The Jukebox Podcast from WP Tavern recently spoke with Cathy Mitchell about why WordPress events and community matter. Cathy, who has worked with WordPress since 2007 and started WPBarista in 2008, is now leading WordCamp Canada 2026. Her journey—beginning as a hobby during maternity leave and evolving into a long-term business and community involvement—frames a wider conversation about belonging, volunteerism, and the future of open source.

A welcoming, low-barrier community

What struck Cathy when she first got involved was how quickly the community lets people participate. Unlike many corporate environments where you must “pay your dues,” WordPress groups are unusually open: if you show up and are willing to help, you’re often given meaningful responsibility right away. That atmosphere of trust and collective support is one reason events like WordCamps run so smoothly despite being volunteer-powered. Conference logistics—venues, catering, translation, schedules—are handled by people who aren’t paid to do it, yet deliver polished results. The culture’s default tends to be “yes, we’ll help you,” which encourages new contributors and helps them learn on the job.

Community as belonging and purpose

For many, involvement in WordPress becomes far more than a professional interest. Cathy and the host, Nathan Wrigley, describe how events and Slack channels evolve into an important part of their social life and identity. For some, the community fills a need created by life changes, like children leaving home or career transitions. Volunteering—teaching kids, running sessions for seniors, organizing conferences—provides camaraderie, structure, and a sense of doing something meaningful. Cathy links this to wellbeing: service and shared goals counter loneliness and provide a strong sense of purpose.

Technology, loneliness, and service as an antidote

Both guests discussed how modern technology can paradoxically contribute to isolation. There are more entertainment and information options than ever before, and younger generations are experiencing loneliness at higher rates. A U.S. Surgeon General report has labeled loneliness a public health concern, and its effects have entered the mainstream conversation. Cathy argues that volunteerism—whether through WordPress or other local activities—acts as an antidote. Serving alongside others gives people social contact, shared objectives, and opportunities to practice useful skills. Those elements align with well-established indicators of happiness: time with other people and altruistic acts.

Why businesses and newcomers volunteer

Cathy has spent time thinking about the motivations behind corporate and newcomer involvement. For businesses, sponsoring events doesn’t always yield immediate financial ROI, yet it can help in other strategic ways. Supporting open source raises an organization’s profile in the community, makes talent easier to recruit, and simplifies vetting potential hires. For individual newcomers, volunteering comes in many forms—coding contributions, non-coding roles like hospitality, or simply attending and learning. The community’s openness makes those entry points accessible.

Sponsorship challenges and changing economics

The landscape for sponsorship is shifting. During WordPress’s period of rapid growth, companies could benefit from a rising tide; participating felt like joining an unstoppable movement. More recently, economic uncertainty, intensified competition, and stricter trademark and sponsorship rules have made budgets tighter and sponsorship decisions more scrutinized. Cathy describes this as a “levelling off” rather than collapse: growth is maturing and the community needs to adapt to a different equilibrium where expectations and value propositions for sponsors are clearer.

Investing in the next generation

A major theme of the conversation was the importance of recruiting younger contributors. Programs like Campus Connect and university credit for open source contributions are beginning to take hold, and Cathy believes events are an ideal place to introduce students and early-career people to open source culture. WordCamps can show young people that the community is friendly, supportive, and full of opportunity. Building these pipelines matters not just for WordPress’s future but for broader open source ecosystems.

Open source, AI, and the future

Cathy remains optimistic about open source, even as artificial intelligence and other technologies reshape the landscape. She sees open source as complementary to AI: models and tools that can interact with open ecosystems may drive further innovation. The community’s role in sustaining and stewarding open source projects makes gatherings like WordCamp Canada important signals that the ecosystem is alive, evolving, and recruiting new contributors.

What keeps people doing this work

Ultimately, why do people give time to organize, teach, and sponsor? Cathy and Nathan return repeatedly to two human truths: people enjoy being around others, and altruistic acts—giving time or effort with no direct expectation of reward—tend to increase wellbeing. Those benefits make the non-financial returns of volunteerism real and tangible. The camaraderie, learning, and satisfaction of shared accomplishments outweigh the occasional stressful moments when tasks pile up.

A call to join in

Cathy’s work on WordCamp Canada reflects a belief that community events are not just celebrations of software, but vital social infrastructure. They foster connections, teach skills, and create a pipeline for future talent. For anyone wondering whether to get involved—whether as an attendee, volunteer, or sponsor—her message is simple: the community is open, it will help you grow, and your time will likely give back more than you expect.

If you want to follow Cathy’s work, she can be found at WPBarista and through the WordCamp Canada site (canada.wordcamp.org). The episode and show notes are available on WP Tavern for those who want to hear the full conversation.

