WordPress is our go-to tool for building new sites, in part because it doesn’t restrict creative expression. Even if that means we can publish horrid designs. In this episode, we discuss the idea of an ugly web, and whether the future of WordPress will make the web more self-same, or even uglier?

Marieke van de Rakt, CEO of Yoast joins the discussion. We talk about Yoast, advertising mistakes, growing a plugin business, and the opportunity for a WordPress “App Store”.

We talk about the recent controversy over the WordPress app in iOS. Luke expresses his frustration about Automattic’s ownership of the app and we discuss the challenges of contributing to funded “Open Source” projects.

Jonathan and Luke explore the implications of Astra’s delisting on the WordPress Theme and Plugin Directory. We bring up old ideas for directory listings that might better balance “Free as in Beer” against more sustainable innovation.

Ryan Singer, Head of Strategy at Basecamp, joins us to talk about his book, Shape Up. Luke loves the book. Jonathan, apparently, has a “problem” with it. Ryan shares his perspective on WordPress and we discuss how the concept of shaping could work for the WordPress project.

We discuss our conversation with an upcoming guest, premiering later this week. Then we jump into the release of P2, which we’re both excited about, and Luke laments its currently non-public code base.

Matt Mullenweg’s review of the new Unsplash WordPress plugin has made waves. Who doesn’t love a little #WPDrama? We skip the licensing issue and instead discuss whether a one-star plugin review is the right way for a leader, and maybe a competitor, to express their concern.

We discuss retargeted advertising, whether or not it should exist, and the implications of the current directory guidelines on innovation in the Block Directory.

From time to time, we might address a little bit of Crossword meta. A quick update from us on getting in touch and the fifteen minute limit.

What does Hamilton have to do with WordPress and the Open Web? We discuss Luke’s lack of knowledge regarding United States history, the connection between writing and code, and our own growth as writers.

What’s the equivalent of TikTok in the WordPress world? We discuss WordPress as the go-to publishing tool for creativity, and compare Jetpack’s sordid privacy record with Chinese social media.

Luke rants about Google. Then we talk about the recent history between WordPress and Google and what we both think about their involvement in the WordPress project.

We discuss some proposed changes to the WooCommerce Dashboard design, the trend for WordPress plugins to embrace their own design language (separate to the WP Admin), and the idea of creating a Design System for WordPress.

Season #2 premier - episodes now 15 minutes long! We jump straight into a discussion of WWDC, Hey.com, and the WordPress plugin directory.

We discuss Season #1 and explore the wide range of topics we’re interested in covering in Season #2.

We discuss COVID-19 (and how Luke was wrong), the opportunity for virtual events, the recent introduction of full screen editing on by default in WordPress 5.4, and gradients in Gutenberg.

Jonathan Bossenger joins us to discuss the WP Notify project and better ways of introducing new features in WordPress.

We discuss the cancellation of WordCamp Asia and then, to happier matters, the first “Future of Themes” meeting, including what an easier-to-use WordPress means for the builder ecosystem.

We discuss the idea of “Democratizing Commerce” and what it actually means. Also, we’re looking forward to WordCamp Asia.

We discuss the upcoming Block Directory for WordPress and the guidelines regarding premium and “freemium” submissions.

We discuss the “WP Notify” proposal and the impact of notifications through the lens of WordPress as an Operating System.

We discuss ecosystems and marketplaces in WordPress, looking back on 2019 and ahead to 2020. Where are the opportunities? What might it mean for the Open Web?

We discuss Gutenberg and the future of WordPress themes with Rich Tabor.

A review of the WordPress Core projects scheduled for 2019 and a discussion of what’s to come in 2020.

“Black Friday” offers a chance to discuss ads in WordPress and what improving the experience might look like.

Our Pilot episode, covering the WordPress 5.3 “Kirk” release.