EuroSTAR Community Podcast

EuroSTAR Community Podcast

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EuroSTAR Community Podcast episodes

  • Automation Sustainability: Gáspár Nagy on Building Sustainable Testing Communities

    What does it take to build test automation that stands the test of time?

    In this episode of the EuroSTAR Community Podcast, Gáspár Nagy, Program Chair of AutomationSTAR 2025, shares the thinking behind this year's conference theme: Automation Sustainability. Drawing on his experience as a BDD coach, trainer, product developer, and co-author of the upcoming Effective Behavior-Driven Development book, Gáspár explores why sustainable automation has become one of the biggest challenges facing modern software teams.

    The conversation examines the hidden costs of fragile automation, flaky tests, and ongoing maintenance, and why teams should focus on long-term sustainability rather than simply increasing automation coverage. Gáspár also discusses how reframing sustainability can help secure greater support from leadership and create more resilient testing strategies.

    Beyond test automation, the discussion expands into the future of software development, covering the impact of AI on testing, the importance of nurturing the next generation of engineers, and the challenges of building sustainable open-source communities. Gáspár offers a balanced perspective on AI, arguing that while it will undoubtedly influence how we work, human expertise, learning, and collaboration remain essential to the future of quality engineering.

    A thoughtful conversation on sustainable automation, BDD, AI, community building, and the future of software testing.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min
  • Sustainable Software Testing: Jutta Eckstein on Agile Transformation and AI's Environmental Impact

    What happens when one of Agile's earliest pioneers turns her attention to sustainability?

    In this episode of the EuroSTAR Community Podcast, Jutta Eckstein reflects on nearly three decades of Agile evolution, from the early days of Extreme Programming and Smalltalk to today's enterprise-wide Agile transformations. She shares why organizations often misunderstand Agile, how successful change starts with retrospectives rather than frameworks, and why true agility extends far beyond software teams into budgeting, leadership, and company culture.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min
  • Quality Coaching in Modern Testing: Emna Ayadi on GenAI, Human Judgment, and Team Ownership
    In this episode of the EuroSTAR Community Podcast, Emna Ayadi shares her perspective on quality coaching and how the role of testers is evolving in agile and DevOps environments. She explains why quality must be a collective responsibility from the earliest stages of development and how quality coaching supports teams during their transition to quality engineering. The conversation also explores the realistic use of GenAI in testing and coaching, highlighting both its potential to boost productivity and the importance of maintaining critical thinking, human interaction, and accountability.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 min
  • Understanding Technical Debt: Andrew Brown on AI and Decision‑Making
    In this episode of the EuroSTAR Community Podcast, Andrew Brown reflects on his journey as a long‑time EuroSTAR contributor and the motivation behind his recent book on technical debt. He reframes technical debt as a social and decision‑making problem rather than a purely technical one, sharing insights on how trade‑offs, pressure, and limited understanding shape long‑term software quality. The conversation also explores AI’s growing role in testing, Andrew’s skepticism around AI‑driven shortcuts, and his current work using simulation models to train teams in making better software development decisions.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    15 min
  • AI Toolkits, and Career Growth: Rahul Parwal on Building Skills Beyond Traditional QA
    In this episode, Rahul Parwal shares his journey from developer to passionate tester and community advocate. He discusses the importance of expanding beyond traditional testing tools, embracing exploratory practices, and building a personal testing toolkit. The conversation also dives into the evolving role of testers in an AI-driven world, highlighting the need for critical thinking, strong communication, and proof of work through portfolios to stay relevant and stand out.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    17 min
  • Clear Communication: Ana Duarte on Making Testing Content More Relatable and Useful
    In this episode, Ana Duarte explores the often-overlooked role of documentation in software testing and development. Drawing from her background in journalism and technical writing, she explains how clear, honest, and user-focused documentation can bridge the gap between products and users. The conversation also touches on stepping out of comfort zones, improving communication skills, and how AI can support, rather than replace, the writing process.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    27 min
  • Evolution of QA: Bart Knaack on Building Better Testing Practices
    In this episode of the EuroSTAR Community Podcast, Bart Knaack shares his journey from pioneering the Test Lab concept to shaping how testers approach AI today. The conversation explores the balance between experimentation and practical thinking, highlighting how curiosity, failure, and critical thinking drive meaningful progress in software testing. Bart also challenges the overuse of AI, advocating for smarter, more intentional adoption within QA practices.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    22 min
  • Tester Well‑Being: Isabel Evans and the Changing Landscape of Quality & Community

    Welcome to the EuroSTAR Community Podcast. In this episode, we sit down with the legendary Isabel Evans, a long‑time contributor to the EuroSTAR community with over 20 years of involvement. Isabel reflects on the enduring value of in‑person conferences, the power of shared experiences in testing, and her extensive research into people, usability, and the emotional landscape of testers. From her memories as a EuroSTAR chair to her thoughtful perspective on AI, societal change, and the future of testing, Isabel offers deep insights, humility, and inspiration for both current and future generations of quality professionals.


    Top 3 Takeaways

    1. Conferences build community, confidence, and shared learning.

    Isabel emphasises how events like EuroSTAR create essential spaces where testers realise they’re not alone—others face the same challenges, and real conversations lead to collective problem‑solving and growth.

    2. The future of testing requires continuous learning and adaptability.

    With technology evolving rapidly and unpredictably, Isabel encourages testers to stay curious, keep challenging themselves, and embrace change throughout their careers.

    3. AI’s impact is complex and societal—not just about jobs.

    Instead of optimism or pessimism, Isabel questions whether we even understand what “AI” truly is. She stresses that automation should be evaluated through a societal lens, focusing on equality, purpose, and what makes a healthy community—not just cost savings.

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    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    20 min
  • AI-Powered Testing: Jonathon Wright on Automation and Open-Source Trends
    Jonathon Wright and Leandro Melendez explore the integration of AI-driven tools into modern testing frameworks, emphasizing their role in improving efficiency, predictive analytics, and continuous delivery. The conversation also touches on open-source innovation, and the importance of collaboration in DevOps pipelines.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    31 min

About EuroSTAR Community Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to the EuroSTAR Community Podcast, where we bring you the voices of our dynamic & diverse software testing community. In each episode, you'll hear from experts and passionate professionals…