Send us a text

An unexpected conversation with a hippie who advises that you probably should not marry someone older than your parents.

In this episode of *Seriously, Bud,* Bridget Willard takes us on a heartfelt and humorous journey through her life, beginning in the small coastal town of Pacific Grove in Monterey County. She reflects on growing up in a quiet place shaped by its past as a church camp, where entertainment options were minimal and church played a central role. That spiritual foundation carried through a 23-year religious journey that ran alongside her 25-year marriage.

Bridget shares how she met her late husband in the 1990s at work, a connection that led to a spontaneous Las Vegas wedding. With her signature wit, she recalls being the only one who ate the wedding cake because of everyone else’s dietary restrictions. The story is a perfect example of Bridget’s ability to find humor and meaning in even the most unexpected situations.

In 2020, she made a major move to Corpus Christi, Texas. She was drawn to the area’s laid-back vibe and found that it helped her work more effectively - especially while indulging in her love of baseball. Her passion for languages and cultures also shines through, fueled by experiences with Serbian and Croatian colleagues and a memorable trip to WordCamp Europe in Belgrade.

Relationships form a consistent thread in her story. Bridget candidly discusses the large age gap she had with her husband, reflecting on the challenges that came with it and advising others to consider compatibility more carefully. Now re-entering the dating world, she shares her current approach with the same openness and thoughtfulness that defines much of her life philosophy.

Rounding out the episode, Bridget delves into her marketing career and her commitment to setting boundaries - both professionally and personally. She touches on her contributions to the WordPress community and recommends future guests with similarly rich life experiences. Her blend of honesty, humor, and wisdom makes for a compelling listen from start to finish.

Send us a text

An unexpected conversation with an artist who takes joy in painting outside the lines of life.

Anne-Mieke Bovelett comes from a remarkable family of artists. Her father, Børge Ring, was a world-renowned animator whose short film "Anna & Bella" won an Academy Award. Another of his films, "Oh My Darling", was nominated as well. Anne-Mieke recounted the emotional reaction audiences - especially women - had to the themes of regret and reconciliation in "Anna & Bella", showing the deeply human impact of animation. Though her father never attended the Oscars due to financial and personal reasons, his win remained a proud and unforgettable moment for the family.

Growing up, Anne-Mieke was immersed in a creatively uninhibited environment. Her parents encouraged artistic expression by providing top-quality materials and allowing her and her brother to experiment freely—sculpting in bathtubs of clay and painting on windows. This freedom shaped her creative spirit and instilled a confidence to tackle life without fear of failure. She also described the damaging effects of stifling creativity in children, like forcing them to color within lines, and emphasized how her parents' support helped her grow into someone who embraces possibility instead of restriction.

After finishing school without a clear path, Anne-Mieke worked as an au pair and then in hospitality in Switzerland, where she learned flexibility and people skills. Though she had no formal career plan, she valued these early experiences. Later, she transitioned to the tech world, eventually finding her way into WordPress and digital accessibility. Her drive was sparked by a moving tweet about a blind man unable to navigate the web, leading her into deep self-education and advocacy for making websites truly inclusive.

Accessibility became more than a technical interest—it became a personal mission. Anne-Mieke explained that accessibility isn't a bonus add-on; it's foundational, and a right. She criticized the mindset that accessibility is only for the few, and emphasized how inclusive design benefits everyone. Her message: making digital spaces welcoming is as much about dignity and freedom as it is about usability. She also discussed the burnout in accessibility roles when companies rely on a single individual to manage everything.

The conversation concluded with reflections on community. Anne-Mieke praised both the Netherlands and Germany’s active WordPress communities and shared her love of animation, open source, and teaching. Her passion for digital equity, clear thinking, and irreverent humor made for a dynamic episode. She recommended Sandra Kurze as a future guest, citing her intelligence and international experience. Anne-Mieke's story is a testament to the power of creative upbringing, emotional honesty, and a relentless pursuit of a more accessible digital world.

Send us a text

An unexpected conversation with a legendary high school rock star.

Tim Monner's story begins with his early brush with local fame as a high school musician in the Quad Cities. While he humbly denies being a “rockstar,” he played keyboards and guitar in a band that got two songs on local radio, including a patriotic track that resonated with listeners during the Gulf War. Despite the long-haired rocker image, Tim was actually a solid student, balancing academics with music gigs and sound checks, even opening for big acts in local arenas. His bandmates followed creative paths—some into music, others into tech or teaching—while Tim moved on to build a family and a career in marketing and IT.

After high school, Tim attended multiple colleges, including St. Ambrose and Marycrest, eventually earning degrees in marketing and computer graphics, then finishing an MBA. He started in newspapers before shifting to software and infrastructure marketing. His work at Panduit helped launch their first software product, and later, he built marketing teams at hosting companies, eventually landing at Big Scoots, where he helps lead their fully managed WordPress hosting efforts. A recurring theme in his career: marketing only works when it’s ethical and truly benefits the customer.

