Advertise on podcast: Within WordPress

In this episode of Within WordPress, we sit down with Alex Moss—Manchester-based SEO veteran, agency owner, and Principal SEO at Yoast—to explore how WordPress, SEO, and AI are colliding in real time. We cover idea-making and product risk, why optimism beats doom, and what tools like “OpenClaw” and Grok mean for everyday users versus developers. You’ll hear practical multi-LLM workflows, how non-technical folks (including parents) are changing research habits, and where Yoast leans on ICPs to guide content. We look ahead to an agent-first web: data integrity, artifacts/markdown, and deeply personalized delivery—plus where WordPress fits. Along the way: diagnosing an old Mercedes with an LLM, turning kids’ drawings into coloring pages, and speed-building ad‑free PWAs with Claude. We wrap on authenticity, IRL experiences, jobs, and even AI, ASI, and faith—staying curious and optimistic. Chapters (00:00:00) - Introducing Alex Moss(00:02:51) - Working at Yoast as Principal SEO(00:04:01) - OpenClaw and the AI hype cycle(00:05:27) - Avoiding doom and gloom about AI(00:08:10) - Grok Bot, bias in LLMs, and trust(00:11:58) - Cross-checking ideas between multiple LLMs(00:14:00) - AI research habits vs traditional search(00:15:24) - AI, WordPress, and client dependency risks(00:17:36) - Yoast's ICP strategy and audience targeting(00:19:27) - Shift from search engines to LLM usage(00:22:29) - Craving authenticity and real-life experience(00:25:47) - Hollywood, creativity, and AI's limits(00:28:52) - Generational change and the pace of tech adoption(00:32:25) - Earning authenticity in an AI content world(00:33:55) - AI slop on LinkedIn and social media(00:38:19) - How kids are actually using AI(00:43:33) - Vibe coding apps and personalized creativity(00:47:41) - The future of WordPress and personalized websites(00:51:03) - Data structure, NLP, and personalized delivery(00:54:20) - Cloudflare's agent-first future(00:57:10) - Y2K parallels and adapting to change(01:01:38) - SaaS survival and vibe coding limits(01:03:23) - AI layoffs and human value(01:05:24) - What really matters: sunsets over screens(01:08:27) - AI, God, and philosophical speculation(01:11:44) - Closing thoughts and thanks

In this episode of Within WordPress, I sit down with Rodolfo Melogli to talk about his path from growing Business Bloomer into one of the best-known WooCommerce resources to now launching Checkout Summit, a dedicated in-person WooCommerce conference in Palermo, Sicily, on April 23–24, 2026 After years without a WooCommerce-focused event since WooConf 2017, Checkout Summit feels like a big moment. Rodolfo explains why now is the right time, how AI has changed content-led growth, and why he is betting on something far more human: personal brand, real relationships, and community. We dig into the thinking behind the event, from its intentionally small size of just 150 attendees to the 12 carefully selected WooCommerce talks, practical breakout sessions, and all-inclusive format designed to keep people together and conversations flowing. The goal is simple: less conference chaos, more meaningful connections, better conversations, and real business outcomes. If you care about WooCommerce, events, community, and where growth is heading next, this episode is for you. There are still some tickets left at checkoutsummit.com. 00:00 Podcast Welcome Guest 00:54 WooCommerce Origins 2011 01:42 Choosing Ecommerce Platforms 02:50 From Rome To Ireland 04:05 Life In Sicily Food Heat 06:12 Roman Identity Accents 07:37 International Clients Only 11:14 Italy Business Reality 14:57 WooCommerce Fork Story 15:55 Why WooCommerce Clicked 18:24 Blog Snippets Take Off 20:08 AI Changes Content Game 22:50 Viral Tech Fix Post 24:07 Why Sicily Summit 25:28 WooCommerce Events Gap 27:05 Small Conference Vibe 32:35 Building In Public 36:39 Unique Event Format 43:00 Tickets And Timing 45:01 Speaker Selection Strategy 49:21 Wrap Up And Links Chapters (00:00:00) - WooCommerce Guru(00:02:49) - Wonders of the World(00:06:11) - Do Italians Have A Roman Accent?(00:07:37) - Is it time to start doing business locally in Sicily?(00:13:43) - WooCommerce vs. Woocommerce: How Did You Choose(00:20:39) - How to Make a Living on WordPress for 12 Years(00:23:52) - WooCommerce: Bringing Human Connections back(00:33:15) - Posting on Medium(00:35:23) - Ideas for a Word Camp(00:36:11) - What's the Conference's PRIDE?(00:43:13) - Tickets still available for the Summer Games(00:45:01) - WooCommerce Conference

