Joe Chianakas meets host Whitney Reynolds for his interview on PBS's The Whitney Reynolds Show
Joe Chianakas
Author | Professor | Speaker
Featured nationally on PBS’s The Whitney Reynolds Show for his work
in storytelling, education, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and representation.
FEATURED MEDIA
PBS WHITNEY REYNOLDS SEGMENT
WTVP AT ISSUE INTERVIEW
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25 NEWS WEEK TV INTERVIEW
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JOE CHIANAKAS -- PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY
Joe Chianakas is an award-winning author, professor, public speaker, and LGBTQ+ advocate whose work explores identity, resilience, hope, and the power of storytelling to help people feel seen. A multi-time Teacher of the Year winner, Joe teaches communication and writing courses while encouraging students and readers alike to embrace authenticity, empathy, creativity, and self-expression.
Joe is the author of multiple novels spanning young adult fiction and horror. His Unveiling Aiden series, including Singlets and Secrets and Pride and Persistence, reimagines a martial-arts coming-of-age story through a queer lens, exploring masculinity, first love, bullying, chosen family, and the courage to stand up for who you are. Pride and Persistence was named a finalist for the 2025 Imaginarium Award for Best Young Adult Book of the Year.
His horror fiction, including Darkness Calls and Rabbit in Red, blends suspense, emotional depth, childhood fears, grief, and symbolic storytelling. Darkness Calls was named a finalist for the 2026 Imaginarium Award for Best Horror Book of the Year.
In 2025, Joe received the River City Pride Arts & Entertainment Award for his contributions to LGBTQ+ visibility and representation through storytelling, education, and advocacy. He has appeared at Pride events, schools, libraries, conferences, and community organizations throughout the Midwest, speaking about communication, representation, creativity, identity, and resilience.
Joe recently made his national television debut on PBS’s nationally syndicated The Whitney Reynolds Show, where he discussed storytelling, education, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and helping readers feel less alone through fiction and authentic representation.
Through his books, speaking, and teaching, Joe continues to champion stories that remind people, especially those who have ever felt like outsiders, that they deserve to be the hero of their own story.
Joe Chianakas is an award-winning author, professor, public speaker, and LGBTQ+ advocate whose work explores identity, resilience, hope, and the power of storytelling to help people feel seen. A multi-time Teacher of the Year winner, Joe teaches communication and writing courses while encouraging students and readers alike to embrace authenticity, empathy, creativity, and self-expression.
Joe is the author of multiple novels spanning young adult fiction and horror. His Unveiling Aiden series, including Singlets and Secrets and Pride and Persistence, reimagines a martial-arts coming-of-age story through a queer lens, exploring masculinity, first love, bullying, chosen family, and the courage to stand up for who you are. Pride and Persistence was named a finalist for the 2025 Imaginarium Award for Best Young Adult Book of the Year.
His horror fiction, including Darkness Calls and Rabbit in Red, blends suspense, emotional depth, childhood fears, grief, and symbolic storytelling. Darkness Calls was named a finalist for the 2026 Imaginarium Award for Best Horror Book of the Year.
In 2025, Joe received the River City Pride Arts & Entertainment Award for his contributions to LGBTQ+ visibility and representation through storytelling, education, and advocacy. He has appeared at Pride events, schools, libraries, conferences, and community organizations throughout the Midwest, speaking about communication, representation, creativity, identity, and resilience.
Joe recently made his national television debut on PBS’s nationally syndicated The Whitney Reynolds Show, where he discussed storytelling, education, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and helping readers feel less alone through fiction and authentic representation.
Through his books, speaking, and teaching, Joe continues to champion stories that remind people, especially those who have ever felt like outsiders, that they deserve to be the hero of their own story.
Some of Joe's favorite news stories and interviews (click the image to be taken to the story)
First Published In Peoria Journal Star then featured in USA TODAY
Unveiling Darkness Calls 25 News WEEK Interview
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WGLT Radio Interview
Put Your Anger Into Your Art Podcast Interview
25 News WEEK TV Interview for Singlets and Secrets
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Peoria Journal Start feature on Darkness Calls
Local Author Celebrates Bestseller WMBD News Interview
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