The Understory

In late May 2026, more than a thousand people gathered for three days beneath the vaults of Washington National Cathedral to ask what it means to be human in the light of Christ. This podcast carries the festival’s talks, sessions, and experiences to everyone who wasn’t in the room—and to everyone who was, who wishes to return.

HOST
Anne Snyder

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Our Latest Episode

September 23, 2026

8m

In the Time of Fire

With a jolt through his spine, Christian Wiman’s poem “In the Time of Fire” came to him. Included in his latest collection of poetry, The Dance, the poem’s speaker shifts from a man to a woman, addressing the world as a prophetic voice of wisdom. Recorded live on May 29, 2026, Wiman recited his poem […]

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About The Understory

In late May 2026, more than a thousand people gathered for three days beneath the vaults of Washington National Cathedral for the first Understory festival: a living experiment in Christian humanism, where argument and silence, music and lament, poetry and debate were honored as different ways of attending to reality, and of exploring this question of what might be struggling to be born today. This limited series gathers the festival’s main-stage talks and carries them to everyone who wasn’t in the room, as well as to everyone who was and wishes to return. Voice by voice, you’ll hear the thinkers, weavers, institution-builders, artists, and pastors who came together to ask: what is struggling to be born, what is a human being, and who is Christ for us today.

HOST
Anne Snyder
Anne Snyder is the editor-in-chief of Comment magazine.

#theunderstoryfestival2026

The Understory festival is a civic and spiritual gathering to rehumanize our common life in a time of cultural fragility. Love the podcast? Help others find it by reviewing it on your favourite podcast app. We also welcome your ideas and feedback. Email us at podcasts@comment.org. Thanks for your support.

The Understory

In the Time of Fire

About The Understory

#theunderstoryfestival2026

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