The State Of Belief

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

Easter and Passover Courage in the Fight for Democracy

April 19, 2025 • 41 mins
This week on The State of Belief, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush directly takes on the critical issues facing our democracy as we reach the end of the first 90 days of the Trump-Vance-Musk administration. With the backdrop of the sacred days in both the Christian and Jewish traditions, Paul enumerates some of the anti-democratic actions the administration has taken against individuals and communities. That includes urgent warn...
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Michael Eric Dyson: How We Love Is To Tell the Truth

April 12, 2025 • 51 mins
This week on The State of Belief, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, a distinguished professor at Vanderbilt University and a passionate advocate for social justice. They dive into the current political climate in America, addressing the rising tide of anti-democratic movements and the resurgence of fascist ideologies. Dr. Dyson emphasizes that these challeng...
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National Call to Action for Faith Communities

April 4, 2025 • 68 mins
On this special early-release edition of The State of Belief, you’ll hear host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush moderate an incredible group of faith leaders, progressive organizers, and activists who came together for a National Call to Action for Faith Communities on April 2, 2025. This episode is a must-listen as we explore the urgent issues facing our democracy and the vital role that diverse faith communities can play in this mo...
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Faith and LGBTQ+ Rights in the Face of Adversity

March 29, 2025 • 61 mins
This week, you'll hear a powerful panel discussion hosted by Rev. Paul Raushenbush and featuring four leading LGBTQ+ and faith activists: Chase Strangio (ACLU), Tahil Sharma (LGBTQ Task Force), Jon Cohen (Keshet), and Ross Keys (Interfaith Alliance of North Dakota). They discuss the intersection of faith and LGBTQ+ rights, the critical threats facing the trans community, and the importance of self-care in activism. Together, they a...
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The Rule of Law and the Chaos of MAGA: Jay Michaelson

March 22, 2025 • 58 mins
This week, Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson joins Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush for a deep dive into the state of U.S. politics, the role of the rule of law in preserving democracy, and political attacks against institutions of higher education. Together, they explore how faith can play a role in resistance and activism, reflecting on the deep divisions within American society and the responsibility of institutions to defend core values i...
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Navigating the Narrow Bridge: Congressman Eric Swalwell and the Fight for Democracy

March 15, 2025 • 48 mins
This week, Representative Eric Swalwell joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the ongoing challenges facing American democracy, lessons not learned in the January 6th Capitol riot, and the critical role of faith communities in this time of division. Together, they explore the importance of political engagement, especially in the face of significant threats to fundamental democratic norms and vital public services. R...
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Jeff Sharlet: The Slow Civil War Is Speeding Up

March 8, 2025 • 49 mins
In difficult times, the work of truth-telling can seem like obsessing on the negative. But the most important truths are very often uncomfortable and even frightening. This week, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush welcomes writer Jeff Sharlet, author of The Undertow: Scenes From A Slow Civil War, back to The State of Belief. As Jeff sees America’s slow civil war speeding up, he and Paul revisit his reluctance to initially use the ...
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One Month of Trump's Attacks on Faith: Policymakers, Faith Leaders, and Legal Experts Take Action

March 1, 2025 • 69 mins
This week, Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is joined by a panel of faith leaders, legal experts, and policymakers to discuss the urgent threats facing democracy and religious freedom under the Trump administration. Together, they explore how faith communities can take action against executive overreach, attacks on religious institutions, and efforts to dismantle critical government programs. Here's the complete list of speakers: ...
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Unfiltered: The Gen Z Revolution with Olivia Julianna

February 22, 2025 • 58 mins
This week, Gen Z activist Olivia Julianna joins Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the importance of political engagement and the pursuit of social justice at an incredibly difficult moment in our history. Together, they explore how a rising generation of young leaders is doing critical work to address systemic injustice and inequality – and the influential role that faith and faith communities can play in fueling that activ...
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Black History Month In the Time of Trump: Rev. Jacqui Lewis

February 15, 2025 • 56 mins
This week, activist and theologian Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the celebration and reflection of Black history, and the intersection of faith and activism. Together, they explore the ongoing fight for racial equality, the powerful influence of Black history on contemporary social justice movements, and the role of spiritual and community leaders in challenging systemic injustice. Rev. ...
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Money, Lies, and God: Katherine Stewart Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy

