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.

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.

Melanye Rodriguez never expected to find her calling in the back of an old car with a bottle of scented lotion&mdash;but life has a way of leading us exactly where we need to go. A childhood spent outdoors, a knack for working through tension&mdash;both physical and emotional&mdash;and an openness to curiosity brought her into the world of massage therapy. But when a friend asked her to be her doula, Melanye&rsquo;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&rsquo;s meant to be.
<a href="https://www.floridatheatre.com/events/detail/untold-stories-5" data-cms-ai="0">Untold Stories</a>&nbsp;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.

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.