This week on bigcitysmalltown, we revisit a pivotal chapter in San Antonio’s history: the closure of Kelly Air Force Base and its transformation into Port San Antonio, as the city prepares for the upcoming San Antonio Aviation and Aerospace Hall of Fame luncheon. Host Bob Rivard is joined by Christopher Mammen, executive director of the Dee Howard Foundation; Tullos Wells, long-time community leader and member of the Kelly closure transition committee; and Kathryn Bolish, program manager at the WEX Foundation and one of this year’s Hall of Fame honorees.

Together, they examine the local impact of the Kelly closure nearly thirty years later, the community’s response to the loss of one of San Antonio’s largest employers, and the decades-long effort to rebuild and reimagine the area as a center for aerospace, education, and emerging technologies.

They discuss:

• The role Kelly Air Force Base played in building San Antonio’s middle class and shaping the city’s identity
• The work of the Dee Howard Foundation in honoring San Antonio’s aerospace legacy and preparing local students for the industry’s future
• How the WEX Foundation is introducing San Antonio youth to space science and STEM careers, with a focus on real-world, hands-on learning
• The evolution of Port San Antonio as a major economic and technological hub, and what’s next for the region’s aerospace sector

This episode takes an in-depth look at how San Antonio continues to adapt and lead, drawing on its history to shape new opportunities in aviation, education, and innovation. Learn more about the impact of the WEX Foundation and the Dee Howard Foundation. 

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RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:

▶️ #125. The Man Behind Brooks: How Leo Gomez Reimagined the Southside – Explore how Brooks transformed from a closed military base into a thriving community hub. Host Bob Rivard talks with Leo Gomez about the bold vision, partnerships, and investments fueling economic and urban development on San Antonio’s Southeast Side—an inspiring companion to this episode’s focus on Port San Antonio and revitalization after base closure.

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This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the work of Gardopia Gardens, a San Antonio nonprofit at the intersection of public health, food access, and neighborhood safety. Founded by Stephen Lucke, Gardopia uses urban gardening and education as a response to longstanding challenges in San Antonio’s food system and community health landscape.

Cory Ames sits down with Lucke to trace his path from local student, collegiate athlete, and aspiring medical professional to nonprofit founder and environmental advocate. The conversation explores both the personal motivations and community conditions that led to Gardopia’s formation, as well as the organization’s approach to public health and land justice.

They discuss:

• Barriers to healthy eating and physical activity in San Antonio’s built environment
• The evolution of Gardopia’s mission, from individual wellness to systems-level change
• How community gardens and micro farms can contribute to crime reduction and neighborhood safety
• The opportunities and obstacles facing urban agriculture and local food production in San Antonio
• Gardopia’s role in youth education, land access, and supporting new generations of urban farmers
• What it will take for San Antonio to secure its food future amid rapid population growth

Lucke shares candid reflections on what it means to serve the community you call home, the realities of starting and sustaining a grassroots initiative, and the persistent gaps in food access and health outcomes across San Antonio.

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▶️ #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.

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This week on bigcitysmalltown, we focus on the intersection of community, identity, and the outdoors through the work of Black Outside, Inc. Founded and led by Alex Bailey, the San Antonio-based nonprofit is dedicated to reconnecting Black youth with nature—an effort rooted in generational healing, cultural history, and a reimagining of what belonging in outdoor spaces looks like.

Cory Ames sits down with Bailey to discuss the evolution of Black Outside, its ties to family legacy, and the organization’s rapid growth over the past five years. The conversation covers the challenges of expanding access to nature, the importance of cultural storytelling, and how programming like Camp Founder Girls and Brothers With the Land are changing the narrative for Black youth—not just in San Antonio, but across Texas.

