bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard

Bob Rivard

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. 6d ago

    Federal Judge Fred Biery Discusses Immigration Policy, Due Process, and the Power of "We the People"

    This week on bigcitysmalltown, we sit down with U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, a San Antonio local who has served 32 years on the federal bench. Known for his distinctive, often witty legal opinions, Judge Biery offers a candid look into the realities of the Western District of Texas—one of the nation’s largest and busiest federal court districts, encompassing everything from Austin to El Paso. Bob Rivard and Judge Biery discuss the pressures facing the federal courts, the increasing case backlog driven by immigration issues, and the long-term impact of national politics on local judicial work. Judge Biery reflects on the evolution of his judicial writing style, shares insights from his most high-profile cases, and considers the future of the federal judiciary as San Antonio and Texas continue to grow. Topics include: The overwhelming caseloads and staffing challenges for San Antonio’s federal judgesHow due process and immigration reform are playing out under current political conditionsThe local significance and national profile of Judge Biery’s written opinionsChanges Judge Biery has witnessed in federal courts over the past 30 yearsWhat’s ahead for the courts as San Antonio prepares for even more rapid growthA thoughtful conversation on the state of justice, local courts, and what it means for the city and region. RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN: ▶️ #174. Twenty Years at SAPD: Chief Bill McManus on Recruiting, ICE, and Who Comes Next – As San Antonio navigates federal and local challenges, Police Chief Bill McManus joins Bob Rivard to discuss two decades of policing, immigration enforcement, and the complexities of leadership in a rapidly growing city. Hear firsthand how the SAPD adapts to community needs, state laws, and the future of public safety. -- --  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

    33 min

  2. Jun 26

    177. Staying Small in San Antonio: How Clementine Found Success Without Expansion

    This week on bigcitysmalltown, we visit Clementine, a family-owned restaurant in Castle Hills that has quietly become a fixture for neighborhood dining and local sourcing in San Antonio. Bob Rivard sits down with Chef John Russ to discuss the realities of operating an ambitious independent restaurant outside of the city’s trendiest areas—and how decisions around location, size, and sustainability have shaped Clementine’s identity and resilience since opening in 2018. They discuss: • The challenges and opportunities of opening a restaurant in a modest strip center rather than downtown or at the Pearl • How the team navigated pandemic disruptions, staffing shortages, and ongoing economic uncertainty • The importance of local farms, ranches, and the broader food ecosystem that supports restaurants in South and Central Texas • The financial realities of restaurant ownership in San Antonio—and why the focus remains on community, staff, and family rather than rapid expansion • Reflections on evolving neighborhood dining, what keeps regulars coming back, and how Clementine builds connections with guests and growers alike Tune in for a grounded look at the work, risk, and local relationships behind one of San Antonio’s most respected neighborhood restaurants. RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN: ▶️ #150. The Rise of Jamaican Food in San Antonio (ft. The Jerk Shack) – Explore how culinary identity shapes a city with Chef Nicola Blaque, San Antonio’s only Michelin-recognized Jamaican chef. Host Cory Ames joins Nicola to discuss her journey from military service to launching The Jerk Shack, the evolution of San Antonio’s dining scene, and building community through food. -- --  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

    33 min

  3. Jun 19

    176. The Education of a Texas Public Servant: Ron Nirenberg's Memoir and Vision for Bexar County

    This week on bigcitysmalltown, we turn our attention to local leadership and public service in San Antonio. Bob sits down with former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, now the Democratic frontrunner for Bexar County Judge, to discuss his new memoir, The Education of a Texas Public Servant, published by Trinity University Press. The conversation delves into Nirenberg’s journey from jazz station manager to public servant, as well as the personal and professional experiences that have shaped his time in office. The episode explores how family, crisis, and San Antonio’s unique culture have influenced Nirenberg’s approach to leadership—and how those lessons may inform the city’s future as he pursues county office. They discuss: The impact of personal loss, family, and upbringing on public serviceSan Antonio’s pandemic response—what worked, what didn’t, and what needs to changePersistent challenges around poverty, economic mobility, and health care in Bexar CountyThe role of public-private partnerships and collaboration between city and county governmentsWhy investments in downtown, infrastructure, and workforce development matter for San Antonio’s resilienceListen in for a candid reflection on leadership, the city’s evolving identity, and the ongoing work of building a more equitable San Antonio. RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN: ▶️ #153. The Race to Lead Bexar County: Ron Nirenberg – Hosts Cory Ames and Bob Rivard dive into Ron Nirenberg’s campaign to become Bexar County Judge. Hear candid insights into his vision for public health, justice reform, and regional leadership as San Antonio faces a pivotal moment of growth and change. ….. 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

