Forever35 Podcast Episode 359: "Burn It Down with Maris Kreizman" – Detailed Summary

Release Date: June 30, 2025

In Episode 359 of the Forever35 podcast, co-hosts Doree Shafrir and Elise Hu delve deep into personal and societal themes alongside their special guest, Maris Kreizman. This episode intertwines heartfelt personal narratives with incisive cultural critiques, all delivered with the show's signature humor and self-awareness.

1. Hosts' Personal Reflections and Updates (00:01 – 05:35)

The episode opens with Doree and Elise sharing personal updates. Doree expresses her recent absence due to attending her sister-in-law's funeral, highlighting the emotional toll it has taken on her and her family.

• Doree Shafrir shares, "There were like 700 people at her funeral... it was rough, for sure. It was just so sad." ([04:07])

Elise reciprocates with her own experiences of supporting friends moving abroad and reflects on the importance of being present for loved ones during times of transition and loss.

• Elise Hu remarks, "It really teaches you to just hug your loved ones and hug them tight." ([09:40])

Their candid discussion sets a poignant tone for the episode, emphasizing themes of grief, connection, and resilience.

2. Introducing Maris Kreizman (10:43 – 14:32)

Doree formally introduces Maris Kreizman, highlighting her accomplishments as an essayist, critic, and podcaster.

• Doree Shafrir states, "Maris is an essayist and critic with a bi-weekly column at Lit Hub... her essay collection is called 'I Want to Burn this Place Down,' out July 1st." ([10:43])

Maris's extensive background in literature and her creative endeavors, such as the Marist Review podcast and the popular Tumblr Slaughterhouse 90210, are noted, establishing her as a thought-provoking and multifaceted guest.

3. Personal Self-Care Practices (14:30 – 16:21)

The conversation shifts to self-care, a staple topic for Forever35 listeners. Maris shares her recent adoption of a new dog and how long walks paired with audiobooks serve as her sanctuary.

• Maris Kreizman mentions, "We adopted a new dog three months ago and going on a long walk with her and listening to an audiobook is my favorite way to create a little space for me." ([14:47])

Elise and Maris exchange audiobook recommendations, fostering a sense of shared interests and community.

4. Deep Dive into Maris Kreizman's Background and Collegiate Experiences (16:21 – 19:50)

Maris and Elise explore Maris's college days at the University of Pennsylvania, including her interactions with Doree and contemporaries like Donnie Trump Jr.

• Maris Kreizman reflects, "I thought I was there because I was smart and talented. And then when Donald Trump Jr. is in your class, you kind of have to revisit what you think a meritocracy is." ([16:32])

This segment critically examines the illusion of meritocracy and the impact of socio-economic backgrounds on personal and academic success.

The discussion touches upon Maris's portrayal of Donnie Trump Jr., contrasting her initial perceptions with his later public persona.

• Maris Kreizman candidly shares, "Donnie was just a typical frat boy... not any worse than any other frat boy. But I think he's really proven himself to be a real monster in a way that I hadn't given him enough credit for in college." ([17:51])

5. Exploring Maris Kreizman's Work and Perspectives (19:50 – 27:40)

Elise commends Maris's podcasting endeavors and inquires about the personal fulfillment she derived from interviewing authors.

• Maris Kreizman responds, "I got an enormous amount of personal fulfillment that I don't think I got from any other job... the freedom was just so wonderful." ([20:15])

Maris offers insights into her forthcoming Lit Hub piece about author advice before publication, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the process amidst stress.

The conversation transitions to societal critiques, notably the concept of meritocracy and its disillusioning effects.

• Maris Kreizman asserts, "So many of these systems that I thought were designed for me... had been stopped working for me, but they had never been designed for most other people." ([24:41])

6. Addressing "Copaganda" and Societal Trust (27:40 – 31:29)

Maris introduces and defines copaganda, critiquing media portrayals that glorify police officers while marginalizing victims.

