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Kai Ryssdal

Host and Senior Editor

SHORT BIO

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 Stories (5,783)

A briefer, more general State of the Union

Jan 22, 2007
If White House leaks are to be believed, President Bush's speech tomorrow night won't be your average State of the Union Address. Marketplace's John Dimsdale talks with Kai Ryssdal about what to expect.

Cracks in foundations

Jan 22, 2007
Duke University professor Joel Fleishman says that despite their good intentions most foundations have plenty of problems. He talks with Kai Ryssdal about his new book on the subject.

Video gamers go pro

Jan 18, 2007
Electronic games have gotten so serious that the best players are actually getting paid to compete. Business-of-sports analyst Ed Derse talks with Kai Ryssdal about the new professionals.

Feature-length business starts in Utah

Jan 17, 2007
Actors, directors, marketers and sales people are converging on the Sundance Film Festival — along with thousands of others. Film festival consultant Mitch Levine talks about the event with Kai Ryssdal.

A plan for the flow of Iraq's oil money

Jan 17, 2007
A tentative deal is in the works to share Iraq's oil money when and if it starts coming in, according to Reuters. Kai Ryssdal talked with Alistair MacDonald, Reuters' Baghdad bureau chief, about the plan.

Verizon sells off New England lines

Jan 16, 2007
Verizon's about done with old-fashioned phone lines. The company announced today it's spinning off local lines in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Keith Shortall reports.

P.J.'s Cliffs Notes on Adam Smith

Jan 16, 2007
It's the book that made free trade famous: "The Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith. But who's got time to read its 900-plus pages? Humorist P.J. O'Rourke did and wrote his own book about it. He talks with Kai Ryssdal.

Feeding on myths, stories and image

Jan 9, 2007
Author Barry Glassner says for many Americans it's not "You are what you eat," it's "You eat what you think you are." He talks with Kai Ryssdal about his new book, "The Gospel of Food."

Dear Marketplace . . .

Jan 8, 2007
Even though it was the holiday season, many of you still took time to write us. Kai Ryssdal reviews some of your comments and complaints.

Detroit dresses up for its big show

Jan 8, 2007
The Big Three U.S. carmakers have a lot riding on the Detroit car show that opens later this week. Kai Ryssdal talks with Los Angeles Times auto critic Dan Neil about what he expects to see there.