    39 min

  4. Jun 12

    175. Claudia Zapata's Advice on Eating Well, Staying Active, and Living Healthier in San Antonio

    This week on bigcitysmalltown, Bob Rivard sits down with registered dietitian Claudia Zapata to examine the challenges and opportunities facing San Antonio’s food culture and public health. A longtime advocate for healthier eating and community well-being, Claudia brings her experience as a columnist, former television host, and founder of the Diplomacy Diet to the discussion. Bob and Claudia discuss the roots of San Antonio’s health issues, the realities of changing eating habits in a city known for its food traditions, and the small steps individuals and institutions can take to improve outcomes for residents of all ages. They discuss: The limits of “everything in moderation” and the importance of daily choicesHow affordability and access shape San Antonio’s nutrition landscapeThe role of education in changing family and community healthHow policy, school cafeterias, and marketing influence what we eatThe importance of mobility, exercise, and social connection in lifelong healthClaudia’s personal approach to working with clients, meal planning, and teaching healthy habitsThe episode also looks at the impact of federal policy, the evolution of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, and why prevention—and practical, non-judgmental support—are central to Claudia’s work with Methodist Healthcare and her broader vision for San Antonio. RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN: ▶️ #140. The Food Bank is Harvesting Solutions to San Antonio’s Hunger – Food, health, and housing are deeply interconnected in San Antonio. In this conversation, host Cory Ames sits down with Mitch Hagney of the San Antonio Food Bank to explore how innovative farming, drought-resistant crops, and sustainable agriculture are transforming both emergency food services and long-term food security for the city’s most vulnerable communities. ….. 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

    36 min

  5. Jun 5

    174. Twenty Years at SAPD: Chief Bill McManus on Recruiting, ICE, and Who Comes Next

    This week on bigcitysmalltown, we sit down with San Antonio Police Chief William  McManus as he approaches the end of his nearly 20-year tenure leading the San Antonio Police Department. With retirement on the horizon in September 2026, Chief McManus offers a candid reflection on two decades of service in a city that has grown and changed dramatically. Bob Rivard guides a conversation that covers the evolving challenges facing law enforcement in San Antonio. From changes in public celebrations to the impact of state legislation on policing practices, Chief McManus discusses the complexities of running a department in one of the country’s largest and fastest-growing cities. They discuss: The unique pressures of policing during major community events such as Spurs celebrations and FiestaHow the department responds to trends in drunk driving, road rage, and domestic violenceThe growing influence of state immigration laws, cooperation with federal authorities, and the evolving relationship with ICEEfforts to improve recruitment, strengthen community relations, and address officer wellness and mental healthPolicing homelessness, the expansion of mental health response units, and San Antonio’s efforts to support its most vulnerable residentsThe significance of cultural awareness and community immersion for new officers, and thoughts on leadership succession within SAPDThrough personal stories and policy details, Chief McManus reflects on the accomplishments and challenges that have defined his leadership and shares what he believes San Antonio needs as it looks to the future of public safety. RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN: ▶️ #162. Close to Home on Why the City Struggles to Keep Up With Homelessness Building on this week’s discussion of policing and homelessness, Bob Rivard and Cory Ames talk with Katie Wilson of Close to Home about San Antonio’s ongoing struggle to address housing, mental health, and chronic homelessness. Discover why collaboration and long-term planning are crucial as they unpack the local realities and policy challenges behind this persistent citywide issue. -- -- 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

