Why You Should Take Breaks From Work

Josh and Jesse discuss why taking breaks from work matters beyond burnout, arguing that time away can reveal gaps in documentation, automation, and shared knowledge so a team isn’t dependent on one person. They talk about breaks as a way to live life now instead of postponing experiences until retirement, and how stepping away can spark innovation, reset routines, and help reassess whether you’re building the right product or using the right tools. Jesse shares how conferences can feel like a productive break for remote teams and reflects on balancing work with family life, including guilt around time off. They also debate “unlimited vacation,” its incentives, and how remote flexibility can be both empowering and exploitable, concluding that people should take breaks regularly and work in whatever rhythm fits them as long as the work gets done. Support the show