Shows
bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard158. Spay, Neuter, Repeat: Solving San Antonio's Stray ProblemThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the pressing issue of San Antonio’s stray animal population and the role of affordable spay and neuter services in addressing it. With a 20% euthanasia rate at the city’s shelters and persistent challenges around pet overpopulation, animal welfare remains a critical public concern.Host Bob Rivard is joined by Cathy Rosenthal, syndicated animal welfare columnist, and Vanessa Richey Said, chairwoman of the San Antonio Spay/Neuter Network. Together, they discuss how San Antonio compares to other major cities in animal welfare, the evolution of local policies and partnerships since the earl...
2026-02-2741 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard157. Grassroots Carbon is the San Antonio Startup Reinventing the Ranch EconomyThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine Grassroots Carbon—a San Antonio-based company working at the intersection of ranching, environmental stewardship, and carbon markets. Founded in 2021 by Lew Moorman and Ed Byrne, Grassroots Carbon partners with ranchers across Texas and beyond to implement regenerative grazing practices that enhance soil health and facilitate carbon capture.Bob Rivard sits down with Brad Tipper, CEO of Grassroots Carbon, to discuss the science behind soil carbon sequestration and how it’s increasingly recognized as a tool for corporate carbon offsetting. Together, they explore the business model that pays ranchers for measurable stewardship and...
2026-02-2035 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard156. Sustaining the Arts: The Orchestra San Antonio’s Plan to Merge Performance and EducationThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the future of professional classical music in San Antonio in the wake of disruption, dissolution, and ongoing uncertainty for long-standing arts organizations. San Antonio native Paul Montalvo, a former firefighter who now leads The Orchestra San Antonio, discusses growing the organization from a $45,000 budget to a projected $2.4 million this year, and the unique model he believes can sustain orchestral music in the city where prior efforts have struggled.Host Cory Ames sits down with Montalvo to address the realities facing professional musicians, asking whether San Antonio can support and sustain a...
2026-02-1344 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard154. The Race to Lead Bexar County: Peter SakaiThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we focus on Bexar County leadership and the ongoing challenges facing San Antonio’s county government. In light of the upcoming March 3 primary election, Bob Rivard and Cory Ames interviews Judge Peter Sakai, the incumbent county judge seeking re-election.The conversation covers Judge Sakai’s decades-long public service, his approach to “back to basics” government, and the county’s response to acute issues, including economic instability, food insecurity, affordable housing shortages, and reforms within the county bureaucracy. Judge Sakai speaks to his non-political background, his philosophy of collaborative problem-solving, and recent crisis management with feder...
2026-01-3046 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard153. The Race to Lead Bexar County: Ron NirenbergThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the race for Bexar County Judge through the lens of former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg’s candidacy. After serving as mayor from 2017 to 2025—a period marked by both crisis and growth—Nirenberg is now challenging incumbent Judge Peter Sakai. As one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, Bexar County faces new and unresolved questions around public safety, health care access, infrastructure, and the organization of local government.Cory Ames and Bob Rivard sit down with Ron Nirenberg to discuss the motivations behind his campaign, his thoughts on county government’s prepar...
2026-01-2341 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard152. What’s Ahead for San Antonio in 2026: Bob Rivard & Cory Ames on City Politics, Growth, and Civic TrustIn the first episode of bigcitysmalltown of 2026, we reflect on a pivotal year for San Antonio and look ahead to the challenges and opportunities of 2026. Bob Rivard and Cory Ames examine how shifts in media—from the podcast’s expansion into video to the growing influence of YouTube—are changing civic engagement and local news consumption. They discuss the impact of major regional elections, including the controversial mayoral race and the county’s vote on the Spurs arena proposition, and consider their long-term implications for city governance and development.Key themes include:• The changing landscape of San Ant...
2026-01-1638 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard151. 8.3 Million New Neighbors by 2050—Henry Cisneros and Bob Rivard on the Austin-San Antonio MegaregionThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we turn our focus to the rapidly evolving corridor between San Antonio and Austin—a megaregion that is reshaping the future of Central Texas. Hosts Cory Ames and Bob Rivard are joined by former San Antonio mayor and U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Henry Cisneros, to discuss his and Bob's new book, which examines the unprecedented growth, challenges, and opportunities along this urban corridor.The conversation moves beyond headlines about population booms to examine the complex realities of life in one of the country’s most dynamic regions. What does stea...
