Podcast

The State of Belief

Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush’s weekly podcast features conversations with diverse leaders — spiritual, civic, and artistic— who strive to build a more just and inclusive America. The show highlights personal stories of resilience, promotes religious diversity, and combats extremism. It also explores how citizens and politicians can collaborate to create a welcoming nation, celebrating the positive contributions of diverse beliefs.

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Book Bans vs. the Right to Read: Kelly Jensen and Rev. Amos Brown

Book Bans vs. the Right to Read: Kelly Jensen and Rev. Amos Brown

May 12, 2025

This week on The State of Belief, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush welcomes Kelly Jensen. She’s a passionate advocate for intellectual freedom, democracy, and the right to read. As an editor at Book Riot and a former librarian, Kelly has been at the forefront of the fight against book bans and censorship. The urgent conversation covers the growing wave of censorship, the role of religious extremism in book-banning efforts, and what we can do to safeguard free expression and democratic values.

12/5/2025
Kelly Jensen
Amos Brown
NAACP
Faith is Standing Strong: Rev. Dr. Shannon Fleck

Faith is Standing Strong: Rev. Dr. Shannon Fleck

May 5, 2025

Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush talks with Faithful America Executive Director Rev. Dr. Shannon Fleck about the threat to the constitutional Establishment Clause posed by the Supreme Court case St Isidore, and the hope for bringing people together across lines of division around shared values and priorities.

5/5/2025
Shannon Fleck
Faith n Public Life
Amy Spitalnick on How Jewish Safety and Inclusive Democracy are Inextricably Linked

Amy Spitalnick on How Jewish Safety and Inclusive Democracy are Inextricably Linked

April 26, 2025

Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush talks with Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, about ways the administration is trying to consolidate even more power in the name of fighting antisemitism

26/4/2025
Amy Spitalnick
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Remembering Pope Francis: Father James Martin Reflects on LGBTQ+ inclusion, environmentalism, and compassionate leadership

Remembering Pope Francis: Father James Martin Reflects on LGBTQ+ inclusion, environmentalism, and compassionate leadership

April 21, 2025

Explore the lasting legacy of Pope Francis through the eyes of Father James Martin. From LGBTQ+ inclusion and environmentalism to his compassionate leadership, reflect on what made Pope Francis a transformative figure.

21/4/2025
James Martin
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Easter and Passover Courage in the Fight for Democracy

Easter and Passover Courage in the Fight for Democracy

April 19, 2025

Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush addresses some of the biggest threats to pluralistic religious freedom and democracy coming from the Trump-Vance-Musk administration, and shares some guest clips for the Easter and Passover.

19/4/2025
Jacqui Lewis
Marianne Budde
Jonah Pesner
Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC
How We Love Is To Tell the Truth - Michael Eric Dyson

How We Love Is To Tell the Truth - Michael Eric Dyson

April 14, 2025

This week on The State of Belief, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, a distinguished professor at Vanderbilt University and a passionate advocate for social justice.

14/4/2025
Michael Eric Dyson
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About State of Belief

Paul hosts weekly conversations with inspiring spiritual leaders, civic exemplars, artists and activists from across the country who are working, in the words of the great James Baldwin, ‘to achieve our country.’ The State of Belief Radio features personal stories of resilience with individuals from diverse backgrounds and offers stories from communities across America who are working for an inclusive religious diversity with dignity for people of faith and no faith.

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We are only able to keep State of Belief on the air thanks to listeners like you! Please visit this form to learn about ways to give.

Connect with our team

Contact our office via phone or email to learn more about The State of Belief.

About the team

Learn more about the Producer of The State of Belief Podcast, Ray Kirstein.

The State of Belief Producer

Ray Kirstein

Ray has been our producer since 2010. In recent years, Ray has made his home in Leipzig, Germany while continuing to produce State of Belief Radio.

The State of Belief Host

Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush

Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance.