SHORT BIO
Kai is the host and senior editor of “Marketplace,” the most widely heard program on business and the economy — radio or television, commercial or public broadcasting — in the country. Kai speaks regularly with CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, startup entrepreneurs, small-business owners and everyday participants in the American and global economies. Before his career in broadcasting, Kai served in the United States Navy and United States Foreign Service. He’s a graduate of Emory University and Georgetown University. Kai lives in Los Angeles with his wife and four children.
Latest Stories (5,837)
Consumers are finding ways to justify spending, even if it busts their budget
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Sofia Terenzio
Sep 5, 2023
The rebound from pandemic deprivation continues, says Adriana Samper of Arizona State, and the reasoning can get pretty creative.
When it comes to measuring economic welfare, GDP doesn't cut it
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Maria Hollenhorst
Sep 1, 2023
Gross domestic product has been the standard measure for economic growth since 1944, but it doesn't measure the quality of life.
Biden economist wants businesses to "step up and make investments” in the U.S.
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Sean McHenry
Aug 31, 2023
Heather Boushey of the Council of Economic Advisers talks about the challenges of implementing the president's economic agenda.
Air travel is still melting down, and travel agents are caught in the middle
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Sean McHenry
Aug 30, 2023
Erica Wilkinson of Campbell Travel says travel agents are the ones getting clients "unstuck" in the New Air Travel Normal.
Why aren’t farmers using new tech?
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Sofia Terenzio
Aug 30, 2023
Farmers haven’t been keen on adopting new agriculture technology despite its potential to revolutionize the industry.
The awkward return of the business meal
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Livi Burdette
Aug 29, 2023
Juggling hors d'oeuvres and handshakes is no easy task.
Tradle brings Wordle-style game to global exports
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Sarah Leeson
Aug 24, 2023
Can you figure out what country exports, say, both crude oil and leather footwear? Gilberto García-Vazquez of Datawheel explains the game.
To narrow the gender gap in boardrooms, Poker Power asks girls to ante up
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Sarah Leeson
Aug 23, 2023
"Stereotypically, poker is a boys' club. It's booze, it's betting, it's a smoky basement. It's all the places that women don't feel comfortable. And that's what we're trying to shift," said Erin Lydon, president of Poker Power.
Keeping a diary of plastic use can be "a little horrifying"
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Livi Burdette
Aug 22, 2023
What a reporter learned by cataloging all the plastic products around her.
There's more evidence that subsidized jobs boost racial equity, report finds
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Richard Cunningham
Aug 17, 2023
"There are just a lot of positive ripple effects for communities," says Kali Grant of Georgetown, who co-wrote the updated report.