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A conversation with a thoughtful guy who would have been Marco Polo if he could have been someone else.

Here I had the pleasure of chatting with James Giroux, who shared his unique journey and diverse interests. We kicked things off by discussing James’s unexpected connection to Korean culture, which all started when he hosted a Korean international student. This experience sparked his fascination with Korean dramas, which has since become a significant part of his Netflix routine.

James also talked about his time living in Australia while working for Envato, detailing the adjustments he and his family had to make during that period. Our conversation naturally flowed into his personal life, where James recounted how he met his wife during a summer camp zip-lining trip. He also shared insights into his background in design, pastoral ministry, and his various fields of study.

We touched on his introverted nature, discussing how social events like WordCamp can be both energizing and exhausting for him. James shared his deep involvement in the WordPress community, from running a digital agency to launching Team WP, an initiative aimed at improving work culture in WordPress companies. He also opened up about his ongoing job search and the challenges that come with it.

As the conversation progressed, James reflected on some fun hypothetical scenarios, like what it would be like to run an airline loyalty program, and if he could transform into someone else, he would choose Marco Polo for his adventurous spirit. We wrapped up the episode with James recommending Rich Tabor as a future podcast guest, noting his thoughtful and quiet presence within the WordPress community.

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A conversation with a self-made guy who is about to co-lead his first WordCamp.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Howard Spaeth, the co-leader of WordCamp Montclair and founder of H Grant Designs. We began by diving into Howard’s role in organizing WordCamp Montclair, where he shared all the exciting details about the schedule, topics, and registration. Howard’s enthusiasm for the event was palpable, especially when he talked about the after-party and the anticipation surrounding the finalized speaker list.

We then transitioned into a more personal discussion, where Howard opened up about his family background. He shared some fascinating stories about his grandfather, who was involved in WWII and even worked with the CIA. This family legacy has clearly had a profound influence on Howard’s life and career, including his passion for photography, which he described as his therapy and creative outlet.

Howard also talked about his upbringing, his relationships with his siblings, and the journey that led him to found his own business. Despite facing some initial setbacks in his education and career, Howard credits his mother for steering him toward web design. He recounted his self-taught success in building H Grant Designs into a full-service WordPress agency, discussing the challenges and changes in the industry along the way. Howard emphasized the importance of maintaining transparency and integrity in his business practices, something he holds close to his heart.

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 A conversation with the sassiest person in the WordPress Community.

In this lively conversation, I had the pleasure of chatting with Christine Clauder, who is known for her humor and candidness. We kicked things off by discussing her self-proclaimed sassy nature, which, as she admits, sometimes leads to misunderstandings. Christine opened up about her struggles with anxiety and how she’s used humor as a coping mechanism throughout her life.

She shared insights into her family background, mentioning her Japanese mother’s bluntness and the dynamics of growing up in a large, blended family with step-siblings and half-siblings. Christine also talked about her daughter, who is an impressive rollerblader, and reflected on her own challenges with first impressions, often being mistaken for snobbishness.

Our conversation touched on her moves between cities—from Houston to Kansas City and back—and the pride she feels for Kansas City. Christine recounted the hilarious story of how she met her husband online, where he initially thought she was his brother playing a prank.

Christine’s love for animals, particularly dogs, came up, and she humorously confessed her bewilderment at not owning a Capybara yet. We also dove into her complex relationship with baths and her dislike for certain “girly” maintenance routines, which she attributes to her tomboy nature.

The discussion then shifted to her love for golf, a passion she inherited from her mother, an avid golfer. Despite not playing frequently, Christine boasts some impressive skills. She also mentioned her piano playing, though she hasn’t kept up with practice, and talked about her husband, who, despite having no formal training, can play drums and guitar by ear.

A proud Taylor Swift fan, Christine shared that she owns a signed guitar by the artist, which her husband occasionally plays—to her mild frustration. As we wrapped up, Christine recommended Samantha Mueller as a future interviewee, praising her as witty and talented. The episode concluded with some light banter and expressions of mutual appreciation.

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 A conversation with a woman known for her teaching skills and care for the WordPress Community

In this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing Courtney Robertson, where we dive into her background, upbringing, and professional journey. We start off with a lighthearted introduction before Courtney shares her roots in Shippensburg and Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, highlighting the historical significance of the area. We also touch on her early childhood memories, sibling relationships, and her educational path, including her time at Bloomsburg University, where she studied business education with a focus on data processing.

