The WP Minute

Thanks Pressable for supporting the podcast! What hosting should feel like...nothing! https://pressable.com/wpminute Freelancers love to book new clients. However, we shouldn't forget about the value of existing ones. This episode examines the untapped potential of your legacy WordPress clients. We'll show you how to improve their websites and strengthen your relationships. Support our work at https://thewpminute.com/supportGet the newsletter at https://thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★

Thanks Pressable for supporting the podcast! What hosting should feel like...nothing! https://pressable.com/wpminute n this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Matt Medeiros speaks with Oliver Sild from Patchstack about the evolution of WordPress security, the challenges of managing plugin vulnerabilities, and the implications of the Cyber Resilience Act. They discuss the role of AI in development, the importance of vulnerability management, and how hosting security measures often fail to protect against exploits. Oliver emphasizes the importance of compliance and proactive security measures in the WordPress ecosystem.Takeaways:Patchstack has evolved from a simple scanning tool to a leader in WordPress security research.Half of the team at Patchstack focuses on security research and vulnerability management.30% of security vulnerabilities in plugins are not patched in time.The Cyber Resilience Act will require compliance for digital products sold in Europe.Vulnerability management will become mandatory for agencies and plugin developers.AI is being used to create plugins, but it also poses security risks.Many websites are hacked without the owners’ knowledge.Hosting security measures often fail to protect against application-level vulnerabilities.Patchstack provides a managed vulnerability disclosure program for plugin developers.Continuous maintenance is essential for WordPress websites.Important Links:The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribePatchstackConnect with Oliver Sild:LinkedIn | Twitter/X Support our work at https://thewpminute.com/supportGet the newsletter at https://thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★

Thanks Pressable for supporting the podcast! What hosting should feel like...nothing! https://pressable.com/wpminute Eric Karkovack looks at the freedom afforded by running a freelance WordPress business. Along the way, he examines the process of finding your place in the industry and finding happiness. Support our work at https://thewpminute.com/supportGet the newsletter at https://thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★

Thanks Pressable for supporting the podcast! What hosting should feel like...nothing! https://pressable.com/wpminute Our Matt breaks down Matt Mullenweg’s keynote at WordCamp US 2025! Get the highlights and honest reactions to the most important moments, including:The evolving role of the WordPress community and the “four freedoms” at the heart of open source.Addressing the “elephant in the room” and the impact of recent legal and industry challenges.WordPress’s push to be more present on YouTube and across platforms, and why authentic community engagement matters.The future of AI in WordPress, including hands-on impressions of new tools like Telex and thoughts on browser-based AI.Predictions for the next 10 years of WordPress and Automattic, and what it means for users, professionals, and the open web.Whether you missed the keynote or want a thoughtful recap, this episode covers the key takeaways and what they mean for the future of WordPress. Subscribe to The WP Minute for more insights, news, and community updates!Matt's video on Telex AI by Automattic https://youtu.be/t5dRm70FnSgMullenweg's Keynote WCUS https://youtu.be/45HRzzc0waU?si=DIhxDiqwGNzAPWTL Support our work at https://thewpminute.com/supportGet the newsletter at https://thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★

Discover strategies to transform the summer lull into productive downtime for agency owners. Learn how to keep your team motivated and engaged as summer vacations kick in. Explore techniques to get stalled sales moving and prepare for a successful fourth quarter. Enjoy insights from the hosts' personal experiences and the benefits of networking with peers facing similar challenges. This engaging discussion offers actionable tips to ensure your agency not only survives but thrives through the seasonal slowdowns.

Zachary Hamed and Matthew Achariam, co-founders of Clay, share insights into their personal relationship management tool recently acquired by Automattic. They discuss how Clay consolidates contact data from multiple platforms while prioritizing user privacy and thoughtful design. The conversation also reveals how AI features like Nexus enhance outreach and memory. With a strong WordPress background, they hint at exciting future integrations that aim to transform identity and CRM in the Automattic ecosystem.

