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 (5,839)
In a 2nd Trump term, Fed independence would go “out the window,” economist says
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Andie Corban
Oct 28, 2024
Kai Ryssdal explores what would happen to the global economy if the Federal Reserve lost its autonomy.
Private equity is buying up businesses in the skilled trades
by
Kai Ryssdal
, Sean McHenry
and Sofia Terenzio
Oct 24, 2024
Skilled trades businesses, like HVAC repair and plumbing companies, are seen as stable, future-proof business models. Private equity wants in.
Poker bots have invaded online gambling
by
Kai Ryssdal
, Aleezeh Hasan
and Sean McHenry
Oct 14, 2024
These robots are basically unbeatable, and they suck the fun — and the money — out of playing, says Kit Chellel of Bloomberg.
Chicago Fed president explains “the hardest thing that a central bank has to do”
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Sarah Leeson
Oct 10, 2024
Austan Goolsbee talks about the Fed's timing in moments of transition, if COVID is still affecting the economy, and why he's a "data dog."
Musician Dessa on balancing the needs of body, art and business
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Sarah Leeson
Oct 8, 2024
The singer, songwriter and author discusses creativity and the "double bottom line" that rewards artists but makes them vulnerable.
The CIA runs a nonprofit venture capital firm. What's it investing in?
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Andie Corban
Oct 7, 2024
Agency's taxpayer-funded investment arm seeks tech that could boost national security. It's made some smart bets, says Jon Keegan of Sherwood.
The U.S. military and Coca-Cola go way back
by
Hayley Hershman
and Kai Ryssdal
Oct 3, 2024
Archaeologists have uncovered World War II-era human remains and caches of Coca-Cola bottles at a U.S. military base on the Marshall Islands.
How the relationship between government and economy has changed since "The Great Society"
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Maria Hollenhorst
Oct 2, 2024
Decades after the promise of "The Great Society" for Americans, President Biden is once again changing the relationship between the economy and the government.
Taller, slicker data centers could be the future
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Sofia Terenzio
Oct 1, 2024
Data centers are getting taller and slicker as they move closer to urban and suburban areas.
The U.S. military looks at electrifying the sky
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Sophia Paliza-Carre
Sep 26, 2024
One example is Joby Aviation’s electric “air taxi.”