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The Vernon Richard Show

The Vernon Richard Show

Vernon Richards and Richard Bradshaw

Vernon Richards and Richard Bradshaw discuss all things software testing, quality engineering and life in the world of software development. Plus our own personal journeys navigating our careers and lifes.
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Top 10 The Vernon Richard Show Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Vernon Richard Show episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Vernon Richard Show for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Vernon Richard Show episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

The Vernon Richard Show - A Love Letter to Testing: What We Love About Our Work

A Love Letter to Testing: What We Love About Our Work

The Vernon Richard Show

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02/17/25 • 39 min

In this episode, Vernon and Richard celebrate their love for the software testing community, discussing the importance of people, tools, teaching, and the thrill of conferences. They reflect on personal growth, the challenges of production issues, and the joy of mentoring others. The conversation emphasizes the connections made within the industry and the shared experiences that enrich their careers.

Links to stuff we mentioned during the pod:

00:00 - Intro
01:11 - Is it our birthday yet?
01:52 - The Forced Socio-Economic Day episode
02:20 - What do we love about our careers?
03:07 - We love PEOPLE
04:39 - Different kids of friendship
06:08 - Making a huge impact on people with tiny interactions
08:18 - The benefit of being tool aware
10:10 - We love TOOLS
10:20 - Rich's favourite tool
12:03 - Vern's favourite tool
15:40 - We love the VARIETY
18:21 - We love TEACHING
19:58 - What does the balance look like between teaching, mentoring, and coaching in Rich's current role
22:33 - We love CHALLENGE
23:51 - Systems thinking and understanding how things work
27:28 - We love CONFERENCES
35:35 - Mutual appreciation ❤️
36:28 - The Friendly Tester is Dead. Long Live Richard Bradshaw!

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The Vernon Richard Show - Dream Jobs and Emotion Based Testing: Using Feelings As Heuristics

Dream Jobs and Emotion Based Testing: Using Feelings As Heuristics

The Vernon Richard Show

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08/15/24 • 44 min

In this conversation, Richard and Vernon discuss their use of AI in their lives and then explore the topic of working at their dream companies. Richard expresses his fascination with SpaceX and the incredible engineering and technology involved in space exploration. Vernon shares his love for video games and the art and science behind their creation.

They also touch on the emotions involved in software testing and how they can be clues to underlying problems. The conversation explores various emotions experienced during software testing, including frustration, joy, fear, suspicion, and familiarity. Frustration often arises when encountering bugs or issues, while joy can be felt when using a well-designed and user-friendly app. Fear is associated with the potential for irreversible actions or data loss. Suspicion arises when recognizing patterns or past experiences that may indicate potential problems. Familiarity helps in identifying missing features or inconsistencies.

The conversation also touches on the concept of behavior-driven development (BDD) and the importance of having conversations and automating them rather than just documenting them.

#exploratorytesting #softwaretesting #testing #software #softwaredevelopment #emotions

00:00 - Intro attempt no. 1
00:50 - Intro attempt no. 2
01:16 - ⚽️ Footy
01:46 - ⚽️ Footy related preamble to the question
03:01 - Dream job question
03:36 - Space! The final frontier!
03:54 Dream Job: Working at SpaceX and Developing Software for Rockets
08:30 - Dream job: Nintendo, adventure games, and storytelling
11:54 The Fascination with Rockets and Space
17:04 - Emotions in software testing
19:41 Beyond Functionality: The Importance of User Experience and Emotions
20:10 The Role of Emotions in Software Testing
20:35 Using Frustration and Anger as Indicators of Improvement Areas
21:29 Learning and Coding: Frustration and Joy
22:36 BDD and Sweary Outbursts
23:56 The Importance of Clear User Scenarios
25:34 The Value of Conversations in BDD
26:50 - Joyful testing
28:57 Fear and Suspicion in Testing
31:14 The Anxiety of Sending Money
33:27 - Suspicion and that feeling of de ja vu
36:09 Applying Past Experiences and Patterns
37:25 The Evolution of Suspicion and Familiarity
39:27 The Role of Heuristics in Testing
41:24 The Absence of Joy in Testing
42:46 Emotions as a Guide for Testing Strategies and Approaches

Links to stuff we mentioned during the pod:

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The Vernon Richard Show - Mentors, Mindsets, Missions, and Margherita: Vernon & Richard's First Ask Us Anything Session

Mentors, Mindsets, Missions, and Margherita: Vernon & Richard's First Ask Us Anything Session

The Vernon Richard Show

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06/25/24 • 45 min

In this episode, Vernon and Richard answer questions from their audience. They discuss what they would do if they weren't in software testing, the primary mission of a tester, advice for their younger selves, their stance on pineapple on pizza, and their preferences as trainers, mentors, consultants, and coaches. In this conversation, Vernon and Richard discuss various topics related to testing and quality.

