Perspectives on WordPress and the Open Web

Hosted by Luke Carbis and Jonathan Wold. 15 minute standard episodes and occasional guest interviews. New episodes weekly, most weeks.

Season 11 is underway, brought to you by Servebolt, OllieWP, and Runtype.

Perspectives with Nate Stewart

Nate Stewart joins Luke and Jonathan to discuss chickens, gambling, commercialized addiction, skill atrophy, taste, GeoCities, and how Automattic, WP Engine, and the WordPress community might work together in a way that would make everyone happy. Nate share his perspective on an unsuccessful retirement and advocates for more organizational diversity in the AI ecosystem. Nate also checks off his bingo card while Jonathan and Luke realize, again, that they’re getting old.

Bandwagons

Luke and Jonathan discuss the value Apple places on accessibility in comparison to WordPress and the mission of the WordPress project. Luke attempts to steelman Matt’s position on the accessibility team and Jonathan takes a contrarian position.

Benefit of the Doubt

Luke and Jonathan discuss WordCamp US, the recent leadership change at Automattic, and the implications to the WordPress project. Jonathan works through his naivety and mixes metaphors. Luke makes a swing and a miss on a cricket reference.

Perspectives with Josepha Haden Chomphosy

Josepha Haden Chomphosy joins Jonathan and Luke to discuss ecosystem thinking, municipal government, influence versus control, potholes, bathrooms, data centers, and AI in WordPress. Josepha shares her perspective on the three things everyone in WordPress wants and her hope for its future. Jonathan asks the easy question thirty minutes in and pulls the thread one more time. Luke complains about kids on e-bikes and appreciates a stretched metaphor.

Bad Poetry

Jonathan and Luke discuss how plugin submissions have changed and recent activity on Trac. Luke opines on mass memory loss and draws a line in the sand. Jonathan learns a new word.

Perspectives with Mike McAlister

Mike McAlister joins Luke and Jonathan to discuss space, astrophotography, design, naming a good product, transitional phases, nuclear energy, and themes. Mike shares his perspective on product creativity, the crossroads we’re at in WordPress, and why he’s betting everything on Ollie. Luke wonders if the WordPress market is even interested in AI and stands up for poetry. Jonathan connects the dots on something he’d missed and wonders what’s next.

Useful

Luke and Jonathan discuss the recent Code for the People documentary, WordCamps, and growth in the WordPress community. Jonathan accepts a challenge for WordCamp US and Luke reflects on values.

Perspectives with Sé Reed

Sé Reed joins Jonathan and Luke to discuss WordPress contribution, community, dictatorship, leadership, accountability, optimism, exploitation, and what happens next. Sé shares her perspective and the impact that the past few years have had on her experience as a contributor. Jonathan has an “ah ha” moment about trust, Luke suggests a shift in focus, and Sé invites Luke back.

Relic of the Past

Jonathan and Luke discuss AI usage in the plugin review queue and the impact of increased submission volume. Luke offers an existential question, Jonathan crosses the line, and Luke asks listeners for input on his idea.

Perspectives with Amy Kamala

Amy Kamala joins Luke and Jonathan to discuss art, poetry, biology, and how decisions get made in the WordPress project. Amy shares her perspective on the human element in automation, Luke expresses his love for contributors over contributions, and Jonathan offers insight into why he and Luke are still together.