Hi, I’m Bud Kraus.
I’ve been part of the WordPress world for so long that I sometimes forget where my story starts. Let me hit the refresh button.
First, a clarification: I don’t design websites. I’m hardly a WordPress developer. And I rarely teach WordPress anymore. Maybe that’s why many people in the WordPress Community think I spend my time going to WordCamps, speaking on stage, chatting with friends, meeting new people, and attending more parties than is inhumanely possible.
Well, they’re not entirely wrong. But they’re also hopelessly mistaken.
Yes, I’ve built a lot of WordPress sites, and yes, I still enjoy teaching WordPress. But that’s not the whole story. These days, I’m an educator, technical writer, and podcaster. And – at what I’d call a “fairly senior age” – I think I’ve finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up should I ever choose to do that.
I can honestly say that what I do now is the most fulfilling work I’ve ever done. How could it not be? I get to work with people I love, do what I’m passionate about, and even get paid for it. That doesn’t feel like work. Just ask my wife, Arlene, who always manages to find her way into my stories.
While many people my age are retired, I have no plans to do that. Why would I? If I retired, I’d be doing exactly what I’m doing now.
Writer
I’m a writer at heart. My freelance projects span a wide range of topics, but they all share one goal: explaining how things work. Often, that means diving into something new, learning it from the ground up, and then sharing that knowledge. For me, that’s half the fun.
Now, let’s talk AI. Am I worried it’ll replace me? Not yet. I use tools, like ChatGPT, as my writing buddies, not as a substitute. They’re great for research and editing, but when it comes to writing about what’s happening to WordPress now, that’s where I come in.
Podcaster
One of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done is launch my podcast, Seriously, BUD?, on February 29, 2024.
Every week, I drop a new episode featuring an unexpected conversation with someone in the WordPress Community. But here’s the twist: we don’t talk about work. Instead, I focus on the story of my guest’s life – the human side of things. These stories are fun to do, surprising, and often remarkable. People love to tell their stories, and I love helping them do that.
The WordPress Community
Can I quote myself?
The best part of WordPress is the WordPress Community. And the software is pretty good too.
When I started with WordPress in 2009, I had no idea there was a growing global community of people who shared my enthusiasm. Over the years, I’ve attended countless Meetups in New York City and Montclair, New Jersey, both in person and on Zoom, to exchange ideas and help others.
In 2017, I had the incredible honor of speaking at WordCamp NYC – at the United Nations, no less! Since then, I’ve attended 15 WordCamps (and counting), speaking at many of them, including WordCamp Europe 2023 in Athens, Greece.
Through WordPress, I’ve met amazing people from all over the world—smart, friendly, and always willing to help. Many of them understand that WordPress has given their lives greater meaning, and they’re eager to give back. I’m proud to count myself among them.
Humble Brag
Maybe not so humble but here are two links that look pretty good on my resume.
So, that’s me. A little WordPress, a lot of storytelling, and a whole lot of passion for what I do.
