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.

Democracy As a Theological Statement with Rebecca Solnit
State of Belief
April 4, 2026

Democracy As a Theological Statement with Rebecca Solnit

A best-selling author and activist on the interconnected power of stories, resistance, and hope

Religion and Leadership in a Time of War: Lt. Gen. Charles Luckey (Ret.)
State of Belief
March 28, 2026

Religion and Leadership in a Time of War: Lt. Gen. Charles Luckey (Ret.)

A retired General shares his honest reflections on war, democracy, and courage—beyond the politics, and with a solid understanding of the role of religion in times of conflict.

What We Know About Christian Nationalism with Robert P. Jones
State of Belief
March 21, 2026

What We Know About Christian Nationalism with Robert P. Jones

Yes, America is polarized... But Robby points out it's an asymmetric polarization, with barely a third of us holding Christian Nationalist view.

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