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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 (5,784)

Ford surviving on the Edge

Oct 18, 2006
Building and selling more hybrid cars is a major part of Ford's turnaround strategy. Host Kai Ryssdal talks to LA Times auto critic Dan Neil about the company's success so far.

Reuters opens virtual bureau . . . for real

Oct 16, 2006
Users of online worlds transact millions of real dollars worth of virtual goods and services every day and that means there's real business news to cover. Confused? Host Kai Ryssdal sorts it out with Reuters' Second Life bureau chief Adam Pasick.

Nobel Peace Prize credits microlender

Oct 13, 2006
Muhammad Yunus, who founded the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh that offers very small loans, is recognized for his work in improving Third World lives.

Is it UTube or YouTube?

Oct 13, 2006
Utube.com, a website for used tubes and pipes, has been swamped with visitors confusing it with the online video site YouTube.com. Kai Ryssdal talks with the owner of Universal Tube and Rollform Equipment.

Lots of empty corner offices

Oct 11, 2006
Outplacement firm Challenger Gray and Christmas says 2006 has been huge year so far for CEO departures. Last month, a record 152 chief execs left their posts.

Backdating scandal claims McAfee, CNET execs

Oct 11, 2006
Host Kai Ryssdal talks to University of Delaware's Charles M. Elson about the options backdating scandal that's erasing profits, spurring government investigations and sending corporate leaders packing.

Buyout decision looms for Ford workers

Oct 10, 2006
Starting next week Ford's hourly employees must decide whether to accept a buyout offer. Today the automaker began conducting career fairs and workshops to help them weigh career options. Host Kai Ryssdal speaks to one of those employees.

Can North Korea be dissuaded?

Oct 9, 2006
Host Kai Ryssdal speaks with Mike Chinoy of the Pacific Council for International Policy about the economic implications of North Korea's nuclear testing claims — and whether economic sanctions might work.

A different way of doing business

Oct 9, 2006
Host Kai Ryssdal visits Sun Microsystems founder Scott McNealy in the latest Conversation from the Corner Office. McNealy talks about how his company has been able to compete with Microsoft and IBM on a much smaller budget.

Another big delay for Airbus

Oct 3, 2006
EADS has confirmed that delivery of its flagship Airbus A380 will be delayed until the second half of 2007. Host Kai Ryssdal talks with Financial Times reporter Doug Cameron about the possible consequences.