Twice a year, the entire 37signals team meets up in person. This week, co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson talk about how these gatherings work, what they’re really for, and why the structure is intentionally loose. They share how the mix of optional hangouts and focused work sessions helps their fully remote team reconnect, recharge, and solve problems face-to-face.

Key Takeaways

 * 00:14 – How 37signals approaches its twice-a-year meetups
 * 01:52 – What’s required and what’s optional
 * 04:09 – The deeper purpose behind bringing everyone together
 * 07:51 – Finding the right blend of scheduled time and free time
 * 16:37 – The limits of video calls
 * 23:22 – Yes, there’s fun, but it’s still a work trip

Links and Resources

 * Record a video question for the podcast [https://sendspark.com/request/The-REWORK-Podcast/hsj7miu9gesm8gq6jm8pr6z9izly0fc2]
 * Books by 37signals [https://37signals.com/books]
 * Sign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.com [https://basecamp.com/pricing]
 * HEY World | HEY [https://www.hey.com/world/]
 * The REWORK podcast [https://www.rework.fm/]
 * The Rework Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@37signals/podcasts]
 * The 37signals Dev Blog [https://dev.37signals.com/]
 * 37signals on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/basecamp/featured]
 * @37signals on X [https://twitter.com/37signals]

Out of Office, Together

This week, the team shares a behind-the-scenes look at how they bring in outside beta testers before a product launch. Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson share how they invite early users into the mix, what they’re looking for, and how it all shapes the final version. It’s a rare peek into the “guests are coming over” phase of building Fizzy.

Key Takeaways

 * 00:12 – Inside Fizzy’s early access phase
 * 02:28 – Selecting beta testers
 * 03:05 – Treating early access as a real-world dry run
 * 07:11 – Cutting the to-do list down to what truly matters
 * 09:59 – Why early access is different from beta testing

Links and Resources

 * Record a video question for the podcast [https://sendspark.com/request/The-REWORK-Podcast/hsj7miu9gesm8gq6jm8pr6z9izly0fc2]
 * Books by 37signals [https://37signals.com/books]
 * Sign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.com [https://basecamp.com/pricing]
 * HEY World | HEY [https://www.hey.com/world/]
 * The REWORK podcast [https://www.rework.fm/]
 * The Rework Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@37signals/podcasts]
 * The 37signals Dev Blog [https://dev.37signals.com/]
 * 37signals on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/basecamp/featured]
 * @37signals on X [https://twitter.com/37signals]

Soft openings aren't just for restaurants

In software development, there are updates, and then there are complete overhauls. This week, Jason Fried joins Kimberly Rhodes to talk about how the team decides when it’s time to rebuild from the ground up. They dig into the transition between versions, how customer feedback fits in, and even drop a few hints about what’s coming in Basecamp 5.

Key Takeaways

 * 00:10 – A walk through of Basecamp's evolution
 * 03:00 – How to recognize when it’s time for a new version
 * 05:52 – Pricing considerations
 * 11:42 – There’s no perfect moment to ship a new version
 * 13:16 – How and when to evaluate customer feedback
 * 18:58 – A sneak peek at Basecamp 5 features

Links and Resources

 * Record a video question for the podcast [https://sendspark.com/request/The-REWORK-Podcast/hsj7miu9gesm8gq6jm8pr6z9izly0fc2]
 * Books by 37signals [https://37signals.com/books]
 * Sign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.com [https://basecamp.com/pricing]
 * HEY World | HEY [https://www.hey.com/world/]
 * The REWORK podcast [https://www.rework.fm/]
 * The Rework Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@37signals/podcasts]
 * The 37signals Dev Blog [https://dev.37signals.com/]
 * 37signals on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/basecamp/featured]
 * @37signals on X [https://twitter.com/37signals]

The itch for a new version

With the launch of Fizzy getting closer, 37signals co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson use this episode to answer listener questions about the upcoming product. They talk about how Fizzy and Basecamp will coexist, why aesthetic design choices matter, and which AI features are actually worth using.

