In this episode of The WP Minute+, Kurt and Toby explore the shifting landscape of WordPress, sparked by Toby’s visit to a no-code meetup in Minneapolis. They discuss the rise of non-technical entrepreneurs building functional businesses with no-code tools and how that approach compares to the traditional WordPress ethos of craftsmanship, responsibility, and long-term support. They reflect on the decline of accountability in some corners of tech, where lifetime deals and fast-money SaaS platforms are more about hype than sustainability.

They also explore how AI is reshaping development, from creating unmaintainable codebases to confusing newer users into thinking AI can replace skilled developers. This naturally leads to the question: Are live WordPress meetups and local communities losing relevance in a world where new tech communities are buzzing with energy? Kurt and Toby share personal anecdotes and weigh the pros and cons of continuing traditional meetups versus embracing newer, more generalist tech conversations.

Rounding out the discussion, they touch on sales strategies, LinkedIn lead generation, and their experiences with marketing processes that move the needle, versus those that make noise.

Key Takeaways

• No-code tools are enabling business owners to skip traditional coding, but often at the cost of long-term stability.
• WordPress’s commitment to backward compatibility and responsibility contrasts sharply with fly-by-night SaaS products.
• AI-generated code can lead to maintenance nightmares. Human expertise is still irreplaceable.
• Local WordPress meetups may be fading, but the need for authentic community and knowledge-sharing persists.
• Sales and marketing processes like LinkedIn automation can yield real leads, but need refinement and balance.
• Speaking gigs, courses, and books remain valuable tools for agency owners to build authority and generate leads.

Important Links:

• Kurt’s Agency: Mañana No Mas
• Toby’s Agency: The Mighty Mo!
• Follow Kurt & Toby:
  LinkedIn: Kurt | Toby
• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe

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In this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Kurt and Toby dive into the common misconception that WordPress (and websites in general) should be “easy.” They share stories about custom-coded nightmares, misunderstood AI-generated solutions, and the tricky line between client expectations and developer realities. The conversation touches on the perils of overpromising simplicity in web development and the challenges freelancers face when clients hand them projects that were “supposed to be easy,” often involving ChatGPT or drag-and-drop builders like Elementor.

Kurt also shares his eye-opening experience speaking to high school students about WordPress and running an agency. Surprisingly, most students had never heard of WordPress or open-source, revealing a gap in technical and entrepreneurial education. The episode concludes with a candid discussion on freelancing versus employment, benefits myths, impostor syndrome, and the emotional leap required to run a digital agency.

Key Takeaways:

• Many clients mistake ease-of-use tools (like Elementor or AI) for simplicity in execution.
• AI-generated code often introduces unexpected complexity and risks.
• Freelancers should diplomatically explain scope, staging, and testing needs, especially for “quick” fixes.
• Young people are alarmingly unfamiliar with WordPress and open source, despite growing interest in web development.
• Running a WordPress agency is accessible, but requires an entrepreneurial mindset, not just technical skills.
• Freelancers and consultants should confidently share their work and availability. Your visibility is key to opportunity.
• Financial freedom and geographic flexibility can be drastically improved by relocating or adjusting business models.

Important Links:

• Kurt’s Agency: Mañana No Mas
• Toby’s Agency: The Mighty Mo!
• Follow Kurt & Toby:
  LinkedIn: Kurt | Toby

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This is the recording between Matt Mullenweg and Mary Hubbard on stage at WordCamp Europe 2025.

They covered everything from regulation in the EU, the FAIR package manager announcement, and new education pathways, to what’s next for WordPress core and the ecosystem. The session started with Mary interviewing Matt, followed by a live Q&A with the audience, tackling concerns from longtime contributors, organizers, and first-time attendees alike.

Matt opened with thoughts on the European regulatory landscape, pointing out both the good intentions and friction caused by cookie consent banners and compliance rules. He emphasized WordPress’ alignment with other open-source CMS projects like Drupal and Joomla, and the potential for advocacy through EU-based hosting companies. The topic of establishing a legal presence for the WordPress Foundation in the EU came up—an idea that’s being considered but seen as too complex to act on right now.

The FAIR project announcement got a cautious but open-minded response from Matt. While he acknowledged the potential of a federated repository for plugins and themes, he highlighted significant concerns around trust, rollout coordination, and analytics. He stressed the importance of plugin safety, org infrastructure, and recent advances in automated vulnerability scanning.

Then came a rapid-fire Q&A: contributors asked about AI in WordPress, the sustainability team’s future, WooCommerce’s branding against Shopify, Campus Connect’s expansion, funding WordCamps in underrepresented regions, and even the need to modernize internal tools like CampTix. A big highlight was the 150-hour university credit pilot launching in Pisa this month—an exciting new way to bring student contributors into the project at scale.

Have a listen to the whole audio episode while you're on the go!