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