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)
“Low Earth orbit is now open for business”
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Maria Hollenhorst
Nov 29, 2023
This is how Varda Space Industries hopes to commercialize manufacturing in space.
"Has there ever been a bigger gap" between economic mood and actual numbers? Chicago Fed president asks
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Sarah Leeson
Nov 28, 2023
Chicago Fed's Austan Goolsbee on the consumer sentiment disconnect, and what happens if interest rates stay high for too long.
In the fight against food fraud, producers are getting high-tech
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Sarah Leeson
Nov 22, 2023
Between edible microchips, invisible ink and more, the food supply chain is becoming more transparent than ever.
There's big business behind those annoying CAPTCHA puzzles
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Sean McHenry
Nov 22, 2023
As AI becomes more sophisticated, the industry is growing to match it, says journalist Justin Pot, who wrote about CAPTCHA for The Atlantic.
Are we still living in Milton Friedman’s economy?
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Maria Hollenhorst
Nov 15, 2023
A conversation about the life and legacy of economist Milton Friedman with historian Jennifer Burns.
Content creator economy is everywhere, but labor data and protections are sparse
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Sean McHenry
Nov 9, 2023
The government has virtually no data on this mostly unregulated, $250 billion global industry, says Drew Harwell of The Washington Post.
Why isn't there an Amazon for real estate?
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Sarah Leeson
Nov 8, 2023
Despite the world going digital, homebuying is still a highly analog process. James Rodriquez of Insider discusses the quest for a superapp.
His EV trip through the Southeast required a charging station map — and privilege
by
Richard Cunningham
and Kai Ryssdal
Nov 8, 2023
Adam Mahoney, a reporter for Capital B News, explains how driving an electric vehicle put him in a precarious situation as a Black man.
With rising elder care costs, the Great Wealth Transfer won't be so great
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Richard Cunningham
Nov 6, 2023
Older generations are spending down their nest eggs and leaving smaller inheritances to adult children, writer Annie Logue explains.
Small phones are hard to find
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Sofia Terenzio
Nov 2, 2023
Makers seem to favor devices with much larger displays. Sean Hollister at The Verge recounts his search for a good small phone.