That's Life

Lois Richter · kdrt.org

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

50 episodes

11d ago latest

fortnightly cadence

English language

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Episodes 47

2026-08-18: Replay of That's Life with Ray Maxwell (2022)
11d ago · 58:00
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 expe
2026-08-11: Replay of That's Life with David Hosley (2021)
18d ago · 58:00
David Hosley had led a very full life. Lois could have interviewed him about many many different things and filled up a show -- his long media career (starting at age 12!), being a renowned investigative reporter, teaching at various colleges and universities, UC administration, managing LOTS of radio and tv stations, producing six documentaries, training journalists in ethics, heading non-profits, talking about the history of migration into California and the challenges of life in the San Joaquin valley, and sharing thoughts on community, economy, social assumptions, and why people work after
2026-08-04: Replay of That's Life with James Galway's Flute Music
25d ago · 57:59
Lois recently discovered the beautiful music of James Galway and is eager to share it with you. Hope you enjoy this flute music.
2026-07-28: Replay of That's John McNerney, Talkin' Turkey
1mo ago · 58:00
Davis employs a wildlife biologist named John McNerney to oversee all things natural in the City. John has been on the show several times (all archived for your listening pleasure!). This time our discussion focussed on the turkeys and other 'wild' animals in the City and what people should or should NOT do in their interactions. Although I hope you will listen to this entire episode; here's the main point Lois got from it -- DO NOT leave out food where the rats, turkeys, squirrels, skunks, opposums, or other animals can get to it. That includes remnants of cat and dog food, as well as intenti
2026-07-21: Replay of That's Beth Post, Hawaiian Cultural Ambassador (10/25/2018)
1mo ago · 58:00
KDRT's Hawaiian expert Beth Post is today's guest. Her radio show "Na Mele O Hawaii" is one of the most popular on this station! And the story of how it came to be and what changes it has made in her family's is fascinating. Beth first became involved with KDRT when a friend started the "Road Scholar" show about home-schooling and needed a back up. Beth and her daughter started helping out and eventually doing it all on their own. After a few years, the kids got older and that show was no longer of as much interest. Beth's daughter went on to school and Beth -- having gotten a taste of sharing
2026-07-14: Replay of That's "Scratchboarding" with Ann Ranlett (9/13/2018)
1mo ago · 58:00
Ann Ranlett is an artist. A SCRATCHBOARD artist. What's that, you say? Listen to today's show and find out! Lois found Ann while researching a 'drawing' to be donated to the Friends of Art for their auction at the Yolo County Fair. (Anyone know a local artist named "H. Friend" who was been making things in 1972?) Once Lois figuring out this was not a drawing, but actually a scratchboard; she tried to find a gathering place of such folks to see if anyone know more about artist Friend. Although she ddi find the group, alas, no one knew that artist. But during those communications, Lois discovere
2026-07-07: "What is Friendship?"
1mo ago · 58:00
"What is Friendship?: a discussion with friends" Three of Lois' friends -- Leanne Friedman, Marilee Eusebio, and Autumn Labbe-Renault -- joined her to talk about friendship and friendliness. [Originally aired 6/14/2018; re-aired 7/7/2026.]
June 30, 2026: Replay of Reese Rowland, Stormwater Pollution Prevention (01/25/18)
2mo ago · 58:00
Reese Rowland from the City of Davis spoke about his work on Stormwater Pollution Prevention. Do you know where your water comes from and where it goes? Listen to today's show and find out!
That's Life - June 16, 2026
2mo ago · 58:00
A repeat of the show with John Puett about D&D, photography, and the Office Hours / After Hours community. [First broadcast 03/17/2022; aired again 04/23/2025 and 05-06-2025.]
Replay of Lois Richter on slack key music, birds, and life (16 Feb 2017)
4mo ago · 58:00
Jeff Peterson's CD "Slack Key Travels" Bird behaviors (info via Lois).
Replay of Bats, bats, and more bats -- with Corky Quirk (4/5/18)
4mo ago · 58:00
Corky's back! To talk to us about bats, bats, and more bats! -- primarily the Mexican Free-tail Bat which is so plentiful under the I-80 freeway at the causeway. Size, shape, habit -- all the things that one can know about these insect-devouring friends -- that's what Corky Quirk has for us today. And then there are the mysteries that scientists still haven't learns. The crack in the attached image is less than 2 inches wide.
Replay from January 2019 - That's Tyler Lee!
5mo ago · 58:00
Who's Tyler Lee, you ask? He's a very nice young man who Lois met at KDRT when he and another fellow were alphabetizing vinyl records in our library. Lois, of course, started chatting with Tyler and (not unusually) ended up asking him to come and be on the show. And he agreed! This is a man with a wonderful story. I hope you have as much fun listening to this show as we had making it.
Replay of That's Life: Air Conditioning basics with Mark Blake
5mo ago · 58:00
Starting about 15 into this weeks show, Lois interviewed Mark Blake, the owner of Blake's Heating and Air Conditioning. Lois asks him about how extremely hot weather affects the efficacy of your A/C, how to maintain your system to cost you the least, and operate the best. Listen to learn and enjoy!
