Quality Talks Podcast

Summary In this episode - Picking Your Battles - Stu Day is joined by Ben Dowen to explore the evolving landscape of quality engineering, the impact of AI, and strategies for scaling quality practices in fast-moving teams. They share insights on mindset shifts, automation, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Key  topics Impact of AI on quality engineering Scaling quality practices i...

Summary After a short break, Stu Day returns with a personal story that sparked a new perspective on quality. Drawing parallels between the human nervous system and software delivery, this episode explores how quality isn't about finding defects—it's about understanding the flow of information, feedback, and signals across an entire system. From root cause analysis and observability to AI...

Summary In this episode, Stuart Day hosts Jagrit Gyawali for a conversation on the evolving role of quality engineering, leadership, and cultural change within tech organisations. Together, they explore the importance of soft skills, team dynamics, and fostering a shared sense of quality across teams. They also discuss the growing impact of AI on QA, practical ways to understand and measure qualit...

Summary In this episode, Stu Day and special guest Drew Pontikis explore the essence of communities, their value, and how to build and nurture them within organisations and beyond. Drew shares insights from his extensive experience in community building, social learning, and leadership, offering practical tips for fostering inclusive, engaging, and meaningful communities. Key  topics What is commu...

Summary In this episode, host Stu Day welcomes Callum Akehurst-Ryan to the show to discuss the uncomfortable truths about the quality engineering profession, the need for testers to evolve into generalists, and the impact of AI on the industry.  Callum shares insights from his keynote talk at PeersCon, emphasising the importance of addressing long-standing issues in quality engineering and the nec...

Summary In this episode, Stu Day explores the fascinating parallels between popular movies and quality engineering concepts using ChatGPT. Through a fun experiment, he discusses how films like Jurassic Park, The Matrix, Apollo 13, Moneyball, and The Dark Knight illustrate key principles such as system complexity, perception, resilience, meaningful metrics, and unpredictability. Key  Topics Movie m...

Summary In this episode Stu Day welcomes Stephen Platten to explore his unique journey from the RAF to software testing, uncovering lessons in leadership, quality, and adaptability that can transform your approach to testing and management. Stephen shares insights on community building, the application of stoic philosophy in testing, and navigating the challenges of AI in the industry. He emphasis...

Summary: In this episode, Stu Day explores practical strategies to prevent burnout, emphasising self-awareness, reflection, boundary-setting, and maintaining curiosity. Learn how small daily changes can significantly improve your well-being and sustain high-quality work. Key Take-aways: Acknowledging signals of burnout is the first step to prevention. Regular reflection helps identify patterns and...

Summary: In this engaging episode, host Stu Day chats with special guest Luke Lattimer-Rogers about squiggly lives and careers, systems thinking, creativity, and the importance of embracing a non-linear approach to professional growth. They explore how diverse experiences and a humanistic perspective can enhance quality and innovation in tech, and much more. Key Takeaways: Squiggly lives over squi...

Summary In episode 4 of “The Small Changes” Bitesize Series, Stu Day explores the emotional side of being a quality professional, focusing on burnout signs, causes, and the importance of mental health for quality professionals. Learn how to recognise early warning signs and triggers so that you can act to prevent burnout and maintain high standards along with your own & team well-being. Takeaw...

Summary Join Stu Day and special guest Chris Pratt as they explore the evolution of quality assurance, systems thinking, and the importance of systemic change in software testing. Discover how lessons from manufacturing and historical insights can transform modern quality practices, and how what we consider "new" ideas now, are actually old ideas being recycled. Key topics Systems thinki...

Summary In this episode, Stu Day shares practical tips for lone QA professionals to influence quality across their teams, by focusing on the system, not just the software. Discover how asking better questions, participating in non-QA meetings, pair testing and publicly recognising quality efforts can drive systemic improvements. Takeaways Asking thoughtful, risk-focused questions can spark wider t...

