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PODCAST

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard

The bigcitysmalltown podcast, hosted by Bob Rivard, is dedicated to telling the stories of San Antonians working to make the city a more sustainable, better educated, equitable and prosperous city. We want San Antonio to become a destination city for talented and creative people, and a city where young people born or raised here want to build their futures here. We embrace diversity, multiculturalism, and every individual’s right to realize their full potential without fear of oppression.Each

society & culture news commentary

All Episodes

44:06

114. The Mayor’s Race: Beto Altamirano on...

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard ·

2025/04/11

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we delve into San Antonio's dynamic political landscape as our city prepares for its first mayoral race without an incumbent in sixteen years. With Mayor Ron Nirenberg's term concluding, the upcoming election on May 3 stands as a significant moment in the city's history, marking both the end of an era and the beginning of potential change. Our guest, Beto Altamirano, is an entrepreneur and business owner known for creating San Antonio's 311 app, now vying for the

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05:38

113. The Last Word - Tariffs Hit Home in San Antonio

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard ·

2025/04/05

This week’s Last Word delves into the ominous impact of President Trump’s tariffs on San Antonio and Texas. As the trade war with Canada and Mexico intensifies, the city braces for economic repercussions. Politicians have transformed tariffs into weapons of political retribution, overshadowing San Antonio’s success in advanced manufacturing and global trade. Bob examines the economic fallout as San Antonio faces potentially devastating tariffs, with goods and services inflating by up to 50%. The

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37:18

112. San Antonio's Culinary Legacy: 25 Years of Biga...

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard ·

2025/04/04

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we explore the vibrant culinary landscape of San Antonio, with a spotlight on one of the city's longstanding culinary institutions, Biga on the Banks. Celebrating its 25th anniversary at its iconic location on the Riverwalk, Biga on the Banks stands as a testament to culinary excellence and perseverance in a competitive industry. Bob sits down with Bruce Auden, renowned chef and driving force behind Biga, alongside his business partner Perny Shea, to discuss the

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06:38

111. The Last Word - Leave the City Bond Elections...

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard ·

2025/03/29

This week's Last Word dives into the ongoing battle between local and state government in Texas, focusing on San Antonio's fight to retain control over its financial future. With Republican lawmakers seeking to tighten their grip on predominantly Democratic cities, proposals like requiring a two-thirds majority for bond approvals loom large, threatening to stall essential capital projects. Bob unpacks the political motivations behind these legislative moves, the implications for San Antonio’s

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48:09

110. San Antonio’s Model for Homelessness: Why Other...

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard ·

2025/03/28

This week on bigcitysmalltown we delve into the evolving landscape of homelessness support and services in San Antonio. As Kim Jeffries, the CEO of Haven for Hope, prepares to depart her role to take on the establishment of a comprehensive homeless shelter in Las Vegas, she joins host Bob Rivard to reflect on her journey in the San Antonio nonprofit sector. Kim's tenure at Haven for Hope offers a unique lens into how the city has grown and adapted to meet the needs of its vulnerable communities. The

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04:31

109. The Last Word - The City of San Antonio Can’t...

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard ·

2025/03/22

This week’s Last Word addresses a pressing local decision San Antonio faces amidst national upheaval. With jobs at risk due to political chaos in Washington, city leaders are contemplating hiring displaced federal workers. While the intention is noble, the reality presents tough choices—maintain fiscal discipline or succumb to political theater by expanding the city payroll unsustainably. Bob analyzes the balance San Antonio must strike: the importance of fiscal restraint during economic

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38:05

108. What It Takes to Host the Final Four—Inside San...

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard ·

2025/03/21

This week on bigcitysmalltown, host Bob Rivard is joined by Elena Wells and Jenny Carnes from San Antonio Sports to discuss the upcoming 2025 NCAA Men's Final Four hosted in San Antonio. With the city on the brink of this prestigious event, what can residents and visitors expect? The conversation delves into the preparations for the Final Four, the events surrounding it, and its anticipated economic impact on San Antonio. As the city gears up for this major event, Bob, Jenny, and Elena offer

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06:18

107. The Last Word - A Legal and Moral Crisis: Texas...

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard ·

2025/03/15

This week’s Last Word examines Texas’ growing education funding crisis. Despite a record state budget surplus, public schools—especially in San Antonio—are being left behind. Lawmakers continue to prioritize political battles over solutions, and the result? Underfunded classrooms, underpaid teachers, and increasing pressure on local school districts to do more with less. Bob breaks down the legal and moral responsibility Texas has to fund its schools, the ongoing standoff in Austin, and what it

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44:53

106. Tom Slick’s Legacy: The San Antonio Institution...

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard ·

2025/03/14

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we delve into the unexpected legacy of Tom Slick and his enduring influence on San Antonio’s scientific community. Though known as an oil wildcatter, Slick’s curiosity and visionary investments laid the groundwork for significant advancements in neuroscience and consciousness research. Our focus is the Mind Science Foundation—a San Antonio-based institution exploring the mysteries of the human mind, largely unnoticed by the local community. Bob Rivard is joined by

