The Gist Jeremy Workman — “Walking Every Block, Hiding in a Mall”
Oct 25, 2025
Guest Jeremy Workman, a documentary filmmaker, discusses his intriguing films, including The World Before Your Feet, which chronicles Matt Green's quest to walk every block of New York City. Matt shares his unique rules and unexpected discoveries during his journey. They also delve into urban experiences like the Secret Mall Apartment, where artist Michael Townsend reveals how a hidden flat in a mall became a form of protest against gentrification. The conversation sparks thoughts on urban change, creativity, and the deeper meanings behind everyday spaces.
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Walking Every Block As A Life Project
- Matt Green spent almost seven years walking New York City and estimates about 500 miles remained at the time of the interview.
- He treats dead-end streets meticulously, walking to the very end and tapping the end with his finger before turning around.
Simplicity Reveals Urban Depth
- Jeremy Workman realized Matt's simple, meticulous walking revealed surprising depth in a familiar city.
- The project exposes unnoticed details and forces sustained observation of urban life.
The Poem That Explained Queens
- Matt recounts Ellis Parker Butler writing a poem to explain Queens' new street suffixes after consolidation.
- He visited Butler's grave and recited the playful poem to explain the borough's confusing naming system.