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bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard

Bob Rivard
San Antonio
Community Engagement
Education
Economic Development
Homelessness
Bexar County
Covid-19
Texas
Infrastructure
Public Education
Immigration
Workforce Development
Corazón Ministries
Housing Affordability
Orchestra Of San Antonio
Entrepreneurship
Climate Change
Public School Funding
Mexico
Affordable Housing

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, multicultural... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes172Founded3 years ago
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Society & CultureNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for bigcitysmalltown

Latest Episodes

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 mergin... more

YouTube

This week on bigcitysmalltown, Bob Rivard sits down with two guests at the podcast studio at Our Lady of the Lake University — a first for the show. Don Graham is the retired chairman and publisher of The Washington Post Company, whose family also ow... more

This week on bigcitysmalltown, host Cory Ames tells the story of the Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge at Phil Hardberger Park — in a new format for the show. Rather than a traditional guest conversation, this episode is a narrated oral history, recorded... more

This week on bigcitysmalltown, Cory Ames moderates a live panel from Creative Futures, a two-day summit in San Antonio bringing together creators, builders, entrepreneurs, and civic thinkers. This conversation focuses on green spaces in San Antonio —... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Ashley Alvarado
From Texas Public Radio
Texas Public Radio
Episode: 171. Texas Public Radio and the San Antonio Report Are Merging — Here's Why
Angie Mock
From The San Antonio Report
San Antonio Report
Episode: 171. Texas Public Radio and the San Antonio Report Are Merging — Here's Why
Abel Chávez
President of Our Lady of the Lake University
Our Lady of the Lake University
Episode: 170. Don Graham and Dr. Abel Antonio Chávez on Journalism, Our Lady of the Lake, and Why Access to Education Changes Everything
Don Graham
Former chairman and publisher of The Washington Post Company
The Washington Post Company / Newsweek
Episode: 170. Don Graham and Dr. Abel Antonio Chávez on Journalism, Our Lady of the Lake, and Why Access to Education Changes Everything
Phil Hardberger
Former mayor of San Antonio; key figure in land bridge project
City of San Antonio
Episode: 169. How Phil Hardberger Built a Park, a Land Bridge, and a Wildlife Corridor for San Antonio
Wendy Leonard
Natural resources manager for Phil Hardberger Park
Phil Hardberger Park
Episode: 169. How Phil Hardberger Built a Park, a Land Bridge, and a Wildlife Corridor for San Antonio
Brandon Ross
Capital Programs Manager for San Antonio Parks and Recreation; overseer of the Howard Peak Greenway Trail System
San Antonio Parks and Recreation
Episode: 168. More Than Parks: How San Antonio Is Building Trails, Gardens, and Green Space Into a Growing City
Bob Webster
Co-owner of Shades of Green Nursery, now transforming into a public legacy garden
Shades of Green Nursery
Episode: 168. More Than Parks: How San Antonio Is Building Trails, Gardens, and Green Space Into a Growing City
Stephen Luckey
Founder and CEO of Gardopia Gardens; urban agriculture nonprofit
Gardopia Gardens
Episode: 168. More Than Parks: How San Antonio Is Building Trails, Gardens, and Green Space Into a Growing City

Hosts

Bob Rivard
Host of Big City Small Town; veteran journalist with deep ties to San Antonio's civic and cultural scene.
Cory Ames
Co-host contributing local perspective and guest coordination; frequently appears with a focus on community issues in San Antonio.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 78 ratings
  • Helped me vote for mayor

    There are 27 candidates running for mayor. Thank goodness for this podcast and being able to listen to the top contenders in depth. I really appreciate having this locally focused podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Annie5111978
    United Statesa year ago
  • Always interesting and informative!

