Ready, Test, Go.: Recent Episodes
Applause
On the Ready, Test, Go. podcast, brought to you by Applause, host David Carty and his expert guests will dive into all aspects of developing and testing quality digital experiences. Whether technical in nature or geared toward a particular industry, each episode explores the steps to launch five-star digital experiences.
Technology teams are often measured by what they can ship: performance, reliability, efficiency, adoption and scale. But the systems they build also shape privacy, dignity, access, autonomy, care and trust, among other important values. Their work asks a pair of deceptively simple questions: Who is affected by a technology? And what values are implicated by the choices teams make?
Value sensitive design pioneers Batya Friedman and David Hendry join the podcast to discuss their framework for integrating these human values into products. Leaning on a few examples and even a demonstration, Friedman and Hendry explain why it's important to go beyond simple performance metrics and broadly support human flourishing in product design.
About the guests:
Batya Friedman and David G. Hendry are leading researchers in value sensitive design. Their work brings together theory, method and practice to help designers, engineers, researchers, policy makers and technology leaders account for human values throughout the design process. Through concepts such as stakeholder analysis, value scenarios, envisioning cards and multi-lifespan thinking, they have helped establish a practical framework for designing technologies that account for dignity, privacy, care, justice, access and other important human values.
They are coauthors of Value Sensitive Design: Shaping Technology with Moral Imagination, which just released its second edition. You can find it here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/798075/value-sensitive-design-second-edition-by-batya-friedman-and-david-g-hendry/
You can also find their envisioning cards here: https://vsdesign.org/toolkits/envisioningcards/
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Many technology leaders view data quality as purely an IT issue, which leads to fragmentation and siloed efforts. The challenge lies the lack of organizational alignment and clear, human-centric data intelligence.
In this episode, Roberto Maranca, data excellence practitioner and author of Data Excellence: How Data Leadership Can Drive Stronger Organizational Performance joins us to reframe data governance as a team sport. Roberto explains why successful AI adoption requires "data athletes" and "data personal trainers" to work in concert. He discusses the importance of data consumer stories, the necessity of human judgment in AI and how leaders can rebuild trust by prioritizing clear data context.
About the guest: Roberto Maranca is an enterprise data leader and author. He has held senior and executive data leadership roles at organizations including Schneider Electric, Lloyds Banking Group and GE, with work spanning data governance, data quality, data risk, AI readiness and business transformation. Recognized multiple times as one of DataIQ’s Top 100 Data Leaders, Roberto frames data leadership as a performance discipline, which helps organizations build trust, accountability and value.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Testing teaches us to look for hidden assumptions and treat failure as valuable information. But when the standard for professional quality is high, the friction of everyday life can feel like a series of critical defects. Without the right framework, these "bugs" lead to emotional burnout and strained relationships rather than insight.
In this episode, Alison McGuigan, Director of Enterprise Quality Assurance, discusses how the testing mindset fundamentally changes how we approach complexity. From boundary testing personal relationships to refactoring daily habits and dead code, Alison explores how to apply technical rigor to personal growth — and vice versa. Learn why treating every defect as a source of insight can improve resilience and navigate the most complex human systems.
About the guest: Alison McGuigan is a Director of Enterprise Quality Assurance and author of the blog Testing in Production. She has over a decade of experience driving test optimization and automation strategy.
You can find Alison’s blog here: https://testinginprod.substack.com/
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Automation is at the core of modern software delivery, enabling enterprises to surface risk earlier and operate with greater speed. That means everything from developer-native security to AI-assisted code generation. However, increased activity and scale do not guarantee quality or confidence. As AI accelerates code production, the risk landscape expands, raising questions about accountability and assurance.
In this episode, Nir Valtman, CEO and co-founder of Arnica, joins us to discuss how organizations can design an operating model where automation enhances speed and consistency — all while human judgment, cultural discipline and contextual validation remain central to establishing trust.
About the guest:
Nir Valtman is the CEO and co-founder of Arnica, where he focuses on advancing developer-first security practices that surface risk earlier in the software development lifecycle. With a strong background in engineering leadership and application security, Nir has worked at the intersection of DevOps, secure SDLC transformation, and automation at scale.
