Cate DeRosia on WordPress, Family Life, and Big Dreams

Send us Fan MailAn unexpected conversation with a Michigander who brings love and joy to the WordPress Community.In this interview, I have a wonderful conversation with Cate DeRosia, where we explore various aspects of her life, from her experiences and contributions within the WordPress community to her childhood memories and family dynamics. Cate starts by sharing her earliest memory, a vivid childhood nightmare, and we contrast our own experiences growing up. She talks about her upbringing in rural Michigan, and we dive into the cultural and geographical quirks of the state, including the unique divide between the upper and lower peninsulas.Cate reflects on her academic journey and her relationship with her husband, Topher DeRosia, whom she met in college. She paints a picture of their early married life and how they gradually became deeply involved in the WordPress community. We discuss her current role as a sponsored contributor and how her entire family plays a part in this vibrant community. Cate also shares her approach to homeschooling her daughters, highlighting the flexibility and personalized learning it offers.As the conversation unfolds, Cate opens up about her aspirations, including her dreams of traveling the U.S. in an RV, living in Europe, and perhaps even starting a distillery or family bar in the Caribbean. We also talk about the pivotal decisions that have shaped her life’s path. Before we wrap up, I ask Cate to suggest the next interviewee for the “Seriously BUD?” podcast, and she thoughtfully recommends her daughter Sophie.