2025-12-1949 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard150. The Rise of Jamaican Food in San Antonio (ft. The Jerk Shack)This week on bigcitysmalltown, we sit down with Chef Nicola Blaque, the force behind San Antonio’s only Michelin-recognized Jamaican restaurant, The Jerk Shack. Chef Nicola shares her journey from immigrating to the U.S. as a child, navigating life in New England, and serving in the Army through three tours, to eventually reclaiming and expressing her Jamaican heritage through food in San Antonio.Host Cory Ames joins Nicola in the restaurant to discuss how her identity, family, and military experiences have shaped her work—along with the challenges of introducing authentic Caribbean cuisine to the city. They...
2025-12-1233 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard149. How AlamoPROMISE Continues Expanding College Access for San AntoniansThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the Alamo Promise program—a tuition-free initiative from the Alamo Colleges District aimed at lowering barriers to higher education for Bexar County high school graduates. The program, now entering its sixth year of enrollment, has set out to make college accessible to all students regardless of income, academic standing, or background.Host Bob Rivard is joined by Stephanie Vasquez, Chief Program Officer for Alamo Promise, to discuss the impact of the program, the challenges facing students in San Antonio, and the realities of retention and completion in the community college system....
2025-12-0539 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard148. Krampus Is Coming to Town: Inside San Antonio’s Controversial Holiday ParadeThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine one of San Antonio’s newest and most debated cultural gatherings: the Krampus Parade in King William. Host Bob Rivard is joined by Bob Crittenden, senior Scrum Manager at USAA and founder of San Antonio’s Krampus event, which drew approximately 10,000 participants and spectators in its inaugural year.Together, they discuss the origins of Krampus in Central European Alpine traditions, its transformation from private house visits to public festivals, and how Krampus found its place in San Antonio’s holiday calendar. The conversation also highlights the unexpectedly large turnout, the local protes...
2025-11-2828 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard147. Meet the San Antonio Founder Taking On Dyslexia in Our Classrooms, Courts, and ClinicsThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine dyslexia—one of the most common, yet frequently misunderstood learning challenges affecting up to one in five individuals. Host Bob Rivard is joined by Jasmin Dean, founder and CEO of Celebrate Dyslexia, a San Antonio nonprofit advocating for better diagnosis, intervention, and public understanding of dyslexia across schools, healthcare, and society.Drawing on both personal experience and current research, Jasmin Dean discusses the realities facing families navigating the education system and the urgent need for early identification and specialized intervention. Bob Rivard and Jasmin Dean address the evolving legislative landscape in Te...
2025-11-2143 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard145. Opportunity Home is Rebuilding Public Homes and Public Trust for its Centennial VisionThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine San Antonio’s housing crisis and the challenges facing public housing as both federal support and affordability decline. Bob Rivard is joined by Michael Reyes, CEO and President of Opportunity Home—San Antonio’s housing authority—to discuss what’s at stake for the city’s most vulnerable residents and the future of local affordable housing.With an annual operating budget of $250 million and 600 employees, Opportunity Home provides housing assistance to nearly 50,000 San Antonians, while managing a waiting list of over 60,000 people. Yet, as costs rise and federal investment dwindles, Michael Reyes candid...
2025-11-0747 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard144. Building the South Side — How JCB Is Bringing 1,500 Jobs to San AntonioThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine one of the most significant recent developments in San Antonio’s advanced manufacturing and economic landscape: the arrival of JCB Texas. British construction equipment manufacturer JCB broke ground on a new plant on the city’s south side in 2023—an investment that promises to bring 1,500 new jobs to the area and reshape the region’s industrial ecosystem.Bob Rivard sits down with David Carver, operations director for JCB Texas, to discuss the progress on the massive 400-acre manufacturing site, JCB’s philosophy on workforce development, and why San Antonio’s south side was cho...
2025-10-3122 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard143. Holly Thaggard: The San Antonio Founder Behind Supergoop!’s Global SuccessThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we turn our attention to one of San Antonio’s most significant entrepreneurial success stories: Supergoop! and its founder, Holly Thaggard. From its origins here in Texas, Supergoop! has grown into an internationally recognized skincare company, known for its innovative approach to sun protection and public health.Host Bob Rivard sits down with Holly Thaggard to explore her journey from third grade teacher and professional harpist to award-winning entrepreneur and member of the Texas Business Hall of Fame. Together, they discuss the deeply personal experience that sparked Supergoop!, the scientific rigor and product de...
