Josh Nava

Josh Nova is an English student at the University of Illinois Chicago with a deep passion for writing about underrepresented groups and the issues that shape their lives. His interest in working with Chicago LSD Radio comes from a desire to focus on cultural topics that often get sidelined by mainstream outlets, which tend to concentrate on crime, politics, and sports. He admires how Chicago LSD Radio, much like The Reader, centers its content around specific communities and cultural movements, giving voice to stories that don’t fit into the typical media narrative. Josh is especially drawn to the station’s commitment to uplifting the LGBT community in Chicago, and he hopes to use his writing to further amplify these voices and shed light on their experiences.

Having grown up in a world where mainstream media often overlooks the stories that matter most to him, Josh believes in the power of smaller, independent platforms like Chicago LSD Radio to help shift the conversation toward more meaningful and diverse topics. He’s excited to immerse himself in the city’s LGBT culture and learn more about the unique dynamics that make it such an important part of the community.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Josh is a cineaste who minored in Moving Image Arts at UIC. His senior thesis explored the depictions of masculinity and sexuality in biographical films, and he’s a dedicated follower of directors like Orson Welles, Ken Russell, Alejandro Jodorowsky, and Henri-Georges Clouzot. When he's not writing or watching films, Josh is an avid reader, with a particular fondness for literary fiction, gothic horror, and hard-boiled detective novels. His favorite authors include Charles Bukowski, Oscar Zeta Acosta, Yukio Mishima, and Nathanael West.

Fun facts about Josh: he's ambidextrous—he can write, pitch, catch, and even brush his teeth with either hand—and he’s the only one in his immediate family with this rare skill, as his siblings and mother are all left-handed.