That's Life

Lois Richter’s format for That’s Life is mostly interviews. Recurring topics include Davis activities and groups; work and life choices; philosophy and theory; plus birding, cooking, art, and other passions. Lois occasionally breaks into music — from ballads to the slack key sounds of Hawaii to golden oldies rock 'n' roll — but mostly there is just talk.

To suggest a topic for discussion or a person to interview, text Lois or leave a message in the comments here.

Lois seldom (but occasionally) updates her other website. Check it out at https://BirdingWithLois.global

DJ(s): 
Replays Wednesday 12-1pm
Podcast
Music programs are only online for two weeks after they are broadcast.

That's Life with Gitane, a French woman

Gitane is French! 

French-Canadian to be precise.  She grew up in an entirely French-speaking area of Canada and says she didn't truly learn English until she moved to Santa Monica and no one spoke French!  

French to English.  How does that work?  How do you move from speaking (and thinking in) your birth tongue to speaking (and maybe thinking in?) a different language.  Aside from the spelling and  pronunciation, there is also a difference in philosophy between French and English.  Dr G used as an example the first book she ever read in English -- The Little Prince.  In the English version, the fox says  "there is a secret place ..."; while in the original French version, the fox says "there is a mysterious place ...".  (Gitane highly recommends this book as something to help one think about serious matters in a light way.)

That's Life with Gitane, radio host

Have you ever listened to "Heart to Heart" here on KDRT?  If so, you are familiar with the melodious voice of Gitane (Dr.G).  She is a long-time radio personality -- having had a show in Florida for many years before she moved away.  When KDRT was formed, she considered returning to the airways and in 2009 began her weekly show.  Pre-pandemic, Gitane had guests with her in the studio and played songs to interlude the hour-long show.  When the studio shut down, past shows of "Heart to Heart" were played while G figured out how to proceed.  (A few off-line episodes were made, but mostly G has been waiting for the station to be up, running, and safe.  If you want to engineer for G, please tell Jeff.)

But that brings us to this interview.  Hear lots of stories by or about Gitane, find out how she got to where she is, and her plans for the future.

That's Life with Judy Fjell

Judy Fjell is coming.

JUDY FJELL IS COMING !!!

Her concert in Davis is 23 October 2024 at the UU Church at 7 pm.   

More details at JudyFjell.com along with 70+ songs for free there on "Judy's Radio". 

About 1982, Lois met Judy in Davis when they both lived here and were both interested in Women's Music -- Judy on stage and Lois back stage!  Today's show is a chat about old times, new projects, and interactions with nature.   Judy is an avid birder and nature observer.  

Her website says: "Whether you're a longtime fan of Singer-Songwriter Judy Fjell, or you've recently discovered her through a camp, workshop, or worship experience ..."  and  "Judy has written and recorded over 20 albums, published several songbooks and ukulele instructional books, and continues to teach and perform from her home in Montana." 

That's Life Without Fraud

 

What are the current frauds, scams, and hazards that we should all be aware of?  Fraud expert Don Malloy from the Yolo County District Attorney's office gives us an update on what to look out for -- and what to do if we get caught.

Not a great thing to think about happening, but it's GREAT to be prepared and so avoid trouble altogether!

That's Life in Davisville with Bill Buchanan

Bill Buchanan, an award-winning print journalist, decided to start a radio show on KDRT about Davis writ large.  That is, not only the people and events within the City limits, but also the many things we connect to in the wider world.  "Davisville" has been airing for over 15 years now and is one of the most popular shows on KDRT.  It has been so well crafted that Bill is now also "an award-winning RADIO journalist" because the program has won 13 'Excellence in Journalism' awards from the San Francisco Press Club since 2018.

Here's a fascinating chat with a very perceptive man who lives life well and shares his passion with all of us.

To hear more, check out Bill's bio and the Davisville show archives at:  https://kdrt.org/davisville 

 

That's Life with Ray Maxwell -- again

[This episode re-aired 2 May 2024.]   https://kdrt.org/audio/thats-life-ray-maxwell

Ray Maxwell is a fascinating man.  He has done so many wonderful things, we'd need a month to even  summarize them!  In this episode we touch on a few -- hot air ballooning, finding minerals by looking at vegetation from space, how wind moves over mountain peaks and what those aerial waves and ridges can be used for, changes in vision after cataract surgery, setting up a studio, teaching people to fly (motor planes, gliders, remote control planes, and drones), Vancouver BC Canada, lots of tech, and philosophy.  Although Lois and Ray met thru Office Hours, Ray has many other years of broadcast experience -- radio, tv, podcasting, web streaming, and Youtube.  You can see his face online at: 

Maxwell's House -- "Stop by the house of polymath Ray Maxwell and see what he's investigating today. Ray is a teacher, color scientist, pilot, photographer, Photoshop wizard and raconteur who each week takes on different real-world applications of complex scientific notions."

That's Life for Jazz and Its Cousins

 

What's related to what?  It's complicated.

Producing the KDRT radio progam "Jazz After Dark", our own Don Shor knows a lot about jazz and its roots.  Also about some of the spin-offs that have happened over time.  But after talking to him today Lois came away a little dizzy. 

It seems that each individual jazz player/ singer/ artist can add whatever flavor they want to their improv in the middle of a jazz performance. A little of this and a bit of that are just fine on a jazz record.

On the other hand, performers in other genres can "jazz it up" and slide their sounds over into jazz -- either by intent or by chance.

Ancestors or antecedents, some "cousins" of jazz have strong lines thru the jazz genre, while others derive from the parents of jazz.  Did I mention that jazz has LOTS of parents?

Don explains all this better than I can, so listen to the show to find out more about your jazzy family tree.

That's Jazz and Its Cousins

 

What's related to what?  It's complicated.

Producing the KDRT radio progam "Jazz After Dark", our own Don Shor knows a lot about jazz and its roots.  Also about some of the spin-offs that have happened over time.  But after talking to him today Lois came away a little dizzy. 

It seems that each individual jazz player/ singer/ artist can add whatever flavor they want to their improv in the middle of a jazz performance. A little of this and a bit of that are just fine on a jazz record.

On the other hand, performers in other genres can "jazz it up" and slide their sounds over into jazz -- either by intent or by chance.

Ancestors or antecedents, some "cousins" of jazz have strong lines thru the jazz genre, while others derive from the parents of jazz.  Did I mention that jazz has LOTS of parents?

Don explains all this better than I can, so listen to the show to find out more about your jazzy family tree.

That's Life with Preacher

One of our great producers here at KDRT is Preacher.  He gives the world his "Praise Time with Preacher" every week (Tu@4pm, Sun@7am).  Featuring gospel music in the broadest sense -- that is, songs that inspire and uplift -- his show is well worth podcasting so you can hear those sweet sounds anytime at all!

Although Preacher is a long-time radio host, this was his first ever zoom call.  We did great!  Lots of laughter in this show.  Hope you enjoy our time together as much as he and I did.

 

Schedule for this and all KDRT programs is at:  https://kdrt.org/station/schedule 

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Comments

I love listening to your Hawaiian music choices and your comments on Hawaii when you play Hawaiian music. :-)

-- Arielle

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 11/15/2012 - 1:16pm

I forgot about all this great music...thanks for reminding me.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/16/2009 - 10:42am

Great show! Never knew so much about green building...great guest. [Casa Verde]

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/24/2009 - 10:31am

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