Beyond the Bite

The budget proposed by City Manager Erik Walsh is revealing in its response to resident needs and concerns. It will put more cops on the streets, work harder and smarter to shelter the homeless, and it identifies the massive expansion and renovation of our airport as a top priority. If you have called 311 to get a hold of Animal Care Services, there’s a good chance no one answered your call.&...

There is a new political player in town and their members’ goal is to elect people to the San Antonio City Council who have a shared, community vision, not a political ideology.  They call themselves a Coalition of the Willing that represents the Employee and the Employer.  But the important thing to know is that they are active and engaged in city politics now, and they want candidates...

As chairman of the US House Budget Committee, West Texas Congressman Jodey Arrington spends a lot of his time trying to convince his colleagues to stop spending money we don’t have. In this episode he talks about his love for West Texas and the hard-working, God-fearing people of the 19th congressional district of Texas. We also discuss his concerns about the Chinese government and what...

Former Congressman Will Hurd jumps into the presidential race.  He says this country needs a “reboot,” we need solid leadership, and says Americans need to move on from Donald Trump.  The former CIA Director also says we need to fear the Chinese government, not their people or culture, but their government and that we are most definitely in a Cold War with China. Inspired by his new wife...

This episode analyzes who won the runoff elections for San Antonio City Council districts 1 and 7, and why and how they won. Additionally, we ask newly sworn in city councilman Marc Whyte and runoff winners Marina Alderete Gavito and Sukh Kaur, questions about the priority issues they plan to focus on, how they plan to get work done with potentially four of their council colleagues running fo...

Ever wondered why Congress can’t fix our broken immigration issue?  Perhaps it suits them better to use it as a political piñata. In this episode, there will be no talk of Title 42 or the border surge. This episode is on how to fix the immigration system and how the National Immigration Forum is leading the way on this conversation. Links and Resources: National Immigration Forum Ac...

Successful cybersecurity entrepreneur John Dickson talks about going through a corporate acquisition, his hopes and fears in our abilities to protect ourselves from cyber attacks and what the new airport expansion will mean for San Antonio residents. Links and Resources: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/597684/sandworm-by-andy-greenberg/ https://samcoinc.org/ @johnbdickson @AldreteEddie @a...

A look at who won, who lost, and who wound up in the June 10th runoff election. We also talk about the defeat of Proposition A, what lies ahead for the new City Council, and who the likely candidates are for the 2025 San Antonio Race for Mayor. Resources and Links: @jeffswebster @BeyondTheBiteEA @AldreteEddie Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media

Congressman Tony Gonzales is on a mission to protect his constituents from the fentanyl coming across the border, he is working to help the people of Uvalde heal, and he is helping presidential candidates see the border up close and personal. He also thinks Congress needs to spend more time on “legal” immigration so that people have pathways to come to this country. Catch his comments on these iss...

Louis Barrios was born into a life of service.  He serves his creator, his family, his community and his customers.  His work ethic is both inspiring and infectious, and he has worked alongside his sister Diana to build the Los Barrios family enterprise into the successful business it is today.  We talk to Louis about the challenges of being in the restaurant industry, and learn how...

With the recent failed merger attempt between the San Antonio Chamber and the North San Antonio Chamber, we pull back to the 30,000 foot level and ask the broad question of what role should a chamber play in San Antonio, and whether our leading chambers are fulfilling that role.  We also ask the broader question:  Are our local chambers in the business of advocacy and if so, what is the...

This episode delves into the pitfalls, dangers and unintended consequences of Proposition A, and lessons learned from Portland, Seattle, Tacoma, San Francisco, Chicago and Austin. The more people learn about how Prop A incentivizes theft of property, services and damage to property, the more they are opposed to it. Links and Resources:  https://sanantoniosafe.org/ https://www.protectsa.net/ P...

Beyond the Bite is a podcast hosted by Eddie Aldrete that explores the stories behind the business community of San Antonio and South Texas. Eddie interviews job creators, business leaders, and community pillars, offering unique perspectives on the economic drivers of the region. With decades of experience at the intersection of business, public policy, and politics, Eddie is known for his advocac...