#206 – Jonathan Desrosiers on WordPress Sustainability, Community Engagement, and Release Strategies

Jonathan Desrosiers, a WordPress Core committer and principal software engineer at Bluehost, discusses plans to synchronize WordPress major releases with flagship WordCamp events in 2026. The conversation covers the logistical challenges of aligning release schedules with international events (including religious holidays and regional factors), adoption data showing WordPress 6.9 reached 50% of all sites in just 10 days, and strategies to make releases more visible and exciting for users. The discussion also addresses the post-COVID decline in WordPress Meetup attendance, the geographic disparity between thriving APAC communities and struggling US communities, and initiatives like contributor mentorship programs and educational outreach to attract younger contributors. Both speakers reflect on how AI is empowering a new generation of builders and potentially rekindling interest in open-source platforms over walled gardens.