❗Help close the gap: We still need to raise $40,000 by the end of March. Donate 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 (5,770)

For aspiring CEOs, being a buyer rather than a founder is an increasingly attractive path

Mar 27, 2024
Raising "search funds" to find a business to buy may be an answer to a challenging startup landscape.
Although the concept has been around for decades, the number of "search fund" starts went from 20 in 2013 to 105 in 2023.
(Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

America's largest city has a trash problem. Can it be contained?

Mar 21, 2024
Plastic trash bags, and the rats they attract, are very visible parts of the New York landscape. A plan to bring in bins may squeeze scarce space.
The sheer volume of trash New York City has to collect every day is enormous. It's "kind of an insane feat," said Larry Buchanan, a reporter with The New York Times.
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

Wait, how much will the Inflation Reduction Act's climate provisions cost?

Mar 13, 2024
We break down the role of uncapped tax credits in the IRA's climate provisions with John Bistline of the Electric Power Research Institute.
Many of the IRA's tax credits are not capped and last for at least 10 years, creating variability in the total projected cost.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Good luck booking that big birthday dinner

Mar 13, 2024
Alina Dizik wrote in The Wall Street Journal about why some restaurants don't want parties of six or more people.
Bigger tables are harder on kitchens and servers, and they're not always welcomed. You may have better luck at less trendy eateries or at off-hours.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

This regional banker cheered by sector's resilience, disturbed by potential regulation

Mar 12, 2024
Laurie Stewart of Sound Community Bank is confident a year after three banks failed, but credit risk and cyber threats are on her radar.
The failure of Silicon Valley Bank didn't foreshadow widespread disruptions in the industry, as many feared.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Reviews or "paid promotional content"? Amazon is paying users to make videos of its products

Mar 7, 2024
The online retail behemoth is selling access to its sizable platform to gig workers, says Caroline O'Donovan of The Washington Post.
"I think it's an open question if these are reviews or just paid promotional content," says Caroline O'Donovan at The Washington Post about the influencer videos.
Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP via Getty Images

The IRS pilots its free tax-filing program

The new program, called Direct File, has been rolled out in a dozen states. But how does it stack up to private tax-filing software?
“I give it a solid B,” says Dylan Matthews of Vox about the IRS' free filing software.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Can AI patent an invention?

Mar 5, 2024
The Patent and Trademark Office only recognizes human inventors. Regulators are trying to keep up with tech, says Fordham's Janet Freilich.
Artificial intelligence can't be considered an inventor, but people can use AI to invent new products, says Janet Freilich of Fordham.
Golibtolibov/Getty Images

How NYT critic Morris looks at movie watching

Mar 4, 2024
Cooper, Giamatti or Murphy? Morris weighs in on the range of talent up for Oscars and the "range of experiences" he seeks as a moviegoer.
Which film will win best picture honors at this year's Academy Awards? "It's 'Oppenheimer' city, baby," says Wesley Morris.
Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for The New York Times

This might be the economy that liberals wanted, but do most voters feel the same?

Feb 27, 2024
If people don’t feel the strength of the economy, Democrats may have a problem this election season, says Victoria Guida at Politico.
President Biden has low approval ratings despite vigorous economic growth, low unemployment and a strong stock market.
Stephen Maturen/Getty Images