TestGuild Automation Podcast

On this episode of the TestGuild Automation Podcast, host Joe Colantonio welcomes Matt Gilbert, founder of Clear Insight, for a conversation packed with practical wisdom for testers looking to break into, or advance in, modern software quality practices. Drawing on his experience working across industries such as insurance, healthcare, and SaaS, Matt shares how he transitioned from an aspiring developer to a passionate advocate for testing. They dive deep into the challenges of uniting disparate testing tools, making complex data from performance, accessibility, and security checks accessible to all team members, and the critical importance of educating both testers and business leaders about quality risks. Matt discusses how Clear Insight was born from the need to simplify usability and performance feedback, making actionable insights available for everyone, regardless of technical background. Plus, you'll hear Matt's take on using AI responsibly in regulated spaces and his advice for testers who want to expand their role beyond functional testing. Whether you're new to automation, a testing veteran, or curious about the growing intersection of AI and quality engineering, this episode has actionable strategies and real-world stories you won't want to miss.

In this episode of the TestGuild Automation Podcast, I'm joined by Don Jackson, Technical Evangelist at Perforce, to explore a bold new frontier in automation testing: true agentic AI. We unpack the groundbreaking tech behind Perfecto's latest release and what it means to test smarter, faster, and with zero hassle. Don shares how this new form of automation, powered by natural language, computer vision, and LLMs, lets you test like a human but with the speed of AI. No scripts. No frameworks. No brittle locators. Just plain-language instructions that drive real user-experience testing at runtime. You'll learn: What "agentic AI" really means and how it goes beyond traditional test automation How to run intelligent UI tests across devices without writing a single script Why this approach could finally bring automation to business testers and non-coders Real-world use cases, from validating stock charts and UI branding to exploratory testing at scale What to watch out for: prompting quality, performance tradeoffs, and trust Whether you're a skeptical scripter or just tired of flaky UI tests, this conversation will challenge how you think about automation—and show you what's now possible. Want to see it in action? Join the upcoming live demo webinar with Don and Perfecto's head of product: Perfecto AI in Action – Register Here https://testguild.me/donperrfecto

In this episode, Parasar Saha founder and CEO of Digy4 shares insights from his journeys across multiple countries, meeting with global enterprises to uncover real-world challenges teams face in achieving quality at scale. The discussion dives into the importance of data visibility, the pitfalls of focusing on the sheer quantity of tests over their real value, and how testers can transform technical data into business outcomes that resonate with the C-suite. Parasar reveals why most organizations struggle with fragmented tools, overwhelming data, and telling a compelling story about quality's business impact—even in the age of AI. Whether you're looking to elevate the role of QE in your organization, make your testing results more meaningful, or simply want to know how to get a seat at the executive table, this conversation is packed with practical advice and thought-provoking strategies. Tune in and discover how measuring the right things, and telling the right story,can take your automation efforts (and your career) to the next level!

Join Debbie O'Brien, Principal Technical Program Manager at Microsoft and Playwright advocate, as she shares her journey from web design to spearheading the Playwright community. Discover how Playwright’s Model Context Protocol (MCP) enhances browser automation with AI and natural language. Debbie provides real-world insights on overcoming testing challenges in teams and emphasizes the importance of embracing AI in automation. With practical tips and a forward-looking perspective, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of testing.

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. Grab the free Testing Toolkit now: https://testguild.me/toolkit 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. See if your apps are visual perfect with App Percy: https://testguild.me/apppercy 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!

Damian Synadinos, a multifaceted expert with over thirty years in software testing and public speaking, shares his insights on the crucial role of trust in software testing. He discusses how understanding trust can enhance testing methodologies, particularly as AI advances. The conversation explores the risks of misplaced trust, the nuances of risk-based decision-making, and the importance of healthy skepticism in navigating AI's growing influence. Damian emphasizes curiosity and communication as key tools for testers, urging a shift from gatekeeping to valuable information sharing.

In this informative discussion, Judy Mosley, a QA engineer at TextUs with over nine years in tech, shares her unique journey from stay-at-home mom to QA professional. She highlights how a bootcamp ignited her passion for testing and the critical role of mentorship and community. Judy discusses overcoming imposter syndrome and the significance of continuous learning, while offering practical tips on harmonizing career growth with personal life. The impact of AI on software testing careers is also examined, reminding listeners of the importance of adaptability and skill development.