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.”
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 57 minutes
- Episodes
- 153
- Years Active
- 2022 - 2025
Antisemitism: Canary in the Coal Mine to Destroying Democracy With Rabbi Jill Jacobs
This week, we dive into the Israel-Palestine crisis, reflecting on the struggles and the urgent call for peace. Recorded just before Rosh Hashanah and the one-year mark of the October 7th attacks, th…
00:50:07 |
Sat 23 Nov 2024
How to End Christian Nationalism with Amanda Tyler
Faced with the surging threat of Christian nationalism, The State of Belief this week explores the urgent need for resistance against authoritarian theocracy, focusing on the roles that faith communi…
00:46:20 |
Sat 16 Nov 2024
Election 2024: No Mandate for Extremism
In the wake of a deeply consequential election, The State of Belief this week unpacks the electoral role played by religious communities, exploring how various faith groups influenced voter turnout a…
00:58:11 |
Sat 09 Nov 2024
The Vote Is Sacred Bus Tour
This week’s episode of The State of Belief features interviews with guests along Interfaith Alliance’s “The Vote is Sacred Bus Tour.” Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush visits with Karim Khayati, Ra…
01:10:02 |
Sat 02 Nov 2024
Democracy and Faith Hit The Road
This fall, a number of faith- and values-driven organizations have taken to the road, bringing a positive message to communities across the country aboard colorful, activist-filled buses. From the Nu…
00:57:44 |
Sat 26 Oct 2024
The Freedom to Read is an Essential Human - and Religious - Right!
Marking the Freedom to Read Day of Action, this week’s episode of The State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance's weekly radio program and podcast, features interviews with Qiana Johnson, Rev. Kim Coleman…
01:12:30 |
Sat 19 Oct 2024
The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy, with Matthew Taylor
In his new book, Dr. Matthew D. Taylor sheds light on the alarming rise of authoritarianism in Christian nationalist movements. In The Violent Take It By Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threate…
01:02:27 |
Sat 12 Oct 2024
Interfaith Since 10/7/23: Challenges and Promise
October 7th marks the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza – a war that is still raging and even spreading, costing tens of thousands of lives and untold…
00:52:15 |
Sat 05 Oct 2024
Strong Women Speaking Truth to Power: Kristin Du Mez and Mary J. Novak
Mary J. Novak and Kristin Du Mez are two incredible women whose work at the intersection of activism and faith is driving critical change in our society. This week, they join host Rev. Paul Brandeis …
01:12:26 |
Sat 28 Sep 2024
Interfaith Action at the State Level: Florida, North Dakota, Pennsylvania
In states and communities across the country, people of diverse religious and secular beliefs are coming together to fight for freedom of conscience for all. Many are doing it under the banner of Int…
00:58:24 |
Sat 21 Sep 2024
Demographics, Democracy, and Destiny: Dr. Robert P. Jones
As American society evolves, Dr. Robert P. Jones explores how rigid, traditional norms are losing their influence, leading to a growing need for greater religious and racial diversity and inclusion. …
00:57:47 |
Sat 14 Sep 2024
Faith, Power, and Victimhood: the evolution of Christian Nationalism
As Christian nationalism and the far right’s influence on American politics grow, historian Randall Balmer offers a critical examination of evangelicalism and the surprising shifts within its ranks. …
00:58:44 |
Sat 07 Sep 2024
The Past Isn't Even Past: The Trial That Riveted A Nation With Brenda Wineapple
As book bans and religious censorship again become increasingly prevalent, America is witnessing an alarming repetition of patterns from our history. Brenda Wineapple's most recent book, Keeping the …
00:57:19 |
Sat 31 Aug 2024
Changemakers at the DNC
Throughout the week of the Democratic National Convention, Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush and the Interfaith Alliance team were all over Chicago for events, discussions and meet-ups, representing the…
00:52:57 |
Sat 24 Aug 2024
Passion & Policy: Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons
Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons, one of the country’s top advocates and experts working at the intersection of religion, politics and policy, has just this week joined Interfaith Alliance as the organizat…
00:50:39 |
Sat 17 Aug 2024
The VP Picks, Religious Diversity, and a Vision for Democracy
This week, we’ve pushed up the release of The State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance's weekly podcast, to get you the insightful expert commentary you need, when you need it. We're excited to share wit…
00:46:06 |
Wed 07 Aug 2024
E.J. Dionne: The Vice-Presidential Candidates and Religion
With a lot of attention on the second spot on the presidential ticket right now - whether it's JD Vance and childless cat ladies, or the range of contenders for Kamala Harris' pick - religion and bel…
00:53:31 |
Sat 03 Aug 2024
We're Going Forward: Wajahat Ali
With the threat of a right-wing anti-democratic impulse strengthened by conservative extremist policies, campaigns, and rhetoric on the rise, the preservation and protection of our democracy is more …
01:13:57 |
Sat 27 Jul 2024
Amy Spitalnick: Antisemitism and Democracy
In a time when fundamental democratic norms are increasingly contested and targeted, religious identities and freedoms are threatened by increasing hate crimes, conspiracy theories, and misinformatio…
00:58:29 |
Sat 20 Jul 2024
A Slow Civil War with Jeff Sharlet
The political climate in the last few weeks has left many feeling overwhelmed and scared, waiting for the next shoe to drop. The increasing collaboration of right-wing groups to rally around Project …
00:54:11 |
Sat 13 Jul 2024
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