A special episode on food sustainability in San Antonio from farm to table that revisits two of the first episodes of bigcitysmalltown. Look back with us as food systems activist Mitch Hagney and Chef Elizabeth Johnson discuss the sustainability of food systems and how we can increase access to local, healthy food for the citizens of San Antonio. Their unique perspectives take on a different flavor when consumed together. Enjoy this episode on food policy, culture and history in our city. Mitch ...
Mar 15, 2024•44 min•Ep. 48
How is San Antonio perfectly positioned to blend LatAm culture with an American mindset to attract and retain talent? This week’s guest is Ileana Gonzales, the CEO of Tech Bloc, a position she assumed in 2023. Like a storm in 2015, Tech Bloc’s impact was significant and rapid, and energized the previously unorganized tech community. Gonzales is a Guadalajara-born millennial who came to San Antonio to attend UTSA and was inspired to stay. Listen as we talk about the state of the startup community...
Mar 08, 2024•32 min•Ep. 47
Can you afford to die? This week’s guest is Maura Bobbitt, a death rights advocate focused on envisioning a future where our death and grief practices can be individually- and community-focused, radically accepting, environmentally-friendly, and divested from capitalist forces.
Mar 01, 2024•45 min•Ep. 46
Governor Greg Abbott and the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature failed to improve public school funding, despite a $33 billion surplus and the high cost of inflation. Listen as this week’s guest, Dr. Jaime Aquino, shares his vision for education as superintendent of the San Antonio Independent School District, the city’s largest inner city public school district with about 45,000 students, 90% of whom are Latino and economically disadvantaged.
Feb 26, 2024•53 min•Ep. 45
This week’s guest is Veronica Salazar, Executive Vice President for Business Affairs and Chief Enterprise Development Officer at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Could UTSA's Institutute of Texan Cultures become the future site of a new Spurs arena? Listen as Veronica Salazar discusses the future of UTSA's presence downtown. The university’s Chief Enterprise Development Officer, Ms. Salazar oversees the Campus Master Plan and the continuing expansion of the Downtown Campus, including the ...
Feb 19, 2024•41 min•Ep. 44
This week’s guest is Humberto G. Garcia, a San Antonio attorney, avid golfer, and author of "Mustang Miracle," a book chronicling the inspiring small-town Texas story of five Mexican-American caddies in segregated Del Rio who overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles to form the San Felipe Mustangs Golf Team. Overcoming racism, exclusion, and poverty in a deeply segregated city and state, they went on to win the 1957 State High School Golf Championship. Garcia’s book has become a major motion ...
Feb 12, 2024•48 min•Ep. 43
This week’s guest is Charles Blank, co-founder of the local nonprofit River Aid San Antonio (RASA), the volunteer organization that leads monthly cleanups of litter and dumped materials that perpetually clog and deface San Antonio’s watershed, its network of creeks and the San Antonio River. Saturday, Feb. 17 will mark the 29th anniversary of Basura Bash, the annual, one-day, citywide anti-litter event. River Aid has become the host of the event. River Aid...
Feb 05, 2024•40 min
On this episode of bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard, Bob is joined by Nicholas Frank, senior arts reporter for the San Antonio Report as they speak with Juan Tejeda, founder of the San Antonio Conjunto Festival. He has published a family memoir centered on the life of his brother Frank Tejeda, former U.S. Marine and decorated Vietnam War vet, state legislator, city councilman, Congressman, and Southside leader who died at the age of 51 in 1997.
Jan 29, 2024•51 min
This week’s guest is Laura Terrill, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood South Texas, a position she assumed last year following the retirement of longtime CEO Jeffrey Hons. Laura joined Planned Parenthood in 2012 as executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Orregon in Portland. Before coming to San Antonio, she served as vice president of external affairs at Planned Parenthood of Montana in Bozeman. Planned Parenthood South Texas Laura Terrill on LinkedIn bigcitysmalltown website...
Jan 22, 2024•43 min
This week on the bigcitysmalltown podcast, host Bob Rivard welcomes Carlos Contreras, CEO and President of Goodwill Industries in San Antonio. As Carlos shares insights about San Antonio’s economic challenges—with nearly half its population financially insecure—he underscores Goodwill’s mission: lifting individuals above precarious living conditions towards sustainability and self-sufficiency. Goodwill San Antonio website Visit the official bigcitysmalltown website...
