When Isabel Met Aviva

In this candid, fun chat on the pod, Avra Friedman joins us to share her behind the scenes of her life in La La Land! You may recognize her from our table read of Isabel's script, Dating Zac Efron! We had such a good time chatting with Avra about the bizarre world of seat fillers at the Oscars to the secret joys and frustrations of being an actor, comedian, and aspiring writer in Hollywood. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to navigate LA’s acting scene, juggle stand-up gigs, or shop at the beloved health food store, Erewhon , then consider this episode your backstage pass!

Avra’s Website: https://www.avra-friedman.com/

Follow Avra on Instagram: @avrafriedman

Feel free to email us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Instagram & Threads: @whenisabelmetaviva

Follow Isabel on Instagram & Threads @adventuringisabel

Follow Aviva on Instagram & Threads: @avivapeltin

In this episode of the pod, we discuss ableism in romcoms with writer Alys Murray! Alys shares her journey from aspiring musical theater director to successful screenwriter and novelist. She discusses her work in rom-coms for Hallmark and Lifetime, the creative process behind her scripts, and her insights into the industry, including diversity initiatives and the art of the romcom!

Alys's Website: https://alysmurray.com/about/o

Follow Alys on Instagram: @writeralys

Feel free to email us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Instagram & Threads: @whenisabelmetaviva

Follow Isabel on Instagram & Threads @adventuringisabel

Follow Aviva on Instagram & Threads: @avivapeltin

We're back with another yap on the pod! In this episode, we breakdown how Isabel’s new daily writing flow helped her finally finish a script, why she stopped stressing over perfect scenes, and her "dump draft" technique that keeps her writing consistent! Aviva shares her recent wins—including winning $500 in a romcom screenplay contest!

Feel free to email us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Instagram & Threads: @whenisabelmetaviva

Follow Isabel on Instagram & Threads @adventuringisabel

Follow Aviva on Instagram & Threads: @avivapeltin

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: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Instagram & Threads: @whenisabelmetaviva

Follow Isabel on Instagram & Threads @adventuringisabel

Follow Aviva on Instagram & Threads: @avivapeltin

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: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Instagram & Threads: @whenisabelmetaviva

Follow Isabel on Instagram & Threads @adventuringisabel

Follow Aviva on Instagram & Threads: @avivapeltin

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: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Instagram & Threads: @whenisabelmetaviva

Follow Isabel on Instagram & Threads @adventuringisabel

Follow Aviva on Instagram & Threads: @avivapeltin

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: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Instagram & Threads: @whenisabelmetaviva

Follow Isabel on Instagram & Threads @adventuringisabel

Follow Aviva on Instagram & Threads: @avivapeltin

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: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Instagram & Threads: @whenisabelmetaviva

Follow Isabel on Instagram & Threads @adventuringisabel

Follow Aviva on Instagram & Threads: @avivapeltin

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: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Instagram & Threads: @whenisabelmetaviva

Follow Isabel on Instagram & Threads @adventuringisabel

Follow Aviva on Instagram & Threads: @avivapeltin

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