bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard

Bob Rivard
  • 4.8 (47)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

The bigcitysmalltown 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.Each Friday, bigcitysmalltown will offer listeners a new podcast release, a timely, focused look in one of the fastest growing cities in the United States that serves as the economic, cultural and regional capital of South Texas.

  1. 5d ago

    194. Doc Watkins on 10 Years of Jazz, TX, His New Memoir, and the Business of Live Music

    This week on bigcitysmalltown, the conversation focused on the intersection of art, business, and community in San Antonio’s music scene through the story of Doc Watkins and the evolution of Jazz Texas at the Pearl. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Jazz Texas stands as a rare example of a successful local jazz club that has weathered industry challenges, a global pandemic, and ongoing pressures within the performing arts sector. The discussion explored why Watkins chose this moment in his career to author a memoir, the realities and risks of expanding his club model to Houston and Chicago, and what it means to be a working artist and employer in a tough restaurant and music economy. Several points were raised, including the importance of place and imperfection in creating an authentic jazz experience, and the ongoing tension between artistic vision and financial viability. Key themes include: The practical challenges and philosophical questions behind running a jazz club in San AntonioHow imperfect spaces, economic uncertainty, and live performance foster creative communityThe realities behind merging restaurant and music venue operations—and why it’s harder than it looksThe state of the local arts ecosystem, including hard questions about the role of public support, private philanthropy, and leadership in sustaining organizations like the symphonyWhat it takes to build loyalty, retain talent, and keep the doors open while honoring a commitment to live musicThe discussion also touched on memorable anecdotes from behind the scenes at Jazz Texas and what the journey reveals about San Antonio’s changing cultural landscape. For listeners interested in the intersection of business, culture, and creativity in Texas, this is an in-depth look at how one club is shaping the city’s musical identity. -- -- GET THE NEWSLETTER 📰 If you enjoyed this conversation, sign up for Bob Rivard's Midweek — sharp takes on San Antonio's politics, culture, and civic life, delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Independent, nonpartisan, and free to read. Subscribe here. -- -- CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram 🔗 Join us on LinkedIn 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube SPONSORS 🙌 Support the show & see our sponsors THANK YOU ⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts ⭐ Rate us on Spotify

  2. Oct 15

    193. What Makes a Good Job? Greater:SATX and Brooks on How San Antonio Picks Its Economic Partners

    This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the current landscape and future direction of economic development in San Antonio, focusing on the interplay between attracting new employers and creating long-term opportunities for local residents. Host Cory Ames sits down with Leo Gomez, CEO of the Brooks Development Authority, and Sarah Carabias-Rush, President and CEO of Greater:SATX, for a grounded discussion on the city's approach to thoughtful growth, quality job creation, and the challenges that come with a rapidly expanding population. The conversation explores: • How regional partnerships—like those between Brooks and Greater:SATX—shape job growth and neighborhood revitalization • What kinds of jobs and industries are being prioritized, and why advanced manufacturing is seen as a game changer for economic mobility • The tension between high-profile economic wins and genuine improvements in household income and quality of life • The importance of site readiness, workforce training, and coordinated investment in ensuring that growth benefits San Antonio families • Recent developments, including IEM’s $200 million factory commitment, and how these fit into a broader vision of sustainable, inclusive prosperity We also hear perspectives on San Antonio’s long-term economic resilience, the need for industry diversification, and the practical realities of balancing outside investment with community values. -- -- GET THE NEWSLETTERS 📬 Get Cory's Texas Field Notes, a short Friday dispatch on the places, trails, and people making San Antonio and Texas wilder and wiser. Free, most Fridays. Subscribe here. -- -- FOLLOW CORY 🎥 Watch on YouTube 📸 Follow on Instagram 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn -- -- CONNECT WITH BIGCITYSMALLTOWN 📸 Connect on Instagram 🔗 Join us on LinkedIn 🎬 Subscribe on YouTube SPONSORS 🙌 Support the show & see our sponsors THANK YOU ⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts ⭐ Rate us on Spotify