His perspective centers on reducing friction for developers while strengthening code-level assurance through AI-assisted remediation and workflow-native security practices. He is a frequent voice in conversations about modern AppSec, AI-driven development, and the evolving relationship between automation and engineering accountability.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com
The era of AI-assisted development is here. The rise of vibe coding puts an emphasis on speed and instant code generation. But, at what cost? While this lowers the barrier to entry, it also introduces substantial risk. A singular focus on velocity can undermine the fundamentals of sound software engineering, leading to quality issues when crucial practices like accountability and explainability are neglected.
In this episode, Dan Vega, Developer Advocate at Broadcom, explains how the real work of engineering is moving toward strategic planning, rigorous code reviews and comprehensive testing. Dan argues that problem-solving, weighing trade-offs and human empathy are the most critical skills needed to build quality software in an AI-driven world.
About the guest: Dan Vega is a Developer Advocate at Broadcom, a software engineer, author, and educator. He has dedicated his career to helping developers bridge the gap from simply writing code to practicing true engineering. He is the co-author of the book Fundamentals of Software Engineering from Coder to Engineer, which stresses the importance of judgment, clarity, and foundational skills in an era dominated by AI and automation.
You can find Dan’s latest book here: https://www.danvega.dev/books/fundamentals-of-software-engineering
Subscribe for more conversations on software quality, AI and modern digital experiences.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
Find more thought leadership content at: https://www.youtube.com/@ApplauseDotCom/videos
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Many organizations are struggling to balance rapid innovation with high-quality user experiences. From inaccessible interfaces to the "black labyrinth" of generative AI, professionals face the daunting task of building products that are functional, ethical and inclusive.
In this "Best of 2025" episode, host David Carty highlights key insights from a prestigious group of experts. The discussion spans the concept of "digital curb cuts" in accessibility to the challenges of artifact-based testing and the urgent need for responsible AI strategies. Tune in to learn how to truly prioritize the end user and navigate the complexities of modern digital quality.
About the guest:
This episode features a powerhouse lineup of industry thought leaders. Featured guests include Michael Bolton, a world-renowned software testing expert; Lisa Crispin, a pioneer in Agile testing; Sandy Pentland, one of the most-cited scientists in the world; and Nathan Chappell, a leader in AI ethics.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Inclusive design and accessibility research are reshaping how teams define software quality — and the benefits are both strategic and altruistic. Accessibility research expert Jamila Evilsizor joins us on this episode of the Ready, Test, Go. podcast to explore why real user voices matter more than guidelines when building reliable digital experiences.
Jamila shares how first-hand accessibility research changes executive mindsets, why “just make it work” is often the real goal for users with disabilities, and how teams can move beyond WCAG compliance toward truly usable products.
Some highlights from this digital accessibility-centric episode include:
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Why accessibility guidelines are the baseline — not the finish line
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How user research influences product, engineering and culture
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What practical methods can help embed accessibility into everyday delivery
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Why autonomy, dignity and privacy must be in focus
Subscribe for more conversations on software quality, AI and modern digital experiences.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
Find more digital quality content at: https://www.youtube.com/@ApplauseDotCom/videos
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com
Agile testing pioneer Lisa Crispin joins the Ready, Test, Go. podcast brought to you by Applause to unpack holistic testing, whole-team quality and how to build reliable digital experiences at scale. Lisa is an independent consultant, co-founder of the Agile Testing Fellowship with Janet Gregory, and co-author of Holistic Testing: Weave Quality Into Your Product.
Some software quality insights from the episode:
- How the Holistic Testing Model grew from Agile testing quadrants and the DevOps loop
- Why the best teams weave testing into every stage of delivery
- How short feedback loops and observability help reveal real software quality
- Practical ways to help non-testers — developers, designers, product — own quality
- Why AI and test automation are “amplifiers,” not replacements for quality engineers
You can see what Lisa’s up to, schedule some coaching or consulting time or read her thought leadership content at LisaCrispin.com. And you can find links to her books at Agiletester.ca.
Subscribe for more conversations on software quality, AI and modern digital experiences.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
Find more thought leadership content at: https://www.youtube.com/@ApplauseDotCom/videos
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Sandy Pentland, Senior Research Fellow at Stanford HAI, discusses how innovators are grappling with the societal impact of technology, the challenges of creating reliable products in a world driven by narratives and the concept of abductive reasoning in validating AI applications. Pentland also introduces the Four Horsemen of Social Failure and practices to mitigate AI risks.
