Summary
AI Grace
In this episode of Seriously, BUD?, Bud talks with Kevin MacGillivray from Pressable about books, history, music, travel, WordPress, and life in Canada. Kevin shares how an app called Goodreads helped turn him into someone who now reads about 75 books a year, mostly history, biographies, fiction, and nonfiction. The conversation explores how AI tools like NotebookLM may completely change the way people interact with books and information, from personalized recommendations to conversational summaries. Bud also talks about his own audiobook habits and his fascination with stories, geography, and travel.
The discussion then shifts into music and creativity. Kevin describes growing up playing piano, trumpet, and drums, while today he mostly listens to instrumental and lo-fi music while working. Bud and Kevin bond over their shared love of concerts, live performances, and music of all genres, from classical to rock. Kevin talks about seeing artists like Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Taylor Swift live, while Bud reflects on how music, stories, and travel all connect emotionally for him.
Pressable delivers fast, secure, and reliable managed WordPress hosting you can count on.
Travel becomes a major theme as Kevin discusses visiting places like the Philippines, London, and Tunisia. Bud shares his own upcoming travel plans connected to WordCamp Europe 2026 and reflects on how geography shapes history and culture. The two spend time talking about flying, looking out airplane windows, and the fascination of seeing landscapes and cities from above. Kevin also explains life on Vancouver Island near Victoria, while Bud enthusiastically recalls places like Butchart Gardens and the historic Fairmont Empress Hotel.
The conversation eventually turns toward Kevin’s professional journey. He explains how he started his career in telecommunications before joining Shopify during the COVID era, where he worked on helping businesses survive and move online. Kevin then discusses becoming Chief Marketing Officer at Pressable, describing the company’s role inside the broader Automattic ecosystem and why Pressable has been growing rapidly in managed WordPress hosting. He highlights the importance of balancing technology with human support, especially as AI becomes more integrated into hosting and business tools. Bud responds by reflecting on how much he admires people who can bridge technical and commercial worlds while still staying community focused.
The episode closes with a thoughtful discussion about the power of the WordPress community itself. Bud and Kevin talk about how relationships, kindness, and shared purpose are what truly sustain open-source projects like WordPress. Bud reflects on how the WordPress community changed his own life and why the bonds between people matter more than software, AI, or business. Kevin agrees, noting that WordPress has one of the strongest and most welcoming communities in tech. The conversation ends on an uplifting note about collaboration, friendship, and why people often “come for the software and stay for the community.”