Outside of work, Tim is a music enthusiast and self-taught musician who recently returned to formal lessons in piano and guitar. He reminisces about growing up in the 1980s, loving everything from Men at Work to Bon Jovi, but he also appreciates music from other eras, especially the Beatles. He and Bud share thoughts on how access to music has changed—from albums and concept records to today’s on-demand streaming—and how that’s reshaped how we discover and experience music.

Tim also shared stories about his family: his wife is a dedicated school counselor in Cicero, and together they’ve raised three strong, talented kids. One works with Tim at Big Scoots, another studies engineering at the University of Illinois, and their youngest daughter, a formidable South Side Chicago athlete, keeps the household lively. Their dynamic reflects Tim’s appreciation for strong personalities, independence, and creative energy—a theme throughout his life.

The episode closes with Tim recommending Kelly Muro, founder of North Commerce, as a future guest. Like Tim, Kelly is doing innovative work—in his case, building an e-commerce platform geared toward small sellers who want an alternative to heavyweight systems like Shopify. Tim’s suggestion aligns with the heart of *Seriously, Bud?*—sharing genuine stories from real people doing meaningful work, often behind the scenes.

Send us a text

An unexpected conversation with a classically trained musician who moved out when her daughter turned 21.

The podcast opens with Bud welcoming Milena Cap and making light of potentially mispronouncing her name, which leads to a humorous exchange about different ways to pronounce it based on nationality. They discuss Milena's life in her hometown in Serbia, detailing its size, culture, and the relationships she cherishes there. Milena emphasizes her deep connection to her city, expressing her love for its community and amenities, and explaining why she never plans to leave.

Milena candidly shares her family background, emphasizing the progressive nature of her parents who believed in equal shared responsibilities. This upbringing eliminated gender-based job distinctions for her and instilled a life philosophy of fully investing in endeavors one is passionate about. Her recount of her childhood transitions smoothly into her current family life, introducing her partner and 21-year-old daughter, and describing how they navigated living arrangements to ease her daughter's transition into adulthood.

The conversation dips into Milena's professional journey, highlighting her significant contributions to WordPress—a popular website development platform. From her humble beginnings in code modification on a forum, she found herself engaged in WordPress documentation and development. Milena's passion for learning and documenting grew, leading her to become an influential contributor and engineer within the WordPress community. She smoothly translates complex technical work into understandable formats, emphasizing the importance of good documentation.

Milena's artistic side also emerges as she discusses her full education as a classical musician, specifically her proficiency with the accordion. She shares anecdotes of how music and plants play integral roles in her life, including how she plays classical music for her plants. This artistic inclination complements her technical work, revealing a multifaceted individual well-versed in both the arts and technology.

Finally, the podcast wraps up with Milena recommending Dennis Snell and Adam Zelensky for future episodes, highlighting their unique contributions to the community and interesting backgrounds. There is a warm conclusion with Bud attempting to correctly pronounce her name one last time, setting a hopeful tone for their future friendship. The episode offers a rich tapestry of personal anecdotes and professional insights, providing listeners with an engaging and holistic view of Milena Cap's life and work.

Send us a text

An unexpected conversation with a Salutatorian who was astonished to see someone pay $80,000 for a Magic card.

Nick Diego, originally from Cape Cod, talks about his upbringing, including attending a small public school in Chatham, Massachusetts. Although he didn't frequently run into the Kennedys, he did see Arnold Schwarzenegger once. He was a salutatorian in high school and worked in his family's hospitality business while also excelling in soccer and baseball. For college, he attended the College of Charleston, where he pursued a major in economics and a minor in math, drawn by his interest in international relations.

Nick's professional journey began in hospitality marketing and evolved to remote work, allowing him to support his wife through medical school. Eventually, his career path led him to WordPress, where he found a passion for web development and plugin creation. He has served in developer relations roles at WP Engine and now at Automattic, helping developers and businesses integrate and optimize their use of WordPress. His job involves community engagement, education, and feedback collection to improve WordPress functionality.

The WordPress community has been integral to Nick's career growth. He's made notable contributions, especially in the developer relations field, and is recognized for his accessibility and willingness to assist others within the community. He has spoken at various WordPress events, including WordCamp Asia, and plans to attend future events in destinations such as Mumbai. Diego values the role of bridging the gap between developers' needs and product teams' development focuses.

Beyond work, Nick and his wife maintain an active lifestyle, getting up early and spending quality time together. Despite his technical bent, Diego enjoys simpler pastimes like playing soccer, cycling, and maintaining his extensive Magic: The Gathering card collection, a hobby he shares with his brothers. His wife is a neonatal physician involved in global health, often traveling to Africa for work, a journey Diego hopes to join in the future.

Nick's family is also diverse in their pursuits—his middle brother works in agricultural safety for the state of Vermont, and his younger brother is a florist in Charleston, South Carolina, organizing large, opulent weddings. Despite their varied paths, the family stays connected, often revisiting shared interests and reflecting on their unique journeys.

Send us a text

An unexpected conversation with a psychology enthusiast who might need a session of her own.