They discuss:

• The early influences that led Bailey to launch Black Outside
• The family and local history behind programming, including the revival of Camp Founder Girls
• How Black Outside approaches youth development, self-confidence, and cultural connection
• Challenges of funding, capacity, and inclusivity in outdoor education
• The broader impact of community knowledge and how local organizations can further diversify access to San Antonio’s natural spaces

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▶️ #81. Ronald Davis: Slavery in Texas – Explore the overlooked legacy of Black cowboys and the deep roots of slavery in Texas. Curator Ronald Davis joins Bob Rivard to unravel hidden histories, share insights from the Witte Museum’s acclaimed exhibition, and discuss why telling a fuller, more inclusive story of Texas matters now more than ever.

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This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo’s pivotal role in the city’s cultural and economic landscape and explore what may be its biggest transition yet. As plans for a new arena and significant east side redevelopment—known as Project Marvel—move forward, questions emerge about the future of the Stock Show, its historic partnership with the Spurs, and how proposed investments could reshape year-round activity in the area.

Bob Rivard sits down with Cody Davenport, CEO and Executive Director of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, to discuss the organization’s evolution from a once-a-year event into a potential year-round western destination, how the departure of the Spurs from the Frost Bank Center opens new possibilities, and what this could mean for community development, scholarships, and the economic impact on the east side.

The conversation covers:

• The historical roots and nonprofit mission of the Stock Show and Rodeo
• How Project Marvel and arena redevelopment might change San Antonio's event landscape
• The cultural and economic significance of a year-round Stock Show presence
• Direct outreach and scholarship programs supporting local youth and San Antonio’s east side

For longtime supporters or those newly curious about the future of the Stock Show and Rodeo, this episode provides a detailed look at what’s at stake for San Antonio as the east side anticipates transformative change.

▶️ #132. San Antonio's Youngest Councilmember on the Future of the City – Dive into the next generation of civic leadership as District 6 Councilman Ric Galvan joins bigcitysmalltown to discuss his grassroots campaign, what’s at stake with Project Marvel, and how young leaders are shaping San Antonio’s future. Host Cory Ames explores Galvan’s fresh perspective on budget challenges, city priorities, and building consensus in a rapidly evolving community.

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This week on bigcitysmalltown, newly elected District 6 Councilman Ric Galvan joins host Cory Ames for an extended conversation about the close race that made him the youngest member of San Antonio’s City Council—and the immediate challenges facing the city as he steps into office.

Galvan reflects on what motivated his campaign, how neighborhood involvement and grassroots support shaped his candidacy, and the razor-thin margin by which he won. With just over a month in post, he shares early insights on leading a diverse district and building an effective council team.

The conversation moves to some of the most pressing issues on the city’s agenda:

• The $1 billion “Project Marvel” Spurs downtown arena proposal and how city council should weigh public investment

• San Antonio’s approaching budget deficit, the structural factors behind it, and what hard choices may be ahead

• The impact of partisan politics at the local level and how councilmembers can bridge divides within their own districts

• What constituents across District 6 prioritize, from flood infrastructure to housing and public safety

• How Galvan sees the upcoming city bond process as an essential tool for neighborhood input and long-term investment

Galvan speaks candidly about challenges, optimism, trade-offs, and where he believes city council should focus as San Antonio navigates tight margins—both politically and fiscally—in the years ahead.

▶️ #126. Mayor Ron Nirenberg on 8 Years of Progress—and What Comes Next for San Antonio – Go behind the scenes of San Antonio’s transformation as Bob Rivard sits down with Mayor Ron Nirenberg to reflect on his legacy, major city initiatives, and the challenges ahead. This conversation offers candid insights into civic leadership, housing, workforce development, and the future of the city as a new administration takes the reins.

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This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine San Antonio’s historic summer of flooding and the urgent questions facing the city and region. In June and July 2025, San Antonio and surrounding areas experienced two of the deadliest flood events in Texas history—catastrophic disasters that overwhelmed infrastructure, claimed dozens of lives, and exposed vulnerabilities in both local response systems and long-term planning.

