#1003 - WP-Tonic This Month in WordPress & Tech Round Table Show For March, 2026
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In this milestone episode of WP-Tonic, hosts Jonathan Denwood and Kurt Von Annen are joined by returning guests Devin Walker (Jetpack at Automatic) and Chris Bladgett (Lifter LMS) for a deep dive into the latest WordPress and tech developments. The conversation centers on the delayed release of WordPress 7.0, the growing influence of AI-powered platforms like Lovable and Replay, and the ethical implications of addictive social media design. The panel debates whether no-code tools are replacing WordPress or simply serving different use cases, with consensus that WordPress remains essential for reliability, security, and human oversight—especially for non-technical users. They also discuss Meta and YouTube’s recent $1 billion U.S. court fine for harming minors, weighing corporate responsibility against parental accountability. Other topics include Yoast’s controversial post questioning the need for a CMS, the decline of Meta’s Horizon Worlds, and how AI is reshaping marketing agencies—pushing them to evolve from task-based providers to strategic business partners. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to support the show through reviews and engagement. Key takeaways include: (1) WordPress remains the best choice for scalable, secure, and maintainable websites, especially for businesses needing human support; (2) AI tools like chatbots and voice agents can be powerful force multipliers when used strategically, but require high-quality content to be effective; (3) agencies must shift from selling tasks to selling outcomes and ROI to survive AI disruption; (4) ethical product design and responsible tech use are critical, but parents and users also bear responsibility for digital well-being; and (5) the future of web development lies in hybrid models—combining the power of headless systems with the simplicity of WordPress for content management.
WordPress remains the gold standard for reliable, secure, and maintainable websites, especially for non-technical users who need human support.
AI tools like chatbots and voice agents are powerful force multipliers but require high-quality content and strategic implementation to deliver real value.
Agencies must evolve from selling tasks to selling business results and ROI to stay relevant in the AI era.
Ethical product design and responsible tech use are essential, but parents and users also share responsibility for digital well-being.
The future of web development lies in hybrid models—leveraging headless systems for performance while using WordPress for content management and ease of use.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to Episode 1003: The WordPress & Tech Roundtable
Jonathan Denwood and Kurt Von Annen welcome listeners to the 1003rd episode of WP-Tonic, introducing the panelists and setting the stage for a discussion on the most impactful WordPress and tech stories of March 2026.
WordPress 7.0 Delay and the Rise of AI-Powered Platforms
“It's not about one's better than the other. It's just what tool do you need for the job that you need done?”
Meta and YouTube Fined Over Harm to Minors: Ethics vs. Responsibility
“The parents should have kept the kid out of the bottle, you know, and the parents should have kept the kids off the social. They have rules that say you have to be at least 13 to have these social accounts.”
Yoast Questions the Need for a CMS: Is WordPress Still Relevant?
“Going back, it's the 0.1 percenters, not the normies that are doing this stuff. Jonathan's mind is easy.”
Meta Abandons Horizon Worlds: The Future of the Metaverse?
The hosts discuss Meta’s decision to abandon Horizon Worlds, reflecting on the metaverse’s limited mass adoption. Chris Bladgett sees potential in niche, community-driven virtual spaces, while Devin Walker shares his personal experiences with digital art and virtual gatherings.
“The parents should have kept the kid out of the bottle, you know, and the parents should have kept the kids off the social. They have rules that say you have to be at least 13 to have these social accounts.”
“The agency's job is to come in, be a force multiplier, and to use the tools available at their disposal, AI being probably the most powerful one to get you from A to B.”
“It's not about one's better than the other. It's just what tool do you need for the job that you need done?”
Hosts
Guests
WordPress
product
Chris Bladgett
person
Kurt Von Annen
person
Devin Walker
person
Jonathan Denwood
person
Lifter LMS
organization
Meta
organization
YouTube
organization
Lovable
product
Yoast
organization
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