Biography

Over the last 20 years, Kai has been the host and senior editor of Marketplace, the most popular program on business and the economy – radio or television, commercial or public broadcasting – in the country. He also co-hosts the podcast Make Me Smart.

Kai won an Emmy Award in 2012 for Outstanding Investigative Journalism on a PBS Frontline documentary about money in politics entitled Big SkyBig Money. His written work has been featured in The New York Times and The Atlantic. He is frequently called on as an event and panel moderator at such conferences as the Aspen Ideas Festival, Atlantic Ideas, Fortune Brainstorm, and Fast Company Innovation. Kai also speaks regularly with policymakers, including the Federal Reserve Chair, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Director of the White House National Economic Council. He interviewed President Obama twice in the Oval Office and once on a folding chair in the middle of the Nevada desert. 

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Videos

Kai Ryssdal explains the Bond Market

Stronger Together: Expanding Worker Voice to Expand Economic Opportunity

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Blog Posts

Best Leadership Speakers for Real Estate & PropTech Conferences (2026)

Find the Best Leadership Speakers for Real Estate & PropTech Conferences. Book proven voices in AI, sustainability, and growth leadership today.

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Why Your Event Network Matters More Than Your Runbook (The Hidden Success Factor)

Network strength decides event success more than any runbook—discover why trust between people creates unforgettable audience experiences.

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Best Leadership Speakers for Construction & Infrastructure Conferences (2025)

Discover the Best Leadership Speakers for Construction & Infrastructure Conferences in 2025—experts in safety, culture, resilience, and operational excellence.

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Why Top Event Planners Choose Authenticity Over Polish, with Anthony Scaramucci

Authenticity drives audience trust and engagement. Learn how keynote speakers use real talk to transform events with insights from our guest Anthony Scaramucci.

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Best Leadership Speakers for Logistics & Supply Chain Conferences (2026)

Planning a logistics or supply chain leadership summit? This definitive guide to the Best Leadership Speakers for Logistics & Supply Chain Conferences covers selection criteria, vetted speaker ideas, comparison snapshots, sample agendas, buying tips, FAQs, and quick links to relevant resources on The Keynote Curators (TKC).

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Best Leadership Speakers for Insurance Conferences (2025)

Planning an insurance conference or leadership summit? This definitive guide to the Best Leadership Speakers for Insurance Conferences shows what works now—selection criteria, vetted speaker ideas, comparison snapshots, sample agendas, buying tips, FAQs, and quick links to relevant resources on The Keynote Curators (TKC).

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