Courtney opens up about her career path, from her early days as a substitute teacher to her significant work within the WordPress community. She talks passionately about her love for teaching and how she balances her work and personal life, especially as a parent of two children on the autism spectrum. We also delve into her current role at GoDaddy, where she serves as a crucial link between developers and customers.

Our conversation takes us through Courtney’s interests in learning new programming languages and musical instruments. She reflects on her experiences with the WordPress community and her naturally extroverted personality. As we wrap up, we explore her personal life more deeply, discussing her family, partner, and aspirations, along with the impact technology has had on her life.

Throughout the episode, Courtney and I exchange insights on teaching, technology, and the importance of community involvement. We both emphasize the value of continual learning and the joy that comes from contributing to the community.

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 A conversation with a guy who lives in the centre of the universe and knows a few things about podcasting.

In this episode I sit down with Rob Cairns to cover a wide range of topics, from his childhood experiences to his professional career and personal life. We start by exploring Rob’s upbringing, particularly the cultural shifts he experienced moving from Quebec to Ontario during the separatist movement. We also dive into Rob’s education, his high school activities, and his early interest in programming and the internet.

As we talk, Rob shares stories about his parents, including his father’s insurance business and the story of how his parents met. The conversation naturally shifts to Rob’s personal life, where he talks about meeting his partner on Facebook and their unique living arrangements. I’m also curious about Rob’s relationship with his son, and we discuss that as well.

We touch on Rob’s passion for sports, his preference for non-fiction and historical books, and his fascination with historical “what-ifs.” As the interview comes to a close, I ask Rob for recommendations on future podcast guests, and we share a light-hearted moment. I wrap up the episode by thanking Rob for his openness and candid responses, acknowledging that while some of the questions might have been uncomfortable, they were necessary for a meaningful conversation.

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 A conversation with a brilliant developer who's also a nurturing Father. 

In this episode, I sit down with Mark for an in-depth conversation about his life and career. We kick things off as I prepare for the recording, expressing my anticipation for the questions I’ve lined up. The conversation begins with Mark sharing his background, including his parents’ history, his upbringing, and his education in electrical and electronic engineering. Mark takes me through his early fascination with computers, how he learned programming with his father’s guidance, and his eventual shift into computing and information systems.

As we dive deeper, Mark opens up about his personal life, particularly his relationship with his wife, Casey. He shares the story of how they met, their marriage, and how these moments intertwined with the events of Hurricane Katrina. Mark also talks about their two children, Harry and Ollie, giving me a glimpse into their family life and the dynamics of parenting.

The conversation flows into Mark’s professional journey, with a strong focus on his work with WordPress and his development of the WS Form plugin. I express my admiration for the plugin, and Mark explains the motivation and technical details behind its creation. We also touch on some of the operational challenges he’s faced in the industry, his dual citizenship, and his philosophy on balancing continuous work with life.

As we near the end, we encounter some technical difficulties while wrapping up the recording, which adds a casual and authentic touch to our chat.

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 A conversation with an irrepressible personality who connects everyone to everyone.

In this engaging conversation, I had the pleasure of interviewing Michelle Frechette for my podcast. Michelle shared some delightful anecdotes from her childhood, including her earliest memory and the many moves her family made due to her father’s job. She took me through her school years, where she developed a love for reading and enjoyed being active in drama club, choir, and band. It was fascinating to hear about her current role as the Director of Community Engagement at Stellar WP, along with her various side projects like photography and writing. Michelle’s passion for music also shone through as she talked about her love for singing and playing multiple instruments.

As we continued our chat, Michelle opened up about her future plans and aspirations, including her dream of giving a TED Talk and publishing a photography calendar. She expressed pride in raising her daughter, who has gone on to become a successful DJ. Throughout our conversation, Michelle emphasized the importance of community, creativity, and the joy of lifelong learning.

Toward the end, I asked Michelle for recommendations on future podcast guests, and she suggested Naisha Green and Mark West Guard, which I’m excited to explore. We wrapped up the interview with mutual appreciation and the possibility of future collaborations.

