We’re bringing 2022 to a close with a second month of coaching-related conversation, as we finally maroon the one and only Vernon Richards on our desert island, to share his many career adventures, from games testing, to Will Smith body double, to flourishing as a coach. 

We talk about day-to-day challenges facing testers, such as the demands to upskill (particularly around code), how to display “coach-like” behaviours regardless of your job title, and how to balance networking with being a functioning family member.

On the music front, there’s a selection of hip-hop from across the decades (with a promise of some karaoke in the future), and Vernon exploits Neil’s festive kindness to increase the size of the island’s bookshelf by 10 titles. Plus, a round-up of our favourite music and movies of 2022!

Podcast Links:

Vernon Richards & Stu Day - What is Quality Coaching (TestBash UK 2022)

Vernon Richards - The Time I Became Will Smith’s Virtual Stunt Double

LinkedIn: Wanda Hawkins-Kavanagh

Twitter: Emma Keaveny

YouTube: Will Smith doing the Carlton Dance on the Graham Norton Show

TestBash UK 2023 Call for Papers

LinkedIn: Amy Phillips

Toby Sinclair

Barefoot Coaching

Vernon Richards - Myths and Legends of Software Testing (TestBash 2015)

Wikipedia: Socratic method

ORSC (Organisation and Relationship Systems Coaching)

ICP-ACC Agile Coaching Certification

Throwcase: That “Five Monkeys Experiment” Never Happened

Manchester Tech Festival

Ship 30 for 30

Vernon Richards: 3 Things I Learned Writing Online Every Day For 36 Days In A Row

Advent of Code

Yeah But Does It Work? - Vernon’s weekly newsletter

YouTube: Alex Isley & Jack Dine - Under The Moon

YouTube: Loyle Carner ft John Agard - Georgetown

YouTube: The Weeknd x DAWN FM Experience (Amazon Prime)

YouTube: Avril Lavigne ft Machine Gun Kelly - Bois Lie

Romanian Testing Conference

Agile Testing Days USA

Testing United Conference

TestBash UK 2023: Slight Change of Plans

Vernon on Twitter: @TesterFromLeic

Regular Links:

Listen to and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes and SoundCloud

Sign up to be a guest on the show

Testers' Island Discs playlist on Spotify

Testers' Island Discs reading list on Goodreads

Follow us on Twitter