Ray Kirstein
State of Belief Producer

Ray Kirstein

Ray Kirstein has served as producer for The State of Belief since 2010. That’s somewhere in the area of 750 episodes and counting. Previously, Ray held diverse positions in radio including production, program director, and announcer at several country music stations, and leadership roles at Sirius Satellite Radio and the Air America Radio Network. (He’s also worked for the State Department at one point but that’s still kind of hush-hush.)

This all began early in his life with helping his parents produce a Lithuanian-language radio program for expats in Ray’s hometown of Rochester, NY. (First time on the air? Age 3, reciting a poem as the easter bunny…) The experience of building community using the spoken word in that setting has been a component of every job on his resumé – and nowhere more so than at Interfaith Alliance.

Ray’s been living in Germany since 2012, and loves being in nature, exploring new places in Europe, and telling everyone who will listen about how amazing his little dog is.

Protect Democracy’s Ian Bassin: Freedom Is Still Up to Us
State of Belief
August 8, 2026

Protect Democracy’s Ian Bassin: Freedom Is Still Up to Us

The coming election will define the future of our democracy. An expert shares warnings and winning strategies in a moment when we really must get it right.

"Never Saw Anything Like That": Veteran White House Reporter Peter Maer on President Trump and The Press
State of Belief
August 1, 2026

"Never Saw Anything Like That": Veteran White House Reporter Peter Maer on President Trump and The Press

Peter Maer on his memoir, "Chasing the Story: A Reporter's Journey to the White House", and on the current administration's relationship with the press.

Human in the Lead: Cheryl Contee on the Future of AI and Faith
State of Belief
July 25, 2026

Human in the Lead: Cheryl Contee on the Future of AI and Faith

The co-author of "AI for Nonprofits: Putting Artificial Intelligence to Work for Your Cause" debunks myths and raises up opportunities available to mission-driven organizations right now

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