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.
