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

May 15, 2008
A cautionary tale of wine and avarice
In his new book "The Billionaire's Vinegar," Ben Wallace guides his readers into the shady, ultra-expensive world of vintage wines, where frauds expertly replicate rare bottles and "buyers beware" takes on a whole new meaning.
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May 14, 2008
Letters from our listeners
Marketplace listeners give us some food for thought about agribusiness, online sales taxes, cement and the maturity level of Grand Theft Auto 4 players.
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May 14, 2008
Networks to test new ways to connect
With television audiences declining, network executives are looking for ways to attract them — and advertisers — whether it be online, on screen or on our phones. Kai Ryssdal has more on some of the new steps they're taking.
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May 13, 2008
Pro-Israel Americans want new voice
A new Jewish lobbying firm called "J Street" has set up shop in Washington. Kai Ryssdal talks with its Executive Director Jeremy Ben Ami about why the group thinks there's room for a different approach to the Middle East and foreign policy.
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May 9, 2008
What will Americans do with rebates?
Tax-rebate checks go out Friday as part of the $150 billion economic stimulus effort. And retailers are eager for a cut of your cash. We went looking for some of the more unusual ways people are planning to spend their rebates. Kai Ryssdal reports.
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May 8, 2008
Food shortages not going away soon
Agricultural economists have been saying for years that we were due for a global food crisis. Still, for most of us, the current worldwide spike in food commodity prices has come from out of the blue. Today, Kai Ryssdal begins our special series, "Food Fight."
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May 8, 2008
Cuba reforms don’t herald much change
Cuba has eased restrictions on certain products, such as computers, that its citizens previously weren't allowed to buy. But reporter David Adams, who recently visited the country, tells Kai Ryssdal that significant change is a long way off.
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May 3, 2008
Week on Wall Street
Stockbroker and business analyst David Johnson chats with host Kai Ryssdal about what happened on Wall Street this week and what may lie ahead.
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May 2, 2008
After the draft, it’s contract season
Now that last weekend's NFL draft is over the hard work starts for lawyers and agents trying to hammer out multimillion-dollar contracts for their college-age athletes. Business-of-sports analyst Diana Nyad gets into the details with Kai Ryssdal.
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May 1, 2008
Citigroup dilutes value in stock sale
Like other banks hit by the credit crunch, Citigroup is selling off stock to raise money — diluting the stock's value. Michael Holland of the Holland & Company investment firm, talks with Kai Ryssdal about the impact such moves have on investors.
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