  3. Oct 9

    192. From 8 Tables to the St. Anthony: Chef Leo Davila on Bringing San Antonians Back Downtown to Eat

    This week on bigcitysmalltown, we sit down with Chef Leo Davila, a San Antonio native whose personal journey has led him from childhood field trips downtown to running the kitchens at the historic St. Anthony Hotel. After gaining a following at his acclaimed eight-table restaurant, Sticks and Stone, and being named a James Beard semifinalist, Davila made the decision to close his business and lead the food program at the St. Anthony—one of the city’s most storied venues. Host Cory Ames and Chef Davila discuss the factors behind this major career move, what it means to build authenticity as a chef who defies easy categories, and the challenges of bringing everyday San Antonians back to downtown dining. Topics include: • The evolution of downtown’s dining scene and Davila’s efforts to make it approachable for locals • How growing up in a mixed Chinese-Mexican San Antonio family shaped his culinary perspective • The pressures of awards and recognition, and how a health crisis changed his priorities as a chef and leader • What it takes to keep a restaurant sustainable in San Antonio’s challenging ecosystem • Why hospitality and care are at the heart of his approach—both for staff and guests Davila offers an inside look at the realities of running a high-profile kitchen in San Antonio, and his vision for a more unified, adventurous local food scene. -- -- GET THE NEWSLETTERS 📬 Get Texas Field Notes, a short Friday dispatch on the places, trails, and people making San Antonio and Texas wilder and wiser. Free, most Fridays. Subscribe here. -- -- FOLLOW CORY 🎥 Watch on YouTube 📸 Follow on Instagram 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn -- -- CONNECT WITH BIGCITYSMALLTOWN 📸 Connect on Instagram 🔗 Join us on LinkedIn 🎬 Subscribe on YouTube SPONSORS 🙌 Support the show & see our sponsors THANK YOU ⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts ⭐ Rate us on Spotify

  4. Oct 2

    191. San Antonio Joins MIT's REAP Program: Geekdom's Charles Woodin on Building a Startup Ecosystem That Stays

    This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the changing face of San Antonio’s startup scene through the lens of Geekdom, the well-known downtown tech hub entering a new phase.  Cory Ames is joined by Charles Wooden, CEO of Geekdom, to discuss the organization’s shift from coworking to a membership-driven club model—and why the focus is increasingly on supporting startups past the “Valley of Death”: that risky stage between launch and true validation. They explore: Charles Wooden’s personal journey from Michigan to San Antonio and into local tech leadershipGeekdom’s evolution since 2011 and why it’s moving beyond coworkingThe impact of COVID-19, rapid changes in downtown, and how local entrepreneurs are adaptingThe growing partnership between Geekdom, Launch SA, and the City of San AntonioThe significance of the MIT REAP program and what it could mean for retention and growth of innovative companies in San AntonioThe vital role of UT San Antonio’s downtown expansion in fueling local talent and entrepreneurshipWhat success looks like for Geekdom and the broader ecosystem over the next decade—and how locals can get involvedFor anyone following the economic and civic development of San Antonio, this episode offers a detailed look at how one institution is redefining its mission in a rapidly shifting landscape. -- -- GET THE NEWSLETTERS 📬 Get Texas Field Notes, a short Friday dispatch on the places, trails, and people making San Antonio and Texas wilder and wiser. Free, most Fridays. Subscribe here. -- -- FOLLOW CORY 🎥 Watch on YouTube 📸 Follow on Instagram 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn -- -- CONNECT WITH BIGCITYSMALLTOWN 📸 Connect on Instagram 🔗 Join us on LinkedIn 🎬 Subscribe on YouTube SPONSORS 🙌 Support the show & see our sponsors THANK YOU ⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts ⭐ Rate us on Spotify

  5. Sep 25

    190. Filmmaker Ben Masters on Texas Rivers, What We've Lost, and What We Can Get Back

    This week on bigcitysmalltown, filmmaker Ben Masters joins Cory Ames for an in-depth look at Texas’s rivers, conservation, and the stories behind Deep in the Heart 2: Texas Rivers out in theaters, now.  Set beside a Hill Country creek, the conversation traces Masters’ journey from Amarillo to acclaimed wildlife filmmaker, uncovering what it takes to capture Texas’s landscapes on film and the social, ecological, and historical factors shaping the state’s water. They discuss: • The logistical and creative challenges of filming Texas wildlife • How rivers have shaped Texas’s cities, towns, and ecosystems • The complicated legacy of dam building and water infrastructure in the state • Why community-driven conservation efforts are crucial for the future of Texas rivers • The lessons learned from restoration victories, like the recovery of the Neches River • What Texans can do to support vibrant, healthy waterways for generations to come Deep in the Heart 2 opens a window on familiar landscapes, exploring both what’s been lost and what’s possible if Texans invest in stewardship and sustainable water management. -- -- GET THE NEWSLETTERS 📬 Get Texas Field Notes, a short Friday dispatch on the places, trails, and people making San Antonio and Texas wilder and wiser. Free, most Fridays. Subscribe here. -- -- FOLLOW CORY 🎥 Watch on YouTube 📸 Follow on Instagram 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn -- -- CONNECT WITH BIGCITYSMALLTOWN 📸 Connect on Instagram 🔗 Join us on LinkedIn 🎬 Subscribe on YouTube SPONSORS 🙌 Support the show & see our sponsors THANK YOU ⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts ⭐ Rate us on Spotify

  6. Sep 18

    189. Barbacoa, Big Red, and Blue-Collar Votes: Johnny Garcia’s Vision for Texas’ 35th Congressional District

    This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the newly redrawn Congressional District 35 and its implications for San Antonio, Bexar County, and surrounding rural communities. As political lines shift, so do the issues and challenges facing candidates and residents in the district. Bob sits down with Johnny Garcia, Democratic candidate and sheriff’s deputy, to discuss the stakes of this pivotal race, the changing demographics of District 35, and how national partisan dynamics are playing out on deeply local terms. They discuss: How redistricting has transformed District 35, shifting its profile from an Austin-anchored stronghold to a district rooted in San Antonio and neighboring countiesThe impact of national politics and party strategies on local races in TexasGarcia’s law enforcement background and how it shapes his approach to public safety, immigration, and criminal justice reformEconomic challenges faced by local businesses, workers, and families—especially in the context of tariffs, inflation, and affordable housingThe importance of grassroots engagement, earning the Latino and young voter support, and the role of outside money and national figures in the raceAs early voting approaches, this conversation provides insight into one of Texas’ most consequential congressional races and the issues at the heart of San Antonio’s future. -- -- GET THE NEWSLETTER 📰 If you enjoyed this conversation, sign up for Bob Rivard's Midweek — sharp takes on San Antonio's politics, culture, and civic life, delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Independent, nonpartisan, and free to read. Subscribe here. -- -- CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram 🔗 Join us on LinkedIn 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube SPONSORS 🙌 Support the show & see our sponsors THANK YOU ⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts ⭐ Rate us on Spotify

  7. Sep 11

    188. Duke Reiter on What Phoenix Can Teach San Antonio About Water, Heat, and Downtown Universities

    This week on bigcitysmalltown, we focus on the future of San Antonio and other Southwestern cities through the lens of urban design, infrastructure, and climate resilience.  Bob sits down with Duke Reiter, architect, educator, and founder of the Ten Across initiative, to examine the challenges and opportunities facing the cities connected by Interstate 10—from water scarcity and aging infrastructure to rapid growth, affordable housing, and the realities of climate change. Their conversation explores why San Antonio is at the crossroads—literally and figuratively—for issues shaping the region’s future, how public-private partnerships like the new Central Texas Alliance can bridge gaps between local and state government, and what lessons from Phoenix might inform San Antonio’s evolution. They discuss: The origins and goals of the Ten Across projectHow Southwestern cities are coping with water shortages and infrastructure strainsProspects for mass transit, rail, and new mobility solutions in rapidly growing metro areasThe impact of data centers, energy demands, and economic development along I-10Emerging issues around affordable housing and university expansion in downtown coresHow San Antonio and Phoenix are responding—or failing to respond—to heat, extreme weather, and climate adaptation planningIf you want a clear-eyed look at the forces shaping San Antonio’s next decades, this episode brings regional perspective to local challenges. -- -- GET THE NEWSLETTER 📰 If you enjoyed this conversation, sign up for Bob Rivard's Midweek — sharp takes on San Antonio's politics, culture, and civic life, delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Independent, nonpartisan, and free to read. Subscribe here. -- -- CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram 🔗 Join us on LinkedIn 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube SPONSORS 🙌 Support the show & see our sponsors THANK YOU ⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts ⭐ Rate us on Spotify

  8. Sep 4

    187. The Witte Museum at 100: Michelle Cuellar Everidge on Creating "the Most Curious Texans Yet"

    This week on bigcitysmalltown, we take a closer look at one of San Antonio’s cornerstone cultural institutions as it enters its centennial year—the Witte Museum. Marking 100 years since its founding in 1926, the Witte continues to serve as the city’s foremost museum of nature, science, and Texas heritage. Bob sits down with Michelle Cuellar Everidge, President and CEO of the Witte, to dissect the museum’s deep local roots, its evolving role in the community, and the challenges and opportunities that come with stewarding a historic collection in a rapidly changing city. They discuss: • The museum’s origins, including its earliest collections and civic partnerships • The ongoing responsibility to document, preserve, and interpret Texas’s prehistoric and indigenous narratives—such as the famed White Shaman Preserve in Val Verde County • How the Witte’s expansion, including its educational programming and acquisition of the Herzberg Circus Collection, shapes accessibility for local schoolchildren and families • The broader landscape of San Antonio’s museums: how collaboration and competition influence cultural growth across the city • What’s ahead for the Witte as it looks beyond its 100th anniversary, including upcoming exhibitions and a focus on fostering a “curious generation” of Texans For listeners invested in the institutions that define San Antonio—and the larger questions of how those institutions serve and reflect their communities—this episode offers an in-depth look at the past, present, and future of the Witte Museum. -- -- GET THE NEWSLETTER 📰 If you enjoyed this conversation, sign up for Bob Rivard's Midweek — sharp takes on San Antonio's politics, culture, and civic life, delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Independent, nonpartisan, and free to read. Subscribe here. -- -- CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram 🔗 Join us on LinkedIn 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube SPONSORS 🙌 Support the show & see our sponsors THANK YOU ⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts ⭐ Rate us on Spotify

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4.8
out of 5
47 Ratings

About

The bigcitysmalltown 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.Each Friday, bigcitysmalltown will offer listeners a new podcast release, a timely, focused look in one of the fastest growing cities in the United States that serves as the economic, cultural and regional capital of South Texas.

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