The Big Twist

In this episode, we sit down with prolific thriller and mystery writer Minoti Vaishnav to discuss her journey from aspiring pop star to television writer. Minoti shares how her relentless work ethic, commitment to building meaningful relationships, and how her experience producing reality TV shaped her unique voice and experience as a TV writer. Her tenacity, industry insight, and practical advice...

In this episode, we talk with iconic screenwriter and author, Kim Krizan about her inspiration for writing the iconic "Before Sunrise" and "Before Sunset" films. She shares with us the story of meeting Richard Linklater while acting in one of his earliest films, "Slacker," and how their writing partnership grew from there. Kim took a deep interest in the Diarist Anais...

In this conversation with each other, we dive into our latest developments, sharing where we are 16 episodes into recording The Big Twist, dive into what makes a great performance and making art in the age of AI. Angela talks about taking an acting class for non-actors and a directing workshop that inspired her to get back into directing and taught her to be less precious about her own work. Anna...

In this episode, we talk with Actor/Writer turned Health Advocate Taylor Coffman about how her harrowing near death experience completely redefined her life’s purpose She shares with us her memories of crashing when a rare disease was triggered in her body immediately after giving birth to her daughter. After days in a coma, an out of body experience, and being weaned from dialysis, she emerged as...

In this conversation with Actor turned Director Michelle Carter, we dive into her incredible plot twists, from her childhood home getting destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, to watching an episode of "Hannah Montana" and realizing she wanted to pursue acting, then landing her first acting job on "Hannah Montana." Michelle also walks us through becoming a "movie surfer" fo...

In this conversation with TV and Film Producer Deniese Davis, we dive into Deniese's big pivots, from producing Issa Rae’s award-winning web series "The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl" to producing the HBO hit series, "Insecure," then launching her own production company, Reform Media Group, and most recently producing "One of Them Days" as well as "Har...

In this conversation with TV Drama and Features Writer Sabrina Almeida, we dive into how, by focusing on self care and silencing the inner critic, you can become more productive as a writer and avoid burnout. You’ll also learn about:Sabrina's big pivot, from pursuing aerospace engineering and working for NASA to enrolling in USC's producing program, and eventually writing for major sci-fi...

In this conversation with TV Comedy Writer Shelley Dennis, we talk about how pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and operating from a growth mindset can help you accomplish your goals and unlock your true potential. You’ll also hear about: How investing in yourself pays off, and the benefits of taking classes and hiring life coaches at different crossroads in your career in order to grow pas...

In this episode with TV and Broadway Actor Christine Lin, we dive into her fascinating journey, from getting a biomedical and electrical engineering degree from Duke University, to giving up that path to be a theatre actor in Chicago before returning to it as a consultant, and eventually moving to NYC to star in a Broadway play (David Henry Hwang's "Chinglish") before settling in LA. We also dive...

In this interview with Actor/Writer Anna Carini and TV Writer/Producer Angela Trevino, we dive into our creative process for making this podcast as well as for auditions and writing. We share where we are in our journey eight episodes into creating The Big Twist, laugh at our mistakes, lament the pressures of being on camera and discuss our different approaches to hosting a podcast. We also introd...

In this interview with Actor and Acting Coach April Billingsley, we dive into her emotional journey, from a child theatre actor, to establishing herself in the industry, to wanting to become a mother and then learning to let go of what she thought would be in order to embrace and take joy in what is. We also explore learning to enjoy the journey, how finding community and leaning into it helps you...

In this interview with Hasbro development exec Lauren Chavez-Myers, we dive into her journey, from TV actor to starting from square one as an assistant at a studio before climbing up the Hollywood ladder. We talk about the importance of listening to yourself, what it means to be a true leader, how to embrace changing identities, and the challenge of giving up on one dream in order to fulfill anoth...

In this episode with Melisa D. Monts, we dive into her fascinating journey, from dental school, to digital content producer, to co-hosting and producing four podcasts per week, all while directing over 70 audiobooks, including WHAT WE CARRY by Amanda Gorman and BLACK SHIELD MAIDEN by Willow Smith. If that wasn't enough, Melisa is also a Staff Writer for PocketFM and has scripted several short-form...

In this episode with lawyer turned TV Writer, Detra Hicks we discuss how saying yes to a simple invitation completely changed her life. We also explore the nuances of having multiple careers, going from acting to writing, how as creatives so much of what we do is to embody others' emotions in the hopes that our audience will connect with them. Recorded on the eve of the last presidential election,...

In this episode, we dive into Meagan Daine's background as a TV and crime podcast writer, including her work on the Amazon Prime series Cross, based on the NY Times bestselling detective series written by James Patterson. We dive into her fascinating past, how she broke into the industry, her undercover decoy job working for an unscrupulous private investigator, and how this shaped her ability to...

In this conversation with director Columbia Tatone, we delve into how to reinvent your trauma, turning it from a source of pain into a source of creative fuel. In this podcast, you'll also learn about: building a successful directing career by following your gut, how to find purpose and on-going work in the film industry despite the current contraction, the power of remaining resourceful throughou...

In this episode, we discuss some of the biggest plot twists in Jenny's creative life, including her pivot from acting to writing, how to thrive as a playwright and TV/film writer while living outside of NYC/LA, and how adversity can fuel your drive. We also explore how to balance life with having a career, choosing where to live based on your personal needs, how to "pandemic," how to land open wri...

Welcome to Episode 1 of our very first podcast! In this episode we discuss our biggest plot twists, how to thrive in the film industry we're both employed in, and why developing your own personal brand is imperative. You'll also learn: * About our personal journeys, getting to write and act for TV. * How being brave in one aspect of your life translates to another. * Why adaptability is so importa...