In this episode of Discussing Stupid, Virgil and Cole are joined by a new guest—High Monkey’s Project Manager and QA specialist, Seth Moline. Together, they dig into the often-overlooked world of quality assurance (QA) and why it can make or break a digital project.

From accessibility issues to ripple effects caused by last-minute code changes, Seth walks us through what great QA really looks like—and why it’s not just a checklist you run through before launch. The team discusses how QA needs to be methodical, repeatable, and fully integrated into your build process—not an afterthought.

They also explore:
	• Why QA isn’t just testing—it’s marketing
	• How staging environments save you from public embarrassment
	• The value of fresh eyes and non-developer perspectives
	• Common QA mistakes and how to avoid them
	• Why accessibility should never be separated from quality

Whether you’re a developer, content manager, strategist, or digital lead, this episode will change the way you think about testing and quality.

For more conversations about digital strategy, UX, accessibility, and all the ways we get it wrong (and how to get it right), visit www.discussingstupid.com and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.


(0:00) - Intro
(3:04) - Seth's QA role at high monkey
(4:45) - Quality testing is best done by a fresh set of eyes
(6:47) - QA is about systems, not spot checks
(11:06) - Why you need a staging environment
(14:18) - How to stay methodical with your testing
(16:36) - Baking accessibility into your QA process
(18:06) - A quality site = top tier marketing
(19:52) - Outro


S2E15: What separates good projects from great ones? Proper testing.

Discussing Stupid returns to the airwaves to transform digital facepalms into teachable moments—all in the time it takes to enjoy your coffee break! Sponsored by High Monkey, this podcast dives into ‘stupid’ practices across websites and Microsoft collaboration tools, among other digital realms. 

Our "byte-sized" bi-weekly episodes are packed with expert insights and a healthy dose of humor. Discussions focus on five key areas: Business Process & Collaboration, UX/IA, Inclusive Design, Content & Search, and Performance & SEO. 

Join us and let’s start making the digital world a bit less stupid, one episode at a time.