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

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…

Riding Life’s Waves: Linda Altman on Survival, Love, and Letting Go

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 wit…

Hands That Heal: Melanye Rodriguez’s Journey from Curiosity to Purpose

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 broug…

Riding Life’s Waves: Madalina Tanase’s Story of Strength and Survival

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 diagn…

From Head to Heart John Chappelear’s Journey to Meaning and Impact

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 nothi…

Augustus Wolfe Barnes on Addiction, Recovery, and Unexpected Connections

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…

Think Globally, Act Locally: Native Sun's Aaron Gottlieb's Journey

Join us in this episode of Untold Stories as Aaron Gottlieb, the founder of Native Sun Natural Foods Market, takes the stage to share the compelling narrative behind his Jacksonville-based business. Aaron’s journey begins in his teenage years with a lesson from his father about the importance of th…

A Second Chance: Mike's Life-Altering Accident

Join us for a compelling episode of Untold Stories, where Mike Favo recounts his incredible journey from surviving a devastating car accident to rebuilding his life. After a drunk driver collided with his car, Mike faced severe injuries and a challenging recovery. Despite the physical and emotional…

Life’s Fourth Quarter: Mary Strickland’s Bold Moves

In this episode of Untold Stories, Mary Strickland takes us on a compelling journey through her life, from her childhood in the 1950s to her present-day challenges. Growing up in a large family in Somerset, New Jersey, Mary was determined to carve out a different path for herself. She pursued a nur…

From Jacksonville to Jamaica: A Caregiver's Tale

In this powerful episode of Untold Stories, Alexis Alexander shares her deeply moving journey of caregiving, from supporting her mother through terminal illnesses to donating a kidney. She recounts her challenges and triumphs, including a transformative trip to Jamaica and how she found a renewed s…