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02:38

105. The Last Word - Nonstop: San Antonio’s New...

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard ·

2025/03/08

San Antonio has finally secured a long-awaited nonstop flight to Washington, D.C. But will it last? In this Last Word, Bob discusses the significance of the new direct route, why it took decades to become a reality, and what it will take to keep it. Tune in for insights on how air travel shapes San Antonio’s business, civic, and military connections. -- -- 📩 Subscribe to Bob’s Monday Newsletter 🎧 Don't miss the Last Word - You can find the full archive of Bob's commentaries on life and work in

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42:30

104. Inside UTSA Honors College: A Different Kind of...

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard ·

2025/03/07

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we take a deep dive into UTSA Honors College—one of the most unique and rapidly evolving honors programs in Texas. Unlike traditional programs, UTSA Honors College is built around real-world experience, preparing students for competitive careers, top graduate programs, and leadership roles. But what makes this program different? Bob sits down with Dr. Jill Fleuriet, Vice Provost for Honors Education at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), to explore the

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03:29

103. The Last Word - The Texas Lottery Controversy:...

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard ·

2025/03/01

This week’s Last Word examines the Texas Lottery—where billions are wagered each year, and the promise of funding public education continues to spark debate. Bob takes a deep dive into how the lottery works, who benefits most, and whether Texas taxpayers are getting a fair deal. For decades, state officials have promoted the lottery as a way to support Texas schools, but the reality is more complicated. Bob explores the actual impact on education funding, the financial burden placed on lower-income

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44:00

102. The San Antonio Report at 13: Local News,...

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard ·

2025/02/28

This week’s episode of bigcitysmalltown takes a deep dive into the state of local journalism and its future in San Antonio. As traditional news models struggle nationwide, nonprofit newsrooms like San Antonio Report are working to reshape how communities stay informed. But what does it take to sustain independent journalism in a rapidly changing media landscape? Bob sits down with San Antonio Report leadership to discuss the organization’s 13-year journey, the challenges of nonprofit news, and why

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04:40

101. The Last Word - Bigcitysmalltown is Growing: 100...

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard ·

2025/02/22

This week’s Last Word is a special one: bigcitysmalltown has hit 100 episodes. Host Bob Rivard reflects on this milestone, the journey so far, and what’s ahead for the podcast that tells the stories of the people shaping San Antonio’s future. From decades in journalism to launching bigcitysmalltown, Bob shares his perspective on how the media landscape has evolved, why local storytelling matters more than ever, and what’s next for the show as it continues to grow. With San Antonio at the heart of

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48:44

100. The Future of UTSA with President Taylor Eighmy:...

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard ·

2025/02/21

This week’s episode of bigcitysmalltown explores how UTSA is rapidly evolving into a top public research university—and what this means for San Antonio’s future. With its confirmed merger with UT Health San Antonio now in progress, UTSA is making bold moves to expand its research capabilities, attract top-tier faculty, and position itself among the nation’s leading public universities. But what does this transformation mean for students, the local economy, and the broader San Antonio community

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03:38

99. Bexar County Seeks to Expand Mental Health...

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard ·

2025/02/15

This week’s Last Word commentary examines the growing demand for mental health services in Bexar County—and whether the state will provide the funding needed to meet it. Bob Rivard unpacks the county’s plan to expand in-patient mental health services, why the need for more capacity has been a long-standing issue, and what it will take for Texas lawmakers to support these efforts. With statewide hospital bed shortages and increasing pressure on emergency rooms and law enforcement, how will Bexar

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36:30

98. Public School Funding in Texas: What San...

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard ·

2025/02/14

This week’s episode of bigcitysmalltown dives into the urgent conversation surrounding public school funding in Texas. With schools in the San Antonio region reaching a financial breaking point, business leaders are stepping in to advocate for change. Host Bob Rivard is joined by Mario Barrera, a San Antonio attorney and former chairman of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and Luis Rodriguez, president and CEO of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Together, they break down

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03:59

97. The Last Word - Will Texas Be Ready for the Next...

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard ·

2025/02/08

This week’s Last Word commentary examines the future of FEMA and what it means for Texas as disaster relief policies face increasing political scrutiny. Bob Rivard unpacks the growing debate over federal disaster aid, how FEMA’s role could change under this next administration, and why Texas—prone to hurricanes, wildfires, and extreme weather—has so much at stake. With climate-driven disasters on the rise, will Texas be prepared if federal support dwindles? And what happens if states are forced to

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44:05

96. How a Baggage Handler Became One of San Antonio’s...

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard ·

2025/02/07

This week’s episode of bigcitysmalltown takes a look at the humor, storytelling, and resilience behind one of San Antonio’s most recognizable public artists: Gary Sweeney. We’re joined by Gary Sweeney, a visual artist known for his bold, text-based public art, wit-infused commentary, and unconventional career path. From working as a baggage handler at an airline to creating public art installations across San Antonio, Denver, and beyond, Sweeney’s work blends humor with sharp social observations

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04:59

95. The Last Word - San Antonio City Council’s Failed...

bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard ·

2025/02/01

This week’s Last Word commentary examines the San Antonio City Council’s failed vote on funding abortion travel, a decision that reflects both the city’s political divide and the larger struggle between state and local governance in Texas. Bob Rivard breaks down what happened in the council chambers, why the vote failed, and what it signals for San Antonio’s upcoming elections. With abortion access increasingly restricted statewide, this debate raises broader questions: Should cities step in where

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135 results

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