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 (5,815)

Cycling reels from doping scandals

Aug 3, 2006
As Tour de France winner Floyd Landis waits to find out if he'll be stripped of his title, host Kai Ryssdal talks with business of sports analyst Diana Nyad about whether sports can win the battle against doping.

Post-9/11 group: It's up to you, New York

Aug 2, 2006
The agency charged with rebuilding Lower Manhattan after 9/11 says it's closing up shop. So what happens to the World Trade Center site and other projects? Host Kai Ryssdal talks to Marketplace's Amy Scott.

Cuba without Castro

Aug 1, 2006
Cuban leader Fidel Castro has temporarily ceded power to his brother, Raoul. Should Castro step down from power, what will a new Cuba look like? Host Kai Ryssdal speaks to Cuban economic expert Daniel Erikson.

The anti-portfolio

Jul 28, 2006
Average investors often miss out on the big stocks. But what if you had the money and still missed out on the next big thing like Google? Dave Cowan of Bessemer Venture Partners knows how it feels -- and tells Kai all about it.

Conversation with Bill Pulte

Jul 28, 2006
In our ongoing series of Conversations from the Corner Office, Kai digs into the housing market by visiting one of the biggest homebuilders in the country. He sits down with Bill Pulte, the chair and co-founder of Pulte Homes

Bill Pulte at home with building houses

Jul 27, 2006
He started as a humble carpenter and wound up running one of the biggest homebuilding companies in the US. Kai Ryssdal talks to Pulte Homes Inc. founder Bill Pulte.

Ice cream guy takes on defense budget

Jul 26, 2006
Ben & Jerry's founder Ben Cohen now runs a non-profit called Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities. Host Kai Ryssdal talks to him about the change from peddling ice cream to trying to cut the defense budget.

We've got mail

Jul 25, 2006
Kai Ryssdal rummages through the Marketplace mailbag to share what listeners are saying.

No charges against Bonds, just doubts

Jul 20, 2006
Federal prosecutors announced today they won't indict major leaguer Barry Bonds for perjury or tax evasion. But, business-of-sports analyst Ed Derse tells Kai Ryssdal, the story isn't about taxes. It's about steroids.

Analyzing the Syria-Hezbollah connection

Jul 19, 2006
What does Syria have to gain from its connection to the militant group Hezbollah? Host Kai Ryssdal talks with Joshua Landis, who studies Syrian politics and economy at the University of Oklahoma.