In this episode I talk to Gien Verschatse and Kenny Baas-Schwegler about the challenges of collaborative software design, especially the disconnect between development teams and business stakeholders. Both Gien and Kenny shared stories of communication gaps, assumptions in requirements and the constant struggle to build shared understanding. They gave practical tips for breaking down silos and making modeling sessions actually work - not just as visual exercises, but as real opportunities for teams to learn together.
--------
38:26
--------
38:26
Turning Team Diversity Into a Strength for Better Problem Solving - Ben Linders
In this episode, I talk to Ben Linders about what really drives team autonomy and effective software development. We get into team culture, the importance of psychological safety, and why diversity matters - not just as a feel-good topic, but as a genuine catalyst for change. Ben shares practical tips from his workshops, discussing how teams can move from being stuck to taking meaningful action. We discuss, how to avoid that sticky notes from retrospectives gather dust and how to make results visible, keeping actions manageable, and introducing a little bit of fun through gamification.
--------
26:16
--------
26:16
Holistic Testing - Lisa Crispin
In this episode, I talk to Lisa Crispin about holistic testing and what it really means for teams striving for better software quality. Lisa brings her experience to the conversation, sharing how testing is much more than a stage or a checklist - it’s a mindset that weaves through every part of the development process. We dig into the practical side: how teams can focus on both internal and external quality, the value of strong relationships, and the power of good questions. It’s clear: true quality comes from collaboration and curiosity, not just tools or process. There’s a lot for teams to rethink here.
--------
28:31
--------
28:31
Testing Needs Leaders and Not Just Testers - Kari Kakkonen
In this episode, I talk to Kari Kakkonen about his Act 2 Lead model and why testing leadership is often missing in software testing. We unpack the reality that while grassroots testing within teams works well, the higher levels of organizations often lack a real understanding and leadership around quality. Kari lays out his model, a memorable eight-letter heuristic, as both a guide and a checklist for leaders at any level. It made me reflect on how companies approach testing - sometimes leaving it solely to autonomous teams but missing the big picture. I found myself wondering: is strong leadership the missing link for better quality software?
--------
19:08
--------
19:08
The Forgotten Power of Test Design Techniques - Rik Marselis
In this episode, I talk with Rik Marselis about the world of test design techniques. We go into why many testers struggle to apply the methods they learn, despite their potential to enhance quality assurance. Rik shares insights on how to select the right technique for different testing scenarios, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that combines structured methods with experience-based testing. He introduces four key groups of test design techniques and illustrates how templates and real-life examples can make these concepts more applicable. I hope this conversation inspires you to integrate effective testing techniques into your practice, reminding us that quality is ultimately a deliberate choice.
In a world where software drives everything, testing is no longer optional — it’s your superpower.
- How much testing is enough?
- When should you automate?
- What makes a great integration test?
- And how do you keep up when AI, ML, and cloud-native complexity are redefining the rules?
Each week, leading minds from across the software universe — testers, developers, architects, and product thinkers — share practical insights, field-tested techniques, and bold ideas to help you ship better software, faster.
Whether you're scaling your QA strategy, building your first test suite, or leading complex enterprise projects: This is your backstage pass to the tools, tactics, and trends that are shaping the future of software testing. 🚀
Are you ready to unleash the next level of quality in your software? Hit play and join the movement.
Listen to Software Testing Unleashed - Better Teams. Better Software. Better World., Great Company with Jamie Laing and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
UK