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 worl...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.