2025-10-2450 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard142. Judge Peter Sakai on How Prop A & B Could Revitalize San Antonio’s EastsideThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the critical decisions facing Bexar County voters and their impact on the future of San Antonio’s east side, the Spurs, and the Stock Show & Rodeo. Bob Rivard sits down with Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai to discuss what’s at stake in the upcoming countywide election, where voters will decide on two propositions affecting the Frost Bank Center, potential new development, and the future economic direction of the city.Judge Sakai shares his perspective on the use of the tourist tax to fund county facilities, clarifies public misconceptions around Referendums A an...
2025-10-1729 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard138. Alamo Angels: The Future of South Texas StartupsThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the evolving landscape of angel investing and startup growth in San Antonio and South Texas. As the city’s early-stage innovation ecosystem matures, a new generation of founders and investors are shaping the region’s entrepreneurial identity.Host Bob Rivard sits down with Sebastian Garzon, managing partner of Alamo Angels, to discuss the group’s growth from a handful of local investors into a regional network with more than 140 members and $7 million deployed across 50+ startups since 2020. The conversation explores how Alamo Angels is connecting investors and founders from San Antonio to Browns...
2025-09-1936 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard137. Rediscovering San Antonio’s Forgotten BattleThis week on bigcitysmalltown, host Bob Rivard speaks with Brandon Seale, a San Antonio-based energy entrepreneur and historian, about one of Texas’s most consequential yet least understood events: the 1813 Battle of Medina. Seale discusses his years-long efforts to locate the lost battlefield and the surprising discoveries that are reshaping the historical understanding of early Texas.Bob and Brandon trace how an executive leading cross-border energy projects became deeply invested in uncovering the stories that shaped San Antonio’s identity, especially during the Mexican War of Independence era. From the multidisciplinary search for the Medina battlefield—combining archiv...
2025-09-1242 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard136. San Antonio’s Aerospace Past Is Powering Its FutureThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we revisit a pivotal chapter in San Antonio’s history: the closure of Kelly Air Force Base and its transformation into Port San Antonio, as the city prepares for the upcoming San Antonio Aviation and Aerospace Hall of Fame luncheon. Host Bob Rivard is joined by Christopher Mammen, executive director of the Dee Howard Foundation; Tullos Wells, long-time community leader and member of the Kelly closure transition committee; and Kathryn Bolish, program manager at the WEX Foundation and one of this year’s Hall of Fame honorees.Together, they examine the local impact of t...
2025-09-0536 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard134. The San Antonio Nonprofit Bringing Black Youth Back to NatureThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we focus on the intersection of community, identity, and the outdoors through the work of Black Outside, Inc. Founded and led by Alex Bailey, the San Antonio-based nonprofit is dedicated to reconnecting Black youth with nature—an effort rooted in generational healing, cultural history, and a reimagining of what belonging in outdoor spaces looks like.Cory Ames sits down with Bailey to discuss the evolution of Black Outside, its ties to family legacy, and the organization’s rapid growth over the past five years. The conversation covers the challenges of expanding access to natu...
2025-08-2243 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard133. How the Spurs Arena Could Change the San Antonio RodeoThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo’s pivotal role in the city’s cultural and economic landscape and explore what may be its biggest transition yet. As plans for a new arena and significant east side redevelopment—known as Project Marvel—move forward, questions emerge about the future of the Stock Show, its historic partnership with the Spurs, and how proposed investments could reshape year-round activity in the area.Bob Rivard sits down with Cody Davenport, CEO and Executive Director of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, to discuss the orga...
2025-08-1527 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard132. San Antonio's Youngest Councilmember on the Future of the CityThis week on bigcitysmalltown, newly elected District 6 Councilman Ric Galvan joins host Cory Ames for an extended conversation about the close race that made him the youngest member of San Antonio’s City Council—and the immediate challenges facing the city as he steps into office.Galvan reflects on what motivated his campaign, how neighborhood involvement and grassroots support shaped his candidacy, and the razor-thin margin by which he won. With just over a month in post, he shares early insights on leading a diverse district and building an effective council team.The conversation moves to s...