This discussion highlights why WordPress events matter: they bind people together, create purpose, and reinforce the open systems that allow the web to remain a place for sharing and collaboration.

In episode #220 of the Jukebox Podcast, Nathan Wrigley speaks with Cathy Mitchell about why WordPress events matter — for individuals, businesses, and the wider open-source ecosystem. Cathy has worked with WordPress since 2007. What started as a hobby during maternity leave became a business, WPBarista, launched in 2008. Today she’s deeply involved in the community and is leading WordCamp Canada 2026.

Cathy describes how easy it was to get involved in WordPress and how that openness surprised her after years in more hierarchical corporate environments. In WordPress, volunteers are trusted quickly, given responsibility, and helped when they need it. That culture — a willingness to say “yes” and to let newcomers do meaningful work — is one of the things that keeps people returning to events and volunteer roles.

Nathan shares his own experience of turning up timidly at a WordCamp and discovering a welcoming, unpretentious community. For many people, he says, WordPress events become far more than conferences: they provide a sense of belonging and a network of people who share interests and goals. Cathy echoes this: between the support forums and in-person meetups she learned a great deal as a newcomer, often from experts willing to answer basic questions without judgment.

Why do people volunteer? Why do companies sponsor? Cathy splits the motivations into two broad categories:

– Newcomers and individuals: volunteering offers purpose, practice, and human connection. For people in life transitions — empty nesters, career changes, or those seeking community — contributing to events or teaching at local sessions can be deeply meaningful. Cathy points to volunteer work teaching kids and seniors as examples of how serving can counter loneliness and create a sense of shared endeavor.

– Businesses and sponsors: the incentives are varied. Sponsorship can promote a brand to a target audience, but it also strengthens the open-source ecosystem businesses rely on. Being active in the community can make hiring easier, give companies better visibility into candidates, and build goodwill. However, Cathy also acknowledges that sponsorship decisions are now made in a tougher economic climate and require clearer returns on investment than during WordPress’s boom years.

The conversation also tackles a larger cultural concern: loneliness in the age of ubiquitous technology. Both Nathan and Cathy reflect on research and personal observation suggesting that technology — while enabling connection — can also lead to isolation. They point to the US Surgeon General’s declaration of a loneliness epidemic and discuss how structured service and volunteering can be an antidote. Serving others, they argue, provides companionship, shared purpose, and the psychological benefits linked to altruism and social interaction.

Nathan highlights two factors often associated with happiness: time spent with other people and altruism. These align closely with why folks volunteer for WordPress events — shared experiences at meetups or WordCamps, and giving time without expectation of direct reward.

Cathy is realistic about the changing landscape. WordPress’s rapid growth over the past decade created a rising-tide environment where sponsorship and community involvement were easier to justify. Today, with economic uncertainty, more competition, and changing expectations, sponsorship and volunteer recruitment are more challenging. WordPress itself has also tightened some rules around trademark and sponsorship usage, making event planning more formal in some respects.

Still, Cathy is optimistic. She sees WordCamp Canada as a crucial place to energize the community and attract new contributors. One clear priority is engaging younger people through initiatives like Campus Connect and university credit programs tied to open-source contributions. Cathy believes that bringing students into the ecosystem — whether through WordPress or other open-source projects — will help secure the future of the movement and demonstrate that open source is a viable, valuable path.

On volunteer culture, both guests emphasize that WordPress communities are unusually inclusive. Volunteers get to contribute in many ways — coding, design, speaker support, community organizing, teaching — and the barriers to entry are low. That openness fosters camaraderie: people step in to help, share skills, and welcome those who are nervous or new at events.

Practical takeaways from the episode:

– Volunteering at WordPress events can provide meaningful social connection and personal fulfillment, especially during life transitions.
– Companies sponsor and support open-source events both for visibility and because a healthy ecosystem benefits their businesses — but they now often expect clearer ROI.
– WordPress events rely on volunteers who are trusted and supported; you don’t need decades of experience to contribute.
– Engaging youth through education and credit-bearing programs is strategic to the long-term health of open source.
– Service and community-building are tangible responses to the loneliness many experience in a highly digital world.

The episode is an invitation: if you’ve ever been curious about volunteering, organizing, or just showing up to a WordPress meetup or WordCamp, the community is unusually open and ready to help. Cathy says she’s grateful to be able to lead an event that harnesses that goodwill and hopes to see more young people get involved.

For more on Cathy’s work, find WPBarista and WordCamp Canada online at canada.wordcamp.org. If you want the full conversation and links mentioned in the show, head to WP Tavern’s podcast page and look up episode #220.

