Janet and Dante tackle one of the most debated-about episodes in Avatar: The Last Airbender as they plunge into “The Great Divide!” Listen in as our hosts discuss the creepy canyon crawlers and the fate of the Canyon Guide, the backstories of the bickering tribes and Aang’s surprising solution, and more of what makes this episode such a heated topic of conversation in the ATLA fandom. Will Janet and Dante be able to come to their own conclusions about it? And... what do you think about all this?...
Nov 09, 2021•41 min•Ep 23•Transcript available on Metacast To celebrate our halfway mark in Season One of the podcast, we’re bringing in some new friends to test their ATLA knowledge! Janet and Dante welcome four incredibly awesome Avatar fans for a game show-style quiz on some of the finer details of Book One (and some foreshadow report-ish topics, too)! Who will win the most points in this friendly competition? Will it be Abiodun “Abby" Abebefe? Dominique Gayle? Phillip Hughes? Or Jordan Wolfe? Test your own knowledge along with our contestants as the...
Nov 02, 2021•55 min•Ep 22•Transcript available on Metacast This week brings you an unusual and exciting listen: an episode that was recorded live on Twitch, featuring the legendary Dee Bradley Baker! Janet and Dante spend a marvelous hour with the voice actor behind all of the animals (and several featured human characters) you hear on both ATLA and TLOK. Dee even graciously tries to teach Janet and Dante how to make some of these iconic animal sounds themselves (emphasis on “try”)! Hear more about Dee’s unique and fascinating work, and find out more ab...
Oct 26, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep 21•Transcript available on Metacast Team Avatar encounters a controversial character in the ATLA episode “Jet”— and Janet and Dante encounter the delightful Crawford Wilson, the voice behind Jet! Take a visit to the treetops and find out the inspiration behind the Freedom Fighters’ woodsy hideout as Janet and Dante explore Episode 10 of Book One, celebrating all the terrifically-named characters in Jet’s gang (Smellerbee! Pipsqueak! Sneers! Longshot! The Duke!) and discussing the parallels between Jet and characters like Katara an...
Oct 19, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep 20•Transcript available on Metacast In this very special episode, ATLA & TLOK Composer Jeremy Zuckerman sits down with Janet, Dante, and Song Exploder’s Hrishikesh Hirway! The focus is all about the music in this lively discussion about the challenges and delights of scoring television and film. Listen to tales of the very early days of Avatar to the finale of Korra! Find out what instruments make the best “cold climate” soundtracks. And learn what ATLA reprise may have snuck into Hrishi’s own music! To learn more about listener d...
Oct 12, 2021•53 min•Ep 19•Transcript available on Metacast This week Janet and Dante are joined by writer, gamer, comedian and podcaster Ify Nwadiwe, who jumps into the investigation of “The Waterbending Scroll!” The trio is quick to acknowledge that there is just a LOT going on in this Book One episode, and the discussion goes from honest explorations about envy and competitiveness, to admiring Avatarverse fans for creating a real-life Pai Sho game, to Appa’s pedicure, to our friend the Cabbage Merchant, and much more. Plus! Ify brings what we think is...
Oct 05, 2021•57 min•Ep 18•Transcript available on Metacast Get ready for an amazing look inside the world of voice acting and directing with the legendary Andrea Romano! Join Janet and Dante as ATLA and TLOK’s Voice Director Andrea Romano treats them to a fascinating, in-depth and delightful conversation about her work on the other side of the microphone, and the road that led her to becoming one of the most beloved voice directors of all time. Not only will you hear wonderful behind-the-scenes tales from the Avatarverse, but stories from across the wor...
Sep 28, 2021•47 min•Ep 17•Transcript available on Metacast Somehow we got lucky enough to welcome two back-to back Avatars! We go from Avatar Aang last week (Zach Tyler Eisen) to this week’s guest, James Garrett— otherwise known as Avatar Roku! Janet and Dante recap and discuss Part Two of "The Winter Solstice,” unpacking “hot stinkers," Appa’s flying style, and so many other details big and small! Then they’re joined by the great James Garrett, who drops some pretty cool info about the Royal Shakespeare Company, his inspiration for his portrayal of Rok...
Sep 21, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep 16•Transcript available on Metacast That’s right! It’s the voice of The Avatar himself, Zach Tyler Eisen! Join us for this rare appearance by the wonderful former actor who gave us Aang. Janet and Dante revisit Zach’s experience of recording ATLA, which he did when he was about the same age as the character he portrayed (while still enjoying the childhood Aang may have missed). Zach also weighs in on some of Aang’s tougher choices, and illuminates us about his current career passions! To learn more about listener data and our priv...
Sep 14, 2021•41 min•Ep 15•Transcript available on Metacast It’s a very important first half of a two-part story arc in which Janet and Dante start to get acquainted with The Spirit World! In this key episode of Book One, we meet the understandably grumpy Hei Bai, spend some time with an intimidatingly cool spirit dragon and his “nose hairs," and see a whole lot of Uncle Iroh’s hot bath-loving bare skin. Plus: Dante compares Prince Zuko to a couple of beloved vintage detectives, leading to a surprising impression. To learn more about listener data and ou...