In this episode of Within WordPress, I talk with Jason “JK” Konen of WP Engine about Newsroom, a WordPress-based publishing platform built for large editorial teams. We explore what makes high-volume newsrooms different from typical blogs, where WordPress workflows start to break down at scale, and how Newsroom aims to solve those problems. JK explains how the platform gives different team members, from editors to SEO specialists to media teams, the tools they need without forcing everyone into the same interface. We also talk about collaboration, publishing guardrails, and the role of checklists in helping teams meet editorial and accessibility requirements before anything goes live. That includes practical AI-assisted features, such as helping generate alt text, with a focus on supporting workflows rather than replacing journalism. JK shares how Newsroom grew out of work with UK agency Big Bite in late 2023, and why WP Engine sees it as a way to help publishers move away from patched-together processes and toward a more structured, scalable editorial workflow. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:06 Jason’s Tech Journey 03:28 What Is Newsroom 06:32 Why Build This Suite 09:58 Who It’s For 11:45 Agency Pain and Foundation 14:36 Role Based Interfaces 22:37 Workflow Guardrails 25:50 AI Assist Not Replace 29:19 What’s Next With AI 32:17 AI and Content Data 37:58 Daily Topic Suggestions 42:01 Experiment Fast Mindset 42:31 Beyond Generative AI 43:07 AI Imagery Feels Off 45:26 Visual Aids With Napkin 46:37 AI Wild West Phase 49:28 Rethinking Publishing Strategy 50:54 Newsroom Feature Highlights 52:57 Collaboration Mode Philosophy 56:11 How To Get A Demo 59:18 Meet Jason Conan 01:01:40 What Newsroom Solves 01:08:41 Building For Enterprise Teams 15:32 Role Based Interfaces 18:09 SEO As Separate Job 21:38 Workflow Guardrails 01:20:59 SEO Checklist Wins 01:23:03 Accessibility Before Publish 01:24:01 Building With AI 01:28:13 Agentic Search Future 01:30:38 Data Driven Suggestions 01:36:09 Daily Topic Briefings 01:41:46 Practical AI Uses 01:48:20 Newsroom Feature Highlights 01:51:42 Collaboration When Needed 01:54:23 Get a Demo 01:55:04 Closing Thoughts Chapters (00:00:00) - Within WordPress(00:00:55) - Meet WP Engine's Product Manager Jason Conan(00:03:31) - Newsroom: A Collection of Things for Publishers(00:10:12) - Looking for large-scale content teams in WordPress(00:15:32) - How to Manage a Newsroom with SEO, Editing and News(00:17:57) - How to Collaborate in a Content Production Organization(00:25:50) - In the Elevator With AI in Newsroom(00:29:19) - What would be the proudest thing you've built in there?(00:37:59) - Grok: Now's the Time to Innovate(00:44:47) - Canva's AI-powered Images(00:50:08) - Top Five Features of WP Newsroom(00:55:32) - How WPEngine can help your newsroom

