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 15, 2008
Peace through business?
In his most recent book, "The War of the World," Harvard historian Niall Ferguson says economic instability leads to conflict but viable market economies can end it — especially in the Middle East. He spoke with Kai Ryssdal.
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Mar 15, 2008
Construction signs of a new Silk Road
The port of Dubai offers a snapshot of the Middle East's place in the global economy. Goods and capital flowing between countries, with the U.S. rarely in sight. Kai Ryssdal and Scott Tong report from Dubai and the Chinese port city of Qingdao.
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Mar 14, 2008
New paper hopes to be read all over
Abu Dhabi is about to launch an English-language newspaper that it plans to make into the Gulf's paper of record. Kai Ryssdal talked with its Deputy Editor Hassan Fattah, formerly of The New York Times.
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Mar 14, 2008
Emirates Airlines enjoys more thrust
On his trip to Dubai, Kai Ryssdal flew on Emirates Airlines, one of the top 10 airlines in the world measured by passengers carried and miles flown. But it's not operated like other airlines. Here's his report.
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Mar 13, 2008
A visit to Dubai’s falcon hospital
Falcons hold a special place in the United Arab Emirates, so it's probably no surprise that they have a hospital especially for their care. Kai Ryssdal has more.
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Mar 13, 2008
A talk with Middle East media mogul
The Middle East Broadcasting Company runs the Al Arabiya news channel, a competitor to Al Jazeera. It's run by a member of the Saudi royal family, Sheikh Waleed bin Ibrahim. Kai Ryssdal spoke with him at his office in Dubai's Media City.
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Mar 12, 2008
A lot of glitter in Dubai’s gold market
Along Dubai Creek are the souks, or markets, where you can buy everything from spices and textiles to gold. Kai Ryssdal visited them and got a sense of their gold standard.
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Mar 12, 2008
Nothing like a night at the track
When the millionaires aren't there for the big events, Dubai's Nad al Sheba racetrack is a great place for a family night out. But there's no booze and no betting . . . well, not exactly. Kai Ryssdal has more.
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Mar 12, 2008
What to do about labor imbalance?
While Dubai is booming, the Gulf region's overall unemployment is near 15%. Kai Ryssdal spoke with labor consultant Kito de Boer about what leaders can do to address disparities between the local population and visiting workers.
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Mar 10, 2008
It all began along a creek in the desert
Kai Ryssdal introduces Marketplace's week in Dubai — a city that wants to be the most influential place in the Middle East, the hub for everything in this world that can be bought, made or traded.
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