The Heart of the Story with Gary Metivier

04/07/2024

It's fun to see this inspirational story get a big surge in views. A man, who as a little boy loved trains. Now he is using model trains to get his life back on track, Check it out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epMUck6N0iQ

Kevin Huggins loves trains--big and small. See how he has taken this hobby and transformed his life with model trains and tracks.He is sharing his passion ho...

23/06/2024

It was on a day like this at his hometown airshow that his dreams would begin. He did the work to turn that dream into reality.
https://youtu.be/uRdkp3_0SB0

04/06/2024

Listen to our latest podcast here! The Bob Juarez story QCA Adaptive Sports Association

A firefighter injured battling a blaze in his hometown, finds a way to inspire others to live life to the fullest. Listen how Bob Juarez turned his darkest days into hope for himself and hundreds of others through adaptive sports. 

04/06/2024

I have a shot of inspiration for you! Take a moment to watch my new story on Bob Juarez and QCA Adaptive Sports Association. Thanks to Quad City Veterans Outreach Center for teaming up with them to start a new program!

Shout out to the small companies helping us share inspiring stories like this.
Petersen Plumbing & Heating QCA Pools & Spas Morrison Community Hospital

Firefighter Bob Juarez injured his spinal cord fighting a blaze in his hometown. Driven by his family and community --he was determined to keep living life t...

01/05/2024

After a wonderful weekend as keynote for the literacy luncheon at the rotary district conference, I am putting the finishing touches for a new program for this Saturday at Mercer County Historical Society!!! I had this idea in my head for two years, and now It is about done ! Hope you see
You there! Doors open 6:30.

28/04/2024

Cool memory showed up on my phone as I am planning the release of some big news for this nature series and other projects !

26/04/2024

We are in the final hours of people’s choice voting for a national award on our The Arc of the Quad Cities Area promotion!!! We need your help. Rate is five stars. You have to sign up but that’s just to keep voting fair. We appreciate the extra effort as we try to showcase this important and inspiring project teaming the Quad City Steamwheelers with arc and QCA Pools & Spas

18/04/2024

I just posted this inspirational story about local legend Dan Kennedy. Thanks to my new friends at Quad Cities On Air for help with some throwback photos!

Also appreciate the support of the caring folks that support positive stories like this! Petersen Plumbing & Heating Morrison Community Hospital and QCA Pools & Spas

After decades of radio reporting and hosting a local legend finds himself fighting for air. Dan Kennedy takes us his journey to find a donor before his body ...

09/04/2024

was honored last night, This story of his giving spirit sums up the positive impact he had on some of the people he was able to connect with. it continues to be one of our most watched segments. check it out if you haven't already.
https://youtu.be/szDi4yMyzhw

Toby Keith changes a family's life by calling a little girl with a rare disorder onto the stage at the Mississippi Valley Fair. Now she is putting the call o...

07/04/2024

Fred and Cathie Whiteside are off to Boston Marathon 2024 again! Run, Fred, Run! You are quite the inspiration (and make some of us feel like slackers for sure:))
https://youtu.be/hwGfBTS2ew8

Fred Whiteside has spent his life finding ways to give back --from volunteering and organizing races to coaching the next generation of athletes. Now Fred is...

26/03/2024

Please help me give a thank you to this amazing woman who helped make and preserve history . Julia Unkrich

18/02/2024

It is so nice to see a story of an act of kindness spreading so quickly and being shared by so many people. our story on has been watched by nearly 16,000 people in the last few days.
be inspired! let me know your favorite part.

Toby Keith changes a family's life by calling a little girl with a rare disorder onto the stage at the Mississippi Valley Fair. Now she is putting the call o...

14/02/2024

So cool to see this act of kindness by keith inspire so many people! And it happened right here in our own backyard at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds.

The time Toby Keith called a little girl with life challenges of her own on stage! And how it changed both of their lives. See the full story. https://youtu....

31/01/2024

Hey Bob! While you are tooling around up there with your pals in heaven, your story is being watched and shared big time down here! It brings a smile to my face to see this story topping the charts for the last several weeks! nearly 22,000 views.

We are back in Bob and Donna's garage to check out these truly American classics. Cushman scooters made history with their unique design and concept. The com...

20/01/2024

It is nice to see an inspirational story like this one on Toby keiths get shared so much so longer after posted. Positive News, Uplifting Stories and Inspirational Pics and Quotes Inspirational Stories

Toby Keith changes a family's life by calling a little girl with a rare disorder onto the stage at the Mississippi Valley Fair. Now she is putting the call o...

09/01/2024

Who is happy to see weather like this (near blizzard in Midwest? These families are. They depend on winter ice to keep their food cool all summer long. See how they do it.

