Jonathan Wold on Gaming, WordPress, and Building Guildenberg

Send us Fan MailIn conversation with a competitor who relishes losing only if it means he’s learning.Jonathan Wold joins the show Seriously, BUD?, and discusses his thoughts on the detailed intake survey for the show, ultimately finding it novel and enjoyable. The interview reveals Jonathan's upbringing, marked by frequent relocations due to his entrepreneurial mother's determination to homeschool and support her family after the loss of his father. Jonathan describes his early experiences of selling home-baked goods door-to-door with his brothers and highlights their close-knit relationship.The conversation moves to Jonathan's passion for gaming, both competitive and cooperative, such as the strategy game Polytopia and the farm-building game Stardew Valley. He shares his evolving enjoyment of competitive games, now focusing on cooperative aspects and mutual improvement with friends. The discussion shifts to his public speaking journey and significant advancements during his tenure at WooCommerce, including participating in Toastmasters and receiving professional coaching.Jonathan reflects on his academic and entrepreneurial paths, explaining his departure from college to pursue web development and real estate ventures, and his eventual return to academia for an MBA focused on finance. He mentions his extensive travels for work and WordPress-related events, highlighting his visits to various countries and engagement with the global WordPress community.The interview delves into Jonathan's personal life, including his current residence in Spokane, Washington, his family dynamics, and his enjoyment of travel. He describes his connections within the WordPress community, such as working with Hostinger and Omnisend in Lithuania, which aligns with his passion for innovative technologies and collaborative projects.Finally, Jonathan touches on his professional endeavors at Guildenberg, a business co-founded with Tammie Lister and Luke Carbis, assisting hosting companies and agencies with product and partnership growth. He suggests inviting Matt Mullenweg to the show for a varied discussion beyond WordPress, emphasizing the importance of sincerity and the diverse interests of the WordPress co-founder.