In Episode 87 of This Week in Testing, we celebrate a unique "breaking news" moment from within the Ministry of Testing community.

Hosted by Simon Tomes and Rosie Sherry, with guests Ben Dowen, Mariem SAFI, and Nataliia Burmei, this episode offers practical discussions for testers and quality engineers.

Key topics include:

• Insights from the Katalon Testing Summit: why manual testing remains critical even as automation grows.

• A reframing of automation strategy: focusing on automating tasks rather than automating only tests.

• New Ministry of Testing initiatives, including MOT Profile Verification and the expanded Community Stars program.

• Practical advice for preparing and delivering technical talks, particularly for first-time speakers.

• Reflections on how task automation and continuous learning are reshaping career paths in testing and quality engineering.

This episode also features a special "breaking news" moment, as we celebrate a new addition to the Ministry of Testing family — a joyful reminder that community growth isn’t just professional, but personal too.

Listen in for practical insights on automation, professional development, and community innovation — all through the lens of real-world experiences from across the Ministry of Testing universe.