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In this episode of Seriously, Bud, Brian Cords shares his journey from English teacher to WordPress developer advocate at WooCommerce. Brian talks about raising five kids, playing guitar at home, discovering WordPress by accident, building community through writing and developer relations, and how tattoos, storytelling, and friendship all shape his life and work.

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In this episode of Seriously, Bud, June Liu reflects on her 33-year marriage, years living in Taiwan, multilingual upbringing, mental health journey, WordPress consulting career, and her work building authentic community through Speed Network Onlinxcerpt%

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Tom Willmot, CEO of Human Made, shares his inspiring journey from a nomadic childhood in the UK to building one of the most respected WordPress agencies. Hear about his unconventional upbringing, early tech career, and deep values around collaboration and family.

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No messages today about Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Just me in a serious mood to thank you for listening to my brand of crazy. 

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An unexpected conversation with a Southern man who studies theology, loves convertibles, and just cares about people. 

Nathan Ingram, a lifelong web developer and educator, is the guest on Seriously, Bud. Known for his engaging personality and humor, Nathan shares his journey from early web development to becoming a business coach. He recounts meeting the show's host at work Camp Canada in 2024 and reflects on his foundational role at iThemes, which evolved into Solid WP and Solid Academy. Despite his many roles, including the creation of Monster Contracts, his core focus remains on client work through his Birmingham-based agency, servicing the web development needs since 1995.

Nathan dives deeper into his upbringing and personal interests, revealing a lifelong fascination with technology that started as a child. His inquisitive nature led him to tear apart gadgets and try to reverse-engineer them, albeit often unsuccessfully. He shares humorous anecdotes from his youth and reflects on the importance of finding one’s tribe during those formative middle school years. Despite his tech-savvy, he surprisingly never formally taught WordPress but has been an educator through other means – from livestreams to WordPress word camps.

Switching gears, Nathan talks about his academic and professional background. He attended Southeastern Bible College, majoring in Bible and theology, and spent 20 years in ministry before fully transitioning into web development and business coaching. He stresses how his theological studies imparted valuable insights into understanding people's behaviors and motivations, complementing his current coaching practice. He also reveals his love for Biblical history and theology as a means of understanding different worldviews.

Nathan and the host then discuss more personal matters, such as Nathan's family life and love for cars. Living in Birmingham, Alabama, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and riding around in his favorite BMW 2 Series convertible. He shares his philosophies on life, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and continual learning. Despite having extensive knowledge and experience, Nathan remains grounded and invested in his family, underscoring the values of faith and community.

Closing the conversation, Nathan elaborates on his future plans and the evolving landscape of web development. He explores the possibility of delving deeper into therapeutic conversational techniques, merging his tech expertise with his passion for helping people. With over a decade of business coaching under his belt, he aims to continue his work while staying adaptable to industry changes. The show wraps up with a recommendation for future guests and a humorous note about Nathan's early onset of baldness and its practical benefits.

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An unexpected conversation with a developer/teacher who cares that his students actually learn. 

The interview with Jonathan begins with a discussion on Brazilian jiu-jitsu, explaining its history and how it became popular in America during the early UFC days. Jonathan, who once taught Brazilian jiu-jitsu, shares his experiences of teaching at his initial school and later at his own club. The conversation then shifts to his personal life, specifically how he met his wife at a luxury department store in South Africa named Woolworth's, contrasting it with its current American counterpart. The story unfolds to reveal Jonathan's journey through various jobs post-high school, his love for cooking, and how he eventually found his passion in programming and software development by accident.

Jonathan elaborates on his diverse work history, from managing a bakery at ShopRite to working at a video store, then transitioning to the insurance sector, and subsequently landing a role in Woolworth's where he delved into IT. It was during his tenure at Woolworth's that he began recognizing his affinity for computers and programming, leading him to pursue a programming diploma. Jonathan's growth in the tech field was a natural progression from his initial fiddling with an auctioned computer his uncle gifted him, to becoming an expert software developer.

A significant part of the discussion focuses on South Africa's transitional period from apartheid to democracy. Jonathan reflects on his family's liberal views and his high school experiences at the first integrated school, culminating in an understanding of the stark reality of apartheid only after interacting with people who had lived through the severe racial segregation. His recollections also cover notable historical milestones, such as Nelson Mandela's release from prison and the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which were pivotal in shaping his views on racial equality and justice.

Jonathan also shares his perspectives on the current socio-political landscape in South Africa, acknowledging the issues of corruption within the government and the ongoing societal challenges. Despite the progress since apartheid, he notes that many problems persist, and contrasts this with instances of communities clinging to the past. The discussion transitions into a lighter note on how Jonathan balances his work at Automattic, his travel experiences, and his efforts in maintaining a work-life balance.

