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Are you looking to learn more about Quality Assurance (QA)? In this podcast, we will delve into the world of QA, discussing common phrases used in the field, the importance of QA in software development, and how to navigate the sometimes-challenging political landscape of QA. We will also explore some of the key skills and qualities that make a great QA professional. Whether you are a seasoned QA professional or just starting out, this podcast is for you. We will provide you with insights and tips to help you excel in your QA career.
Episodes
In this episode of QA in a Box, we explore one of the most legendary problem-solving stories in quality assurance — and no, it doesn’t involve code, dashboards, or automated test suites. It involves toothpaste, empty boxes, a high-priced vision system, and a humble table fan.
You’ll learn how a simple breeze outsmarted a team o...
Welcome to "QA in a Box"! In this episode, "Sprinting Through the Methodologies: Agile vs. Waterfall for QA!", join host Chris Ryan on Day 49 of the series as he unpacks the two heavyweight contenders of software development: Agile and Waterfall.
Discover the pros and cons of each methodology from a Quality Assurance perspective. Chris, along with insights from the enigm...
In this episode of QA in a Box, host Chris Ryan explores the all-too-familiar "Treadmill Effect" in software quality assurance. Why does QA sometimes feel like a never-ending loop of test-run-repeat? Joined by the witty Resident Podcast CTO and the ever-practical Karen Mallory in Karen’s Corner, we unpack the causes, consequences, and clever ways to break free. Learn how agile testing teams can escape burnout, improve test strategi...
In this episode of QA in a Box, host Chris Ryan rewinds to the legendary Y2K Bug—the bug that never broke the world, thanks to a massive global QA effort. Joined by the ever-insightful CTO and project lead
In this episode of QA in a Box, host Chris Ryan explores how The Broken Windows Theory applies to modern QA practices and software quality assurance. With the help of the witty Resident ...
In today's short but powerful QA in a Box episode, Chris Ryan, our Resident Podcast CTO, and Project Lead Karen Mallory reveal the Testers’ Island Discs Spotify Playlist — a specially curated music list just for QA testers!
Perfect for powering through long regression hours, this playlist is packed with motivational songs, deep-focus tracks, and a few laughs along the way.
Find out how music can transform your testing sessions and ...
In today’s episode, we dive into a futuristic twist on career storytelling—using Google NotebookLM to transform a resume into a fully narrated podcast! 🧠🎤
Chris walks through how uploading his QA-focused resume (packed with PyTest, Playwright, and process improvement wins at American Freight, WordStream, and LocalIQ) int...
In today’s episode of QA in a Box, host Chris Ryan shares a hilarious real-world quality assurance lesson from a Saturday morning bagel run gone wrong. When a simple bagel order turns into a mysterious Nova Cream Cheese surprise, Chris, Resident CTO, and Karen Mallory break down the unexpected QA failures, share practical tips from Karen’s Corner, and uncover how food orders and software testing have more in common than you think.
...
Dive into the world of AI-powered QA with QA in a Box Episode 42! Host Chris Ryan explores TestRigor, the codeless, AI-driven testing tool that’s revolutionizing quality assurance in 2025. From plain-English test creation to self-healing scripts, discover why TestRigor is the most talked-about tool in QA. Pr...
In this episode of QA in a Box, host Chris Ryan brings the ISTQB Foundation Testing Process to life with humor, insight, and real-world QA wisdom. Joined by the ever-sassy CTO and product lead Karen Mallory, the team explores the six core stages of software testing: Test Planning, Design & Implementation, Execut...
Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution with this fun and insightful episode of "QA in a Box," where we connect historic heroics to Software Quality Assurance (QA). Host Chris Ryan, joined by the witty Resident Podcast CTO and savvy Product Lead Karen Mallory, uncovers how Paul Revere’s midnight ride, the Battle of Lexington Green, and the Old North Bridge standoff mirror modern QA challenges.
Learn how Revere’s ...
Is your QA process hanging by a thread? In this fun and eye-opening episode of QA in a Box, Chris Ryan explores the dangers of having a Single Point of Failure (SPOF) in your quality assurance workflow—from crashing automation servers to test case black holes.
Joined by our semi-clueless but lovable CTO,...
In this insightful episode of QA in a Box, host Chris Ryan explores the wild world of Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). Learn what MVPs really are, how they’ve powered some of the biggest companies in tech, and why QA teams are the secret weapon behind successful launches.
Joined by our clueless but lovable CTO (who still thinks MVP means “Most Valuable Pancake”), Chris breaks down how to test early-stage products without losing your...
What do Golf Spring Rules and Quality Assurance have in common? More than you think! In this episode of QA in a Box, host Chris Ryan and his snarky CTO discuss how defining test scenarios is like setting course boundaries, why great test cases are like a perfect golf swing, and how continuous testing keeps software—and the fairway—in top shape. Packed with humor, insights, and ...
Ever sworn a bug was fixed, only to find out it never was? Or has your dev team gaslit you into believing a feature always worked that way? Welcome to the Mandela Effect in Software Quality Assurance!
Join Chris Ryan and his clueless but lovable CTO sidekick as they break down:
✅ Misremembered requirements & imaginary features
✅ False memories of bug fixes (or were they?)
✅ Parallel universes in debugging (Schrödinger’s bug, anyone...
AI is changing the game in Quality Assurance, but is it here to help us or replace us? In this episode of QA in a Box, host Chris Ryan dives into how AI is transforming QA testing, the pros and cons of AI-driven automation, and what the future holds for human testers. With entertaining commentary from our CTO (who still struggles with CAPTCHAs), this episode is packed with insights, humor, and actionable advice.
🔍 Tune in and find...
Ever wondered what makes a great QA person? In this episode of QA in a Box, host Chris Ryan breaks down the superpower of seeing what others don’t—aka, the ultimate QA mindset. With hilarious commentary from our clueless CTO, we explore why QA professionals are the detectives of the software world, how to spot bugs no one else sees, and why developers secretly (or not-so-secretly) fear us.
🎧 Tune in for laughs, insights, and a beh...
In this insightful episode of QA in a Box, we dive into a 1903 Boston kitchen disaster, a wise watchmaker, and a QA lesson hidden in a stubborn clam chowder recipe. Join host Chris Ryan and his ever-curious CTO as they explore why some failures aren’t about what’s broken—but what we assume is working fine. Learn how debugging a recipe is a lot like troubleshooting automation failures (minus the delicious chowder). Tune in for laugh...
Struggling with flaky tests and browser automation headaches? In this entertaining and information-packed episode of QA in a Box, host Chris Ryan and our tech-savvy CTO dive deep into Microsoft Playwright - the game-changing automation framework that's revolutionizing how QA professionals interact with modern web applications.
🎯 In this episode, you'll discover:
- What exactly Playwright is and why it's rapidly replaci...
What if I told you that most of your software bugs could be avoided before they even happen? In this episode of QA in a Box, host Chris Ryan and our ever-curious CTO, break down Design by Contract (DbC)—a game-changing approach to software reliability. Learn how defining clear co...
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