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The Ghosts of Unactivated Contributors

Contributors don’t arrive fully formed. They find their way, like hikers choosing different routes up the same mountain. This post explores what it means to activate observers, prevent territoriality, and create space for others to thrive, so the community is not haunted by those who might have stayed if they had been engaged with effectively.
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12 Years Contributing to WordPress

Join me as I reflect on reaching a new milestone in my journey as an Open Source maintainer: 12 years since first contributing to the WordPress project.
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Revitalizing the Stagnant Web: Reflections from WordCamp Canada

The WordPress community can be so strange sometimes. But I mean that in a really good way! The last few days at WordCamp Canada were a great reminder of that. I always walk away from a WordCamp feeling inspired. The conversations, interactions, and things you learn are re-energizing and invigorating. Anyone reading this who has…
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Implementing AI in Open Source Without Losing the Human Touch

AI is changing how we build and collaborate in Open Source. This post explores how to thoughtfully integrate AI into contributor workflows without losing what makes our communities human, creative, and welcoming, and why the most important decisions still belong to us.
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Bicycles in Amsterdam – 1000 Piece Puzzle

I’m currently on vacation in New Hampshire, but I found this puzzle on the game shelf at our Airbnb. Link: Ravensburger Bicycles in Amsterdam – 1,000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Explore the bicycle capital of the world and enjoy a glorious sunset reflected in one of the city’s many canals in our “Bicycles in Amsterdam” puzzle!…
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Happy Bobby Bonilla Day!

Every year on July 1, former Major League Baseball player Bobby Bonilla receives a $1.19 million dollar check as a part of his deferred contract. This tradition started in 2011 and will continue until he is well into his 70s and has affectionately become known as Bobby Bonilla Day. While he did not sign the…
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Coaching Youth Baseball (Instructional 5-7 years old)

I reflect on a rewarding Spring season coaching baseball for 5-7 year-olds. I share some tips to successfully engage kids while teaching strong fundamentals, and learning a love for the game of baseball.
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WP Tavern Jukebox Podcast – Episode #174

I recently sat down with Nathan Wrigley and Joe Dolson to record an episode of the WP Tavern Jukebox podcast. We discussed canonical plugins, their role in the ecosystem, and whether it’s appropriate for accessibility features to live in one as opposed to WordPress Core itself.
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Death to the weekly note

One blog I’ve followed for years is that of fellow Core Committer and friend Jeremy Felt. His “Weekly Note” series has always inspired me to publish more consistently. Today, he published a post about letting go of that format. After a few minutes of typing, I realized I had more to say than was appropriate…
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The Impact of Open Source Work

The impact of Open Source software often goes unseen, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. WordPress is designed to be predictable, accessible, and open. And with that people create experiences that are anything but ordinary. WordCamps are an opportunity to share and celebrate the ways WordPress changes lives to rediscover our purpose and value.
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How a Core Committer Thinks: Making Decisions for Millions

I just left the stage in Basel after giving my talk at WordCamp Europe. I am really happy with how it turned out, and I hope others found it insightful. There are some points that have stuck with me that I plan to dive into a bit deeper here on my blog in the coming…
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WordPress Grab Bag: WCEU, WordPress turns 22, new AI team

In a grab bag style post, I cover a few WordPress-related topics that have been on my mind over the last week. This includes speaking at WordCamp Europe, WordPress turning 22 years old, and the new WordPress AI team.
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