Get a NEW artist-designed Marketplace sweatshirt when you donate $8/month ... for a limited time! Give Now

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 (5,820)

All about service, all about people

Jan 29, 2007
Marriott International Chairman and CEO Bill Marriott talks about why running the world's largest lodging company isn't so different from operating a root beer stand.

Has the housing market hit bottom?

Jan 26, 2007
New-home sales were up in December, according to the Commerce Department. But 2006 was a year the home-building business would rather forget. Sales suffered the biggest drop since 1989. What's next?

Educating Rico: Breaking the law

Jan 26, 2007
Associate Producer Rico Gagliano is back with another installment of our series, Educating Rico. In this week's episode, he takes the law into his own hands. Copyright law, that is.

Conversations From the Corner Office: Bill Marriott

Jan 25, 2007
The head of Marriott International Inc. talks to Kai Ryssdal about why running the world's largest lodging company isn't so different from operating a nine-stool root beer stand.

Critics see Bush's plan as no health benefit

Jan 24, 2007
In his State of the Union address, President Bush proposed a new approach to healthcare funding that would mean changes to most tax bills. Marketplace health reporter Helen Palmer talks with Kai Ryssdal about the idea.

Lebanon crisis stalls reconstruction

Jan 24, 2007
Hezbollah-led protests, strikes and violence have shut down much of Lebanon. Anthony Shadid, the Washington Post's correspondent in Beirut, talks with Kai Ryssdal about the troubled nation.

Economic turning point: Productivity's down

Jan 23, 2007
The Conference Board came out with a report today saying U.S. productivity growth is slipping. Kai Ryssdal talks with the Board's Ken Goldstein about what that might mean for inflation and interest rates.

A briefer, more general State of the Union

Jan 22, 2007
If White House leaks are to be believed, President Bush's speech tomorrow night won't be your average State of the Union Address. Marketplace's John Dimsdale talks with Kai Ryssdal about what to expect.

Cracks in foundations

Jan 22, 2007
Duke University professor Joel Fleishman says that despite their good intentions most foundations have plenty of problems. He talks with Kai Ryssdal about his new book on the subject.

Video gamers go pro

Jan 18, 2007
Electronic games have gotten so serious that the best players are actually getting paid to compete. Business-of-sports analyst Ed Derse talks with Kai Ryssdal about the new professionals.