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bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard

History & Legacy Episodes

Uncovering the pivotal events, people, and stories that define San Antonio’s past and shape its future.
April 4, 2025

112. San Antonio's Culinary Legacy: 25 Years of Biga on the Banks

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we explore the vibrant culinary landscape of San Antonio, with a spotlight on one of the city's longstanding culinary institutions, Biga on the Banks. Celebrating its 25th anniversary at its iconic location on the...

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March 14, 2025

106. Tom Slick’s Legacy: The San Antonio Institution Studying Conscio…

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we delve into the unexpected legacy of Tom Slick and his enduring influence on San Antonio’s scientific community. Though known as an oil wildcatter, Slick’s curiosity and visionary investments laid the groundwork...

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Jan. 31, 2025

94. Will the Immigration Crackdown Impact San Antonio? A Legal Expert…

This week’s episode of bigcitysmalltown dives into one of the most pressing issues facing San Antonio: the future of immigration policy and how it will impact our community.  We’re joined by Claudia Hernandez, an immigration attorney at...

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Jan. 25, 2025

93. The Last Word - The Gulf of Neighbors

This week’s Last Word commentary reflects on the enduring connections between Texas and Mexico through the Gulf of Mexico—a shared space of culture, trade, and history. As the relationship between these neighbors faces new challenges in the next...

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Jan. 10, 2025

88. What’s Ahead for bigcitysmalltown: Telling San Antonio’s Story in…

This week’s episode is a special one as we introduce Cory Ames, the new producer of bigcitysmalltown. Cory is also the founder of Ensemble Texas, a media platform focused on San Antonio’s environment, economy, and culture. Listen as we discuss...

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Dec. 6, 2024

83. Chris Cullum and San Antonio's Culinary Legacy

This week’s guest is Chris Cullum, the chef-owner of Cullum’s Attaboy, the  small but heavy hitting Tobin Hill restaurant founded by the James Beard finalist a stone’s throw from Cullum’s Attagirl, the tiny fried chicken shack he’s run...

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Nov. 29, 2024

82. San Antonio Artist Oscar Alvarado Always Thinks Big

This week’s guest is San Antonio artist Oscar Alvarado. There is no mistaking his distinctive sculptures, many larger than life, covered with thousands of mosaic pieces of glass and tile that are seemingly everywhere in the city: murals, sculptures,...

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Nov. 22, 2024

81. Ronald Davis: Slavery in Texas

This week’s guest is Ronald Davis, curator of American History at the Witte Museum, a position he has held since January 2023. Davis is the co-curator of Black Cowboys: An American Story currently at the Witte Museum and running through February...

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Oct. 25, 2024

77. JC Clapsaddle: An American in the Ukraine

This week’s guest is JC Clapsaddle, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and medical administration officer with a background in Pentagon assignments involving human rights and humanitarian efforts. Listen as JC discusses his multiple missions to aid...

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Feb. 12, 2024

43. Humberto G. Garcia and the 'Mustang Miracle'

This week’s guest is Humberto G. Garcia, a San Antonio attorney, avid golfer, and author of "Mustang Miracle," a book chronicling the inspiring small-town Texas story of five Mexican-American caddies in segregated Del Rio who overcame seemingly...

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