In this episode, host Joe Colantonio sits down with Debbie O'Brien, Principal Technical Program Manager at Microsoft and a leading advocate for Playwright end-to-end testing. Debbie shares her fascinating journey from web design in the late '90s to building and nurturing the Playwright community at Microsoft. Together, they tackle the latest and greatest in test automation, with a special focus on Playwright's Model Context Protocol (MCP) server and how you can unlock its powerful AI-driven browser automation capabilities.

From real-world advice on overcoming resistance to testing in teams to the exciting possibilities MCP brings for generating and scaling tests with natural language and AI, this conversation is packed with both practical tips and future-looking insights.

Debbie also addresses common fears around AI replacing jobs, highlighting the need for testers and developers to embrace these tools and stay ahead of the curve. Whether you're an automation engineer, front-end developer, or simply curious about where testing is headed, this episode is full of actionable wisdom and inspiration.

Tune in and get ready to supercharge your automation skills!

On this episode of the TestGuild Automation Podcast, host Joe Colantonio welcomes Kristijan Plaushku, founder of QA Robots, for a fascinating deep dive into the evolving world of testing and automation.

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Broadcasting from Italy, Kristijan shares his journey from starting in quality assurance at AS Watson to building his own company, dedicated to reshaping how businesses approach QA, automation, and DevOps integration, with a specific focus on the unique challenges and opportunities within the Italian tech landscape.

Together, they explore what it means to apply first-principles thinking in QA, the ongoing struggles with test environment management, and why bridging the gap between QA and DevOps can have such a significant impact on software delivery.

Kristijan also shares the growing influence of AI in automation, his passion for the Robot Framework, and the innovative tools he’s creating to help teams work smarter, not harder.

Whether you’re an automation pro or just beginning to dip your toes in the world of testing, this episode is packed with practical insights, industry trends, and actionable advice for building better, more efficient quality processes.

Don’t miss Kristijan’s take on building a QA culture from the ground up and why human-centric thinking still matters in an AI-driven world.

In this episode, we sit down with Tom Akehurst, the creator of WireMock, the popular open-source API mocking tool now powering simulation at scale in modern development pipelines. We unpack the real-world benefits of API mocking, when to simulate vs. integrate, and how WireMock Cloud is helping teams manage drift, complexity, and change.

If you're exploring API testing, mocking tools, or wondering how OpenAPI, AI, and MCP (Model Context Protocols) fit into the picture—this one’s for you.

In today’s show, we’re diving deep into the highly specialized world of software testing for medical devices. Our guest, Priyank Soni, brings over 20 years of experience and a wealth of knowledge from the front lines of medical innovation, think cardiac mapping, lab automation, and infusion pumps.

Not only is Priyank a recognized authority in embedded systems, AI, and machine learning, but he’s also a master at transforming manual QA processes into scalable, cloud-based automated frameworks.

Join host Joe Colantonio as he and Priyank unravel the unique challenges of testing in a heavily regulated, high-risk environment where safety, compliance, and innovation must work hand-in-hand.

You’ll gain practical insights into navigating stringent standards like ISO 13485, managing risk in legacy systems, and balancing Agile development with rigorous verification requirements.

Plus, Priyank shares the real impact of AI and automation in medical device testing—and what the future might hold for testers in this rapidly evolving field.

Whether you’re a seasoned QA pro or just curious about what it takes to deliver safe, compliant software in healthcare, you won’t want to miss this episode!

Take the first step towards transforming your and our community's future. Check out our done-for-you services awareness and lead generation demand packages, and let's explore the awesome possibilities together now https://testguild.com/mediakit

In this session, host Joe Colantonio sits down with Leonardo Lanni, a globally recognized quality engineer and founder of QA Roots, to explore a cool testing technique: mutation testing and reverse mutation testing.

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Leonardo breaks down the concepts behind mutation testing, which is an innovative approach to verifying the effectiveness of your tests by intentionally introducing code changes—and introduces the idea of reverse mutation testing, a new technique for ensuring your tests themselves are up to the task.

They also discuss real-world QA challenges, practical tooling, and the future of automated testing in an AI-driven world.

Whether you’re a seasoned engineer or just getting started in QA, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and fresh ways to look at your automation strategy. Listen up!

On this episode of the TestGuild Automation Podcast, host Joe Colantonio sits down with Damian Synadinos, a multifaceted expert with over thirty years of experience in software testing, public speaking, improv, and more.

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Together, they dive deep into the concept of trust in software testing, how it's formed, the dangers of misplaced trust, and why trust is more crucial than ever in today's rapidly evolving world of AI and software testing.

Damien shares how his interest in trust grew out of observing its impact not just in tech but in daily life. He highlights the importance of healthy skepticism, effective communication, and critical thinking for testers and organizations at large. The conversation also explores the challenges of navigating deepfakes, the nuance of risk-based decision-making, and the role of curiosity and questioning in creating better testers.

Whether you're a tester, developer, or just curious about AI's growing influence, this episode offers actionable insights on trust, risk analysis, prompt engineering, and how to communicate skepticism professionally within your organization.

If you've ever wondered what it means to "trust but verify" in a digital age, you won't miss this conversation!

In today’s episode, host Joe Colantonio sits down with Judy Mosley, a QA engineer at TextUs with over nine years of experience in the tech industry. Judy shares her unconventional journey from being a stay-at-home mom to becoming a respected figure in the QA world. She discusses how a development bootcamp sparked her passion for testing and her value in breaking things (and occasionally frustrating developers!).

Judy discusses the importance of mentorship, continuous learning, and building community connections, especially as an introvert. They also explore the power of writing and sharing knowledge. Judy’s blog posts have even landed in major industry newsletters. The conversation touches on overcoming imposter syndrome, embracing career changes, and leveraging both manual and automation skills to keep growing in the field.

Plus, they weigh in on the impact of AI on software testing careers, finding balance between personal growth and demanding schedules, and practical tips for anyone looking to level up their automation testing game.

Whether you’re new to QA or looking to reinvigorate your journey, this episode is packed with honest insights, encouragement, and actionable advice from someone who truly understands what it means to keep learning and adapting in their software testing career.

Today’s episode is a little different.

I’m sharing a recording from one of our monthly live Automation Guild member trainings, and trust me, it’s a session every software tester should hear.

Get instant access to Automation Guild: https://testguild.me/youtubeGuild

** Use code youtube30 to get 30% off.

We’ll discuss an essential topic for anyone involved in software development: accessibility and the upcoming European Accessibility Act.

Listen in as accessibility advocate and testing expert Laveena Ramchandani unpacks what’s coming with the new legislation and why building inclusive digital products can’t wait for the law to catch up.

Discover:

How to think more accessibly – Spot potential barriers and adopt an inclusive mindset.
How to test for accessibility – Use keyboard navigation, browser extensions, automated tests, and assistive tech.
How to help teams create accessible content – Apply the social model of accessibility, annotate designs, and follow WCAG guidelines.

Whether you develop, design, test, or lead software teams, especially if you serve European customers, this episode will get you up to speed on the what, why, and how of making your products accessible to all, and help you get ahead of compliance before June 2025 arrives.