TV & Film

Avatar: Braving the Elements

Enter the amazing world of Avatar through the official companion podcast, Avatar: Braving the Elements from Nickelodeon. Join hosts Janet Varney (the voice of “Korra”) and Dante Basco (the voice of “Prince Zuko”) each week as they re-watch every episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender then break down key themes, notable battles, and behind-the-scenes trivia you can’t get anywhere else. Special guests from cast members to producers join them to explore elements of the Avatarverse, including the origins of the story and how Avatar was brought to life.
Braving the Elements listeners can use discount code “AVATAR20” for 20% off all Avatar: The Last Airbender products on ParamountShop.com.

Latest Episodes:

MLB’s Pablo López on Sports x Avatar Crossovers Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

Minnesota Twins MLB pitcher Pablo López joins Braving the Elements to share his deep love for the Avatarverse - and yes, he really wears a Water Tribe belt on the mound. Hosts Dante Basco and Janet Varney dive into Pablo’s personal connections to Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, from childhood memories to life lessons drawn from Aang and Korra’s journeys. They build fantasy baseball teams with benders, debate pro-bending strategy, and explore how the show's themes mirror real-life challenges in professional sports. Plus, Magic: The Gathering designer Dillon Deveney gives us a first look at the epic ATLA x MTG crossover, revealing how the team brought bending battles and beloved characters to life in card form.

And if you’d like to join Janet, Dante and their guest(s) as they react to some amazing action, check out the video version of this episode on the official Avatar Legends YouTube Channel!

TLOK’s Shiro Shinobi Speaks! The Voice Behind Avatar’s Iconic Radio Voice Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

You’ve heard his voice narrating every twist and turn in The Legend of Korra. Now the man behind Shiro Shinobi finally steps up to the mic! In this episode of Braving the Elements, hosts Dante Basco and Janet Varney sit down with Jeff Bennett, the voice behind Avatar’s most iconic radio broadcaster, to discuss the fan-favorite episode “Turning Tides.” From Shinobi’s Shakespearean flair to unforgettable lines like “I am currently wetting my pants,” this episode celebrates the character’s surprising rise and enduring charm. Jeff performs a custom Shinobi recap, reflects on his ATLA connections, and teases the return of General Iroh.

And as always, you can react to the epic action featured in this week’s episode by checking out the official Avatar Legends YouTube Channel!

Toph and The Boulder Reunite! Michaela Jill Murphy & Mick Foley Spill Avatarverse Secrets Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Did you know The Boulder was almost voiced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson?! ATLA legends Toph (Michaela Jill Murphy) and The Boulder (Mick Foley) spill some Avatar secrets and join us for a joyful reunion full of laughs, live scene reenactments, and heartfelt fan stories. From their Earth Rumble 6 showdown to real-life convention adventures, this episode dives into the friendships and fandoms that continue to grow around the Avatarverse. Michaela shares a touching moment with a blind fan, while Mick reflects on how wrestling shaped his iconic character.

Join the fun and react to the stunning action featured in this episode on the official Avatar YouTube Channel!

Avatar Aang Returns in TLOK’s Most Emotional Episode feat. Zach Tyler Eisen Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

Avatar Aang makes a powerful return in TLOK Book One: Air, Episode 9, “Out of the Past” - and this week, we’re joined by none other than ATLA’s original voice of Aang, Zach Tyler Eisen. Hosts Janet Varney and Dante Basco dive deep into this unforgettable episode, where Korra’s captivity triggers a chilling vision of Aang’s final showdown with Yakone and a shocking revelation about bloodbending.

Zach reflects on his emotional journey voicing Aang and what it means to revisit the Avatarverse in a moment of such high stakes and spiritual weight. Together, we explore the disturbing legacy of Yakone, Tarrlok’s betrayal, and the pain that continues to ripple through time - from Aang’s struggle to bring justice, to Korra’s growing fear of losing control.

This episode is packed with tension, legacy, and heartbreak, as past and present collide. How does Aang’s courtroom memory guide Korra through her darkest hour? And what does this spiritual encounter say about the burden - and power - of being the Avatar?

And as always, you can react to the epic action featured in this week’s episode by checking out the official Avatar Legends YouTube Channel!

The Avatar Gets Bloodbent?! Feat. Special Guest Richard Epcar ("Saikhan") Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

This week we're diving deep into Book One: Air, Episode 8 of The Legend of Korra “When Extremes Meet” with special guest Richard Epcar, the voice behind Captain Saikhan!

Join hosts Janet Varney (Korra) and Dante Basco (Zuko) as they unpack the shifting politics of Republic City, the rise of Tarrlok, and the chilling return of bloodbending - all while celebrating the artistry, humor, and unexpected darkness of this pivotal ATLA-universe episode.

Richard shares behind-the-scenes stories from the booth, his take on Saikhan’s controversial alliance, and why he thinks Asami Sato deserves the title of Team Avatar MVP.

And as always, you can react to the epic action featured in this week’s episode by checking out the official Avatar Legends YouTube Channel!

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.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Avatar: Braving the Elements

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected