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.

Interfaith Responses to ICE with Najeeba Syeed
State of Belief
December 20, 2025

Interfaith Responses to ICE with Najeeba Syeed

Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush welcomes Dr. Najeeba Syeed, peacemaker, educator, and scholar in interfaith studies and conflict resolution, about the disruptive ICE campaign targeting minority faith communities in Minneapolis and beyond.

Rob Reiner and Dan Partland: "God & Country"
State of Belief
December 15, 2025

Rob Reiner and Dan Partland: "God & Country"

State of Belief host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush talks with Christian Nationalism documentary "God & Country" producer Rob Reiner and director Dan Partland

The War Gospel According to Pete Hegseth: Rev. Brian Kaylor
State of Belief
December 13, 2025

The War Gospel According to Pete Hegseth: Rev. Brian Kaylor

Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is joined by Rev. Dr. Brian Kaylor, president and editor-in-chief of Word & Way and author of the new book "The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploring Scripture for Political Power."

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