In this episode of Beyond the Bite, host Eddie Aldrete welcomes Mike Lynd, CEO of Kairoi Residential, for a deep dive into economic development and the pivotal opportunities facing San Antonio. Mike shares his personal journey from Florida to Texas and discusses how his family's business background shaped his approach to property development and community investment. The conversation highlights Kairoi’s impressive projects, such as the landmark 6G building and Waterline in Austin, and explores the impact of visionary economic planning on shaping vibrant, prosperous cities.

The discussion shifts towards the pressing issue of San Antonio’s downtown development, focusing on the upcoming November 4th ballot measures related to a new Spurs arena and proposed investments in the urban core. Mike draws on lessons from Austin’s economic resurgence and the importance of sustained, private-sector-led economic development. He explains how coordinated, long-term planning—coupled with catalytic projects like the proposed arena—can create unprecedented job opportunities, boost incomes, and revitalize the city center, using greaterSATX’s recent achievements as proof of what’s possible.

Mike and Eddie also clarify that the proposed arena deal leverages state and tourist dollars rather than local taxpayer funds. They make a strong case for embracing these investments, not only as a way to secure San Antonio’s status as a major-league city but also to support inclusive growth that uplifts underserved communities. With insights on the broader implications for the rodeo grounds, convention center, and local economic momentum, this episode is a powerful call to action for residents and stakeholders to recognize what’s at stake and for the people of San Antonio to invest in their own future.

https://www.kairoi.com/

https://www.kairoi.com/about-kairoi/our-team/michaelj-lynd/

https://www.howsawins.com/

https://www.bexar.org/2237/Early-Vote-Information

In this episode of Beyond the Bite, host Eddie Aldrete turns his attention to a story on the Texas gulf coast as he sits down with Stephanie Hajducek from Project YaREN and Dolly Gonzales Trolley from Voices for Coastal Bend Energy as they dive into the details of a proposed ammonia plant in Ingleside, Texas.

The discussion opens with the basic question of who and what is Project YaREN? Turns out, it's a joint venture between Enbridge and Yara. Yara is a long time leader in the ammonia space while Enbridge specializes in deep-water docks and exporting crude oil from Enbridge’s Ingleside Energy Center. Hajducek explains her role in community and stakeholder engagement, outlining her efforts to dispel misconceptions, build relationships with the local community, and highlight the workforce development opportunities the project will bring, including the creation of up to 200 new jobs.

Hajducek and Gonzales Trolley answer questions about safety, water use, and the proposed plant's proximity to schools and neighborhoods. Hajducek highlights the extensive safety planning YaREN has developed and while they have their own specialized emergency response system, they coordinate regularly with local emergency responders and emergency management planners.

One would expect environmental groups to be speaking out on an issue like this, but the environmental groups that are responding are coming from outside of the region. That’s where Gonzales Trolley comes in. She describes how Voices for Coastal Bend Energy supports responsible growth in the region amid increased activity from national environmental groups. She encourages local residents to get involved by submitting public comments, attending meetings, and staying informed through the organization’s digital platforms. The episode wraps up by stressing the importance of local voices in guiding development decisions and offers practical ways for listeners to learn more and participate in the process.

Project YaREN

Voices for Coastal Bend Energy

Stephanie Hajducek

Dolly Gonzales Trolley

In this episode of Beyond the Bite, host Eddie Aldrete is joined by Pete Cortez, CEO of La Familia Cortez Restaurants and board chair of the Alameda Conservancy, along with Trey Jacobson, consultant and interim executive director for the Conservancy. Together, they dive into the rich history and exciting future of the iconic Alameda Theater in downtown San Antonio. The conversation begins with a look back at the theater’s origins in 1949 as a vibrant center for Mexican and Mexican American arts and culture—a place that played a pivotal role in the city’s identity, community, and family stories.

The conversation takes listeners through the Alameda's architectural heritage, the unique features of its design—including its famed blacklight murals—and the challenges of restoring the building to meet modern standards while preserving its historical character. With the help of the city, county, and private donors, a massive restoration project is now underway, transforming the former movie house into a versatile performance and events venue. Listeners get an inside look at how new and accessible spaces, innovative lounge seating, upgraded technology, and educational programming will help ensure the Alameda becomes a hub for cultural pride and entertainment for generations to come.

Finally, Pete and Trey open up about the capital campaign powering the Alameda’s reopening, the importance of community involvement, and what’s needed to reach the finish line. They stress their commitment to ensuring at least half of the public programming remains focused on Latino culture, while also welcoming the entire San Antonio community. With an anticipated reopening in late 2027, and a call for both large and small donors to participate, the episode captures the sense of hope, excitement, and collective responsibility in bringing this cultural landmark back to life.

https://www.alamedatheaterconservancy.org/

In this episode, host Eddie Aldrete sits down with April Ancira of the Ancira Automotive Group for a wide-ranging, candid conversation about the state of the auto industry, the value of giving back to your community, and the evolving political landscape of San Antonio.