Jan 15, 2024•53 min
The setting is Velocity TX, once a cold storage complex now reimagined by Rene Dominguez and his team at the Texas Research and Technology Foundation (TRTF). They're igniting growth in the city's near East side with a focus on bioscience and healthcare. Dominguez reflects on TRTF's four-decade journey since General McDermott's ambitious vision for a research park akin to North Carolina’s Research Triangle. Despite initial challenges attracting tenants due to its remote location, TRTF pivoted tow...
Jan 08, 2024•49 min
bigcitysmalltown will return on January 8th, 2024 with a brand new episode. We extend heartfelt thanks to Graham Weston and his company Western Urban, alongside Geekdom for their unwavering support throughout the year. Our journey has been enriched by the people who contribute daily to San Antonio's progress – you can catch up on all episodes at bigcitysmalltown.com.
Dec 25, 2023•9 min
On this episode of bigcitysmalltown, host Bob Rivard welcomes Fr. Eddy Morales. On May 24th, 2022, Uvalde was shaken by Texas' deadliest school shooting at Robb Elementary School - 19 students and two teachers perished. In grief's shadow, Father Eddy guided his community through loss with funerals for over half the victims and nurturing healing in its aftermath. Recognized nationally for his compassionate service during this dark chapter, Father Eddy Morales received the US Surgeon General’s Med...
Dec 18, 2023•47 min
In this episode, host Bob Rivard converses with special guest Trish DeBerry, CEO and President of Centro San Antonio. They discuss the evolution and revitalization of downtown San Antonio, its challenges amid corporate departures and COVID-19 impacts, as well as the future vision for urban development. Key Points Discussed: 1. Centro San Antonio's Role in Urban Development: Centro San Antonio oversees public improvement districts including iconic areas like the Riverwalk and Alamo Plaza while ad...
Dec 11, 2023•48 min
In this episode of bigcitysmalltown, host Bob Rivard welcomes Dr. Ryan Lugalia-Hollon - CEO of UP Partnership, a non-profit education advocacy organization in San Antonio. Lugalia-Hollon shares his journey from Chicago to San Antonio, his family background, and the innovative initiatives he's leading to enhance education and community development in the city. Key Discussions: Personal Background: Dr. Lugalia-Hollon discusses his family's Texas roots, his upbringing, and his academic and professi...
Dec 04, 2023•51 min
Here's a brief show note for the "Big City Small Town" podcast episode: This week's episode of bigcitysmall town" dives into the impactful work of Bria Woods and Iris Dimmick, who collaborated on the FREED project, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of individuals released from Texas state prisons as they reintegrate into society. The project, a deep exploration into the struggles of re-establishment post-incarceration, shines a liight on an initiative designed to equip former inmates with...
Nov 27, 2023•40 min
In this episode with bigcitysmalltown , host Bob Rivard welcomes Beto Altamirano, a renowned innovator and entrepreneur hailing from San Antonio, South Texas. Altamirano, widely recognized for his influential role in tech and civic engagement, shares his inspiring journey from his upbringing in the Rio Grande Valley to becoming a pivotal figure in urban technology and government. Episode Highlights: Background and Early Influences: Altamirano discusses his formative years in Mission, Texas, emph...
Nov 13, 2023•51 min
In this episode of bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard, the conversation delves into the fascinating world of art, culture, and city revitalization with our special guest, Emily Neff, the Kelso director at the San Antonio Museum of Art. Emily's extensive experience as a museum director and curator, combined with her passion for enriching cultural assets, brings a fresh perspective to the thriving city of San Antonio. As she shares her insights and expertise, you'll uncover the secrets to successful...
Nov 06, 2023•49 min
On this episode of bigcitysmall town with Bob Rivard, Bob welcomes Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, the leader of the Greater San Antonio Economic Development Foundation. Jenna Saucedo-Herrera is the CEO and president of greater: SATX, a private, public nonprofit organization dedicated to driving economic growth and attracting quality jobs to San Antonio and the region. With years of experience in economic development, Jenna leads a team that actively markets the San Antonio region to companies around the...
Oct 30, 2023•44 min
On this epsode ofbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard, my guest Henry Cisneros shares the remarkable economic growth and transformation happening in San Antonio, driven by diverse industries and fueled by favorable factors like tax incentives and population influx. Serving as the mayor of San Antonio from 1981 to 1989 and later as the Secretary for Housing and Urban Development under President Clinton, he has extensive experience in government and public service. Currently, he holds the position of ...
