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This week on bigcitysmalltown, we look at how UT San Antonio's Klesse College of Engineering is driving new ambition among San Antonio students—and earning global attention in the process. As UT San Antonio continues its evolution into a Tier 1 research institution, the experience of freshman-led Team 210 Robotics provides a window into both the campus culture and the resources shaping today's engineering talent.Host Bob Rivard is joined by Israel Elizondo and Dyshana Torres, two undergraduates whose team won the 2026 Siemens Immersive Design Competition, an international challenge with 1,900 entries from 350 universities worldwide. Their winning project—RoboRowdy—automates 3D print farms, showcasing both technical skill and initiative.They discuss:• How a student-driven idea grew inside a UT San Antonio dorm and became a winning global engineering project• The processes, faculty support, and university investment behind Team 210's success• What it means for San Antonio—and for UT San Antonio—to compete on a world stage alongside Princeton, Georgia Tech, and international universities• What's changing for local students as programs, internships, and research expand at UTSA• Personal stories from Israel and Dyshana about college access, scholarships, and navigating first-generation experiences• The role of immersive engineering, virtual reality, and AI in shaping education and careers for San Antonio's next generationTune in for a candid conversation about opportunity, preparation, and change at one of the city's fastest-evolving institutions.-- --GET THE NEWSLETTER

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we take a close look at the evolution of solar energy in San Antonio, a city that now leads Texas and ranks among the top five in the nation for solar capacity. As CPS Energy's long-running rebate programs wind down and the policy landscape shifts, what does the future hold for local solar initiatives—and for the residents and businesses looking to take part?In conversation with Robert Miggins, CEO and co-founder of Big Sun Solar, the discussion explores how commercial solar has changed over the past decade, examines San Antonio's municipal solar project—the largest in Texas, and the second largest in the U.S.—and unpacks how regulatory and economic factors have shaped the city's unique position in the energy sector.Topics include:• The impact of policy changes and waning rebates on San Antonio's solar growth• How cost, regulation, and the utility landscape affect solar adoption across the state• Details and outcomes of the City of San Antonio's major municipal solar project• The new community solar initiative making solar accessible to renters and apartment dwellers• The evolving role of solar, wind, and battery storage in Texas' energy futureTune in for an in-depth conversation about the opportunities and challenges facing solar energy in San Antonio, and what it means for the city's future.-- --GET THE NEWSLETTER

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine how San Antonio is preparing for—and managing—the increasing threat of extreme heat. As another sweltering summer grips the city, heat is no longer just an annual inconvenience but a growing risk to public health, infrastructure, and the local economy.Cory Ames speaks with Laura Patiño, Director of the Department of Resilience and Sustainability for the City of San Antonio. The conversation focuses on the city's new Heat Resiliency Playbook, what makes San Antonio's climate challenges distinct, and how neighborhoods most affected by heat are shaping the response.They discuss:What the data reveals about the rise in extreme heat days in San AntonioHow heat impacts everything from electricity bills and public health to transportation and tourismStrategies in the Heat Resiliency Playbook: from cool pavements and tree planting to resilience hubsTracking the effectiveness of solutions—and the challenges of funding and coordination across departmentsWhy keeping heat resilience a priority is critical for San Antonio's futureFor a closer look at a city adapting to new climate realities, listen wherever you get your podcasts or visit bigcitysmalltown.com.-- --GET THE NEWSLETTER

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the latest ALICE data and the stark realities of financial hardship facing working families in San Antonio and Bexar County. According to a new report from UnitedforALICE and United Way, 44% of local households are struggling to afford basic needs—even when earning more than twice the federal poverty line.Host Cory Ames is joined by Stephanie Smith of United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, and Jonathan Gurwitz, United Way board member and partner at K. Harvey Brand Partners, to break down what the ALICE numbers reveal and what they mean for the city's present and future.They discuss:What ALICE means, how this data set is developed, and how it differs from federal poverty measurementsThe specific challenges impacting working families, including childcare, housing, and stagnant wagesHow local factors—from citywide childcare initiatives to workforce training programs—are addressing, or failing to address, the needs of nearly half the countyThe complex causes and cascading effects of financial strain on mental health, physical well-being, and the broader communityWhat policymakers, business leaders, and citizens should take away from this data as San Antonio considers budget priorities, new legislation, and future investmentsFor a clear-eyed look at how economic realities are shaping San Antonio—and the responses underway to meet those challenges—listen wherever you get your podcasts, or visit bigcitysmalltown.com.-- --GET THE NEWSLETTER

Discover the hilarious gender-swap comedy critics dismissed but audiences enjoyed.In this episode of Review It Yourself, host Sean welcomes back Lou from Pods Like Us for a lively discussion about the 2026 Netflix comedy Ladies First, starring Sacha Baron Cohen. Three years after their last recording together, Sean and Lou reunite to review a film that flips traditional gender roles on their head. Inspired by the French comedy I Am Not an Easy Man, Ladies First explores what happens when a misogynist wakes up in a world where gender expectations are completely reversed.The conversation compares Ladies First to classic British romantic comedies including Bridget Jones, Sliding Doors, and Bend It Like Beckham, while also revisiting themes discussed in their previously lost review of What Women Want. Is this gender-swap comedy simply a light-hearted romp, or does it have something meaningful to say about modern relationships, equality, and how we treat one another?Sean and Lou discuss:

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we turn our attention to Knight Aerospace—an innovative San Antonio company with a global footprint, yet little name recognition. Based at Port San Antonio, Knight Aerospace specializes in creating advanced modular systems for military and government aircraft, enabling rapid transformation for missions ranging from medical evacuations to VIP transport.Bob sits down with Bianca Rhodes, CEO and president of Knight Aerospace, to examine her journey from the Rio Grande Valley to the helm of a company at the intersection of manufacturing, medicine, and aviation. The discussion traces the company's evolution, how the region's educational and business infrastructure shapes its workforce, and where San Antonio fits in the broader aerospace and biomedical landscape.They discuss:• The origins and unique business model of Knight Aerospace• How the company pivoted during the Ebola and COVID-19 crises• The realities—and opportunities—facing women in aerospace and manufacturing in San Antonio• San Antonio's economic and educational challenges, and what's needed for the city to reach its potential• Rhodes' faith and commitment to educational outreach, workforce development, and her work with local nonprofitsFor those interested in how local industry, education, and civic leadership intersect in San Antonio's growth story, this conversation provides a grounded look at both the possibilities and the obstacles ahead.RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶️ #98. Public School Funding in Texas: What San Antonio's Business Leaders Want Lawmakers to Fix – Host Bob Rivard sits down with top business leaders Mario Barrera and Luis Rodriguez to tackle the urgent crisis facing public education funding in San Antonio. If you care about the city's economic future and the challenges local schools face, this episode delivers an essential look at how funding decisions today will shape tomorrow's workforce.-- --GET THE NEWSLETTER

