The State Of Belief
Every week, Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush hosts lively, funny and poignant conversations with inspiring religious and civic leaders; as well as artists and activists from across the country. Listeners get a potent mix of spiritual wisdom, political strategy, and hopeful commentary from national and local leaders who are rising up to meet this urgent moment in America. With the tagline: “Where Religion and Democracy Meet,” State of Belief is a celebration of our nation’s diversities and an invitation to join together to, in the words of the great James Baldwin, "achieve our country.”
Episodes
December 5, 2025 • 50 mins
This week, The National Latino Evangelical Coalition launched the Advent
Welcome Campaign, which says: there's room in the inn. That in Advent, we should have space for immigrants, for foreigners, for refugees fleeing
political persecution and fleeing places that are very difficult. That’s why we’re releasing this week’s episode of The State of Belief early – because it’s a chance to hear NaLEC President and Founder Rev. Dr. Gabrie...
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November 29, 2025 • 65 mins
This week on The State of Belief, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is joined by the Very Rev. Winnie Varghese, the first female dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. As a queer Episcopal priest born to Indian immigrants, she brings a unique perspective to the challenges and opportunities facing faith communities today.
In this episode, we dive deep into her journey, the significance of her role, and the...
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November 22, 2025 • 58 mins
This week on The State of Belief, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is joined by Dr. Maria J. Stephan, co-lead and chief organizer at the Horizons Project. In the conversation, we get her expert take on the pressing issues of authoritarianism, democracy, and the vital role of faith in social movements. A key component of that is faithful, nonviolent resistance, which Maria has observed and supported in different parts of the worl...
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November 15, 2025 • 52 mins
The latest episode of The State of Belief features the esteemed historian and author, Rev. Dr. Randall Balmer. We go in-depth with his latest book, America's Best Idea: The Separation of Church and State, and explore the critical importance of this principle in today's America. Here are
three key takeaways:
The Historical Roots of Separation: Randall emphasizes that the concept of separation of Church and State is not just a recen...
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November 8, 2025 • 51 mins
In this episode of The State of Belief, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush dives deep into some critical issues facing our nation with Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. They discussed the legal battle to restore SNAP food benefits during the government shutdown; challenges facing the Supreme Court and our legal system; how faith communities are stepping up to protect vulnerable populations; and the critical ro...
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November 1, 2025 • 52 mins
This week The State of Belief features the fascinating Scott Carter, creator, executive producer, and host of the Ye Gods with Scott Carter podcast. In this episode, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush and Scott explore
the intersections of belief, doubt, and the moral codes that guide us. Notable
ideas include:
The Power of Intentional Curiosity: Scott shares his transformative journey following a near-death experience due to...
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October 25, 2025 • 61 mins
"The feeling of not being alone is probably one of the most powerful tools we have."
The latest episode The State of Belief features Dr. Diana Butler Bass. As an award-winning author, speaker, and theologian, Diana brings a wealth of insight to the intersection of faith, spirituality, and contemporary issues. In this episode, we dive deep into her new book, A Beautiful Year: 52 Meditations on Faith, Wisdom, and Perseverance, and e...
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October 18, 2025 • 49 mins
“What we will do will not be enough. That, however, is not the reason for not doing anything."
The latest episode of The State of Belief features the inspiring Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer, Executive Director of the Interfaith Center of New York. Rev. Chloe and host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushebush dive deep into the intersection of faith, activism, and community engagement in today's complex landscape. Here are three key takeaways:
Th...
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October 11, 2025 • 43 mins
The latest episode of The State of Belief features Adam Friedman, organizing and election strategist at Interfaith Alliance. In this episode, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush and Adam dive deep into the significance of the upcoming No Kings demonstration on October 18th and the vital role of faith communities in advocating for democracy. The discussion emphasizes:
· The Power of Collective Action: Adam emphasizes that demo...
