Ready, Test, Go. — The Podcast on Software Quality and Digital Experiences

Hosted by Applause

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Latest episode

Apr 2026

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About the show

Ready, Test, Go. brought to you by Applause is the award-winning podcast for engineering, QA, product and AI leaders who want to build trustworthy digital experiences. Host David Carty interviews thought leaders across software testing, AI adoption, UX/CX and product delivery to uncover the ideas and practices shaping modern digital quality. Each episode blends practical insights and big-picture thinking on topics like AI validation, data quality, effective testing, inclusive design, accessibility and frictionless customer journeys. With past guests including Gene Kim, Michael Bolton and Sandy Pentland, the show provides insights that help teams deliver more reliable, user-centered technology.

Listen to episodes

40 recent

April 22, 2026Episode 4035 min

Learning from Defects in Software and Life (Alison McGuigan)

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 CartyProduced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe StellaGraphic design by Karley SearlesTo contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

March 26, 2026Episode 3939 min

Where Automation Meets Trust (Nir Valtman)

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 CartyProduced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe StellaGraphic design by Karley SearlesTo contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com

March 4, 2026Episode 3835 min

The Craft of Engineering in the Age of Vibe Coding (Dan Vega)

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-engineeringSubscribe for more conversations on software quality, AI and modern digital experiences.Hosted by David CartyProduced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe StellaGraphic design by Karley SearlesFind more thought leadership content at: https://www.youtube.com/@ApplauseDotCom/videosTo contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

February 4, 2026Episode 3722 min

From Digital Curb Cuts to Alien Intelligence: Best of 2025

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 CartyProduced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe StellaGraphic design by Karley SearlesTo contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

December 30, 2025Episode 3626 min

Opening Minds with Accessibility Research (Jamila Evilsizor)

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:- Why accessibility guidelines are the baseline — not the finish line- How user research influences product, engineering and culture- What practical methods can help embed accessibility into everyday delivery- Why autonomy, dignity and privacy must be in focusSubscribe for more conversations on software quality, AI and modern digital experiences.Hosted by David CartyProduced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe StellaGraphic design by Karley SearlesFind more digital quality content at: https://www.youtube.com/@ApplauseDotCom/videosTo contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com

December 10, 2025Episode 3543 min

Holistic Testing and the Culture of Quality (Lisa Crispin)

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 loopWhy the best teams weave testing into every stage of deliveryHow short feedback loops and observability help reveal real software qualityPractical ways to help non-testers — developers, designers, product — own qualityWhy AI and test automation are “amplifiers,” not replacements for quality engineersYou 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 CartyProduced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe StellaGraphic design by Karley SearlesFind more thought leadership content at: https://www.youtube.com/@ApplauseDotCom/videosTo contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

November 12, 2025Episode 3448 min

Stories, Society and the Future of AI (Sandy Pentland)

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 CartyProduced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe StellaGraphic design by Karley SearlesTo contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

September 30, 2025Episode 3348 min

Why Inclusive Design Matters More Than Ever (William Reuschel)

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 CartyProduced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe StellaGraphic design by Karley SearlesTo contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

August 13, 2025Episode 3242 min

Embracing Weird User Behavior (Gojko Adzic)

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/0993088171Gojko also referenced the following material in this episode:- The PayPal origin story is from Founders at Work: https://www.amazon.com/Founders-Work-Stories-Startups-Early-ebook/dp/B009IXMK4O- Success/failure rates are from Trustworthy Online Controlled Experiments: https://www.amazon.com/Trustworthy-Online-Controlled-Experiments-Practical/dp/1108724264- The reference for Amazon execs spending time in customer servicing is from Working Backwards: https://www.amazon.com/Working-Backwards-PB/dp/1529033845- Connecting the loop at Eventbrite/Rachael Neumann video: https://vimeo.com/337949688- HBR/Amy Gallo reference on retention metrics: https://hbr.org/2014/10/the-value-of-keeping-the-right-customersHosted by David CartyProduced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe StellaGraphic design by Karley SearlesTo contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

July 17, 2025Episode 3122 min

Building an AI-First Business (Andy Sack)

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 CartyProduced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe StellaGraphic design by Karley SearlesTo contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

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