Oct 23, 2023•50 min
Andrew Anguiano is this week's guest on Bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard. He is the founder of Southside Craft Soda and the founding executive director of Southside First Economic Development Council. With a background in craft beer and marketing, Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the beverage industry. Southside Craft Soda is a local brand that offers unique and flavorful sodas inspired by the rich culture of South Texas. Andrew's dedication to supporting local businesses an...
Oct 16, 2023•43 min
This week’s guest on bigcitysmalltown is Michael Acevedo, an educator, musician and associate professor in UTSA’s School of Music. Of particular interest is Michael’s work as director of Mariachi Los Paisanos. Anyone who has attended a home game of the Roadrunners football team has been treated to an on-field halftime performance of Mariachi Los Paisanos, its members dressed in full mariachi traje, or costume. As a longtime aficionado of the Mexican folkloric music tradition. During this podcast...
Oct 09, 2023•32 min
This week on bigcitysmalltown, host Bob Rivard welcomes acclaimed San Antonio photographer Al Rendon, whose 50-year career documenting Latino life and culture is celebrated in a one-person exhibition at the Witte Museum that opened Sept. 2 and continues until Jan. 7. The exhibition is titled "Mi Cultura: Bringing Shadows into Light." A companion book of the same title is available at the Witte and area bookstores. Rendon, who began his career as a teenager with a camera winning backstage access ...
Sep 25, 2023•43 min
On this episode of bigcitysmalltown with host Bob Rivard, guests are Monika Maeckle and Ashley Bird. Maeckle, a writer and citizen scientist, founded the annual San Antonio Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival in 2015, which Ashley Bird, founder of Blooming with Birdie, takes over this year in advance of the Saturday, Oct. 7 festival at Brackenridge Park, which is free and open to the public. Maeckle, author of the Texas Butterfly Blog and book coming in 2024 on the monarch migration, led t...
Sep 18, 2023•41 min
This week’s guest is Andrés Andujar, CEO of the Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation, commonly known as HPARC, a position he has held since 2011. Andujar, an architectural engineer, is the driving force behind the community vision for the redevelopment of the nearly 100-acre downtown space that was home 55 years ago to HemisFair ‘68, the city’s world’s fair staged over six months in 1968. The park was underutilized for decades until the City of San Antonio under Mayor Julian Castro crea...
Sep 11, 2023•55 min
In this episode of big city small town with Bob Rivard, Cristen Alicea, and Erica Cox discuss the range of higher education options available, such as trade schools, two-year colleges, and private universities. They also discussed the Alamo Promise and UTSA Promise programs, Save Plan, and the importance of philanthropy to UTSA and Incarnate Word. Additionally, they review the importance of alumni giving back to their universities through employee campaigns, 5Ks, and other donations.
Sep 04, 2023•57 min
This episode of big city small town with Bob Rivard dives deep into the visionary world of Alberto Piña, the dynamic founder, and CEO of Braustin Homes. Launched right out of Geekdom in 2017, Braustin Homes stands as the nation's premier virtual mobile home buying app. It’s not just about buying homes; it’s about making affordable housing a reality for many. Alberto, affectionately known as AP to close ones, not only foresaw the looming affordable housing crisis, but he also acted on it. In addi...
Aug 28, 2023•49 min
My guest this week is Colleen Swain, a proud native of San Antonio who has poured her heart into preserving and amplifying the city's rich history and culture. Her current role as the director of the City of San Antonio's World Heritage Office combines her love for her hometown with her passion for architectural heritage and cultural preservation. Colleen has been instrumental in the city's journey towards becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing its unique contributions to global cultu...
Aug 21, 2023•43 min
Gregg Eckhardt, fondly titled the 'Nerd King' of South Texas water history, comes with an enviable track record. In a career spanning over three decades, he has dedicated himself to studying the unique Edwards Aquifer, contributing to his expert status in water management. Currently an environmental scientist with the renowned San Antonio Water System, his expertise extends beyond the science - he's a dedicated historian pushing to preserve the fascinating history of the city's intricate water s...
Aug 14, 2023•40 min
Drawing from an ocean of perseverance, Francesca Rattray, CEO of San Antonio's YWCA, shapes the narrative for women in Texas. She spearheads an organization on a mission to obliterate racism and propel women forward. Since stepping into her role in 2018, Francesca rapidly expanded the organization's workforce and budget. Today, she stands at the forefront of initiating the YWCA’s $9.5 million capital campaign. Through her public stand on advocating for women's empowerment, Francesca constantly m...
Aug 07, 2023•45 min