Key Takeaways

 * 00:11 – Fizzy and Basecamp, competitors or complementary?
 * 02:00 – Finding the right tools that fit your workflow
 * 11:39 – Why aesthetics matter in software
 * 18:45 – Not every AI feature adds real value

Links and Resources

 * Record a video question for the podcast [https://sendspark.com/request/The-REWORK-Podcast/hsj7miu9gesm8gq6jm8pr6z9izly0fc2]
 * Books by 37signals [https://37signals.com/books]
 * Sign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.com [https://basecamp.com/pricing]
 * HEY World | HEY [https://www.hey.com/world/]
 * The REWORK podcast [https://www.rework.fm/]
 * The Rework Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@37signals/podcasts]
 * The 37signals Dev Blog [https://dev.37signals.com/]
 * 37signals on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/basecamp/featured]
 * @37signals on X [https://twitter.com/37signals]

Fizzy Q's and A's

Time has a way of reshaping what we believe, and sometimes, what we’ve published. In this week’s episode, CEO and co-founder Jason Fried chats with Kimberly Rhodes to explore one particular chapter of REWORK that no longer rings true. Jason reflects on their current stance on having multiple products vs. just one, what company's should consider before they expand, and why knowing your limits still matters.

Key Takeaways

 * 00:10 – The change in perspective on multiple products
 * 03:15 – The team needed for the company’s expansion
 * 05:28 – Recognizing when you’ve taken on too much
 * 09:16 – The real value of writing ideas down
 * 12:35 – Advice on launching new products while maintaining previous ones

Links and Resources

 * Record a video question for the podcast [https://sendspark.com/request/The-REWORK-Podcast/hsj7miu9gesm8gq6jm8pr6z9izly0fc2]
 * Books by 37signals [https://37signals.com/books]
 * Sign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.com [https://basecamp.com/pricing]
 * HEY World | HEY [https://www.hey.com/world/]
 * The REWORK podcast [https://www.rework.fm/]
 * The Rework Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@37signals/podcasts]
 * The 37signals Dev Blog [https://dev.37signals.com/]
 * 37signals on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/basecamp/featured]
 * @37signals on X [https://twitter.com/37signals]

Revisiting the good old days

For 37signals, flashy ad campaigns and traditional brand promos have never been the way to go. This week, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson share why traditional marketing methods like billboards, paid social media posts, and keyword ads don’t give them results. They talk about how meaningful marketing comes from genuine support and real connection.

Key Takeaways

 * 00:12 – Why marketing ROI looks different for every business
 * 10:35 – Spend your marketing budget on companies and people you believe in
 * 17:35 – What kinds of marketing actually does work for 37signals
 * 28:02 – How AI is making the authentic human connection stand out

Links and Resources

 * Record a video question for the podcast [https://sendspark.com/request/The-REWORK-Podcast/hsj7miu9gesm8gq6jm8pr6z9izly0fc2]
 * Books by 37signals [https://37signals.com/books]
 * Sign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.com [https://basecamp.com/pricing]
 * HEY World | HEY [https://www.hey.com/world/]
 * The REWORK podcast [https://www.rework.fm/]
 * The Rework Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@37signals/podcasts]
 * The 37signals Dev Blog [https://dev.37signals.com/]
 * 37signals on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/basecamp/featured]
 * @37signals on X [https://twitter.com/37signals]

Traditional marketing doesn't work for us

Trust is the foundation of any strong company. In this episode of The REWORK Podcast, 37signals co-founder and CTO David Heinemeier Hansson joins host Kimberly Rhodes to explore what it really means to build a high-trust organization. David shares how trust shapes the culture and success of a team, even when working remotely.

