Untold Stories

At nine years old, Fenton Reese nearly drowned in a public pool, an experience that left him with a lifelong fear of water. Years later, in a cruel twist of irony, he found himself on the waves again—this time as a Marine, tasked with boarding enemy ships in the middle of the ocean. It was just one of many moments that tested his resolve.

After decades of corporate life, Linda Altman had a plan: escape to Thailand, sit in a cave, and find peace. But life, as it often does, had other ideas. A spontaneous change in direction led her to adventure across Southeast Asia, then back to Jacksonville, where a new journey began—one filled with yoga, love, loss, and a fight for survival.

Melanye Rodriguez never expected to find her calling in the back of an old car with a bottle of scented lotion—but life has a way of leading us exactly where we need to go. A childhood spent outdoors, a knack for working through tension—both physical and emotional—and an openness to curiosity brought her into the world of massage therapy. But when a friend asked her to be her doula, Melanye's world expanded in ways she never imagined.

Madalina Tanase thought surfing in Hawaii would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience—until a rogue wave took her under, reminding her that control is often an illusion. Years later, on the cusp of fulfilling her dream of motherhood, another unexpected wave crashed into her life: a breast cancer diagnosis that would change everything.

As a six-year-old, John Chappelear found freedom skating through the marble halls of the U.S. Capitol—until a police officer caught him, again. As a young man, he built a thriving business, only to have it stripped away in a single day. And as a father, he realized that success on paper meant nothing if he didn't know how to live from the heart.

In this episode of Untold Stories, storyteller Augustus Wolfe Barnes reflects on the waves that have shaped his life—navigating school, experimenting with drugs, and searching for direction.

Untold Stories, produced by the Florida Theater and WJCT Public Media, presents a captivating live performance by spoken word artist Jaiquan Tyre. In this episode, Jaiqun takes us on a journey through his childhood in Jacksonville's Eureka Gardens, blending vivid memories with reflections on imagination, loss, and the resilience born from storytelling.

Sunil Acha shares his inspiring journey from a young boy in India to a software engineer and passionate volunteer with the American Red Cross. His story explores moments of empathy and service that shaped his life's mission to help others.

Join us for another episode of Untold Stories, featuring Renee Daigle, a Jacksonville resident with over 35 years of local ties. In this lively and humorous story, Renee takes us back to the summer of 1993 when her sales job at the Jacksonville Business Journal led to an unforgettable encounter with a stranded billboard repairman. From navigating waist-high grass in high heels to overcoming her fears of snakes and bugs, Renee humorously recounts the challenges she faced in an impromptu rescue mission. With sharp wit, she reflects on her personality—caring deeply and always embracing difficult situations—and how it shaped this quirky adventure. Ultimately, Renee's story leaves us with a message about staying true to who we are, no matter the challenges.Untold Stories is a production of the historic Florida Theatre.Barbara Colaciello is the Artistic Director and the host of the show. Numa Saisselin is the President of the Florida Theatre.The live recordings of Untold Stories were made by Jeremy Moore and Eric Stanfield. Saul Lucio is the Technical Director of the Florida Theatre.WJCT Producers are Brady Corum, David Luckin and Letisha Bereola.The live performances of Untold Stories were made possible by a generous gift from the Wolfburg Family.To see all of WJTC's Podcasts, click here.

Join Kelli Suzanne as she takes us through the transformative summers of her life in this episode of Untold Stories. From meeting her husbands to raising her children and finally reclaiming her identity as an artist and designer, Kelli's journey is a poignant reminder of the beauty in both the chaotic and calm moments of life. As she navigates the joys and challenges of motherhood, Kelli discovers that while some things change, the essence of who she is remains the same.

In this powerful episode of Untold Stories, Amaris DeLeon shares her journey of resilience and self-discovery. From a challenging childhood to finding solace and community at the University of North Florida, Amaris's story is one of overcoming adversity, embracing interfaith connections, and redefining what it means to find a true home.

Haley Tinkle shares her journey through girlhood, community involvement, and the joy found in creativity and connection.

Follow Adam Madrid's inspiring journey from a dream deferred to becoming a celebrated filmmaker in Jacksonville.

In this episode of Untold Stories, Aaron Gottlieb, founder of Native Sun Kitchen & Market, shares his journey of building a local business from the ground up. From learning his first business lesson as a teenager to overcoming the challenges of competition and the impact of COVID-19, Aaron's story is one of resilience, community, and the power of thinking globally while acting locally.

In this episode of Untold Stories, Mike shares his harrowing experience of surviving a near-fatal car accident and the remarkable journey of recovery that followed. His tale of resilience, community support, and personal growth is one you won't forget.

Mary Strickland shares her incredible journey from growing up in the 1950s, navigating various careers from nursing to business, becoming a CEO, and finally facing new challenges at 65. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the pursuit of passion.

Alexis Alexander shares her journey of caregiving, personal growth, and finding fulfillment through challenges, from Jacksonville to Jamaica and back again.

Explore the inspiring narratives of Michael Jordan, Arsun F!st, Tricia Booker, and Philip Pan in "Fish Out of Water, Part 2" from "Untold Stories," delving into themes of resilience, identity, and creative transformation.

Discover the unique journeys of Michael Jordan, Antoinette Johnson, Ana Ng, and Grant Nielson as they navigate through their diverse 'fish out of water' experiences, highlighting resilience and self-discovery.

Explore 'Untold Stories': Yhang's battle with cancer in Venezuela, Hope's transformative Alabama trip, and Matt's global journey from Jacksonville.

Dive into 'Untold Stories': Jolie's nostalgic tunes, Yanira's cultural odyssey from Puerto Rico to Jacksonville, Bob's quest from Goober to fame, and Yvette's fight for freedom.

"Out of the Swamp, Part 2" features storytellers True Poet, Erica Saffer, and David Girard sharing personal and inspiring stories of survival, resilience, and transformation, with the bluesy music of Brent Byrd tying it all together.

"Out of the Swamp, Part 1" features storytellers Johnny Masiulewicz, Naga Wasserman, and Ebony Payne-English sharing their tales of resilience and courage, with music by Brent Byrd.

"Ebbs and Flows, Part 2" features storytellers Angela TenBroeck, Willie Evans Jr, and Anna Jacobson, along with musical guest Meredith Mason. The stories range from a farmer's search for balance to a beat maker's heartwarming tale of learning to swim, to a family's journey through Hurricane Irma.

The first episode of Untold Stories, "Ebbs and Flows, Part 1" features singer-songwriter Meredith Mason and three storytellers: Zonnetta Marie, Kedgar Volta, and Johnathan Ross. Afterwards, the podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the series and highlights the unique power of live storytelling to bring people together, build empathy, and celebrate the beauty of human connection.

Discover the fascinating and transformative narratives of Northeast Florida residents with Untold Stories, the live oral storytelling series now available as a podcast, brought to you by WJCT Public Media and the Florida Theatre.Tune in to the first season of Untold Stories wherever you get your podcasts. Don't miss out on this opportunity to hear inspiring and thought-provoking stories from some of the most interesting individuals in Northeast Florida.