They explore the meaning of quality and how it can vary depending on the context and individual perspectives. They also discuss the importance of testing and whether there are situations where testing may not be necessary. Additionally, they delve into the concept of a testing mindset and whether it is something that individuals are born with or can be developed. Finally, they reflect on what advice they would give to their younger selves, focusing on the themes of confidence, self-kindness, and self-care.

Links to stuff we mentioned during the pod:

00:00 - Intro
01:42 - Joëlle Burkhardt: What would you do if you weren't in software testing?
06:41 - James Thomas: You have to summarise what a tester's primary mission for a team is in a snappy one-liner that applies across contexts. What's your one-liner?
09:15 - Aj Wilson: What advice would you give the version of yourself, that was 2 years into software testing if you could, what would older wiser Richard advise new blood Richard?
15:10 - Mark Gillott: Why is pineapple on pizza still not illegal?
18:25 - Leigh Rathbone: What do you prefer, being a trainer (providing instruction and direction), a mentor, a consultant, or a coach?
22:30 - Deb Sherwood: What does quality mean for you?
28:36 - Mark Tomlinson: To test, or not to test.
32:45 - Anna Royzman: Testing mindset - are you born with it?
38:42 - Melissa Fisher: If you could jump in a tardis and go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?

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The Vernon Richard Show - Exploring Agentic AI: A Fun and Eye-Opening First Look

Exploring Agentic AI: A Fun and Eye-Opening First Look

The Vernon Richard Show

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01/20/25 • 73 min

In this conversation, Richard and Vernon delve into the evolving landscape of AI, particularly focusing on the concept of agentic AI. They discuss personal updates, including their health and fitness journeys, before transitioning into a detailed exploration of AI technologies. Richard shares his recent experiences with AI training and projects, emphasizing the differences between traditional generative AI and agentic AI.

The discussion highlights the importance of goals, tasks, and tool awareness in AI, drawing parallels to software testing and the dynamics of generalists versus specialists in the tech industry. The conversation concludes with reflections on the implications of these technologies for the future. In this conversation, Vernon and Richard explore the evolving landscape of AI, particularly focusing on agentic AI and its implications for testing and quality assurance.

They discuss the importance of defining clear goals and expected outcomes for AI tasks, the need for quality characteristics in AI outputs, and the critical role of human oversight in AI decision-making. The conversation also touches on iterative learning, exploratory testing, and the future of AI in the testing domain, emphasizing the necessity for testers to adapt and enhance their skills in this rapidly changing environment.

Links to stuff we mentioned during the pod:

00:00 - Intro
01:14 - Welcome
04:02 - Rich's adventures learning about AI
05:24 - Rich goes down the Agentic AI rabbit hole
07:00 - GenAI vs Agentic AI
12:45 - Understanding Agentic AI vs. Traditional AI
13:27 - What's the difference between the term "Agent" and "Agentic"?
15:20 - How would Rich describe or categorise a chatbot?
16:15 - What makes something agentic then?
17:52 - Jason helps Rich understand what to expect from his exploration
18:51 - What's the relationship between goals and tasks?
20:06 - Rich explains what makes this so interesting for him and got him excited
26:12 - Empowering Agents with the Right Tools
27:47 - Understanding Tasks vs. Goals
28:45 - Breaking Down Tasks for Efficiency
29:44 - How much agency do agents have?
31:38 - Task Descriptions and Expected Outcomes...

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The Vernon Richard Show - Playing in the Workplace and Killer Bugs

Playing in the Workplace and Killer Bugs

The Vernon Richard Show

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06/03/24 • 73 min

In this episode of the Vernon Richard Show, Vernon and Richard discuss alternative names for the show and reflect on their recent activities. They talk about the Leeds Testing Atelier conference and highlight some of the workshops and talks they attended. They discuss the importance of play in the workplace and the impact of bugs in software development. They also mention the Post Office Horizon scandal and the need to consider the human impact of software failures.

The conversation covered various topics including testing chatbots, the importance of accessibility and user flow mapping. The speakers discussed their experiences with chatbots, highlighting both positive and negative interactions. They also talked about the significance of screen readers and the need for proper web app design to improve accessibility. User flow mapping was mentioned as a useful technique for building a joint team understanding of work tasks. The conversation also touched on the challenges of communication with anxiety and the benefits of being open about mental health in the workplace.

Various other topics were also discussed including reducing anxiety in the workplace, the concept of spoon theory, and the balance between speed and quality in software development. The speakers discussed the importance of building relationships and understanding how to communicate effectively to reduce anxiety. They also explored the idea of spoon theory, which relates to managing energy levels and prioritizing tasks. Lastly, they delved into the challenge of achieving both speed and quality in software development, emphasizing the need for a learning mindset and continuous improvement.

Description Generated by AI

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The Vernon Richard Show - Conference Rejected, Networking and Joining a New Team

Conference Rejected, Networking and Joining a New Team

The Vernon Richard Show

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05/06/24 • 67 min

In this conversation, Richard and Vernon discuss the experience of being rejected for conference talks and the importance of actionable feedback. They emphasize the need for clear and compelling abstracts, as well as the value of networking and building relationships within the industry. They encourage individuals to continue sharing their stories and knowledge through alternative platforms such as YouTube, blogs, and meetups.

The conversation also touches on the power of diversity in conference lineups and the importance of providing opportunities for underrepresented voices. In this conversation, Richard and Vernon discuss the importance of networking and building relationships in the software testing industry. They emphasize the value of nurturing connections and being present in the network, rather than only reaching out when you need something.

They also discuss the challenges of onboarding onto a new team and share their experiences and strategies for effective onboarding. They highlight the importance of asking for help, sharing knowledge, and finding the right balance between asking for help and helping yourself. Overall, the conversation emphasises the power of relationships and continuous learning in the testing profession.

00:00 Introduction and Positive Feedback

09:01 Creating Clear and Compelling Abstracts

16:21 The Importance of Actionable Feedback

33:10 The Power of Networking

45:33 Finding the Balance: Asking for Help vs. Helping Yourself

53:06 The Importance of Continuous Learning

Links to stuff we mentioned during the pod:

08:00 - Richard's legendary advice about how to structure your conference proposal
10:07 - Sarah Deery on LinkedIn
13:00 - Clear not clever explained by Nicolas Cole
17:09 - Posts from Lena, Emna, and Jenna
20:00 - The Mash Program
20:20 - I couldn't find anything about Speak Easy but you can find the founder Anne-Marie Charrett
25:21 - Lisa Crispin's website and LinkedIn page
27:00 - Abby Bangser on LinkedIn
27:30 - Ash Coleman Hynie on LinkedIn
31:30 - Vernon Scott II on LinkedIn
34:00 - Marie Cruz and Lewis Prescott's book
45:47 - Lisi Hocke's website & Ben Dowen website
46:08 - My old pal
49:55 - The First 90 Days book on Amazon
56:37 - What's AWS?
58:50 - What about Google Cloud?
58:51 - What's Heroku?

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The Vernon Richard Show - Highlights from PeersCon & Choosing the Right Medium for Meaningful Discussions

Highlights from PeersCon & Choosing the Right Medium for Meaningful Discussions

The Vernon Richard Show

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04/22/24 • 46 min

The second episode of the Vernon Richard show discusses the PeersCon conference and highlights some of the key talks. Topics covered include the concept of minimal shippable risk, the importance of psychological safety in creating a productive work environment, the challenges and learnings of stepping into a leadership role, and the role of DevOps in organisations.

We express our appreciation for the speakers and their valuable insights. The conversation covered various themes, including the importance of embracing DevOps and the role of testers in the process. The concept of glue work, which involves technical leadership and ensuring collaboration and success, was discussed. The negative impact of debates on LinkedIn and the need for respectful and curious engagement were highlighted. The importance of framing conversations and choosing the right medium for discussions was emphasized. The idea of thinking like a scientist and valuing getting right over being right was also explored.

Generated by AI.

00:00 - Introduction
00:47 - Our overall thoughts about the inaugural PeersCon event
03:00 - Heather Reid's presentation "Wait! That's not tested"
12:05 - Jit Gosai's presentation "Psychological safety – The link between speaking up, complexity and high performing teams"
16:48 - Al Goodall's presentation "Things I Learned being a new(ish) Quality Manager"
20:43 - Beth Clarke's presentation "Being the Glue: The Role DevOps in Testing"
26:38 - Leigh Rathbone's presentation "The history of testing and why its important as it feeds our future"
27:44 - Debates on LinkedIn
32:05 - Choosing the right medium for sharing ideas and managing your energy
35:04 - The challenges of online debate
39:44 - Preachers, Prosectors, Politicians and thinking like a Scientist

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The Vernon Richard Show - Smoke Testing, Knowledge Work and Testing in Production

Smoke Testing, Knowledge Work and Testing in Production

The Vernon Richard Show

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04/07/24 • 36 min

In this episode, Vernon and Richard introduce their new podcast and discuss the concept of smoke testing and knowledge work. They explain that smoke testing is a quick test to determine if something is alive or valid, often used when deploying new builds or testing in production. They also discuss the challenges of testing in production and the importance of health checks. In regards to knowledge work, they define it as cognitive work that involves manipulating and processing information based on expertise. They reflect on the recent arguments and discussions on LinkedIn and emphasize the need for nuance and understanding in these conversations.

The conversation explores the challenges and misconceptions surrounding knowledge work in the context of software testing and automation. The speakers discuss how the intellectual effort and expertise involved in testing are often overlooked or undervalued. They highlight the importance of specialised knowledge, innovation, problem-solving, and continuous learning in testing. The conversation also touches on the perception of automated tests and the need to strike a balance between explicit test cases and exploratory testing.

Yes, we are trying to keep this lean, and the above was generated by AI.

00:00 Introducing the Vernon Richard Show
04:47 Exploring the Concept of Smoke Testing
14:32 Understanding Knowledge Work
16:33 Introduction to Knowledge Work
17:11 Defining Knowledge Work
18:03 Characteristics of Knowledge Work
19:22 Perception of Testing as Knowledge Work
24:29 Perception of Programming as Knowledge Work
27:48 Challenges in Communicating Testing Work
31:05 Automated Tests as Test Case 2.0
34:46 Balancing Test Cases and Exploration
35:56 Conclusion and Call for Feedback

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The Vernon Richard Show - Collabs, Careers, and Quirky Habits: Vernon & Richard's Ask Us Anything Session Part 2

Collabs, Careers, and Quirky Habits: Vernon & Richard's Ask Us Anything Session Part 2

The Vernon Richard Show

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10/07/24 • 55 min

In this episode of the Vernon Richard show, Richard and Vernon engage in an AMA format, discussing various topics including their collaborative projects, future aspirations, the impact of their quality testing mindset on daily life, memorable swag from testing events, experiences in uncomfortable establishments, significant learning moments, and the importance of testing environments. They emphasize the need for continuous content creation and the desire to connect with their audience for future interactions.

00:00 - Intro

00:16 - Ben's question: If you could do any co-lab with anyone from the community, who would it be, and what might it look like?

05:43 - Leigh's question: Where do you and vern see yourselves in 5 years, or want to be in 5 years, doing what kind of role in what kind of company?

15:46 - Andy's question: When I speak with people, I love hearing how their Quality/Testing mindset spills over into day to day life. One person used to test their childrens' toys by seeing if they could use them one-handed covered in olive oil. Another guy would occasionally test how far away his TV remote would work and see if it changes 😂

Maybe you've covered this stuff already, but personally I always love hearing about these funny quirks and testing 'life'.

26:05 - Emily's question: What's the best swag you've ever picked up from a testing event?

31:29 - Mark's question: Have you ever walked in to a pub that's so bad you want to instantly leave, But because of obligated politeness and fear of that awkward feeling of walking straight out again you go stayed?

35:08 - Ide's question: Looking back, best learning ever (at that moment perhaps biggest fail ever), with context, and what/when did it change from: Argh! to Ahhh!

40:53 - Anonymous question: Do you think one of your test environments should match the spec of production?

Links to stuff we mentioned during the pod:

The Vernon Richard Show - Agile Testing Days Experience with Special Guests

Agile Testing Days Experience with Special Guests

The Vernon Richard Show

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12/02/24 • 76 min

This conversation captures the vibrant atmosphere of Agile Testing Days in Potsdam, highlighting the importance of community, targeted automated testing, and the exploration of tester identity. The hosts discuss their experiences at the conference, including workshops, networking opportunities, and a unique musical performance that showcased the talents of attendees. They delve into the significance of understanding tester identity and the symbols associated with it, emphasizing the need for connection and belonging within the testing community. This conversation at Agile Testing Days explores various themes including the experience of performing in a musical, insights from keynote speakers on technical coaching, the importance of documenting achievements for career advancement, and the evolving identity of professionals in agile environments. The discussion emphasizes the value of networking at conferences and the need for continuous learning and adaptation in one's career. [AI]

Links to stuff we mentioned during the pod:

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FAQ

How many episodes does The Vernon Richard Show have?

The Vernon Richard Show currently has 20 episodes available.

What topics does The Vernon Richard Show cover?

The podcast is about Software, Software Development, Podcasts, Technology and Business.

What is the most popular episode on The Vernon Richard Show?

The episode title 'Exploring Agentic AI: A Fun and Eye-Opening First Look' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on The Vernon Richard Show?

The average episode length on The Vernon Richard Show is 57 minutes.

How often are episodes of The Vernon Richard Show released?

Episodes of The Vernon Richard Show are typically released every 20 days.

When was the first episode of The Vernon Richard Show?

The first episode of The Vernon Richard Show was released on Apr 7, 2024.

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