Listen "The Gary Gang Chronicles: Rebranding Manual Testing | With Gary Hawkes | Ep.11"
Episode Synopsis
The Gary Gang Chronicles: Rebranding Manual Testing | With Gary Hawkes | Ep.11
Two Garys. One name. Zero idea how we got here - but we’re owning it.
In this episode, we dive head‑first into rebranding manual testing for the modern era: how to ditch outdated perceptions, highlight its strategic value, and show why it still has a place alongside automation in a high‑performing tech stack.
Along the way, we inevitably end up swapping name stories, because when you’re both called Gary, you can’t not.
It’s straight‑talk, experience‑led, and aimed at anyone who thinks manual testing is “just clicking around”. Spoiler: it’s not.
Raw convo. No fluff. All Gary.
🎧 Now streaming on all platforms.
A breakdown of the show complete with time markers for the shufflers:
🕒 0:00 – Introduction to Gary & Manual Testing & QE
🕒 04:35 – Busting Automation bias and Its Impact
🕒 09:49 – The Role of AI in Testing & Recruitment
🕒 13:14 – Rebranding Testing: UQE and TQU
🕒 16:23 – How Would You Write a Job Ad Without Using The Word Manual
🕒 18:21 – Leadership Lessons and Team Dynamics
🕒 19:10 – The Importance of Collaboration
🕒 22:01 – The GARY Extinction Awareness Campaign
🕒 24:53 – The QA Hype Quick Fire Q&A Round
🕒 27:02 – Wrap & Key Takeaways
Your support as always means the world to me – thank you for being part of this journey! 🙌 See you next time for more QA, Engineering and Tech insights and community stories.
Two Garys. One name. Zero idea how we got here - but we’re owning it.
In this episode, we dive head‑first into rebranding manual testing for the modern era: how to ditch outdated perceptions, highlight its strategic value, and show why it still has a place alongside automation in a high‑performing tech stack.
Along the way, we inevitably end up swapping name stories, because when you’re both called Gary, you can’t not.
It’s straight‑talk, experience‑led, and aimed at anyone who thinks manual testing is “just clicking around”. Spoiler: it’s not.
Raw convo. No fluff. All Gary.
🎧 Now streaming on all platforms.
A breakdown of the show complete with time markers for the shufflers:
🕒 0:00 – Introduction to Gary & Manual Testing & QE
🕒 04:35 – Busting Automation bias and Its Impact
🕒 09:49 – The Role of AI in Testing & Recruitment
🕒 13:14 – Rebranding Testing: UQE and TQU
🕒 16:23 – How Would You Write a Job Ad Without Using The Word Manual
🕒 18:21 – Leadership Lessons and Team Dynamics
🕒 19:10 – The Importance of Collaboration
🕒 22:01 – The GARY Extinction Awareness Campaign
🕒 24:53 – The QA Hype Quick Fire Q&A Round
🕒 27:02 – Wrap & Key Takeaways
Your support as always means the world to me – thank you for being part of this journey! 🙌 See you next time for more QA, Engineering and Tech insights and community stories.
More episodes of the podcast The Optimal Hype Show
Beyond the CV: From the UK to the US - Real Talk for Job Seekers | With Tatyana Arbouzova | Ep.13
16/10/2025
Garages Beats & Test Suites | Automation, Connected TV & FX Digital | With Martin Tyler | Ep.10
09/09/2025
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 | With Danny Stockwell | Ep.8
07/08/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.