2025-08-0855 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard130. San Antonio Teen Bridges Global Healthcare Gaps Through Access to Specialist Knowledge — ASKThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we meet Ariana Chaudhary, a San Antonio high school student and founder of Access to Specialist Knowledge (ASK), a nonprofit connecting frontline doctors in underserved regions around the world with volunteer U.S. medical specialists. Ariana launched ASK at 14 after witnessing first-hand the challenges faced by healthcare providers in Uganda. Now 17 and a student at Health Careers High School, she leads an organization that has facilitated more than 35,000 medical consultations across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and South America.Cory Ames, producer of bigcitysmalltown, sits down with Ariana to discuss how her global perspective...
2025-07-2533 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard129. Inside Launch SA — San Antonio’s One-Stop Resource for Small BusinessThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the changing landscape of small business support in San Antonio through the lens of Launch SA—a city-backed resource center for entrepreneurs and business owners. Now operating under a new partnership with Geekdom and led by director Matthew Espinoza, Launch SA is navigating a critical moment of transition and growth nearly a decade after its inception.Guest host Cory Ames sits down with Espinoza to discuss how Launch SA is responding to post-pandemic challenges, the evolving needs of local founders, and what the organization’s recent relaunch means for San Antonio’s broa...
2025-07-1839 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard128. San Antonio FC Is Reaching for the World StageThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we look at the evolving landscape of professional soccer in San Antonio, focusing on San Antonio FC and their role in building international connections through sport.Host Bob Rivard and Co-Host Cory Ames are joined in the studio by Marco Ferruzzi, San Antonio FC Sporting Director, and Jose Lizardo, Director of Toyota Field and Star Soccer Complex. Together, they discuss San Antonio FC’s decade-long growth, the challenges of operating within the USL Championship, and what the club’s new partnerships with teams in Darmstadt, Germany, and Las Palmas, Spain, mean for local fans...
2025-06-2735 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard127. What If We Replaced Every Lawn in San Antonio?This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine how San Antonio residents are rethinking their relationship with nature—starting in their own front yards. Guest host Cory Ames interviews Monika Maeckle, author, naturalist, and founder of the Texas Butterfly Ranch and the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival. Maeckle’s new book, Plants with Purpose, explores why traditional lawns may be a liability for San Antonio, and how reimagining our landscaping choices can have a measurable impact on water conservation, biodiversity, and the city’s resilience to climate extremes.In this conversation, Cory and Monika discuss:•...
2025-06-2044 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard126. Mayor Ron Nirenberg on 8 Years of Progress—and What Comes Next for San AntonioThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we sit down with Mayor Ron Nirenberg as he prepares to leave office after serving eight years as mayor and a total of twelve years in San Antonio’s city government. Bob and Mayor Nirenberg review major initiatives, including the expansion of Pre-K 4 SA, the $1.2 billion municipal bond dedicating unprecedented resources to affordable housing, and the launch of the Ready to Work workforce development program. The discussion also delves into the city’s approach to protecting the Edwards Aquifer, supporting immigrants and asylum seekers, and guiding San Antonio through the COVID-19 pandemic.The...
2025-06-1348 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard125. The Man Behind Brooks: How Leo Gomez Reimagined the SouthsideThis week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the transformation underway at Brooks—formerly Brooks City Base—on San Antonio’s Southeast Side. Over the past decade, Brooks has shifted from a dormant military installation to a growing center for business, education, healthcare, and residential development. We explore the decisions and investments that brought this revitalization to life and what it means for the future of the South Side and the city as a whole.Host Bob Rivard is joined by Leo Gomez, president and CEO of the Brooks Development Authority and Brooks Gives Back. Since taking the helm in 201...
2025-06-0637 minbigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard124. Runoff Edition: Rolando Pablos Makes His CaseThis weekend on bigcitysmalltown, we turn our attention to San Antonio’s mayoral runoff as Bob Rivard sits down with candidate Rolando Pablos for a focused conversation on city governance, economic growth, and the future of San Antonio. With early voting underway Tuesday and the race narrowed to two candidates, this episode offers a timely look at the decision facing local voters.Bob and Rolando discuss the central issues shaping this year’s mayoral race—from economic development and workforce challenges to housing policy, city budget priorities, and the city’s ties to Mexico. Rolando also addr...
2025-05-2449 min