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 (5,800)

How secure can we make air travel?

Aug 16, 2006
Even though screening in the UK and Europe is the toughest it's ever been, EU officials met today to talk about working together. Host Kai Ryssdal asks aviation security expert Alan Hatcher, will it do any good?

Private equity spending spree

Aug 15, 2006
Private equity firms have been snapping up different publicly-traded companies recently. Host Kai Ryssdal speaks to Fortune magazine writer Adam Lashinsky about this buyout trend.

Good day on Wall Street

Aug 15, 2006
Stocks soared following today's report from the Labor Department which showed prices at the wholesale level fell .3% — the biggest drop since October. Host Kai Ryssdal checks in with economist Diane Swonk.

Israelis slow to return north

Aug 14, 2006
There's not as much destruction on the other side of the border in northern Israel, but there's plenty of economic dislocation. Host Kai Ryssdal speaks to reporter Patrick Anidjar of the Agence France Presse in Jerusalem.

Lefties make more

Aug 14, 2006
Educated men who are left-handed make more money than their right-handed counterparts, according to a recent economic study. Host Kai Ryssdal speaks with economist Christopher S. Ruebeck, who co-wrote the report.

Lebanese head home

Aug 14, 2006
Major fighting between Israel and Hezbollah ended this morning after a UN cease-fire took hold, and many Lebanese are returning home to see what's left. Host Kai Ryssdal checks in with reporter Ben Gilbert in Beirut.

Week on Wall Street

Aug 11, 2006
Host Kai Ryssdal checks in with Dallas stockbroker David Johnson to find out about the week on Wall Street.

Happy 25th, IBM PC

Aug 11, 2006
25 years ago today, IBM released its first personal computer. It was a moment that changed the world, in part because IBM used software from a little-known company called Microsoft. Host Kai Ryssdal looks back with computer maven Robert Cringely.

Airline industry takes another hit

Aug 10, 2006
British authorities announced today that they've foiled a massive terrorist plot to destroy US-bound planes. Host Kai Ryssdal speaks to Wall Street Journal Editor Scott McCartney about the possible impact on the airline industry.

Impact on British tourism to be seen

Aug 10, 2006
The impact of the foiled terror plot may also be felt on Britain's tourism industry. Host Kai Ryssdal speaks to Marketplace's Stephen Beard in London.