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.

Paul, Brad, and the Kids: A Snapshot of an American Family for Pride
State of Belief
June 20, 2026

Paul, Brad, and the Kids: A Snapshot of an American Family for Pride

Plus: Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons, author of a new report on same-gender marriage and religious freedom

What Democracy and Religion Look Like Across America
State of Belief
June 13, 2026

What Democracy and Religion Look Like Across America

Find out how local Interfaith Alliance affiliates are on the front lines in the work of defending religious freedom and democracy with leaders from Iowa, Tennessee, and the national office in Washington, DC

"Congregation of the World": Union Seminary's Rev. Dr. Serene Jones
State of Belief
June 6, 2026

"Congregation of the World": Union Seminary's Rev. Dr. Serene Jones

The first woman president of historic Union Theological Seminary in New York City reflects on her 18 years in the position, and on the state of activism and religious vocation in 2026 America.

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