bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard

    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 Housing and Urban Development under President...

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 local brand that offers unique and flavorful...

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 Paisanos, its members dressed in full mariachi traje...

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 book of the same title is available at the...

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 Brackenridge Park, which is free and open to the public....

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 city’s world’s fair staged over six months in 1968....

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. Additionally, they review the importance of alumni...

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 for many. Alberto, affectionately known as A...

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. Colleen has been instrumental in the cit...

    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 System, his expertise extends beyond th...

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 forefront of initiating the YWCA’s $9.5 mi...

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 and eventually treat diseases that uniquely i...

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 hailing from India's northern state of Punjab,...

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 modern makeover and why it's resonating wit...

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 achieve their vision of a smarter future? Find out...

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 toll of fireworks and how it extends to public h...

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 the truth about responsible p...

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 and retaining top talent, cultivating a collaborati...

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 working parents and provide resources for diverse studen...

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 case study. Understand the role of regionalism i...

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 this episode, you will be able to: Uncover th...

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, you will be able to: Familiarize yourself wi...

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 and tragedy surrounding the immigration crisis. I...

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 to: Unravel the connection between sustainable urb...

  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 partnerships to combat environmental issues. In t...