WPMotivate

Navigating Privilege, Worry, and Taking Action

WPMotivate — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 23:28:03 +0000

Kathy and Michelle explore the importance of taking action over merely worrying, from handling unexpected house repairs to making home improvements. They reflect on privilege, the burden of responsibility, and ways to alleviate stress through proactive approaches.00:00 Catching Up on a Short Week

00:44 Working from Home Challenges
01:33 Getting Out of the House
02:42 Photography Adventures
05:50 Home Maintenance Worries
11:18 Financial Reflections and Gratitude
19:05 Taking Action to Reduce Worry
22:05 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Swedish Tech Cleaning

WPMotivate — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 16:17:15 +0000

In previous episodes, Kathy and Michelle have discussed the concept of Swedish death cleaning, the process of helping older adults pare down their decades of possessions. As our lives have become more digital, the process of decluttering and deleting old data on computers, hard drives, and even our cloud services is needed, too. This leads us to wonder how much of our own lives are being stored as a part of our permanent record, and how to ensure that we let go of things we no longer need.

The Evolution of our Tech Stack

WPMotivate — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 17:20:20 +0000

Having been online for two decades (or more), Kathy and Michelle have gone through numerous tech stacks to help them do their jobs and publish online. From a review of old BlogSpot blogs to our evolution of web development, photo retouching, and video editing, we've used a number of tools. We go over today's favorites and the tools we use to keep ourselves organized and focused. From note taking to journaling and AI tools, to secret plugins that make WordPress easier, we're always amazed at how applications have evolved.

The Security of Giving

WPMotivate — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 15:56:48 +0000

Does giving make you more susceptible to malicious activity? Once a week, Michelle shares a list of known job openings in the WordPress space, and nearly every week, someone reaches out, asking her to find them a job. Recently, someone got a bit manipulative and even started using her as a reference. With the recent news of social security numbers breached, Kathy gives some advice for everyone to be more hypervigilant than normal in watching for targeted phishing and social engineering attacks.

On Soundtracks, Anger, and Boundaries

WPMotivate — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 15:34:28 +0000

Anger gets a bad rap. But it can inspire action, set clear boundaries, and even… cause you to break into song? Yes, indeed. In this episode, Michelle and Kathy get vulnerable about some day-to-day events that have sparked anger. They share coping mechanisms for moving beyond challenging emotions and transmuting the negative into positives.

Wishing Upon A Shooting Star

WPMotivate — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 17:49:04 +0000

With many meteor showers coming in the upcoming weeks, Kathy and Michelle consider wishes on those shooting stars. We’ve all got various things we’d wish for, and sometimes we make wishes for others. As we've got WordCamp US a few weeks away, we talk a little about our preparations as well as influence and reputation in a community space.

Paradigm Shifts, Continuous Learning, and Expanding Perceptions

WPMotivate — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 17:04:39 +0000

When you find success in a new field or venture, it can typically be traced back to some kind of learning or expanded perception. Our entire reality is inviting us to continually open up to a new way of perceiving things, or a new paradigm of understanding. It’s usually our own limiting beliefs and viewpoints that get in the way of an entirely different reality. In this episode, Kathy and Michelle discuss various paradigm shifts and expanded awareness that have led to new beliefs, greater compassion, and continuous learning.

There are Angels Amongst Us

WPMotivate — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 22:34:33 +0000

Whenever there are challenges, there are people looking to help. Whether it's a neighbor who goes out of their way to help or a friend lending a hand, be open to receiving assistance. Sometimes that assistance might even come in inexplicable ways. These "angels" may not have wings or halos, but rather could be everyday individuals who bring light into the world through their actions. Michelle and Kathy share some instances where they've received unexpected help from sometimes unexplainable sources.

Anything Can Create Community if it Has This One Thing

WPMotivate — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 15:53:57 +0000

In this episode, Michelle and Kathy talk about numerous things, as they often do. But they explore something dear to their heart: community. Michelle shares a story of a community that sprung up around a mysterious pantry organizer and how the guesses of its purpose brought people together. They share cautionary tales of businesses that try to bolster a community by force and how those inauthentic efforts fall short. All communities need one thing: authentic efforts to be of service.

Authenticity is the Secret Sauce

WPMotivate — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 14:40:57 +0000

When building a brand or reputation, many might consider creating a specific persona that meets the need of their market. Unfortunately, doing so means building something that isn't true to yourself, and it can create exhaustion trying to keep up the appearance of the facade. In this episode, Kathy and Michelle talk about the critical role of authenticity in personal branding and reputation development. They explore strategies for staying true to yourself while cultivating a strong professional image, share personal experiences, and offer practical advice for listeners looking to enhance their personal brand without compromising their values.

Kindness is a Super Power

WPMotivate — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 00:10:57 +0000

Michelle and Kathy discuss Michelle’s trip to WordCamp Europe and some of the experiences. Though Michelle received the worst departing gift ever, she encountered incredible kindness along the way. Her experiences have lessons for all of us. As she gave gifts to flight crews and others along the journey, it was apparent how powerful kindness is. The more we give, the more we’re given, and the more we have to give, and so it goes.

Feeling the Woo Woo

WPMotivate — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 14:33:33 +0000

Kathy and Michelle talk about interesting synchronicities and multidimensional experiences they’ve had throughout their lifetimes. From synchronistic dreams and strange repeating numbers, they share thoughts about being spiritual beings having a human experience.