In this episode of Within WordPress, we sit down with Carole (CloudFest) and Mark Weisbord (CEO of Greyd) to explain what is changing at CloudFest this year, and why it matters for agencies and WordPress businesses. The headline is the launch of the WordPress Business and Agency Summit on the Monday before the main CloudFest event. We position it as a connector between the CloudFest Hackathon and the main CloudFest conference, and as a deliberate step toward giving agencies and WordPress businesses a more relevant, more pragmatic, more commercially useful program than the traditional “WordPress Day” format. We unpack the difference between WordCamps and CloudFest. WordCamps remain community-first, volunteer-driven, and primarily focused on education and connection inside the WordPress community. CloudFest is a for-profit, cloud and hosting industry conference with a very different scale, structure, and mission, and it can build a dedicated business-focused layer around WordPress without trying to turn WordCamps into something they were never designed to be. This year’s Summit expands the former WP Day into a full-day, two-track program, adds an exhibition area, and targets roughly 800 attendees in a more intimate setting inside a much larger 10,000+ person event. From Mark’s perspective, if we want growth and new partnerships, we need to attract agencies outside the WordPress community, and we need content that connects to direct business impact. That means talks about sales, pricing, go-to-market, agency operations, maintenance revenue, and what it really takes to move from agency work into becoming a product company. We also talk about the CloudFest Hackathon as a uniquely valuable environment for multi-day collaboration and deeper conversations that rarely happen at faster-paced conferences. Carole connects that to a broader goal: cross-CMS collaboration and strengthening the open web, so we do not end up with a future where a handful of platforms dictate where and how people can publish. We close with practical attendance advice, a reality check that the Hackathon is already fully booked, and the key dates for the Summit and the main CloudFest event. 00:00 – Cold open: editing workflow and “wave” marker for cuts 00:01 – Welcome and setup: two guests, and why this episode is different 00:02 – Carole: WordPress community background and CloudFest involvement 00:03 – What CloudFest is: scale, audience, and Europa-Park as the venue 00:04 – “Everything is different this year”: why we are doing this episode 00:05 – The new WordPress Business and Agency Summit: where it fits in the week 00:06 – Mark Weisbord (Greyd): the missing business layer in WordPress events 00:07 – From “WP Day” to a bigger Summit: what changes operationally 00:08 – Two tracks, full day, and a dedicated exhibition area 00:09 – Why this format matters: connecting agencies, partners, and real-world solutions 00:11 – WordCamps vs CloudFest: why they serve different purposes 00:12 – Sponsor reality: ROI pressure, leads, and reaching agencies outside the bubble 00:13 – Content shift: business impact over general tech presentations 00:14 – WordCamps still matter, but they are not the vehicle for everything 00:16 – Biggest change: bring in agencies outside WordPress, plus an entertainment factor 00:18 – CloudFest vibe: opening party, Lords of the Uptime, and the venue experience 00:23 – Practical advice: stay multiple nights for Summit welcome + opening party 00:25 – Hackathon value: multi-day conversations and real collaboration time 00:28 – Hackathon evolution: cross-CMS collaboration and protecting the open web 00:33 – Why agencies benefit: broader ecosystem exposure than a WordCamp context 00:36 – What the Summit covers: sales, pricing, playbooks, productizing, maintenance 00:40 – How Summit pillars extend into t... Chapters (00:00:00) - Within WordPress: A Special Episode(00:01:22) - A Word about Cloud Fest(00:04:25) - Building the Business Side of WordCamp(00:10:08) - Cloudfest: The Business of WordCamp(00:17:22) - Entertainment at Cloud Fest 2018(00:24:22) - Bill Gates at the Hackathon(00:34:38) - Wonders of the Web: Business and Topics(00:38:10) - Cloudfest 2020: A day for agencies?(00:41:10) - Wonders of the Web: Education and Business(00:44:31) - WordCamp Europe: A 10,000-Person Event(00:47:33) - Cloud Fest 2018: The Hackathon(00:50:29) - Cloudflare

Welcome to 'Within WordPress,' where we dive deep with special guest Jono Alderson. Join us as Jono shares his fascinating journey from a bedroom web developer to a leading figure in the WordPress community. He talks about the early days of technical SEO, the frustrations with homegrown CMS, and why WordPress became his tool of choice. We discuss the current landscape of the web, the rise of JavaScript frameworks, and the role AI can play in optimizing websites. Jono also gives insights into his work with Yoast, the challenges of implementing good web standards, and why he believes sites built with JavaScript alone often fall short. Tune in for an engaging conversation full of insights and practical advice for WordPress developers and enthusiasts.

