Post Status Podcasts

In this episode of the Post Status Happiness Hour, host Michelle Frechette interviews Tim Bouchard, and Ron Brennan discuss the upcoming Color Code event, a conference focused on design, technology, and marketing. Unlike traditional WordCamps, Color Code aims to be more inclusive, welcoming participants from various platforms and technologies. The event will feature a diverse lineup of speakers, interactive elements like a live graffiti art competition, and networking opportunities. Set to take place in Buffalo, New York, the conference emphasizes accessibility and community involvement, promising a dynamic and engaging experience for all attendees.Top Takeaways:Networking and Collaboration Opportunities: The Color Code event emphasizes the power of in-person connections. With a focus on creative professionals, marketers, and developers, the event is designed to facilitate collaboration through both formal presentations and informal networking (the "hallway track"). Attendees can expect meaningful conversations and potential partnerships that might not happen in a purely virtual setting.Diverse and Relevant Topics: The event will cover a range of cutting-edge topics, such as AI, content strategies, and the challenges of decoupling from major tech players like Google. These presentations, led by volunteer speakers, aim to provide valuable insights and practical knowledge, making the event a great opportunity for professionals to stay informed on industry trends.Affordability and Accessibility: With an affordable ticket price ($40), including lunch and the after-party, Color Code positions itself as an accessible event for professionals of all backgrounds. The organizers also plan to record sessions and make them available online, ensuring that those who can’t attend in person still have access to the valuable content.Mentioned In The Show:Color CodePress ConfWP EngineMeetupSeneca One TowerDouglas DevelopmentLuminousGene McCarthy's🙏 Sponsor: A2HostingA2 Hosting offers solutions for WordPress and WooCommerce that are both blazing fast and ultra-reliable. WordPress can be used on ANY Web Hosting plan from A2.  You can deploy WordPress easily on Shared, VPS, or Dedicated Hosting plans. A2 also offers Managed WordPress and WooCommerce Hosting. Take a look at a2hosting.com today!🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter:Tim Bouchard (Owner/CEO, LuminusAgency)Ron Brennan (Managing Partner, CANI Marketing Group)Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status)Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status)The Post Status  podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝Browse our archives, and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes, Google Podcasts, YouTube, Stitcher, Simplecast, or RSS. 🎧

In this episode of the Post Status Happiness Hour, host Michelle Frechette interviews Roger Williams from Kinsta. Who serves as the Partnerships and Community Manager for North America. They discuss various topics including the WordPress community, Kinsta's new affiliate program, and their global sponsorship of WordCamps. The episode also highlights the creation of collaborative music playlists within the Post Status Slack community and the importance of concise, engaging content. Additionally, the guest shares insights on supporting WordPress contributors and the launch of Kinsta's new automatic updates feature for themes and plugins.Top Takeaways:The Importance of Thorough Testing in Software Development and Releases: Michelle emphasized the critical role of testing and feedback during the release cycle of WordPress 6.8, particularly as they approach its official launch. Despite having a dedicated testing community, the need for more testers is constant to ensure compatibility with a wide range of plugins and themes. The takeaway is that comprehensive testing is vital for minimizing issues at launch, and encouraging more community involvement can help ensure smoother releases.The Value of Consistent Community Contribution and Support for Open Source Projects: Roger highlighted the importance of documentation in open-source projects like WordPress, noting that it's often underappreciated until something goes wrong. He also spoke about Kinsta’s involvement in supporting the community through contributions, such as sponsoring WordCamp and supporting documentation initiatives. The takeaway is that consistent, behind-the-scenes contributions, like documentation and community support, are crucial for the sustainability and success of open-source projects, even though they are often taken for granted.Kinsta’s Automatic Updates Feature Enhances Site Reliability: Roger introduced Kinsta’s new Automatic Updates feature, which ensures WordPress sites remain updated while minimizing risks. The system takes a before-and-after screenshot during updates and automatically reverts changes if visual differences are detected, helping prevent website issues that could impact business operations.Mentioned In The Show:KinstaLinux container project  LinkedInWordCamp USSevallaCloudflare EnterpriseStackOverflowMeetup.comWordPress FoundationEsoTerra CideryKinsta Automatic Updates🙏 Sponsor: WordPress.comBuild and manage professional sites with secure managed hosting on WordPress.com. Beautiful themes, built-in SEO, and payment tools, and access to over 50,000 plugins. Everything you need for your business, plus 24/7 support from WordPress experts. 🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter:Roger Williams  (Community Manager, Kinsta)Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status)Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status)The Post Status  podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝Browse our archives, and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes, Google Podcasts, YouTube, Stitcher, Simplecast, or RSS. 🎧