Cathy Mitchell has been working with WordPress since 2007. What started as a fun side project during maternity leave became WPBarista in 2008, a long-running business that brought Cathy deep into the WordPress ecosystem. Recently she’s taken on a new chapter: helping to organize WordCamp Canada and, as of this conversation, leading the 2026 event.

This episode explores why in-person and local WordPress events matter—not primarily for metrics or immediate financial return, but for community, belonging, skill-building, and wellbeing. Cathy and Nathan discuss how the WordPress community is unusually open and international, how newcomers can plug in quickly, and why volunteering often brings unexpected personal and professional rewards.

An open door for newcomers

Cathy’s first experiences weren’t at conferences but in the WordPress support forums where well-known contributors answered her “ridiculously basic” questions. That environment—skilled people patiently helping curious beginners—made a lasting impression. When she later stepped into organizing WordCamps, she was struck by how quickly responsibility is given. Unlike many corporate environments where people are required to prove themselves through long, formal processes, WordPress culture often says “yes” and supports volunteers as they learn. That willingness to trust newcomers is a recurring theme: show up, help, and you’ll be given meaningful tasks and support.

Volunteering as an antidote to loneliness and a source of purpose

Both hosts reflect on how modern technology can increase isolation even while connecting us more than ever. Cathy cites the U.S. Surgeon General’s declaration of a loneliness epidemic and notes that service and volunteering can counteract it. For many people—empty nesters, those changing careers, or anyone seeking more meaningful daily routines—volunteer roles at Meetups, WordCamps, or community teams provide camaraderie, direction, and useful work.

Nathan and Cathy also connect volunteering with happiness research: social contact and altruism are strong predictors of wellbeing. Volunteering at events gives people both: repeated shared experiences with others and the satisfaction of giving time without expecting direct payment.

Why businesses engage (and why sponsorship is changing)

From a corporate perspective, Cathy explores the motivations for sponsoring or supporting WordPress events. Sponsorship can be altruistic—supporting a community that keeps an ecosystem healthy—or it can be practical: companies gain visibility, easier hiring pipelines, and better vetting opportunities when they’re active in the community.

But the economics have shifted. The boom years when WordPress growth comfortably absorbed sponsorship dollars have given way to greater competition, economic uncertainty, and higher expectations for demonstrable ROI. At the same time, WordPress’ trademark and sponsorship policies have tightened, which raises the bar for corporate participation. Cathy frames this as a “levelling,” not necessarily a catastrophe—after rapid growth, some stabilization is natural—but it does mean organizers need to be more deliberate and creative when securing support.

The practical culture of WordPress events

WordCamps and other WordPress events can look ultra-professional—venues, timetables, catering, translation, polished signage—yet much of it is planned and delivered by volunteers. That contrast is striking to people coming from more hierarchical organizations. Volunteers learn by doing, and the culture is to help you succeed rather than gatekeep. Cathy’s role as lead organizer involves coordinating a vast volunteer workforce, ensuring teams communicate and that each person’s efforts add up to a seamless event.

Attracting the next generation

A recurring concern is sustainability: who will carry open source forward? Both speakers stress the importance of bringing younger people into open source—through university programs, internships, and initiatives like Campus Connect and contribution credits—so they gain real experience and credentials. Cathy hopes WordCamp Canada will be a platform to involve universities and offer students ways to earn credits while contributing to open source. Getting young people involved isn’t just about growing WordPress; it’s about ensuring healthy communities and providing career pipelines into tech.

Open source, AI, and the future

Despite uncertainties—AI disruption, changing sponsorship landscapes, and shifting business models—Cathy remains optimistic about open source. She believes open source combined with AI is still a powerful and positive direction, especially when communities and contributors remain active and welcoming. The work now is partly about stewardship: nurturing the culture that got WordPress to where it is and ensuring incentives exist for newcomers and businesses to participate.

Practical takeaways

– If you’re new: start small. Help at an event, join a community team, answer support threads, or simply show up at a Meetup. The community frequently hands responsibility to people who demonstrate commitment and enthusiasm.
– If you’re a business: sponsoring and contributing still has value beyond immediate sales—visibility, hiring pipelines, and community goodwill—but you’ll need to be clearer about outcomes and ROI than during the boom years.
– If you’re worried about loneliness or seeking purpose: volunteering at events and in community teams offers meaningful social contact, skill practice, and a sense of shared purpose.
– If you care about the long-term health of open source: support initiatives that bring students and young professionals into the fold, and look for ways to make contribution pathways visible and rewarding.