April shares the fascinating history behind the Ancira Automotive Group, including their expansion beyond San Antonio into smaller Texas towns and the philosophy behind keeping dealerships local and rooted in their communities. The duo dives deep into how the car-buying experience is changing—addressing the rise of online shopping, the challenges and opportunities of electric vehicles, and how the dealership model is adapting to consumers’ evolving expectations.

You’ll also hear April’s insights on the importance of local dealerships being invested in their communities, not just as businesses but as pillars for civic engagement and philanthropy. She highlights community programs such as Charlie’s Seats at the Tobin Center, which provides free performing arts tickets to military families, teachers, students, first responders, and those in need. She further discusses her passionate support of UTSA football—sharing how her family business became a major sponsor and learning the hard way, what it means to be a booster.

The conversation also features April’s perspectives on local politics, San Antonio’s unique cultural identity, and her personal hopes for the city’s growth and inclusivity.

Quote of the Episode:

“I can't do well unless everybody's doing well. When I support something, I never leave anybody behind.” – April Ancira

https://www.ancira.com/about-us/

https://www.instagram.com/april_ancira/

https://x.com/AprilAncira

https://www.tobincenter.org/aprilancira

The question going around town is when will the campaigning stop and the governing start?

In this episode of Beyond the Bite, host Eddie Aldrete sits down with Trish DeBerry, CEO of CENTRO, and Kevin Wolff, partner at Spire Risk Management, both former Bexar County Precinct 3 commissioners. They break down what happened, do a deep dive into the high-stakes decision over Project Marvel and the proposed downtown arena for the San Antonio Spurs—a decision that ultimately hinged on two critical council votes. Eddie, Trish, and Kevin unpack the political theater, the role of strong and weak mayoral forms of government, and how consensus-building has historically made or broken leaders in San Antonio.

The conversation covers the leadership style of newly-elected Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, contrasting her approach with past consensus builders like former Mayor Phil Hardberger. Trish and Kevin share firsthand experiences from their time on the commissioner's court and offer perspectives on the importance of relationships, respect, and the art of compromise in local government. They discuss recent events in detail: from the District 10 budget townhall meeting to the contentious press conference interruption, culminating in the high-profile council votes on the Spurs arena. As a result the mayor’s inability to build consensus, unexpected coalitions are forming across the political spectrum and pointed critiques of how a lack of diplomacy is shaping the current council climate.

Looking ahead, the guests examine the path forward for both the mayor and the city, touching on upcoming campaigns around the November venue tax vote and the next year’s city bond election. The episode wraps with reflections on the lessons learned, the pressing need for collaboration to support city infrastructure and iconic institutions like the Spurs, and a collective hope for more unity on the council. Throughout, Eddie, Trish, and Kevin emphasize that political success—and the city’s prosperity—rests on humility, open communication, and a willingness to both lead and listen.

In this episode of Beyond the Bite, host Eddie Aldrete sits down with Laura Saldivar Luna, founder and creator of Piñata Possible, to explore the journey of breaking through self-imposed limitations and embracing possibility.

Laura shares the inspiration behind her company's name, using the metaphor of the piñata to illustrate how personal and professional breakthroughs often come from embracing our cracks, letting go of old forms, and allowing our true selves to shine through. She reflects on her own career path—from her upbringing as the child of hardworking, entrepreneurial parents to her leadership role at Teach for America and, ultimately, her decision to launch her own coaching practice to help others realize their potential.

Throughout their conversation, Eddie and Laura discuss common challenges faced by leaders and changemakers, such as the fear of transition, burnout, and the tendency to get "frozen" by the enormity of big goals. Laura explains how developing self-awareness, intentionality, and a practice of grounding—sometimes as simple as taking a breath—can help people reconnect with their aspirations and make purposeful steps forward. She emphasizes the importance of looking beyond past experiences or present limitations to set future-focused goals, and shares actionable strategies for breaking large ambitions into manageable daily actions.

The episode offers listeners practical wisdom for navigating personal and professional crossroads. Laura invites leaders to embrace the messiness of growth, see themselves as the creators of new conditions in their lives, and remember the childlike sense of possibility that can drive meaningful change. The conversation ultimately underscores the value of vulnerability, intention, and storytelling in restoring civil discourse and inspiring others to pursue their own breakthroughs.

https://www.pinatapossible.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-saldivar-luna/

https://www.instagram.com/pinatapossible/

In this episode of Beyond the Bite, host Eddie Aldrete sits down with San Antonio City Council members Marina Alderete Gavito and Marc Whyte to discuss a range of hot topics affecting the city. The conversation kicks off with the recent incident involving Councilwoman Ivalis Meza Gonzalez and transitions into an in-depth look at Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones's leadership style and various procedural changes at City Hall. The guests candidly share their reactions to new protocols, including changes to seating arrangements and the handling of phones during executive session, highlighting the need for better communication and mutual understanding among city officials.

A central theme of the discussion is the contentious changes proposed to the Council Consideration Request (CCR) process. Alderete Gavito and Whyte express concerns about the mayor's attempt to involve unelected staff in vetting new policy ideas, potentially diminishing the council’s autonomy and public input. They both advocate for transparency and adherence to a previously adopted ordinance, emphasizing that any alterations to the CCR process should be openly debated and legally adopted by the council—not simply enacted by memo. The guests also touch on the importance of preserving open channels for policy innovation that directly respond to residents’ needs.