Thanks Pressable for supporting the podcast! What hosting should feel like...nothing! https://pressable.com/wpminute It’s a tough time to be a WordPress freelancer. The entire ecosystem seems to be shifting beneath us, as we’ve witnessed legal battles and community drama. Not to mention a newfangled technology – artificial intelligence (AI) – taking over the planet. None of this is good for stability or our confidence. It’s natural to wonder what it all means for the future of freelancing. Are we doomed or just in a time of transition? I know my business has changed in the past year. Leads for new site builds have morphed into requests for maintenance. It feels like we’ll never get back to the way things were. Perhaps that’s true. It doesn’t mean the future isn’t bright, though. There’s still value in what we do. Recognizing it is the first step to finding success in a new era. So, consider this a pep talk for you, my fellow freelancer. Let’s have a collective mental reset to help us focus on what’s next. Support our work at https://thewpminute.com/supportGet the newsletter at https://thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, I unpack the big announcement behind FAIR — the Federated and Independent Repository — a new package manager initiative under the Linux Foundation. Scooped by The Repository and launched during WordCamp Europe week, FAIR promises decentralized plugin and theme distribution for WordPress, reducing reliance on wordpress.org and introducing a new governance model for the ecosystem. On paper, that’s a huge shift.But I’ve got more questions than answers. Why the Linux Foundation? Is this really just for WordPress? And what does “a replacement for the ecosystem” even mean? For freelancers, agency owners, and power users like you and me, the pitch feels abstract. FAIR might offer technical insurance, but what does it actually do to help us build faster, better, more sustainable sites today?This episode is less about hot takes and more about critical thinking — exploring FAIR from the lens of a working professional in WordPress, not someone living in contributor Slack channels. I want to know how this changes our day-to-day, and whether FAIR will drive real innovation… or just become another layer of complexity.Key Takeaways:“This isn’t a fork of WordPress — it’s a backend distribution layer, a replacement for the plugin update plumbing we all rely on.”“I have more questions than clarity: is this really just about stability, or is it something much bigger?”“Adoption is everything. Without host and agency support, FAIR is just another plugin.”“WordPress has a packaging problem. FAIR needs to solve that — not just technically, but with messaging that speaks to the average power user.”“We want open source to thrive. But we also want clarity, transparency, and solutions that actually make WordPress better for our clients.”URLs Mentioned:FAIR press release from the Linux FoundationThe Repository's FAIR coverageAspirePressWPCCAlt Ctrl Org livestream ★ Support this podcast ★

Thanks Pressable for supporting the podcast! What hosting should feel like...nothing! https://pressable.com/wpminute founder of 10up and now a Partner at Fueled, to talk about a major agency evolution. Jake shares the journey from founding 10up in 2011 to its merger with Fueled in 2023, culminating in a rebrand that sees the combined entity operating under the Fueled name. He explains the motivations behind the merger, including the desire for diversification, access to broader resources, and positioning for enterprise-level digital transformation projects.Jake also discusses the continued investment in open-source plugins such as ElasticPress, ClassifAI, and Distributor, which reflect Fueled’s commitment to supporting the WordPress ecosystem while solving real client problems. The conversation touches on the shift toward full site editing (FSE), the agency’s custom internal toolkit, and how AI and no-code tools are transforming the web development landscape. Jake’s new role allows for a better work-life balance and a renewed focus on brand storytelling and strategic initiatives.Key Takeaways:10up merged with Fueled in 2023, with the unified brand now operating as Fueled; 10up remains as the WordPress practice within the company.The merger was motivated by scalability, diversification, and the need for broader digital capabilities in the enterprise market.Fueled’s new website was built using WordPress full site editing and custom internal tooling, completed in just 8 weeks.Jake is now a Partner at Fueled, focusing on strategic marketing, brand storytelling, and select client projects.Plugins like ElasticPress, ClassifAI, and Distributor continue to reflect the team’s open-source contributions and enterprise-focused solutions.Important Links:FueledRelated Articles:Fueled Merges with 10up To Deliver Superior Customer ExperiencesFueled for the Future: A Renewed BrandHow Fueled Built Its New Website in 8 WeeksPlugins:ClassifAIDistributorElasticPressJake Goldman on LinkedIn Support our work at https://thewpminute.com/supportGet the newsletter at https://thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★

Thanks Pressable for supporting the podcast! What hosting should feel like...nothing! https://pressable.com/wpminute Being a freelance web designer often means dealing with disruption. Sometimes, it’s a client who needs a new feature built ASAP. But it can also come from a shakeup in the technology we use.Artificial intelligence (AI) has undoubtedly been a disruptive force. It has upended our workflows and made some of us wary of its presence. Are these apps here to help us or replace us?Perhaps AI site builders are the most cringe-inducing tools of them all. They claim to take the guesswork out of website creation. You don’t need to know code or how to pick a font pairing. Provide a few details, and you have a functioning website.Several companies have released AI-based site generators; WordPress.com is among the latest. Our own Matt Medeiros took it for a spin. He “chatted” with a friendly bot that wanted to know more about his website needs. Within minutes, he had a website powered by WordPress.These tools aren’t producing top agency-level websites just yet. Maybe they’re a novelty for the time being. But they’ll improve. With that comes the worry of their impact on freelancers. Will our potential clients choose a bot over a seasoned expert?Let’s explore what AI site builders could mean for the future of freelancing. Do they signal the end of an era? Or are they just another tool for the DIY crowd? Support our work at https://thewpminute.com/supportGet the newsletter at https://thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★