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.

But the hardest wave he ever faced wasn’t in the water—it was the day his mother drove away, leaving him alone with nothing but a choice: sink under the weight of his circumstances or fight his way to the surface.

In this powerful episode of Untold Stories, Fenton shares his journey from abandonment to the battlefield, from fear to resilience. With humor, vulnerability, and the hard-earned wisdom of someone who has stood on the edge, he reminds us that while we can’t control the waves, we can always adjust our sails.

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. Behind every episode of 'Untold Stories,' artistic director Barbara Colaciello from BAB'S LAB is the creative force, carefully curating stories, mentoring the storytellers, and masterfully hosting the events.

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.

In this deeply moving episode of Untold Stories, Linda shares how she faced not one, but multiple cancer diagnoses, each time navigating with resilience, humor, and the unwavering support of her soulmate. From the toughest moments of grief to the absurdity of planning for death (and prematurely parting with a few personal belongings), Linda finds strength in the unexpected.

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. Behind every episode of 'Untold Stories,' artistic director Barbara Colaciello from BAB'S LAB is the creative force, carefully curating stories, mentoring the storytellers, and masterfully hosting the events.

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.

In this episode of Untold Stories, Melanye shares her journey from an uncertain student to a thriving business owner, from a massage therapist to a birth coach. Along the way, she navigates personal losses, the weight of responsibility, and the profound moments that make up a life well-lived. Through healing hands, an unexpected mentor, and the quiet guidance of a beloved pet, Melanye finds herself exactly where she’s meant to be.

As she stands in the delivery room, witnessing new life enter the world, she realizes something: sometimes, the most powerful transformations happen when we simply follow where life leads.

Untold Stories is a live storytelling event. Each performance features five local storytellers from all walks of life telling personal and transformative tales from their own lived experiences.

Each performance is based on a theme, and they all connect back to the culture of Northeast Florida. Untold Stories is not an open mic night, but a theatrical event curated by Artistic Director Barbara Colaciello. Each story performance is carefully crafted, and with the addition of a musical guest, each evening is akin to a series of mini-plays on a theme, taking you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, from laughter and tears to introspection and inspiration. The live Untold Stories series is recorded for a podcast hosted by WJCT Public Media.

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.

In this deeply personal and poignant episode of Untold Stories, Madalina shares her journey as an immigrant navigating academia, battling illness, and redefining resilience. With unwavering humor and vulnerability, she reflects on friendships that fortified her, losses that reshaped her, and the courage it takes to rebuild after life’s hardest knocks.

As she stands before us today—healthy, accomplished, and an American citizen—she leaves us with a powerful question: What will you do when the waves of life pull you under?

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, John shares the moments that shaped him—from childhood survival to entrepreneurial triumph, devastating loss, and finally, a shift that changed everything. With humor, honesty, and hard-won wisdom, he reveals how he moved from a life ruled by achievement to one grounded in connection, love, and lasting impact.

Untold Stories is a live storytelling event. Each performance features five local storytellers from all walks of life telling personal and transformative tales from their own lived experiences.

Each performance is based on a theme, and they all connect back to the culture of Northeast Florida. Untold Stories is not an open mic night, but a theatrical event curated by Artistic Director Barbara Colaciello. Each story performance is carefully crafted, and with the addition of a musical guest, each evening is akin to a series of mini-plays on a theme, taking you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, from laughter and tears to introspection and inspiration. The live Untold Stories series is recorded for a podcast hosted by WJCT Public Media.

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. Through humor and honesty, he shares how one small, unexpected moment—a stranger complimenting his Radiohead shirt—became a reminder of connection in the midst of life’s uncertainties.

Augustus Wolfe Barnas is a multi-disciplinary artist pursuing job stability and happiness. He spends much of his time bartending on Main and Forsyth, making amazing cocktails for bankers. Whenever he is off work, he writes music with the band Nine Thousand Dog Attack/Wet Embarrassment. These projects explore the depth of hardcore and the joy of living.

Untold Stories is a live storytelling event. Each performance features five local storytellers from all walks of life telling personal and transformative tales from their own lived experiences.

Each performance is based on a theme, and they all connect back to the culture of Northeast Florida. Untold Stories is not an open mic night, but a theatrical event curated by Artistic Director Barbara Colaciello. Each story performance is carefully crafted, and with the addition of a musical guest, each evening is akin to a series of mini-plays on a theme, taking you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, from laughter and tears to introspection and inspiration. The live Untold Stories series is recorded for a podcast hosted by WJCT Public Media.

In this episode of Untold Stories, Jaiquan Tyre transports us to the sweltering summer days of his youth in Jacksonville, Florida. Through vivid memories, he explores the balance between light and darkness, the joy of childhood imagination, and the poignant reality of loss. With a powerful spoken word performance, Jaquan unearths the resilience born from growing up in a challenging environment and the eventual growth that comes from facing fear and pain. His journey from a shy child to an artist finding his voice reflects the deep connection between life, art, and healing.

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.

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.

He shares how an unexpected pandemic, personal challenges, and a heartbreaking career setback led him to rediscover his purpose. From nearly giving up on his dreams to finding new meaning through teaching and art, Tony’s story is one of resilience, self-realization, and the power of letting go to embrace the life waiting for you.

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.

This episode of Untold Stories features Sunil Ancha, a long-time software engineer and dedicated volunteer, sharing his transformative journey from childhood in India to his passion for helping others through the American Red Cross. His story delves into life-changing moments of empathy, community service, and personal growth, offering a heartfelt look at what drives him to make a difference.

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 us for another episode of Untold Stories, featuring Renay 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.