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 focus

Subscribe for more conversations on software quality, AI and modern digital experiences.

Hosted by David Carty

Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella

Graphic design by Karley Searles

Find more digital quality content at: https://www.youtube.com/@ApplauseDotCom/videos

To contact the producers, please email us at [email protected]

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 loop
• Why the best teams weave testing into every stage of delivery
• How short feedback loops and observability help reveal real software quality
• Practical ways to help non-testers — developers, designers, product — own quality
• Why AI and test automation are “amplifiers,” not replacements for quality engineers

You 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 Carty

Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella

Graphic design by Karley Searles

Find more thought leadership content at: https://www.youtube.com/@ApplauseDotCom/videos

To contact the producers, please email us at [email protected].

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 Carty

Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella

Graphic design by Karley Searles

To contact the producers, please email us at [email protected].

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 Carty

Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella

Graphic design by Karley Searles

To contact the producers, please email us at [email protected].

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/0993088171

Gojko 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-customers

Hosted by David Carty

Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella

Graphic design by Karley Searles

To contact the producers, please email us at [email protected].

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 Carty

Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella

Graphic design by Karley Searles

To contact the producers, please email us at [email protected].

Organizations across all sectors are increasingly exploring with and implementing artificial intelligence, with significant opportunities and complex challenges abound. How should organizations deal with the concerning ethical considerations and the potential for unintended consequences? How can they minimize risk and help ensure that AI systems are developed and deployed responsibly?

In this episode, we speak with Nathan Chappell, Senior Vice President of DonorSearch AI and founder of Fundraising AI. A leading voice in the application of artificial intelligence for social good, Nathan shares his expert perspective on how nonprofit organizations are navigating the AI landscape with a strong emphasis on ethical practices. He discusses the distinctions between AI usage in for-profit and nonprofit contexts, the vital need for widespread AI literacy and concrete steps organizations can take to cultivate trustworthy and beneficial AI solutions.

About the guest: Nathan is the Senior Vice President of DonorSearch AI, where he leads enterprise AI strategies for some of the nation’s most innovative nonprofit organizations. Nathan is the founder of Fundraising.AI, a 6,000-plus member collaborative dedicated to advancing responsible and ethical AI use in fundraising. With over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, he has spearheaded multi-billion-dollar campaigns and now focuses on helping mission-driven organizations scale impact through responsible technology. Nathan is also a prolific author and public speaker. He co-authored The Generosity Crisis and Nonprofit AI, and was the first to deliver a TEDx talk on AI and the future of generosity.

You can find Nathan’s latest book here: https://www.amazon.com/Nonprofit-Comprehensive-Implementing-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/139431664X/

Hosted by David Carty

Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella

Graphic design by Karley Searles

To contact the producers, please email us at [email protected].

Brands are increasingly recognizing the potential of AR and VR technologies to create immersive experiences that captivate and engage consumers. However, navigating the complexities of these technologies and their implementation presents significant challenges, including device fragmentation, environmental considerations and high consumer expectations. Fostering high quality across these diverse platforms is crucial for brands seeking to deliver seamless and impactful experiences.

In this episode, Tom Emrich, a leading expert in AR, VR and wearable technology, discusses the future of spatial computing, including how brands can leverage AR to enhance customer journeys. Drawing from his extensive experience and insights from his book, "The Next Dimension," Tom explores the importance of user-centric design, the role of AI in AR development and the ethical considerations surrounding accessibility and localization.

About the guest: Tom Emrich is the author of The Next Dimension, a definitive guide to leveraging augmented reality (AR) for business growth in the era of spatial computing. With over 15 years of experience as a journalist, investor and product leader, Tom is widely recognized as a pioneer in the fields of AR, virtual reality and wearable technology. His book, featured in Forbes, offers a practical roadmap for businesses looking to harness AR’s transformative potential.

Hosted by David Carty

Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella

Graphic design by Karley Searles

To contact the producers, please email us at [email protected].

As organizations face increasing pressure to release quickly, launches often comes at the expense of thorough testing. Blind spots in the development process can result in costly errors and a diminished user experience, yet teams often fail to achieve alignment around software testing priorities.

Michael Bolton, a renowned expert in software testing, discusses the evolution of digital quality. He introduces the "Four Frames of Testing" to move beyond requirements checklists and uncover real business risks. We also discuss AI's impact on QA, the changing tester role, and questioning "best practices." Michael also shares insights from his upcoming book as well as his blog, in which he advocates for an investigative approach to software testing.

About the guest: Michael Bolton is the Lead Consultant at DevelopSense and a recognized expert in software testing with over 30 years of experience. As co-creator of Rapid Software Testing (RST), a methodology focused on skilled and efficient testing under time pressure, Michael has helped countless organizations and individuals optimize their testing processes. He has delivered RST training in over 35 countries and has worked with a wide range of industries, including banking, retail, telecommunications, and startups.

Hosted by David Carty

Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella

Editing by Ian Lippincott

Graphic design by Karley Searles

To contact the producers, please email us at [email protected].

AI's rapid advancement across industries is undeniable, but what about its potential to understand and influence human behavior? Where is the ethical line as businesses fight tooth and nail to gain a competitive edge.

Sandra Matz, a computational social scientist and professor, joins the podcast to dig into the nuances of AI's persuasive capabilities and the ethical considerations surrounding its use. Matz discusses the intersection of AI and human psychology, and how AI leverages our digital footprints to predict our personalities, motivations and desires.

You can find Sandra's book here: https://store.hbr.org/product/mindmasters-the-data-driven-science-of-predicting-and-changing-human-behavior/10692

About the guest: Sandra Matz is an associate professor at Columbia Business School, specializing in computational social science. Her research explores how psychological characteristics influence real-life outcomes, often using large datasets and AI-driven tools.

Hosted by David Carty

Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella

Graphic design by Karley Searles

To contact the producers, please email us at [email protected].