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we explore the unlikely journey of Tio Pelon's Salsita, a San Antonio-made salsa brand found across Texas grocery shelves—and the story of the entrepreneur behind it. Bob sits down with Oscar Perez, architect-turned-founder of Tio Pelon, to examine how a borderlands upbringing, a family recipe, and a series of calculated risks transformed a backyard experiment into a recognizable name in local stores.Bob and Oscar discuss:• The personal, cultural, and economic factors that shaped Tio Pelon's origins• Navigating the legal, regulatory, and logistical hurdles of building a food business in Texas• The realities behind scaling from farmers markets to H-E-B and beyond• What automation, capital, and community support look like for a small-batch producer• The broader impact of San Antonio's food entrepreneurs on the city's identityThe conversation provides a window into the challenges, pivots, and opportunities facing San Antonio's small business community, and offers perspective on what it means to build something authentic—and sustainable—in one of the nation's most vibrant culinary cities.RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶️ #129. Inside Launch SA — San Antonio's One-Stop Resource for Small Business – For anyone inspired by the entrepreneurial journey of Tío Pelón's Salsita, this episode dives into Launch SA, the city's resource hub for small businesses. Guest host Cory Ames and director Matthew Espinoza unpack the support systems, challenges, and evolving landscape facing San Antonio's founders and makers.-- --GET THE NEWSLETTER

This week on bigcitysmalltown, the conversation turns to the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio (YOSA) at a pivotal moment in its history. As YOSA prepares for its 50th anniversary and the opening of its first permanent home, the discussion examines the organization's impact on music education, city culture, and the future of classical music in San Antonio.Bob is joined in the studio by YOSA Music Director Troy Peters, who reflects on his long tenure, the challenges faced by young musicians, and the broader arts ecosystem in the region. With Peters soon joining his wife, Anne, in South Carolina after her appointment as vice president of marketing at USC, he offers a candid look at transitions—both personal and institutional.Topics include:• The role of music education in shaping San Antonio's youth• How YOSA mirrors the city's diversity and expands access for underserved communities• The future of classical music in San Antonio and the challenges faced by local orchestras• YOSA's upcoming permanent home and what it means for the city's performing arts scene• The realities of nonprofit funding, city support, and the sustainability of arts organizations in uncertain timesIt's a look at the people and ideas that keep San Antonio's cultural life evolving, even as the city navigates change.RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶️ #156. Sustaining the Arts: The Orchestra San Antonio's Plan to Merge Performance and Education – With professional orchestras in flux, this episode explores whether San Antonio can truly sustain a world-class symphony. Host Cory Ames sits down with Orchestra San Antonio's Paul Montalvo to dig into funding, education, and bold new models for the city's musical future.-- --GET THE NEWSLETTER

This week on bigcitysmalltown, the focus shifts to homelessness in San Antonio—an issue that remains top-of-mind for both policymakers and residents, despite substantial public and private investment.Bob welcomes Rhonda Mundhenk, who recently stepped into the role of CEO at the San Antonio shelter, Haven for Hope. They discuss the realities on the ground, the evolving demographics of homelessness, and how San Antonio's approach compares to other major cities. The conversation explores what's working, where resource gaps remain, and the impact of housing costs and healthcare policy on the most vulnerable.They discuss:• The distinction between homelessness as a condition versus a problem in San Antonio• How Haven for Hope's 15-year Blueprint for Hope study informs future strategies• The city's increasing population of unsheltered residents and the underlying economic drivers• The challenges of coordinating services—and funding streams—across local and federal agencies• The growing need for affordable housing, permanent supportive care, and better healthcare reimbursement• Why sustained collaboration is key to improving outcomes for both families experiencing short-term hardship and individuals facing chronic homelessnessFor listeners seeking to understand the complexities behind San Antonio's most pressing social issue, this episode offers a grounded look at the data, policy decisions, and daily realities shaping the city's response.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.-- --GET THE NEWSLETTER

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

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 alikeTune 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

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

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, 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

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In celebration of the birth anniversary and enduring legacy of Agnès Varda, we are revisiting one of our favourite conversations on The Artists Podcast.Joining us is acclaimed film critic Carrie Rickey, former chief film critic of The Philadelphia Inquirer and author of the acclaimed biography A Complicated Passion: The Life and Work of Agnès Varda.Why did Martin Scorsese call Agnès Varda one of the "gods of cinema"?From photography to filmmaking to installation art, Varda continually reinvented herself and expanded the possibilities of cinema. Long before many of her contemporaries, she explored themes of feminism, memory, labour, aging, immigration, and identity while creating a cinematic language entirely her own.In this conversation, we explore:Varda's relationships with artists, filmmakers, and intellectualsHer transition from photography to cinema and installation artHow she developed her own cinematic grammarThe French New Wave and her place within itHer partnership with Jacques DemyHer friendships with Andy Warhol, Susan Sontag, Jim Morrison, and many othersWhy her work continues to inspire filmmakers across generations, including Martin Scorsese04:15 Varda's relationships with people — Jim Morrison, Susan Sontag & others 14:02 Creating a new cinematic syntax17:25 The challenges of financing films21:00 "Jumping into the swimming pool"23:00 The complicated relationship between Varda and Jacques Demy27:00 Encounters with Andy Warhol, Susan Sontag & other cultural icons29:00 What happens when both husband and wife are filmmakers? How Demy's career affected Varda's trajectory32:00 How Varda bought back her films to own the copyright 33:00 Agnès Varda, Jim Morrison, and a funeral shorter than a Doors song 38:12 Martin Scorsese's admiration for Agnès Varda A conversation about cinema, creativity, artistic independence, and one of the most original artists of the twentieth century.

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

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

What if sustaining your health has less to do with chasing wellness trends… and more to do with the way you think about wellness in the first place? In this episode, Cynthia shares why healthy living can quietly feel overwhelming, and how small, intentional shifts in your mindset, habits, routines, and home environment may matter more than perfection ever will.

In the birth month of Satyajit Ray, we are dropping a very special episode.Where did Ray's unforgettable characters emerge from?Was he fundamentally an Indian filmmaker—or deeply, profoundly a filmmaker of Bengal and Kolkata?How did one artist move so effortlessly between stories of women, loneliness, urban anxieties, politics, childhood, fantasy, detective fiction, and even horror?What shaped Ray's gaze? Where did his extraordinary empathy, observation, and range of storytelling come from?In this expansive episode of The Artists Podcast, we explore the inner world of Ray with film scholar Ranjani Mazumdar—one of India's most respected voices on cinema, urban modernity, and visual culture.From Charulata and Mahanagar to Devi, Nayak, Akira Kurosawa, and Ritwik Ghatak—this is a journey into Ray's cinema, thinking, and world.03:15 Environmental & spatial aesthetics in Ray's cinema04:40 Habits that made Ray deeply cinematic07:16 Kolkata filmmaker or Indian filmmaker?08:15 Devi, Nayak, Charulata 12:00 Cinema & architecture — Charulata and Mahanagar 15:00 Creating psychological states21:00 Ray's ability to understand women & inner life28:00 Kurosawa & Ray29:00 Ray & Ghatak 38:00 Rejecting the popular — B&W to colour39:00 Three Ray films for Gen Z