About the guest:
Alex Pentland is a Stanford HAI Fellow and MIT Toshiba Professor. Named one of the “100 people to watch this century” by Newsweek and “one of the seven most powerful data scientists in the world” by Forbes, he is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering, an advisor to Abu Dhabi Investment Authority Lab, and an advisor to the UN Secretary General’s office. His work has helped manage privacy and security for the world’s digital networks by establishing authentication standards, protect personal privacy by contributing to the pioneering EU privacy law, and provide healthcare support for hundreds of millions of people worldwide through both for-profit and not-for-profit companies.
His latest book, Shared Wisdom: Cultural Evolution in the Age of AI, can be found here: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262050999/shared-wisdom/
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Listen as William Reuschel, Inclusive Design Practice Lead at Applause, joins the podcast. He digs into the critical importance of inclusive design, exploring how it transcends compliance to become a significant competitive advantage and catalyst for innovation. He also discusses what differentiates companies that prioritize accessibility from those that view it solely as a legal risk, especially in light of the new EAA regulations, as well as ways to measure accessibility success.
About the guest: William Reuschel has over 10 years of experience helping teams develop products that are accessible, inclusive, and a delight to their customers. He is an expert in accessibility and inclusive design and has the technical expertise to guide designers and developers to scalable and repeatable success. He holds a degree in computer science, a Web Accessibility Specialist certificate from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals, and is a Certified Scrum Master.
William spent the formative years of his career with an advocacy organization working closely with assistive technology users to evaluate both the accessibility and usability of critical products and services for people with disabilities. Through this work, he developed an understanding not only of the impact of technology on an individual’s life, but also the power of technology to build a more inclusive future for everyone. William is passionate about sharing his experience and building empathy with product teams to realize his vision of a fully inclusive future.
Learn more about Applause’s Accessibility Testing Solution here: https://www.applause.com/accessibility-testing/
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Many product teams focus on the largest group of users, but what if the key to your product's growth lies in the hands of the “lizard users,” the small segment of users who go against the grain and interact with your system in unexpected ways? It's a truth that many successful products stumble upon success by what feels like serendipity — but it doesn't have to be random.
In this episode, software delivery expert Gojko Adzic explains how to systematically observe how people are misusing or abusing a product to figure out underserved use cases and unexpected value. He shares the four steps of "Lizard Optimization" and how this technique led to a 100x growth for his own product, Narakeet, a text-to-speech video maker.
About the guest: Gojko Adzic is a partner at Neuri Consulting LLP. He is an internationally recognized software delivery consultant and author of several books, including "Lizard Optimization: Unlock Product Growth by Engaging Long-Tail Users." Gojko is known for advancing Agile and testing practices in some of the world's largest companies.
You can find Gojko’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Lizard-Optimization-Product-Engaging-Long-Tail/dp/0993088171
Gojko also referenced the following material in this episode:
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The PayPal origin story is from Founders at Work: https://www.amazon.com/Founders-Work-Stories-Startups-Early-ebook/dp/B009IXMK4O
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Success/failure rates are from Trustworthy Online Controlled Experiments: https://www.amazon.com/Trustworthy-Online-Controlled-Experiments-Practical/dp/1108724264
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The reference for Amazon execs spending time in customer servicing is from Working Backwards: https://www.amazon.com/Working-Backwards-PB/dp/1529033845
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Connecting the loop at Eventbrite/Rachael Neumann video: https://vimeo.com/337949688
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HBR/Amy Gallo reference on retention metrics: https://hbr.org/2014/10/the-value-of-keeping-the-right-customers
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
The rapid advancement of AI is fundamentally reshaping how businesses operate and experiment, promising unprecedented productivity gains and new avenues for growth. However, for many organizations, the path to widespread, aggressive enterprise AI adoption remains fraught with challenges, from navigating technical complexities to establishing robust governance and data quality strategies. Businesses are grappling with how to integrate AI effectively while mitigating risks and ensuring a high level of digital quality.
In this episode, Andy Sack, co-founder and co-CEO of Forum3 — and co-author of AI First: The Playbook for a Future-Proof Business and Brand — dives into what it means to build an AI first organization. He shares insights from his conversations with AI luminaries like Sam Altman and Bill Gates, discusses strategies for achieving early AI wins and offers guidance on balancing innovation, performance and quality in the age of AI.
