Trailblazer FM: WordPress without the drama

Lee Matthew Jackson
  • 5.0 (35)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

For agencies and developers who want fewer WordPress headaches. Lee Matthew Jackson brings practical advice, real-world problem-solving conversations, and the occasional dad joke… all to help you build smarter, deliver faster, and enjoy the work again. PS: Troll-free zone. If you want a fight, go to X.

  1. DEC 11

    398 - How to get unstuck - Philip Vandusen

    Feeling stuck, and don't know how to get... well... unstuck!? What does stuck even look like? How do you know you're stuck? Why is this opening so confusing? What's with all the questions? Let's face it, running a creative business is hard work. We wanna do that thing we love (be creative) but we own a business. The business has SO many demands on our time and attention that we can no longer enjoy the creative bit. If we do, we can't see the wood for the trees when it comes to developing our business. Over time this robs us of our joy, our passion and we're soon wondering about giving it all up! Remember I was at that point with this very podcast!? In this episode we meet Philip VanDusen, who you may recognise from waaaaay back in 2018! He helps us recognise what being stuck looks like, and how to get unstuck! Simple as! Really worth a listen because this is a ridiculously frank and practical episode. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/how-to-get-unstuck/

    35 min

  2. NOV 27

    397 - Your passion can make it pay - Davinder Singh Kainth

    Finding it a slog to market your business, plugin or theme? You might be missing the secret ingredient... Passion. In today's episode I chat with my good pal Davinder where he unpacks his experience of creating content focused on WordPress and how it naturally grew into a profitable business model that pays well, allows him to do what he loves and brings real value to the community as a result. As you heard in episode 395, when your passion or joy is being robbed, things feel like a slog. For Davinder, it was a joy and the results are super encouraging. Have a listen, it's a cracking chat between to old (literally) mates! Oh, and Davinder old me to use my affiliate link so here it is. Beaver builder if you wanna jump on the stability bandwagon! Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/your-passion-can-make-it-pay/

    32 min

  3. NOV 26

    396 - Does AI help or hinder - Lee Matthew Jackson

    AI streamlines your processes and makes you more productive right? I learned the hard way that it can seriously affect the quality of my output, my happiness and my reach! In this episode I share how AI nearly led to me completely shutting this podcast down, and how my relationship with AI is evolving and changing for the better. No hate toward it (AI), but this is a warning to myself and others not to over rely on automation and lose what makes you special! Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/does-ai-help-or-hinder/

    19 min

  4. NOV 26

    395 - When your hobby becomes your job - Lee Matthew Jackson

    You know that thing you love doing that lights you up? What happens when it becomes your job and you feel completely overwhelmed by it? In this episode I share how Trailblazer FM once fulfilled me, then became a burden. How trying to monetise a hobby robbed me of the joy of creation, and led me to burnout, to the extent I felt I had no choice but to stop podcasting. Thankfully the story doesn't end there! I am back, and in this episode I share what's changed, why I am back and how I intend to retain the JOY of my hobby rather than feel the pressure of a "job". Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/when-your-hobby-becomes-your-job/

    24 min

  5. 03/15/2024

    51:2 Can automation prevent burnout? - Cat Burchmore

    Overwhelmed, overworked, on the brink of burnout? Agency life is known for its fast pace and demanding clients, and I know from personal experience how burnout can completely de-rail you. As I slowly return recovery, I invited Cat Burchmore onto the podcast to help me learn how I could prevent burnout as a business owner by leaning on automation more. In this episode we explore how implementing automation strategies can help you avoid burnout and take control of your well-being. Cat shares her insights on how automating tasks like client onboarding, invoicing, and project management can free up your time, reduce stress, and improve your overall work-life balance. Of course automation isn't just about making your life easier – it's also about providing a better experience for your clients. Cat shares how automation can help you deliver a more personalised and efficient service, without sacrificing the human touch. Heck in this day and age we all need a more human touch! Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/can-automation-prevent-burnout/

    25 min

  6. 03/12/2024

    51:1 Journey of a freelancer to agency owner - Brent Weaver

    Struggling to break out of the feast and famine cycle? Do you feel like you're constantly putting out fires and not making the progress you want in your business? Brent is a seasoned agency owner who started his first digital agency at the tender age of 17. In this episode, he shares his journey of navigating the challenges of running an agency, from landing his first clients to eventually selling his business not once, but twice. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/freelancer-to-agency-owner/ Free training: https://ugurus.com/launch-live-training/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=leejackson&utm_campaign=q12024

    27 min

  7. 09/13/2023

    50:7 Is time tracking actually holding you back? - Ilia Markov

    Time tracking is often seen as a necessary evil - something that takes time away from doing client work or feels like micromanaging employees. In this episode I interview Ilia from Toggl to discover why those assumptions are wrong. We discuss real-world examples of how time tracking provides valuable data to help agencies work more efficiently, provide better project estimates, optimise team members' time, identify profitable versus unprofitable clients, and ultimately achieve better profitability and work-life balance. Ilia shares tips on how agency owners can implement time tracking in a way that gets buy-in from employees and avoids it feeling punitive. If you think time tracking is a drag that holds your agency back, this myth-busting episode will surprise you and highlight the many bottom-line benefits tracking time can unlock! Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/is-time-tracking-holding-you-back/

    36 min

  8. 09/06/2023

    50:6 Hard-won lessons from an agency leader - Jon Tsourakis

    Running an agency is tough, but invaluable lessons can be learned from those who've spent years growing in the trenches. In this episode, I sat down with Jon Tsourakis, a veteran agency owner of over 15 years, who doesn't look a day over 30. (Had to say that in case he reads this.) As the founder of Oyova, Jon has led his digital marketing agency from humble beginnings to a thriving team of 30. He's made mistakes, evolved his offerings, and learned countless tips for building an agency poised for longevity. In an honest, insightful conversation, Jon shares the failures, adaptations, and wins he's experienced on his agency journey. Expect hard-won advice on finding your niche, leading remote teams, bouncing back from burnout, building community, and having the flexibility to grow successfully.  Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/lessons-from-an-agency-leader/

    27 min
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5
out of 5
35 Ratings

About

For agencies and developers who want fewer WordPress headaches. Lee Matthew Jackson brings practical advice, real-world problem-solving conversations, and the occasional dad joke… all to help you build smarter, deliver faster, and enjoy the work again. PS: Troll-free zone. If you want a fight, go to X.

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