Closing

Cathy’s enthusiasm for WordPress events comes from both personal fulfillment and a clear-eyed view of what helps open source thrive: inclusive culture, visible pathways to contribute, and an intergenerational handoff of skills and care. WordCamps are more than conferences; they’re places where the community’s social fabric is woven and renewed.

You can learn more about Cathy at WPBarista and follow WordCamp Canada at canada.wordcamp.org.

Cathy Mitchell has been part of the WordPress world since 2007. What started as a hobby during maternity leave turned into a business (WPBarista) and, more recently, into a deep involvement with the WordPress community. Today she’s the lead organizer for WordCamp Canada 2026, and her experience offers a clear window into why WordPress events still matter.

An accessible entry point

Cathy’s story begins where many do: curious, inexperienced, and grateful for helpful people. In the early days she learned in the WordPress support forums from seasoned contributors who answered basic questions without judgment. That early generosity left a mark. Years later she was invited into a local organizers group and quickly found herself doing meaningful work. The speed at which newcomers are trusted and empowered in the WordPress ecosystem surprised her — no long bureaucratic apprenticeship, just an opportunity to contribute and learn on the job.

The same openness is how many people find their way into WordPress. Nathan Wrigley, host of the Jukebox Podcast, recalled walking into his first WordCamp unsure what to expect, only to be welcomed and to make connections that shaped his future involvement. Both Cathy and Nathan highlight how easy it is to dip in and out of the community: you can participate at the level you have time for and still feel useful and connected.

Community as belonging and service

A recurring theme is the emotional value of community. For many volunteers, WordPress events are more than networking or marketing venues; they are places of belonging. Cathy talks about life stages — like becoming an empty nester — that leave people searching for meaningful ways to spend time. Volunteering for events, teaching classes, or running sessions for seniors or kids provides purpose, social contact, and a sense of shared accomplishment.

Nathan and Cathy both note that two key ingredients linked to happiness appear in volunteering: time spent with others and altruism. Giving time without expecting anything tangible in return — mentoring newcomers, pouring coffee, organizing tracks — creates satisfaction that often outweighs the effort involved.

Technology, loneliness, and why events help

They also discussed a broader social issue: loneliness. Technology can enable connection, but it can also contribute to isolation. In recent years, public health officials have called attention to loneliness as a major health issue; younger people in particular report high levels of loneliness, even as they are more digitally connected. For Cathy, volunteering and in-person gatherings offer an antidote — a place to practice skills, be useful, and share a goal with others.

The WordPress culture of saying “yes”

One of the community’s special qualities is the willingness to let people try things. Unlike many corporate environments where approvals and red tape can block initiative, WordPress culture often defaults to “yes.” New organizers are entrusted with responsibility, and the network of volunteers supports each other. That culture creates both energy and growth: volunteers learn by doing, and projects are propelled by enthusiasm rather than hierarchy.

Sponsorship, ROI, and a changing landscape

Cathy and Nathan also tackled the more pragmatic side: why businesses sponsor and support events. In boom years, many companies could justify sponsorship simply because the ecosystem was growing, and visibility on that tide was enough. Today the landscape is more complicated: economic uncertainty, increased competition, and the need to demonstrate measurable ROI mean sponsors expect clearer benefits for their investment.

Still, Cathy argues there are good reasons for companies to back WordPress events beyond immediate sales. Sponsorship builds brand recognition within the community, helps with recruitment, and strengthens the open source ecosystem that many businesses rely on. Even if direct conversions are harder to measure, contributing to a healthy, thriving open source project can pay long-term dividends.

Bringing in the next generation

A major focus for Cathy is getting young people involved. Initiatives like Campus Connect and credit-based contributions from universities are beginning to bridge academic programs and open source participation. Encouraging students to get hands-on experience with WordPress, offering internships, and giving course credit for open source work are concrete ways to ensure the project remains vibrant and relevant.

Cathy wants WordCamp Canada to be a showcase for these efforts — a place where students, universities, and employers can meet, collaborate, and see that open source communities are welcoming places to learn and build careers.

Optimism about open source and the future

Despite uncertainty — about the economy, sponsorship trends, and the rapid changes driven by AI — both Cathy and Nathan express optimism about open source. Open platforms offer a level of transparency and adaptability that can complement new technologies. For them, preserving and growing the community matters both for the people involved and for the long-term health of the software ecosystem.

Practical encouragement

If you’re new to WordPress and wondering whether events are worth your time: they can be a powerful way to learn, meet peers, and contribute. If you’re a business owner weighing sponsorships: consider the broader benefits — community health, recruiting, and visibility within a skilled talent pool. And if you’re someone looking for meaningful ways to spend your time, volunteering for events can offer social connection, practical skills, and a real sense of impact.

Where to learn more

Cathy can be found at WPBarista and on the WordCamp Canada site (canada.wordcamp.org). For more episodes and show notes from the interview, visit wptavern.com/podcast.

In short: WordPress events are more than conference programs. They are engines of connection, places where people give and grow, and where open source culture is lived out daily. Whether you’re a curious newbie, a seasoned contributor, or a company thinking about sponsoring, there’s a place for you to plug in and help the community thrive.

On the latest Jukebox Podcast from WP Tavern, Nathan Wrigley talks with Cathy Mitchell about why WordPress events and community involvement continue to matter — for individuals, businesses, and the future of open source.

Cathy’s journey with WordPress began in 2007 as a hobby during maternity leave. What started as tinkering soon became WPBarista in 2008. Over nearly two decades she’s built experience as a small-business owner and contributor to the WordPress ecosystem. Recently, after helping organize WordCamp Canada, she stepped up to lead the 2026 event and is now deeply involved in shaping its community-focused program.

A defining theme of the conversation is how different the WordPress community feels compared with many corporate or volunteer settings. In Cathy’s experience, WordPress spaces are unusually open: newcomers can jump in, take on meaningful responsibility, and be trusted quickly. That willingness to say “yes” and to support people as they try new roles is, for many, the secret sauce that turns casual users into lifelong contributors.

For Cathy, the community offered a chance to reconnect after life changes. As her children grew up and she found herself with more time, volunteering and organizing became a way to belong, contribute meaningfully, and use skills she enjoys—especially event planning. She describes the sense of camaraderie and shared purpose as energizing: people come together to achieve a focused goal and, along the way, build friendships that combat isolation.

Nathan and Cathy also explore a broader social issue: an increase in loneliness across societies that often coincides with greater digital consumption. They note research and public statements that point to loneliness as a significant public-health concern and discuss how technology, when used primarily for solitary entertainment, can reduce in-person interaction. Against that backdrop, volunteering and attending events function as an antidote — opportunities to be around people, learn, and contribute without transactional expectations.

The conversation touches on why volunteering leads to fulfilment. Two recurring drivers of wellbeing are social connection and altruism. Those who volunteer for WordCamps and community teams often find both. They practice skills, gain experience, and receive immediate social reward from working alongside others, while also contributing to something larger than themselves.

Cathy is candid about what motivates different groups to get involved. For newcomers, contributing can be a way to learn, meet people, and find purpose beyond client work or product development. Non-coding roles—organizing, hospitality, outreach, and teaching—make participation accessible. For business owners and sponsors, motivations are more varied: brand exposure and lead generation matter, but companies also recognize longer-term benefits. Supporting open source helps with hiring, community trust, and ecosystem health; those investments can make recruiting and vetting talent easier because sponsoring companies are visible and trusted within the community.

At the same time, there’s a changing sponsorship landscape. The era of easy growth for WordPress — when the platform’s rising market share and momentum made participation feel like a sure bet — has evolved. Economic uncertainty, heightened competition among products and agencies, and new priorities (including legal and trademark considerations) mean budgets are scrutinized more closely. Sponsors increasingly expect clear returns on investment, and organizers must be mindful about demonstrating value while preserving the community ethos.

Cathy frames current developments as a leveling rather than an outright decline. Many industries scale back after periods of rapid growth; this readjustment can be healthy and lead to more sustainable practices. For WordPress events, it means rethinking how we invite, welcome, and retain both contributors and sponsors.

A major priority for Cathy and many organizers is bringing young people into open source. Initiatives like Campus Connect and offering academic credits for open-source contributions are emerging ways to connect universities and students with projects like WordPress. Introducing students to community work not only supplies new contributors but also helps future-proof the ecosystem by showing young developers and designers the professional and personal benefits of participating in open, collaborative projects.

Cathy believes in the continued importance of open source, especially as AI tools evolve. Open-source projects provide accessible building blocks and transparent datasets that can feed innovation without locking knowledge behind paywalls. For her, the intersection of open source and AI looks promising — provided communities remain healthy and inclusive.

Organizing a multi-day conference like WordCamp Canada highlights how much volunteer coordination and teamwork make polished events possible. From badges and catering to session scheduling and accessibility, the work is extensive, but it’s distributed across many dedicated volunteers. Cathy’s role is to pull those people together, facilitate communication, and make sure tasks are done—roles she finds rewarding because they allow her to contribute in ways that play to her strengths.