In this episode, we dive into the world of WordPress with Elliott Richmond, a seasoned web developer who has been crafting websites for over 20 years. Elliot discusses his journey, from becoming a developer to running his software company with his wife, Rachel. We also explore his passion for teaching WordPress through YouTube and how he balances it with his unique side hustle: running a pizza delivery business. Learn how Elliot marries his coding skills with entrepreneurship and community engagement, offering a comprehensive view of his multifaceted career. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:38 Elliot's Background and Experience 02:52 YouTube and Teaching WordPress 05:17 Balancing Creativity and Technical Skills 13:50 AI in Development and Content Creation 27:14 The Impact of Technology on Social Interactions 28:16 Balancing Work and Personal Life 28:43 The Evolution of a Software Business 31:10 Challenges and Benefits of Full Site Editing 40:18 The Pizza Business Journey 43:46 Mediterranean Influences and Culinary Passion 48:12 Licensing and Expanding the Pizza Business 53:28 Conclusion and Future Plans Chapters (00:00:00) - Within WordPress: Elliot Richmond's Story(00:02:53) - Teaching WordPress on YouTube(00:07:03) - Mr. Beast on His Videos(00:12:50) - The Challenges of Building a Computer(00:13:08) - How Do You Explain Yourself in a Video?(00:21:26) - Side Project: Playing with AI in WordPress(00:28:15) - Married professionals: The types of jobs that they do(00:31:11) - Full-Site Editing in WordPress(00:40:18) - How I Went From Being a Website Creator to a Pizza Baker(00:47:11) - "It's not for me"(00:48:15) - How to start a pizza business with a side hustle(00:49:37) - Pizza Business

Join us as we delve into the importance of web accessibility with Amber, the CEO of Equalize Digital. Discover her journey, the significance of accessibility in web development, common assistive technologies, and the current state of accessibility in WordPress websites. Amber also shares insights from their annual page builder accessibility report, the role of education in improving digital accessibility, and how developers can integrate accessibility into their tools. This episode is a must-watch for anyone looking to make their websites more accessible and inclusive.

We talk about a video Imran recently did about there being a WordPress Echo chamber. Plus we talk Content Creation, and AI with YouTuber Imran from Web Squadron In this episode of 'Within WordPress,' we also chat with Imran from Web Squadron about his journey from the NHS to full-time web design and YouTube content creation. We delve into the nuances of maintaining a balanced approach to WordPress content, the significance of AI in web development, and the challenges and opportunities of community events. Join us for an insightful conversation on embracing diversity within the WordPress ecosystem and staying ahead of the curve with innovative solutions. Chapters (00:00:00) - Within WordPress: Imran from Web Squadron(00:01:04) - How to start a YouTube channel(00:02:53) - Content creation and the WordPress market(00:11:34) - When did you first get online?(00:13:16) - Wonders of WordPress: Elementor 2.8 & More(00:20:40) - The role of AI in the WordPress world(00:27:21) - Robots Will Replace Humans in the Workforce(00:31:55) - I responded to a guest's email(00:35:49) - Robyn on Diversity and Echo Chambers in WordPress(00:42:11) - What is the problem with WordPress events?(00:44:23) - Wonders of the WordCamp echo chamber(00:48:07) - Wonders of the Web: The UK(00:53:24) - If you go to WordCamp, you'll get a lot out(01:00:54) - Wonders of the WordCamp(01:04:07) - In the Elevator With Oprah

In this episode of Within WordPress, we delve into the world of web hosting reviews with Kevin Ohashi, founder of Review Signal, a prominent web hosting review site. Kevin shares insights into his rigorous benchmarking process for top WordPress hosts and explains how his tests work, including their evolution and specific methodologies. We explore the impact of open-source tools like K6, the challenges of maintaining an unbiased reviewing platform in an affiliate-driven industry, and the story behind Kevin's unexpected venture into running portugal.com. This episode is a must-watch for WordPress developers, tech enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the inner workings of reliable web hosting reviews. Chapters (00:00:00) - Kevin Ohashi on WordPress Hosting Benchmarks(00:05:48) - WP Performance Benchmarks(00:13:04) - Cloudflare vs. CDN: Is It Better?(00:20:27) - Review Signal: WP Hosting Benchmarks(00:29:18) - How to Clean Up Tech Review Communities(00:34:36) - Will Businesses Use AI in the Future?(00:38:59) - How I managed to buy a country's domain(00:44:15) - How to Test your Website: The Lodestorm Stress Test(00:51:34) - K6 Cloud: The Open Source Load Test Platform(00:56:26) - Load Testing: Open Source vs. Closed Source(01:02:25) - How to Review Hosting Companies

