In this episode of Discussing Stupid, Virgil sits down with High Monkey’s Senior Developer, Chad Heinle, to break down one of the most debated choices in modern digital strategy: headless vs traditional CMS.

While flashy features and buzzwords like “omnichannel” dominate vendor pitches, the real decision comes down to your organization’s resources, structure, and long-term goals. Chad and Virgil dive into the practical realities of each approach, helping you cut through the hype and avoid the biggest mistakes teams make when choosing a CMS.

They also explore:

• Why your internal team structure matters more than the CMS features
• The rise (and reality) of content hubs and static site generators
• What “freedom” really means in a headless setup
• How traditional and headless CMSs are merging in unexpected ways
• Why reuse and omnichannel content sound good—but rarely happen

Whether you’re in IT, marketing, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you make smarter, more grounded tech decisions.

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) - It's not about the CMS, it's about your team

(4:44) - Headless gives you freedom - if you're ready for it

(6:36) - Traditional & headless are starting to look alike

(9:56) - Don't choose a CMS based on buzzwords

(12:00) - There's no perfect CMS - just the right one for you

(15:00) - Outro

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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

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:

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

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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:

https://www.discussingstupid.com/

Watch us on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@discussingstupid

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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