About the guest: Andy Sack is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor and AI transformation enthusiast with more than 25 years of experience across technology, finance and venture capital. As co-founder and co-CEO of Forum3, he helps brands navigate and leverage emerging AI technologies. Andy is also the co-author of the recently released book, AI First: The Playbook for a Future-Proof Business and Brand, which offers a guide to building AI-centric businesses.
You can find Andy’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/AI-First-Playbook-Future-Proof-Business/dp/1647829658/
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Organizations across all sectors are increasingly exploring with and implementing artificial intelligence, with significant opportunities and complex challenges abound. How should organizations deal with the concerning ethical considerations and the potential for unintended consequences? How can they minimize risk and help ensure that AI systems are developed and deployed responsibly?
In this episode, we speak with Nathan Chappell, Senior Vice President of DonorSearch AI and founder of Fundraising AI. A leading voice in the application of artificial intelligence for social good, Nathan shares his expert perspective on how nonprofit organizations are navigating the AI landscape with a strong emphasis on ethical practices. He discusses the distinctions between AI usage in for-profit and nonprofit contexts, the vital need for widespread AI literacy and concrete steps organizations can take to cultivate trustworthy and beneficial AI solutions.
About the guest: Nathan is the Senior Vice President of DonorSearch AI, where he leads enterprise AI strategies for some of the nation’s most innovative nonprofit organizations. Nathan is the founder of Fundraising.AI, a 6,000-plus member collaborative dedicated to advancing responsible and ethical AI use in fundraising. With over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, he has spearheaded multi-billion-dollar campaigns and now focuses on helping mission-driven organizations scale impact through responsible technology. Nathan is also a prolific author and public speaker. He co-authored The Generosity Crisis and Nonprofit AI, and was the first to deliver a TEDx talk on AI and the future of generosity.
You can find Nathan’s latest book here: https://www.amazon.com/Nonprofit-Comprehensive-Implementing-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/139431664X/
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Brands are increasingly recognizing the potential of AR and VR technologies to create immersive experiences that captivate and engage consumers. However, navigating the complexities of these technologies and their implementation presents significant challenges, including device fragmentation, environmental considerations and high consumer expectations. Fostering high quality across these diverse platforms is crucial for brands seeking to deliver seamless and impactful experiences.
In this episode, Tom Emrich, a leading expert in AR, VR and wearable technology, discusses the future of spatial computing, including how brands can leverage AR to enhance customer journeys. Drawing from his extensive experience and insights from his book, "The Next Dimension," Tom explores the importance of user-centric design, the role of AI in AR development and the ethical considerations surrounding accessibility and localization.
About the guest: Tom Emrich is the author of The Next Dimension, a definitive guide to leveraging augmented reality (AR) for business growth in the era of spatial computing. With over 15 years of experience as a journalist, investor and product leader, Tom is widely recognized as a pioneer in the fields of AR, virtual reality and wearable technology. His book, featured in Forbes, offers a practical roadmap for businesses looking to harness AR’s transformative potential.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
As organizations face increasing pressure to release quickly, launches often comes at the expense of thorough testing. Blind spots in the development process can result in costly errors and a diminished user experience, yet teams often fail to achieve alignment around software testing priorities.
Michael Bolton, a renowned expert in software testing, discusses the evolution of digital quality. He introduces the "Four Frames of Testing" to move beyond requirements checklists and uncover real business risks. We also discuss AI's impact on QA, the changing tester role, and questioning "best practices." Michael also shares insights from his upcoming book as well as his blog, in which he advocates for an investigative approach to software testing.
About the guest: Michael Bolton is the Lead Consultant at DevelopSense and a recognized expert in software testing with over 30 years of experience. As co-creator of Rapid Software Testing (RST), a methodology focused on skilled and efficient testing under time pressure, Michael has helped countless organizations and individuals optimize their testing processes. He has delivered RST training in over 35 countries and has worked with a wide range of industries, including banking, retail, telecommunications, and startups.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Editing by Ian Lippincott
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
The digital divide between the Global North and the Global South is a growing concern for technology companies and enthusiasts. This divide is particularly evident in how technology is viewed and used, as well as the role it plays in our culture.
