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 9, 2007
Cell phones keep getting smarter
The iPhone goes on sale Friday in Germany and the U.K. So Kai Ryssdal thought it might be a good time to do a little smartphone tutorial for those in the market. He brought in Kevin Pereira from G4 television.
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Nov 9, 2007
Bernanke: It’ll get worse, then better
The Federal Reserve chairman gave his report on the economy to a congressional committee today. What did he say that we could understand? Kai Ryssdal plays translator.
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Nov 8, 2007
Latin America commitment lagging
During the 2000 campaign George Bush promised to make Latin America a fundamental commitment of his presidency. In his new book, Andres Oppenheimer of The Miami Herald says that commitment's been honored mostly in the breach. He talked with Kai Ryssdal.
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Nov 7, 2007
Pakistan army is deep into business
While protests against Pakistan's state of emergency continue, the country's army remains in firm control of businesses worth an estimated $40 billion — about 10% of the economy. The Rand Corporation's Seth Jones spoke with Kai Ryssdal about the army's unique spot in Pakistan's society.
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Nov 7, 2007
Borrowers often hit by dubious fees
University of Iowa associate professor Katherine Porter has found that many homeowners in foreclosure who file for bankruptcy protection still face fees from mortgage companies that often have no documented merit. She spoke with Kai Ryssdal.
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Nov 6, 2007
Google plans to get inside your phone
Google announced today it is developing a free cell-phone software package so it can more easily put ads and services before the eyeballs of people who aren't in front of a PC. The Wall Street Journal's Kevin Delaney talked about it with Kai Ryssdal.
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Nov 1, 2007
Pumpkin tax hits like pie in the face
The Iowa Department of Revenue has decided pumpkins sold for decoration and not eating should be taxed. Kai Ryssdal talked to pumpkin-patch operator Bob Kautz about the decision and the slice it's taken from his profits.
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Oct 31, 2007
Letters from our listeners
Kai Ryssdal reviews some of the letters we've received about our coverage and commentaries on, among other things, the farm bill, Oregon voters, books on tape in Atlanta, and the Boston Red Sox.
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Oct 30, 2007
Fake Steve Jobs has real ‘Options’
Since early 1996, Dan Lyons has been maintaining a blog with the name Fake Steve Jobs. He was unmasked as the author this past summer, wrapping up a tech-world whodunit. Now he's got a book out as Fake Steve called "Options." He talks with Kai Ryssdal.
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Oct 27, 2007
Does the term ‘bubble’ come to mind?
At a conference for programmers of applications for the social-networking website Facebook, the excitement seems eerily similar to a period about 10 years ago.
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