REWORK

Hosted by 37signals

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363

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May 2026

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About the show

A podcast by 37signals about the better way to work and run your business. The REWORK podcast features the co-founders of 37signals (the makers of Basecamp and HEY), Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson sharing their unique perspective on business and entrepreneurship along with host Kimberly Rhodes.

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60 recent

May 13, 2026Episode 19228 min

Clearing the decks for launch

With the launch of Basecamp 5 approaching, 37signals co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson discuss what happens inside their company when it enters “launch mode.” They talk about temporarily shifting priorities, the difference between routine operations and launch periods, and why putting lower-priority tasks on hold is often necessary to make meaningful progress. Plus, Jason and David share their favorite aspects of the newest version of Basecamp.Key Takeaways00:00 – Introduction00:10 – Pausing processes and the power of “not now”03:41 – Moving quickly and deciding to just build it08:38 – Pressing pause on routines to stay focused on the goal11:20 – Staying flexible while working through the chaos13:54 – What life after launch will look like20:54 – Jason and David share their favorite Basecamp 5 updatesLinks and ResourcesRecord a video question for the podcastWatch The REWORK podcast on YouTubeBasecamp is the no-nonsense project management system. Sign up for free at Basecamp.comHEY is a fresh take on email. Sign up for a 30-day free trial at HEY.comFizzy is a modern spin on kanban. Sign up for free at fizzy.doBooks by 37signalsJason Fried on XDavid Heinemeier Hansson on X

April 8, 2026Episode 19125 min

Easy to leave

Making it easy for customers to leave might sound like the wrong move, but it's actually a sign of confidence. This week, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson talk about why removing friction, especially on the way out, builds more trust. They get into cancellation flows, keeping customers by choice instead of pressure, and why people are more likely to share their positive experience when you don't make it hard to go.Key Takeaways00:11 – Leaving should be just as easy as signing up03:23 – Offering a pause instead of forcing a full cancellation11:00 – Simplifying the buying experience from the start14:07 – How transparency builds long-term loyalty17:05 – Creating experiences that make people want to come backLinks and ResourcesRecord a video question for the podcastWatch The REWORK podcast on YouTubeBasecamp is the no-nonsense project management system. Sign up for free at Basecamp.comHEY is a fresh take on email. Sign up for a 30-day free trial at HEY.comFizzy is a modern spin on kanban. Sign up for free at fizzy.doBooks by 37signalsJason Fried on XDavid Heinemeier Hansson on X

April 1, 2026Episode 19026 min

Pencils down

Knowing when to stop is harder than it sounds. In this episode, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson talk about the moment when more work stops helping and starts getting in the way. They share how to recognize when something is done, why chasing perfection can do more harm than good, and how putting the pencil down at the right time leads to better results.Key Takeaways00:11 – The "pencils down" phase of product development01:24 — Testing by the entire company03:17 — AI Workflow & vibe coding09:58 — Speed vs durability15:08 — Refinement & cutting features18:08 — Full launch strategy20:00 — “Give It Five Minutes” MindsetLinks and ResourcesRecord a video question for the podcastWatch The REWORK podcast on YouTubeBasecamp is the no-nonsense project management system. Sign up for free at Basecamp.comHEY is a fresh take on email. Sign up for a 30-day free trial at HEY.comFizzy is a modern spin on kanban. Sign up for free at fizzy.doBooks by 37signalsJason Fried on XDavid Heinemeier Hansson on X

March 25, 2026Episode 18917 min

Bring your AI agents to Basecamp

Opening things up changes how people use your product. In this episode, David Heinemeier Hansson walks through a new feature that makes Basecamp accessible to AI agents through a Command Line Interface (CLI). He shares how this update can lead to entirely new ways of working for those that are technically minded.Key Takeaways00:10 – Redefining product accessibility03:27 – Opening the door to AI agents10:07 – Starting small and seeing where it leads13:37 – The future for agent accessibility with other 37signals productsLinks and ResourcesBring your own AI agents to Basecamp — https://basecamp.com/agentsRecord a video question for the podcastWatch The REWORK podcast on YouTubeBasecamp is the no-nonsense project management system. Sign up for free at Basecamp.comHEY is a fresh take on email. Sign up for a 30-day free trial at HEY.comFizzy is a modern spin on kanban. Sign up for free at fizzy.doBooks by 37signalsJason Fried on XDavid Heinemeier Hansson on X

March 18, 2026Episode 18824 min

Business beyond profit

Profit matters, but it’s not the whole story. In this episode, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson talk about building a company around independence instead of endless growth. They reflect on finding the right size for a business, keeping costs low to preserve freedom, and choosing a long, sustainable run over chasing scale at any cost.Key Takeaways00:10 – Finding your “orbit” when you don’t need to keep pushing for more03:39 – Letting go of the idea that growth has to be endless09:05 – Choosing independence instead of outside pressure17:48 – Keeping costs low so you have room to try things your way19:57 – Why steady can beat getting biggerLinks and ResourcesFizzy is a modern spin on kanban. Try it for free at fizzy.doRecord a video question for the podcastSign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comBooks by 37signalsHEY World | HEYThe REWORK podcastThe Rework Podcast on YouTubeThe 37signals Dev Blog37signals on YouTube@37signals on X

