In this episode of The REWORK Podcast , 37signals co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson answer a fresh round of listener questions. They share how they stay focused when new ideas pop up, how structured work periods lead to steady progress, and why they’re careful about adding too much to their products. Key Takeaways: 00:18 – Staying grounded by tackling one thing at a time 06:08 – How scheduled work cycles keep the team on track 11:58 – Trimming complexity to keep products lean 20:21 – A preview of what’s in store for Basecamp 5 Links and Resources: Record or upload a video question for Jason and David Get Basecamp for free at Basecamp.com Books by 37signals HEY World | HEY REWORK podcast merch The REWORK podcast The Rework Podcast on YouTube The 37signals Dev Blog 37signals on YouTube @37signals on X…

This week on The REWORK Podcast , host Kimberly Rhodes chats with 37signals' CEO and co-founder Jason Fried about the practice of openly sharing what the company is working on, inspired by his recent teaser videos for an upcoming product, Fizzy. Jason explains why building in public fosters connection, clarity, and curiosity. Key Takeaways: 00:12 – The company's history of sharing teasers and early product previews 05:40 – The biggest risk in sharing previews 13:30 – Design review videos with programmers and designers 15:46 – Today’s transparency echoes former “Building Basecamp” workshops 18:14 – Anyone close to the product can lead a sneak peek Links and Resources: “First Preview of Fizzy” from Jason Fried on LinkedIn Another Fizzy demo from Jason Fried on LinkedIn “Fizzy Teaser” from Jason Fried on X Record or upload a video question for Jason and David Get Basecamp for free at Basecamp.com Books by 37signals HEY World | HEY REWORK podcast merch The REWORK podcast The Rework Podcast on YouTube The 37signals Dev Blog 37signals on YouTube @37signals on X…

This week on The REWORK Podcast , host Kimberly Rhodes is joined by Jason Fried to talk about cover letters — what they say about a candidate, how they’re reviewed at 37signals, and why they still matter. Jason shares his take on the value of genuine effort, how AI can either help or hurt your chances, and why hiring should stay a human process. Key Takeaways: 00:13 – A cover letter says more about you than your résumé ever could 03:35 – How using AI the right (or wrong) way shows up in applications 06:04 – Why a pre-screening team reads every cover letter first 07:18 – A thoughtful effort is often what gets you to the short list 13:36 – It’s easier than you think to spot procrastination 16:50 – At 37signals, hiring decisions are made by people—not algorithms Links and Resources: “Cover Letters? Yes!” From Jason Fried’s HEY World “When You Review Hundreds of Cover Letters…” LinkedIn post by Jason Fried Record or upload a video question for Jason and David Get Basecamp for free at Basecamp.com Books by 37signals HEY World | HEY REWORK podcast merch The REWORK podcast The Rework Podcast on YouTube The 37signals Dev Blog 37signals on YouTube @37signals on X…

In this episode of The REWORK Podcast , 37signals co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson answer listener questions. They explain why keeping tabs on competitors isn’t part of their strategy, reflect on the changing face of leadership as younger CEOs step in, and talk about the energy that comes with fresh perspectives. Key Takeaways: 00:22 – Why focusing on your customers matters more than watching competitors 05:55 – A new wave of CEOs is bringing a fresh approach to leadership 10:34 – Why you don’t always need a mentor—sometimes figuring it out is the best teacher 17:38 – Jason and David’s different views on handling employee roadblocks Links and Resources: Record or upload a video question for Jason and David Get Basecamp for free at Basecamp.com Books by 37signals HEY World | HEY REWORK podcast merch The REWORK podcast The Rework Podcast on YouTube The 37signals Dev Blog 37signals on YouTube @37signals on X…

