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.

Confronting Antisemitism and Its Weaponization: The Nexus Project's Jonathan Jacoby
State of Belief
September 20, 2025

Confronting Antisemitism and Its Weaponization: The Nexus Project's Jonathan Jacoby

Nexus Project National Director Jonathan Jacoby joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush for an in-depth conversation about the weaponization of antisemitism in our country, and strategies for identifying, challenging, and disarming these and other instances of antisemitism.

Libraries and Religious Freedom, with ALA President Sam Helmick
State of Belief
September 13, 2025

Libraries and Religious Freedom, with ALA President Sam Helmick

Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush talks with American Library Association President Sam Helmick about the importance of libraries in community life and our democracy. The theme of Sam's presidency is "Our Stories Are Worth Sharing."

The Power of Community: Keya Chatterjee and the Vision for a Free DC
State of Belief
September 6, 2025

The Power of Community: Keya Chatterjee and the Vision for a Free DC

Free DC Executive Director Keya Chatterjee joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush for an in-depth look at the federal takeover of Washington, DC, and the implications for the nation's capital, other cities, and our democracy itself. She also shares the strategies Free DC is deploying with partner organizations to bring people together in non-violent but effective opposition.

In the media

Stay updated with our recent media coverage.
No media