March 11, 2026Episode 18729 min

Built on Intuition

Not every decision comes from a spreadsheet. In this episode, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson talk about trusting your instincts when building something new. They share how experience sharpens those instincts over time, and how real products produce the feedback that actually moves things forward.Key Takeaways00:11 – Letting your gut guide decisions03:54 – Strengthening instincts through real choices05:08 – Sometimes the best move is simply to build it07:49 – Breaking free from analysis paralysis15:02 – Real products bring real feedback17:11 – Learning to trust your own judgment18:26 – Welcoming feedback instead of fearing itLinks and ResourcesFizzy is a modern spin on kanban. Try it for free at fizzy.doRecord a video question for the podcastSign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comBooks by 37signalsHEY World | HEYThe REWORK podcastThe Rework Podcast on YouTubeThe 37signals Dev Blog37signals on YouTube@37signals on X

March 4, 2026Episode 18628 min

AI Revisited - part 2

Following up on an earlier conversation about AI, this episode shifts to the product side of the discussion. Host Kimberly Rhodes chats with 37signals CEO and co-founder Jason Fried about his daily AI use, what it's helped him do more efficiently, customer expectations, and how he's thinking about AI's role in future product updates.Key Takeaways00:12 – Putting AI tools to work06:42 – Using AI to reclaim time, not replace thinking12:19 – Where 37signals sees thoughtful implementation fitting in17:16 – Why rushing adoption can backfire18:25 – The ongoing debate from the customer perspective21:45 – Why workforce changes aren’t always tied to automation25:40 – Human interaction still mattersLinks and ResourcesThe owner's word weighs a ton by Jason Fried on Signal v. NoiseFizzy is a modern spin on kanban. Try it for free at fizzy.doRecord a video question for the podcastSign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comBooks by 37signalsHEY World | HEYThe REWORK podcastThe Rework Podcast on YouTubeThe 37signals Dev Blog37signals on YouTube@37signals on X

February 25, 2026Episode 18529 min

Talk directly to your customers

Connecting with customers is part of the job. In this episode, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson share why staying close to the people who use your product still matters, even as companies scale. They touch on writing customers directly, keeping the door open after the first reply, and why real conversations beat shouting into the social media void.Key Takeaways00:11 – Writing customers from a real inbox05:21 – Building real relationships with the people who use your product11:34 – Keeping the line open after the first exchange14:07 – Why email still feels more personal than sliding into DMs19:29 – Getting to know who your customers actually are21:55 – Why real human connection is still the pointLinks and ResourcesFizzy is a modern spin on kanban. Try it for free at fizzy.doRecord a video question for the podcastSign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comBooks by 37signalsHEY World | HEYThe REWORK podcastThe Rework Podcast on YouTubeThe 37signals Dev Blog37signals on YouTube@37signals on X

February 18, 2026Episode 18430 min

Move fast when you can

Sometimes speed matters more than polish. In this episode, the team shares how a HEY Calendar feature went from idea to shipped in about a day — and what made that possible. It’s a look at when moving quickly helps, when it doesn’t, and how writing clean code gives you room to change your mind later without breaking everything.Key Takeaways00:11 – Shipping a new feature in roughly a day03:14 – Catching the moment while it's hot08:02 – Shortening the path from idea to implementation12:04 – Making change easier with clean, thoughtful code19:42 – Designing things that hold up and are easy to fix22:51 – Building for the futureLinks and Resources"Building HEY Calendar's Year View" from Michelle Harjani's HEY WorldMaintenance of Everything (Part One) by Stewart BrandFizzy is a modern spin on kanban. Try it for free at fizzy.doRecord a video question for the podcastSign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comBooks by 37signalsHEY World | HEYThe REWORK podcastThe Rework Podcast on YouTubeThe 37signals Dev Blog37signals on YouTube@37signals on X

February 11, 2026Episode 18329 min

You've launched... now what?

The confetti’s settled. The product is out in the world. So… what happens next? Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson share what the days after a launch actually look like at 37signals. They discuss not letting early numbers steer the ship, making space for rest after the push, and remembering that shipping is just the start, not the finish line.Key Takeaways00:10 – What happens shortly after launch02:09 – Dialing the team back05:10 – Product touch ups and enhancements06:16 – Returning to a familiar work rhythm07:16 – Balancing the product push with real breaks10:39 – Not letting early signups call the shots20:32 – Sticking with what works for your team22:00 – Putting the product ahead of quick money moves27:26 – Why launch buzz doesn’t last foreverLinks and ResourcesThe Great Falls of Boeing, Intel, and Apple from David Heinemeier Hansson's HEY WorldFizzy is a modern spin on kanban. Try it for free at fizzy.doRecord a video question for the podcastSign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comBooks by 37signalsHEY World | HEYThe REWORK podcastThe Rework Podcast on YouTubeThe 37signals Dev Blog37signals on YouTube@37signals on X