In this The Heart of the Story with Gary Metivier podcast we take you inside the world of ice harvesting with photographer David Marvitz. David has former a ...

08/01/2024

In this special Americana Series we take you inside Joni's Diner in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. This is the American spirit alive and well! A couple with a dream of having their own old-fashioned diner and bringing in their culinary chef daughter to add a new twist to the menu. A taste of the past mixed...

31/12/2023

As we look ahead to big steps in 2024 (more streaming and tv platforms!) we look back at the top three stories of the year. Two of them happen to have my great friend Bob Petersen Petersen Plumbing & Heating in them! Watch and subscribe to see what we are working on now. Top three stories below. Link to subscribe here https://bit.ly/2Or1tC2
https://youtu.be/-jCgDDiWP6o
https://youtu.be/EUE4areHAbA

27/12/2023

Big things are coming this year for the heart of the story and wild with gary metivier . Make sure to follow us and subscribe on YouTube ! We will be expanding to other streaming aps and public tv!

"The Heart of the Story" channel showcases inspiring stories of everyday people doing cool stuff! I hope you will subscribe and help us keep growing!Find us...

20/12/2023

Our new western trailer is out!

When my son and I watched samples of his work, I became determined to work with Chandler Stewart. Now we can officially share the trailer with you!
Beyond my role of Brass Parker, I joined the team as producer to help spread the word. I was honored as "best supporting actor" in one of the festivals. I do believe we are just getting started. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LI-4W3_UNE
Congrats to amazing cast and crew who worked so hard in the 100 plus degree temps --even overnight--in Texas!
Please tag yourselves to help me.

07/12/2023

Just posted a cool new story! Couple realizing their dream of bringing classic cars back to life. You will enjoy their journey story!

Craig and Catherine love to restore classic cars in their shop Jaguar Alley in Davenport, Iowa. They show us how they do it with a jaguar that many thought c...

15/11/2023

The streetlights were dark. Black-out curtains hung on every window on every home. The buzz of bombers circled above, searching for targets in the night. For a little girl named Norma, this was the only life she knew. This was life in World War II England. A shiny apple for Christmas was all her ...

29/08/2023

Levi the artist podcast is up! Take a listen. Incredibly inspirational young man!
Levi the Artist
Listen here https://five.libsyn.com/episodes/view/27884760

27/07/2023

This will cool you down in a heat wave. Imagine being without ac right now.

In this The Heart of the Story with Gary Metivier podcast we take you inside the world of ice harvesting with photographer David Marvitz. David has former a ...

17/06/2023

podcast posting now for Bob and Donna's Garage. This episode they tell the incredible story of bringing a Ford Fronty back to life--and turning it into a family experience!

27/05/2023

Worth a listen! She is so inspiring as she explains how she learned how to play the bugle to honor those lost. She just surpassed 3,000 tributes.

In this The Heart of the Story with Gary Metivier we introduce you to Tracy  Hepner, a volunteer bugler. Inspired to perform for others, she found her calling using her talents to give a gift to veterans and their families. Now, with a shortage of people available to pay tribute at military fun...

06/04/2023

If you are into running, you have likely heard of this man and his wife. The Whitesides have dedicated much of their lives to giving back--through volunteering, coaching and supporting so many causes. They also happen to be very good friends of mine (Cathie was one of the reasons I moved here 20 something years ago to work at ).
You gotta watch this story on Fred! and listen to the extended interview on my podcast. Links to both are in the comments below.

06/03/2023

Want a dose of inspiration on your walk or run today? Listen to this young women talk about her strategies, her hopes and dreams--and more importantly the life-lessons she is getting from her time on the track.
listen here or any podcast platform. https://theheartofthestory.libsyn.com/born-to-run-pre-teen-national-champ-shares-her-strategy
or watch on Youtube. Please subscribe.
https://youtu.be/tkB3GKWsUiY

23/12/2022

It is a unique Christmas story. All he wants for his family is to be in a safe home. Spoiler alert! He gets it! But you will be blown away by his journey to get there. If you are driving around or just soaking in the tub--this sounds like a dateline piece :) give a listen. Share with a friend. https://theheartofthestory.libsyn.com/left-behind-but-not-forgotten-the-final-chapter

17/12/2022

Do you send Christmas cards still? Well, there is a man who has spent decades sending cards and letters--mostly to people he has never met. It is his service, his mission, his gift.
This year marks the last for Paul B. Laird. Please leave a note and help us thank this man and his wife who have given so much with truly the expectation of nothing in return.
Listen to his story here or any podcast platform. https://theheartofthestory.libsyn.com/ep-63-pauls-postcards-youve-got-mail