Welcome to this episode of 'Within WordPress' featuring Matt Cromwell, co-founder of Give WP and senior director of customer experience at Stellar WP. Join us as we explore Matt's journey in WordPress, his various roles, and his highly insightful views on product ownership and AI implementation. Matt discusses his podcast, WP Product Talk, the insights it brings to WordPress product owners, and a special upcoming presentation at WordCamp US. Dive into an engaging discussion on the implications of AI on performance, security, and the future of WordPress. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation! Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcome to Within WordPress: Matt Cromwell(00:01:23) - WSJD Live: Talking About AI on WP Product Talk(00:02:46) - Pushing the Product Talk at WordCamp US(00:12:44) - Bradley at WordCamp Europe(00:14:37) - WP Product Talk(00:24:29) - Bill Gates at the Product Owners(00:25:39) - Wonders of WordPress: The Future of AI(00:30:15) - All the Issues With Snippets Plugins(00:41:35) - WordPress.ai: The Future of AI(00:51:34) - Top Tech Companies: We Can't Keep Up With AI

In this episode, we are joined by Juan Hernando, who shares his extensive experience in the WordPress community. We explore Juan's journey from a front-end web developer to his current role in community engagement at Weglot and as a program manager on the global community team at WordPress.org as well as his involvement with WordCamp Europe. Juan discusses the challenges and rewards of transitioning from client work to focusing on community and events, highlighting the importance of localization and translation in today's fast-paced digital landscape. He also provides insights into how Weglot leverages AI to enhance website translations and maintains the authentic tone of content across different languages. This episode is a deep dive into the complexities and intricacies of managing large-scale WordPress events and the crucial role of sponsorships in sustaining community contributions. Tune in to learn more about the evolving trends in WordPress and the pivotal role of community and collaboration in driving innovation.

Join us in this engaging episode as we welcome Mark Westguard, founder of WS Form, a powerful WordPress form plugin. Mark takes us through his journey from running an agency since 1996 to transitioning into product development with WS Form. He shares insights on the plugin’s evolution over the past seven years, highlighting its unique features, challenges faced, and the importance of customer feedback in driving innovation. Discover how WS Form stands out in a saturated market, the role of AI in web development, and strategies for effective support and community building. Whether you're a developer, a WordPress enthusiast, or someone interested in the dynamic world of web solutions, this conversation offers invaluable perspectives. Chapters (00:00:00) - First time WordPress Proposer: Mark Wisgaard(00:03:05) - Building a WordPress plugin in the future(00:09:35) - Pushing the AI button in Web Development(00:13:37) - How to Write a Scriptable Landing Page With the AI(00:16:39) - WSForm: Growing the Business With Forms(00:24:22) - In the Elevator With WordPress: How To Reach Critical Mass(00:28:57) - The challenge of reaching the WordPress community(00:33:07) - How to start a support email campaign on Zendesk(00:38:15) - One of the things I need to do is write more content(00:42:23) - Formula 4.1: Adding Value to the Community(00:44:33) - How to Build an Integration Suite?(00:46:32) - WSForm: The Big Things to Add(00:52:11) - Are Cars Too Complicated For People's Eyes?(00:55:08) - Marketing on 'The WS'