Replay of That's Life, 7 Mar 2013, Debbie Harry Blondie
5mo ago · 58:00
Songs from the Debbie Harry Blondie CD "Once More Into The Bleach" [1988, Chrysalis]
Replay of That's Misner and Smith, Jun 11th, 2009
6mo ago · 59:48
Summertime 2009 brought songs from "Misner & Smith" off their brand new album -- which was the first of MANY! For current info, see MisnerAndSmith.com (Also, as our PSA, info about controlling mosquitoes in your yard.)
Replay of That's the Sharp End of Life
6mo ago · 58:00
Dierdre Wolownick, author of "The Sharp End of Life", shares her stories and introduces us to her son, Alex Honnold, who not only taught her to climb but is also the central figure in the recent award-winnig movie "Free Solo". This show will give you a feel for what modern climbing is like and help you know more about this fascinating woman. Dierdre climbed Yosemite's El Capitan when she was over 60; and is still going strong. The phrase "the sharp end of the rope" is used in climbing to describe when a person is climbing up ahead of their safety gear -- that is, the lead climber has to GET TH
Replay of That's DCTV, SCA, and Sharla Hardy
8mo ago · 58:00
Today on "That's Life", Lois and Sharla Hardy talk about DCTV, SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism), brother Jim, art, history, and shared experiences. "Don't mix ammonia with clorox!" If you watched any of Lois' DCTV productions (from 1992 thru 2003), you saw some wonderful camera work by Sharla Hardy. She was part of the repetoire crew that helped me produced many shows and several series -- mostly running a camera, but occasionally on as a guest. Our last series was "Thoughtfulness" -- an eclectic production that ran weekly for several years. (Sort of like this radio program, but with mov
That's Life at Xmas in 2025
8mo ago · 58:00
It's starting to sound a lot like Christmas! Here are a few carols to pass the time. First broadcast December 2025.
Replay of That's Rocky Mountain High
10mo ago · 58:00
A few of you were around in the 70s and 80s and knew John Denver. For you, here are some of his early songs. Some other listeners have never even HEARD of John Denver! For you, here is an introduction to one of the most influential singers of his time. I've included some history of John as well as some of his music. Today's songs are from his famous "Rocky Mountain High" album. (The CD was published by RCA, from recording of the 1972 album by BMG Music.) Original broadcast 2020-02-20. Re-broadcast 2025-10-30 and 2025-11-04.
That's Life with Yolo County's Marissa Juhler
11mo ago · 58:00
The Yolo County Landfill has many programs to reduce-reuse-recycle. Tours of the landfill are available by appointment. There is also a "waste wizard" on the website where one can ask questions about what to put where: https://www.yolocounty.gov/government/general-government-departments/community-services/integrated-waste-management-division/central-landfill/a-z-waste-acceptability/a-z-list Kids love learning about recycling! Today, Marissa Juehler explains how diverting use-able items that would otherwise go into the landfill not only saves us space; it also makes things available for VERY lo
That's Life for our Ancestors
11mo ago · 58:00
Today on That's Life: Family History = Genealogy = the story of one's ancestors. Lois tells all! Well... Lois tells some. "All" would take much longer! Hear what the main documents are that folks use to find their ancesotrs and how they create profiles to store the info and share with cousins. Records of Birth, Marriage, Death, and the Census. Using the regular data -- as well as avoiding some common problems. FamilySearch.org is Lois' go-to place for both doing research and creating profiles. See you there?
Replay of That's Life of Mushrooms, part two
11mo ago · 58:00
Today on That's Life, more MUSHROOMS! Professor Emeritus Mike Davis is back again this week to tell us even more about mushrooms -- and other fungus. Originally broadcast in May of 2021; this show was re-broadcast in 2025 on Sept 9 and Sept 16.
Replay of That'sLife with Mushrooms
12mo ago · 58:00
Today on That's Life: Mike Davis, a retired professor from UCDavis, tells us a lot about everyone's favorite fungi -- Mushrooms. There are THOUSANDS of species in California. This fascinating show includes detailed instruction on how to grow your own! If you want to know more, look for his book "Field Guide to MUSHROOMS of Western North America". Originally aired on 2021-05-20. Re-broadcast in 2025 on Sept 2nd .
Replay of That's the color BLUE, part 2
1y ago · 58:00
Today on That's Life: Would you like another COLORful show? This is part two of the color "BLUE"! BLUE is in the name -- of the song, of the album, or of the artist/band. There were so many "blue" choices, that I made TWO shows this color! This one includes Kate Wolf, the Grateful Dead, Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, Ella Fitzgerald, Gershwin, and more. So here it is -- "Blue, part two". First aired 2020-05-07. Re-broadcast 2025-07-29.
That's Life with Hawaiian Music
1y ago · 58:00
Today on That's Life: Happy summer! If you can't travel in person, travel in spirit! Today you can listen to some mellow island sounds with "Favorite Hawaiian Songs", a CD from the collection of host Lois Richter. When that's done, we add a few instrumentals from Jeff Peterson's "Maui On My Mind". (Original was broadcast on 2021-05-06. Re-edited and then broadcast on 2025-07-01.)