Kai Ryssdal

Host and Senior Editor

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 from Kai Ryssdal

Feb 20, 2020
Rule of law is essential for the economy, too
Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images
Trump has come under fire for behavior that allegedly weakens the rule of law. But that concept isn’t strictly legal.
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Feb 19, 2020
Every problem is a housing problem
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
That’s according to New York Times reporter Conor Dougherty. We talk with him about the affordable housing crisis and his new book “Golden Gates.”
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Feb 18, 2020
Meet Steve, 55, professional driver
Paul Andrews
The Bureau of Labor Statistics would categorize Steve’s job as “production, transportation, and material moving” along with butchers, sewing machine operators and furniture makers, to name a few. One in 10 workers in the U.S. labor force are in this category.
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Feb 18, 2020
Meet Rocio, 24, construction worker
Ben Hethcoat
The Bureau of Labor Statistics would categorize Rocio’s job most broadly as “natural resources, construction and maintenance occupations.” One in 10 workers work jobs in that category.
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Feb 18, 2020
Meet Scott, 51, family physician
Cassidy Brauner
The Bureau of Labor Statistics would categorize his occupation under “management, professional, and related occupations,” along with four in 10 US workers.
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Feb 18, 2020
Meet Kate, 24, new account representative at a bank
Matt Staver
Kate’s work is part of the “Sales and Office Occupations,” category, like 20% of the U.S. labor force. She has an associate’s degree.
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Feb 18, 2020
Meet Gaile, 70, convenience store cashier
Melissa Lyttle
Gaile is part of the sales industry and works part time. She’s part of the largest growing segment of workers — those over 55.
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Feb 18, 2020
Meet Derrick, 40, college dean
Caroline Yang
Derrick’s work is characterized as “management, professional, like 40% of the U.S. workforce.
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Feb 18, 2020
Meet Stephanie, 49, executive director of a movie theater
Amiee Stubbs
The Bureau of Labor Statistics would categorize her under “management, professional, and related occupations,” along with four in 10 U.S. workers. This category also includes teachers, dentists, CEOs and a wide range of other professions.
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Feb 18, 2020
Meet Neil, 34, bartender
Thomas Patterson
The Bureau of Labor Statistics would categorize Neil’s job as a “service occupation,” along with a wide range of other workers. Two in 10 people work jobs in that category.
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