Avatar: Braving the Elements

So many people seem to think they know Korra. But no one knows her better than Asami. Seychelle Gabrielle triumphantly returns for the Korrasami reunion we've all been waiting to see. She may even give an award-winning performance in the process! Ready to watch a mover with us? This is Seven Havens Episode 7: What Lies Beneath!

How did the father of the Avatars get his name? Studio coordinator at Avatar Studios Pramodh Manian has all the answers about Avatar: Seven Havens. He's been hard at work on various Avatar projects for years and now he's finally able to start talking about them with us! And don't miss our chat with the inspiring and hilarious Anjali Bhimani, the voice of Tala as well as more Seven Havens character...

You've seen their names in the credits of Avatar for years. Kenji Ono and William Niu were instrumental in bringing Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra to life, and now they're back for Seven Havens! Since Kenji Ono is Book One Director and Current Supervising Producer and William Niu is Art Director, they both ensure that everything you see in Seven Havens helps tell the story and...

The Faceless have invaded Ellora, and our friend Uki has gone missing! While Jae and the girls search for Uki, we're thrilled to have found her voice actress Kimberly Woods! From studying neuroscience in Princeton to becoming a firebender in Avatar: Seven Havens, Kimberly Woods is on quite the journey! But can she use her brilliant mind to help us figure out what "portable sports" are? Find out in...

Ready to join the Bending Brigade? Jae is looking forward to welcoming you! And we too are thrilled to welcome Major Curda back to the Braving the Elements Podcast! First Major was an Avatar superfan who imagined themselves as an airbender, and now they're the voice of one of the main characters of the new Avatar series who just so happens to be an airbender! Talk about perfect casting! This is Se...

Who are the voices of Pavi and Nisha, the mysterious leads of Avatar: Seven Havens? Allow us to introduce you to Saheli Khan and Aishu Devan! Now that the twin Avatars' secret is revealed, Saheli and Aishu can finally share how excited they are to be the stars of the all-new Avatar show! This is Seven Havens Episode 2: Into the Storm!

It's the first new Avatar series in 14 years, and it's a MYSTERY show! Co-executive producer Sehaj Sethi, executive producer Ethan Spaulding, and executive producer and co-creator of the Avatarverse Mike DiMartino come together to discuss what it's like to create a series where everything we know about the world of Avatar has changed. We also review the definition of the word "haven," just in case...

Crafting the vision for an animated feature film is no small task. Production designer Jake Panian and art director Aaron Loftis discuss the complex process of bringing the Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender movie to life with a painterly aesthetic mixing 2D and 3D animated elements!

We're finally able to talk about the Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender movie! Janet and Dante reunite with Avatar creators Mike DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko along with the film's director Lauren Montgomery to discuss what it was like to develop an Avatar project of this scale. How is making an 85 minute film different from creating a season of television? And how did they find the version of the st...

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...

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...