February 8, 2025 • 52 mins
This week, author and journalist Katherine Stewart joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the rise of Christian Nationalism, Trump’s authoritarian tendencies, and the weaponization of faith for political gain. Together, they dive into the current political climate, the deep divisions within American society, and how knowledge and organizing are key to defending democracy. Katherine’s latest book, out on February 18th,...
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Can Religion Save Democracy? Maggie Siddiqi on Pluralism, Policy, and Resistance

February 1, 2025 • 53 mins
This week, Maggie Siddiqi, new senior fellow at Interfaith Alliance, is with host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush discussing Donald Trump’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, Bishop Budde’s model of faithful resistance, and the importance of coalition-building to stand up for democracy and religious freedom. Maggie joins Interfaith Alliance following a distinguished tenure with the Biden administration at the Departme...
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Skye Perryman: There's No Way Out of This But Through

January 25, 2025 • 53 mins
This week, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush reflects on the courage of Episcopal Bishop Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde, who spoke faithfully on behalf of the victims of the incoming administration’s policies at the inagural prayer service, attended by the president and vice president. Then Paul is joined by Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward, to discuss the ongoing challenges to American democracy, particularly the we...
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King's Non-Violence Trumps Christian Nationalism

January 18, 2025 • 56 mins
This week, we focus on the confluence of the inauguration of Donald Trump on the day we observe Martin Luther King Day, January 20th. Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush brings attention to the dichotomy of these two pivotal events, reflecting on the contrasting paths that America finds itself on—one leading towards justice, equality, and liberation, as exemplified by Dr. King, and the other toward Christian Nationalism, which advo...
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Christian Nationalism and Hate Violence: What Can We Do?

January 11, 2025 • 51 mins
This week, Zev Mishell, National Programs Associate at Interfaith Alliance, joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the intersection of systemic violence, hate crimes, and religious and political ideologies in America. Zev is the author of Interfaith Alliance’s new report, Together Against Hate, which closely analyzes how interfaith movements can address hate-based violence by uniting across differences while also exam...
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Special Episode - Remembering Jimmy Carter

January 8, 2025 • 21 mins
Perhaps more than any other modern president, Jimmy Carter identified himself very publicly and explicitly as a person guided by faith. At the same time, he was also a consistent defender of healthy boundaries between government and religion, who made clear that he would never allow his personal faith to dictate or interfere with the public interest. President Carter lived out the values he espoused, both in office and for decades ...
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January 6th: Bad Theology, Bad for Democracy

January 4, 2025 • 72 mins
This week, Dr. Robert P. Jones, president and founder of the Public Religion Research Institute, joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the intersection of race, religion, and politics in America, focusing on the rewriting of history regarding the January 6, 2021 attacks, and the impact of shifting demographics and the influence of polarizing figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk. We also pay tribute to the late Jim...
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Democracy Defying Gravity: WICKED as Movie and Metaphor

December 28, 2024 • 44 mins
Resisting authoritariansim. Not succumbing to the mass reverence for “the man behind the curtain.” Recognizing the value of those who are different, even if shunned by the majority. Staying true to one’s beliefs no matter what. These themes could just as easily reference American politics and culture on the cusp of 2025 as they do the hit movie musical Wicked. That’s what we explore on the final episode of The State of Belief for 2...
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Top Religion News 2024: NYT Reporter Ruth Graham

December 21, 2024 • 55 mins
In 2024 America, almost every major news story was a religion story in some way. Important stories call for compelling storytelling, and we take a look back at 2024 in the company of a leading religion journalist who’s expert at telling those stories. Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is joined by Ruth Graham, New York Times National Reporter covering religion, faith, and values. Together they review some of Ruth’s favorite stori...
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Timothy Snyder On Religion, Power, and Freedom

December 14, 2024 • 58 mins
This week, renowned historian and author Timothy Snyder joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the complex relationship between religion, freedom, and democracy. His new book, On Freedom, explores what freedom truly means, how it has been misunderstood, and why it is critical for our collective survival. It debuted as an instant New York Times best-seller, and has earned praise from leading figures like journalist and...
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