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:

‘The Puppetmaster’ with Joaquim Dos Santos Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

Scary ghost stories, creepy dark woods, and an eerie little town in the Fire Nation…what could possibly go wrong?

Dive into this fan favorite ep with Janet & Dante as they are joined by storyboard artist & director Joaquim Dos Santos. We hear some insider info about alternate titles for the episode and all the ways the original series broke the rules of animation. Then Joaquim shares his most memorable moments from working on the show, and the trio talks about the importance of stranger danger when hanging out in the woods at night (we’re lookin at you, Team Avatar).

Catch Dante’s survival instincts kicking in and find out what Janet has deemed the “most effective scare” in the series, in ‘The Puppetmaster’.

Choose Your Fate with Superfans Apr 09, 2024

Show notes

Nerd out with Janet, Dante, and two superfans as they talk about all things Avatar - from which show characters they would want on their team for a 48-hour film challenge, to the impact of the thoughtful representation of disabilities in the Avatarverse.

We’ll learn a bit about the origins of extreme martial arts from real-life Korra (a title bestowed by Janet herself) and hear some spirited discussion about questions you may not have thought to ask, like ‘Is there anything worse than a spa day with Azula??’.

‘The Runaway’ with Michaela Jill Murphy Apr 02, 2024

Show notes

Janet and Dante are thrilled to welcome back Michaela Jill Murphy, the original voice of everyone’s favorite earthbending melon lord, Toph. We’ll uncover more golden nuggets from Dante’s past (y’all ever seen a pre-teen do a 3 card monte?) and discuss the one person you NEVER want to pull a scam with.

Find out what happens when cheating a cheater goes too far in, ‘The Runaway’.

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‘The Avatar and the Firelord’ with Ify Nwadiwe Mar 26, 2024

Show notes

What’s it like to be besties with the Avatar? Who gave Roku his lewk? Are there any good folks in the Fire Nation?? Answers to these questions and more as Janet, Dante and special guest, Ify Nwadiwe dive into, ‘The Avatar and the Firelord’.

We’ll catch up with Aang as he receives yet another very specific calendar ask from his predecessor, Avatar Roku, and follow along as Zuko digs deeper into his past to unearth the one family connection we truly didn't see coming. If you’ve ever wondered what a Fire Nation reality TV show would look like, this episode is for you!

Drawing the Avatarverse with Lauren Montgomery Mar 19, 2024

Show notes

Big burly men with lovely lady legs, iconic superheroes, and more - all in a day’s work for a storyboard artist and director, and this episode Janet and Dante are joined by one of the best, Lauren Montgomery!

Lauren gives a behind-the-scenes scoop on a couple animal hybrids that didn’t quite make the cut, and shares her very surprising favorite ship from the Avatarverse (you’re seriously never going to guess who it is).

We hear Dante’s FIRE rec for the best tea in Ba Sing Se, then he and Janet try their hands at drawing and interpreting some character shorthand. A high stakes challenge - with unreliable erasers - that you won’t want to miss!

‘The Beach’ with Olivia Hack & Cricket Leigh Mar 12, 2024

Show notes

Join Zuko, Azula, and the girlies for a bit of sun, a little relaxation, and just a touch of ambition for total world domination. We’ll get a taste of the trials and tribulations of Fire Nation teens, and witness a touching moment between siblings that *almost* convinces Dante that Azula means well. Almost.

Guests Olivia Hack (voice of Ty Lee) and Cricket Leigh (voice of Mai) help Janet brainstorm some new nicknames for Combustion Man - which is just soooo formal - and we see the line between Dante and Zuko blur yet again as we follow this fiery bunch of adolescents in, ‘The Beach’.

The Music of Avatar with Jeremy Zuckerman & Jeff Adams Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

Leaves from vines and secret tunnels - feel all the feelings with Janet and Dante as they are joined by composer, Jeremy Zuckerman and original show editor, Jeff Adams to talk about the Avatar live concert tour and the iconic music that makes us laugh and makes us cry (especially Janet).

We’ll hear more about Jeremy's super airbending music powers and what it’s like to put the score at the forefront of storytelling and truly capture the essence and emotions of the Avatarverse. There may even be a couple special performances from Jeremy and Janet… FORESHADOW REPORT: there definitely will be.

Sponsor - RocketMoney.com/ELEMENTS. Stop wasting money on things you don’t use. Choose RocketMoney to cancel your unwanted subscription.

‘Sokka’s Master’ with Jack De Sena Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

Space rocks, training montages, and Fire Nation shopping sprees - there is never a dull day on a road trip with Team Avatar. In ‘Sokka’s Master’ we follow the journey of our favorite (and only) non-bending member of the Gaang as he discovers his own unique strengths and learns the skill of the blade.

And who better to join this Sokka-focused side quest than the voice of the boomerang guy himself, Jack De Sena! Jack, Janet, and Dante catch up with each other, question whether or not our friends REALLY miss us when we’re not around, and discuss the importance of honesty and humility on the path to power.

Bookbending! with F.C. Yee & Nancy Wu Feb 20, 2024

Show notes

Author of the Avatar Kyoshi & Avatar Yangchen novels, F.C. Yee, and the novels’ audiobook actor/narrator, Nancy Wu, join Janet and Dante to geek out! Together, they discuss team Avatar throughout history, what it's like to expand the Avatarverse with a master like Michael DiMartino, and why ‘The Great Divide’ is such an important episode.

Nancy talks about the cultural relevance and authenticity she feels as an Asian American and fan of the Avatar series. Then, Dante asks F.C. which of the novels is his favorite (possibly the full box set? *wink wink*), and more importantly, if the Fire Nation will ever receive any love from the books in the future.

Catch up with the story of Avatar Kyoshi and Avatar Yangchen here: https://www.abramsbooks.com/?s=avatar

‘The Painted Lady’ with Faith Erin Hicks Feb 13, 2024

Show notes

Janet and Dante are joined by Avatar graphic novel and comic book author, Faith Erin Hicks, as we follow our favorite Gaang to a peculiar little fishing village in, ‘The Painted Lady’. Plagued by the toxic run-off from the Fire Nation weapons factory up the river, the villagers suffer greatly from the surrounding polluted waters - that is, until a mysterious female figure comes to their aid…

Janet and Dante find out who Faith’s REAL favorite member of Team Avatar is, talk about the diversity and richness of female characters in the Avatarverse, and discuss the presumably *unique* flavor of turtle ducks (yum?).

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