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

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

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 owned Newsweek Magazine, where Bob worked as a war correspondent and later chief of correspondents in the 1990s. Dr. Abel Antonio Chávez is the 10th president of Our Lady of the Lake University, a position he has held since July 2022. A first-generation, first-in-family college graduate and son of immigrants, he went from Front Range Community College to a BS in mechanical engineering, an MBA, and a PhD in civil and environmental engineering, and built a career partnering with local governments and universities across the globe on community-based energy and emissions accounting.Graham came to campus as a commencement speaker. The visit grew out of his decades-long commitment to college access — work rooted in Washington, DC, where the city's lack of a state university system means students pay out-of-state tuition everywhere they apply.They discuss:How Our Lady of the Lake has served San Antonio's most economically challenged students for 130 years — and what it takes to sustain that mission todayDr. Chávez's path from a Denver neighborhood to a top engineering school he couldn't afford, a pivot to community college, and eventually the presidency of a university in a neighborhood that looks just like the one he grew up inHow Don Graham's time as a beat cop in Washington, DC after Vietnam shaped his understanding of what college access actually meansThe federal scholarship program Graham helped push through a unanimous Republican Congress in 1998 to help DC students afford collegeWhat Graham witnessed as an early Facebook board member — and what it taught him about giving young people real responsibilityThe sale of The Washington Post to Jeff Bezos in 2013, why it happened, and what Graham thinks of the paper todaySan Antonio's deep economic and cultural ties to Mexico — and how tariffs are affecting the local auto manufacturing economyWhat it means to be an optimist about American democracy after decades at the center of Washington lifeRECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶ 149. How AlamoPROMISE Continues Expanding College Access for San Antonians — Stephanie Vasquez, Chief Program Officer for Alamo Promise, on what it takes to make college accessible to every Bexar County high school graduate — and what the program has learned from serving more than 30,000 Promise scholars.GET THE NEWSLETTER

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 in the field at the park itself, weaving together tape from a morning walk Cory took with former Mayor Phil Hardberger and natural resources manager Wendy Leonard.Just a week or so before this episode was released, a bronze statue of Phil Hardberger was unveiled at the park that bears his name. He is 91 years old and still walks the trails.The episode covers:How Phil Hardberger promised San Antonio a new park while running for mayor — and spent two years looking for the right landThe phone call that led him to a former dairy farm on the north side, never fully clear-cut, 330 acres still largely as nature left itHow Wurzbach Parkway split the property in two — and why that became the genesis of one of the most celebrated wildlife bridges in the countryThe $23 million fight to fund the land bridge, the jury of architects Phil assembled, and the moment he committed to raising $12 million himselfHow the bridge was engineered — steel girders, three feet of soil, Corten steel walls designed to block sight and sound from 60,000 cars passing underneath dailyWhy animals began crossing before construction was even finished — and how within one year, all 31 mammal species known to inhabit the park had been documented using itWhat Wendy Leonard has learned managing the bridge's natural systems, and why the vegetation hasn't always cooperatedHow the land bridge reconnected a wildlife corridor stretching to the Salado Creek Greenway — and brought painted buntings back to the parkRECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶ 168. More Than Parks: How San Antonio Is Building Trails, Gardens, and Green Space Into a Growing City — A Creative Futures panel on green equity, urban nature, and the push to integrate green spaces into every corner of a fast-growing city. Essential context for this conversation.…..GET THE NEWSLETTER

"Saying the pledge now isn't capitulation. It's repossession." Reviews are the lifeblood of independent podcasts. If TP&R belongs in more people's ears, here's how you make that happen: Apple Podcasts: Rate & Review on Apple Spotify: Rate on Spotify For 15 years, Corey stood during the Pledge of Allegiance without putting his hand on his heart or saying the words. It wasn't apathy, and it wasn't a performance. It was a conviction, rooted in Scripture and a genuine question: is this a pledge I can actually make? Then something shifted. In this solo episode, Corey traces the journey from that first awkward moment of awareness at a local business meeting, through the Book of Daniel, to a spring morning in 2026 — and explains why starting to say the pledge again isn't a concession to anyone. It's a reclamation. Calls to Action ✅ If this conversation resonates, consider sharing it with someone who believes connection across difference still matters. ✅ Subscribe to Corey's Substack: coreysnathan.substack.com ✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics ✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform. ✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion Key Takeaways Ritual deserves examination. Standing and reciting from muscle memory is different from making a conscious pledge. The distinction matters. The flag and the republic are not the same thing. One can be weaponized; the other is the idea worth pledging to. Corey's return to the pledge came from finally separating the two. January 6th is not an abstraction. Men with the flag draped across their backs as a cape, the pole weaponized against police officers — those are photographs of specific people committing a specific desecration. That image clarified something. Reclamation, not capitulation. Words like conservative, Christian, liberty, and freedom have been sloganized and shouted as weapons. They belong to a tradition, not to the people who've hijacked them. Same goes for the pledge. The grammar of the pledge matters. Read without the unwritten, hypnotic pauses, the pledge isn't to a flag. It's to the republic for which the flag stands. That's a pledge worth making. Thanks to our Sponsors and Partners Thanks to Pew Research Center (pewresearch.org) for making today's conversation possible. Proud members of The Democracy Group Connect on Social Media Corey is @coreysnathan on all the socials… Substack LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Threads Bluesky TikTok Go talk some politics and religion. With gentleness and respect.

New Episode — Full WatchTwo masters. Two radically different ways of seeing cinema.In this episode of The Artists Podcast, we explore the worlds of Akira Kurosawa and Yasujirō Ozu with renowned film scholar David Desser—a leading voice in Japanese cinema studies.How do artists form a way of seeing the world?And what shapes their stories, styles, and cinematic language?From cultural influences and philosophy to audience, failure, and ambition—this conversation looks at what made Kurosawa and Ozu two of the most influential filmmakers in history.

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 — how we grow them, how we protect them, and how we creatively integrate nature into a city that is expanding fast.Joining Cory are Brandon Ross, capital programs manager for San Antonio Parks and Recreation, where he has spent two decades overseeing the Howard Peak Greenway Trail System, now over 100 miles of connected trail and growing; Bob Webster, co-owner of Shades of Green Nursery, a San Antonio institution he and his business partner Roberta Church built over 45 years, now being transformed into a public legacy garden; Stephen Lucke, founder and CEO of Gardopia Gardens, a nonprofit stewarding more than 20 acres across 75 schools and 10 school districts, reaching over 25,000 people annually; and Adriana Quiñones, President and CEO of Arboretum San Antonio, a 230-plus-acre former golf course on the southeast side being converted into one of the city's most significant public green spaces.They discuss:How the Howard Peak Greenway Trail System grew to over 100 miles — and why connecting green spaces multiplies their ecological valueThe physical barriers — rail lines, major roadways, lack of safe crossings — that limit access to parks and trails across the cityWhy Bob Webster turned down $3.5 million for Shades of Green, and what he's building in its placeThe difference between a park and a garden, and why San Antonio needs bothHow Gardopia Gardens uses school yards, churches, and public land to integrate food growing into everyday lifeWhy native and edible trees — pecans, Mexican plums, mulberries — should replace the default landscaping choices across the cityHow Arboretum San Antonio is using community input from over 18,000 San Antonians to shape a 20-year development planWhat green equity means in practice, and why access to green space shouldn't require traveling farRECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶ 160. How a Polluted Lake Became a Wildlife Haven in San Antonio — A closer look at how one of San Antonio's most degraded natural spaces was reclaimed — and what it says about the city's relationship with its environment.…..GET THE NEWSLETTER

