bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard

Episodes

Aug. 14, 2023

20. From Geology to Sustainability: Sharing the Story of the Edwards Aquifer with Gregg Eckhardt

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...
Aug. 7, 2023

19. The Evolving Growth and Mission for Women's Empowerment in San Antonio with the YWCA's CEO Francesca Rattray

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...
July 31, 2023

18. Innovation in Improving Access to Women's Healthcare in San Antonio with Somer Baburek and Jennifer Newell

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,...
July 24, 2023

17. San Antonio’s new Councilwoman Sukh Kaur, the first Sikh elected official in Texas, has big plans for District 1

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,...
July 17, 2023

16. Preserving History, Engaging Communities: Marise McDermott's Impact at the Witte Museum

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...
July 10, 2023

15. Enhancing Municipal Services: Emily Royal's Insights on San Antonio's Smart Cities Roadmap

In a race against time, Emily Royal 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...
July 3, 2023

14. Creating Positive Change: How Marina Alderete Gavito is Empowering District Seven

Have you ever heard these myths about the importance of elected officials in making positive changes? Let's debunk them together! Myth #1: Elected officials don't really have the power to make a difference. Myth #2: My vote doesn't matter, so why...
June 26, 2023

13. The Cost of Irresponsible Pet Ownership: Nadia De la Garza Explains

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...
June 19, 2023

12. Beyond Gaming: Jim Perschbach on Investing in Young Talent for Future Innovation

Do you want to tap into a hotbed of innovation and create high-value jobs for your business? Look no further than San Antonio, a growing technology and innovation hub. As a guest on this podcast, Jim Perschbach will share the solution to unlocking the...
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June 12, 2023

11. How To Achieve Your Higher Education Dreams through Alamo Colleges with Dr. Mike Flores

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...
June 5, 2023

10. Shaping The Future of Texas: AJ Rodriguez on Policy and Progress

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,...
May 29, 2023

9. Henry Cisneros & Tom Corser: Celebrating Heritage Through San Antonio's Trees

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...
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May 22, 2023

8. Exploring the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center with Cristina Balli

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...
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May 15, 2023

7. Compassionate Solutions for the Unhoused: A Conversation with Gavin Rogers

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...
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May 8, 2023

6. Food Deserts & Policy Solutions with Mitch Hagney

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...
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May 1, 2023

5. Cleaning Up San Antonio: Charles Blank's River Aid Revolution

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...
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April 24, 2023

4. US-Mexico Relations: A Candid Conversation with Eddie Aldrete

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...
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April 17, 2023

3. Uncovering Lost Texas Histories with Brandon Seale

When Brandon Seale set out to discover the truth behind the forgotten Battle of Medina, he didn't expect to uncover an entire battlefield. Yet, by collaborating with American Veterans Archaeological Recovery and scholars, he and his team have slowly...
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April 10, 2023

2. The Sustainable Dining Revolution with Elizabeth Johnson

Elizabeth Johnson, a single mother facing a life-altering divorce, embarks on a journey of self-discovery in Latin America and India to establish sustainability, rediscover her ancestral roots, and bridge the culinary gap to make the world a...
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April 3, 2023

1. Live from the Geekdom Event Centre: Reviving Downtown San Antonio with Randy Smith

Randy Smith, a downtown pioneer, faces the irony of his own success as he navigates a complex web of corporate citizens, real estate developers, and student housing needs to fulfill his ambitious goal of transforming downtown San Antonio into a...