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An unexpected conversation with a WordPress rock star in every sense of the word.

In this episode of the podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Vito Peleg for an engaging and insightful conversation. We started off with a warm welcome, and I couldn’t be happier to have Vito on the show. Vito shared his incredible journey from Tel Aviv to London, driven by his dream of becoming a rock star. This dream led him to play in bands and eventually make the move to the UK. He talked about how his skills in web development and design played a crucial role in supporting his music career.

Vito reminisced about his life in London during the COVID-19 pandemic, starting a family, and the unique experience of building websites on the road while still playing in a band. He recounted how his band got signed by a UK label and their extensive tours across Europe. As we talked, Vito reflected on his transition from being a musician to running a successful web agency and creating a popular product for agencies.

Our discussion also delved into Vito’s personal life, including how he met his wife in London and how he balances family life with a demanding career. He shared vivid childhood memories of the Gulf War and his parents’ military careers, offering a glimpse into the experiences that shaped him. Vito also opened up about his goals, new projects, and the importance of learning to delegate tasks effectively.

Throughout our conversation, Vito’s optimistic and extroverted nature really came through. He shared some of his favorite biographies and talked about what he appreciates—and what he doesn’t—about people. We wrapped up the episode with Vito recommending that I interview Stephanie Hudson from Focus WP, which I’m definitely looking forward to.

This episode truly captures Vito’s compelling life story, blending his musical and entrepreneurial endeavors with deep reflections on personal and professional growth.

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An unexpected conversation with a Michigander who brings love and joy to the WordPress Community.

In this interview, I have a wonderful conversation with Cate DeRosia, where we explore various aspects of her life, from her experiences and contributions within the WordPress community to her childhood memories and family dynamics. Cate starts by sharing her earliest memory, a vivid childhood nightmare, and we contrast our own experiences growing up. She talks about her upbringing in rural Michigan, and we dive into the cultural and geographical quirks of the state, including the unique divide between the upper and lower peninsulas.

Cate reflects on her academic journey and her relationship with her husband, Topher DeRosia, whom she met in college. She paints a picture of their early married life and how they gradually became deeply involved in the WordPress community. We discuss her current role as a sponsored contributor and how her entire family plays a part in this vibrant community. Cate also shares her approach to homeschooling her daughters, highlighting the flexibility and personalized learning it offers.

As the conversation unfolds, Cate opens up about her aspirations, including her dreams of traveling the U.S. in an RV, living in Europe, and perhaps even starting a distillery or family bar in the Caribbean. We also talk about the pivotal decisions that have shaped her life’s path. Before we wrap up, I ask Cate to suggest the next interviewee for the “Seriously BUD?” podcast, and she thoughtfully recommends her daughter Sophie.

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An unexpected conversation with a fellow WordPress podcaster who has a voice I can listen to all day.

In this lively chat, I sit down with Cami MacNamara to explore her personal and professional journey. We kick things off with the sweet story of how she met her husband in Lake Tahoe after a concert—a chance encounter that blossomed into marriage. Their wedding reception was even held at the same cozy cabin where they first met, a place that holds special memories from the winter of 1987.

Our conversation then flows into Cami’s educational path. She shares how she started in graphic design but later found her true passion in web design. Cami reflects on some big life choices, like transferring from Chico State to Fresno State, and how those decisions played a huge role in shaping her career.

As we dive into her professional life, Cami opens up about her love for WordPress and how it’s become the backbone of her business, WebCami. She talks about her journey with WordPress since 2007, blending her design skills with technology to create something she’s truly passionate about.

Cami also shares her thoughts on AI, what it’s like running a solo business, and how she manages to keep a good work-life balance. Even with the ups and downs, her love for what she does really shines through.

Toward the end, Cami and I take a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about our high school days and the key moments that shaped our lives. She recalls her time at a private Christian high school and the close friendships she still cherishes today.

To wrap things up, I share a bit about my own journey—from studying political science to falling in love with web design, much like Cami’s switch from graphic design.

Cami also gives a shout-out to her best friend and fellow web designer, Ann Marie Gill, suggesting she’d make a great guest for my podcast. We finish on a cheerful note, chatting about upcoming WordCamps and professional meetups, and underscoring how important community and continued learning are in our field.

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