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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

  • Aug 4, 2009

    The pros and cons of required 401Ks

    President Obama is considering a plan that would require companies to open up and contribute to 401ks for their employees. Kai Ryssdal talks with Duke professor and behavioral economist Dan Ariely about why Americans have such a hard time saving money.

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  • Jul 29, 2009

    Congress crams on health-care reform

    House Democrats are being schooled on health-care reform in advance of their summer recess. After all, lawmakers have to be able to answer questions back home. Kai Ryssdal talks with Joel Achenbach of the Washington Post about Congressional summer school.

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  • Jul 24, 2009

    Cost of digital media so cheap it’s free

    Chris Anderson, editor-in-chief of Wired Magazine, and author of "Free: the Future of a Radical Price," talks to Kai Ryssdal about pros and cons of giving away media online for free. His critics say it's killing print media, but Anderson shares his rebuttal.

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  • Jul 23, 2009

    Taxpayers and the health care debate

    The health-care-reform conversation, so far, has been more about monetary policy than medicine. So what's in it for consumers and taxpayers? The New York Times' David Leonhardt talks with Kai Ryssdal about the economics behind reform.

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  • Jul 21, 2009

    High oil prices are good for U.S. culture

    Fluctuating gas prices haven't caused too much change in the way we view energy. But if gas prices rise to $6, $10, or $12 per gallon, author Chris Steiner says the effects would change everything from the way we drive to how we shop.

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  • Jul 21, 2009

    Subprime lenders return as loan fixers

    Companies that made millions in subprime loans are now selling loan modifications to some of the same borrowers, who are now at risk of losing their homes. Kai Ryssdal talks with The New York Times' Peter S. Goodman about how the brokers are doing business.

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  • Jul 17, 2009

    Builder explains spike in housing starts

    Millions of homes are standing vacant in the United States. And yet, housing starts are up this month, seemingly defying the laws of supply and demand. Kai Ryssdal talks to home builder Dean Mon to see why housing construction is up.

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  • Jul 15, 2009

    Letters: G.I. Bill, stimulus, Christmas

    Kai Ryssdal reviews what listeners had to say about our history of the G.I. Bill, Justin Wolfers' commentary on our need for another stimulus package, Christmas in July and Massachusetts' film tax credit.

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  • Jul 13, 2009

    Wall Street’s new toxic asset blend

    Banks continue to bundle loans and sell them off as they work to figure out their toxic asset situation. Kai Ryssdal talks with Bob Moon about how Wall Street is up to its old tricks with a new concoction.

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  • Jul 11, 2009

    Retailers welcome Christmas in July

    Sears and Kmart are already rolling out their Christmas merchandise, some 165 days before the holiday. Kai Ryssdal speaks with Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at the NPD Group, about the chains' strategy.

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