All Of It – Episode: "Maris Kreizman Wants to Burn It All Down"

Release Date: June 25, 2025

In this engaging episode of ALL OF IT hosted by Alison Stewart from WNYC, writer Maris Kreizman delves deep into her newly released book, "I Want to Burn This Place Down." Through a heartfelt conversation, Maris shares her personal journey, the motivations behind her essays, and the broader cultural and societal issues she explores in her work.

Introduction to Maris Kreizman and Her Book

Alison Stewart introduces Maris Kreizman, highlighting her role as a bi-weekly column editor at Lit Hub with her segment “The Marist Review.” Maris's book, "I Want to Burn This Place Down," is described as a collection of memoir-ish essays where she candidly discusses her life experiences and their intersections with larger societal themes.

Alison Stewart ([00:30]):
"Maris Kreitzman says in her new book that she was wrong about everything. It's called I Want to Burn this Place Down."

Motivation Behind Writing the Book

Maris explains her inspiration for writing the book, emphasizing a long-standing urge to articulate her personal experiences and the urgency she felt in addressing them.

Maris Kreizman ([01:25]):
"Especially when I finally had something that I felt I needed to say urgently."

Alison probes further into the structure of the book, revealing that it's a compilation of essays grounded in memoir.

Exploring Personal Struggles: Living with Diabetes

A significant portion of the conversation centers around Maris's lifelong battle with diabetes. She discusses the daily struggles, the emotional toll, and the systemic issues surrounding access to essential medical care.

Maris Kreizman ([03:05]):
"What I most want people to know is that it's hard. It's a struggle every single second of every day, and no one wants to hear that." ([03:05])

She reflects on technological advancements like continuous glucose monitors and their impact on her relationship with the disease.

Maris Kreizman ([04:14]):
"That continuous glucose monitor ... I can watch it rising or falling very quickly. And I'm a little obsessed with it, but how could you not be?" ([04:14])

Maris also touches upon the historical context of insulin's development and its affordability crisis in the U.S., highlighting Frederick Banting's legacy.

Maris Kreizman ([04:54]):
"He sold the rights to it for $1. He said insulin should be available to everyone. And by the time I was starting to think about it, the cost had... what, I don't know how thousand did." ([04:54])

Family Dynamics and Personal Relationships

Maris shares intimate details about her family, particularly her relationship with her parents and twin brothers who are both police officers. She reflects on the unspoken stresses her parents endured due to her illness and the evolving perception of police in her life.

Maris Kreizman ([06:20]):
"They're listening right now. Hi, mom and dad." ([06:20])

She discusses the universal experience of children viewing themselves as the center of their world and the gradual realization of their parents' struggles.

Career in Publishing and Technological Shifts

Maris recounts her early career in publishing, emphasizing the challenges of managing paperwork in the pre-digital era. She nostalgically describes the transition from manual processes to today's digital conveniences and expresses empathy for those who still navigate the cumbersome paper-based systems.

Maris Kreizman ([13:20]):
"My job was paper management, I think, for the first six years of my working career." ([13:20])

She expresses a desire for continual improvement in workplace efficiencies to prevent others from enduring the same frustrations.

Cultural and Societal Critiques

The book's title, "I Want to Burn This Place Down," is inspired by a poignant scene from the TV show Mad Men, symbolizing Maris's frustration with systemic issues and her yearning for transformative change.

Maris Kreizman ([14:48]):
"There's a scene in the final season of Mad Men, and Joan and Peggy are in the elevator, and Joan always keeps it together. ... I want to burn this place down." ([14:48])

Maris also discusses current political figures, referencing her support for Mamdani, and how recent events challenge the notion that people become more conservative with age.

Maris Kreizman ([15:23]):
"I think he is. ... New York City showed last night that that is just... We want things to be better." ([15:23])

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Alison wraps up the interview by reaffirming Maris's commitment to fostering a better future through her writing and activism. Maris expresses gratitude for the support and looks forward to engaging with her audience at upcoming events, such as her book launch at the Brooklyn Heights Library alongside Emma Straub.

Alison Stewart ([15:58]):
"The name of the book is I Want to Burn this Place Down. It is by Maris Kreitzman. Maris, thank you very much." ([15:58])

Maris Kreizman ([16:04]):
"Thank you." ([16:04])

Maris Kreizman's "I Want to Burn This Place Down" offers a raw and introspective look into personal and societal struggles, weaving together themes of health, family, career, and cultural critique. This episode of ALL OF IT provides listeners with a comprehensive overview of her motivations, experiences, and the impactful messages conveyed in her essays.