    48 min

  6. May 29

    173. Charlie Amato and Gary Dudley on Building SWBC — and Betting on San Antonio for 50 Years

    This week on bigcitysmalltown, Bob Rivard sits down with Charlie Amato and Gary Dudley, co-founders of SWBC, to mark the company's 50th anniversary. What began in 1976 with $1,500, a third partner in Dallas, and car trunks for offices has grown into one of San Antonio's largest and most diversified private companies, with 2,500 employees, operations in all 50 states, and a growing presence in Monterrey, Mexico. They discuss: How two friends from the Gulf Coast reunited in college, learned the insurance business from the inside, and quit their jobs on the same day to start something betterWhy they chose San Antonio as their headquarters — and why a vote, a house sale, and a buyout sealed itHow surviving 17–19% interest rates in the 1980s shaped their philosophy on diversification and financial resilienceThe decision to expand into multifamily real estate development — and what the post-COVID softening of that market looks like nowWhy they joined the group that kept the Spurs in San Antonio in 1993, and what that $85 million bet looks like at a $3.5 billion valuationTheir operation in Monterrey — why they went, how H-E-B showed them the way, and how they're thinking about security during the World CupWhat 6,000 intern applications revealed about SWBC's reputation — and how they're thinking about AI across their businessesWhy San Antonio has work to do on corporate recruitment, workforce development, and staying top of mind for CEOsRECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN: ▶ 161. Former Assistant City Manager Lori Houston Reflects on 23 Years at City Hall and Her Next Steps — SWBC's growth mirrors San Antonio's own civic evolution. This episode examines the infrastructure and leadership decisions that shaped the city Charlie and Gary bet on. ….. 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

    36 min

  7. May 22

    172. Ambassador Tony Garza on Mexico, Trade, and What San Antonio Gets Right

    This week on bigcitysmalltown, Bob Rivard sits down with Ambassador Tony Garza, a Brownsville native who served as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico under President George W. Bush from 2002 to 2009 and now works as counsel and special advisor to the global law firm White & Case in Mexico City, to discuss the state of the U.S.-Mexico relationship at a moment of unusual tension and opportunity. They discuss: Why the transactionalism defining U.S.-Mexico relations today was always present beneath the surface — and what changed when it became explicitHow President Sheinbaum has managed the relationship with Washington, and why her approach has earned approval on both sides of the borderThe coordinated operation that took down El Mencho, and what it reveals about the level of intelligence-sharing between the two governmentsWhy "cartels" is the wrong word for what Mexico is actually dealing with — and why that distinction matters for policyWhether the Trump administration would ever order direct military action inside MexicoHow multinational companies navigate corruption and security risks while continuing to invest heavily in Mexican manufacturingWhy nearshoring has proceeded more slowly than the headlines suggested — and where the real growth has actually come fromThe missed opportunity for comprehensive immigration reform in 2001, and what a more pragmatic path forward might look like todayWhy San Antonio's DNA — automotive, cyber, aeronautics, and its deep ties to northern Mexico — positions it better than Austin for what's coming next in North AmericaRECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN: ▶ 165. How Hill Country Landowners Are Challenging CPS Energy's 370-Mile Transmission Line Plan — Ambassador Garza references water and energy infrastructure as emerging areas for U.S.-Mexico cooperation. This episode examines one of the most consequential energy projects now moving through the Texas Hill Country. ….. 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

    34 min

  8. May 15

    171. Texas Public Radio and the San Antonio Report Are Merging — Here's Why

    This week on bigcitysmalltown, Bob Rivard sits down with Ashley Alvarado, CEO of Texas Public Radio, and Angie Mock, CEO of the San Antonio Report, to discuss a major development in San Antonio's local news landscape: the two organizations are merging.  Effective July 1st, the San Antonio Report will donate its assets to Texas Public Radio, combining operations under one roof to strengthen independent, nonprofit journalism in San Antonio. They discuss: Why two financially healthy organizations chose to merge — and how this is different from the consolidations happening elsewhere in the industryWhat the combined newsroom will look like on day one: 31 journalism positions, with all but four working as reporters in the communityHow the San Antonio Report's digital specificity and Texas Public Radio's broadcast reach complement each other — and what that means for covering the cityWhy YouTube has become unavoidable for reaching younger San Antonians, with 60 to 75 percent of county residents turning to it for news every weekWhat Ashley Alvarado learned leading a similar merger at KPCC in Los Angeles — and how those lessons are shaping the approach hereHow the two newsrooms will physically unite, with the San Antonio Report moving to TPR's downtown facilities in late JulyThe challenge of serving a politically diverse city — and why relevance and trust have to be built together, not assumedWhat the merger means for investigative and accountability journalism at City Hall and beyondRECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN: ▶ 170. Don Graham and Dr. Abel Antonio Chávez on Journalism, Our Lady of the Lake, and Why Access to Education Changes Everything — The retired chairman of The Washington Post Company and the president of Our Lady of the Lake University on the state of journalism, democracy, and what it takes to keep independent news alive in a city like San Antonio. ….. 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

    36 min
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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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