The conversation ends on a practical and optimistic note. Cathy encourages readers to get involved: attend local meetups and WordCamps, volunteer in non-coding roles, consider sponsoring with long-term community health in mind, and find ways to bring younger contributors into the fold. These actions matter not only because they sustain WordPress, but because they offer people meaningful social connection and opportunities to grow.

If you want to follow Cathy or learn more about WordCamp Canada, find her at WPBarista or visit canada.wordcamp.org. For more episodes and show notes, head to wptavern.com and search for this interview.

In short: WordPress events do more than teach technical skills. They build relationships, foster wellbeing through service and social connection, and help secure the future of open source by welcoming new contributors. Whether you’re a newcomer, a business considering sponsorship, or someone looking for meaningful ways to spend your time, there are many ways to step in—and the community will usually say yes.

Cathy Mitchell has used WordPress since 2007. What started as a side project during maternity leave grew into a business—WPBarista—by 2008. More recently, having moved through different life stages and looked for meaningful ways to spend her time, Cathy stepped into volunteering for WordCamp Canada. She went from helping on the organizing team to being named lead organizer for the 2026 event.

Her story highlights why WordPress events and the wider community are important: they offer connection, practical opportunities to contribute, and a chance to give back in ways that are personally fulfilling and socially valuable.

The surprising openness of WordPress

Cathy and others commonly describe the WordPress community as unusually open and welcoming. Unlike many corporate or institutional environments, newcomers can take on meaningful responsibilities quickly. There’s little bureaucratic gatekeeping: if you show up and volunteer, you’re likely to be asked to help and then supported as you learn. That culture—where the default is to say “yes” and to help people succeed—lets volunteers contribute in ways they might not be allowed to in other contexts.

That accessibility is powerful. It allows people with varied skills and life circumstances to participate: developers and designers, business owners, hobbyists, parents, retirees. People can “dip in and dip out” of the community as their schedules allow, and still feel useful and included.

Why people volunteer: newcomers and businesses

Different people have different reasons for contributing. For newcomers, volunteering can be a way to learn, meet people, and find purpose. Non-technical roles—running hospitality, coordinating schedules, managing communication—are just as valuable as coding. Volunteering offers practice, social connection, and tangible ways to belong.

For businesses, the motivations can mix altruism and practical advantage. Supporting WordPress events strengthens the ecosystem every business relies on, and being visible in the community can help with hiring and recruiting candidates who are already invested in the platform. Sponsorship and volunteering also build relationships and credibility—benefits that can be harder to measure than immediate sales but valuable over time.

Challenges for sponsorship and changing economics

Recent years have brought a shift. When WordPress was growing relentlessly, sponsoring and supporting events felt like a natural extension of business growth. Now, with economic uncertainty, increased competition, and new pressures (including AI and changing market dynamics), organizations are more cautious with budgets. Sponsors ask for clearer returns on investment and more measurable outcomes.

Cathy sees this as a leveling rather than a collapse: industries rarely grow forever without pause. Still, it changes how event organizers must approach sponsorship—focusing on clear value, stronger partnerships, and demonstrating how supporting the community benefits sponsors long-term.

Volunteering, loneliness, and wellbeing

Both Cathy and the host connected volunteering to wellbeing. Public health conversations have increasingly named loneliness as a serious problem; serving and participating in community projects is one practical antidote. Volunteering provides companionship, shared goals, and a sense of meaning. It can reduce isolation, teach skills, and produce the happiness that comes from helping others without expectation.

Technology makes this conversation more urgent. While tech enables global connection, it also fosters solitary habits: endless streaming, social feeds, and solo entertainment can replace in-person experiences. WordPress events give people a reason to gather face-to-face: to learn together, cheer together, and collaborate on shared goals.

The future: engaging young people and open source

A recurring concern is how to bring the next generation into open source. Cathy emphasizes initiatives like Campus Connect and program credits that let students contribute to WordPress as part of their studies. Bringing universities and young people into events and community teams is essential—not just for WordPress as a project, but for the broader health of open source.

Open source remains, in Cathy’s view, a vital foundation for the future—especially as AI and other technologies develop. Keeping software and communities open helps innovation, learning, and access. Attracting young contributors, offering them real roles, and showing them the welcoming culture are practical steps organizers can take now.

Why this matters to you

If you’ve ever wondered whether a WordCamp or a local meetup is worth attending, Cathy’s experience suggests a few reasons to try it:
– You can learn in a friendly, practical environment. People answer questions, mentor newcomers, and share knowledge.
– Volunteering gives structure, social connection, and a way to practice useful skills.
– Businesses benefit indirectly—stronger ecosystems make hiring easier and improve long-term health.
– Events are a counterbalance to isolation: they reconnect people in meaningful, face-to-face ways.

