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.

Separating Church from Hate: A Conversation With John Fugelsang
State of Belief
August 9, 2025

Separating Church from Hate: A Conversation With John Fugelsang

Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush welcomes comedian, actor, and radio host John Fugelsang to discuss John's new book, "Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person's Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds⁠"

From Sanctuary to Courtroom: Immigration and Religious Liberty with Legal expert Elizabeth Reiner Platt
State of Belief
August 2, 2025

From Sanctuary to Courtroom: Immigration and Religious Liberty with Legal expert Elizabeth Reiner Platt

Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush interviews Elizabeth Reiner Platt, ⁠Director of the Law, Rights, and Religion Project at Union Seminary.⁠ Liz is the author of the Project's new report, "⁠Religious Liberty and Immigration: Legal Analysis of Past and Future Claims."

Faith, followers, and the files: Jay Michaelson and the Epstein Cover-up
State of Belief
July 26, 2025

Faith, followers, and the files: Jay Michaelson and the Epstein Cover-up

What happens when faith and blind followership collide with dishonesty and an administration built on feeding conspiracy theories? Author and attorney Rabbi Jay Michaelson joins Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush for a wide-ranging conversation.

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