Untold Stories

Untold Stories

Untold Stories is a captivating live oral storytelling series that offers a platform for Northeast Florida residents to share their unique and inspiring experiences with the world. From artists and tradespeople to shopkeepers and professors, everyone has a story to tell, and Untold Stories provides a space for these narratives to be heard. Join us as we explore the vibrant tapestry of life in Northeast Florida, one story at a time. Untold Stories is produced live on stage by the Florida Theatre, and the radio show and podcast is produced by WJCT Public Media and the Florida Theatre. Barbara Colaciello is the artistic director. The 2022-2023 season of Untold Stories at the Florida Theatre is made possible in part through the generous support of the Wolfburg family.

Episodes

Sinking, Swimming, and Surviving: How Fenton Reese Found His Way

April 14, 2025
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.
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Riding Life’s Waves: Linda Altman on Survival, Love, and Letting Go

March 30, 2025
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.
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Hands That Heal: Melanye Rodriguez’s Journey from Curiosity to Purpose

March 21, 2025
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 imagin...
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Riding Life’s Waves: Madalina Tanase’s Story of Strength and Survival

March 17, 2025
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.
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From Head to Heart: John Chappelear’s Journey to Meaning and Impact

March 9, 2025
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.
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Augustus Wolfe Barnes on Addiction, Recovery, and Unexpected Connections

March 2, 2025
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.
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Hide and Seek: Jaiquan Tyre's Journey of Light and Darkness

September 30, 2024
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.
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The Life I Didn’t Plan: Thony Aiuppy's Artistic Journey

September 22, 2024
Thony Aiuppy takes us on a deeply personal journey, starting from a chance encounter in an art gallery that sparked a 19-year love story, to his struggles in balancing family, art, and career ambitions.
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From India to America: A Lifelong Mission to Help Others with Sunil Ancha

September 15, 2024
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.
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Renay Diagle is Difficult But Worth It

September 8, 2024
Renay Diagle 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.
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The Seasons of Motherhood and Self-Discovery With Kelli Suzanne

September 3, 2024
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...
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Redefining Home: A Story of Resilience With Amaris DeLeon

August 25, 2024
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.
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Haley Tinkle: The Art of Girlhood

August 18, 2024
Haley Tinkle shares her journey through girlhood, community involvement, and the joy found in creativity and connection.
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Behind the Lens: Adam Madrid’s Rise in Filmmaking

August 11, 2024 • 22 mins
Follow Adam Madrid’s inspiring journey from a dream deferred to becoming a celebrated filmmaker in Jacksonville.
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Think Globally, Act Locally: Native Sun's Aaron Gottlieb's Journey

August 4, 2024
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.
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A Second Chance: Mike Favo's Life-Altering Accident

July 28, 2024
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.
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Life’s Fourth Quarter: Mary Strickland’s Bold Moves

July 21, 2024
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.
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From Jacksonville to Jamaica: A Caregiver's Tale

July 13, 2024
Alexis Alexander shares her journey of caregiving, personal growth, and finding fulfillment through challenges, from Jacksonville to Jamaica and back again.
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Fish Out of Water, Part 2

December 17, 2023
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.
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Fish Out of Water, Part 1

December 10, 2023
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.
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