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 (5,800)

Can parking tickets measure corruption?

Sep 5, 2006
Many developing — and some developed — nations have reputations for corruption. Turns out parking ticket data may serve as a good measure of just how corrupt. Undercover Economist Tim Harford explains.

Emergency money checklist

Aug 25, 2006
Should you keep cash in the house? Do you need original documents or will copies suffice? Financial expert Neil Elmouchi explains what to keep in mind when preparing for the unexpected.

Change in motion at Ford

Aug 25, 2006
Kai Ryssdal talks with The New York Times' Micheline Maynard about the continuing changes and reports of impending deals at struggling Ford Motor Co.

Morning-after pill's over-the-counter bottom line

Aug 24, 2006
The FDA today approved over-the-counter sales of Plan B, ending a long political debate. But what financial impact will it have? Host Kai Ryssdal talks with Susan Dudley of the National Research Center for Women and Families.

Cutting North Korea's cash flow

Aug 23, 2006
The US is working to freeze North Korean bank accounts allegedly used in handling money the country gets from drug trafficking and other illegal activities. Host Kai Ryssdal talks with Stephen Mihm of the University of Georgia.

The law of unintended consequences explained

Aug 21, 2006
Undercover Economist Tim Harford has a story about the law of unintended consequences. It all began with a pile of rubble across the street from his house.

What would US get for aid to Lebanon?

Aug 18, 2006
International aid is starting to flow into Lebanon. But money may not buy hearts and minds. Kai Ryssdal talks to Jon Alterman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies about the situation.

Bush goes to camp for economic advice

Aug 18, 2006
President Bush met with his economic team this morning at Camp David. And, based on his remarks, all of his indicators are up.

Big win for fantasy sports

Aug 17, 2006
A small, fantasy sports company won a huge legal battle with Major League Baseball last week. Host Kai Ryssdal talks to sports business analyst Ed Derse about the impact of the court ruling.

Katrina profiteering

Aug 17, 2006
Like Iraq, Hurricane Katrina reconstruction has been marred by profiteering, says a report from the nonprofit CorpWatch. Host Kai Ryssdal speaks to the group's Pratap Chatterjee about the parallels.