June 18, 2020 — The block editor in WordPress (aka Gutenberg) offers a structured way of creating content through customizable “blocks”. But building custom blocks isn’t the only way to extend the editor; you can also register sidebars, enable custom toolbar buttons, and much more. In this talk, you’ll learn how to use these extension points to transform the block editor… without building a single block.

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June 4, 2020 — This lightning talk was a focus on building a culture of experimentation for large publishers.

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April 2, 2020 — One of the most challenging pieces of building powerful Gutenberg integrations is working with the WordPress Data API. The Data API is how you get data in and out of Gutenberg, track changes across blocks, and execute events around the editor. If you’re unfamiliar with the Data API (or Redux, the technology that powers it), this talk is for you. You’ll learn why the Data API matters, how it’s architected, when and how to use it, and much more.

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August 22, 2018 — Gutenberg will usher in an era of unprecedented customisation for non-technical users and editorial teams. It’s incredibly exciting… and simultaneously terrifying. In this talk, you’ll learn strategies you can employ—code snippets, training tips, and UX improvements—that you can use to ensure users have all the customisability they need, without the risks and downsides.

December 2, 2015 — Good news: you’ve just won the bid on a big WordPress project! Bad news: it’s your largest project yet, and the fear of failure is kicking in. Don’t worry: steering a large project is easier than you think! In this talk you’ll learn essential WordPress project management techniques, tricks for keeping your clients happy, and how to create a workflow that keeps everyone on the same page, so you can deliver on time, within budget, and without compromises.

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August 3, 2015 — WordPress can do a lot out of the box, but what if you need to integrate with a service that doesn’t have a WordPress plugin? What if you want to automate a task without touching code? How do you take advantage of the service-driven web so your WordPress project can break out of its shell and make new friends on the Internet playground? This talk has all the answers. You learn how to connect to a remote API (with minimal code), what webhooks are (and why they’re awesome), and how to harness the power of “connector” services like Zapier and IFTTT to automate common tasks (without getting a headache). Want to get more power out of your WordPress site? This is the talk for you!

June 22, 2015 — Developing a startup software product/app with WordPress. Not necessarily the right long-term solution, but makes it easy to get your minimum-viable product up and running without hiring a dev team.

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December 17, 2013 — Developing themes and plugins is a common topic in the WordPress community, but the non-technical aspects are usually glossed over. In fact, many of these non-technical elements are more important than the code itself. This talk is about software licenses, support strategies, and theme/plugin monetization, as well as tips and tricks for making your users happy.

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July 5, 2013 — Learn how to add custom TinyMCE styles and remove unnecessary buttons (or add new ones), customize admin menus, add custom dashboard widgets, and more. A client-tailored admin area is the perfect way to minimize broken websites and maximize client happiness.

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