In this episode, Payal Arora, professor of inclusive AI cultures at Utrecht University, discusses the importance of optimism in the Global South and how it can inspire the development of inclusive tech. She argues that we can learn a lot from the Global South, where citizens use technology to address pressing challenges such as economic inequality and social injustice.
About the guest: Payal Arora is a professor of inclusive AI cultures at Utrecht University and the co-founder of FemLab and the inclusive AI Lab. She is also a prolific author with more than 100 journal articles and award-winning books to her name, including her latest, From Pessimism To Promise: Lessons From the Global South on Designing Inclusive Tech. Arora's work has been featured in major media outlets such as Forbes, The New York Times, and The Guardian.
You can find Payal’s latest book here: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262049306/from-pessimism-to-promise/
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Generative AI is rapidly changing the way we design and develop applications. But, to create truly effective and engaging enterprise Gen AI-infused solutions, we need to prioritize usability and functional quality.
In this episode, Richard H. Miller, a technology advisor, coach and author of the book, UX for Enterprise ChatGPT Solutions, provides some practical guidance for enterprises. Reflecting on findings from his book, Richard shares some tenets for creating engaging, generative AI-based experiences, emphasizing the importance of usability and functional quality along the way.
You can find Richard’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Enterprise-ChatGPT-Solutions-practical-enterprise-grade/dp/1835461190
About the guest: Richard H. Miller is a technology advisor and coach guiding startups in emerging technologies across CRM, social networking, and other sectors. He spent 17 years at Oracle, most recently as Senior Director Level Architect specializing in conversational AI and UX design strategy. He also wrote the book UX for Enterprise ChatGPT Solutions.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
A few brief moments can make or break your customer experience. Friction, failures and blind spots in the customer journey can undermine even the best digital products. When harnessed and implemented correctly, a data-driven, customer-centric approach can uncover issues that lead to churn.
In this episode, Todd Unger, Chief Experience Officer at the American Medical Association, digs into the nuances and gravity of friction in the customer journey. Discussing themes from his latest book, Todd explains how friction inhibits growth, the importance of addressing technical debt and how to strategically fit the CX operation into the business.
About the guest: Todd Unger is a customer experience and marketing leader with a decade of experience focusing on customer-centric digital and business transformation. As Chief Experience Officer at the American Medical Association, he integrates product, marketing, commerce and service to enhance member engagement and advance the organization's mission. He is also the author of the book The 10-Second Customer Journey: The CXO’s playbook for growing and retaining customers in a digital world.
You can find his book here: https://www.amazon.com/10-Second-Customer-Journey-retaining-customers/dp/1788605039
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Digital transformation in healthcare promises improved patient outcomes and streamlined services. But the pace of innovation currently lags behind its potential, slowed by regulatory challenges, a complex healthcare ecosystem and safety concerns. Yet the need for high-quality, consumer-centric digital health solutions is more critical than ever.
In this episode, Dr. Liz Kwo explains why a digital revolution might just save the American healthcare system. She offers a compelling perspective on the digital transformation of healthcare and its impact on the five Ps: pioneers, providers, patients, payers and policymakers. She also emphasizes the importance of consumer-driven innovation, proactive patient engagement and equitable access to services and devices.
About the guest: Dr. Liz Kwo, MD, MBA, MPH, is a healthcare executive, board director, practicing physician, lecturer and innovator, specializing in scaling international digital health companies. Dr. Kwo is the Chief Commercial Officer at Everly Health and a member of the Mass General Brigham Innovation Growth Board. She is also the author of the book Digital MD: Revolutionizing the Future of Healthcare and host of the DigitalMD Podcast.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Media companies have thrust themselves headlong into the subscription management business as a means of achieving and maintaining profitability. But that approach hasn’t been without its challenges, as everything from the adoption model to revenue streams and subscriber expectations have changed dramatically over the last 10 years.
Stewart Frey, a media technology and solutions leader, joins us to discuss the rapidly evolving media market. In this fundamental shift in business, hear how media brands can take a proactive, multi-faceted approach to win over customers, now and in the future.