Toward the end of the interview, Jonathan delves into how he began teaching, influenced partly by his experiences during his programming diploma and jiu-jitsu days. He stresses his passion for educating others and how it led him to developer relations and advocacy roles. The interview wraps up with Jonathan talking about his future aspirations, touching on content creation and the possibility of building a recurring revenue-generating software, all while managing the demands of family life. 

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An unexpected conversation with a New Englander who has the loftiest view of anyone in the WordPress Community. 

In a recent episode of 'Seriously, Bud,' host Bud engages in a rich conversation with Zach Katz, an avid movie lover and web developer, touching upon a variety of personal and professional topics. Zack starts by expressing his admiration for actor Benicio del Toro and his current renaissance, as well as his frustration with the quality of modern movie theaters. Despite these frustrations, he and his wife still enjoy the experience of cinema together. Zack contrasts the appeal of new movies with his own love for classic films, particularly those from the 1960s and 70s, which he describes as groundbreaking in their portrayal of changing societal roles.

The conversation then shifts to Zack's residential life in Massachusetts. He and his wife relocated from Colorado after she secured a position at the University of Massachusetts. Zack shares how this move was also a return to familiar territory for him, having grown up in nearby Vermont. Alongside this, he provides vivid descriptions of the scenic beauty of New England, particularly during the fall season. Through personal anecdotes, he discusses the region's unique character, comparing it to other parts of the U.S., and lamenting its post-industrial economic challenges.

Bud and Zack delve into Zack's professional life as a web developer. Zack reveals how he transitioned from being a graphic design student to focusing on web development, spurred by his entrepreneurial spirit and love for computers. They discuss his journey of building a web plugin, "Gravity View," and the importance of maintaining direct communication with customers, despite the stress it sometimes brings. Zack emphasizes the value of lifelong learning in technology, sharing how resources like AI have revolutionized how he addresses technical challenges.

The discussion also covers Zack's personal interests and hobbies outside of work. He reminisces about his childhood in Vermont, revealing a deep connection to nature, and describes his various creative pursuits, such as music and musical improv. Zack also touches on his involvement in sports, notably swimming and basketball, which he has recently rekindled. They both agree on the importance of balancing professional life with personal interests.

Finally, Zack offers a glimpse into his family's life, including his sister who lives in London and his experiences living in different parts of the U.S. He shares anecdotes about his educational journey, which included unconventional schooling experiences and early exposure to computers. As the conversation wraps up, Zack recommends that Bud interview James Kemp, the core product manager for WooCommerce, praising his multifaceted talents and contributions to the tech community.

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An unexpected conversation with a woman who visited a college roomate on a trip to San Diego with her husband and never left. 

The conversation with Michelle touches on her upbringing in New Orleans, Louisiana, and her educational journey. Michelle describes her nerdy childhood and the move to a specialized high school in upstate Louisiana, which led her to attend college at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. Her experience at Pratt included studying communication design in an era before digital design was prominent, learning traditional graphic design techniques. She later taught herself web design and development using tools like Dreamweaver and HTML/CSS, adapting to the evolving digital landscape.

Michelle and her husband Sandy eventually moved to San Diego, where they raised three children. Despite considering relocating to New Orleans in 2005, they ultimately decided to remain in San Diego due to her husband's established career as a photojournalist. The couple did purchase a fixer-upper in New Orleans, which they maintain and visit regularly while tenants occupy part of it. Michelle speaks fondly of New Orleans, praising its vibrant cultural scene, street music, and art.

Michelle reveals her professional background, focusing on web design and her extensive experience in the field. She emphasizes her role as a problem solver for her clients, handling web design and business strategy, and her fascination with learning new technologies, including AI. Despite the challenges, she enjoys being the hero for her clients and values the freedom and flexibility her work offers, which enables her to pursue various interests.

The conversation also delves into Michelle's involvement in the WordPress community. She recounts attending her first WordCamp in Long Beach and networking with notable figures in the WordPress space, such as Sabrina Zeidan and Cammie MacNamara. Michelle expresses a deep appreciation for WordPress and the community, which has been instrumental in her professional growth and provides a supportive environment.

Lastly, Michelle shares her reading preferences, favoring historical fiction and books that feature resilient female protagonists. She prefers physical books but often listens to audiobooks to multitask. The discussion concludes with a recommendation to feature Noel Tock from Human Made on a future episode of the podcast, highlighting his significant contributions to the WordPress community and inspiring humanitarian efforts.