Join us in this insightful episode of 'Within WordPress' as we welcome back Raquel for the second time. We delve deep into her experience organizing the inspiring PressConf event, which featured two conference days and unique activities like a VIP day and a gathering day. Raquel shares her personal journey, the challenges, and the uplifting moments of the event. She also provides insights into the selection process for speakers, emphasizing vulnerability, human connection, and future tech in WordPress. Don't miss out on hearing what made this conference one of the most challenging yet rewarding for both organizers and attendees. Whether you're a seasoned WordPress veteran or new to the community, there's something valuable in this episode for everyone. Chapters (00:00:00) - Within WordPress: Press Conf 2013(00:02:46) - May is a month of rest and redemption for me(00:05:20) - Witchcraft at press conf 2018(00:08:34) - WordCamp 2017: A Social Event(00:11:30) - Wonders of the World: Attendees(00:12:57) - What Would You Do If You Were Organizing a TLDr(00:14:19) - The Asean Conference(00:20:22) - A message about the environment(00:22:54) - Bill Maher on Being This Nervous(00:23:53) - Wonders of the World Conference(00:25:01) - The Business of WordPress Conference(00:30:06) - The Next edition of Conference(00:35:44) - What kind of topics should we discuss at WordCamp?(00:40:23) - The Conference Schedule(00:44:35) - Press Conf 2017: A Younger Perspective(00:49:13) - The TED Talk: Questions(00:50:31) - CloudConf: Next Event Announced(00:52:32) - WORD Camp 2017: A Year of Reflection(00:56:46) - Thank You For Appearing On The Podcast

In this episode of 'Within WordPress,' the focus is on AI's evolving role within the WordPress ecosystem. Host engages in a detailed conversation with James LePage, AI Lead at Automatic and co-team lead for WordPress.org's AI team. They discuss the recent announcement of the formation of the AI make team coinciding with WordPress's 22nd anniversary. James shares his journey from founding WPAI to its integration with Automatic, the challenges and triumphs of developing AI tools for WordPress, and his vision for the future with the AI Make Team for WordPress.org. We also dive a bit deeper into such as the functionality of agents, AI tools optimization, and the potential transformative impacts on WordPress's core and user experience are thoroughly explored. This episode offers valuable insights for developers, business owners, and anyone interested in the future of AI and WordPress. Chapters (00:00:00) - Within WordPress: The AI Team in WordPress(00:01:50) - In the Elevator With Automattic's AI Lead(00:08:09) - How to Build for AI(00:13:27) - What is an Agent in the Cloud?(00:20:32) - What is a MCP?(00:30:38) - The Way Forward at WordPress's 22nd Birthday(00:39:04) - Will AI Integrate into WordPress?(00:49:43) - Wonders of WordPress: AI infusing excitement into the platform(00:54:25) - What is the role of developers in the future of WordPress?

Join us in this insightful episode as we sit down with Alex, the founder of ScaleMath, to explore topics ranging from effective YouTube greetings to the ongoing advancements in AI for content creation. Alex shares his journey from being a WordPress user in 2012 to founding a Content & Marketing partner providing strategy, product, customer experience, UX, and more. We delve deep into the role of AI in revolutionizing content research, creation, and optimization, and discuss the development of Workover, a tool designed to enhance content management systems. Listen in to discover how AI is set to impact the future of content creation, workflow automation, and beyond. 00:00 Introduction and YouTube Greetings 02:07 Welcome to Within WordPress 03:10 Meet Alex: Founder of Scale Math 04:16 Scale Math's Clientele and Services 12:50 The Impact of AI on Content Creation 24:22 The Vibe Coding Trend: Helpful or Harmful? 24:49 Understanding Vibe Coding and Its Tools 25:26 The Risks and Benefits of Vibe Coding 27:41 The Role of Experienced Developers in Vibe Coding 30:39 AI in Content Creation: Opportunities and Challenges 33:32 Deep Research Mode: A Game Changer? 44:10 Building AI Tools for Content Management 47:51 The Future of AI in Content Production 52:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Chapters (00:00:00) - Within WordPress: Alex Math on WordPress(00:04:29) - Where does the agency work with companies besides WordPress?(00:06:03) - Does a Marketing Agency Need to Be Part of the Company?(00:08:22) - How long have you been in the WordPress community?(00:10:27) - What's The Biggest Change in the WordPress Community?(00:11:52) - In terms of AI and its impact on content(00:22:03) - Coder on Vibe Coding(00:31:17) - Deep Research in the Fintech World(00:41:55) - How Workover Became a Fully-Fledged Product at WordPress(00:43:40) - Will Workover be more AI-enabled?(00:46:53) - Will Microsoft Build a Content Management System for Workover?