In the ever-evolving world of software development, staying up-to-date with the latest trends, techniques, and best practices is crucial for ensuring the highest quality. Podcasts have become an invaluable resource for professionals seeking to expand their knowledge on the go. With over 160 million monthly listeners in the United States alone, podcasts offer a convenient and accessible way to learn from industry experts and stay ahead.
This post will look at the top ten curated software testing podcasts in 2024 that you should listen to. Whether you’re a seasoned tester or just starting your career, these podcasts offer valuable insights and expert advice across various aspects of software testing.
Functional Testing Podcasts
Functional testing is a crucial aspect of software development that ensures each function of an application operates as per the specified requirements. It validates functionality, enhances quality, ensures user satisfaction, promotes cost efficiency, and ensures compliance with industry standards.
1. Test & Code
“Test & Code,” now named PythonTest, is a must-listen for anyone interested in software testing and development practices, with a focus on functional testing.
Notable Episodes and Guest Speakers:
- Episode 123: “Functional Testing with Selenium” featuring Simon Stewart, the creator of Selenium.
- Episode 145: “Testing Strategies and Best Practices” with Angie Jones, a renowned automation engineer and speaker.
- Episode 167: “The Importance of Test Automation” with Alan Richardson, also known as EvilTester.
2. The Testing Show
Dedicated to all aspects of software testing, including functional testing, “The Testing Show” discusses trends, challenges, and innovations in the field, featuring expert insights and real-world experiences.
Notable Episodes and Guest Speakers:
- Episode 78: “Functional Testing in Agile Environments” with Janet Gregory, co-author of “Agile Testing.”
- Episode 90: “The Role of Functional Testing in DevOps” with Lisa Crispin, co-author of “More Agile Testing”.
- Episode 102: “Functional Testing Techniques and Tools” featuring Joe Colantonio, founder of TestGuild.
If you want to automate the functional testing process, consider these key factors for effective implementation.
Automation Testing Podcasts
Automation testing plays a pivotal role in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of software testing. It increases test coverage, saves time and resources, improves accuracy, facilitates continuous integration and delivery, and supports regression testing.
3. Automation Awesomeness
“Automation Awesomeness” focuses on the latest trends, tools, and best practices in automation testing.
Notable Episodes and Guest Speakers:
- Episode 56: “The Future of Test Automation” featuring Angie Jones, a renowned automation engineer.
- Episode 72: “Automating API Testing with Postman” with Joyce Lin, Head of Developer Relations at Postman.
- Episode 88: “Effective Use of Selenium for Automation” with Simon Stewart, the creator of Selenium.
4. TestGuild Automation Podcast
Hosted by Joe Colantonio, “The TestGuild Automation Podcast” provides in-depth discussions on automation testing tools, techniques, and trends.
Notable Episodes and Guest Speakers:
- Episode 192: “Scaling Test Automation with Cypress” featuring Gleb Bahmutov, VP of Engineering at Cypress.
- Episode 210: “AI and Machine Learning in Test Automation” with Tariq King, Chief Scientist at Test.ai.
- Episode 225: “Best Practices for Mobile Test Automation” with Jonathan Lipps, Director of Open Source at HeadSpin.
Performance Testing Podcasts
Performance testing is critical in software development to ensure that applications perform well under expected and peak load conditions. It ensures reliability, assesses scalability, identifies bottlenecks, enhances user experience, and confirms compliance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
5. PerfBytes
“PerfBytes” is dedicated to performance testing and engineering, covering topics from basic principles to advanced techniques.
Notable Episodes and Guest Speakers:
- Episode 121: “Load Testing in the Cloud” featuring Mark Tomlinson, a performance testing expert.
- Episode 133: “Performance Testing for Mobile Applications” with Leandro Melendez, also known as Señor Performo.
- Episode 148: “The Importance of Performance Monitoring” featuring performance engineering specialist James Pulley.
6. STP Radio (Software Test Professionals Radio)
“STP Radio” covers various aspects of software testing, including performance testing, featuring discussions with industry leaders, case studies, and insights into the latest testing trends.
Notable Episodes and Guest Speakers:
- Episode 56: “Performance Testing Strategies for Agile Environments” with Scott Moore, a performance testing consultant.
- Episode 68: “The Role of Automation in Performance Testing” featuring Paul Grizzaffi, a testing and automation architect.
- Episode 79: “Case Studies in Performance Testing” with Brad Johnson, a senior performance engineer.
Quality Assurance and Best Practices Podcasts
Quality Assurance (QA) in software testing encompasses various activities to ensure that the software meets the desired quality standards, including comprehensive testing, adherence to standards, continuous improvement, risk management, automation integration, and cross-functional collaboration.
7. The QA Lead
“The QA Lead” podcast focuses on leadership in quality assurance, discussing strategies, tools, and best practices for ensuring software quality.
Notable Episodes and Guest Speakers:
- Episode 22: “The Future of QA Leadership” featuring Adam Satterfield, a QA and testing expert.
- Episode 35: “Implementing Effective QA Strategies” with Marie Drake, a quality engineer and community leader.
- Episode 47: “Balancing Manual and Automated Testing” featuring Maaret Pyhäjärvi, a renowned testing consultant and author.
8. Testing Peers
“Testing Peers” discusses various aspects of software testing and quality assurance, focusing on best practices, industry standards, and real-world experiences.
Notable Episodes and Guest Speakers:
- Episode 15: “QA Best Practices in Agile Teams” with Simon Prior, a QA manager and community advocate.
- Episode 28: “Ensuring Quality in Continuous Delivery” featuring Vernon Richards, a testing coach and consultant.
- Episode 42: “The Role of Communication in QA” with Gwen Diagram, a quality engineering leader and speaker.
Security Testing Podcasts
Security testing is crucial in the software development lifecycle to ensure that applications are protected from potential threats and vulnerabilities. It identifies vulnerabilities, prevents data breaches, ensures compliance, builds trust, reduces costs, and enhances the overall security posture.
9. Application Security Podcast
“The Application Security Podcast” focuses on various aspects of application security testing, discussing methodologies, tools, and best practices.
Notable Episodes and Guest Speakers:
- Francesco Cipollone: Application Security Posture Management and the Power of Working with the Business: Francesco Cipollone, CEO of Phoenix Security, discusses Application Security Posture Management (ASPM) and its evolution from SIEM solutions. The episode covers ASPM’s role in managing asset vulnerabilities and software security holistically.
- Mukund Sarma: Developer Tools that Solve Security Problems: Mukund Sarma, Senior Director for Product Security at Chime, talks about building security tools for developers and the importance of collaboration over security mandates.
- Meghan Jacquot: Assumed Breach Red Team Engagements for AppSec: Meghan Jacquot shares her journey into cybersecurity, emphasizing her work in threat intelligence and application security and the value of productive red team exercises.
10. Security Weekly
“Security Weekly” covers a wide range of security topics, including security testing, incident response, and threat intelligence.
Notable Episodes and Guest Speakers:
- Episode 643: “Advanced Techniques in Security Testing” featuring Chris Hadnagy, a social engineering expert and author.
- Episode 670: “Automating Security Testing with DevSecOps” with Shannon Lietz, a leader in DevSecOps and security engineering.
- Episode 695: “The Impact of AI on Security Testing” featuring Gary McGraw, a pioneer in software security.
Conclusion
Listening to software testing podcasts offers numerous benefits for continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends. By listening to the podcasts mentioned in this article, you can gain expert insights, stay up to date on the latest trends, improve your testing skills, access real-world case studies, and broaden your professional networks.
Happy listening!
David Parry
Marin Levrel