In this episode of the Post Status Happiness Hour, host Michelle Frechette interviews Cami MacNamara a seasoned web designer and solopreneur. Cami shares insights into her business, Web Cam LLC, and her new initiative, "Web Designer Habits," which aims to help web designers develop productive habits. They discuss the importance of accountability, time management techniques like time blocking and the Pomodoro technique, and the benefits of joining online and local networking groups. The episode also teases a collaborative project between Michelle and Cammy involving a planner designed to support web designers in maintaining their habits.Top Takeaways:Small Changes Lead to Big Improvements – Cami emphasized the power of incremental progress, whether in business, design, or personal productivity. Tackling tasks in small steps can make overwhelming projects more manageable and sustainable.Be Prepared for the Unexpected – Michelle shared practical travel and everyday preparedness tips, from keeping essential items in the car to ensuring that your luggage complies with airline regulations. Thinking ahead can save time, stress, and even money.Documenting Processes is Key – The discussion touched on the importance of writing down systems and workflows, especially for solopreneurs. Whether through standard operating procedures (SOPs) or simple notes, having a record helps maintain efficiency and organization.Community and Support Matter – Both Michelle and Cami highlighted the value of connection in professional spaces, particularly within the WordPress and web design communities. Engaging with peers through newsletters, Facebook groups, and live discussions fosters learning, growth, and mutual encouragement.Mentioned In The Show:Web Cami, LLCwebdesignerhabits.comStreamYardWebCamiCafeGoDaddySheinPomodoro TechniqueWordPress TVManaged WPAdmin BarBeaver BuilderCalendlyWPCoffeeTalk🙏 Sponsor: A2HostingA2 Hosting offers solutions for WordPress and WooCommerce that are both blazing fast and ultra-reliable. WordPress can be used on ANY Web Hosting plan from A2.  You can deploy WordPress easily on Shared, VPS, or Dedicated Hosting plans. A2 also offers Managed WordPress and WooCommerce Hosting. Take a look at a2hosting.com today!🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter:Cami MacNamara (Owner & Designer, WebCami LLC)Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status)Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status)The Post Status  podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝Browse our archives, and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes, Google Podcasts, YouTube, Stitcher, Simplecast, or RSS. 🎧

In this episode of the Post Status Happiness Hour, host Michelle Frechette interviews Gen Herres from Easy A11y Guide to discuss web accessibility. Jen shares her background as a developer and her journey in understanding and implementing accessibility standards. She emphasizes the importance of simplifying complex accessibility concepts for clients and offers strategies for agencies to sell accessibility services. Jen introduces a five-day challenge to help agencies qualify potential clients and sell their first accessibility package. The conversation highlights the significance of making websites accessible to a broader audience and the various reasons why accessibility is essential for businesses.Top Takeaways:Accessibility Doesn’t Have to Be Scary:  Many people find web accessibility intimidating, but experts like Gen Herres help simplify the process. There are resources available to make accessibility more approachable.Planning for Accessibility Takes Time: Implementing accessibility properly requires time for strategy, testing, and client approvals. Starting now helps businesses integrate it seamlessly into their workflow instead of rushing later.Accessibility Can Help Generate More Revenue: Learning how to sell accessibility services effectively can help web professionals increase their income by offering more value to clients.Mentioned In The Show:Easy A11y GuideWCAGMozilla17 HatsEqualize DigitalWacomNew York E-Z Pass Apple VoiceOverDequeJAWSCloudflareWPAccessibility.dayCami MacNamara5-Day Accessibility Selling ChallengeAgency Accessibility SystemGuidebook for Accessibility at Your Agency🙏 Sponsor: WordPress.comBuild and manage professional sites with secure managed hosting on WordPress.com. Beautiful themes, built-in SEO, and payment tools, and access to over 50,000 plugins. Everything you need for your business, plus 24/7 support from WordPress experts. 🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter:Gen Herres (Web Accessibility Specialist, Easy A11y Guide)Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status)Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status)The Post Status  podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝Browse our archives, and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes, Google Podcasts, YouTube, Stitcher, Simplecast, or RSS. 🎧

