Kai Ryssdal

Host and Senior Editor

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 (5,801)

Jobs for seniors

Sep 15, 2006
Older Americans want to work. So Tim Driver set up a site to match employers with eager seniors. Goodbye retirement. Hello, timesheet.

Big Oil slides out of royalty payments

Sep 13, 2006
Turns out operators of the major oil field recently discovered in the Gulf don't have to pay royalties for their find. Host Kai Ryssdal speaks to Marketplace's Scott Tong, who's been following the story.

Critics organize to reform corporate reporting

Sep 12, 2006
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act has been accused by critics of hurting the competitiveness of U.S. markets. And they've formed a coalition for change. Host Kai Ryssdal talks with law professor Jim Cox about the reform efforts.

Amtrak's new conductor in place

Sep 12, 2006
New Amtrak CEO Alexander Kummant moves into his office today. Host Kai Ryssdal asks "End of the Line" author Joseph Vranich, given the history of the company, why would anyone want the job?

CIA buying torture insurance

Sep 11, 2006
Some CIA officers have a private but government-sponsored insurance plan that pays legal expenses if they're accused of abusing or torturing prisoners. Host Kai Ryssdal talks to Washington Post reporter R. Jeffrey Smith about the story.

Personal information becomes post-9/11 target

Sep 8, 2006
In the five years since the Sept. 11 attacks, access to personal data has changed dramatically. Host Kai Ryssdal and guests look at the implications of this shift for businesses and consumers. . . . And, Annie Baxter reports that new government data gathering regulations are shaking out some of the banking industry's smallest players.

Conversation with Lucent CEO Pat Russo

Sep 6, 2006
Host Kai Ryssdal talks with Pat Russo, CEO of Lucent Technologies in the latest Conversation from the Corner Office.

Flying with baby just got easier

Sep 6, 2006
Today the FAA approved a harness that connects to a regular seatbelt — and it only weighs about a pound.

Congress looks at corporate fraud

Sep 6, 2006
Two Senate committees held hearings today on the options backdating scandal. Marketplace's Scott Tong tells host Kai Ryssdal that the practice may be history, but there's still plenty of trouble ahead for some companies.

Russo keeps innovation at heart of Lucent

Sep 6, 2006
Marketplace's Kai Ryssdal talks to Lucent CEO Pat Russo about leading the company through tough times.