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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)

Nielsen now rating commercial breaks

Jul 11, 2006
TV ad buyers and the Nielsen ratings system will begin tracking how many viewers are actually watching TV ads in the new world of TiVos and DVRs. Host Kai Ryssdal talks to Abbey Klaassen about the shift.

Ken Lay's legacy

Jul 5, 2006
Enron's founder and convicted former CEO, Kenneth Lay died of a heart attack today. Host Kai Ryssdal speaks to veteran energy reporter Barbara Shook about Lay's legacy in the energy business.

The money pit: Should you lend to friends?

Jun 23, 2006
Should you loan money to your relatives or friends? What should you ask for in return? And how do you say no? Kai finds out from Ira Bryck, the Director of the UMass Family Business Center.

Return of stagflation?

Jun 23, 2006
Some economists are worried about the return of stagflation -- the perfect economic storm that made the '70s such a financial bummer. David Wyes of Standard & Poor's tells Kai whether we should really be preparing for a fiscal downpour.

Housing market shift

Jun 23, 2006
New figures on home construction suggest the housing market is officially slowing down. Kai speaks to Elizabeth Razzi, author of "Fearless Home Buyer," about the future of the housing market and what it means for home buyers and sellers.

World Cup tickets hard to come by

Jun 22, 2006
You had to provide a passport or ID number to buy 2006 World Cup tickets, which are microchipped and registered to specific individuals. All to prevent counterfeit and scalping. Did it work? Host Kai Ryssdal talks to Jamie Trecker of Fox Sports.

Stagflation fears unfounded?

Jun 21, 2006
Want to know what's been spooking the market lately? Two very similar words: inflation and stagflation. Host Kai Ryssdal talks with economist David Wyss about the terms.

Workers kidnapped in Iraq

Jun 21, 2006
Today 85 workers in Iraq were reportedly kidnapped as they left their jobs at an industrial plant north of Baghdad. Are workers being targeted now? We ask Borzou Daragahi of the Los Angeles Times.

Karmazin is Sirius about satellite radio; Part 2

Jun 19, 2006
Host Kai Ryssdal talks with Sirius Satellite Radio CEO Mel Karmazin about the future of the broadcast media in our latest 'Conversation from the Corner Office.'

Karmazin is Sirius about satellite radio

Jun 19, 2006
After running CBS and Viacom, Mel Karmazin now heads up Sirius Satellite Radio. He tells Kai Ryssdal that he expects radio via satellite to one day be as common as cable TV. Another in our "Conversations From the Corner Office" series.