WP Tavern

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Episodes

238

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

The WP Tavern Jukebox is a podcast for the WordPress community. We interview people who are pushing change in how WordPress evolves. Plugins, Blocks, Themes, Community, Events, Accessibility and Diversity; we try to cover all the bases. Subscribe to be updated when we bring you new content.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 14, 202638 min

#237 – Robert Abela on WordPress Security and the Battle Against AI Threats

The conversation focused on insights from the 2026 WordPress Security Survey by Melapress, featuring guest Robert Abela. We talked about persistent concerns among WordPress users, with 78 percent of survey participants expressing security worries and nearly 68 percent having experienced at least one security incident in the last year. The discussion explored the gap between high concern and limited preventative action, like recovery plans and team training. We also addressed escalating threats, particularly with new AI tools, while many sites, especially smaller ones, remain underprepared. We round it up with a call for improved prevention, monitoring, and recovery strategies in the WordPress ecosystem.

October 7, 202640 min

#236 – Brian Coords on WordPress as the Source of Truth

Today, I'm joined by Brian Coords from Automattic, and the podcast is focused upon the intersection of WordPress block themes, AI, and agency workflows, using the concept that "the site is the source of truth." We talk about the value of leveraging WordPress' built-in systems, like patterns and content guidelines, to ensure consistency and guide AI in content and design creation. We also explored challenges around plugin functionality, WooCommerce block theme development, and the evolving role of AI in website building versus human contribution. Towards the ens we get into the tension between innovation, plugin developers’ livelihoods, and the enduring human desire for purposeful platform engagement.

September 30, 202633 min

#235 – Rob Pugh and Tony Arcangelini on Bringing Podcasting to Jetpack

The conversation focused on Jetpack’s new podcasting features for WordPress, discussing how creators can now easily publish, distribute, and manage podcasts directly from their sites. We talk about the integration with newsletters and social sharing, enabling creators to distribute content through a single publish action. We also explore the advantages of WordPress ownership versus proprietary platforms like Substack, and highlighted Pocket Casts integration, simple setup, stats, and planned import/export tools. Go listen.

September 23, 202638 min

#234 – K. Adam White on Migrating to Blocks With Artisanal Care and Enterprise Efficiency

Today I'm talking with K. Adam White from Human Made about large-scale content migrations to WordPress’ block editor, especially for enterprise clients. We discuss the use of patterns and bespoke tooling to transfer complex layouts from other CMS platforms, like Sitecore, while maintaining editorial flexibility and brand consistency. We also get into the growing power of patterns and core blocks, as well as the enhanced role of AI in auditing and transforming content. The discussion explored challenges of permissions, workflow limitations, and Human Made’s approach to guiding clients through technical and editorial transitions for successful, scalable WordPress adoption.

September 10, 202643 min

#233 – Chris Reynolds on Building Trust With Project Contracts for Reliable AI Development

The conversation focused on AI-assisted development in WordPress, exploring how large language models like Claude can be both powerful and unpredictable. We talked about the need for guardrails, structured project contracts and reviewer agents, to ensure outputs are reliable, secure, and accessible. We also explored the changing nature of developer work, the increasing playfulness and accessibility of technology, and the challenges of trusting AI-generated code. Several points were raised, including concerns about losing foundational skills, the future of developer roles, and the ongoing evolution of AI within the WordPress ecosystem. Go listen.

September 2, 202643 min

#232 – Aaron D Campbell on Navigating WordPress Security in the AI Era

The conversation focused on the rapidly evolving landscape of WordPress security, emphasising the impact of AI on both attack complexity and defence strategies. We talked about the accelerating pace at which vulnerabilities are discovered and exploited, prompting the need for proactive, collaborative efforts within the WordPress and hosting communities. We also got into layered security, industry-wide information sharing, and the importance of open source in strengthening defences. Go listen...

August 26, 202633 min

#231 – Damon Cook on How WP Trend Watcher Keeps Him Up to Date With WordPress

On the podcast today we have Damon cook to talk about WP Trend Watcher, a locally run tool that aggregates, summarises, and curates WordPress news using AI and human review. We discussed the challenge of keeping up with the rapid, ever-changing WordPress ecosystem, and how automation can help cut through information overload. We also explored the workflow that combines AI-generated summaries with a "human in the loop" approach for quality and context, transparency about editing time, and the potential for trend analysis over time. Towards the end we got into possible broader applications beyond WordPress.

August 19, 202633 min

#230 – Adrian Sticea on Navigating the Decline of WordPress Work on Upwork and the Rise of New Opportunities

I'm talking today with Adrian Sticea about the decline in freelance WordPress work available through Upwork, highlighted by a viral LinkedIn post and graph showing work drying up from 2023 onward. We get into the many reasons behind this shift, the impact of AI making developers more efficient, increased marketplace competition, economic uncertainty, and new website-building platforms. We also explored how relying on a single platform can be risky, and emphasised the long-term value of building direct relationships and networks for sustainable business in the evolving WordPress ecosystem.

August 12, 202647 min

#229 – Amy Kamala on Art, Tech, and Open Source: A Journey Through WordPress and Community

The conversation focused on Amy Kamala’s diverse journey from art to technology, her extensive experience in hosting, web development, and team leadership, and her active contributions to the WordPress project. We got into the intersection of creativity and logic in tech roles, as well as the personal and professional fulfilment derived from community involvement and open source contribution. The discussion also explored Amy’s path to being a WordPress team rep, her experiences with sponsorship, and the deeper sense of meaning and human connection that drives ongoing participation in the WordPress community.

August 5, 202641 min

#228 – Priscilla Collado Ramirez on Reducing WordPress Beginner Anxiety

Today, the podcast is focused on Priscilla Collado Ramirez’s journey with WordPress, highlighting how overwhelming the platform can be for beginners due to the abundance of options and limited guidance. Priscilla discussed her experience leaving WordPress 17 years ago and returning as an educator, using wellness techniques and understanding different learning styles to help her students gain confidence. The discussion explored normalising confusion, taking small steps, celebrating progress, and the need to educate mentors on effective teaching methods. Priscilla emphasises making WordPress approachable, supportive, and less daunting for newcomers.