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)
Does the sale of fine art need physical spaces?
by
Alli Fam
and Kai Ryssdal
Jan 27, 2021
Masha Golovina of Masterworks.io talks about the two-tiered economy and says that when physical art fairs are coupled with online sales, "that's the ideal mix."
Boston Consulting CEO on the ties between business and politics
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Andie Corban
Jan 25, 2021
Rich Lesser said the business world is ready to find common ground with the Biden administration.
The drivers of this economy: Long-haul trucking in the pandemic
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Alli Fam
Jan 25, 2021
Back in the spring, state transportation departments closed highway rest stops. And that put a strain on drivers.
A workforce crisis hurting women, especially mothers
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Daisy Palacios
Jan 22, 2021
Women left their jobs at a far greater rate than men in 2020. What does this mean for the economy?
With business down 95%, Hawaiian entrepreneur hopes her company and town survive
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Andie Corban
Jan 19, 2021
The pandemic has largely halted tourism, and Manu Powers has had to lay off most of her staff.
As poverty rises, South Florida organization for the homeless starts feeding neighbors, too
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Andie Corban
Jan 19, 2021
The number of people showing up for free hot meals has more than doubled since the pandemic began, the CEO of HOPE South Florida says.
Why much of Nebraska's economy remains strong despite the pandemic
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Andie Corban
Jan 19, 2021
Some businesses in Newman Grove, Nebraska, have been booming as fewer people leave town to shop. Also, the region's agriculture economy remains healthy.
"Civil society is much more fragile than I think Americans appreciate," says outgoing FCC Chair Ajit Pai
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Daisy Palacios
Jan 15, 2021
Pai says Congress needs to legislate rules so that agency regulations, like net neutrality, don't swing with the leader's political affiliation.
Speech on the internet: The First Amendment and Section 230 are different
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Alli Fam
Jan 14, 2021
Private parties can decide whose speech they want to distribute. That's a First Amendment right, not a Section 230 right.
Why the insurrection at the Capitol was an economically significant moment
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Maria Hollenhorst
Jan 14, 2021
Three economic historians weigh in.