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 (5,794)

When the only thing left to say is 'I'm sorry'

May 10, 2006
A public apology is something of a ritual when companies are caught misbehaving. Paul Slansky tells host Kai Ryssdal about some of those apologies from the book he co-wrote called "My Bad."

Alternative fuel not so new

May 1, 2006
With gas prices so high, host Kai Ryssdal talks to our Pulitzer Prize-winning auto critic Dan Neil about green technologies. Where has the auto industry been? And where is it going?

All the problems in China

Apr 20, 2006
Chinese President Hu Jintao met President Bush today in Washington. Intellectual property protection was discussed, but the Chinese government is unlikely to do much to quell the problem, piracy expert Andrew Mertha tells host Kai Ryssdal. That's because China has too many other problems right now.<br /><b>Latest in a series: The Price of Piracy.</b>

Charles Schwab: Putting himself out front

Mar 15, 2006
Kai Ryssdal talks with Charles Schwab about the evolution of the discount brokerage business and how he came to be the face of the company.

Mattel's Bob Eckert on what makes a good toy

Feb 14, 2006
Toymakers are in New York this week, showing off their wares at the industry's big annual trade show. Kai Ryssdal talks with Mattel CEO Bob Eckert about what makes a good toy, and why such a fun business can be so tough.

Mattel's Bob Eckert on running the world's biggest toy company

Feb 10, 2006
The toy industry's big trade show gets down to business in New York this weekend. Meanwhile, in our new series "Conversations from the Corner Office," Kai talks with Mattel's CEO Bob Eckert about the perks and responsibilities of running the world's biggest toymaker.

Southwest's Gary Kelly on building a corporate culture

Jan 31, 2006
In the first installment of our new segment "Conversations from the Corner Office," Kai talks with Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly about building a corporate culture, and why the customer isn't necessarily always right.

How many people does it take to make radio?

Jan 14, 2006
So it occurs to me…as we’re wait to check in for our flight to Chongqing…that you might not be aware of who’s here actually helping the show get on...

Piracy in China

Jan 11, 2006
Ted Fishman has written about piracy in his book "China, Inc." He says Hollywood has reasons to complain about all those lost DVD sales, but it's the US economy that's taking the big hit. US companies can't compete with China's lowcost manufacturing, and because of piracy, some are afraid to sell goods in China.

"One Billion Customers"

Jan 9, 2006
Kai Ryssdal talks with former Wall Street Journal reporter James McGregor about his book "One Billion Customers." They discuss China's economic transition and how the country's explosive growth is affecting the world.