The episode wraps up with a look at major city priorities on the horizon: the potential new downtown Spurs arena, infrastructure funding, and the looming city budget deficit. Both council members stress their commitment to public safety and basic city services, reflecting on the challenges of balancing urgent infrastructure needs with high-profile development projects. They express optimism about collaborating with new council colleagues while underscoring the importance of community-driven governance as City Hall faces significant decisions in the coming months.

https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/Mayor-Council/City-Council/D7/Biography

https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/Mayor-Council/City-Council/D10/Biography

In Episode 61 of "Beyond the Bite," host Eddie Aldrete is joined by returning Councilman Marc Whyte (District 10) and newly elected Councilwoman Misty Spears (District 9) to discuss the pressing challenges facing San Antonio’s City Council this year. The conversation opens with reflections on the loss of 13 lives in the recent flooding event and the urgent need to address the city’s aging infrastructure—such as roads, drainage, and water systems—to prevent similar disasters in the future. Both guests stress their commitment to returning to "the basics" of city governance and focusing on investments that most directly benefit residents’ quality of life.

The episode also delves into the looming city budget gap, with both Whyte and Spears advocating for fiscal discipline, reduced redundant spending, and a shift toward zero-based budgeting. They discuss the complexities of city committee assignments, not knowing which committees Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones will select. They also highlight the need for transparency, especially as the city prepares for potentially transformative projects like Project Marvel. Spears shares residents’ concerns and questions about the proposed arena’s funding, and she emphasizes the importance of clear public communication ahead of a likely November vote.

Additional topics include rising public safety concerns, the shortage of parks in District 9, and the value of building strong working relationships both among council members and with city staff. Spears discusses her personal motivation for serving, her deep ties to District 9, and her optimism for San Antonio’s future. Together, Whyte and Spears provide a candid inside look at how the council is tackling big issues—with a focus on accountability, transparency, and serving their constituents.

Meet two of the voices from San Antonio City Council. In this episode, host Eddie Aldrete sits down with San Antonio City Councilwomen Sukh Kaur of District 1 and Ivalis Meza Gonzalez of District 8 to explore the experiences and challenges facing both an incumbent and a newly elected official. Kaur reflects on her first term, highlighting the intense workload, the importance of constituent services, and the surprise at just how many residents reach out for help with a diverse range of issues. Both councilwomen discuss the dynamic between their districts and the ways in which building relationships between council members helps them to better address citywide concerns.

The conversation covers a wide array of pressing topics in city governance, from the current budget deficit and its impact on new initiatives, to infrastructure frustrations—particularly the delays and communication breakdowns around city construction projects and their negative impact on residents and businesses. The councilwomen underscore the importance of transparency with residents and emphasize the efforts made to

improve community engagement, especially regarding large-scale projects like VIA’s Advanced Rapid Transit and Project Marvel. They also touch on the challenges and opportunities brought on by changes in neighborhood dynamics, housing, and evolving demographics within their districts.

As the episode draws to a close, Kaur and Meza Gonzalez share their priorities and hopes for their upcoming terms, expressing excitement about a council now made up predominantly of women and the chance to make meaningful progress on major issues despite tight

budgets. They highlight a strong commitment to infrastructure, housing, public safety, and ongoing community input, promising residents a continued focus on innovative solutions and an open, responsive city government. The episode offers candid insights into the realities of public service and the balance between visionary policy and the daily demands of representing San Antonio’s diverse communities.

In this episode of Beyond the Bite, host Eddie Aldrete sits down with Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina for an in-depth conversation about family, leadership, and life along the Texas border. Judge Tijerina opens up about his upbringing in Webb County, in and around Laredo, sharing stories about his large family, the values he learned from ranching life, and his journey from professional baseball to public service. The discussion highlights the importance of hard work, faith, and family—elements that have influenced both his career and his personal life, including the adoption story that expanded their family in a meaningful way.

The conversation takes a candid turn as Judge Tijerina discusses his experiences in county government, ranging from navigating budget challenges and building up the county’s fund balance to spearheading major infrastructure projects like renovating the fairgrounds and the upcoming fifth international bridge. He and Eddie also touch on broader topics relevant to the border region: the importance of economic development, the complex relationship between the county and city governments, and his new leadership role as the chair of the Texas Border Coalition. Judge Tijerina emphasizes the unique challenges and opportunities that come with being at the crossroads of international trade and culture.

In the final segment, Judge Tijerina shares his reasons for formally switching from the Democratic to the Republican party, reflecting on shifting political values, his personal beliefs, and his desire to encourage others in South Texas to examine party platforms and make informed decisions. Throughout the episode, listeners get an honest and heartfelt look at public service, resilience through adversity, and what it means to stay true to one’s values while serving a diverse and rapidly changing community.

https://www.webbcountytx.gov/countyjudge/

https://www.facebook.com/judgetanotijerina