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The Source

David Martin Davies•www.tpr.org
Government
The Source is a daily, one-hour call-in talk program that gives listeners in San Antonio the opportunity to call and connect with our in-studio guests and city-wide audience.The Source seeks to give life, context and breadth to the events and issues affecting San Antonio by bringing newsmakers and experts to the public, and highlighting the people being affected by the news of the day.The show is hosted by veteran journalist David Martin Davies.Tune in to The Source for insightful discussion and analysis on topics that matter to residents of the Alamo City.Contribute to the conversation:Call or text during the live show at 833-877-8255.Leave a voicemail at 210 615-8982 anytime. Submissions may be played on-air.Email comments to thesource@tpr.org.
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Episodes

The people deficit—What happens when depopulation becomes a crisis?

Around the world many nations are facing a full-blown depopulation crisis. In the U.S. birth rates have steadily declined and the U.S. fertility rate is now well below replacement level. Some parts of the country are already experiencing population loss, aging demographics, and labor shortages. What needs to happen to change the population decline before it’s too late?

Jul 14, 2025•50 min

FRONTLINE: Trump and the rule of law

What is happening to the American bedrock idea of the rule of law under a president who isn’t confined by the law? PBS’s FRONTLINE takes a look at President Trump’s second term and goes inside the high-stakes showdown between Trump and the courts over presidential power. How is Trump testing the extent of his power—and can the limits hold?

Jul 13, 2025•51 min

Fitbit or Fit-snitch: The Promise and Pitfalls of Wearable Health Technology

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he wants all Americans wearing wearable health monitoring technology within the next four years. Wearable devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers surveil health metrics like heart rate, blood pressure and glucose levels. How helpful is that info and how private is it?

Jul 10, 2025•25 min

Turning your yard into an ecosystem

Many gardeners are mindful of the environmental impact of their green thumb hobby. But there are many plantings that are beautiful, viable, and functional. Many are edible, therapeutic, medicinal, and attractive to pollinators. We’re going to hear about Plants with Purpose – and how to grow them.

Jul 08, 2025•25 min

How the SBA can assist in Kerr County's recovery

When natural disasters strike and federal emergency declarations are made, the U.S. Small Business Administration steps in with a vital recovery tool: low-interest disaster loans — including for communities in Central Texas recently impacted by flash flooding.

Jul 08, 2025•50 min

The Source: After the flood

At least 78 people have died in catastrophic flooding in Texas. 68 people died in the Guadalupe River flooding. Many are still unaccounted for.

Jul 07, 2025•50 min

Teen idols, girl groups and JFK: Early '60s rock & roll

There’s a long-held belief that after the death of Buddy Holly rock & roll lost its way until the arrival of the Beatles. Early '60s rock was still growing in popularity, but the airwaves were ruled by teen idols, girl groups and novelty songs. However, that’s not the full story. This could be seen as a time of innocence and tremendous creativity which shattered with the assassination of President Kennedy.

Jul 02, 2025•48 min

Was 1999 the tipping point for trash culture?

From pro wrestling and Beanie Babies to Insane Clown Posse and Jerry Springer—author Ross Benes looks at the explosion of low culture in the mass media in the late ’90s. His book 1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times reveals its profound impact and how it continues to affect our culture and society today.

Jul 01, 2025•50 min

The epic sci-fi summer of 1982

Star Trek, Wrath of Khan, Blade Runner, Poltergeist, The Thing and ET — these are just some of the now classic science fiction films that came out in the summer of 1982. What was it about that moment in Hollywood that made it open to fresh ideas and high concept films and what would it take to do it again?

Jun 30, 2025•49 min

The power and peril of journalism in cinema

There are certain genres of movies—like the western or the horror film— where you know what to expect. But what about the movies about journalism? This is the film where a reporter takes on the corrupt establishment and risks all to bring the truth to the people. We take a look at some of the greatest journalism movies in cinema and explore what they say about press freedom in America.

Jun 29, 2025•50 min

Predicting unpredictable policymaking from Donald Trump

Whether it's a strength or vulnerability, Donald Trump's erratic nature and unpredictable policy making is something the entire world must deal with. Philip Luck, an economist and former Biden trade official, discusses how Trump's waxing policies are costing America.

Jun 26, 2025•50 min

The book on saving the Amazon that murder couldn't silence

The Amazon rainforest is known as the “lungs of planet Earth,” but what happens when deforestation in Brazil continues? One journalist tried to alert the world to this coming crisis. Dom Phillips was writing the book “How to Save The Amazon” when he was murdered. His colleagues refused to let Phillips' work die—and they completed his book.

Jun 24, 2025•50 min

After the veto — What's next for THC in Texas?

After Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed SB3, the THC ban, there are now questions about what's next for regulating the intoxicant. And what should Texans make of the fall out between Abbott and Lt. Gov Dan Patrick over the veto?

Jun 23, 2025•25 min

Trump pulling the plug on clean energy is costing you

The Trump administration has abruptly canceled 24 federally approved clean energy manufacturing grants totaling some 3.7 billion dollars—halting momentum on next-generation U.S. Critics say this is a major blow to job creation in states like Texas. But also will the U.S. be at a global disadvantage as cheap renewable energy is developed by other nations?

Jun 23, 2025•26 min

Project Marvel — Have your say

Project Marvel has been talked about for months—a plan for a downtown sports and entertainment district, which includes a new home court for the Spurs. Now city officials will be explaining their plans to local residents with community workshops— and on The Source. It’s your chance to ask questions, give feedback and get clarity about the plans, benefits and costs of Project Marvel.

Jun 22, 2025•50 min

What we owe to the 1963 protesters for civil rights

On Juneteenth we look back at the fight for civil rights in America. Historian Peniel E. Joseph discusses his new book Freedom Season: How 1963 Transformed America’s Civil Rights Revolution." He reflects on the power of protest and community organizing and how segregationists and other bigots in power were pushed out of the way. And what this means today.

Jun 18, 2025•50 min

After the deadly flood — questions, investigations and accountability

Thirteen people died after a heavy rainfall hit San Antonio. The city measured over six inches of rain— the tenth rainiest day in the city’s history. But was this high death toll avoidable? Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert joins us to talk about what went wrong and what needs to be done to prevent this from happening again.

Jun 18, 2025•26 min
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