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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 (5,837)

Can North Korea be dissuaded?

Oct 9, 2006
Host Kai Ryssdal speaks with Mike Chinoy of the Pacific Council for International Policy about the economic implications of North Korea's nuclear testing claims — and whether economic sanctions might work.

A different way of doing business

Oct 9, 2006
Host Kai Ryssdal visits Sun Microsystems founder Scott McNealy in the latest Conversation from the Corner Office. McNealy talks about how his company has been able to compete with Microsoft and IBM on a much smaller budget.

Another big delay for Airbus

Oct 3, 2006
EADS has confirmed that delivery of its flagship Airbus A380 will be delayed until the second half of 2007. Host Kai Ryssdal talks with Financial Times reporter Doug Cameron about the possible consequences.

Five weeks, $1 billion 'til Election Day

Oct 3, 2006
Political candidates around the nation will collectively spend about <nobr>$1 billion</nobr> now through Nov. 7 &mdash; on top of the $1 billion they've already spent. Kai Ryssdal talks with Jordan Lieberman of Campaigns and Elections magazine about where the money's going.

Building a cheaper workforce

Oct 2, 2006
Wal-Mart is pushing to create a cheaper, more flexible workforce by capping wages, using more part-time workers and scheduling more workers on nights and weekends. Host Kai Ryssdal talks to New York Times reporter Steve Greenhouse.

Taking a (tax) break in Puerto Rico

Sep 29, 2006
A great example of how companies are getting even more creative looking for tax breaks? The pharmaceutical industry's presence in Puerto Rico. Kai Ryssdal talks about it with Jill Barshay of Congressional Quarterly.

HP drama unfolds on Capitol Hill

Sep 28, 2006
Hewlett-Packard execs reported to Washington today for a Congressional hearing into the company's pretexting scandal. We take a look at the day's events and the legality &mdash; or illegality &mdash; of the practice that's caused the stir.

No hedging: Amaranth is on the way out

Sep 27, 2006
There's word today that the hedge fund that bet on natural gas prices and lost $6 billion will sell off bits of its company and pay off angry investors.

Chaos as business plan

Sep 26, 2006
Google expends a lot of human energy on products that don't always make it. Host Kai Ryssdal talks to Fortune Magazine's Adam Lashinsky about the company's strategy that embraces risk and failure.

How to make ads stick

Sep 25, 2006
More than $300 billion is spent on advertising every year, with about a third of it considered wasted. Host Kai Ryssdal talks to author Rex Briggs about the secrets of today's advertising world.