About the guest: Stewart Frey recently served as the VP of Streaming Technology Solutions and Enterprise Master Data Management at WWE. He was instrumental in establishing and leading Centers of Excellence in business intelligence and digital analytics as well as a master data practice. He also led product, engineering, DevOps and streaming operations teams, focusing on innovation and transformation in content distribution. Prior to WWE, Frey spent 17 years at Paramount (formally Viacom), where he served as Vice President of Media & Technology Services and spearheaded strategic transformation initiatives.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Businesses face a critical task in maintaining ethical data practices in the midst of our AI revolution. How can we avoid putting the biases and harms of yesterday into overdrive with bad data that fuels prejudiced AI decisions?
Jason Mills of Snowflake joins the podcast to talk about the challenges of reducing bias, ensuring data diversity and the essential role of audits and transparency in creating responsible AI systems. He also touches on how leveraging the power of real-world crowdsourced data and advanced analytics platforms can ultimately produce higher-quality models and products that resonate in the marketplace.
About the guest: Jason Mills is a business leader with 30 years of experience delivering innovative technology solutions within Fortune 100 companies and early stage startups. He is currently the VP Solutions Engineering at Snowflake and a member of the Applause board of directors.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
The future of AI is being written every day. Data scientists and engineers must weigh the potential advantages of AI adoption against its considerable risks when applied insufficiently or recklessly.
In this episode from Open Data Science Conference East 2024 in Boston, Josh Poduska of Applause reflects on key insights gleaned from the show, including the emergence of AI as a dominant force in data science and the challenges of adoption and governance. Explore trends, risks and the transformative potential of AI in shaping industries and societies worldwide.
About the guest: Josh Poduska, a client partner and AI strategist at Applause, focuses on ensuring the safe and effective implementation of AI technologies through rigorous testing and data creation. With a background spanning leadership roles at companies like Domino Data Lab, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and IBM, Josh offers a wealth of expertise in data science, AI, machine learning and statistics.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Over the first full year of the Ready, Test, Go. podcast, we’ve been privileged to welcome expert guests across a variety of disciplines. As organizations grapple with the multi-faceted challenge of crafting a comprehensive approach to digital quality, these experts provided insights that can give dev, test and product professionals an edge.
Let’s listen back to some selected snippets from past Ready, Test, Go. episodes to provide a high-level overview of digital quality strategies.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Success is less a strike of lighting than a commitment to organizational excellence. Enabling greatness means alleviating unnecessary challenges, which sometimes means pumping the brakes to unravel tangles and inefficiencies, even — and especially — in times of fierce competition and economic uncertainty.
Gene Kim has spent years researching the habits of successful organizations. He joins the Ready, Test, Go. podcast to discuss some of the findings in his latest book, including the concepts of slowification, simplification, and amplification.
About the guest: Gene Kim is a renowned bestselling author, researcher, speaker and CTO. His latest book, co-written with Steven Spear called Wiring the Winning Organization, published in November. You can find a link to that book here: https://myresources.itrevolution.com/id006657164/Wiring-the-Winning-Organization
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
We are the subjects of data — but, too often, fail to understand or influence how it is used. Humans must make trade-offs to enjoy the luxury of digital products while also maintaining a sense of decency and privacy. So, what does that mean for the companies who collect this data and the AI that interprets it?
Author and professor Wendy Wong joins the podcast to discuss why consumers must take an active role in their data sharing choices, and how organizations should adapt to the needs of these users over the long term.
About the guest: Wendy Wong is the Professor of Political Science and Principal's Research Chair at the University of British Columbia. She is the author of the book, We, the Data: Human Rights in the Digital Age, which published in October.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Payment transactions are anything but simple -- yet users expect them to be intuitive, reliable and friction-free. How do businesses manage this task in a global marketplace fraught with local payment preferences and challenges?
Zeb Winzenried, Director of Testing Services in Payments at Applause, joins the podcast to explain how organizations can navigate this complicated space.
About the guest: Zeb Winzenried manages the testing request delivery with a global team, helping big companies validate their payment flows. Zeb’s business background and love of technology helps him navigate the challenging and unique payment testing landscape.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Irene Pereyra, discusses concepts from her book, Universal Principles of UX: 100 Timeless Strategies to Create Positive Interactions between People and Technology, to shed light on how digital products can delight or frustrate users.
You can find Irene’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Principles-Strategies-Interactions-Technology/dp/0760378045
About the guest: For more than 10 years, Irene Pereyra has led program management and UX initiatives as the co-founder of Anton and Irene, a Brooklyn-based design firm. Irene has lectured at more than 100 design conferences and educational institutions, and is currently the co-chair of the Interaction Design program at Harbour Space University.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Software testing is important, but why exactly do we do it? And how should we examine our digital quality efforts over time? These are necessary questions that many QA organizations don’t ask.