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An unexpected conversation with an overconfident lover of learning who teaches WordPress to the world. 

In this engaging podcast episode, Bud warmly welcomes Jamie Marsland, expressing high admiration for his work and presentation qualities. Jamie and Bud share humorous anecdotes about their initial meeting in a noisy bar in Portland and briefly discuss the diverse accents in the UK. When delving into Jamie's childhood, he reveals his origins in the Cotswolds, a picturesque area in England, and shares amusing childhood tales with his older brother. Jamie speaks fondly of his parents, particularly his father, who had a long career as a bank manager and witnessed significant changes in the banking industry over the years.

The conversation then transitions to Jamie's educational journey and how he discovered his love for learning. Despite being a troublesome student who disliked conformity, Jamie found his passion in photography and the arts, leading him to travel and explore the world. He also discusses his early career as a tennis coach, highlighting how this side job supported him financially during his studies and travels. Jamie emphasizes how these experiences shaped his ability to teach and present, eventually leading him to a career in creating YouTube tutorials about WordPress.

Jamie talks about his personal life, including his 26-year marriage and raising three daughters. He shares stories about how his daughters interact with him and their educational pursuits. Jamie's relationship with his wife began during their university days, despite cultural differences and initial reservations. He humorously recounts how they have remained supportive partners, especially in parenting, where they aligned on their approach to discipline and education.

The dialogue also touches on the changes in the educational landscape, both through Jamie's personal experience and his observations of his children's schooling. He criticizes the modern focus on rote learning and exams, advocating instead for the cultivation of a genuine love for learning. Jamie also explains his career in content creation, attributing his success to his extensive teaching background and passion for the process of creating informative and engaging videos.

In conclusion, Jamie highlights the importance of continued personal growth and learning. He expresses his excitement about future endeavors and the joy he finds in creative work. The episode concludes by expressing Bud's admiration for Jamie and invites him to suggest future guests for the podcast. Jamie recommends Brian Cords, praising his writing skills and interesting background. The episode ends with Bud thanking Jamie for an enlightening and enjoyable conversation.

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An unexpected conversation with a woman who knew she was going to be a businessperson at age 10 and is a master at Ultimate Frisbee, Pickleball, and Free Diving.

In this engaging conversation on Seriously Bud, Lesley Sim delves into her experiences with Ultimate Frisbee, a seven-aside game combining elements of American football and netball, played with a Frisbee aiming to score points by catching it in the end zones. Lesley provides insights into both the game's dynamics, including specific rules around movement and passing, as well as its origins and growth, especially mentioning its roots in the US and linking it to her personal connection in Singapore. She also reminisces about her global travels connected to Ultimate Frisbee, from places like Bangkok and Hong Kong sharing the community spirit and camaraderie fostered by the sport.

Transitioning from sports, Lesley recounts her educational journey from Singapore to Sydney, Australia, where she pursued a business degree due to a lifelong interest sparked by influences, including her father's law practice. Despite a clear career path in mind, Lesley faced initial uncertainties upon graduation that led her through various jobs before finding her niche in WordPress. She candidly speaks about the entrepreneurial challenges she encountered and overcame, such as venturing into creating WordPress plugins like Newsletter Glue and Event Koi without personally enjoying coding but relying on a co-founder for development.

Lesley then gives a detailed comparison between Singapore's authoritarian-like governance and her experiences abroad, highlighting Singapore's strict regulations and controlled press environment contrasted with her appreciation for the cosmopolitan vibe of cities like New York. She describes the implicit self-censorship in media and society in Singapore, driven by an acute awareness of what is deemed acceptable without direct governmental intervention. This narrative offers a nuanced understanding of her life and environment in Singapore, framed against her global experiences.

Lesley also explores her diverse interests beyond work, such as her newfound passion for pickleball, influenced by her mother, and her adventurous foray into free diving, where she achieved depths of 50 meters purely on breath-hold. These personal pursuits demonstrate her enthusiastic embrace of varied activities, balancing her professional life with recreational and leisure engagements. From playing extensive hours of pickleball to challenging herself in extreme sports, Lesley showcases a multifaceted character with a deep appreciation for both adventure and community.

The conversation wraps up with Lesley discussing her current work on WordPress plugins while projecting her aspirations for the future which, interestingly, do not center around work. Her goal is to retire early and focus on personal passions like pickleball and pottery, emphasizing the value she places on hobbies and personal fulfillment. Additionally, Bud's genuine interest in Lesley’s journey and suggestions for future guests like Zach Katz and Anil Gupta underscores a broader narrative on the importance of personal stories and connections within the WordPress community and beyond.

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