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October 4, 2025 • 60 mins
This week, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is joined by Celina Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of the League of Women Voters. They get into the way the League’s work has evolved over the past 105 years, with a focus on expanding access to the ballot, as well as on voter education,
protecting voter rights, and strengthening civic engagement.
Celina traces her own journey from discovering the League during her college years to ...
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September 27, 2025 • 63 mins
Religious freedom and public education: how do these issues come together? This week on The State of Belief, we hear leading voices make a compelling argument for ensuring the latter comes with a healthy dose of the former: Labor leader Randi Weingarten, activist Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, and Democracy Forward's Skye Perryman.
Most of this episode was recorded live in Dallas, Texas, at a Religious Freedom in Public Schools Summit co...
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September 20, 2025 • 50 mins
This week, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is joined by Jonathan Jacoby, National Director of the Nexus Project. The compelling conversation highlights Jonathan's unique insights on confronting antisemitism and fostering a pluralistic democracy. Drawing from his family history as the descendant of Holocaust survivors and his intrinsic connection to Israel, he provides a thoughtful examination of the challenges that arise when d...
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September 13, 2025 • 53 mins
This week on The State of Belief - a conversation with Sam Helmick, the newly inaugurated president of the American Library Association. Sam and host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush mark National Library Card Sign-up Month by discussing the importance of libraries in advocating for intellectual freedom and access to information, noting that libraries are far more than just books - they are spaces for shared experiences and understan...
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September 6, 2025 • 47 mins
The Trump administration’s federal takeover of the nation’s capital is having a profound impact on Washington, DC’s 700,000 residents - and on our very democracy. That’s according to this week’s guest on The State of Belief, Keya Chatterjee. Keya’s the co-founder and executive director of Free DC, a civic campaign defending Washington, DC’s home rule and protecting the civil liberties and democratic dignity of its residents.
In th...
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August 30, 2025 • 48 mins
She's a Jewish woman who has spent countless hours undercover, impersonating the White supremacist, misogynistic, antisemitic extremists she was researching for her first book. She's also brought an outsider's view to the growing dominance of Christian Nationalism in our society and our government for her second. This week on The State of Belief, journalist and author Talia Lavin explains how the groups she covers in those two impa...
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August 23, 2025 • 58 mins
What does it mean to build bridges amidst the turmoil of the second Trump Administration? How have interfaith communities moved forward with productive dialogue post-October 7th? Is there a more nuanced way to think about Christian Nationalism and the MAGA constituency? In this episode of The State of Belief, Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenush and Interfaith America CEO Rev. Adam Nicholas Phillips explore these critical issues and much ...
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August 16, 2025 • 56 mins
This week on The State of Belief, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush sits down with Ani Zonneveld, feminist Muslim activist, musician, and Grammy-winning songwriter. Ani’s journey from Malaysia to Germany, Egypt, India and eventually Los Angeles - and the lessons learned along the way - is nothing short of inspiring. And she lays it all out in her brand-new memoir, titled The Unlikely Social Justice Warrior: Making My Life Count ...
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August 9, 2025 • 53 mins
This week on The State of Belief, truth through comedy. Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush welcomes comedic genius John Fugelsang, author of the new book Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person's Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds coming September 9th. Together, they delve into the tension between progressive values and mainstream Christianity, or as John puts it, being “t...
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This week, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush had the pleasure of interviewing Elizabeth Reiner Platt, the brilliant mind leading the Law, Rights, and Religion Project. They dive deep into her newly published report, Religious Liberty and Immigration: Legal Analysis of Past and Future Claims.
Despite the administration's rhetoric about protecting religious liberty, their actual immigration policies have been directly attacking fa...
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July 26, 2025 • 55 mins
We are back from a brief summer break, and are ready to hit the ground running! This week on The State of Belief, the political, ethical, religious and legal aspects of the sordid case of the Jefferey Epstein files. Whether or not there are incriminating documents, the relative silence from most faith-oriented leaders raises questions. Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is joined by author and attorney Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson. A ...
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