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The big city small town 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. ...
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Timestorm

Cocotazo Media and TRAX from PRX

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The Ventura twins are yanked into another dimension where they meet a distant cousin who gives them an extraordinary mission: travel through time to witness their culture’s true history. Alexa and Beni visit three continents across the span of five centuries, meeting people who have left their mark on Puerto Rican heritage. In the twenty-first century, the twins navigate school, friendship, and family while keeping their time-traveling quests a secret. Timestorm is produced by Cocotazo Media ...
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This week’s guest is Joe Holley, a longtime Texas journalist and the author of a new book titled “Power: How the Electric Co-Op Movement Energized the Lone Star State.” Power is a book that anyone who cares about Texas history and the state’s development will want to read, and Joe will be a featured author at this year’s San Antonio Book Festival a…
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San Antonio entrepreneurs and startups often find themselves meeting with Cat Dizon, the chief operating officer at venture capital firm Active Capital and the chairwoman of the Geekdom board. The former senior Rackspace executive is the gatekeeper to San Antonio's leading seed fund, and is always on the lookout for young, promising businesses.…
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Innovative interpretations of theatrical classics are creating a buzz in San Antonio at the San Pedro Playhouse under this week's guest, returning CEO Asia Ciaravino, who continues to re-energize the city's oldest performing arts organization. April's performances of "A Midsummer's Night Sueño" suggest this will not be a traditional performance of …
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Why is affordable housing in San Antonio everyone's problem? This week’s guest is Mark Carmona, the city of San Antonio’s first Chief Housing Officer, a position created by City Council in 2018 when council members first approved Mayor Ron Nirenberg’s housing initiative. Carmona overees the city’s Strategic Housing Implementation Plan (SHIP), and p…
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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. T…
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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 G…
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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.By Bob Rivard
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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 pub…
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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…
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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 pov…
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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 Basur…
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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…
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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 presid…
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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 condition…
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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 …
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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 bi…
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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 …
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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 …
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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 i…
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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…
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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 u…
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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 asse…
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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…
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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 Hou…
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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…
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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 Pa…
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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 bo…
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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 Bracke…
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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 c…
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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. …
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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…
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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. …
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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 Sys…
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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 fo…
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In this episode of big city small town with Bob Rivard, Bob has a conversation with a couple of female entrepreneurs with vision-oriented focus on women’s healthcare access in the San Antonio area and beyond. As a potent force in women's health, co-founder and CEO of Hera Biotech, Somer Baburek, uses cutting- edge AI technology to better diagnose a…
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In this episode of Big City Small Town, Bob Rivard sits down with Sukh Kaur, one month after her upset runoff victory over incumbent Mario Bravo, to talk about her priorities representing a district that includes downtown, hard hit in the pandemic, and working to redefine itself. Kaur, a Rice University graduate and a first-generation American hail…
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Do you want to successfully transform your museum into a modern and engaging space? Discover the solution to achieving this desired outcome as our guest, Marise McDermott, shares her insights on how to create a dynamic and innovative cultural institution that captivates audiences. In this episode, you will be able to: Explore the Witte Museum's mod…
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In a race against time, Emily Royall and the Smart Cities team in San Antonio are determined to transform the city into a smart city. But as they navigate the challenges of community engagement, grant funding, and department buy-in, a shocking revelation threatens to derail their progress. Will they be able to overcome this unexpected obstacle and …
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On this episode of big city small town, host Bob Rivard is joined by newly elected San Antonio City Council member from District 7 Marina Alderete Gavito. An expert in community advocacy, she shares her insights and empowers us to take an active role in creating positive changes. In this episode, you will be able to: Learn about the environmental t…
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Have you heard these myths about responsible pet ownership? Myth #1: pets don't require much attention Myth #2: it's okay to skip annual vet check-ups Myth #3: pets can live off human food As current and potential pet owners, it's important to recognize that these myths can harm our furry friends. That's why our guest, Nadia De la Garza, will share…
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Do you want to tap into a hotbed of innovation and create high-value jobs for your business? Look no further than Port San Antonio, a growing technology and innovation hub. As a guest on this podcast, Jim Perschbach will share the solution to unlocking the potential for innovation and job creation in this thriving city. With a focus on attracting a…
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Have you heard that college is only for the wealthy or that you have to choose between work and education? These are common myths that prevent many students from pursuing higher education. Another myth is that students from diverse backgrounds do not receive enough support. Alamo Colleges offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate busy workin…
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Despite facing contention and bipartisan challenges, AJ Rodriguez leads Texas 2036 in achieving record-breaking funding for education, healthcare, natural resources, and infrastructure during the state's regular legislative session. In this episode, you will be able to: Discover the power of data in shaping policy solutions with Texas 2036 as a cas…
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From a beautiful vision to a stunning reality, the Arboretum San Antonio project was poised to become a beloved treasure for the city. But what happened next left everyone shocked and questioning the future of this once-promising endeavor. What was the unexpected twist that threatened to derail Henry Cisneros' dream? Keep listening to find out. In …
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As Cristina Balli's passion for the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center grew, she never could have expected the unexpected twist that would change the organization forever. What could have happened to shake the foundation of an institution she worked tirelessly to preserve? Keep reading to find out. In this episode of big city small tow with Bob Rivard,…
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In this episode of big city small town with Bob Rivard, join Bob with his guest Gavin Rogers as he shares his personal journey of living on the streets for 48 days, leading to his goal of providing compassionate care and diversified options for those experiencing homelessness, all while navigating the compelling central conflict of political divide…
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Mitch Hagney, an environmentalist turned food advocate, strives to improve food access for impoverished communities through innovative programs and sustainable agriculture, including connecting landscapes to agriculture and promoting the consumption of locally produced meats. In this episode of big city small town with Bob Rivard, you will be able …
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Have you been told to simply pick up trash around town and hope for a cleaner San Antonio? You’re not alone. But there’s a better way. Join us to discover the power of River Aid San Antonio’s community-driven trash cleanups and their impact on the local environment and find out how you can help create lasting cultural change through education and p…
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Eddie Aldrete was just living his life in a suburban part of Washington DC, but he unexpectedly found himself at the forefront of bridging the US-Mexico relations. His career has taken him on a journey of advocating for a more inclusive and economically prosperous future, earning him respect from both sides of the border. What impact will Eddie's u…
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