In this special edition of the "Get Hired" podcast, the hosts, including  Nicky Bulmer, co-host Misty Combs, and guest Michelle Frechette, answer listener-submitted questions on job seeking. They discuss how to address job hopping by providing context on resumes, the pros and cons of functional versus chronological resume formats, and strategies for explaining employment gaps. The episode also covers handling common interview questions, the importance of being honest about salary expectations, and the role of social media in hiring. The speakers offer practical advice to empower job seekers in their application processTop Takeaways:Job Interviews Are a Two-Way Street: Candidates should ask insightful questions, such as how salary ranges are determined and what differentiates top earners from lower earners.It’s important for job seekers to showcase their skills and experience even if the interviewer doesn’t directly ask about them.Thinking Beyond Standard Questions: Candidates should anticipate questions beyond their resumes and prepare to discuss communication tools, remote work habits, and problem-solving approaches.Tailor Your Resume to the Job You're Applying For: It’s important to customize your resume for each job application. Highlight relevant skills, experiences, and achievements that directly relate to the position. A generic resume may not stand out as much, while one that speaks to the specific needs of the company and role shows that you've taken the time to understand what they’re looking for, making you a more appealing candidateMentioned In The Show:Liquid WebGet Hired Podcast🙏 Sponsor:  OmnisendAll-in-one marketing for WordPress - From popups to email & SMS, automation & more, Omnisend helps you turn first-time visitors into lifelong subscribers. Spend less on ads, connect more with your audience.🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter:Misty Combs (Human Resource Director, Liquid Web)Nicky Bulmer (Technical Hiring Coordinator, Liquid Web)Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status)Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status)The Post Status  podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝

In this episode of the Post Status Happiness Hour, host Michelle Frechette interviews Jono Alderson, an independent technical SEO consultant and WordPress advocate. Jono shares his journey of creating and submitting his first plugin to the WordPress repository, focusing on image optimization for website performance. They discuss the complexities of managing multiple image sizes in WordPress and how Jono's plugin generates images on-the-fly using services like Cloudflare, reducing server load and improving performance. The conversation also covers the environmental impact of web hosting, Jono's background, and his experience with AI-assisted coding.Top Takeaways:Image Optimization Plugin for WordPress:Jono Alderson’s plugin focuses on solving WordPress image optimization issues by addressing the inefficiencies in how images are handled. WordPress often generates unnecessary image sizes, which leads to slower load times and inefficient storage use. His plugin dynamically generates the appropriately sized images for each device, improving both website performance and storage efficiency. By eliminating the need for WordPress to create multiple versions of images, the plugin optimizes the backend and frontend performance of a website.Environmental Impact of Image Management: The discussion highlights the environmental impact of inefficient image management. Storing and serving large or redundant images increases the carbon footprint due to the energy used in data centers and transmission networks. Optimizing images and reducing excess storage can help lower this impact, making even small changes in image management significant for sustainability.Jono Alderson’s Plugin Submission Experience: Jono Alderson shared his experience submitting a plugin to WordPress, noting initial nervousness due to his self-taught background. After carefully following guidelines, the submission went smoothly, with only minor issues to address. Once live, Jono quickly fixed bugs and found updating easier with practice.Mentioned In The Show:YoastCloudflareWooCommerceGravity FormsSlackWhatsAppFacebookGoogle DiscoverFortniteHello BeautifulGitHubCursorJonoAlderson.com🙏 Sponsor: A2HostingA2 Hosting offers solutions for WordPress and WooCommerce that are both blazing fast and ultra-reliable. WordPress can be used on ANY Web Hosting plan from A2.  You can deploy WordPress easily on Shared, VPS, or Dedicated Hosting plans. A2 also offers Managed WordPress and WooCommerce Hosting. Take a look at a2hosting.com today!🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter:Jono Alderson (Founder, Edge Images)Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status)Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status)The Post Status  podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝Browse our archives, and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes, Google Podcasts, YouTube, Stitcher, Simplecast, or RSS. 🎧

Mary Hubbard, the new Executive Director of WordPress and former leader at Automattic and TikTok, shares her fascinating journey through tech and e-commerce. She discusses the importance of context in leadership and fostering a supportive team environment. Mary reflects on parenting, contrasting past health practices with today's norms. The conversation delves into her unique experiences transitioning from WordPress to TikTok, the evolution of communication technology, and the significance of community in innovation and learning.

In this podcast episode, host Michelle Frechette and guests Tamara Niesen and Beau Lebens.  They discuss WooCommerce's recent rebranding, emphasizing the distinction between "Woo" and "WooCommerce." Tamara highlights the importance of community and customer focus in their marketing strategy. Beau outlines the roadmap for WooCommerce, including improvements in core features, payment solutions, and shipping integrations. The episode underscores WooCommerce's commitment to evolving its platform to meet diverse business needs while maintaining strong community engagement and support.Top TakeawaysMarketing Focus on Community-Driven Development: WooCommerce's marketing approach emphasizes listening to merchants and the community. By integrating feedback into product development, they ensure their solutions address real user needs. This transparency strengthens trust and engagement with the ecosystem.Collaboration and Ecosystem Strength Matter: WooCommerce sees the entire ecosystem as interconnected—whether it's developers, merchants, or marketers. By improving core functionality and providing better tools, they aim to ensure that all WooCommerce-based businesses thrive, as their success reflects on the entire platform.Community Feedback is Essential: WooCommerce’s marketing and product teams are committed to keeping the feedback loop open. They encourage users and developers to share their thoughts on new features, usability, and how the company can better support merchants and builders in the ecosystem.Mentioned in the Show:WooAutomatticStellarWPIconicOrderableSomewhere WarmElementor Kadence🙏 Sponsor: A2HostingA2 Hosting offers solutions for WordPress and WooCommerce that are both blazing fast and ultra-reliable. WordPress can be used on ANY Web Hosting plan from A2.  You can deploy WordPress easily on Shared, VPS, or Dedicated Hosting plans. A2 also offers Managed WordPress and WooCommerce Hosting. Take a look at a2hosting.com today!🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on socials:Tamara Niesen (CMO, WooCommerce)Beau Lebens (Artistic Director, WooCommerce)Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status)Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status)The Post Status  podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝Browse our archives, and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes, Google Podcasts, YouTube, Stitcher, Simplecast, or RSS. 🎧

