Avatar: Braving the Elements

In this season finale of Braving the Elements, hosts Janet and Dante team up with Avatar Studios insiders Isabella Boettcher and Joan Hilty for an unforgettable deep dive into the Avatarverse. Together, they explore the rich storytelling that spans across animation, comics, novels, and games, revealing how every piece connects to the larger world fans love. The conversation touches on everything f...

The stakes couldn’t be higher in The Legend of Korra Book Two finale, and the world will never be the same. Hosts Janet Varney and Dante Basco sit down with Adrian LaTourelle, the voice behind Unalaq, to break down the shocking decision that changed the Avatarverse forever. Adrian shares what it was like to voice a character who begins as Korra’s spiritual guide and transforms into one of the fran...

Actor and filmmaker Devery Jacobs ( Reservation Dogs ) joins Janet Varney and Dante Basco to break down one of the most intense episodes in The Legend of Korra : “Darkness Falls.” This is the moment everything changes—Unalaq’s plan to merge with the dark spirit Vaatu threatens to create something the Avatar world has never seen before: a Dark Avatar. Together, they explore what this twist means fo...

Harmonic Convergence has arrived, and the fate of the Avatar world hangs in the balance. In this episode of Braving the Elements , hosts Janet Varney and Dante Basco sit down with Alex McKenna, the voice of Senna—Korra’s mom—to explore one of the most pivotal moments in The Legend of Korra : Unalaq’s shocking plan to fuse with Vaatu and create a Dark Avatar. Alex shares behind-the-scenes stories f...

What happens when Bolin goes from movie star to real-life hero? In Night of a Thousand Stars , the Nuktuk premiere turns into chaos, President Raiko’s life is on the line, and Bolin delivers the twist no one saw coming. Hosts Janet Varney and Dante Basco sit down with writer Josh Hamilton to spill the secrets behind this fan-favorite episode of The Legend of Korra . From Varrick's jaw-dropping sch...

In this unforgettable episode, we are joined by two incredible guests: Greg Baldwin, the voice of Uncle Iroh (yes, that Iroh!), and Cora Baker, who brought young Korra to life (and happens to be Dee Bradley Baker’s daughter!). We dive into The Legend of Korra Book 2, Episode 10: “A New Spiritual Age” where Korra enters the Spirit World and faces her deepest fears—but she’s not alone. We talk about...

What happens when Korra finally enters the Spirit World - and it doesn’t go as planned? Actor and Avatar superfan Brandon Perea (Nope, The OA, Twisters) joins Janet and Dante to break down The Legend of Korra Book 2, Episode 9: “The Guide.” With his background in breakdancing, anime fandom, and spiritual exploration, Brandon brings fresh insight into Korra’s emotional turning point and the surreal...

In today's episode, we welcome real-life siblings and lifelong Avatar superfans Levon and Maya Hawke for a deep dive into the sibling relationships that define the Avatarverse. From Mako and Bolin to Amon and Tarrlok to Sokka and Katara, the conversation explores how family dynamics—rivalry, loyalty, and love—shape some of the most powerful character arcs in both Avatar: The Last Airbender and The...

Before Aang, before Korra - there was Wan. In this episode, Janet Varney and Dante Basco are joined by the voice of Asami herself, Seychelle Gabriel, to explore the origin of the Avatar cycle and the mythic battle between light and darkness. As Korra journeys into the past, we witness Wan’s transformation from a street-smart trickster into the bridge between humans and spirits. Along the way, we m...

We are joined by Seychelle Gabriel, voice of Asami Sato, to unpack one of Book Two’s most pivotal episodes: “The Sting.” Seychelle dives into Asami’s emotional unraveling after discovering her company has been sabotaged and her warehouse emptied - all while navigating betrayal, explosions, and a surprise kiss with Mako. From Bolin’s propaganda-fueled movie stardom to shady triad deals and rooftop...

In this unforgettable episode, the brilliant John Michael Higgins, voice of the eccentric and endlessly quotable Varrick from The Legend of Korra, joins Janet and Dante! Higgins shares hilarious behind-the-scenes stories and reflects on how Varrick became one of the most beloved - and morally ambiguous- characters in the Avatar universe. The conversation dives deep into Varrick’s chaotic genius, h...

Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez joins hosts Janet Varney (Korra) and Dante Basco (Zuko) to break down The Legend of Korra Book Two’s pivotal double episode: “Civil War Parts 1 & 2.” As tensions explode between the Northern and Southern Water Tribes, Korra faces her most difficult decision yet - choosing between her father Tonraq and her manipulative uncle Unalaq. Meanwhile, sibling dram...

In this revealing episode of Avatar: Braving the Elements, hosts Janet Varney (Korra) and Dante Basco (Zuko) are joined by writer Tim Hedrick to break down The Legend of Korra Book Two, Episode 202: “The Southern Lights.” As Korra begins her spiritual journey under Unalaq’s guidance, long-buried family secrets surface - leading to a painful fallout with her father, Tonraq. Meanwhile, Tenzin, Kya,...

Korra turns on Tenzin?! In this explosive kickoff to Book Two of  The Legend of Korra , hosts Janet Varney (Korra) and Dante Basco (Zuko) are joined by David Faustino, the voice of Mako, to break down Episode 201: “Rebel Spirit.” From Korra’s shocking decision to ditch her mentor to Mako’s new role as a motorcycle-riding Republic City cop, this episode is packed with drama, spiritual imbalance, an...

In this deep-dive episode of Avatar: Braving the Elements, hosts Janet Varney (Korra) and Dante Basco (Zuko) reunite with Legend of Korra creators Mike DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko to kick off Book Two: Spirits. From the evolution of bending to the rise of technology, the team explores the rich worldbuilding behind the Spirit World, the North vs. South Water Tribe conflict, and the emotional comp...

In the epic season finale of The Legend of Korra Book One, hosts Janet Varney (Korra) and Dante Basco (Zuko) are joined by voice acting legends Dee Bradley Baker (Tarrlok) and Andrea Romano (voice director) to unpack one of the most emotional and cinematic episodes in the Avatarverse: “Endgame.” From Amon’s shocking unmasking to Tarrlok’s heartbreaking final decision, this episode dives deep into...

Janet Varney and Dante Basco are joined by legendary actor Stephen Root - voice of Gommu, Republic City’s underground hobo and secret telegraph master - to unpack one of Legend of Korra’s most jaw-dropping moments: the reveal of Amon’s true identity. Together, they dive deep into The Legend of Korra Book 1, Episode 11: “Skeletons in the Closet.” Root shares his thoughts on playing morally complex...

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 base...

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 unforget...

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 c...

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. Za...

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...

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 fall...

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 attemp...

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...