James Mortlock, Lead UAT Test Manager at Vodafone, joins the podcast to discuss what should go into a software testing strategy — and why. We also talk about delivering better value with digital quality initiatives, and why efficiency ultimately benefits everybody.
You can also see James in a recent webinar he did with Applause called How Vodafone Shifted User Acceptance Testing Left, which you can find here: https://www.applause.com/resources/webinars/how-vodafone-shifted-uat-left
About the guest: James Mortlock is the Lead UAT Test Manager at Vodafone. He previously held roles in digital automation, analytics implementation and served as a Scrum Master.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Edited by Samsu Sallah and Megan Gawlik
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Many businesses have immature data governance processes reminiscent of bad diets — garbage in, garbage out. Insights gleaned from data, whether by human eyes or AI, are only valuable if the data is readable and relevant. For too many businesses, it’s not.
Civic tech service designer, author and lecturer Lauren Maffeo joins the podcast to discuss where organizations miss the mark on data quality, a problem that costs businesses millions of dollars per yet. She’ll discuss findings from her book, Designing Data Governance from the Ground Up: Six Steps to Build a Data-Driven Culture, and how governance-driven development can foster shared data responsibility across the organization.
You can find Lauren’s book here: https://pragprog.com/titles/lmmlops/designing-data-governance-from-the-ground-up/
Technology solves some of the problems in our society today, but it exacerbates others, such as discrimination based on a person’s race, gender, income level or disabilities. As companies continue to invest heavily in AI/ML technology, they must take caution to ensure new products don’t fall back on old, problematic patterns that cause harm to users or others.
Meredith Broussard, author of the book More than a Glitch: Confronting Race, Gender, and Ability Bias in Tech, joins the podcast to discuss the myriad ways these issues — not glitches — present themselves in modern technology and digital products, and what we can do about it.
You can find Meredith’s book here: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262373067/more-than-a-glitch/
About the guest: Meredith Broussard is the Associate Professor at New York University’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute and Research Director at the NYU Alliance for Public Interest Technology. She is the author of Artificial Unintelligence: How Computers Misunderstand the World. Her work has been featured in the New Yorker, the New York Times, the Atlantic, BBC, Wired and the Economist.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Edited by Samsu Sallah and Megan Gawlik
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Even if you live in a galaxy far, far away, many of the cybersecurity and digital quality concerns that cause product releases to fail are relevant. Even the mighty Death Star is left vulnerable by one tiny flaw that should’ve been discovered and patched — and this is just the start of what we can learn about digital quality from the world’s favorite sci-fi universe.
Security consultant, expert and author Adam Shostack shines a light on the Star Wars series to reveal cautionary tales about software quality, cybersecurity and more.
About the guest: As President of Shostack + Associates, Adam Shostack delivers high-quality training and consulting in security engineering, including threat modeling and DevSecOps. Shostack also serves as a member of the Black Hat Review Board, RISCS Advisory Board and IriusRisk Advisory Board.
He is also the author of three books, including Threats: What Every Engineer Should Learn From Star Wars. You can find Adam’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Threats-Every-Engineer-Should-Learn/dp/1119895162
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Edited by Samsu Sallah and Megan Gawlik
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
As companies look to maintain lean budgets or even cut them, how can organizations make sense of their digital quality investments, and optimize them moving forward? It takes full organizational commitment and a clever approach to take advantage of all resources — internal and external to the business.
In this episode of the Ready, Test, Go. podcast, software development and testing expert Matt Heusser of Excelon Development discusses the importance of efficient testing that delivers value. Hear from Heusser how flexible resources like crowdtesting can help fill gaps in testing coverage, and whether he sees a tide change in how leaders are approaching digital quality.
About the guest:
Matt Heusser is the Managing Director of Excelon Development. Heusser is an award-winning thought leader, speaker and writer. He is also the author of Lean Software Testing/Lean Software Delivery methods and courses.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Feature-rich products don’t necessarily lead to widespread customer adoption. In fact, the everyday user likely prefers a stripped-down, easy-to-understand product to one that offers all the functionality under the sun. Striking a balance between speed to market, inventive products and an emphasis on digital quality can sometimes lead to a push-pull that sinks innovation initiatives.
Turns out a diverse background can go a long way toward substantive innovation — just as Gary Larkin, the Chief Strategy Officer of Marker Trax and Koin Mobile. In this podcast episode, Larkin, whose background includes marketing, graphic arts and advertising, explains why an approach to product innovation must be simple yet refined and thoughtful yet profitable — not always easy needles to thread in the global marketplace.
About the guest: Gary Larkin is the Chief Strategy Officer of Marker Trax and Koin Mobile. Through decades of leadership experience, particularly in the payment solutions space, Larkin has learned the dos and do-not-dos of product innovation and expansion into new markets.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Software testing attracts people with a variety of backgrounds and skills. But the ones who thrive in today’s fast-paced, oft-evolving digital world manage to strike a balance between deep domain knowledge and a curiosity to expand their repertoire of skills.
Learn from QA expert Kristin Jackvony how to avoid becoming Job Security Jim and Conference Connie, and instead forge a career path poised for growth.
Kristin is the author of the book The Complete Software Tester: Concepts, Skills, and Strategies for High-Quality Testing, which you can find here: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Software-Tester-Strategies-High-Quality-ebook/dp/B09NGVVCJ9/
About the guest: Kristin Jackvony is an experienced QA manager and tester, specializing in both improving legacy software and supporting new software from the earliest stages of development. As the Principal Engineer in Software Testing at Paylocity, she organizes systems and processes to support all areas of testing.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
When brands focus too heavily on the product — and not on whether customers actually want that product — they potentially miss some huge blind spots that can sink the launch. Innovations that focus on the customer’s perspective are more likely to succeed. As we will discuss with guest Adonis Celestine, there’s evidence dating back to the Industrial Revolution to help prove this point.
About the guest: Testing expert and advocate Adonis Celestine is the Director of Automation at Applause. He has written three books on digital quality, including Quality Engineering: The Missing Key to Digital CX. He also speaks at conferences all throughout the EU.
Adonis’ book is available here: https://www.amazon.com/Quality-Engineering-missing-key-digital/dp/B0BD22NX2Q/
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
From technical lead to CEO of Coveros, Jeff Payne has made a 35-year career of helping solve digital quality concerns. On this episode of the Ready, Test, Go. podcast, Jeff Payne, CEO of Coveros, discusses what real Agile testing looks like. It’s not a ceremonious approach to a Waterfall way of working — it’s about substantive organizational change.
About the guest: Jeff Payne is the CEO of Coveros, a consultancy, which also owns TechWell, the host of popular STAR and Agile + DevOps conferences. In addition to speaking at conferences, Jeff has published more than thirty papers on software development and testing, and even testified before the U.S. Congress on digital issues.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
Some businesses have absolutely no clue how to measure the user experience — and it shows. Inge De Bleecker, Principal UX & Conversational AI Consultant and Founder at outriderUX, has seen the best and worst of it. In this episode of the Ready, Test, Go. podcast, she talks about how to build UX awareness from the ground up.
About the guest: For three decades, Inge De Bleecker has designed, developed, managed and consulted on the user experience. She is the Principal UX & Conversational AI Consultant and Founder at outriderUX. Inge has spent her career focusing on the user and making the user’s life easier when interacting with digital products.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
For testers, it’s always crunch time. Yet quality can never come at the expense of speed. Amy Reichert, veteran testing professional and freelance QA SME/writer, joins the podcast to discuss how to fit all of your testing into increasingly tight windows, efficiently and comprehensively. She also explains the characteristics that make for an effective tester.
About the guest: Amy Reichert has nearly two decades of experience in software testing, as an analyst, team lead, engineer and tutor. Over two decades, she's tested patch after patch, entered critical defects before a release only to patch them when they popped up in production. And she’s typically done it with half of the time required for thorough testing.
Hosted by David Carty
Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella
Graphic design by Karley Searles
To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.
The Ready, Test, Go. podcast is here! In this introduction, we explain the goals of our podcast. With each episode, we'll introduce an expert guest and a digital quality topic. Hosted by David Carty, the Ready, Test, Go. podcast hopes to educate, inform and advance digital quality causes.
For more information, or to inquire about guest opportunities, please contact podcasts@applause.com.