Forces of Nature and Winds of Change

WPMotivate — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 14:38:24 +0000

Or, the episode where Kathy brings her chainsaw. Michelle got to visit Niagara Falls with Nyasha Green to see the forces of water at work, while Kathy gets a visit from the winds of spring storms in Texas. This leads Michelle and Kathy to get philosophical about humanity’s place in nature and what interacting with the forces of nature can do for our greater understanding of ourselves.

The Force of Kindness

WPMotivate — Tue, 28 May 2024 03:07:37 +0000

The world is not always a kind place. People are distracted, worried, and often too disconnected to be present enough to realize what kindness can do. As such, cultivating kindness can create an impression. In this episode, Kathy and Michelle talk about how kindness to strangers is quite memorable. And when you encounter the unkind, it’s best to just let them be who they are and be kind anyway. And of course, always remember to be kind to yourself.

Choosing Your Memories

WPMotivate — Mon, 20 May 2024 13:42:39 +0000

Facebook's memories feature shows us things we've written or where we've been tagged in previous years on a particular day. Sometimes, however, there are days and memories that should just stay in the vault, never to be spoken of again. In this episode, Michelle and Kathy recount some past memories that are both cringe-worthy and comedic. They also talk about how the past and the future aren't even really happening, except when we re-engage them with remembering or worrying about the future. The now moment is all we have. They also talk about a strategy for re-remembering past traumatic events so that you can move forward in a positive way rather than being haunted by them.

Inside the WP Motivate Studio

WPMotivate — Mon, 13 May 2024 15:32:04 +0000

Inspired by James Lipton’s rapid-fire questions on Inside the Actor’s Studio, Michelle and Kathy answer those need-to-know questions no one else will ever ask you. They also recount some plot lines to famous 70s TV shows and ask important questions of God. They also talk about balance, professions they'd like to attempt, and obscure words no one ever uses.

The Joy of Missing Out

WPMotivate — Mon, 06 May 2024 14:31:57 +0000

Inspired by Carole Olinger’s talk at WCEU 2023, Michelle and Kathy discuss all the feelings that come up when you cannot attend an event. Michelle, who chose not to attend WordCamp Buffalo even though she was an organizer this year, experienced both joy and sadness of missing out on this year’s event. Kathy recalled events in which others had traveled very far to attend, causing much FOMO, but also a realization that the travel involved wouldn’t be worth it. When you miss out, you can still live vicariously through others and celebrate their successes and connection, even when you’re not there.

Sharing Your Vulnerability Helps Others

WPMotivate — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 19:18:27 +0000

In an era when so many appear to live flawless lives, showcasing only perfection on social media; honesty and vulnerability have become rare. Kathy and Michelle talk through recent situations where they’ve shared vulnerable experiences so that others can learn from them and how vulnerability can actually be a strength. Social media seems to be a sea of flawless photos and whitewashed posts that feel just a little off with AI-perfected messaging. Through it all, real people are looking for true authenticity and real connection. Vulnerability is one thing that truly connects us.

A Little of This, A Little of That

WPMotivate — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 19:12:27 +0000

Sometimes our conversations take us down meandering paths, and we're not sure how we ended up where we did. Did we take a fork in the road? Did Michelle see a squirrel and lose her train of thought? Did Kathy pick up the threads of one conversation and take it down a different path? Sometimes good conversations start somewhere end end up somewhere else entirely. And sometimes that's exactly where we need to be.

Habits of Self Care

WPMotivate — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 17:12:23 +0000

Michelle and Kathy discuss how to create healthier habits that support self care. Kathy has been on a roll developing new habits for more strength and dealing with some metabolic issues, which inspired a blog post and inspired Michelle to adopt some healthy habits, too. They also discuss how hard it is to make self care a priority when so many other demands exist on their energy, and how adopting habits of self care are small steps towards a better life experience.

Go for No with Authenticity

WPMotivate — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 15:47:50 +0000

Sometimes we wear masks pretending to be something that we’re not in order to be more in alignment with what we think will make us happier or more successful. But when we align with who we authentically are, we express our uniqueness. That uniqueness has no competition and cannot fail. In an old sales book called Go for No, the message was that the “yes” you’re looking for was on the other side of the inevitable “no.” Being okay with failure can often lead you right to the authentic self where everything succeeds.

Happiness and Sadness are a Package Deal

WPMotivate — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 14:27:20 +0000

Is it the eclipses? Or is something else going on? We’re noticing negative emotions and heavy energy in our community, so Kathy and Michelle discuss what’s happening. Often, when we desire to express our emotions, sadness or harder emotions come out first. But as we explore the “negative” emotions, we can access other, more positive emotions, too. Keeping sadness down is exhausting, and we end up keeping our more joyful emotions down when we don’t allow authentic expression. We also discuss having code words for “I need you” when in crisis. It only takes 8 minutes of connection to help […]

The Power of Community: WordCamp Asia Recap

WPMotivate — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 20:40:50 +0000

In this episode of WPMotivate, Michelle gives us an overview of what's quickly becoming one of the world's most attended WordPress events. From amazing food to incredible speakers and a well-oiled machine of an organizing team, WordCamp Asia did not disappoint.

Resourcefulness and Greatness from Humble Beginnings

WPMotivate — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 22:53:53 +0000

Kathy and Michelle discuss Michelle's upcoming trip to WordCamp Asia where she's speaking, her recent promotion to Executive Director of Post Status, and Kathy's nighttime hacking alter ego.

Your Own Worst Enemy

WPMotivate — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 16:13:55 +0000

How do we best overcome self-doubt and start living the life we all deserve? Tune in and see if you see yourself in these situations. Awareness of self-sabotage is the first step towards healing.