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:

The Cabbage Merchant Legacy Lives On feat. James Sie Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

The saga of the Cabbage Merchant continues! James Sie - the voice behind Avatar: The Last Airbender’s iconic cabbage merchant - joins Janet and Dante to unpack The Legend of Korra Book One: Air, Episode 7: “The Aftermath”. From the shocking takedown of Cabbage Corp to Hiroshi Sato’s dark secret, this episode is packed with bending betrayals, cabbage-bending conspiracies (maybe), and emotional fallout from legacy characters.

The trio explores themes of betrayal, legacy, chosen family, and how trauma fuels extremism - from Hiroshi to Jet to Amon. Plus: how the Cabbage Merchant’s legacy still echoes through the Avatarverse - one heartbreak at a time.

Metalbending Mastery feat. Mindy Sterling "Lin Beifong" (Toph’s Daughter!) Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

Mindy Sterling joins Janet and Dante to talk about voicing Lin Beifong, The Legend of Korra’s master metalbender and the daughter of ATLA’s Toph. In Book One’s “And the Winner Is…”, Lin steps up to defend the pro-bending finals against Amon’s threat. The trio unpacks Lin’s metalbending might, her Marina Dietrich-inspired swagger, and how it feels to carry on Toph’s legacy. Plus, a hilarious attempt at a Shiro Shinobi recap and behind-the-scenes stories that prove Lin’s not the only scene-stealer in the room.

Love Triangles and 'The Spirit of Competition' with Seychelle Gabriel ("Asami") Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

Seychelle Gabriel, the voice of Asami Sato, joins Janet and Dante to explore the tangled emotional web of The Legend of Korra’s “The Spirit of Competition.” As pro-bending battles escalate, so do the romantic tensions between Korra, Mako, and Asami. Seychelle shares what it was like to voice such a stylish, badass character in her very first voiceover gig, and reflects on Asami’s early role in the Avatarverse and her growing connection with Korra. The trio explores the roots of the Korrasami ship, behind-the-scenes stories from Seychelle’s audition, and how love, loyalty, and competition all collide in this turning point of Book One. Plus, it’s time for another round of “Quip or Cabbage?”

The Cinematic Evolution of Avatar with Director Joaquim Dos Santos Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

Director, character designer, and Avatar legend Joaquim Dos Santos joins Janet and Dante to talk all things Korra - from the very first sketch of the Avatar herself to crafting the episode's darker, noir-inspired tone. In this episode, Team Avatar revisits The Voice in the Night, where Korra faces off with mounting fear, political pressure, and a growing Equalist threat. Joaquim shares how he helped design Korra as the "opposite of Aang," how her MMA-inspired physicality influenced her character, and how cinematic storyboarding brought a new visual language to the Avatarverse. Plus: Tarrlok’s shady charm, the chilling mystery of Amon, and why this episode marks a major tonal shift in Book One.

Scoring TLOK's Jazz-Age Tension with Composer Jeremy Zuckerman Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

Award-winning composer and Avatarverse legend Jeremy Zuckerman returns to the pod to break down his sonic approach to The Legend of Korra, especially the eerie tension of Book One’s Equalist uprising. Jeremy joins Janet and Dante to discuss Episode 3, “The Revelation,” where Korra uncovers the terrifying rise of Amon, chi-blockers, and steampunk-inspired resistance fighters. The team explores how the show’s 1920s jazz influences and rhythmic experimentation shaped Korra’s distinct musical identity, from moody horns to haunting motifs. Plus, they revisit the Avatar live concert, the legacy of chi-blocking from Ty Lee to the Equalists, and why limitations in the score made Korra’s world sound more raw, real, and revolutionary.

The Voice of Avatar Aang's Grandaughter! Darcy Rose Byrnes ("Ikki") Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

Korra takes her first (reluctant) steps into airbending in Episode 102 of The Legend of Korra, and joining Janet and Dante is voice actor Darcy Rose Byrnes, who brought the energetic Ikki to life! Darcy shares what it was like voicing the granddaughter of Avatar Aang at just 10 years old, and how Ikki’s joy and goofiness connect the spirit of ATLA to TLOK.

The crew dives into Korra’s frustration with Tenzin’s teachings, her impulsive pro-bending detour, and the deeper lesson behind “being like the leaf.” What makes airbending so elusive for Korra? How does her struggle reflect her inner resistance to change?

Darcy celebrates Ikki’s role as the heart of the Airbender family and even honors fan-favorite Shinobi with a fun impression. Plus, the team reflects on Korra’s moment of growth (and regret) after breaking a 2000-year-old Air Nomad artifact, the strength it takes to say sorry, and the pride in being seen by your teacher. And of course, Uncle Iroh’s Tea Time returns, with Darcy drawing wisdom from a teapot of classic Iroh quotes.

Avatar Korra's Debut: Welcome to Republic City with Steve Blum ("Amon") May 27, 2025

Show notes

Voice legend Steve Blum joins Janet and Dante to unpack his iconic role as Amon, The Legend of Korra’s masked adversary! From early audition notes to the eerie voice restraint that made Amon so chilling, Steve shares how he brought this complex villain to life. The crew explores Korra’s explosive arrival in Republic City, her fiery declaration as the Avatar, and how Book One tackles weighty themes like nonbender inequality and political unrest. They also reflect on what sets Korra apart from Aang, explore their favorite ships, and challenge Steve to a round of “Quip or Cabbage?” to see how well he remembers Amon’s most iconic lines.

The Legend of Korra Begins: INSIDE Book One w/ Creators Mike & Bryan May 20, 2025

Show notes

Janet and Dante are back, but this time with a new Avatar! Season 4 of Braving the Elements launches us into The Legend of Korra: Book One with series creators Mike DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. From Korra’s earliest sketches to the design of Republic City, the invention of pro-bending, and the show's steampunk-inspired elements, this episode explores how TLOK came to life. The Two Dads dive deep into the art, themes, and groundbreaking decisions that shaped the next era of the Avatarverse. Plus, Janet shares the story of her audition and defends Korra's character arc in what would become a new kind of YA hero.

Braving the Elements Season 4 Trailer: A New Avatar Rises! May 13, 2025

Show notes

The official trailer for Braving the Elements Season 4 has arrived! Join hosts Janet Varney (Korra) and Dante Basco (Zuko) as they return to explore The Legend of Korra. This season, it’s all about the rise of a new Avatar, the evolution of Republic City, and the bold legacy Korra forges in Book One. Featuring cast interviews, behind-the-scenes lore, and plenty of surprises from the Avatarverse.

Available everywhere you get your podcasts on May 20th.

Saying Goodbye and Hello Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

It’s the end of an era—Aang’s era, at least—as Janet and Dante look back at some fan favorite guests and various “visiting professors” that have joined their journey to their degrees in Avatar. Featuring never-before-seen video from past seasons, our favorite co-hosts reminisce as they bid a fond farewell to the world of ATLA and get ready to meet the new Avatar seventy years into the future... Korra!

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