Interfaith Alliance Announces Partnership with Religion News Service to Distribute Long-Running Religion and Democracy Podcast

Interfaith Alliance today announced a new joint effort to produce and distribute State of Belief, the organization’s long-running religion and democracy radio show and podcast, alongside Religion News Service. Established in 2006, State of Belief has featured diverse religious, civic and political leaders across the nation, including President Jimmy Carter, Sen. Raphael Warnock, Rachel Maddow, Reshma Saujani, Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Rev. Traci Blackmon, Imam Mohamed Magid, and more.

Building on the show’s long track record of producing incisive and impactful conversations, Interfaith Alliance’s production team will work hand-in-hand with Religion News Service’s award-winning newsroom to expand distribution and reach new audiences across the nation.

State of Belief is a weekly program hosted by Interfaith Alliance president and CEO Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, a longtime leader in the interfaith movement and a veteran religion journalist. Interfaith Alliance president emeritus Rev. Dr. Welton Gaddy previously hosted the show since its inception. Welton, who passed away this week at his home in Louisiana, was a giant in the interfaith world, and from the very beginning brought his wisdom, spiritual depth, and love of people to every show.

“For more than two decades, State of Belief has been home to some of the most impactful voices in religion and politics,” said Rev. Raushenbush. “Today, we’re entering a new era in partnership with Religion News Service, with the aim of highlighting essential voices all across the country to make sense of this urgent moment. This collaboration is an exciting opportunity to amplify stories that honor our nation’s vast pluralism and inspire Americans of all backgrounds of beliefs to build the future we deserve.”

“We’re excited to bring State of Belief to our readers and our growing podcast platform,” said Paul O'Donnell, editor in chief of Religion News Service. “Interfaith Alliance’s work and Paul Raushenbush’s interests in the American religious landscape align perfectly with our core audience’s interests. It’s a great asset to have as we head into a new political cycle that will be crucial to the future of faith and the country.”

State of Belief will be moving to a new podcast address starting today. Listeners can also access all episodes of the show by visiting stateofbelief.com.

On the inaugural episode of this new partnership, Rev. Raushenbush sat down with Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, president of Repairers of the Breach and co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign.

“On the one hand, you have an aggressive, mean-spirited, if you will, push backwards. And once again, we see what we saw in the Jim Crow era, is an attempt to hijack the faith and wrap it around injustice and make the injustice right,” said Rev. Barber on State of Belief. “But on the other hand…there is something rising. There's a stirring in the Valley of Dry Bones, if you will. A kind of resurrection of the spirit of justice and love and Jesus and wanting to say we will not give up on the soul of the nation.”

You can listen to Rev. Raushenbush's full conversation with Rev. Barber at this link.