Summary In this episode of Quality Talks, hosts Stu and Chris welcome Christine Pinto (co-founder & CTPO of Epic Test Quest) to discuss the launch of Wizzo, an AI quality companion designed to enhance team collaboration in software testing. Christine shares insights into the journey of developing Wizzo, emphasising the importance of effective testing that focuses on quality rather than quantit...

Summary In the 2nd episode of the Quality Talks Bitesize series: Small Changes That Make a Big Difference to Quality - hosts Stu and Chris discuss their tips on how to enhance quality in teams without causing delays. They explore the perception of quality as a friction point, the importance of focusing on flow rather than gates, and the need to shift conversations left in the development process....

Summary In this episode of the Quality Talks podcast, host Stu Day and guest Philippa Jennings delve into the intricate relationship between systems thinking and quality. They explore how quality is not merely a function of testing but a holistic system that involves people, processes, and culture. Philippa shares her insights on the importance of psychological safety, effective communication, and...

Summary Introducing a new Quality Talks Podcast bitesize series focusing on Small Changes That Make a Big Difference To Quality In this 1st episode - Making Quality Visible , Chris and Stu share their top tips on how you can do this which include, the importance of reporting on impact rather than just activity, visualising risk, making quality conversations unavoidable, and the significance of del...

Summary In this episode of the Quality Talks podcast, host Stu Day and guest Ash Gawthorp discuss the rapid changes in the tech industry driven by AI advancements. They explore the implications of Andrej Karpathy's tweet expressing feelings of inadequacy among programmers, the evolving nature of software development, and the critical role of testing in ensuring quality in AI-driven systems. Th...

Summary In this episode of the Quality Talks podcast, host Stu Day and guest Megan Ozanne discuss the pitfalls of an automation-first approach in software testing. They explore the importance of team communication, identifying pain points, and building a capable team. Megan shares her insights on developing an automation-first maturity model, engaging with stakeholders, and measuring impact. The c...

Summary In this episode, hosts Stu Day and Chris Henderson reflect on the year 2025, discussing the growth and engagement of the podcast, the challenges of mental health in the workplace, and the evolving role of AI in shaping careers.  They emphasise the importance of community support and effective communication in navigating these changes, while also exploring emerging trends in quality enginee...

Summary In this episode Stu Day and special guest James Lawther (author of ‘Managed by Morons’) discuss the intricacies of leadership and management, drawing from personal experiences and insights from James's book.  They explore the importance of learning from bad leadership, the need for psychological safety in organisations, and the balance between effectiveness and efficiency.  The discuss...

Summary In this episode of the Quality Talks podcast, hosts Stu Day and special guest Vernon Richards delve into the complexities of language and terminology in the field of quality.  They discuss the importance of understanding context, the impact of personal experiences on language interpretation, and the need for intentional communication.  The conversation highlights common triggering phrases,...

Summary In this episode of Quality Talks, host Stu Day welcomes Yulia Sharabi, a seasoned QA manager, to discuss her journey in the field of Quality Assurance. Yulia shares her experiences transitioning from manual to automated testing, the challenges of leading teams, and the importance of adapting to change in the tech industry.  The conversation delves into the evolution of QA education, the si...

Summary In this live in person episode of the Quality Talks podcast, hosts Stu Day and James Milner explore the evolving landscape of leadership in technology. Joined by guests Rachael Morgan and Cleveland Henry, they discuss personal journeys into leadership, the importance of mentorship, and the critical role of respect and authenticity in effective leadership.  The conversation delves into crea...

Summary In this live in person episode of the Quality Talks podcast, hosts Stu Day and James Milner explore the evolving landscape of leadership in technology. Joined by guests Rachael Morgan and Cleveland Henry, they discuss personal journeys into leadership, the importance of mentorship, and the critical role of respect and authenticity in effective leadership.  The conversation delves into crea...

Summary In this episode of the Quality Talks podcast, host Stu Day engages with Dora Chatzinaki, a seasoned tech professional, host of the Verified Geek podcast and advocate for women in tech. They discuss Dora's journey in the tech industry, her experiences in leadership roles, and the challenges of influencing change within organisations. The conversation emphasises the importance of confide...