Welcome to another episode of the Testing Peers podcast.
In this episode, Veerle, Chris, Russell and Tara explore how hobbies influence the way we learn, collaborate and grow within testing and quality engineering.
Before getting into the main topic, the Peers open with some classic banter, covering unusual fruit sizes, strange dreams and the small details that spark curiosity.
The idea for this episode comes from talks and experiences shared within the community, where hobbies such as gaming, storytelling, crafting and sport have inspired lessons that translate into professional practice.
From Vikings and Dungeons & Dragons to pro wrestling, knitting, baking and gym routines, the group reflects on how skills learned outside of work can shape communication, experimentation and continuous improvement. Bring your hobbies to work
In this episode, the Peers discuss
- How hobbies help develop storytelling and teamwork skills
- Seeing testing opportunities in everyday life
- Different personal paths into testing and quality engineering
- Learning through experimentation, failure and iteration
- The role of data, metrics and context in decision making
- Growth mindsets inspired by fitness, crafting and gaming
- Bringing personality and individuality into technical spaces
Key reflections
This episode highlights how hobbies create spaces to experiment, adapt and learn without pressure. Whether journaling gym progress, inventing house rules in games or developing creative skills, these experiences mirror the iterative nature of testing itself.
The Peers also explore how progress is not always visible in the moment. As skills evolve, expectations rise, which can make growth harder to recognise even when it is happening. Bring your hobbies to work
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