How much data do you really need to make good decisions? In this episode of The REWORK Podcast , Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson talk about 37signals’ evolving relationship with analytics—from working with a full-time analyst to now focusing only on the numbers that truly matter. They share why gut feeling, curiosity, and margin often outweigh dashboards and reports—and how trimming the data obsession can lead to better, bolder decisions. Key Takeaways: 00:09 – The shift from having a full-time data analyst to working without one 02:25 – Just because you can’t measure it doesn’t mean it’s not important 07:59 – Analytics don’t always drive product decisions 10:15 – How financial margin fuels freedom to experiment 13:42 – Don’t let data make you overly cautious 15:26 – David’s take on cutting unnecessary costs 19:48 – Weighing cost vs. value when making decisions Links and Resources: Record or upload a video question for Jason and David Get Basecamp for free at Basecamp.com Books by 37signals HEY World | HEY REWORK podcast merch The REWORK podcast The Rework Podcast on YouTube The 37signals Dev Blog 37signals on YouTube @37signals on X…

In this episode of The REWORK Podcast , host Kimberly Rhodes puts 37signals co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson in the hot seat with a round of rapid-fire questions — from favorite apps and founder skills to customer requests and what's coming next. Key Takeaways: 00:11 – Favorite software that Jason and David use (that they haven't built) 03:42 – Underrated skills every founder should develop 06:26 – Times they’ve completely changed their minds on a decision 14:05 – Customer feature requests that likely won’t ever happen 15:36 – A new 37signals product is on the way Links and Resources: Screen Studio – https://screen.studio/ Obsidian – https://obsidian.md/ Get Basecamp for free at Basecamp.com Books by 37signals HEY World | HEY REWORK podcast merch The REWORK podcast The Rework Podcast on YouTube The 37signals Dev Blog 37signals on YouTube @37signals on X…

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: “Doing what you think, not what you thought” from Jason Fried’s HEY World Get Basecamp for free at Basecamp.com Books by 37signals HEY World | HEY REWORK podcast merch The REWORK podcast The Rework Podcast on YouTube The 37signals Dev Blog 37signals on YouTube @37signals on X…

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: “Doing what you think, not what you thought” from Jason Fried’s HEY World Get Basecamp for free at Basecamp.com Books by 37signals HEY World | HEY REWORK podcast merch The REWORK podcast The Rework Podcast on YouTube The 37signals Dev Blog 37signals on YouTube @37signals on X…

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: Get Basecamp for free at Basecamp.com Books by 37signals HEY World | HEY REWORK podcast merch The REWORK podcast The Rework Podcast on YouTube The 37signals Dev Blog 37signals on YouTube @37signals on X…

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: Why We Choose Profit Get Basecamp for free at Basecamp.com Books by 37signals HEY World | HEY The REWORK podcast The Rework Podcast on YouTube The 37signals Dev Blog 37signals on YouTube @37signals on X…

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: Get Basecamp for free at Basecamp.com Books by 37signals HEY World | HEY The REWORK podcast The Rework Podcast on YouTube The 37signals Dev Blog 37signals on YouTube @37signals on X…

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: We're hiring a Product Designer! Find out about future job openings at 37signals Get Basecamp for free at Basecamp.com Books by 37signals HEY World | HEY The REWORK podcast The Rework Podcast on YouTube The 37signals Dev Blog 37signals on YouTube @37signals on X…

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: We're hiring a Product Designer! Find out about future job openings at 37signals Get Basecamp for free at Basecamp.com Books by 37signals HEY World | HEY The REWORK podcast The Rework Podcast on YouTube The 37signals Dev Blog 37signals on YouTube @37signals on X…

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: Get Basecamp for free at Basecamp.com Books by 37signals HEY World | HEY The REWORK podcast The Rework Podcast on YouTube The 37signals Dev Blog 37signals on YouTube @37signals on X…

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: Books by 37signals 30-day free trial of HEY Sign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.com HEY World | HEY The REWORK podcast The Rework Podcast on YouTube The 37signals Dev Blog 37signals on YouTube @37signals on X…