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. The conversation centers on what it looks like to build a creative life and creative career in San Antonio — and what the city still needs to get there.Joining Cory are Lionel Sosa, founder of what became the largest Hispanic advertising agency in the United States, a consultant on multiple national presidential campaigns, and a portrait artist whose work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian and presidential libraries; Kathy Sosa, co-founder of one of the Southwest's largest independent Hispanic ad agencies, a veteran of national political campaigns, and a mixed media artist whose work exploring the Texas-Mexico borderland has earned national recognition; and Andi Rodriguez, Vice President of Cultural Placemaking at Centro San Antonio, whose Art Everywhere project has placed hundreds of commissioned works by local artists throughout downtown since 2020.They discuss:How San Antonio's arts infrastructure has grown — from grant programs to the 1.5% public art provision in city building projectsWhy strong mayoral leadership has historically driven the city's creative identity, and what a leadership vacuum means for the arts communityWhat the Art Everywhere project has taught Andi about building a supply chain for public art in the private sectorWhat Lionel and Kathy have observed in Querétaro, Mexico — including a program that lets artists pay income taxes with their workThe mindset differences between artists who thrive and those who don't — and why shameless self-promotion is a survival skillHow the discovery of a Querétaro church's role in building San Antonio's missions led to a documentary, a binational art show, and a student cultural exchangeRECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶ 64. Kathy Sosa and Antonio Arelle Barquet: The Other Side of the Mirror — Kathy Sosa and Antonio Arelle Barquet, director of the Museum of Art in Querétaro, discuss the binational art project that grew out of the historic connection between Querétaro and San Antonio's missions — the same story Kathy and Lionel recount in this episode... ..GET THE NEWSLETTER

This week on bigcitysmalltown, Bob Rivard sits down with Dr. Michelangelo Sabatino, director of UT San Antonio's School of Architecture and Planning and the Roland K. Bloomberg Endowed Professor in Architecture. Six months into his role, Sabatino is making the rounds — meeting architects, developers, civic leaders, and students — and bringing a historian's eye and a pedestrian's sensibility to one of the fastest-growing cities in the country.They discuss:What drew Sabatino from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago to San Antonio, and why the city's UNESCO World Heritage sites and River Walk made it an easy callHow the school's move to One Riverwalk Place is transforming not just where students learn, but how — using the downtown core as a living laboratoryWhy adaptive reuse, not new construction, is where the most creative architectural thinking happens — and how San Antonio has long led the wayThe challenge of knitting together UTSA's expanding downtown campus across four compass points of the urban core, and what 6,000 students downtown by end of 2026 could mean for the cityHow San Antonio's growth into a megaregion with Austin raises urgent questions about equity, infrastructure, and who benefitsThe "bird's eye view" problem: why seeing cities only from above — or from a car — leads to dangerous planning mistakesWhy first-generation students from San Antonio's working-class neighborhoods may be the city's most important agents of changeRECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶ #151. 8.3 Million New Neighbors by 2050 — Henry Cisneros and Bob Rivard on the Austin-San Antonio Megaregion — Essential context for this conversation. Henry Cisneros and Bob Rivard examine the demographic forces reshaping the San Antonio-Austin corridor and what it means for how both cities plan, build, and grow... ..GET THE NEWSLETTER

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the fight over the Howard Solstice Transmission Line — a proposed 370-mile, 765kV power line that would connect CPS Energy's Howard Road Station in Bexar County to a new substation in Pecos County, cutting through some of the most ecologically sensitive terrain in Texas.Host Bob Rivard welcomes Ted Flato, founding principal of Lake|Flato Architects and founder of the Headwaters Alliance, and Jada Jo Smith, owner of Orange Blossom Realty in Utopia and an elected official on the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District. Both are longtime Hill Country ranchers and leading voices in the opposition coalition, which has grown to nearly 48,000 members.They discuss:How CPS Energy and AEP Texas proposed the line — and why the compressed timeline caught landowners off guardWhy the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone makes certain routes especially dangerousHow the Hill Country Preservation Coalition built a broad, bipartisan opposition movement in a matter of monthsWhat "the least harmful route" means — and how much of it CPS Energy appears to have embracedWhat landowners can expect if the line crosses their property, and why eminent domain is the worst outcomeWhere the case stands now as the Public Utility Commission of Texas prepares to make a final decisionRECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶ #159. The Cost of Powering San Antonio: CPS Energy  - CEO Rudy Garza on Potential Increasing Rates, Sustainable Growth, and Grid Demand — Bob Rivard sat down with CPS Energy CEO Rudy Garza to explore the pressures facing San Antonio's municipally owned utility, including surging demand, grid reliability, and the infrastructure investments driving the Howard Solstice project. Essential context for this conversation... ..GET THE NEWSLETTER

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the story behind ProsperOps, a cloud cost optimization startup with roots in San Antonio and Austin. Founded by a group of former Rackspace employees—known as “Rackers”—ProsperOps has quietly grown into a significant player in cloud services, culminating in its acquisition by Chicago-based Flexera earlier this year.Host Bob Rivard welcomes founders Eric Carlin and Chris Cochran for an in-depth conversation about the company's unconventional journey. Operating as a remote-first team with no fixed address, ProsperOps leveraged early support from the local “Racker family,” worked with minimal overhead, and never sought outside venture capital after its initial round. The company's approach, shaped by the unique culture at Rackspace, stands out in the Texas startup landscape.They discuss:• How Rackspace's culture of “fanatical support” influenced the creation of ProsperOps• The impact of remote work—before and after the pandemic—on building a fast-growing company• Navigating early funding, resisting acquisition offers, and why the founders waited for the right exit• The challenges and opportunities for tech entrepreneurs in San Antonio and along the Austin-San Antonio corridor• What the ProsperOps story says about the future of local startups, remote work, and the city's efforts to build a lasting tech ecosystemRECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶️ #138. Alamo Angels: The Future of South Texas Startups – Building on the local founder journey explored in the ProsperOps episode, host Bob Rivard sits down with Sebastian Garzon of Alamo Angels to unpack how a thriving network of investors and entrepreneurs is shaping San Antonio's next wave of tech success stories. Discover what it takes to grow a robust startup ecosystem and why early-stage investment is key to the city's innovation future.-- --CONNECT

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we turn our attention to Big Bend—one of the most remote and ecologically significant regions in Texas—amid renewed national debate over plans to build a border wall through Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, and surrounding areas. The episode addresses the longstanding local opposition to the wall, the potential impacts on the natural landscape, and what the proposal could mean for communities and businesses in West Texas.Bob is joined by Brewster County Judge Greg Henington, Tara Shackelford of Hidden Dagger Adventures, and Sam Stavanoha, owner of the French Company Grocer and organizer of nobigbendwall.org. Together, they provide insight into the local response, the risks faced by residents and entrepreneurs, and the complicated political landscape influencing the debate.They discuss:• Why locals say Big Bend's natural barriers render a wall unnecessary• The environmental, economic, and cultural consequences of wall construction in the region• The role of technology as an alternative to physical barriers along the border• Grassroots efforts and local government resolutions opposing the wall• How potential changes could affect tourism, private landowners, and daily life in West TexasIf you are interested in participating in either of the protests happening on Saturday, April 4, visit www.savebigbendatx.org for the Austin protest and nobigbendwall.org for the Big Bend protest.For San Antonio and Texas listeners, this episode provides a close look at the intersection of national policy, local experience, and the fragile ecology of a cornerstone Texas landscape.RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶️ #160. How a Polluted Lake Became a Wildlife Haven in San Antonio – Discover the remarkable rebirth of Mitchell Lake as Cory Ames and Erin Magerl reveal how a former sewage dump is now a vital wildlife sanctuary. This episode connects conservation on the borderlands to urban ecological renewal in San Antonio, showing what's possible when communities rally to protect natural treasures.-- --CONNECT

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the state of homelessness in San Antonio—a topic that impacts every corner of the city and reflects larger challenges across Texas. Hosts Bob Rivard and Cory Ames are joined by Katie Wilson, president and CEO of Close to Home, the lead nonprofit coordinating citywide efforts to prevent and reduce homelessness.Wilson shares her local perspective and expertise, detailing how funding, collaboration, and long-term planning shape San Antonio's approach. Together, they explore why homelessness is increasingly a “housing problem,” how the mismatch between wages and housing costs is pushing more families into crisis, and what solutions are working—or not—within the city's network of nonprofit and government partners.Key topics include:San Antonio's evolving ecosystem of homeless services and why collaboration mattersThe realities behind annual "point-in-time" counts and trends in local homelessnessChallenges facing chronic homelessness, mental health, and supportive housingImpacts of federal funding shifts and what they mean for permanent supportive housingThe ongoing effects of rising rents, stagnant wages, and local policy optionsEncampment management, shelter capacity, and barriers people face accessing servicesThe city's strategic plans—from housing bonds to five-year visions for homelessness reductionListeners will gain a clearer understanding of what's happening on the ground, the policy debates shaping our future, and where community action and investment can make a difference.RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶️ #145. Opportunity Home is Rebuilding Public Homes and Public Trust for its Centennial Vision – If you're interested in San Antonio's housing crisis and how public agencies tackle affordability and federal funding cuts, this episode is a must-listen. Host Bob Rivard sits down with Michael Reyes, CEO of Opportunity Home, to unpack the realities of public housing, deferred maintenance, and bold new strategies shaping the city's future.-- --CONNECT

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the career and leadership journey of Lori Houston, former Assistant City Manager for San Antonio and now CEO of CE Group—a prominent event, public relations, and marketing organization with deep roots in the city.Bob Rivard sits down with Lori Houston to discuss her transition from public service to private enterprise, the challenges and insights gained from overseeing some of San Antonio's most consequential downtown projects, and her vision for CE Group's future as the company enters a new chapter.They explore:• The evolution of San Antonio's urban core under Lori's tenure, including major redevelopment initiatives and public-private partnerships• The shifting priorities at City Hall and what these changes mean for downtown development and city infrastructure• The impact of technology and economic shifts on the events and PR industry, and how CE Group is adapting to ongoing disruption• Lori's approach to mentorship, workforce development, and her personal story of sobriety as shared with the city's homeless services networkTune in for a conversation about civic leadership, economic reality, and the future of downtown San Antonio.RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶️ #151. 8.3 Million New Neighbors by 2050—Henry Cisneros and Bob Rivard on the Austin-San Antonio Megaregion – Following up on San Antonio's evolving leadership and urban growth, this episode dives into the region's explosive future. Host Bob Rivard sits down with Henry Cisneros to explore the challenges and opportunities as San Antonio and Austin transform into a powerful megaregion reshaping Central Texas.-- -- CONNECT

Tom and Jeff are back with a packed episode that wanders from Apple hardware to Apple history to Apple TV+ sports to, well, a scientific fart study. If that sounds like a lot, it is.Topics covered this episode:MacBook Neo hands-on — Tom got a brief look at the new $599 MacBook Neo at an IT conference. Build quality impressions, the Indigo color, and why the "it's just an iPhone chip" skepticism sounds a lot like what people said about the original M1 with 8GB of RAM. (Spoiler: they were wrong then too.) David Pogue's Apple: The First 50 Years — Tom pre-ordered it, it arrived while he was out of town, and he's had exactly 15 minutes with it. It's a 600-page textbook-style history (not a glossy coffee table book), and he's planning a more thorough read over the summer. A history tangent worth taking — The origin story of the PowerBook's palm rest design — and how one engineer's persistence against resistance accidentally shaped every laptop keyboard layout that followed.Jeff discovers F1 — Apple TV+ now carries every F1 race, and Jeff is in. The tech angle (real-time telemetry, PlayStation-style steering wheels, hybrid power transitions) makes it surprisingly interesting.The Human Flatus Atlas — Jeff has enrolled in a legitimate University of Maryland research study on human flatulence. Smart underwear device incoming. Butt tag update promised for next episode.Links from the showTom's Photos of the MacBook NeoApple: The First 50 Years – David PogueHuman Flatus Atlas ProjectF1 on Apple TV+Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.com You'll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads Join Tom's newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks. Tom has a new YouTube channel Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple Podcasts Rate on Spotify Recommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple Music Spotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness....

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the transformation of Mitchell Lake on San Antonio's South Side—from decades as a city sewage dump to its current status as a 1,200-acre urban wildlife sanctuary and a critical stop along the Central Flyway for hundreds of migratory bird species.Cory Ames is joined by Erin Magerl, Senior Education Coordinator at the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, to detail the lake's complicated history, its current ecological significance, and what its rebirth says about conservation in a rapidly growing city.They discuss:• The origins of Mitchell Lake as a natural water body and its years serving as the city's sewage outflow• The environmental turnaround—from polluted waters to a revived ecosystem supporting over 350 bird species annually• The role of public investment and the latest bond-funded improvements aimed at expanding community access and education• The ongoing challenges facing bird populations and local conservation efforts in the face of urban development• Practical ways San Antonians can support urban wildlife and participate in community scienceThis episode offers a grounded look at what's possible when cities confront past mistakes and the continuing challenges of balancing growth with the preservation of natural habitats in San Antonio.RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶️ #139. How San Antonio is Turning Construction Waste to Community Wealth – If you found Mitchell Lake's story of renewal inspiring, take the next step with this episode on San Antonio's efforts to turn building waste into local opportunity. Cory Ames sits down with Stephanie Phillips to discuss the city's pioneering deconstruction policy and how it's fueling environmental innovation, workforce growth, and stronger communities.-- -- CONNECT

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the realities behind CPS Energy's record-setting proposed budget and the future of San Antonio's energy infrastructure. As San Antonio and South Texas experience unprecedented growth, CPS Energy—the nation's largest public energy utility—faces a host of challenges and opportunities in delivering reliable, affordable power to more than 1.4 million homes and businesses.Bob Rivard sits down with Rudy Garza, President and CEO of CPS Energy, for a candid conversation about the implications of a 15% budget increase, delayed rate decisions, and how ongoing investments in transmission, generation, and renewables are shaping the city's energy landscape. Garza discusses balancing affordability with reliability, navigating political and economic pressures at City Hall, and adapting to new demands from advanced manufacturing and data centers.They discuss:• The drivers of CPS Energy's $2.87 billion record budget and its proposed rate increase• How rapid population and economic growth in San Antonio are influencing energy needs• The transition away from coal, expansion of solar and wind, and the realistic prospects for reaching climate action goals• Challenges and strategies in building new transmission lines, including the Howard Solstice project and its impact on rural communities• CPS Energy's approach to affordability programs and how the utility is working to protect ratepayers while meeting rising demand• The future role of battery storage, small modular nuclear, and new technologies in San Antonio's energy portfolioThis episode provides an in-depth look at the interplay between politics, economics, and innovation at Texas' largest municipal utility, exploring the decisions that will shape San Antonio's future for decades to come.RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶️ #141. Why San Antonio Isn't Running Out of Water — A Conversation with SAWS CEO Robert Puente – If the CPS Energy rate conversation caught your attention, don't miss this deep dive into San Antonio's water supply and infrastructure. Host Cory Ames sits down with Robert Puente, CEO of SAWS, to unpack how strategic planning, conservation, and upcoming investments are keeping the city ahead on water—despite fast growth and climate challenges.-- -- CONNECT

Apple's dropping a wave of new products this week — and Tom and Jeff break down everything that's expected: a budget MacBook starting around $600, an iPhone 16E follow-up, iPad updates for the non-Pro models, and possible MacBook Pro upgrades with M5 Pro and Max chips. It's a preview packed with speculation, opinions, and the occasional tangent about fingerprints on laptop screens.Then things get analog. Tom just joined Jeff in the Field Notes notebook club, and they talk about why a pocket-sized paper notebook has become a surprisingly useful tool alongside all the digital gear. They also cover two weather apps worth knowing about — Acme Weather (from the Dark Sky team) and what's new in Carrot Weather 6.4.Enjoy the show? Please drop a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify!Links from the show:Field Notes notebooks & subscription: https://fieldnotesbrand.comAcme Weather app: https://acmeweather.comCarrot Weather: https://www.meetcarrot.com/weather/Is Apple Notes Holding You Back? (Press Pause with Bill McLean, featuring Tom)GoFundMe for Aliyah (Jeff's bartender friend who lost everything in an apartment fire)Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.com You'll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads Join Tom's newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks. Tom has a new YouTube channel Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple Podcasts Rate on Spotify Recommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple Music Spotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness....

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the pressing issue of San Antonio's stray animal population and the role of affordable spay and neuter services in addressing it. With a 20% euthanasia rate at the city's shelters and persistent challenges around pet overpopulation, animal welfare remains a critical public concern.Host Bob Rivard is joined by Cathy Rosenthal, syndicated animal welfare columnist, and Vanessa Richey Said, chairwoman of the San Antonio Spay/Neuter Network. Together, they discuss how San Antonio compares to other major cities in animal welfare, the evolution of local policies and partnerships since the early 2000s, and the specific barriers residents face in accessing affordable veterinary care.Topics include:• The history of San Antonio's animal welfare system and the shift towards “no-kill” shelter practices• How the Spay/Neuter Network targets underserved communities through free and low-cost services• Veterinary shortages and the impact on local efforts to curb pet overpopulation• The cultural and educational challenges around spaying and neutering, and outreach strategies• The importance of humane education and fostering programs for reducing strays• The city's recent investments in animal care services and progress in tackling roaming and aggressive animalsTune in for a data-driven, straightforward look at the city's ongoing efforts to improve animal welfare—and what still needs to be done.▶️ #13. The Cost of Irresponsible Pet Ownership: Nadia De la Garza Explains – If you want to understand the ripple effects of pet owner decisions discussed in the spay/neuter episode, don't miss this conversation. Host Bob Rivard and guest Nadia De la Garza delve into common myths about pet care, the impact of neglect, and how responsible pet ownership can transform San Antonio's animal welfare landscape.-- -- CONNECT

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine Grassroots Carbon—a San Antonio-based company working at the intersection of ranching, environmental stewardship, and carbon markets. Founded in 2021 by Lew Moorman and Ed Byrne, Grassroots Carbon partners with ranchers across Texas and beyond to implement regenerative grazing practices that enhance soil health and facilitate carbon capture.Bob Rivard sits down with Brad Tipper, CEO of Grassroots Carbon, to discuss the science behind soil carbon sequestration and how it's increasingly recognized as a tool for corporate carbon offsetting. Together, they explore the business model that pays ranchers for measurable stewardship and examine the legislative, economic, and cultural challenges facing regenerative agriculture in Texas.They discuss:• How Grassroots Carbon incentivizes ranchers to adopt regenerative grazing practices• The voluntary and federally recognized standards shaping the U.S. carbon market• The economic realities confronting Texas ranchers and the new revenue stream created by carbon credits• The company's commitment to preserving ranch heritage while driving environmental progress• Technical approaches for measuring soil carbon and why trust and education are central to building partnershipsTune in for a clear-eyed look at the evolving carbon capture industry, the role San Antonio plays in this national movement, and what it means for landowners, corporations, and the broader Texas ranching tradition.RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶️ #141. Why San Antonio Isn't Running Out of Water — A Conversation with SAWS CEO Robert Puente – Sustainability remains a central theme on bigcitysmalltown, and this episode dives into another pillar: water security. Host Cory Ames sits down with Robert Puente to uncover how strategic planning and conservation have made San Antonio a national leader in managing its water supply, while facing new challenges in rate hikes and infrastructure.-- -- CONNECT

Tom flies solo this week and welcomes first-time guest Nate Gorby for a conversation about Apple's ongoing Siri delays, the state of Apple Intelligence, and what it all means for everyday users.They discuss the latest report that Apple's context-aware Siri may be pushed back again, whether privacy is helping or hurting Apple's AI progress, and why even basic Siri tasks still frustrate longtime users.In the second half, Nate shares his real-world experience using Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses for the past year — what works surprisingly well, where privacy concerns come in, and whether Apple needs to move faster in the wearable AI space.More from Nate:Nate's podcast: Last Month Online https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/last-month-online/id1824514139Nate on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@ngorbyNate on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ngorbyQuestion or Comment? Send us a Text Message!Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.com You'll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads Join Tom's newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks. Tom has a new YouTube channel Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple Podcasts Rate on Spotify Recommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple Music Spotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness....

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the future of professional classical music in San Antonio in the wake of disruption, dissolution, and ongoing uncertainty for long-standing arts organizations. San Antonio native Paul Montalvo, a former firefighter who now leads Orchestra San Antonio, discusses growing the organization from a $45,000 budget to a projected $2.4 million this year, and the unique model he believes can sustain orchestral music in the city where prior efforts have struggled.Host Cory Ames sits down with Montalvo to address the realities facing professional musicians, the collapse of the San Antonio Symphony, and the Philharmonic's current difficulties, asking whether San Antonio can support and sustain a world-class orchestra—both now and long-term.They discuss:• How Orchestra San Antonio's hybrid model merges performance and education, employing musicians as both performers and artist-educators• The challenges and prospects for funding arts programming outside traditional public education or city infrastructure• The organization's goal to employ 40–50 full-time faculty artists by 2031, and what it would take to make that a reality• The impact and limitations of philanthropy versus tax-funded support for the arts in a rapidly changing city• What other Texas and U.S. cities can—and cannot—teach San Antonio about building sustainable arts infrastructureThis episode offers an unfiltered look at what must change for orchestral music to thrive in San Antonio, and the questions every arts patron, donor, and resident should consider as the city's cultural future is shaped.RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶️ #96. How a Baggage Handler Became One of San Antonio's Most Iconic Artists – What does it really take to build a creative life in San Antonio? Host Bob Rivard sits down with Gary Sweeney to uncover how a longtime baggage handler turned his passion for storytelling, humor, and public art into a lasting legacy across the city's landscape—perfect listening for anyone inspired by unconventional journeys and local impact.-- -- CONNECT

This week on bigcitysmalltown, host Cory Ames sits down with Jaci Randel, executive director of the Bexar Branches Alliance, to examine the ongoing decline of San Antonio's urban tree canopy and the push to restore regional “tree equity.” Since 2000, Bexar County has lost 20% of its tree cover, while the state of Texas has lost nearly 25%. Achieving equitable canopy coverage across neighborhoods would require planting more than 1.5 million trees in San Antonio alone.In this episode, they discuss the challenges facing urban forestry, the impacts of canopy loss on public health, local climate, and neighborhood resilience, as well as the collaborative, data-driven approaches necessary to address these issues. Jaci Randel shares insights from Bexar Branches Alliance's work, including tree plantings in schools, citizen forester training, and regional partnerships, as well as the practical barriers to large-scale restoration—from nursery supply chains to long-term maintenance funding.Topics covered include:• The main drivers of San Antonio's tree canopy loss• The connection between canopy decline, rising temperatures, and pollution• Strategies for planting and preserving trees at the household, school, and city levels• Barriers facing urban forestry efforts and what local organizations are doing to overcome them• How residents can get involved—from volunteering to choosing climate-resilient native species for their own yardsThis episode is essential listening for anyone concerned with the future of San Antonio's environment, its neighborhoods, and the role trees play as vital infrastructure in the city.RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶️ #127. What If We Replaced Every Lawn in San Antonio? – Explore how transforming our yards could reshape the city's health and environment. Guest host Cory Ames interviews Monika Maeckle about native plants, water-wise landscapes, and practical tips for building a more sustainable, biodiverse San Antonio—one lawn at a time.-- -- CONNECT

Jim Eagar joins Tom Anderson and Jeff Battersby for a thoughtful, experience-driven conversation about productivity, tools, and the often-tempting urge to switch apps. Drawing on decades of professional experience—from Air Force chaplain to attorney to productivity writer—Jim shares how his workflows evolved alongside Apple technology, why “shiny new app syndrome” can quietly sabotage real work, and how to evaluate whether switching tools is actually worth the cost.The discussion digs into intentional productivity, app minimalism, and using frameworks (not rules) to make better decisions about software—especially in an era overflowing with AI tools. Jim also walks through his personal writing and planning stack, explains why he recently switched from ChatGPT to Claude, and shares David Sparks' advice on limiting major app changes to once per year. The result is a grounded, reassuring episode for anyone feeling overwhelmed by productivity tools—and a reminder that clarity beats novelty every time.More from Jim:Original Mac GuyRetirement Reinvented!Links from the show:A Very Nerdy Christmas: Evaluate Your Tech StackWhy I Quit Paid AppsMacSparkyQuestion or Comment? Send us a Text Message!Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.com You'll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads Join Tom's newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks. Tom has a new YouTube channel Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple Podcasts Rate on Spotify Recommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple Music Spotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness....

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we focus on Bexar County leadership and the ongoing challenges facing San Antonio's county government. In light of the upcoming March 3 primary election, Bob Rivard and Cory Ames interviews Judge Peter Sakai, the incumbent county judge seeking re-election.The conversation covers Judge Sakai's decades-long public service, his approach to “back to basics” government, and the county's response to acute issues, including economic instability, food insecurity, affordable housing shortages, and reforms within the county bureaucracy. Judge Sakai speaks to his non-political background, his philosophy of collaborative problem-solving, and recent crisis management with federal funding cuts and strained social programs.Topics discussed include:• The impact of federal policy changes on Bexar County agencies and vulnerable families• County government's evolving strategies regarding public safety, health care access, and workforce development• Efforts to make elections secure and transparent in the face of technical and legal challenges• Implementation plans and long-term goals for Proposition A—Bexar County's commitment to east side revitalization and major venue investments• Collaboration and tension between county leadership, city hall, and local nonprofitsThe episode also addresses Judge Sakai's record on immigration policy, the complexities of jail staffing and overtime, and the challenges of balancing immediate needs with future planning. With early voting approaching, Judge Sakai reflects on his leadership style, campaign strategy, and the stakes for Bexar County's direction over the next four years.RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶️ #153. The Race to Lead Bexar County: Ron Nirenberg – Catch last week's episode, where we interview opponent Former Mayor Ron Nirenberg. Bob Rivard and Cory Ames interview Nirenberg on why he is running, the state of the county, and what is at stake for this race. -- -- CONNECT

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the race for Bexar County Judge through the lens of former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg's candidacy. After serving as mayor from 2017 to 2025—a period marked by both crisis and growth—Nirenberg is now challenging incumbent Judge Peter Sakai. As one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, Bexar County faces new and unresolved questions around public safety, health care access, infrastructure, and the organization of local government.Cory Ames and Bob Rivard sit down with Ron Nirenberg to discuss the motivations behind his campaign, his thoughts on county government's preparedness for rapid growth, and his outlook on public service. The conversation considers the discomfort some San Antonians feel over choosing between two long-serving and well-known public officials in a race that will shape regional policy for years to come.Key issues covered:• Persistent operational and accountability challenges in the justice system and county bureaucracy• Widening gaps in health care access despite significant local resources• The impact of state and federal policy uncertainty—on everything from economic development to emergency management• The need for a unified vision on growth, affordable housing, and essential infrastructure across city and county lines• Reflections from Ron Nirenberg on crisis leadership, including lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and severe winter stormsAs local government takes on a greater share of responsibility for daily life in a changing Texas, this episode explores what effective, accountable leadership might require at the county level—and why it matters for San Antonio's future.We will be hosting incumbent Judge Peter Sakai next week. Stay tuned. RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶️ #152. What's Ahead for San Antonio in 2026: Bob Rivard & Cory Ames on City Politics, Growth, and Civic Trust – Dive deep into the pivotal issues shaping San Antonio's near future, as Bob Rivard and Cory Ames break down key local elections, rapid regional growth, and challenges in civic engagement. This episode provides crucial context for understanding the high-stakes county judge race and why downtown investment, infrastructure, and media transformation matter for every San Antonian.-- -- CONNECT

In this episode of Basic AF, Tom Anderson and Jeff Battersby kick off the year by digging into some of the biggest Apple stories in early 2026—starting with the news that Apple is partnering with Google to have Gemini power a revamped Siri and Apple Intelligence. The discussion looks at how Gemini might be integrated behind the scenes, and whether Apple's privacy promises can hold up when Google enters the equation.The conversation then turns to Apple Creator Studio, Apple's new subscription bundle that includes Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, and other creative tools. Tom and Jeff debate who this bundle is really for, how it compares to Apple's older one-time purchase model, and whether subscription fatigue is simply the cost of modern software.From there, they break down Apple's controversial new app icons and macOS Tahoe design changes, followed by concerns over App Store ads becoming harder to distinguish from real search results. The episode wraps with a broader look at Apple's record-breaking services revenue and what it signals about the company's priorities moving forward.Links from the show:Google and Apple issue joint partnership statementReport: Google Gemini will expand Siri's capabilitiesReport: Apple will fine-tune Gemini independentlyApple confirms Google Gemini will power new Siri featuresApple announces Apple Creator StudioApple reports record-breaking Services revenue in 2025Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.com You'll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads Join Tom's newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks. Tom has a new YouTube channel Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple Podcasts Rate on Spotify Recommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple Music Spotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness....

In the first episode of bigcitysmalltown of 2026, we reflect on a pivotal year for San Antonio and look ahead to the challenges and opportunities of 2026. Bob Rivard and Cory Ames examine how shifts in media—from the podcast's expansion into video to the growing influence of YouTube—are changing civic engagement and local news consumption. They discuss the impact of major regional elections, including the controversial mayoral race and the county's vote on the Spurs arena proposition, and consider their long-term implications for city governance and development.Key themes include:• The changing landscape of San Antonio politics, with a focus on Mayor Gina Jones's first year and the upcoming county judge race between Peter Sakai and former Mayor Ron Nirenberg• Regional growth and strain along the Austin-San Antonio corridor, including water, housing, and infrastructure pressures• The effect of national policy shifts on local research grants, military presence, and San Antonio's role as “Military City USA”• The critical importance of robust downtown investment, especially around UT San Antonio's expanding campus and student housing• Ongoing debates over public works delivery, infrastructure bonds, and the future relationship between city and county agenciesBob Rivard and Cory Ames also look at upcoming stories to watch: San Antonio's adaptation to climate and energy challenges, continued revitalization efforts downtown, and what the Spurs' promising season could mean for the community.RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶️ #151. 8.3 Million New Neighbors by 2050—Henry Cisneros and Bob Rivard on the Austin-San Antonio Megaregion – If conversations about Central Texas's explosive growth and the challenges ahead grabbed your attention, this episode dives even deeper. Bob Rivard joins Henry Cisneros to unpack their new book and discuss how infrastructure, leadership, and collaboration will shape the future of the Austin–San Antonio corridor. Tune in for a compelling look at what's really at stake for our region's next chapter.-- -- CONNECT

Happy New Year! Everyone expects Apple to release its first foldable iPhone later this year and the rumors and “leaks” are heating up. Tom and Jeff discuss the latest, including the 3D printed model that looks nothing like current iPhones.Plus, Tom decided to reset his iPhone in an attempt to resolve the ongoing battery life issues he's been having with iOS 26. Apple's made a lot of improvements to the process, but it's not quite perfect and he shares what worked well and what still needs some work.Links from the show:Support Jeff Battersby's Stroke RecoveryApple Pencil Could Work With iPhone Fold, According to New ReportiPhone Fold 1:1 Replica With Folding Hinge (3D Model)How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touchClicks Power KeyboardQuestion or Comment? Send us a Text Message!Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.com You'll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads Join Tom's newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks. Tom has a new YouTube channel Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple Podcasts Rate on Spotify Recommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple Music Spotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness....

Happy Holidays! Joe Moyer returns and joins Tom and Jeff for a fun and festive discussion in the third-annual “These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things” show! Picks range from backpacks to iPhone accessories, books, apps, and more. Find more from Joe at https://www.24letters.net/.Links:Bellroy Transit WorkpackBullstrap Men's WalletsBullstrap iPhone CasesPeak Design Phone CasesGentler Streak Workout TrackerCraft: Docs, Notes, Tasks & AIThe Ugmonk PenDiscbound Analog Productivity SystemField Notes NotebooksiPad ProAnker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging StationHighland Pro Screenwriting AppSnipd AI Podcast AppReadwiseVersion History PodcastBook Tracker - Reading JournalYouTube PremiumMarcus Aurelius: The Stoic EmperorCulpability by Bruce HolsingerWhat We Can Know by Ian McEwanAsana Project ManagementQuestion or Comment? Send us a Text Message!Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.com You'll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads Join Tom's newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks. Tom has a new YouTube channel Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple Podcasts Rate on Spotify Recommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple Music Spotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness....

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we sit down with Chef Nicola Blaque, the force behind San Antonio's only Michelin-recognized Jamaican restaurant, The Jerk Shack. Chef Nicola shares her journey from immigrating to the U.S. as a child, navigating life in New England, and serving in the Army through three tours, to eventually reclaiming and expressing her Jamaican heritage through food in San Antonio.Host Cory Ames joins Nicola in the restaurant to discuss how her identity, family, and military experiences have shaped her work—along with the challenges of introducing authentic Caribbean cuisine to the city. They examine the evolution of San Antonio's food culture, its openness to new flavors, and the collaborative spirit found among local chefs.Topics include:• Bridging cultures and reclaiming identity through food• The transition from military service to entrepreneurship• The realities of building a restaurant in San Antonio—including obstacles, opportunity, and community support• The role of local chef collaboration in fostering a diverse food ecosystem• Reflections on parenthood, legacy, and the future for Black and Caribbean cuisine in TexasThe episode offers a candid look at Chef Nicola's path, the resilience needed to thrive in an ever-changing city, and what the next chapter might hold for San Antonio's culinary landscape.RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶️ #83. Chris Cullum and San Antonio's Culinary Legacy – Discover how Chris Cullum, chef-owner of Cullum's Attaboy and James Beard finalist, draws on family heritage and jazz roots to shape San Antonio's vibrant dining scene. Host Bob Rivard explores the challenges of sustaining culinary innovation while honoring tradition—perfect for listeners inspired by Chef Nicola Blaque's journey of identity and authenticity.-- -- CONNECT