Joe
Erbentraut

Joe Erbentraut (he/they) is a writer, editor, content leader, and a lactose-challenged Scorpio originally from rural southern Wisconsin.

Currently, Joe works as a freelance writer and editor for several national publications. Most recently, he was a weekend editor for PEOPLE Magazine’s PEOPLE App as well as an editorial director at Thrillist, a Vox Media travel and lifestyle publication. He also was the senior news editor at Built In, managing editor at Dose/OMGFacts, and senior reporter and editor at The Huffington Post.

Joe’s work has also appeared in the Village Voice, Fodor’s, Outside, Taste of Home, Better Homes & Gardens, Loyola Today, Block Club Chicago, Only in Your State, Riot Fest Magazine, INTO, Gapers Block, Windy City Times, Chicagoist, the 2013 queer anthology Boys, and elsewhere. In 2017, he was selected as a National Press Foundation fellow. He holds a degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Joe’s writing on politics and pop culture can be found in the popular Queering the Burbs newsletter and in his zine series of the same name. His insights on digital journalism have been featured on Your First Byline, Inbox Collective, Debt Heads, and The Interviewist.

Beyond writing, he previously co-hosted the pop culture podcast Coffee and Bars. He also worked as DJ and co-founded both an annual Kate Bush tribute night in Chicago and a monthly LGBTQ+ community fundraising event called Subject to Change.

Joe currently lives in the Chicago area with his husband Stefin, an extremely vocal black cat, and a sizable vinyl record collection.

Joe is currently available for contract or freelance editorial work, as well as full-time journalism or content roles. He’s also available for consulting work, speaking engagements, workshops, and other collaborations. Get in touch here.