Ask Us Anything: Predictions & Plans for 2026

30/12/2025 1h 7min

Listen "Ask Us Anything: Predictions & Plans for 2026"

Episode Synopsis

SummaryIn this episode, hosts Stu Day and Chris Henderson reflect on the year 2025, discussing the growth and engagement of the podcast, the challenges of mental health in the workplace, and the evolving role of AI in shaping careers. They emphasise the importance of community support and effective communication in navigating these changes, while also exploring emerging trends in quality engineering and testing for 2026.Takeaways2025 has been a year of significant growth for the podcast.Engagement from listeners has remained high throughout the year.Mental health challenges in the workplace are prevalent and need addressing.Control the controllables to navigate mental checkouts.Metrics should tell a story, not just be numbers.AI is a tool, but community will shape our careers.Human interaction will be crucial in the tech industry moving forward.Continuous learning and adaptation are essential in a rapidly changing environment.Effective communication is key to influencing teams and driving change.Leadership in quality requires a broad understanding of various disciplines.Chapters00:00 Reflecting on 2025: A Year in Review21:44 Navigating Mental Checkouts in the Workplace28:26 The Role of Metrics in Quality Assurance34:38 AI vs Community: The Future of Careers36:02 Embracing AI: The Community's Role46:30 The Future of Work: Human Interaction and AI56:51 Trends in Quality Engineering: Skills for 202601:07:19 Closing out 2025