    I’ve been following Bob Rivard’s work since The Rivard Report. The detail and depth he brings to each story and episode is an expression of the passion he has for his work. I listen regularly, even to episodes that don’t seem initially all that interesting to me, because his work always inspires me to broaden my interests in, and to engage with, my community and beyond! Definitely worth a follow if you live, ever lived, and/or love San Antonio, Texas, or of well done and informative content!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FranciscoG1
    United States2 years ago
  • San Antonio on tap!!!!

    If you live in San Antonio, this podcast is a must listen. Rivard’s cultivated perspective of our city, and network in San Antonio translates to an informative and thought provoking podcast. However most importantly Big City Small Town host conversations that should be heard and had all over San Antonio. Subscribe. Subscribe. Subscribe.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cblank92
    United States3 years ago
  • Thanks!

    I have thoroughly enjoyed every episode. Keep up the good work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Roy lover of music
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Always interesting and informative: The host's depth and engagement broaden listeners' interest in community topics.
Helped me vote for mayor: This local-focused deep dive into contenders is valuable for understanding city leadership.
Thanks!: Positive feedback on consistency and quality of episodes.
San Antonio on tap!!!!: A strong recommendation for residents who want thoughtful, city-focused conversations.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

163. Protecting Big Bend: Officials, Business Owners, and Outfitters Take a Stand
Q: How do you foresee the wall affecting tourism and local businesses?
He explains that a wall would disrupt the river economy and threaten small businesses and landowners, emphasizing the need for solutions that protect both security and livelihoods.
161. Former Assistant City Manager Lori Houston Reflects on 23 Years at City Hall and Her Next Steps
Q: What makes CE Group unique in the San Antonio market?
CE Group is an experiential marketing firm with multiple service lines including events, PR, and creative; it emphasizes mentorship, internships, and a pipeline for talent, combined with a strong focus on large, complex events like Final Fours and galas.
161. Former Assistant City Manager Lori Houston Reflects on 23 Years at City Hall and Her Next Steps
Q: How did the transition from public service to CE Group occur?
Lori describes a deliberate shift: recognizing a desire for more flexible work and influence, leveraging mentorship, and then negotiating to acquire CE Group from Janet Holliday, transforming from a public-sector leader to a private-sector operator.
158. Spay, Neuter, Repeat: Solving San Antonio's Stray Problem
Q: Are we changing the culture regarding spaying and neutering in San Antonio?
Yes, there is progress, but much work remains, especially in underserved communities where awareness and access to services are still challenges.
158. Spay, Neuter, Repeat: Solving San Antonio's Stray Problem
Q: How does the spay and neuter network work and what services do they provide?
The network offers low-cost spay and neuter services, focusing on underserved communities and also provides transport services for pets to get to their clinic.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Interests
Professions
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Frequently Asked Questions About bigcitysmalltown

What is bigcitysmalltown about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program tends to feature in-depth conversations with San Antonio leaders, organizers, and industry experts who are shaping the city's growth, governance, and culture. Episodes frequently cover topics like urban development, housing, public services, environmental initiatives, and the regional economy, often highlighting collaboration between nonprofits, government, and business. A standout pattern is its focus on practical local impact—stories about infrastructure projects, education access, and community-led programs that aim to make San Antonio a more inclusive, resilient, and vibrant place. Noteworthy is the emphasis on tying local issues to broader regional growth and using diverse guest perspectives to illuminate complex challenge... more

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Which podcasts are similar to bigcitysmalltown?

These podcasts share a similar audience with bigcitysmalltown:

1. Beyond the Bite
2. ENside Politics
3. WSJ What’s News
4. Freakonomics Radio
5. Up First from NPR

How many episodes of bigcitysmalltown are there?

bigcitysmalltown launched 3 years ago and published 172 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on bigcitysmalltown?

Recent guests on bigcitysmalltown include:

1. Ashley Alvarado
2. Angie Mock
3. Abel Chávez
4. Don Graham
5. Phil Hardberger
6. Wendy Leonard
7. Brandon Ross
8. Bob Webster

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