Quality Talks Podcast

Stu & Chris together, have more than 30 years combined experience in the quality, software testing and the general technology industry, and on the Quality Talks podcasts they will be discussing, along with special guests, all the hot topics on everyone minds.....and those that may not be :)

Quality Talks Podcast is a technology podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 54 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Quality Talks Podcast, a technology show with 54 episodes published.

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  Quality Talks Podcast

  The Invisible Leader: Why Great Leadership Doesn't Need The Spotlight

  Jul 14, 202617 min

  Summary In this episode, Stu Day explores the true meaning of leadership recognition, emphasising that leadership is about enabling others and finding fulfilment in their success rather than seeking personal accolades. He shares insights on shifting mindset, building environments for success, and the importance of humility and peer recognition. Key Topics Leadership mindset shift from self to team Recognition as a byproduct of enabling others Building environments for team success The importance of humility in leadership Peer recognition vs. personal awards The role of feedback in leadership growth Leadership as a privilege, not a right The loneliness of leadership and peer support Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Recognition 01:01 Challenges for New Leaders 02:01 Leadership Is Not About Immediate Recognition 03:00 Recognition Comes from the Role Itself 03:58 Success Through Others as True Recognition 04:52 Influence on Others' Success 05:52 Creating Environments for Success 07:08 Seeking Feedback on Enabling Others 08:08 The Power of Invisible Leadership 09:10 Humility and Sharing Success 10:10 The Impact of Leaders Who Don't Seek Credit 11:08 Leadership Can Be Lonely 12:05 Recognition Beyond Awards 13:04 Shift Focus from Self to Team 14:03 Leadership Is About Enabling Others 15:00 Peer Recognition and Support 15:56 Final Thoughts and Reflection

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  Quality Talks Podcast

  Picking Your Battles with Ben Dowen

  Jun 30, 20261h 24m

  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 in fast-paced teams Mindset shifts from traditional to modern quality engineering Automation and feedback loops in SDLC Supporting multiple teams with limited resources Maturity models for quality improvement Using AI tools for debugging and release management Cultural shifts in quality practices Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Quality Engineering Challenges 06:09 The Evolution of Quality Engineering Mindset 12:17 Shifting Responsibilities in Testing 18:12 Building the Right Thing vs. Building Things Right 24:03 Understanding Customer Needs in Quality Engineering 30:00 Leveraging Internal Feedback Loops 31:01 Aligning Teams on Goals and Quality 33:50 Choosing Battles: Prioritising Work Effectively 36:18 Automating Release Processes for Efficiency 39:38 Context Switching and Team Collaboration 42:49 Scaling Quality Engineering Through Enablement 46:36 Understanding Maturity Models in Quality Engineering 50:19 Continuous Improvement and Quality Levels 53:26 Building Feedback Loops and Metrics 57:19 The Value of Automation in Feedback Loops 01:00:06 Exploring AI in Engineering Practices 01:03:01 The Impact of AI on Quality Engineering 01:06:09 Navigating Change and Embracing AI 01:09:53 The Commoditisation of Technology and AI 01:14:06 Maintaining Quality in an AI-Driven World 01:17:59 Final Thoughts on Quality Engineering and AI 01:23:33 End

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  Quality Talks Podcast

  The Human Connection: What Neurology can Teach Us About systemic Quality

  Jun 17, 202625 min

  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 governance and systemic thinking, discover why the best quality professionals focus on the health of the whole system, not just the symptoms. A thought-provoking episode on continuous systemic quality, feedback loops, and the human connection behind how complex systems work. Takeaways Understanding systemic quality requires looking at the entire system, not just individual parts. Effective feedback loops are crucial for system health and quick issue resolution. Root causes often lie deeper than surface defects; addressing them prevents recurring issues. Analogies from the human body can help visualise and improve software systems. Incremental improvements over time lead to better system health and performance. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates 02:09 Health Challenges and Discoveries 06:36 Connecting Health to Systemic Quality 12:15 Understanding Root Causes in Quality 18:38 The Importance of Systemic Connections 22:26 Conclusion and Call for Engagement 24:12 The Real Human Connection - End

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  Quality Talks Podcast

  The Future of Quality Engineering with Jagrit Gyawali

  May 20, 20261h 24m

  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 quality within different organisational contexts, and how teams can embrace continuous improvement in an ever-changing technology landscape. Key Topics The evolution from “testing” to quality engineering Why soft skills are massively underrated in tech Building quality as a shared team responsibility Growing junior talent and creating opportunities Leadership, influence, and cultural change AI, automation, metrics, and measuring what really matters Chapters 00:00 Mental Health Awareness and its Importance 02:34 Introduction to Jagrit Gyawali and His Journey 05:16 Jagrit's Origin Story and Career Path 09:36 The Value of Practical Training in Quality Engineering 14:22 Evolution of Quality Engineering 20:20 The Holistic Approach to Quality Engineering 25:07 The Importance of Diverse Skills in QA 28:48 The Future of QA and Embracing Change 29:00 Diverse Backgrounds in Quality Assurance 32:36 The Importance of Soft Skills 36:51 Proactive Capability Building 39:31 Influencing Cultural Change in Leadership 44:20 Understanding Context and Empathy in Quality 49:54 Measuring Value and Quality in Teams 56:38 Understanding Test Coverage and Confidence 59:00 Feedback Loops and Quality Assurance 01:01:11 Technical Debt and Bug Clusters 01:04:05 The Role of AI in Software Development 01:10:04 Investing in People vs. Technology 01:12:21 The Future of QA in an AI-Driven World 01:23:14 Closing things out

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  Quality Talks Podcast

  The Power of Community: We Are In This Together with Drew Pontikis

  May 6, 20261h 18m

  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 community? How communities evolve and their value Drew's journey from testing to community leadership Social learning and its role in community engagement Strategies for building inclusive and sustainable communities The value creation model in community development Practical tips for starting and growing communities within organisations Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Community Building 05:11 Transitioning to Engineering Management 09:57 Defining Community 19:25 Creating Value in Communities 26:51 Value Creation Model in Community Learning 38:31 Reimagining Panel Discussions 45:00 Facilitating Inclusive Conversations 52:01 Building Community Connections 58:57 The Role of Vulnerability in Community Building 01:05:12 Encouraging Participation in Communities 01:11:02 Learning Beyond Comfort Zones 01:17:13 Closing Credits Resources: Drew Pontikis: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drew-pontikis-21aab060 Website: https://by-people-for-people.beehiiv.com/ Books: Belonging: Unlock Your Potential with the Ancient Code of Togetherness https://amzn.eu/d/0c4LJiOT Learning to Make a Difference: Value Creation in Social Learning Spaces https://amzn.eu/d/08GpZiiW Building Successful Communities of Practice https://amzn.eu/d/0dgOehUt

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