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

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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Jul 11, 2009
Weekly Wrap: End of the market rally
Fortune magazine's Leigh Gallagher and T. Rowe Price's Andy Brooks talk with Kai Ryssdal about President Obama's efforts at the G8 summit in Italy and what's to blame for the end of the recent bull market rally.
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Jul 8, 2009
Vendors try to cash in at MJ memorial
Fans around the world celebrated the life of Michael Jackson at his memorial service in Los Angeles, and vendors were there in full force. Kai Ryssdal visits with fans and sellers at Staples Center.
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Jul 7, 2009
Does Google always do good?
Google is famously known for its motto, "Don't be evil." In an interview with Kai Ryssdal at the Aspen Ideas Festival, CEO Eric Schmidt talks about whether the company's presence in so many people's lives is always a good thing.
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Jul 2, 2009
The science of airplane interior design
Airplane designers are finding ways to squeeze in as many seats as possible to sell more tickets. Kai Ryssdal talks to Paul Wylde about the science, and economics, behind airplane design
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Jun 29, 2009
Attack halts Nigeria oil production
The Nigerian guerrilla group responsible for recently destroying an off-shore Shell oil platform has been fighting foreign oil companies for years. Carola Hoyos of The Financial Times talks with Kai Ryssdal about the situation in the African nation.
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Jun 15, 2009
How Vans got off on the right foot
Vans has long been the footwear of choice for skateboarders, but it didn't start that way. Kai Ryssdal visits the company's Southern California headquarters and talks with author Doug Palladini about how the shoes caught on.
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