REWORK

Latest Episodes:

Eat your own dog food Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

Before anything ships at 37signals, the team puts it to the test—by using it themselves. In this episode of The REWORK Podcast, co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson talk about the importance of dogfooding, or using your own product before handing it off to customers. They share how this practice keeps them close to the real problems, and sometimes even kills off ideas that just don’t hold up.

Key Takeaways:

00:27 – Why every 37signals product is used internally before it ships
07:15 – Who makes the final call after internal feedback comes in
12:44 – The importance of building things you’ll actually use
16:48 – Some products and features don’t make it past internal testing

Links and Resources:

Picking Priorities Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

How do you decide what to work on next, without relying on a long, stale to-do list? In this episode of The REWORK Podcast, 37signals co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson talk about why they don’t rely on lengthy roadmaps to set priorities. Instead, they focus on what makes sense now, not what seemed like a good idea months ago. They explain how working in real time leads to better decisions and thinking that fits the moment.

Key Takeaways:

00:44 – Priorities aren’t permanent—they’re meant to shift as you learn
03:20 – Ditch the roadmap mentality in favor of real-time decision-making
07:20 – There’s a difference between winging it and planning as you go
09:10 – Why 6-week cycles give you just enough structure without locking you in

Links and Resources:

Building On the Side Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

Have a day job but dreaming of launching the next big thing? In this episode of The REWORK Podcast, a listener question sparks a conversation with 37signals co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson about juggling consulting work while building products on the side. They share real talk about timing, expectations, motivation — and why your side project should serve you, even if it doesn’t turn into a smash hit.

Key Takeaways:

00:12 – Host Kimberly Rhodes reads a listener question about balancing consulting with product building
01:01 – Why it’s easier than ever to build something—but harder than ever to get noticed
05:48 – The barrier to entry is low, but staying in the game is the hard part
08:05 – There’s no formula for what will take off and what won’t
13:08 – Aim for more than just small wins—set bold goals
16:04 – You have to be fully invested if you want your idea to stand a chance

Links and Resources:

Why we choose profit Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

In a world where constant reinvestment is celebrated, 37signals chooses profit. In this episode of The REWORK Podcast, co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson talk about how profit gives them freedom, clarity, and staying power—not just for the company, but for their customers too. They make the case for building a business that’s solid, simple, and self-funded.

Key Takeaways:

00:27 – How being profitable is actually a choice
08:34 – Why it’s important to take money off the table
11:35 – Striking the right balance between ego and humility
15:00 – Profitability isn’t guaranteed forever
18:27 – Well-managed profits create reliability for customers

Links and Resources:

Build a business that runs without you Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

Can you build a company that thrives even when you’re not in the room? In this episode of The REWORK Podcast, 37signals co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson talk about the jobs they've created for themselves and how they're able to step away without progress coming to a halt. They discuss the fine line between being involved and letting the team run things without them.

Key Takeaways:

00:14 – The importance of creating a job for yourself that you enjoy
02:45 – The tragedy of owning a business you don't love
06:56 – Staying relevant in your business and knowing when to step in
15:14 – Knowing when to step back so your team can grow
17:51 – Maintaining a life outside of your business and having work/life balance
20:36 – The parts of the business that require the founders' involvement
23:33 – Jason and David's stance of not being serial entrepreneurs

Links and Resources:

Increasing Capacity Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

How do you do more without growing your team substantially? In this episode of The REWORK Podcast, 37signals co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson share how they’re expanding their product lineup while keeping their team lean. They reflect on how their approach to building software has evolved, and how pushing into the unknown makes the work more exciting.

Key Takeaways

00:28 – How 37signals’ product lineup has evolved over time
08:00 – Why the company is adding a product designer to the team
15:07 – Finding the “fun” in creating new products
18:50 – Challenging yourself by stepping into the unknown
23:16 – Using real products as a way to do research and development

Links and Resources:

Roles at the company, staying involved as a founder & other listener questions Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson answer listener questions in this episode of The REWORK Podcast. They discuss the roles 37signals hires for (and the ones they don’t), the importance of staying accessible as a founder, and the thought process behind choosing a business structure.

Key Takeaways

00:16 – Employee roles at 37signals
04:33 – How non-programmers contribute to programming
16:44 – Techniques for writing job descriptions
18:47 – Tips for being an accessible founder
25:22 – Deciding on a business structure

Links and Resources:

Bringing Back Free Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

37signals' co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson are back to talk about the ins and outs of offering a product for free. In this episode of The REWORK Podcast, they break down why they decided to reintroduce a free Basecamp plan, how offering free access can actually drive sales, and balancing analytics with instincts.

Key Takeaways:

00:45 – The original philosophy behind Basecamp’s free plan
03:14 – Going beyond the free trial
07:36 – Tracking analytics without getting lost in the numbers
12:48 – The true cost of offering something for free
19:13 – Pricing strategies for new products 37signals is building

Links and Resources:

Managing vs. Mentoring Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

There are no full-time managers at 37signals, but that doesn't mean the company is void of mentorship. In this episode of The REWORK Podcast, host Kimberly Rhodes chats with Principal Programmer Jeffrey Hardy as he breaks down the company’s focus on peer-to-peer mentorship. They discuss hiring practices that allow for less management and what mentorship looks like amongst the team.

Key Takeaways:

00:42 – Meet Jeffrey Hardy, Principal Programmer
02:09 – The evolution of 37signals' management structure
05:19 – Replacing managers with mentors
10:53 – How hiring impacts the ability to operate without managers
13:35 – The power of seeking entrepreneurial experience
15:10 – A day in the life of a mentor
17:40 – Tips for being a better mentor

Links and Resources:

Blogging Isn't Dead Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

Does blogging still matter in tech? In this episode of The REWORK Podcast, host Kimberly Rhodes chats with 37signals' Principal Programmer Jorge Manrubia about why blogging is very much alive. They dig into the history of the 37signals developers blog, the company's process for contributions, and the added benefits this communication tool provides.

Key Takeaways: