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.

"Courage is the New Currency": Skye Perryman and Democracy Forward
State of Belief
November 8, 2025

"Courage is the New Currency": Skye Perryman and Democracy Forward

Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush talks with Democracy Forward President Skye Perryman about the organization's successful court challenges to unconstitutional administration actions. Paul also talks with Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison, Senior Pastor at Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas.

Ye Gods: Scott Carter's Journey from Comedy to Spiritual Exploration
State of Belief
November 1, 2025

Ye Gods: Scott Carter's Journey from Comedy to Spiritual Exploration

Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush welcomes Scott Carter, the creator, executive producer, and host of the "Ye Gods" podcast. Scott explores faith, beliefs, and values with a diverse list of interesting guests and no judgement and no agenda.

"We're not going to let you take our tradition": A Beautiful Year with Diana Butler Bass
State of Belief
October 25, 2025

"We're not going to let you take our tradition": A Beautiful Year with Diana Butler Bass

Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush talks with theologian and historian Dr. Diana Butler Bass about her inspiring new book, "A Beautiful Year: 52 Meditations on Faith, Wisdom, and Perseverance."

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