Technology: Custom Theme

Radio Localized

Posted on by fezziwigmedia

Radio Localized is my own weekly show on KBFG-FM that explores different places through music. Each episode focuses on a specific location, from New Orleans to Manchester, from rural Australia to urban New Jersey, and features songs connected to those places.  Since listeners had no way to visualize where these places were, or understand the geographic and cultural context behind the music, I proceeded to build a site to support the show.

RadioLocalized.com is a Drupal-powered companion web site that transforms the radio show into an interactive experience. For each episode, the site displays a map showing the locations referenced in the songs, along with details about each place and the music connected to it.

The Approach

Rather than build in isolation, I worked collaboratively with AI as a coding partner to move quickly and efficiently. Using my years of Drupal and web development experience to guide the architecture and decision-making, I was able to:

  • Design a data workflow that syncs directly from Google Sheets (where I manage show data) into Drupal, eliminating manual entry and keeping information current
  • Define entity relationships that connect songs to episodes to places to artists, creating a flexible system that could grow with the show
  • Plan interactive features like clickable maps, expandable accordions, and timestamped audio that enhance the listening experience
  • Solve real problems as they arose — recovering lost data, securing sensitive credentials, debugging unexpected behavior

This wasn’t a theoretical exercise; It’s a working tool for a real radio show with a real audience. It demonstrates the ability to understand a problem deeply, make sound technical decisions, and deliver a maintainable solution.

Dean Sluyter

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I’ve worked with author and meditation teacher Dean Sluyter for over two decades. What started as a simple author site has evolved through multiple platforms and redesigns as his books, teaching schedule, and media presence have grown.

Please visit the site at deansluyter.com, or click on the images to view enlarged screenshots.

The Evolution

I designed and built each version of the site as it moved through several generations of web technology:

  • The original site was built in ColdFusion, a reflection of where the web was in the early 2000s
  • A later rebuild moved to Drupal, which handled book promotion and event listings well but became harder to maintain
  • The current version runs on WordPress with Beaver Builder and ACF, giving Dean a streamlined editorial experience for blog posts, media embeds, and event updates

Current Work

I’m currently converting the Beaver Builder and ACF blocks to native, React-based Gutenberg blocks, one block at a time. The goal is to reduce plugin dependencies, improve long-term maintainability, and take advantage of WordPress’s modern editing experience while preserving the design and functionality Dean relies on.

This project reflects the kind of collaboration I value most: a long-term relationship where I understand the client’s needs deeply, and the site evolves thoughtfully over time rather than being rebuilt from scratch every few years.

When Money Is Moral

Posted on by fezziwigmedia

Built for David Mesenbring—author, nonprofit leader, and Episcopal priest—this site was migrated from Drupal 7 to WordPress to simplify content management and expand portability. I created a new design and WordPress theme while preserving key content and visual identity.

The site shares a technical foundation with Dean Sluyter’s, allowing for efficient hosting and maintenance.

Please visit the site at whenmoneyismoral.com, or click on the images at right to view enlarged screen shots.

Junk Drawer Photos

Posted on by fezziwigmedia

A long-running personal photo series and minimalist web project. I built this from scratch using vanilla PHP, HTML, CSS, and jQuery—no CMS. Visitors can explore a curated collection of literal junk drawers via a lightweight custom image slider. The site reflects my interest in documentary-style storytelling and digital ephemera.

Please click on the images at right to view enlarged screen shots.

GlobalNET

Posted on by fezziwigmedia

At CivicActions, I worked as either lead or sole front-end developer on several secure federal and local government websites. GlobalNET was one of the most visible of these projects, though much of the content remains protected or internal.

I contributed to the project for nearly two years, handling everything from UX planning through site building and theming. The site was built in Drupal 7, using the Zen base theme and a custom grid system to create a fully responsive layout. I’m proud to have played a central role in bringing this complex, security-sensitive site to life.

Oikocredit Northwest

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Oikocredit Northwest is a regional affiliate of Oikocredit UA, a global cooperative that provides fair credit to underserved communities.

Fezziwig helped Oikocredit Northwest establish a full online presence, including brand design, Drupal development, and a CiviCRM-integrated membership system. The site allows volunteers and staff to manage contacts, send newsletters, and maintain an event calendar, all within a user-friendly framework.

SCA Web Site

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The Society for Commercial Archeology is a membership organization devoted to preserving the 20th-century roadside landscape—everything from diners and drive-ins to neon signs and motor courts.

I built the SCA’s Drupal site to support both member engagement and public access. It includes a CiviCRM-powered membership database with support for event registration, renewals, and structured editorial content. A visual timeline and archival integration help bring the organization’s mission to life online.

John Oates

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Musician John Oates launched Good Road To Follow, a yearlong series of monthly song releases, and needed a web presence to match.

I designed and developed a WordPress-based landing page for the project. The site integrated media players, mailing list tools, and ecommerce options, all wrapped in a design that aligned with John’s branding and album art.

Kurt Baker Music

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Kurt Baker is a pop artist based in Portland, Maine. I was brought on to build a Genesis Framework child theme to support the release of his album Rockin’ for a Living.

Working from StudioPress’s “Child” theme as a baseline, I customized the layout and styling to reflect Kurt’s playful, high-energy brand. The site features streaming music, video embeds, and tour updates in a mobile-friendly, fan-focused design.