Key Takeaways

 * 00:23 – Trust starts as the default at 37signals
 * 05:19 – Empowering employees with reasonable spending freedom
 * 11:46 – Why one person’s mistake shouldn’t lead to restrictive policies
 * 15:15 – How to cultivate trust in remote workplaces
 * 22:10 – Trust and accountability can and should coexist

Links and Resources

 * Record a video question for the podcast [https://sendspark.com/request/The-REWORK-Podcast/hsj7miu9gesm8gq6jm8pr6z9izly0fc2]
 * Books by 37signals [https://37signals.com/books]
 * Sign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.com [https://basecamp.com/pricing]
 * HEY World | HEY [https://www.hey.com/world/]
 * The REWORK podcast [https://www.rework.fm/]
 * The Rework Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@37signals/podcasts]
 * The 37signals Dev Blog [https://dev.37signals.com/]
 * 37signals on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/basecamp/featured]
 * @37signals on X [https://twitter.com/37signals]

Built on Trust

As 37signals gets closer to launching their newest product, Fizzy, Jason Fried joins host Kimberly Rhodes to reflect on the final stretch of development. He shares the trade-offs of setting your own deadlines, the importance of onboarding new customers, and the company's process for marketing a product.

Key Takeaways

 * 00:11 – What the “11th hour” looks like before a product launch
 * 03:50 – How to weigh deadlines against final release decisions
 * 05:44 – The importance of customer onboarding
 * 11:18 – A playful touch added to Fizzy’s logo
 * 15:30 – Why version 1.0 is just the beginning

Links and Resources

 * Record a video question for the podcast [https://sendspark.com/request/The-REWORK-Podcast/hsj7miu9gesm8gq6jm8pr6z9izly0fc2]
 * Books by 37signals [https://37signals.com/books]
 * Sign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.com [https://basecamp.com/pricing]
 * HEY World | HEY [https://www.hey.com/world/]
 * The REWORK podcast [https://www.rework.fm/]
 * The Rework Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@37signals/podcasts]
 * The 37signals Dev Blog [https://dev.37signals.com/]
 * 37signals on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/basecamp/featured]
 * @37signals on X [https://twitter.com/37signals]

Refining before release

In their book REWORK, 37signals' co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier caution against glorifying nonstop work. In this week's podcast, they tackle a listener's questions related to the chapter Workaholism and dig into employee management including how to measure productivity and how to track progress. They explain why simple conversations often matter more than complex systems.

Key Takeaways

 * 00:15 – Judge productivity by paying attention and staying engaged
 * 07:50 – Tracking progress doesn’t require complicated systems
 * 11:44 – Conversations matter more than systems; don't be a coward
 * 15:11 – When work ramps up, handling busier times without burning out

Links and Resources

 * Record a video question for the podcast [https://sendspark.com/request/The-REWORK-Podcast/hsj7miu9gesm8gq6jm8pr6z9izly0fc2]
 * Books by 37signals [https://37signals.com/books]
 * Sign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.com [https://basecamp.com/pricing]
 * HEY World | HEY [https://www.hey.com/world/]
 * The REWORK podcast [https://www.rework.fm/]
 * The Rework Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@37signals/podcasts]
 * The 37signals Dev Blog [https://dev.37signals.com/]
 * 37signals on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/basecamp/featured]
 * @37signals on X [https://twitter.com/37signals]

Escaping Workaholism

Curious how Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson keep their attention where it counts? In this episode of The REWORK Podcast, the 37signals co-founders join host Kimberly Rhodes to talk about the different ways they approach focus. From procrastination that sometimes pays off to meditation and visualization, Jason and David share their tips for finding and maintaining focus. 

Key Takeaways

 * 00:44 – What procrastination really tells you
 * 05:30 – Traditional and alternative meditation practices
 * 13:28 – Breaking through a creative block
 * 16:35 – Building a work schedule that makes focus easier

Links and Resources

 * Record a video question for the podcast [https://sendspark.com/request/The-REWORK-Podcast/hsj7miu9gesm8gq6jm8pr6z9izly0fc2]
 * Books by 37signals [https://37signals.com/books]
 * Sign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.com [https://basecamp.com/pricing]
 * HEY World | HEY [https://www.hey.com/world/]
 * The REWORK podcast [https://www.rework.fm/]
 * The Rework Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@37signals/podcasts]
 * The 37signals Dev Blog [https://dev.37signals.com/]
 * 37signals on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/basecamp/featured]
 * @37signals on X [https://twitter.com/37signals]

Finding focus

A podcast by 37signals about the better way to work and run your business. In Season 2, we're going through Rework (the book) chapter by chapter and talking with authors, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, about what's changed in the world of business over the last eleven years since the book was published.

Shaun

Shows