In this episode of the "Get Hired" podcast, host  Nicky Bulmer and co-host Michelle Frechette interview Tatiane, an experienced WordPress developer. Tatiane shares her journey in WordPress development, emphasizing her skills in creating and customizing themes and plugins. The discussion covers Tatiane’s approach to handling feedback, collaborating with teams, and optimizing WordPress sites. Nicky and Michelle provide Tatiane with resume and interview tips, highlighting the importance of clear communication and showcasing both technical and soft skills. The episode concludes with practical advice for job seekers, reinforcing the podcast’s mission to enhance job application materials and interview skills.Top Takeaways:Cover Letters Should Be Concise & Tailored – A strong cover letter shouldn’t just repeat the resume. Instead, it should highlight why your skills and experience are a great fit for the specific role and company. Less is often more—focusing on one key project or skill that directly relates to the job can make a stronger impact than listing everything.Confidence & Clarity Matter in Interviews – Candidates should confidently communicate their skills, especially when discussing technical expertise. Using specific language, such as naming programming languages or frameworks, helps interviewers understand the depth of knowledge. Additionally, if an interviewer has an accent or uses unfamiliar words, repeating for clarification or asking them to rephrase is a good strategy.Continuous Improvement & Adaptability Lead to Success – Surrounding yourself with the language, culture, and best practices of your industry (as Tatiane did with English) makes growth easier. Being open to feedback, refining application materials, and improving communication skills over time can significantly increase job prospects.Mentioned In The Show:The Events Calendar Liquid WebDungeons and DragonsGitHub WPIncludes.me🙏 Sponsor:  OmnisendAll-in-one marketing for WordPress - From popups to email & SMS, automation & more, Omnisend helps you turn first-time visitors into lifelong subscribers. Spend less on ads, connect more with your audience.🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter:Tatiane Pires (Founder and Software Developer, SmartCoding.dev)Nicky Bulmer (Technical Hiring Coordinator, Liquid Web)Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status)Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status)The Post Status  podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝Browse our archives, and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes, Google Podcasts, YouTube, Stitcher, Simplecast, or RSS. 🎧

In this episode of the Post Status Happiness Hour, host Michelle Frechette interviews Stephanie Hudson from StellarWP about Stellar Pay, a new payment gateway plugin for WordPress users. Stephanie, the Product Marketing Manager, discusses her background in web development and marketing. They explore Stellar Pay's features, including its integration with Stripe, subscription management, and no additional fees for essential features. They also address e-commerce challenges like shipping and taxes and future plans for Stellar Pay, including potential PayPal integration. Additionally, Stephanie teases the upcoming launch of Stellar Sites, a new website solution combining the best features of popular platforms with WordPress's power.Top Takeaways:Stellar Pay Simplifies E-Commerce: Stellar Pay is designed for those who either actively run e-commerce businesses or avoid it because they find it difficult. The tool aims to make the process easier and more accessible.Free and Easy to Get Started: Users can download Stellar Pay for free from the website. Signing up directly on the site comes with added benefits like onboarding tips and extra resources to help users get started.Stellar Pay Provides E-Commerce Tips: The team behind Stellar Pay offers a newsletter that provides useful insights and strategies for running an online store successfully. Michelle encouraged users to subscribe for ongoing guidance.Mentioned In The Show:StellarWPStellar PayLiquid WebGive WPThe Event CalendarSolidWPLearndashRestrict Content ProDevin WalkerStripeJoel ButlerPayPalPoodle PressBen Ritner WP Accessibility DaySolid AcademyJono Alderson🙏 Sponsor: WordPress.comBuild and manage professional sites with secure managed hosting on WordPress.com. Beautiful themes, built-in SEO, and payment tools, and access to over 50,000 plugins. Everything you need for your business, plus 24/7 support from WordPress experts. 🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter:Stephanie Hudson (Product Marketing Manager, StellarWP)Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status)Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status)The Post Status  podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝Browse our archives, and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes, Google Podcasts, YouTube, Stitcher, Simplecast, or RSS. 🎧