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

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In Episode 14, host Virgil Carroll and co-host Cole dig into a core truth behind most UX mistakes: people don’t pay attention. From sending a message to the wrong person to confusing web forms, today’s digital missteps often stem from one thing—poorly designed experiences that expect users to be careful, focused, or even logical.

But here’s the hard truth: they’re not.

That’s why UX exists—to design for inattention, not perfection. In this episode, Virgil and Cole explore how small misjudgments in interface design can lead to big problems, and why it’s time to stop blaming the user and start designing smarter.

They dig into key lessons and takeaways, including:

✅ Why assuming users will “just pay attention” is a guaranteed way to fail

✅ The danger of designing tools for internal teams instead of real users

✅ How AI and other tools can mislead teams if used without critical thinking

✅ Why user feedback beats assumptions—every single time

✅ What it really means to design for the lowest common denominator

From confusing buttons and abandoned carts to real-world usability failures, Virgil shares insights from decades of experience that highlight how easy it is to get digital experiences wrong when we ignore how people actually behave.

If you’ve ever wondered why people keep screwing up your carefully planned interface—or if you’re trying to build something that works for all humans, not just ideal ones—this episode’s for you.

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

(2:10) - People don't pay attention

(4:41) - Are people bad at browsing or is tech too complex?

(6:49) - Will AI shape the future of UX?

(10:50) - The gap between internal assumptions and real user needs

(14:27) - Build for the lowest common denominator

(17:40) - Outro

Subscribe for email updates on our website:

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Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Soundcloud:

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https://open.spotify.com/show/0c47grVFmXk1cco63QioHp?si=87dbb37a4ca441c0

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In Episode 13.1, host Virgil Carroll is joined by co-host Cole and developer Chad to talk about something deceptively complicated: color. Specifically, the intersection of color palettes, visual design, and accessibility—and why getting it wrong can tank your user experience.

While color choices often get made in design tools or branding meetings, they don’t always translate well to real-world implementation. The crew breaks down why the prettiest colors can create the ugliest accessibility problems once they hit the web.

They dig into key challenges and lessons, including:

✅ Why accessible design isn’t just about having the right colors—it's about using them correctly

✅ How contrast ratios break down across devices and screen sizes

✅ Why bright and “fun” color palettes often fail accessibility testing

✅ How to bring visual flair to a site without sacrificing inclusivity

✅ The difference between decorative vs. purposeful color use—and why it matters

From failed color combinations to misused font sizing, Virgil, Cole, and Chad share their own battle scars from High Monkey’s recent site redesign—and explain how inclusive design forces teams to think functionally, not just aesthetically.

If you’ve ever struggled to make your brand colors work on the web—or if you're tired of your site failing contrast tests but you still want some color pop—this episode’s for you.

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

(2:43) - Accessibility and your brand's color palette

(6:03) - Factoring in font sizes

(7:54) - I still want color pop on my website!!

(11:36) - The approach we took with our new site's color scheme

(15:13) - Outro

Subscribe for email updates on our website:

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Watch us on YouTube:

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Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Soundcloud:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/discussing-stupid-a-byte-sized-podcast-on-stupid-ux/id1428145024

https://open.spotify.com/show/0c47grVFmXk1cco63QioHp?si=87dbb37a4ca441c0

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