Nia Chiaramonte : I Hardly Knew Me | A Trans Journey of Religion, Marriage, and Family

On this episode, Caroline, Cynthia, and Jordan sit down with Nia Chiaramonte, author of I Hardly Knew Me, co-founder of Love in the Face, and featured voice in the Hulu documentary We Live Here. Nia takes us through her profound journey, from growing up in an evangelical Christian family in Iowa, to embracing her truth as a transgender woman, wife, mother of five, and advocate for queer families.

Together, we explore the intersections of faith, family, and identity along with what it means to deconstruct deeply rooted religious beliefs while building a life grounded in authenticity, love, and resilience. Nia shares the power of writing as both survival and testimony, and how she and her wife Katie have transformed personal struggle into a model of community care and advocacy.

This conversation is about courage, truth-telling, and the necessity of unlearning shame in order to build futures of belonging. Nia reminds us that unconditional love is not a theory, it’s a daily practice of survival, joy, and resistance in a world that often denies all three.

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Nia Chiaramonte (kara-MONtae), with her wife Katie J. Chiaramonte, is the co-founder of Love in the Face and co-author of Embracing Queer Family. Together, they work to support transgender and LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families on their journeys of self-discovery. She and Katie were featured in the Hulu documentary We Live Here.

Nia is also the author of I Hardly Knew Me: Following Love, Faith, and Skittles to a Transgender Awakening, a memoir written not in hindsight but in real-time moments of transition, faith deconstruction, and self-acceptance. With humor and vulnerability, she shares the lived realities of trans experience—from family conversations and faith community fallout, to resilience, love, and the radical act of becoming visible.

From navigating her marriage and parenting five children, to building resources for queer families, Nia’s work embodies the belief that true liberation begins with telling our stories and creating spaces where love is stronger than shame.

📖 Learn more:

• ​ I Hardly Knew Me — [https://www.lakedrivebooks.com/books/i-hardly-knew-me/]
• ​ Love in the Face — https://loveintheface.com

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About the Podcast

The Trans Narrative Podcast is a storytelling platform centering trans voices through authentic dialogue and lived experiences. With over 130 episodes across four seasons and listeners in 69 countries, the show creates space for guests to share their journeys, insights, and work—on their own terms.

“Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus, covered by Boy Bowser

The Trans Narrative was created, and produced by Caroline Penny, powered by Spotify for Podcasters.

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Resources

Suicide Hotline 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends) 1-800-DONT-CUT

American Foundation for Low Vision 212-502-7633

Trevor Project (Suicide) 1-866-4-U-TREVOR

Family Violence Prevention Center 1-800-313-1310

National Domestic Violence Hotline [phone]-SAFE

Drug Abuse National Helpline 1-800-662-4357

National Human Service Call Center 2-1-1