by 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 :)
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
5/30/2024
Email Addresses
1 available
Phone Numbers
0 available
April 11, 2025
<p>In this episode of the Quality Talks podcast, hosts Chris Henderson and Stu Day explore the dynamics of interviews, emphasising the importance of a two-way relationship between candidates and employers. </p><p>They discuss community engagement, share personal experiences, and highlight the significance of creating a positive interview environment. </p><p>Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences and the importance of communication throughout the interview process.</p><p>The conversation also touches on technical interviews, handling anxiety, and the need for honesty in the hiring process. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Show Links:</strong></p><p>1. Instagram page: quality_talks_podcast</p><p>2. Culture Corner Podcast with Chris: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3XdYF5Rsyyd6pCSehUXJFJ?si=ghhZHZJDRXWUY7NvREVITg</p><p>3. https://nationalsoftwaretestingconference.co.uk/</p><p>4. https://www.ministryoftesting.com/events/testbash-brighton-2025</p><p>5. Our website: https://qualitytalks.co.uk/</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Chapters:</strong></p><p>00:00 Introduction to The Perfect Pair</p><p>03:36 Community Growth and Engagement</p><p>08:03 Upcoming Events and Conferences</p><p>10:45 Multi-Generational Teams Discussion</p><p>12:51 London Meetup and Community Involvement</p><p>16:04 The Perfect Pair: Interview Dynamics</p><p>20:22 Understanding the Interview Process</p><p>29:01 What Makes a Good Interview?</p><p>36:33 Creating a Comfortable Interview Environment</p><p>42:38 Exploring Interview Styles and Formats</p><p>50:51 What Makes a Bad Interview?</p><p>59:49 The Importance of Communication in the Interview Process</p><p>01:10:01 Community Insights on Interview Experiences</p><p>01:22:45 End</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Takeaways:</strong></p><ul><li>Interviews should be a two-way street, allowing both parties to assess fit.</li><li>Creating a positive interview experience is crucial for candidates.</li><li>Technical interviews should focus on problem-solving and communication skills.</li><li>Honesty on CVs is essential; candidates should not feel pressured to exaggerate.</li><li>Open communication during the interview process is vital for both candidates and interviewers.</li><li>Candidates should feel empowered to withdraw from a process that doesn't feel right.</li><li>Interviewers should engage actively and respectfully with candidates.</li><li>Feedback from candidates can help improve the interview process.</li><li>Community insights can provide valuable perspectives on the hiring experience.</li><li>Practicing interview techniques can enhance the overall experience for both parties.</li></ul>
March 22, 2025
<p><strong>Summary</strong></p><p>In this episode of Quality Talks, hosts Stu Day and Chris Henderson welcome Christine Pinto, co-founder of Epic Test Quest. Christine shares her journey from a tech career to politics and back, emphasising the importance of quality in software testing. </p><p>The conversation explores the challenges faced by testers, the role of AI in improving testing processes, and the significance of community engagement. Christine advocates for a quality mindset in tech and the need for fun and gamification in testing. </p><p>The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to join the Epic Test Quest community and contribute to the development of a tool that aims to enhance the testing experience.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Show Links:</strong></p><p>1. Epic Test Quest Website: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/safety/go?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.epictestquest.com%2F&trk=flagship-messaging-web&messageThreadUrn=urn%3Ali%3AmessagingThread%3A2-MDdiNjljMWUtZDlhNC00MDIxLWEzY2MtN2EyN2U5NDcxYjJlXzAxMg%3D%3D&lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_messaging_conversation_detail%3BPLtT3IamSnCUwG%2BVq%2Fwf7w%3D%3D">https://www.epictestquest.com/</a></p><p>2. Epic Test Quest Slack Community: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/safety/go?url=https%3A%2F%2Fjoin.slack.com%2Ft%2Fetqcommunity%2Fshared_invite%2Fzt-31z6yv89i-62eixB9hqdpO0tXBhyQvxQ&trk=flagship-messaging-web&messageThreadUrn=urn%3Ali%3AmessagingThread%3A2-MDdiNjljMWUtZDlhNC00MDIxLWEzY2MtN2EyN2U5NDcxYjJlXzAxMg%3D%3D">https://join.slack.com/t/etqcommunity/shared_invite/zt-31z6yv89i-62eixB9hqdpO0tXBhyQvxQ</a></p><p>3. Epic Test Quest LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/epictestquest?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_messaging_conversation_detail%3BPLtT3IamSnCUwG%2BVq%2Fwf7w%3D%3D">https://www.linkedin.com/company/epictestquest</a></p><p>4. Christine's Motivational Song: <a href="https://youtu.be/1SXQfd8f-o0?si=ea41f2gZ1tivMZyF">https://youtu.be/1SXQfd8f-o0?si=ea41f2gZ1tivMZyF</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00 Introduction and Excitement for the Podcast</p><p>02:14 Christine Pinto's Background and Journey</p><p>04:51 Transition from Politics to Tech</p><p>08:25 Lessons Learned from Politics</p><p>14:06 The Birth of Epic Test Quest</p><p>22:14 Prototyping and Community Engagement</p><p>26:19 Quality Mindset in Entrepreneurship</p><p>30:09 Bridging Communication Gaps in Testing</p><p>33:01 The Importance of Quality Mindset</p><p>35:17 Leveraging Community for Product Development</p><p>38:39 Transforming Quality into a Collaborative Mindset</p><p>42:12 Gamification and Fun in Quality Assurance</p><p>46:18 Visualizing Quality through Engagement</p><p>55:45 Emotional Connections in Testing and Development</p><p>56:36 Starting the Conversation: Understanding Pain Points</p><p>59:54 Creating Accessible Tools for Testers</p><p>01:01:40 Leveraging AI for Quality Assurance</p><p>01:05:56 The Importance of Quality in Software Development</p><p>01:10:39 Emotional Impact of Quality Assurance</p><p>01:16:47 Building a Community for Feedback and Growth</p><p>01:21:38 End</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Takeaways</strong></p><ol><li>Christine Pinto emphasizes the importance of community in software testing.</li><li>The transition from politics to tech provided valuable networking and communication skills.</li><li>Quality is a team responsibility and should be prioritized in tech.</li><li>Gamification can make testing more engaging and fun.</li><li>AI tools need to be trained on quality data to be effective.</li><li>Emotional connections with customers are crucial for understanding quality impact.</li><li>The importance of communication in tech is often overlooked.</li><li>Test case creation is a common pain point for many testers.</li><li>Christine aims to create a tool that is accessible for all testers.</li><li>Feedback from the community is essential for the success of Epic Test Quest.</li></ol>
February 26, 2025
<p>In this heartfelt episode of Quality Talks, hosts Stu Day and Chris Henderson delve into the critical topics of wellbeing, self-care, and mental health within leadership. They share personal experiences and insights on the importance of leading by example, being vulnerable, and creating supportive environments for open communication. The conversation emphasises the need for self-awareness and practical strategies for managing stress, ultimately encouraging leaders to prioritise their own wellbeing to better support their teams.</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00 Introduction to Wellbeing and Leadership</p><p>08:12 The Importance of Self-Care in Leadership</p><p>19:18 Vulnerability and Open Communication in Leadership</p><p>30:22 Building Supportive Leadership Cultures</p><p>41:53 Building Leadership Communities for Change</p><p>43:21 The Importance of Vulnerability in Leadership</p><p>45:49 Creating Safe Spaces for Open Conversations</p><p>47:17 The Impact of Mental Health on Leadership</p><p>49:12 The Power of Sharing Personal Struggles</p><p>50:31 Encouraging Open Dialogue in the Workplace</p><p>52:29 Utilizing the Stress Bucket Exercise</p><p>55:16 Coping Mechanisms for Stress Relief</p><p>58:44 The Role of Self-Reflection in Leadership</p><p>01:03:23 Prioritizing Mental Health in Leadership</p><p>01:08:34 Embracing Vulnerability as a Strength</p><p>01:11:39 Navigating Change and New Beginnings</p><p>01:14:01 Creating a Supportive Community</p><p>01:18:24 Looking Ahead: Future Conversations on Mental Health</p><p>01:19:00 Wrap Up</p><p><br /></p><p>Takeaways</p><ol><li>Self-care is often overlooked in leadership training.</li><li>It's important to acknowledge that it's okay to not be okay.</li><li>Vulnerability in leadership fosters stronger connections.</li><li>Creating a supportive environment encourages open communication.</li><li>Self-reflection helps prioritize emotional wellbeing.</li><li>Leaders should lead by example in discussing mental health.</li><li>Practical exercises can help manage stress effectively.</li><li>Building a community around shared experiences is vital.</li><li>Emotional awareness is key to effective leadership.</li><li>It's essential to have trusted outlets for sharing feelings.</li><p><br /></p></ol><p><br /></p>
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at [email protected] for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.
