After Shows

Avatar: Braving the Elements

A new Avatar legend begins with the official companion podcast Avatar: Braving the Elements. Join hosts Janet Varney (the voice of Korra) and Dante Basco (the voice of Prince Zuko) each week as they watch brand-new episodes of the all-new series Avatar: Seven Havens! They’ll also be breaking down the new Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender movie, and revisiting The Legend of Korra Book 3: Change. Get ready to meet the voices behind new Avatar characters for the very first time, and hear from the creative team that helps bring these stories to life. Don’t miss the biggest season yet of Avatar: Braving the Elements!

Latest Episodes:

Meet the Voice Behind Toph: Michaela Jill Murphy Aug 09, 2022

Show notes

Continuing our celebration of all things Toph Beifong, Janet and Dante welcome Michaela Jill Murphy (aka Jessie Flower), the original voice of Toph! Find out more about the real-life personality behind one of the biggest personalities in the Avatarverse as we sit down with Michaela to hear more about her life before and after joining the cast of Avatar: The Last Airbender, how much the young Jessie Flower (Michaela’s stage name) could relate to Toph’s bold and original characteristics, and what it’s meant to interact with fans in the recent resurgence of people discovering and re-discovering the Avatarverse!

Creating an Icon: TOPH! with Mike DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko Aug 02, 2022

Show notes

Janet and Dante reconnect with their “two dads” to hear more about Toph’s origin story! A character as iconic as Toph deserves a whole episode about how she came to be! Mike DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko reminisce about their original concept designs for Toph and how they evolved during the collaborative process with writers and animators, as well as their memories of Jessie Flowers (aka Michaela Jill Murphy) — the voice is behind fan-favorite Toph lines like “Twinkle Toes!"

Toph’s ATLA Debut: “The Blind Bandit” with Director Ethan Spaulding Jul 26, 2022

Show notes

Say hello to Toph Beifong! Janet and Dante welcome Ethan Spaulding, the director of “The Blind Bandit,” to celebrate the epic ATLA episode 6 that introduced one of the Avatarverse’s most iconic characters. Learn behind-the-scenes trivia about Earth Rumble Six, the casting of Toph, and what makes this earthbender such a fan favorite. Get ready for seismic-level insights into Toph’s legacy in Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Behind the Cool Exterior: Meet Cricket Leigh (Voice of Mai) Jul 19, 2022

Show notes

Delight in this conversation with the incredibly warm and energetic Cricket Leigh, whom you also know as the voice of the significantly less warm and energetic Mai! Cricket opens up to Janet about joining the ATLA cast, Mai’s emotionally complex character arc, and how her chemistry with Ty Lee and Azula makes for one of the series’ most intriguing friendships. Plus, you’ll hear Mai thoughts on Zuko, shipping, and the subtleties of non-bending strength in the Avatarverse.

“Avatar Day” + Cabbages! With James Sie, Voice of the Cabbage Merchant Jul 12, 2022

Show notes

“MY CABBAGES!” If you love this iconic ATLA line, then this episode is for you. Janet and Dante welcome James Sie, the voice behind the unforgettable Cabbage Merchant, to revisit ATLA Book Two episode 5 “Avatar Day.” They explore the episode’s themes of justice, Kyoshi Island lore, and why some villagers want to cancel the Avatar. A fun, nostalgic deep dive into one of Book Two’s quirkiest chapters—and the character who became a fandom meme legend.

Live from San Diego Comic Con! Jul 05, 2022

Show notes

This week we bring you a special episode from our Braving the Elements LIVE appearance at San Diego Comic Con, winter of 2021!

Janet and Dante are joined by an amazing audience of fans and friends at the show, featuring live performances by members of the audience playing all of your favorite characters in a myriad of different beloved scenes from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Among other things, this live recording just goes further to prove that the Avatarverse is one of the best fandoms in the world!

The Ultimate ATLA Debate: Which Element Is the Best Bending Power? Jun 28, 2022

Show notes

Which element reigns supreme in the Avatarverse? Janet and Dante moderate a passionate debate among four ATLA superfans, each repping one of the four bending styles—Water, Earth, Air, and Fire. From iconic benders like Katara and Zuko to the practical and aesthetic strengths of each element, this battle of bending is both hilarious and heartfelt. Who wins? You decide.
For WATER: Amanda Castrillo Foxworth
For EARTH: Mikaila Baskin
For AIR: Suraj Muralidharan
For FIRE: Nicholas Mayfield

Exploring ATLA’s Mysterious Swamp with Hector Navarro Jun 21, 2022

Show notes

Step into one of Avatar: The Last Airbender’s most mystical episodes, “The Swamp,” with returning guest Hector Navarro! Janet and Hector break down the eerie visions, spiritual symbolism, and unforgettable swampbenders from this memorable ATLA chapter in Book Two. It’s a fun, thoughtful dive into how the Avatarverse blends folklore, philosophy, and comedy—with a few great accents along the way. This episode of BTE is at least as much fun as a screaming bird with a human voice!

Meet the Voice Behind Ty Lee: Olivia Hack Jun 14, 2022

Show notes

Meet the voice behind the ever-cheerful and ever-dangerous Ty Lee, Olivia Hack! Janet and Olivia sit down to discuss her experience of voicing the first character we see in the Avatarverse who can seriously affect someone’s bending power! They talk about Ty Lee’s origin story as well as Olivia’s own origin story and how she came to the series for Book Two. And never fear— even an actor who voiced a chi blocker has thoughts about what kind of bender she would be!

Return to Omashu w/ Jennie Kwan (Suki) Jun 07, 2022

Show notes

Join hosts Janet and Dante—plus returning guest Jennie Kwan, the voice of Suki—as they revisit the action-packed ATLA Book Two episode “Return to Omashu.” Episode 3 introduces fierce non-benders Mai and Ty Lee, and deepens Azula’s fearsome squad. Jennie compares Suki’s fighting style to her new foes, and the trio dives into the dynamics of Azula’s control, friendship tensions, and the importance of freeing King Bumi. A must-listen for any Earth Kingdom enthusiast or Team Avatar fan!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Avatar: Braving the Elements

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected