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

Feb 12, 2008
A new harvest of green gadgets
Tech companies are now joining scores of American businesses trying to sell environmentally aware products. Kai Ryssdal talks with Kevin Periera of G4 about some gadgets that might make the thoughtful consumer green with envy.
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Feb 12, 2008
What more could Yahoo want?
Yahoo has formally rejected the Microsoft takeover offer of $44.6 billion, saying it was too low and it could find a better deal elsewhere. Kai Ryssdal talks to New York Times reporter Andrew Ross Sorkin about Microsoft's next move.
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Feb 9, 2008
Big record labels can’t "Rock On"
The Internet has transformed the way that we buy music, much to the discontent of record labels. Kai Ryssdal speaks with Dan Kennedy, former Atlantic Records employee and author of the new book "Rock On," about why the culture of big record labels isn't friendly toward new technology.
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Feb 8, 2008
When the subprime crisis hits home
The subprime mortgage crisis continues to wreck havoc on millions of Americans. Commentator Kevin Mims considers the possibility of foreclosing on the house of his dreams.
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Feb 8, 2008
Storm uncovers China’s weak points
Last week's powerful snow storms in China derailed many travel plans for the Lunar New Year, including those of migrant workers. Kai Ryssdal talks to Scott Tong in Shanghai about how the storm exposed vulnerabilities in China's infrastructure.
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Feb 8, 2008
Phoenix rising as a sports city
The NBA's Phoenix Suns announced they've traded for Shaquille O'Neal. But the Suns acquisition is just a small part of how Phoenix is turning into a mecca for sports. Kai Ryssdal talks to our business of sports analyst Diana Nyad.
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Feb 7, 2008
Unemployment benefits need overhaul
The Senate is considering whether to lengthen the six-month period in which people can collect unemployment. Commentator Robert Reich says not only should unemployment benefits be extended, they should also be reformed.
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Feb 7, 2008
Cell phone advertising to get specific
CBS Mobile has announced a way to advertise businesses on your cell phone that are near your location. Kai Ryssdal talks to Alice Cuneo of Ad Age magazine about it.
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Feb 6, 2008
Letters from our listeners
The mailbox is bursting with your comments: your thoughts on the new patriotic passport, the economic stimulus package rebate checks and moving up the California primary.
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Feb 5, 2008
Finding Drucker’s vision in all that stuff
Commentator Charles Handy reflects on the philosophies of economist Peter Drucker to figure out what to do when a consumer economy starts to buy less stuff. First in an occasional series.
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