

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

Apr 15, 2025 • 36min
Brian Miller on Circular Reasoning in Origin of Life Theories
In this fascinating discussion, physicist Brian Miller, who holds a PhD from Duke University, dives into the intricate challenges of origin of life research. He critiques the circular reasoning often found in evolutionary theories, particularly regarding amino acid recruitment into the genetic code. Miller highlights the importance of intelligent design as a more coherent explanation for life's origins, emphasizing the complexities of biological systems and the limitations of natural processes. His insights challenge prevailing narratives and urge a re-evaluation of the assumptions behind them.

Apr 11, 2025 • 15min
Robert Shedinger: Darwin’s Sacred Cause is “Historical Fiction”
In conversation with scholar Robert Shedinger, who specializes in the intersection of religion and science, listeners explore a provocative argument about Charles Darwin. Shedinger critiques the biography 'Darwin’s Sacred Cause,' claiming it's more historical fiction than fact, distorting Darwin's legacy by depicting him as a saintly abolitionist. He highlights the tensions between evolution and morality, scrutinizes modern narratives, and delves into the intricate origins of biological information, presenting intelligent design as a compelling alternative to standard evolutionary views.

Apr 9, 2025 • 37min
Casey Luskin on Intelligent Design, Evolution, and the Fossil Record
On this episode, Dr. Casey Luskin concludes his conversation about the basics of intelligent design with Sam Kleckley, host of the Live Life in Motion podcast. You'll find this interview (including Part 1) particularly helpful if you are new to the science of intelligent design yourself, or you have friends or family who are open to learning more. In Part 2, Dr. Luskin begins by discussing the fossil record and the abrupt appearance of new life forms. He also tackles the often-debated question of the intelligent agent behind the design found in nature. Finally, in the realm of education, he addresses the controversy surrounding teaching evolution and intelligent design in schools. This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation.
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Apr 7, 2025 • 31min
Unpacking Intelligent Design: A Beginner’s Guide with Casey Luskin
How would you explain intelligent design to someone who has just recently begun looking into it? Perhaps you are new to it yourself, or you have a friend or family member who is curious. Today, Dr. Casey Luskin begins a two-part discussion of the basics of intelligent design with Sam Kleckley, host of the Live Life in Motion podcast. Part 1 presents a nice overview of where and when intelligent design began, how it developed, and why it is such a compelling idea for so many. Luskin also discusses some key lines of evidence for intelligent design, including the complexity of living things at the cellular level and the evidence for the fine-tuning of the universe. This is Part 1 of a two-part discussion.
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Apr 4, 2025 • 19min
Rescuing Evolutionary Theory from Darwinian Mythology
Robert Shedinger, the Wilford A. Johnson Chair of Biblical Studies at Luther College, dives deep into the complexities of evolutionary theory and its intersection with religion. He contrasts Darwin's public and private views on natural selection, revealing gaps in evidence that challenge the traditional narrative. Shedinger also discusses historical critiques of Darwinism by notable scientists and explores Darwin's unfinished manuscript and its implications. His insights encourage a reevaluation of the philosophical themes in Darwin’s work.

Apr 2, 2025 • 28min
A Celebrated Life: Colleagues Remember Dr. Jonathan Wells
On this ID The Future, we bring you excerpts from a recent gathering to celebrate the life of biologist Dr. Jonathan Wells, who passed away in September 2024 at the age of 82. Dr. Wells was one of the first fellows of Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture. In 2000, Wells took the science world by storm with Icons of Evolution, a book showing how biology textbooks routinely promote Darwinism using bogus evidence — icons of evolution like Ernst Haeckel’s faked embryo drawings and peppered moths glued to tree trunks. Dr. Wells's achievements in the field of biology are notable. In this episode you’ll get a glimpse into Dr. Wells’s life and character as well as his relentless search for scientific truth. This episode includes eulogies from Dr. John West, Dr. Paul Nelson, Dr. Richard Sternberg, and Dr. Casey Luskin. Learn more about Jonathan Wells at www.jonathanwells.org.
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Mar 31, 2025 • 40min
How to Study Biology with Systems Engineering Principles
Traditional methods in biology have proven insufficient for understanding and accurately predicting complex biological systems. Why? The great majority of biologists are trained to study life from the bottom up, as the result of unguided evolutionary processes. It turns out there are better ways to observe, question, hypothesize, experiment, and analyze a complex system. On this ID The Future, host Andrew McDiarmid welcomes biochemist and metabolic nutritionist Dr. Emily Reeves to the podcast to discuss her co-authored paper on how biologists can apply principles from systems engineering to biology to better approach the study of complex living systems. Dr. Reeves explains how the new methodology works and how it can produce fruitful scientific research.
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Mar 28, 2025 • 33min
Puncturing the Science-Faith Warfare Myth
On today’s ID the Future out of the vault, join host and geologist Casey Luskin and historian of science Michael Keas for a lively conversation puncturing a series of anti-Christian myths about the history of science, including the Dark Ages myth, the flat-earth myth, the myth that humanity was rendered insignificant by the discovery of the size of the universe, and the simplistic revisionist history of Galileo and the Inquisition. What about the claim in the recent Cosmos TV series reboot that in abandoning his traditional Jewish faith, seventeenth-century philosopher Baruch Spinoza was able to provide an improved framework for doing science? As Keas argues, the truth is just the opposite. Spinoza, he says, abandoned a key tenet of Judeo-Christian theology that had proven vital to the birth of science.
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Mar 26, 2025 • 27min
Missiles & Jackhammers: How Plants Spread Themselves Far and Wide
David Coppedge, a freelance science reporter and former NASA employee, joins host Andrew McDiarmid to explore how plants execute incredible strategies to spread their seeds. They discuss missile-like spore dispersal techniques and remarkable adaptations in plants and fungi. The pair also delve into the engineering principles behind root systems, highlighting how these natural designs inspire human technology through biomimetics. The conversation argues for intelligent design in nature, challenging the narrative of random evolution.

Mar 24, 2025 • 25min
Brian Miller: Transforming Lives Through the Summer Seminar
On this episode of ID The Future, host Andrew McDiarmid interviews Dr. Brian Miller about Discovery Institute's Summer Seminar Program, which offers a unique opportunity for students and professionals to explore intelligent design across various scientific disciplines. Dr. Miller shares his personal journey from participant to teacher, highlighting the program's impact on his career and the transformative experiences of other past graduates. Miller and McDiarmid also review frequently asked questions about the program, including who is eligible to apply, the costs associated with the program, the focus of the curriculum, and more.
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