When Isabel Met Aviva

Isabel Thottam and Aviva Peltin

A podcast about romcoms, female-driven screenwriting, and breaking into the industry! Hosted by Isabel Thottam & Aviva Peltin.

  1. 25 FEB

    6.6 - A Cinderella Story (Interview with Leigh Dunlap)

    We've got a super exciting episode of the pod today! We had the honor of chatting with screenwriter Leigh Dunlap, creator of the beloved film 'A Cinderella Story!!!' We shared and reflected on this iconic film's impact, particularly on both Aviva and Isabel's pre-teen years! Leigh shared some behind-the-scenes fun facts about the script's development, casting choices (we love you Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray), and the film's super fun premiere! She also shared some valuable advice for aspiring screenwriters navigating the complexities of the industry and the impact of AI on screenwriting. Leigh's Website: https://leighdunlapwrites.com/ Leigh's Instagram: @dunlapwrites Feel free to email us: ⁠whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com⁠ Instagram & Threads: @whenisabelmetaviva Follow Isabel on Instagram & Threads @adventuringisabel Follow Aviva on Instagram & Threads: @avivapeltin

    1h 6m

  2. 18 FEB

    6.5 - Oscars Chat with Simone Toney!

    In this new episode of the pod, we chat with screenwriter and cinephile, Simone Toney! Simone told us all about her journey as a screenwriter, her experiences at the 2025 Austin Film Festival, and her insights on pop culture, specifically some of her hot takes on the Oscar noms!! Simone’s Sunstack: https://simonetoney.substack.com/ Feel free to email us: ⁠whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com⁠ Instagram & Threads: @whenisabelmetaviva Follow Isabel on Instagram & Threads @adventuringisabel Follow Aviva on Instagram & Threads: @avivapeltin

    54 min

  3. 11 FEB

    6.4 - Twelve Dates 'Til Christmas (Interview with Erin Rodman)

    We're back with a new interview! For this episode, we were so excited to chat with Erin Rodman, a showrunner and screenwriter who recently produced the new Hallmark series '12 Dates Till Christmas.' Yay! We finally learned what a showrunner does! Erin's Website: https://www.erinrodman.com/ Erin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erin917 Feel free to email us: ⁠whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com⁠ Instagram & Threads: @whenisabelmetaviva Follow Isabel on Instagram & Threads @adventuringisabel Follow Aviva on Instagram & Threads: @avivapeltin

    1h 4m

  4. 4 FEB

    6.3 - Aviva Made A Short Film!

    Another week, another episode of the pod! This time we discuss our personal creative journeys, chatting about the challenges and triumphs of writing and filmmaking! Aviva shares exciting behind-the-scene stories from her first time making a short film of her script, "Let The Dust Settle." Plus, we chit chat about the recent Emily In Paris Season and read funny notes on our phone about movie ideas we've yet to make! Feel free to email us: ⁠whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com⁠ Instagram & Threads: @whenisabelmetaviva Follow Isabel on Instagram & Threads @adventuringisabel Follow Aviva on Instagram & Threads: @avivapeltin

    58 min
  5. 6.2 - How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days (Interview with Kristen Buckley)

    28 JAN

    6.2 - How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days (Interview with Kristen Buckley)

    Our first interview of season 6 is one we have been manifesting for a long time!! At the end of 2025 we finally got to chat with Kristen Buckley, the screenwriter of the iconic rom-com 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days!!' We're so excited to finally share our chat with Kristen and you won't believe who she said was originally cast as Benjamin Barry! Kristen's website: https://kristenbuckley.com/ Buy Kristen's book "The Parker Grey Show:" https://a.co/d/dMmbqaN Feel free to email us: ⁠whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com⁠ Instagram & Threads: @whenisabelmetaviva Follow Isabel on Instagram & Threads @adventuringisabel Follow Aviva on Instagram & Threads: @avivapeltin

    1h 1m
  6. 6.1 - 2026, We're Ready!

    21 JAN

    6.1 - 2026, We're Ready!

    We're back for another year of the pod!! For our first episode of season six, we reflect on our experiences and growth throughout 2025. We chat about the challenges of balancing writing with full-time jobs, our personal lives and, you now, trying to do ALL THE THINGS! We manifest our goals for 2026, crown the best romcom of 2025, and Isabel shares her hot take on The People We Meet On Vacation! Feel free to email us: ⁠whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com⁠ Instagram & Threads: @whenisabelmetaviva Follow Isabel on Instagram & Threads @adventuringisabel Follow Aviva on Instagram & Threads: @avivapeltin

    1h 3m

  7. 26/12/2025

    In Memory of Karen Glass

    Hi, everyone. What a surreal episode to publish, but Aviva’s producer, mentor, and friend, Karen Glass, passed away unexpectedly this week. We are heartbroken. We wanted to re-release the conversation we had with her from season one of the podcast in 2023. It was a privilege to hear all her amazing stories — she made all our favorite films from childhood. We are sending love to her family and friends. She will be greatly missed.  May her memory be a blessing.  זִכְרוֹנָהּ לִבְרָכָ. Zikhronah livrakha Read about her legacy: https://deadline.com/2025/12/karen-glass-dead-pickleball-christmas-1236656852

    1h 10m

  8. 12/11/2025

    5.10 - You’ve Got Smale…Again! (Interview with Carley Smale)

    She's back...our first guest on the pod, Carley Smale, joins us almost exactly two years later for a fun catch up! We loved getting to hear how Carley's career has grown since we last had her on the pod! In this episode, we chat about the challenges of maintaining creativity amidst life's pressures, the current slowdown in the entertainment industry, and the importance of persistence in pursuing creative goals! We're also so excited for her because her first Netflix Christmas movie, "My Secret Santa, " is about to come out!! She also has another Christmas movie, "Thank God: Christmas at Keller Ranch" coming out on Lifetime too -- time to start the Christmas movie marathon! Trailer for 'My Secret Santa:' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9Y5qYp8ro8 Press release for Thank God" Christmas at Keller Ranch: https://itsawonderfulmovie.blogspot.com/2025/10/lifetime-announces-christmas-film-thank.html Follow Carley on Instagram at: @YouveGotSmalee Listen & follow her podcast: @teenagedirtbagzpodcast Feel free to email us: ⁠whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com⁠ Our new Bluesky account: whenisabelmetaviva.bsky.social Instagram: @whenisabelmetaviva Follow Isabel on Instagram: Isabel_k_t ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Aviva on Instagram and BlueSky: @avivapeltin Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella

    1h 10m
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About

A podcast about romcoms, female-driven screenwriting, and breaking into the industry! Hosted by Isabel Thottam & Aviva Peltin.

Information

  • Creator
    Isabel Thottam and Aviva Peltin
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Isabel Thottam and Aviva Peltin
  • Show Website
    When Isabel Met Aviva