Discovering Interoception, The Body’s Internal Dialogue

Intelligent Design the Future

Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture

Society & Culture, Science, Astronomy, Life Sciences, Philosophy

4.3 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 2 March 2026

⏱️ 31 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

On this episode of ID the Future, host Andrew McDiarmid sits down with freelance science reporter David Coppedge to explore the fascinating and emerging field of interoception. Unlike our five external senses or proprioception (the awareness of our limbs in space), interoception involves the constant internal communication between our organs and the brain. While much of this signaling happens unconsciously, it's vital in maintaining homeostasis, that dynamic equilibrium that allows our bodies to function under varying conditions. In this discussion, Coppedge delves into the intricate mechanics behind this internal dialogue, highlighting the role of Piezo proteins—receptors that translate physical pressure into electrical signals via calcium ions. As an example of interoception in action, Coppedge explains how the gut functions effectively as a "second brain," utilizing a massive network of neurons to decide between "attack mode" against pathogens and "repair mode" for healing. By viewing the body as a system of systems, says Coppedge, rather than a collection of isolated organs, researchers are able to uncover new details of the stunning layers of engineering in the human body.

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0:00.0	like I said, not just treating one organ separately, but looking at the organ as a system within a system.
0:10.0	And so the whole body is like a system of systems.
0:16.0	ID, the Future, a podcast about evolution and intelligent design.
0:22.9	You might have heard of proprioception, the awareness of our limbs in space and time, but there's
0:28.7	another lesser-known sense that is emerging as a design concept in biology, interoception.
0:35.2	Welcome to ID the Future. I'm your host, Andrew McDermott.
0:38.8	Joining me today to discuss this trending area in scientific research is freelance science
0:43.8	reporter David Koppage. Mr. Koppage worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, also
0:49.4	known as JPL, for 14 years, on the Cassini mission to Saturn, until he was ousted in 2011 for sharing material
0:57.2	on intelligent design, a discriminatory action that led to a nationally publicized court trial
1:02.4	in 2012. Discovery Institute supported his case, but a lone judge ruled against him without
1:08.4	explanation. He has been a board member of Illustra Media since its founding
1:12.4	and serves as their science consultant, a nature of photographer, outdoorsman, a musician. David holds
1:18.8	BS degrees in science education and in physics and gives presentations on ID and other scientific subjects.
1:26.4	Welcome back to the podcast, David.
1:28.1	Good to be with you again, Andrew.
1:30.5	Yeah.
1:31.1	Now, before we get going with today's topic,
1:33.1	I just wanted to touch on something I mentioned in the introduction,
1:37.0	and that is your rejection from NASA's JPL,
1:39.9	the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, back in 2011.
1:43.3	Now, in the show notes for today's episode, we'll link to a page on our
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