James Welbes on Cigars, Navy Life, WordPress, and Raising a Family in Iowa

Send us Fan MailAn unexpected conversation with a world traveler who knows a good cigar when he smokes one. In this episode of Seriously, BUD?, Bud talks with James, a WordPress developer from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in a relaxed, wide-ranging conversation that starts with cigars and unfolds into a deeper look at life, work, and perspective. James shares his casual approach to cigar smoking, his experience living in a surprisingly diverse Iowa community, and his journey from serving in the U.S. Navy to becoming a self-taught WordPress developer. The discussion moves into personal territory – including family, faith, and adoption – while also touching on bigger themes like AI, job uncertainty, and the future of digital work. As always, the episode