

Intelligent Design the Future
Discovery Institute
The ID The Future (IDTF) podcast carries on Discovery Institute's mission of exploring the issues central to evolution and intelligent design. IDTF is a short podcast providing you with the most current news and views on evolution and ID. IDTF delivers brief interviews with key scientists and scholars developing the theory of ID, as well as insightful commentary from Discovery Institute senior fellows and staff on the scientific, educational and legal aspects of the debate. Episode notes and archives available at idthefuture.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 1, 2025 • 13min
We are Children of Light and Water: Dr. Michael Denton
In this engaging discussion, biochemist Michael Denton, a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture, dives deep into his book, Children of Light. He eloquently describes how sunlight and water are not just vital for life, but are intricately connected in sustaining complex ecosystems. Denton shares fascinating insights into photosynthesis, the importance of water for warm-blooded organisms, and the universe's fine-tuning for carbon-based life forms. Get ready to rethink the fundamental elements of existence!

Jul 30, 2025 • 31min
Bill Dembski: Pursuing Truth and Trust in AI and LLMs
William Dembski, a mathematician and philosopher known for his work on intelligent design, joins to dissect the reliability of large language models like ChatGPT. He emphasizes the need for independent verification of AI outputs to avoid trusting erroneous information. Dembski argues that while AI can enhance education and critical thinking, it can also undermine these skills if misused. The conversation further highlights the limitations of LLMs and their detachment from reality, prompting a deeper evaluation of their implications on understanding intelligent design.

Jul 28, 2025 • 37min
Can AI Accurately Portray Intelligent Design?
William Dembski, a distinguished mathematician and philosopher, discusses the intriguing interplay between artificial intelligence and intelligent design. He evaluates how AI models like ChatGPT and Grok portray intelligent design concepts, probing their biases. Dembski addresses the limitations of these models in representing complex philosophical arguments and critiques materialistic perspectives in biology. He also emphasizes the need for careful prompting to elicit more balanced responses from AI, asserting that evidence of intelligence is crucial in understanding life's origins.

Jul 25, 2025 • 15min
Michael Denton Explains How Light Sustains Human Life
Michael Denton, a biochemist and medical doctor known for his work on life's dependencies on sunlight, dives into the remarkable properties that make human life possible in a conversation with host Sarah Chaffee. He explains how the Earth's atmosphere and sunlight intertwine to create a perfect environment for life. Denton marvels at photosynthesis as a crucial process, producing energy from the sun. He also discusses the precarious balance of atmospheric absorption, cautioning that small changes could threaten life, suggesting a greater intelligence behind these systems.

Jul 23, 2025 • 34min
Exploring Intelligent Design: A Conversation with Casey Luskin and Kristin Marais
Does intelligent design have a better answer for the origin of the universe and the origin of life than the standard neo-Darwinian explanation? Today, we’ll enjoy the second half of a conversation about the scientific theory of intelligent design with geologist and attorney Dr. Casey Luskin and his wife, chemistry teacher Kristin Marais. In Part 2, Casey and Kristin discuss why intelligent design can offer a more satisfying explanation for the origin of the universe than competing theories. Casey also reviews the evidence for the fine-tuning of the laws and constants of the universe to allow for life, and the argument for design evidenced in the natural world. Kristin provides more detail about an important resource offered at Discovery Institute: her online high school chemistry course, and what students will get out of it. And if you have an interest in engaging in the debate over evolution and the origin of life and the universe, Kristin and Casey have tips and advice on what to study and how to foster dialogue on these important topics.
Source

Jul 21, 2025 • 33min
Losing the Plot: How Materialism Can Blind Scientists to Purpose
Join Casey Luskin, a scientist and attorney advocating for intelligent design, alongside Kristin Marais, a passionate chemistry teacher, as they delve into how materialism can cloud the purpose of science. They discuss the essential need for captivating science communication and the challenges of integrating intelligent design into educational curriculums. With engaging anecdotes, they critique the limitations of a purely materialistic worldview, urging a reevaluation of science to include deeper questions of meaning and purpose.

Jul 19, 2025 • 23min
Walter Bradley: The Origin Story of an Intelligent Design Classic
Walter Bradley, a prominent Fellow at the Discovery Institute and co-author of 'The Mystery of Life's Origin,' reflects on the book's challenging publishing history in the 1980s. He shares anecdotes about the support from esteemed scientists that helped legitimize their work amidst polarized responses. The conversation delves into the cultural context of scientific inquiry, highlighting the book's lasting influence on the Intelligent Design community and its impact on scholars' careers. Bradley's insights reveal the intricate relationship between science, philosophy, and public discourse.

Jul 16, 2025 • 48min
A Tale of Two Doctors: Finding Purpose in Medicine and Science
Dr. Stephen Iacoboni, an award-winning cancer researcher with 40 years in oncology, discusses the interplay between faith and science. He shares his journey of reconciling purpose in medicine with scientific understanding. The chat dives into the artistic and intentional aspects of healthcare, emphasizing the need for compassion over mere mechanics. Iacoboni also critiques the notion of random evolution, advocating for a teleological perspective that recognizes deeper meaning in life’s complexities. His insights challenge conventional views and stimulate profound philosophical discussions.

Jul 14, 2025 • 22min
How Evolutionary Thinking Delayed a Nobel Prize Discovery
Join Dr. Casey Luskin, Associate Director at the Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture, as he unpacks a pivotal shift in understanding non-coding DNA, once dismissed as 'junk.' He highlights how groundbreaking discoveries, particularly the role of microRNAs in gene regulation, led to a 2024 Nobel Prize. Luskin discusses the initial skepticism surrounding these findings and the scientific revolution that recognizes the importance of these previously overlooked DNA regions. It's a fascinating look at how evolution's assumptions can delay scientific progress!

Jul 12, 2025 • 20min
Walter Bradley on The Mystery of Life’s Origin
Walter Bradley, a notable Fellow at the Discovery Institute, gives an engaging overview of his groundbreaking book, co-authored in 1984. He delves into the complexities of life's origins, critiquing well-known experiments like Miller-Urey. He highlights the essential role of biochemistry and examines NASA's efforts in exploring extraterrestrial life. Bradley also shares insights into how the intelligent design movement emerged, aiming to reshape our understanding of evolution and faith. His reflections on the past 35 years of origins science provide a thought-provoking perspective.