Sep 07, 2021•48 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast This week we dig into the careful design and detailed mechanics of animated martial arts with Sifu Kisu and Bryan Konietzko! What would a podcast about Avatar be without at least one episode showcasing the phenomenal artistry of the fighting styles in The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra? Bryan and Kisu share the history of meeting, collaborating, and ultimately how they worked with the whole ATLA team to develop the incredible bending and combat styles of the Avatarverse. To learn more ab...
Aug 31, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep 13•Transcript available on Metacast Janet and Dante explore the many layers of “Imprisoned,” and then settle in for a great chat with the voice of Tyro, Kevin Michael Richardson! We delve into the intensity of the Fire Nation prison island and the oppression of a people, laugh about some truly inspired comic moments in the episode, and celebrate the amazing acting in this episode (including a turn by George Takei!). The icing on the cake is hearing from Kevin about his own hard work and success, and his thoughts on how race factor...
Aug 24, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Ep 12•Transcript available on Metacast Get the inside scoop on the early days of writing Avatar: The Last Airbender from one of its original and long-standing writers, John O’Bryan! Meet the person who turned in the first draft of the script laying out the city of Omashu and introducing us to King Bumi! But we know what you’re all thinking… is this the mind that created one of the most iconic characters in the entire series? Is this the imagination responsible for… THE CABBAGE MERCHANT?? To learn more about listener data and our priv...
Aug 17, 2021•33 min•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast This week we’re headed to the fast-moving, earthbendingly-impressive city of Omashu, so hold on to your cabbages! Who better to join Dante and Janet for this rollercoaster recap than the strange, spirited leader of Omashu himself, King Bumi? Meet prolific voice actor André Sogliuzzo (“Bumi”), hear the origin story of the king's distinctive voice, and celebrate the introduction of a different beloved character whose love of a certain leafy vegetable is famous! To learn more about listener data an...
Aug 10, 2021•52 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast A conversation with Jennie Kwan that was so inspiring, layered, and downright fun, it deserved its own episode! Janet and Dante talk with Jennie about her background and multifaceted work in the arts and the entertainment industry, including her positive approach to her work. And Dante and Jennie share their experiences as Asian Americans working in Hollywood, with thoughts on how things have evolved and where they’re headed. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: htt...
Aug 03, 2021•35 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast The delightful Jennie Kwan breaks down Episode Four of ATLA with Janet and Dante, bringing her fabulous insight and wit! Listen in as this trio discusses their love of Suki and Kyoshi Warrior cosplay; something that suspiciously seems like Zuko’s breakdancing moves; the concept of gender fluidity in the Avatar legacy; and how to empower a person who has a lot to learn (Sokka!) by using toughness and a little patience. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www...
Aug 03, 2021•35 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast Janet and Dante are joined by voice actor Jack de Sena (“Sokka”) for a hilarious episode full of great conversation! Find out about Jack’s beginnings as a child actor to his busy college years trying to balance school with his ATLA voice-acting duties. Discover Jack’s thoughts on Sokka’s insatiable appetite (don’t eat the hybrid animals!), his favorite Sokka ship, and much more. It’s a can’t-miss episode guaranteed to make you laugh. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices vi...
Jul 27, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast Appa takes us to The Southern Air Temple (and Ep. 3 of ATLA), where Aang must face some tough truths while Zuko faces a formidable enemy… all with Janet and Dante along for the ride! From peaches (Momo!) to barbecue (Agni Kai!), from root-breaking to gooey-caking, from the families we lose to the families we choose, there’s a lot of adventure to explore and unpack. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad...
Jul 20, 2021•53 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast Janet and Dante are joined by former Nickelodeon exec Eric Coleman, who delves further into the development of ATLA and the stories behind some of the key moments and decisions that made the show work so beautifully. Listen in on this candid discussion with “The Godfather of Zuko” and learn more about Mike and Bryan’s early ideas, what it was like to work with them, and how to get ahead in a tough industry, all the way to getting a show made... while staying true to your vision! To learn more ab...
Jul 13, 2021•41 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast Janet and Dante recap some great listener interactions and then dig into Episode Two of ATLA: The Avatar Returns, which leads to some big revelations… Is Appa’s new nickname “the lazy canoe?” Did Zuko get bested by his own bed? Does Janet cry during EVERY episode of ATLA? Is Dante doing a British accent? And on a more serious note, Dante and Janet discuss how a shift in perspective can change the way you see your own life and choices! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices v...
Jul 06, 2021•55 min•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast It’s the second part of our two-episode illuminating chat with “Avatar” creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 29, 2021•52 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast Jump into a multilayered conversation with Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, the creative minds behind “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and “The Legend of Korra!” To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 25, 2021•56 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast In our first-ever episode: get to know Janet and Dante, find out what to expect in our first season, and dive into "The Boy in the Iceberg!” To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 22, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast Jump into the amazing world of Avatar with Nickelodeon’s official companion podcast, Avatar: Braving the Elements. Every Tuesday, join hosts Janet Varney and Dante Basco as they re-watch every episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender starting with Book 1. Special guests from cast members to producers join them to explore elements of the Avatarverse, including how Avatar was brought to life and behind-the-scenes info you can’t get anywhere else. To learn more about listener data and our privacy prac...
Jun 14, 2021•1 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
