Join Jon and Madi on the Act Five front porch as they chat with students, staff, and residents about this past year at Act Five. It's a chance to hear stories, what they learned, and how this year was formational for each of them.

Our Porch Podcast episodes are designed to give you, our broader community, a sneak peak into life at the Act Five house, so we hope you enjoy hearing from each person who joined in on this episode to share.

Leave a comment to join in on the conversation.

Or fill out this 5-minute SURVEY to let us know your thoughts as a listener.

To connect with us, find us here:

• ⁠Website⁠
• ⁠Instagram⁠
• ⁠Facebook⁠
• ⁠Subscribe to our Newsletter⁠
• ⁠Read the Blog⁠
• ⁠Ways to Give⁠

Applications:

• ⁠Gap Year ⁠
• ⁠Residency Program

We are wrapping up our Winter Learning Series with Joash Thomas! Join Madi and Jon as they talk with Joash about justice, restoration, the critical role of looking back to ancient history, and how places shape our imaginations.

What a series this has been! If you’ve missed any of the conversations prior, the whole collection of speakers is well worth the listen. All of their talks from Unreliable Instincts will be posted in May 2026. Stay tuned.

Leave a comment to join in on the conversation.

Or fill out this 5-minute SURVEY to let us know your thoughts as a listener.

References from the Conversation:

• The Justice of Jesus
• Learn more about Joash

Events:

• Graduation

To connect with us, find us here:

• ⁠Website⁠
• ⁠Instagram⁠
• ⁠Facebook⁠
• ⁠Subscribe to our Newsletter⁠
• ⁠Read the Blog⁠
• Ways to Give⁠

Applications:

• ⁠Gap Year ⁠
• Residency Program

Sponsors:

• Resonate Global Mission: We help send missionaries as well as our churches and their members to share the gospel with people from other cultures. We inspire, inform, equip, and support them to witness to Christ—and we are convicted that the gospel is at work not only for others, but also for ourselves. The relationships and imagination brought by engaging cross-culturally helps our denomination to continue to grow spiritually. Learn more at www.resonateglobalmission.org
• Stronger Philanthropy: Stronger Philanthropy connects the right donors with the right charities, facilitating the kind of strategic, targeted giving that leads to real and lasting social change. By providing advisory services that bridge the gap between donors and the charitable sector, Stronger Philanthropy plays a critical role in strengthening the impact of Canadian philanthropy. Learn more at strongerphilanthropy.ca
• The Priscilla and Stanford Reid Trust: For over 25 years the Reid Trust has supported both creative and traditional initiatives in Reformed and Presbyterian theological education in Canada.

Angela Reitsma Bick, co-author of Blessed are the Undone, hops on the podcast with Madi to talk about deconstruction, power, and practicing resurrection. And, of course, we talk about the imagination!

Leave a comment to join in on the conversation.

Or fill out this 5-minute SURVEY to let us know your thoughts as a listener.

Interested in coming to Unreliable Instincts? Registration is open until March 25, 2026.

References from the Conversation:

• Angela’s Website
• Blessed are the Undone
• ICS Course: Reading the Ruins

Events:

• ⁠Winter Learning Series⁠
• Open House

To connect with us, find us here:

• Website⁠
• ⁠Instagram⁠
• ⁠Facebook⁠
• Subscribe to our Newsletter⁠
• ⁠Read the Blog⁠
• ⁠Ways to Give⁠

Applications:

• Gap Year ⁠
• ⁠Residency Program

Sponsors:

• Tyndale University: At Tyndale University, we believe university is more than just academics—it’s about discovering who you are, deepening your relationship with Jesus, and being equipped to make a difference in the world. With small class sizes, a diverse student community in the heart of Toronto, and programs taught through a biblical lens, Tyndale offers a unique space to grow in heart, mind, and character. Learn more at findyourself.ca
• Christian Courier: Christian Courier has been a trusted source for Canadian and Christ-centred news and opinions since 1945. Their journalism inspires action, builds community and influences culture for Christ. You can subscribe to their email newsletters or (better yet) subscribe in print at christiancourier.ca
• Stronger Philanthropy: Stronger Philanthropy connects the right donors with the right charities, facilitating the kind of strategic, targeted giving that leads to real and lasting social change. By providing advisory services that bridge the gap between donors and the charitable sector, Stronger Philanthropy plays a critical role in strengthening the impact of Canadian philanthropy. Learn more at strongerphilanthropy.ca
• The Priscilla and Stanford Reid Trust: For over 25 years the Reid Trust has supported both creative and traditional initiatives in Reformed and Presbyterian theological education in Canada.

Listen to this bonus episode with Kirstin Jeffrey Johnson, The Shema.

Brian Dijkema, President of Cardus, hops onto the podcast with Madi and Jon to discuss the importance of thinking deeply, humanism, and whether we should burn down or build up institutions and why.

Leave a comment to join in on the conversation!

Interested in coming to Unreliable Instincts? Registration is open until March 25, 2026.

References from the Conversation:

• Cardus.ca
• comment.org
• Article: Essaying Discernment by Christina Bieber Lake
• Book: Intellectual Lives of the British Working Class by Jonathan Rose
• Book: The World Beyond Your Head by Matthew Crawford
• Book: Dominion by Tom Holland
• Art: Vanitas & Veriditas by Josh Thiessen
• Book: The Fabric of Character by Anne Synder

Events:

• ⁠Winter Learning Series⁠
• Open House

To connect with us, find us here:

• ⁠Website⁠
• ⁠Instagram⁠
• ⁠Facebook⁠
• ⁠Subscribe to our Newsletter⁠
• ⁠Read the Blog⁠
• ⁠Ways to Give⁠

Applications:

• ⁠Gap Year ⁠
• ⁠Residency Program

Sponsors:

• Wycliffe College: Founded in 1877, Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto is a graduate school of theology committed to preparing students for lives of practical ministry and theological scholarship. Rooted in the evangelical Anglican tradition, Wycliffe is home to students from a wide variety of denominations seeking to deepen their commitment to Christ and knowledge of the Gospel through study and community. Wycliffe offers diverse programs from part-time certificates to doctoral degrees, check out their website for more information at www.wycliffecollege.ca.
• Stronger Philanthropy: Stronger Philanthropy connects the right donors with the right charities, facilitating the kind of strategic, targeted giving that leads to real and lasting social change. By providing advisory services that bridge the gap between donors and the charitable sector, Stronger Philanthropy plays a critical role in strengthening the impact of Canadian philanthropy. Learn more at strongerphilanthropy.ca
• The Priscilla and Stanford Reid Trust: For over 25 years the Reid Trust has supported both creative and traditional initiatives in Reformed and Presbyterian theological education in Canada.

Marty Solomon joined for week 2 of Unreliable Instincts! Take a listen to the conversation Madi and Jon had with Marty that resulted in a debate about jazz music, talking about their favourite musicals, and understanding the differences between Empire and Shalom.

Leave a comment to join in on the conversation!

Interested in coming to Unreliable Instincts? Registration is open until March 25, 2026.

References from the Conversation:

• BEMA Discipleship
• The Gospel of Being Human

Events:

• ⁠Winter Learning Series⁠
• Open House

To connect with us, find us here:

• ⁠Website⁠
• ⁠Instagram⁠
• ⁠Facebook⁠
• ⁠Subscribe to our Newsletter⁠
• Read the Blog⁠
• Ways to Give⁠

Applications:

• ⁠Gap Year ⁠
• ⁠Residency Program

Sponsors:

• Stronger Philanthropy: Stronger Philanthropy connects the right donors with the right charities, facilitating the kind of strategic, targeted giving that leads to real and lasting social change. By providing advisory services that bridge the gap between donors and the charitable sector, Stronger Philanthropy plays a critical role in strengthening the impact of Canadian philanthropy. Learn more at strongerphilanthropy.ca

• The Priscilla and Stanford Reid Trust: For over 25 years the Reid Trust has supported both creative and traditional initiatives in Reformed and Presbyterian theological education in Canada.

Jon Berends kicked off our Winter Learning Series, Unreliable Instincts, with a talk titled, “Hello Darkness, My Old Friend.” Here this bonus conversation where Jon and Madi talk about darkness and light, the role of knowing history and how it shapes our imaginations, and how people actually change.

Leave a comment to join in on the conversation!

Interested in coming to Unreliable Instincts? Registration is open until March 25, 2026.

References from the Conversation:

• Iain McGilchrist
• C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Events:

• ⁠Winter Learning Series⁠

To connect with us, find us here:

• ⁠Website⁠
• ⁠Instagram⁠
• ⁠Facebook⁠
• ⁠Subscribe to our Newsletter⁠
• ⁠Read the Blog
• ⁠Ways to Give⁠

Applications:

• ⁠Gap Year ⁠
• ⁠Residency Program

Sponsors:

• Stronger Philanthropy: Stronger Philanthropy connects the right donors with the right charities, facilitating the kind of strategic, targeted giving that leads to real and lasting social change. By providing advisory services that bridge the gap between donors and the charitable sector, Stronger Philanthropy plays a critical role in strengthening the impact of Canadian philanthropy. Learn more at strongerphilanthropy.ca
• The Priscilla and Stanford Reid Trust: For over 25 years the Reid Trust has supported both creative and traditional initiatives in Reformed and Presbyterian theological education in Canada.
• International Justice Mission: Children, women and men face the reality of modern slavery, exploitation and abuse every day because people in power prey on the vulnerabilities that poverty creates. International Justice Mission Canada or IJM Canada is on a mission to partner with local communities to build a more just world where everyone can expect to be safe and protected. Together, we can build a safer, more just world. Learn more about getting your church involved at ijm.ca/churches.