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

Mar 18, 2010
Americans, taxes and Wagner’s Law
Although taxes have not been rising, Americans have continued to desire more government services. The New York Times's David Leonhardt discusses this phenomenon with Kai Ryssdal.
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Mar 18, 2010
How fast food became the school lunch
Sociologist Janet Poppendieck spent some time trying to make sense of how school meals are prepared and served. She talks with Kai Ryssdal about her new book on school nutrition programs.
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Mar 17, 2010
Letters from our listeners
Marketplace listeners comment on Edward Demming, black colleges, our interview with novelist Lionel Shriver, and disrespect for a person's favorite car (Yugo girl!).
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Mar 17, 2010
EU to help get Greece out of tough spot
European finance ministers have come up with a plan to help Greece avoid default, should its debt crisis reach that point. Marketplace's European correspondent Stephen Beard explains the details with Kai Ryssdal.
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Mar 16, 2010
Does finance reform bill go far enough?
Harvard law and finance professor Hal Scott talks with Kai Ryssdal about the changes proposed in Sen. Dodd's financial-industry reform bill.
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Feb 5, 2010
Final note: Trading stock for food
In this final note, Kai Ryssdal reviews a new practice a New York restaurant is undertaking: trading stock certificates for food. But not all shares will you buy a steak.
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Jan 30, 2010
Weekly Wrap
Kai Ryssdal reads the tea leaves of the week with Heidi Moore of The Big Money and Reuters blogger Felix Salmon.
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Jan 14, 2010
Theater at financial inquiry hearing
The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission has begun its public hearings. Kai Ryssdal reviews what happened as the commission questioned the heads of four big Wall Street banks.
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Jan 1, 2010
The Weekly Wrap
2009 has been a heck of a year, and 2010 may turn out to be trickier than we think. Kay Ryssdal talks with Felix Salmon from Reuters and Clusterstock's John Carney to get their views.
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Dec 25, 2009
Lessons from ‘The Tao of Wu’
Hip-hop artist The RZA of Wu-Tang Clan talks with Kai Ryssdal about balancing hip-hop and the message of money, and his thoughts on the economy. We also offer an excerpt from his book, "The Tao of Wu."
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