The podcast begins with Bud welcoming Stephanie Hudson and diving directly into her health issues, including her experience with a coma due to a diabetic episode. Stephanie describes her bizarre and terrifying coma experience, advising listeners to speak and gently touch their loved ones in a coma since it has a subconscious impact. She recounts how contact from her family and friends helped her remain composed when she awakened from her coma. She emphasizes the struggle of physical rehabilitation after her coma and how this harrowing experience led her to a newfound appreciation for life.

The conversation then shifts to Stephanie's personal background. She talks about her childhood in Pittsburgh and the strong influence of her parents' loving marriage on her own views about relationships. Stephanie jokes about not settling for less than the exceptional relationship her parents had and delves into her educational journey. She initially considered teaching art but eventually pivoted to web design after a challenging stint in an elementary school.

Bud and Stephanie then discuss her career progression in the tech and web design fields. Stephanie explains her evolution from learning Photoshop and HTML in the early internet days to working for a software company where she trained design agencies. Her extensive experience eventually led her to run Focus WP, an agency that provides freelance web development and design services on a white label basis, allowing smaller companies to outsource work without attribution.

Later in the podcast, Bud and Stephanie touch on the importance of work-life balance and the challenges Stephanie faced while managing her businesses after her health scare. Despite her enthusiasm for her work, the ordeal highlighted the need for personal care and balance. Stephanie shares her perspective on marketing and sales, illustrating how positive personality traits and a strategic approach can be advantageous in business dealings.

The podcast concludes with a light-hearted note about Stephanie's extroverted nature and love for connecting with people. She mentions her affection for helping introverted individuals feel comfortable in social settings. Bud and Stephanie discuss the impact of personalities in the WordPress community, with Stephanie expressing a passion for psychology and interpersonal dynamics in business and life.

Send us a text

An unexpected conversation with a cat Dad who thinks his 2 year phone bill commitment is a marriage certificate.

The podcast episode features an engaging conversation with Christos Paloukas, who shares his life's journey from his childhood in Illinois to his current life in Greece. Christos discusses his early years, including his education struggles and moving to Greece at 19. He reveals how he got into the IT field, highlighting his initial fascination with Linux and how it led to working as a systems administrator, eventually focusing on performance engineering.

Christos provides insight into his personal interests outside of his professional life. He talks about his love for music, having played multiple instruments in school bands. He also mentions his role as a "cat dad," helping to rescue stray cats and adopting several himself. Additionally, Christos touches on his travels, showing a particular fondness for island hopping within Greece and other European destinations like Berlin and Italy.

Christos and Bud delve into the cultural differences between the United States and Greece. Christos speaks fondly of the freedom and quality of life he enjoys in Greece, contrasting it with his life in the U.S. He appreciates Greece's pleasant weather and the ease of finding peaceful places, elements he feels the U.S. lacks. This part of the conversation underscores why Christos has not felt a strong urge to return to the U.S.

The conversation also explores Christos' distinctive personal style, including his blue hair, inspired by his fascination with water and his extensive tattoos, which he views as representations of his life's journey. Bud is curious about his reasons for these choices, leading to a reflective discussion on personal expression and identity.

Towards the end, Bud invites Christos to discuss his podcast, sponsored by Presidium, which focuses on short, meaningful conversations with guests. Christos recommends Ren Stanford for a future episode of Bree's show, praising her genuine nature. The episode wraps up with Bud expressing interest in appearing on Christos' podcast, illustrating the collaborative spirit within the WordPress and IT communities.

Send us a text

An unexpected conversation with a happy nerd who is is a standsout in a crowd and loves that.

Mervin Hernandez, a person with visual impairment due to albinism, shares his long-standing passion for aviation and his initial ambition to become a pilot. Despite his condition preventing him from pursuing this dream, he found fulfillment in the field of technology and business. His consultancy, Wingman WP, underscores his affinity for all things aerospace and tech-related, demonstrating his versatile interests and professional skills. He recalls his formative experience at space camp and how it shaped his love for technology and aviation.

Growing up in Orlando with Puerto Rican parents, Mervin navigated the challenges of visual impairment with the strong support of his family. They moved to the U.S. for better opportunities and resources for Mervin's condition, which helped him thrive academically and professionally. He accomplished much academically, including obtaining an MBA from Strayer University and an undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Central Florida, despite the struggles posed by his visual impairment.

Mervin's career trajectory includes significant roles in accounting and technology, beginning with an accounting job in New York, which transitioned into a rewarding career in recruiting and talent acquisition. He later pivoted to the WordPress community, where he found his niche. His work with Savage Ventures and his consultancy has enabled him to work on high-profile WordPress projects and advanced technology solutions, significantly sharpening his expertise.

Outside his professional life, Mervin engages in various activities such as playing the saxophone, recording music, and traveling. He speaks about adjusting to challenges, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of preparedness and opportunity in shaping his successful career. He balances his professional interests with personal hobbies, including listening to business audiobooks and indulging in high-quality television shows.

Mervin emphasizes the importance of adaptability and continuous learning, sharing insights on career changes and the value of challenging oneself. He appreciates the close-knit WordPress community and the friendships he has built, including his initially rocky but ultimately rewarding relationship with Bud. Mervin suggests his colleague Faisal as a potentially interesting guest for future podcast episodes, highlighting the impactful professional and personal relationship they share.