journey that comes with losing pets. We then shifted to his hobbies, where Jeff talked about his interest in weather and meteorology, as well as his casual enjoyment of bird watching. He also shared his thoughts on sleep patterns and the cognitive decline he experiences after long workdays. As a fan of sci-fi and theoretical physics, Jeff mentioned his love for reading books by authors like Isaac Asimov and Michio Kaku.

Our discussion also covered Jeff’s significant contributions to the WordPress community, including his founding of WP Tavern and his role as the host of the WordPress Weekly podcast. We talked about the importance of documenting the history of WordPress and the challenges that come with preserving historical content. Before we wrapped up, Jeff recommended Robert DeVore as a future guest for the podcast.

This episode offers a deep dive into Jeff Chandler’s personal and professional life, providing insights into his passions, his journey, and the lasting impact he’s made on the WordPress community.

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An unexpected conversation with someone who was homeschooled and has one of the youngest voices in the WordPress Community.

In this interview, I had the pleasure of talking with Sophia DeRosia, where we began by discussing her name preferences and how close family members affectionately call her “Sophie.” Sophia shared some of her early childhood memories, including her first recollections and the dynamics within her family. She talked about her homeschooling experience, how she managed to socialize despite limited extracurricular activities, and the deep connection she shares with her family.

Sophia opened up about developing chronic pain while working at FedEx and how physical therapy has now become a regular part of her workout routine. She expressed her admiration for her family’s strong emphasis on education and manners and shared how their interest in bartending and alcohol education has influenced her.

We then shifted the conversation to her current life, where Sophia talked about her work at a bar and her aspirations to become a full-time bartender. She also shared her creative experiments with drink mixing. We delved into the topic of mental health, where Sophia reflected on depression within her family and her own experiences with anxiety, highlighting the importance of education and medication in managing mental health.

As we continued, Sophia discussed her homeschooling journey through high school, her introduction to WordPress through her father’s involvement, and how she gradually became interested in the WordPress community. She talked about her role in the Hero Press Network and expressed a desire to eventually take over Hero Press from her father in the future.

Sophia outlined her career goals and aspirations for stability, showing interest in marketing, community engagement, and podcasting. We wrapped up the conversation with her recommendation of Allison Dye as a future interviewee, citing their similar age and strong personal connection.

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