Episode 96: Embracing Tech & Non-Tech Change with Mark Petruska

Posted on by Victoria

We’ve been thinking about technology lately and our recent episodes about LinkedIn profiles and WordPress themes generated great discussion. It seems like many of us are working on how to best showcase ourselves, our work, in the online realm. Learning from one another, sharing tips and tricks, is one of the benefits of our little community. Right here in this corner of the big, wide world.


Author Mark Petruska is a favorite podcast guest because he has that multi-hyphenate perspective of being an author, a longtime blogger and a professional writer. More than that (and Mark will be blushing about now) we see Mark as a communication professional with a capital “P”. Mark has a writer’s knack nailing a message. Ever on-point, whether his sometimes cheeky irreverence is popping in his blog, or he’s in his formal roles – thinking about audiences, analytics and metrics.


When Mark dug in a few months back to engage in a wholesale overhaul of his blog, Wynne and I were intrigued. With blogging cred that goes back to 2009, Mark’s celebrating his 15th anniversary of delighting readers with his unique brand of storytelling. Right here on WordPress.

Mark knows things.


In this episode, Mark will instill confidence for all who need it when it comes to embracing change, generally. Those of us who worry about widgets and whats-its and dooms day thoughts; fears that switching templates and themes will result in lost content. Lost PRECIOUS content. Mark’s rundown of his deliberate, planful ‘how to’s’ will give you confidence. We know it…and confidence-building in one aspect of our lives puts a spring in our steps. Instills a bit of bravery to tackle other challenges.


And if all of that isn’t reason enough to tune in, you should join us to see if you can see the moments where we nearly lost our minds with giggles and guffaws. Wynne could wrangle a pretty fabulous out-take reel with all of our bloopers…or we might give in to our collective urges when Mark joins us and let him take the lead, podcast-style, in an upcoming episode. We might stay on topic…or not. You never know when Mark comes to town.


Thanks for listening…please subscribe!
Vicki and Wynne 😊

Search (and subscribe!) for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or Pocket Casts OR Listen to it from your computer on Anchor: Episode 96: Embracing Tech and Non-Tech Change with Mark Petruska

HoTM Episode 96 transcript

AND subscribe to our YouTube channel to see a video clip of each story: @SharingtheHeartoftheMatter.

Links for this Episode:

Mark’s book – a brilliant thriller: https://www.amazon.com/No-Time-Kings-Mark-Petruska/dp/1614344604

Mark’s blog: https://markpetruska.com/

Other Episodes with Mark:

Episode 65: How to Be the New Guy with Mark Petruska

Episode 41: Enter if You Dare with Mark Petruska

Episode 33: Love Lessons with Mark Petruska

Episode 26: Eye of the Tiger with Mark Petruska

Episode 18: No Time for Kings with Mark Petruska

From the hosts:

Vicki’s book about resilience and love: Surviving Sue; Blog: https://victoriaponders.com/

Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith; Blog: https://wynneleon.com/

42 thoughts on “Episode 96: Embracing Tech & Non-Tech Change with Mark Petruska”

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  3. What a great podcast! I remember that snow on WP too! Guess I have been doing this for a long time too! Haha!

    I have changed my theme a few times over the years, but I didn’t worry about it. I am techie though. I began blogging during the MySpace days where I had to build websites by using HTML code. After that nothing much intimidated me. However, I have recently been pondering merging my Being Wholly Vibrant WP site into SheilaMurrey(dot)net (paid site—though not a business plan) and haven’t yet reached a decision. I am at around 60% utilization on the big (paid) site, so I don’t want to take up space with older posts that aren’t as relevant. Yes, I am always reinventing myself too.
    Like Mark, I have been a writer for decades, and have improved a LOT! No need to keep all of my ‘too wordy’ or ‘too lengthy’ posts!

    Lovely chemistry between you all. The conversation flowed nicely.

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    1. Sheila! You know things! I didn’t realize you’d been blogging for as long as you have…and wowza. You’ve got skills, my friend! Thank you so much for your kind words. Mark’s got so much to share…we could’ve gone on…and on…both ON topic and off! Big smiles to you! 🥰

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    2. That’s exactly what I did, Sheila: merged my blog onto my professional first name dot last name dot com site. Err…markpetruska.com. Ain’t no secrets here! It certainly made life easier as there was much less to manage.

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  4. Pingback: Episode 96: Embracing Tech & Non-Tech Change with Mark Petruska – The Story Lady

  5. There is so much to love about this episode! Vicki, I love your statement, “Mark knows things.” Yep, he does! And your description of him as a multi-hyphenate? Spot on! Such a great conversation with one of our beloved podcast and blogging buddies! Thanks for coming on, Mark!

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  6. Pingback: The holidays are a really big dill. – Mark My Words

  9. Like any change we make in life, it’s easier to push ourselves to do those things when we see others have done it and come out the other side feeling happy or content. I would say for technologically challenged people like myself, it’s harder to work up. Yet, I can fall back to other areas in my life and realize how empowering it is when we overcome those fears.

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  13. I think I left a comment dangling out in YouTube Land about this podcast, which is a perfect illustration that I am no techie, but that’s cool. I was interested in this topic as I am going to do something with my site. The vibe I’m getting here is “be brave. Do it…but don’t look at swingcat.com” hahaha. I got a little nugget here about plug-ins and are they worth the money for a business plan, or at least the snow one, and..no. 🙂 Mark is fun to listen to; thanks for an enjoyable conversation with some good info.

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    1. You are the best, Melanie! We love comments from you no matter where they pop! I need to get better about checking YouTube. I forget…LOL! So glad you picked up nuggets. Mark is a great encourager! Xo! 🥰

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  14. Oh no, I need to remember where I’m supposed to comment, Vicki! I’m back on track. 😊 I actually saw in the sidebar the tech discussion you and Wynne had about a month ago about WP, and I’m headed there too. It’s all good stuff!!! Thank you, Mark!

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  17. I love these series of conversations that look at both the technical aspects of WP and blogging, because at the heart of it, it’s driven by personal and professional goals around creativity and wanting to get your work out there.

    Lots to think about and lots were unpacked with such thoughtfulness and humour. It strikes me that so much tools exist today that allows people that normally would not have the platform to have the ability to build their own community and audience. Great advice and tips from Mark and you three on how to navigate and make the most of them!

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  18. Pingback: Trying New Things: A Journey Beyond Comfort – Surprised By Joy

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