Cathy’s path—from early WordPress adopter to business owner to volunteer leader—shows how events and community can become important parts of life at different stages. For organizers, the task now is to adapt to tighter sponsorship landscapes, keep events welcoming, and invest in the next generation of contributors.

If you want to learn more or get involved, Cathy can be found through WPBarista and the WordCamp Canada site at canada.wordcamp.org. Whether you’re a newcomer looking to learn, a business weighing sponsorship, or someone seeking purpose and connection, WordPress events offer an unusually open place to start.

Nathan Wrigley hosts this episode of the Jukebox Podcast from WP Tavern with guest Cathy Mitchell, a WordPress veteran who began using the platform in 2007 and launched WPBarista in 2008. Cathy now serves as lead organizer for WordCamp Canada 2026, and the conversation centers on why WordPress events and community involvement are important—both for individuals and for businesses.

Cathy’s path into WordPress started during maternity leave as a personal project that became a business. Over time she discovered the support forums and the generous people who answered beginner questions. That early openness and willingness to help convinced her that giving back was worthwhile. Recently, after her children grew up and she found herself with more time, she was invited to help organize WordCamp Canada and quickly found herself deeply involved—and ultimately leading the event.

A recurring theme of the episode is how the WordPress community is unusually open and welcoming compared with many corporate or volunteer environments. Cathy contrasts the red tape she experienced in other settings with WordPress’s culture of “yes”: when someone volunteers, the community finds a way to include them and let them contribute meaningfully. That culture lets people take responsibility quickly, learn on the job, and rely on others to step in if things go wrong. For many, that freedom and trust is a rare and motivating experience.

Nathan reflects on his own accidental introduction to WordPress events. He came as an outsider, unsure what to expect, and left with new friendships and a meaningful part of his life devoted to WordPress activities. Both guests agree that events create a sense of shared purpose and belonging that’s hard to reproduce in isolation.

The episode also explores how volunteering and attending events can be an antidote to loneliness. Cathy cites public health attention on loneliness—an issue that has worsened as digital technologies and changing social patterns alter how people connect. Volunteering offers social contact, shared goals, skill practice, and a sense of meaning. Nathan adds that research on happiness often points to social interaction and altruism as strong predictors of wellbeing—exactly the benefits volunteering at events can provide.

They discuss the differing motivations for getting involved. Newcomers may volunteer to learn, make friends, or find purpose in a new life stage. Business owners and sponsors weigh a different calculus: what is the return on investment? Cathy acknowledges this is a reasonable question and points out several real benefits for businesses that support open source and community events: better hiring pipelines, easier vetting, brand goodwill, and stronger ecosystems that benefit everyone who builds on the platform.

However, sponsorship is getting harder to secure. Cathy and Nathan note several pressures: economic uncertainty, increased competition across the industry, and changing expectations for measurable returns. WordPress itself has also tightened guidelines around trademark and sponsorship use, which affects how events promote sponsors. Cathy believes the current moment feels like a levelling off rather than collapse—an adjustment after years of rapid growth.

Despite those challenges, Cathy is optimistic about the future and sees WordCamps as a practical response. She hopes WordCamp Canada will be a visible example of the community’s strength—an opportunity to show newcomers and young people that open source communities are welcoming and offer real paths to learning and employment.

Bringing youth into open source is a major focus. Cathy and Nathan discuss initiatives like Campus Connect and university credits for contributions, which help make open source participation part of formal education. These programs can put open source experience on students’ résumés and make it easier for universities and employers to recognize the value of community contributions. Cathy wants to feature these efforts at WordCamp Canada to encourage more institutions in North America to adopt similar approaches.

The pair are candid about technology’s double-edged role: it enables global, asynchronous communities, yet it may also contribute to isolation when people default to solitary entertainment or passive social media use. They argue that volunteer-driven events counterbalance that trend by creating real-life connections and shared achievements.

Practical takeaways from the conversation:
– WordPress events are accessible: there are many ways to contribute beyond coding, and organizers often welcome newcomers who show up and say “yes.”
– Volunteering delivers personal benefits—social connection, purpose, and skill development—that align with predictors of wellbeing.
– Businesses sponsoring events should consider longer-term ecosystem benefits like hiring and community reputation, not only immediate marketing metrics.
– The community should prioritize getting more young people involved through education credits and campus programs to sustain open source participation.
– Despite sponsorship and economic headwinds, WordPress’s culture and open-source foundations give reason for cautious optimism.

Cathy’s message is practical and encouraging: service and community participation are meaningful ways to address loneliness, build skills, and strengthen the project. She encourages people with any level of experience to get involved—whether teaching kids, helping seniors learn technology, organizing events, or supporting WordCamps.