• Maris Kreizman explains, "Copaganda is any kind of culture that valorizes what police officers do... cops being the good guys and the bad drug dealers were the bad guys." ([28:16])

The hosts and Maris discuss the lasting impact of such portrayals on societal trust and individual behavior, sharing personal anecdotes that illustrate the ingrained mistrust fostered by media narratives.

• Maris Kreizman reflects, "Not trusting your neighbors is a really way to have bad things happen in your neighborhood." ([29:24])

7. Envisioning a Positive Media Landscape and Personal Aspirations (31:29 – 35:44)

The discussion shifts to envisioning alternative media representations. Maris advocates for shows that center victims and move away from traditional cop procedurals, suggesting a shift towards more empathetic storytelling.

• Maris Kreizman proposes, "Moving on from cop procedurals in general would be revolutionary." ([31:01])

Elise and Maris explore the potential for media to foster genuine connections and understanding, rather than perpetuating stereotypes and fear.

Transitioning to personal aspirations, Maris shares her dreams for societal change, emphasizing mutual aid and diverse definitions of success.

• Maris Kreizman states, "Realizing that there are different paths to success and definitions of success is a big deal for me." ([34:16])

She further discusses the importance of community support over reliance on faltering political systems.

8. Maris Kreizman's Vision for a Good Life and Micro Joys (35:44 – 40:35)

Maris articulates her philosophy on living a fulfilling life, highlighting the significance of connections, love, and personal passions.

• Maris Kreizman shares, "Talking about books makes me really happy... loving my husband is a big one... connecting to other people is the main way to achieve happiness." ([35:44])

Elise and Maris exchange personal self-care tips, underscoring the podcast's theme of nurturing oneself and others through simple, meaningful actions.

• Maris Kreizman recommends, "When you need to deep condition your hair, you get a little bit of olive oil... it works as well or better than anything you have to pay a lot of money for." ([37:59])

9. Strengthening Relationships and Final Thoughts (40:35 – 43:53)

The conversation culminates with strategies for deepening personal relationships. Maris highlights the impact of small, thoughtful gestures in maintaining strong bonds.

• Maris Kreizman suggests, "Spending $10 on a lip something... just wanting to brighten someone's day because you know them and love them is really excellent." ([39:43])

Elise shares her own practices for fostering connections, reinforcing the episode's overarching message of intentionality in relationships.

10. Closing Remarks and Hosts' Updates (44:09 – End)

As the episode winds down, Doree and Elise offer brief personal updates, maintaining the intimate and conversational tone that Forever35 is known for. They express gratitude towards their listeners and wrap up the episode with heartfelt goodbyes.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Doree Shafrir: "There were like 700 people at her funeral... it was rough, for sure. It was just so sad." ([04:07])

• Elise Hu: "It really teaches you to just hug your loved ones and hug them tight." ([09:40])

• Maris Kreizman: "I thought I was there because I was smart and talented... revisiting what you think a meritocracy is." ([16:32])

• Maris Kreizman: "Donnie was just a typical frat boy... but I think he's really proven himself to be a real monster." ([17:51])

• Maris Kreizman: "So many of these systems... had been stopped working for me, but they had never been designed for most other people." ([24:41])

• Maris Kreizman: "Copaganda is any kind of culture that valorizes what police officers do... cops being the good guys and the bad drug dealers were the bad guys." ([28:16])

• Maris Kreizman: "Talking about books makes me really happy... connecting to other people is the main way to achieve happiness." ([35:44])

Conclusion

Episode 359 of Forever35 masterfully blends personal storytelling with critical societal analysis, offering listeners both emotional resonance and intellectual stimulation. Maris Kreizman's insights into meritocracy, media portrayals of police, and the essence of a fulfilling life provide ample food for thought, while the hosts' genuine exchanges underscore the podcast's commitment to authenticity and community.

Whether grappling with personal loss or dissecting cultural constructs, this episode serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of connection, self-care, and the continuous pursuit of understanding in an ever-evolving world.