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

Nov 7, 2009
Oprah deciding about show on her OWN
Oprah Winfrey reportedly is considering moving her daytime show from broadcast channels to her new cable channel, OWN. The New York Times's Bill Carter discusses with Kai Ryssdal the risks and rewards she faces.
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Nov 6, 2009
Opel workers begin warning strikes
Thousands of workers at the Opel plant in Germany have walked off the job today in what they're calling the first in a series of warning strikes. Kai Ryssdal talks to Dave Legget of Justauto.com.
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Nov 6, 2009
Stats to watch out for in soccer
A lot of people who follow sports follow the statistics that go along with them. But not all statistics are created equal. Kai Ryssdal talks to author Simon Kuper, whose book explores the stats of soccer.
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Nov 4, 2009
Behind the scenes of the financial crisis
There are still many questions about the government's response to the collapse of the financial system. Kai Ryssdal talks to The New York Times' Andrew Ross Sorkin, who examines those questions in his new book, "Too Big to Fail."
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Nov 4, 2009
Your views: KFC, dolls, climate change
Apparently a lot of our listeners don't think it's worth it to stand in line for free chicken at KFC, or pay $95 for a homeless doll. And they have some strong views about our climate change series. Kai Ryssdal reviews listeners' comments and letters.
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Nov 3, 2009
Emotions play a part in biz decisions
A bad day at home or a bad impression can lead to emotionally-influenced decisions at work and in business. Behavioral economist Dan Ariely explains feelings, nothing more than feelings, to host Kai Ryssdal.
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Oct 31, 2009
Weekly Wrap: The GDP
Kai Ryssdal takes another look at yesterday's Gross Domestic Product with business writer Heidi Moore and John Carney from Clusterstock.com.
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Oct 28, 2009
AARP shares position on health reform
AARP lends its name to insurance polices that it brokers and nets millions of dollars from — and it also supports health care reform. Kai Ryssdal talks to professor James Thurber about whether or not this demonstrates a conflict of interest.
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Oct 27, 2009
A pragmatic response to climate change
Author Stewart Brand's "Whole Earth Catalog" offered readers a vision of returning to the land in order to live sustainably. Kai Ryssdal talks to Brand about his latest book, which tackles climate change using a somewhat different tone.
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Oct 27, 2009
Publishing according to Klosterman
In his new book, "Eating The Dinosaur," author Chuck Klosterman covers everything from America's relationship with Abba to why laugh tracks are offensive. He talks to Kai Ryssdal about the art and business of publishing.
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