To learn more, find the episode show notes at wptavern.com/podcast. Cathy can be reached via WPBarista and the WordCamp Canada site at canada.wordcamp.org for details about the upcoming event and volunteer opportunities.

Cathy Mitchell has been using WordPress since 2007 and launched WPBarista in 2008. What began as a side project during maternity leave grew into a long-running business and, more recently, a deep commitment to the WordPress community. After helping organize WordCamp Canada in 2025, Cathy is now lead organizer for WordCamp Canada 2026. In a conversation with Nathan Wrigley on the Jukebox Podcast, she reflects on why WordPress events matter, how volunteering shapes people and projects, and what the community should focus on next.

An unusually open and welcoming culture

Cathy and Nathan both describe how unexpectedly open the WordPress community felt when they discovered it. Unlike many corporate or bureaucratic volunteer structures, WordPress events and teams tend to say yes and let willing people get meaningful responsibilities quickly. That lack of red tape allows newcomers to jump in, learn fast, and contribute in ways that match their strengths. For many people this accessibility becomes transformative: it creates purpose, belonging, and ongoing friendships.

Dip in and out, but stay connected

One of the strengths of WordPress community involvement is its flexibility. People can dip in and out across life stages — for example when kids grow up or work patterns change — yet still find meaningful roles. Cathy, now an empty nester, has returned to volunteering with renewed enthusiasm: teaching kids, running classes for seniors, and organizing conferences. For her, service provides structure, camaraderie, and a sense of usefulness.

Volunteering as an antidote to loneliness

Both hosts explored the wider social context: loneliness is increasingly recognised as a major public-health issue, and technology is a complicated factor. While digital tools can connect people, they also enable hours of isolated entertainment and scrolling. Cathy points out that service and volunteering — whether in WordPress or elsewhere — can be an antidote. Working toward a shared goal, being part of a team, and meeting people face-to-face at events helps counter loneliness and builds wellbeing.

Why businesses sponsor and why it matters

Cathy approached sponsorship from both personal and corporate angles. Companies often want a demonstrable return on investment, and today that expectation is sharper than during WordPress’s rapid growth years. Economic uncertainty, more competition, and new requirements around trademark use make corporate sponsorship a tougher sell. Yet sponsorship still makes strategic sense: supporting open source helps sustain the ecosystem companies rely on, improves recruitment pipelines, and builds goodwill within the community.

The current landscape: leveling off, not necessarily decline

Both guests acknowledged that WordPress experienced long periods of growth that made community support an easier decision. Now the field feels more leveled, and organizations expect clearer value for their spending. Cathy sees this as a natural adjustment rather than a disaster. It’s a chance to focus resources where they matter most and to invest in the long-term health of open source.

Bring in the next generation

A recurring priority is engaging young people. Programs like Campus Connect and university credits tied to open-source contributions can help bring students into the community and provide tangible educational benefits. Cathy wants to feature these initiatives at WordCamp Canada to make it easier for universities and students in North America to participate. Getting younger people involved is vital for sustaining open-source projects and ensuring the community evolves, hires fresh talent, and remains relevant.

The value of giving — for communities and for individuals

Nathan and Cathy touched on research and intuition about happiness: spending time with others and giving without expecting a return are both strong predictors of wellbeing. Volunteering at WordPress events combines both: you spend time with people while contributing skills and time for free. The result is mutual benefit — organizers get help, volunteers find purpose and social connection, and the broader ecosystem stays healthy.

The cultural ingredients that matter

Cathy credits the culture of openness and volunteer-driven leadership as a distinctive strength. People often step up without a lengthy application process; the community supports and helps one another to succeed. That cultural environment — where folks are willing to teach beginners and shoulder risk together — is hard to replicate but central to why events feel so special.

Practical invitations

For people curious about getting involved, Cathy reminds listeners there are many ways to contribute beyond code: organizing, mentoring, teaching, serving coffee, or helping with accessibility and translation. WordPress’s community teams and local WordCamps make it straightforward to find fitting roles. Cathy points to WordCamp Canada as an example of where newcomers and experienced volunteers can both make a difference.

A hopeful outlook

Despite economic pressures and the rise of new technologies, Cathy remains optimistic about open source and community-powered events. WordCamps are, in her view, one of the best places to demonstrate that open-source projects can be generous, practical, and future-focused. By welcoming new people, investing in youth initiatives, and staying true to service-driven values, the community can continue to thrive.

If you want to learn more about Cathy’s work, WPBarista, or WordCamp Canada, the episode and show notes on WP Tavern include links and details about getting involved.