Episodes

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...

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...

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,...

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...

This week’s episode of bigcitysmalltown dives into one of the most pressing issues facing San Antonio: the future of immigration policy and how it will impact our community.  We’re joined by Claudia Hernandez, an immigration attorney at...

This week’s Last Word commentary reflects on the enduring connections between Texas and Mexico through the Gulf of Mexico—a shared space of culture, trade, and history. As the relationship between these neighbors faces new challenges in the next...

This week’s episode of bigcitysmalltown spotlights something new in San Antonio’s arts community: a residency program tailored to support artists who are also caregivers. We’re joined by Liz Stehl Kleberg & Meaghan Mitts, the founders...

In this week’s Last Word, Bob Rivard explores the opening of the Texas Legislature’s 89th biennial session, unpacking the pressing issues and political dynamics shaping the state’s future. From the ongoing school voucher debate and public...

This week’s episode of bigcitysmalltown takes you behind the scenes of one of San Antonio’s most critical infrastructure hubs: the San Antonio International Airport (SAT). We’re joined by Jesus Saenz, Director of Airports for the San Antonio...

Welcome to the first Last Word in its new standalone format. Every Saturday, Bob delivers his sharp, insightful commentary on life and politics in San Antonio, Texas, and beyond. In this inaugural episode, he dives into what 2025 has in...

This week’s episode is a special one as we introduce Cory Ames, the new producer of bigcitysmalltown. Cory is also the founder of Ensemble Texas, a media platform focused on San Antonio’s environment, economy, and culture. Listen as we discuss...

This week’s guest is Jeff Arndt, who has served for 13 years as president and CEO of VIA Metropolitan Transit, San Antonio and Bexar County’s public bus system. Listen as Arndt discusses his career at VIA ahead of his retirement, the challenges...

TThis week’s guests are Jeffrey Moore, an analyst with the city’s Office of Emergency Management and the founderof the SATX Social Ride held every Tuesday in the city’s urban core, routinely attracting hundreds of local cyclists for an evening ride and social gathering; and Mitchell Keogh, an avid cyclist who leads a community of riders who track their rides and performance on the Strava app. Listen as we discuss the cycling community in San Antonio.

This week’s guest is David Marquez, executive director of Economic and Community Development for Bexar County, a longtime leader in economic development and advanced manufacturing, including cross-border auto manufacturing, for the county. Marquez...

This week’s guest is Craig Garnett, the longtime publisher and owner of the Uvalde Leader-News, the daily newspaper in Uvalde, a South Texas town of 15,000 that became national news on May 24, 2022, when 18-year-old Salvador Ramos opened fire in...

This week’s guest is Chris Cullum, the chef-owner of Cullum’s Attaboy, the  small but heavy hitting Tobin Hill restaurant founded by the James Beard finalist a stone’s throw from Cullum’s Attagirl, the tiny fried chicken shack he’s run...

This week’s guest is San Antonio artist Oscar Alvarado. There is no mistaking his distinctive sculptures, many larger than life, covered with thousands of mosaic pieces of glass and tile that are seemingly everywhere in the city: murals, sculptures,...

This week’s guest is Ronald Davis, curator of American History at the Witte Museum, a position he has held since January 2023. Davis is the co-curator of Black Cowboys: An American Story currently at the Witte Museum and running through February...

This week’s guest is UTSA’s Dr. Bryan Gervais. He is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science & Geography, and he's in the studio because he is the inaugural director of the UTSA Center for Public Opinion Research (CPOR),...

This week’s guest is Meredith Walker, executive director of the Texas Business Hall of Fame, a position she has held for nearly seven years. The TBHF was founded in 1982 to celebrate the state’s most successful and community-minded business...

In this very special episode of bigcitysmalltown, we share a panel recorded live in front of an audience at Texas Public Radio for CityFest San Antonio 2024.  Host Bob Rivard moderated a panel of city leaders discussing how San Antonio's downtown...

This week’s guest is JC Clapsaddle, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and medical administration officer with a background in Pentagon assignments involving human rights and humanitarian efforts. Listen as JC discusses his multiple missions to aid...

This week’s guest is Jessica Conrad, a San Antonio realtor, Air Force veteran, and now, the emcee of the semi-annual PechaKucha creative presentations, the latest edition of which was recently staged at the Carver Cultural Center. Listen as Jessica...

This week’s guest is Grant Pinkerton, the man, the chef, the impresario behind Pinkerton’s BBQ, located right in the heart of downtown San Antonio on Legacy Park across from Frost Tower. Listen as Grant discusses his choice to expand to San...