Cory Ames is joined by Rick Trefzer, Deputy General Manager of the San Antonio River Authority, and Brendan Gibbons, board chair of River Aid San Antonio and former environmental reporter, to discuss what went wrong during these back-to-back floods—and what needs to change to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

They discuss:

• How climate change and drought-flood whiplash are reshaping risk in San Antonio

• What the data and new floodplain maps reveal about future rainfall 

• The role (and limits) of infrastructure, early warning systems, and local ordinances in protecting communities

• The ecological, public health, and economic costs of flooding—from debris and pollution to escalating insurance and cleanup demands

• Why nature-based solutions and green infrastructure are drawing renewed attention, and what it will take to implement them across the city

• Practical steps for residents and policymakers, from flood insurance to advocacy around city codes and disaster preparedness

The conversation explores the tradeoffs between rapid development, long-term safety, and environmental stewardship, highlighting both the progress made and the ongoing debate about how to best protect San Antonio in a changing climate.

Explore tools for flood preparedness, local volunteer opportunities, and community resources at the San Antonio River Authority, River Aid San Antonio, and BexarFlood.org.

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▶️ #127. What If We Replaced Every Lawn in San Antonio? – What would happen if San Antonio ditched traditional lawns for native plants? Guest host Cory Ames and naturalist Monika Maeckle dig into the transforming power of sustainable landscaping—from water savings to reimagining curb appeal. If you’re inspired by the challenges of flooding, drought, and climate resilience, this episode offers practical ways every resident can help make San Antonio more sustainable, one yard at a time.

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This week on bigcitysmalltown, we meet Ariana Chaudhary, a San Antonio high school student and founder of Access to Specialist Knowledge (ASK), a nonprofit connecting frontline doctors in underserved regions around the world with volunteer U.S. medical specialists. Ariana launched ASK at 14 after witnessing first-hand the challenges faced by healthcare providers in Uganda. Now 17 and a student at Health Careers High School, she leads an organization that has facilitated more than 35,000 medical consultations across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and South America.

Cory Ames, producer of bigcitysmalltown, sits down with Ariana to discuss how her global perspective has influenced local action, the realities of building a nonprofit as a teenager, and the ongoing impact of San Antonio’s health and research community on her work.

They discuss:

• Ariana’s journey from a single clinic in Uganda to a global network of healthcare providers

• The role of San Antonio’s medical community in supporting ASK’s rapid growth

• How local gaps in healthcare access echo global disparities—and Ariana’s efforts to address both

• What’s next for ASK as Ariana prepares for college and the future of the organization

Find out how a young San Antonian is using local resources and global connections to improve healthcare delivery where it’s needed most.

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▶️ #122. The Scientist Who Transformed Texas Biomed—and San Antonio’s Scientific Standing – Discover how visionary leadership and science can change a city’s trajectory. Host Bob Rivard talks with Dr. Larry Schlesinger about elevating Texas Biomed, navigating research funding challenges, and battling public health misinformation—all while strengthening San Antonio’s national standing as a hub for biomedical innovation.

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This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the changing landscape of small business support in San Antonio through the lens of Launch SA—a city-backed resource center for entrepreneurs and business owners. Now operating under a new partnership with Geekdom and led by director Matthew Espinoza, Launch SA is navigating a critical moment of transition and growth nearly a decade after its inception.

Guest host Cory Ames sits down with Espinoza to discuss how Launch SA is responding to post-pandemic challenges, the evolving needs of local founders, and what the organization’s recent relaunch means for San Antonio’s broader business ecosystem.

They cover:

• How Launch SA’s mission and services have shifted in partnership with Geekdom and the City of San Antonio
• The most common challenges facing San Antonio’s small business owners, including access to capital, uncertainty, and adapting to new technologies
• The role of programming, events, and partnerships in building a sustainable support network for entrepreneurs
• What recent economic growth signals mean for independently owned businesses—and where potential gaps remain
• How community members can engage with and support the city’s local businesses

For listeners tuned in to San Antonio’s economic development, this episode offers a grounded look at the realities and opportunities facing the city’s small businesses, and how local support organizations are working to keep pace.

RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:

▶️ #126. Mayor Ron Nirenberg on 8 Years of Progress—and What Comes Next for San Antonio – Go behind the scenes of San Antonio’s transformation as Bob Rivard sits down with Mayor Ron Nirenberg to reflect on his legacy, major city initiatives, and the challenges ahead. This conversation offers candid insights into civic leadership, housing, workforce development, and the future of the city as a new administration takes the reins.

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This week on bigcitysmalltown, we look at the evolving landscape of professional soccer in San Antonio, focusing on San Antonio FC and their role in building international connections through sport.

Host Bob Rivard and Co-Host Cory Ames are joined in the studio by Marco Ferruzzi, San Antonio FC Sporting Director, and Jose Lizardo, Director of Toyota Field and Star Soccer Complex. Together, they discuss San Antonio FC’s decade-long growth, the challenges of operating within the USL Championship, and what the club’s new partnerships with teams in Darmstadt, Germany, and Las Palmas, Spain, mean for local fans and the city’s global profile.

They examine:

• The origins and community-driven mission of San Antonio FC
• The practical and cultural complexities of organizing international friendlies
• What San Antonio can learn from its European sister clubs—and vice versa
• How the USL compares to other leagues, and the future of promotion and relegation in U.S. soccer
• The club’s commitment to youth development, accessibility, and community outreach
• The ongoing effort to grow local attendance and build a sustainable soccer culture in San Antonio

With thoughtful conversation on the business, technical, and civic aspects of professional soccer, this episode offers insight into where the sport is headed in the city and what it means for San Antonio’s place on the international stage.

RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:

▶️ #126. Mayor Ron Nirenberg on 8 Years of Progress—and What Comes Next for San Antonio – As Mayor Ron Nirenberg prepares to leave office, he joins host Bob Rivard to reflect on San Antonio’s biggest achievements and ongoing challenges, from affordable housing and workforce development to climate action and civic leadership. Discover how vision, resilience, and community engagement have shaped the city’s evolution—and what lies ahead for its future.

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This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine how San Antonio residents are rethinking their relationship with nature—starting in their own front yards. Guest host Cory Ames interviews Monika Maeckle, author, naturalist, and founder of the Texas Butterfly Ranch and the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival. 

Maeckle’s new book, Plants with Purpose, explores why traditional lawns may be a liability for San Antonio, and how reimagining our landscaping choices can have a measurable impact on water conservation, biodiversity, and the city’s resilience to climate extremes.

In this conversation, Cory and Monika discuss:

• The hidden costs of maintaining lawns in San Antonio’s climate
• How native and well-adapted plants can contribute to local ecosystems
• Strategies for residents—homeowners, renters, and educators—to build greener, more sustainable neighborhoods
• Accessible starting points for those new to native gardening, including resources and recommended nurseries
• The cultural and historical narratives tied to landscaping in Texas
• Examples of successful lawn-to-native transformations around the city, and how attitudes on “curb appeal” are beginning to shift

The episode also addresses the broader implications for water policy, environmental education, and the role of public utilities and HOAs in shaping San Antonio’s urban landscape. 

For residents seeking practical steps—and inspiration—on making their homes and communities more sustainable, Maeckle’s perspective is rooted in decades of local experience.

You can find more information about Plants with Purpose, local events, and suggested resources at bigcitysmalltown.com.

RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:

▶️ #125. The Man Behind Brooks: How Leo Gomez Reimagined the Southside – Explore San Antonio’s transformation on a bigger scale as Bob Rivard sits down with Leo Gomez, president and CEO of Brooks, to unpack the revitalization of this former military base into a thriving mixed-use community. Discover how bold leadership, partnerships, and a focus on green space are reshaping the city’s Southside—all connecting back to how we can build a more vibrant, sustainable San Antonio.

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