79. Meredith Walker and the Texas Business Hall of Fame
bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard
Release Date: 11/08/2024
101. The Last Word - Bigcitysmalltown is Growing: 100 Episodes & What’s Next
bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard
This week’s Last Word is a special one: bigcitysmalltown has hit 100 episodes. Host Bob Rivard reflects on this milestone, the journey so far, and what’s ahead for the podcast that tells the stories of the people shaping San Antonio’s future. From decades in journalism to launching bigcitysmalltown, Bob shares his perspective on how the media landscape has evolved, why local storytelling matters more than ever, and what’s next for the show as it continues to grow. With San Antonio at the heart of every conversation, bigcitysmalltown has brought together leaders, changemakers, and...
info_outline
100. The Future of UTSA with President Taylor Eighmy: Merger, Expansion, & Big Plans for San Antonio
bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard
This week’s episode of bigcitysmalltown explores how UTSA is rapidly evolving into a top public research university—and what this means for San Antonio’s future. With its confirmed merger with UT Health San Antonio now in progress, UTSA is making bold moves to expand its research capabilities, attract top-tier faculty, and position itself among the nation’s leading public universities. But what does this transformation mean for students, the local economy, and the broader San Antonio community? Bob sits down with Dr. Taylor Eighmy, President of the University of Texas at San...
info_outline
99. The Last Word - Bexar County Seeks to Expand Mental Health Services—But Will the State Step Up?
bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard
This week’s Last Word commentary examines the growing demand for mental health services in Bexar County—and whether the state will provide the funding needed to meet it. Bob Rivard unpacks the county’s plan to expand in-patient mental health services, why the need for more capacity has been a long-standing issue, and what it will take for Texas lawmakers to support these efforts. With statewide hospital bed shortages and increasing pressure on emergency rooms and law enforcement, how will Bexar County’s move impact care for those in crisis? And will the state step up to ensure...
info_outline
98. Public School Funding in Texas: What San Antonio’s Business Leaders Want Lawmakers to Fix
bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard
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 change. Host Bob Rivard is joined by Mario Barrera, a San Antonio attorney and former chairman of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and Luis Rodriguez, president and CEO of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Together, they break down what’s at stake for public education in San Antonio as the Texas Legislature debates funding...
info_outline
97. The Last Word - Will Texas Be Ready for the Next Disaster? The Fight Over FEMA
bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard
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 under this next administration, and why Texas—prone to hurricanes, wildfires, and extreme weather—has so much at stake. With climate-driven disasters on the rise, will Texas be prepared if federal support dwindles? And what happens if states are forced to handle disaster relief on their own? Join us for a thoughtful reflection on the...
info_outline
96. How a Baggage Handler Became One of San Antonio’s Most Iconic Artists
bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard
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, text-based public art, wit-infused commentary, and unconventional career path. From working as a baggage handler at an airline to creating public art installations across San Antonio, Denver, and beyond, Sweeney’s work blends humor with sharp social observations. With a career that spans decades—and a few rejected public art proposals along the...
info_outline
95. The Last Word - San Antonio City Council’s Failed Vote to Fund Abortion Travel
bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard
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 Rivard breaks down what happened in the council chambers, why the vote failed, and what it signals for San Antonio’s upcoming elections. With abortion access increasingly restricted statewide, this debate raises broader questions: Should cities step in where state laws limit healthcare options? And how will this issue shape the future political...
info_outline
94. Will the Immigration Crackdown Impact San Antonio? A Legal Expert Weighs In
bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard
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 San Antonio-based firm De Mott, Curtright and Armendáriz (DMCA), to discuss the real consequences of shifting immigration policies—what’s at stake for families, businesses, and the broader South Central Texas community. With new challenges emerging under the next Trump presidency, Claudia breaks down what immigrants need to know, the legal...
info_outline
93. The Last Word - The Gulf of Neighbors
bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard
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 Trump presidency, Bob Rivard explores how the Gulf symbolizes both unity and division. With proposals like renaming the Gulf to the “Gulf of America” floating in political discourse, this commentary examines what’s at stake for the communities and economies shaped by this vital waterway. Join us for a thoughtful reflection on the Gulf’s...
info_outline
92. Meet San Antonio’s New Family-Friendly Art Residency: Parts & Labor
bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard
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 of the Parts & Labor Residency, a nonprofit organization in Southtown San Antonio that provides mid-career artists with the time, space, and resources they need to pursue their creative work. Designed to meet the unique needs of caregivers, the residency offers infrastructure like childcare to help artists focus on their practice while...
info_outlineThis 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 leaders. Bottom line success is not enough for someone to gain entry. Philanthropy, giving back, and community engagement are essential factors in each year’s class of inductees. On November 13th, and the Admiral, NBA Hall of Famer and legendary San Antonio Spur David Robinnson will be among the small group of inductees honored at the annual induction dinner in Dallas.