Paramount Importance
Welcome to Paramount Importance — where science meets curiosity.
Hosted by marine scientist Kurt Krispyn, this podcast dives into the weird, wonderful, and wildly important questions about our world. Through open, honest, laid-back conversations with scientists, explorers, and big thinkers, we unpack the mysteries of nature, discovery, and human innovation.
If you're into the unknown, the unexplained, and the unbelievable, you're in the right place.
Episodes
40 episodes
Ep 40 The science of Teeth and Health | Winthrop Professor Marc Tennant
In this episode, Winthrop Professor Marc Tennant, Chair of the Academic Board at The University of Western Australia, is one of Australia’s leading voices in public health dentistry. With over three decades dedicated to tackling health inequali...
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Episode 40
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1:13:10
Ep 39 Invasive animals and their parasites | Dr Narelle Dybing
Dr Narelle Dybing is a parasitologist whose research investigates the hidden world of parasites and the role they play in wildlife health, invasive species ecology and biosecurity. After completing her PhD at Murdoch University, her work has fo...
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Episode 39
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1:19:28
Ep 38 World's First Live Underwater Podcast
WE DID IT! The world’s first live underwater podcast — hosted by Kurt Krispyn — went to air on February 27th at 10am, broadcast directly from a seagrass meadow off Rottnest Island for World Seagrass Day. Our seagrass expert and underwater guest...
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Episode 38
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54:17
Ep 37 Spiders | Dr. Pedro de Souza Castanheira and Dr. André Wanderley do Prado
In this episode, I chat with spider researchers Dr. André Wanderley do Prado and Dr. Pedro de Souza Castanheira to explore the remarkable and often misunderstood world of spiders. André and Pedro share their journey from researching Brazil’s de...
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Episode 37
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1:17:15
Ep 36 Southern Right Whales | Max Fabry and Katy Fannei
In this episode Kurt dives into the wild coastline of Western Australia with whale researchers Katy Fannei and Max Fabry, two scientists who built a groundbreaking whale-monitoring program from scratch, fueled by passion, volunteers, and commun...
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Episode 36
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1:17:53
Ep 35 Dieback Phytophthora | Professor Treena Burgess
In this episode, I am joined by Professor Treena Burgess, Executive Director of the Harry Butler Institute at Murdoch University, and one of the world’s foremost experts on Phytophthora, to unravel the fascinating biology...
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Episode 35
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1:09:40
Ep 34 Antarctica & Oceanography | Professor Jennifer Verduin
In this episode, I sit down with Professor Jennifer Verduin, Oceanographer and Pro Vice Chancellor at Murdoch University, with a passion for seagrass. Fresh from an expedition to Antarctica as part of a global leadership program for women in ST...
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Episode 34
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50:59
Ep 33 The science of media communications | Associate Professor Tauel Harper
In a world shaped by headlines, algorithms, and endless scrolls, who really controls the narrative?Associate Professor Tauel Harper, media scholar at Murdoch University, joins Kurt Krispyn to unpack the complex intersections of democracy...
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Episode 33
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1:00:49
LIVE PODCAST - Conversation Between Trees | Professor Rachel Standish
Conversation Between Trees wasn’t just another podcast recording; it was a moment that redefined the idea of the public lecture, a tradition that has been with us for centuries. Hosted by the Harry Butler Institute at Murdoch Universit...
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Episode 32
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43:24
Ep 31 Sexology: What men should know about | clinical sexologist Dr Melissa Hadley Barrett
In a completely different field of science that I am used to, I sit down with clinical sexologist Melissa Hadley Barrett to talk about the science of sexual health and wellbeing. Melissa shares her expertise on common misconceptions around libi...
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Episode 31
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58:25
Ep 30 Cyclones and our oceans | Dr. Marji Puotinen
Cyclones are among the planet’s most powerful forces- reshaping coastlines, reefs, and ecosystems with every storm. Dr. Marji Puotinen, a spatial ecological data scientist from the Australian Institute of Marine Science, joins Paramount Imp...
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Episode 30
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1:06:48
Ep 29 Fearless exploration | Mark Synnott
In this episode, I sit down with Mark Synnott legendary professional climber, author, National Geographic Explorer, and member of The North Face Global Athlete Team. One of the most prolific big-wall first ascensionists of ...
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Episode 29
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1:23:02
Ep 28 The evolution of fish | Dr. Alexandre Siqueira
Dive into the deep past of our oceans with evolutionary biologist Dr. Axelandre Siqueira, whose work uncovers the origins and transformations of coral reef fishes over millions of years. From rare fossil records to cutting-edge genetic research...
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Episode 28
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1:27:40
Ep 27 Artificial Reefs | Dr Sean van Elden
What happens when massive oil and gas platforms reach the end of their life? Are they just scrapped or could they become thriving artificial reefs?In this episode, Kurt sits down with marine ecologist Dr. Sean Van Elden, Deputy...
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Episode 27
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1:05:14
Ep 26 Fossils and evolution | Associate Professor Natalie Warburton
Step into the strange and fascinating world of marsupials and megafauna with Associate Professor Natalie Warburton, a comparative anatomist and paleontologist at Murdoch University. From tiny jellybean-sized joeys crawling into pouches, to gian...
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Episode 26
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1:22:25
Ep 25 What I learnt sailing in French Polynesia & PhD update 2
In this special episode, marine scientist and host Kurt returns from a five-week sailing adventure through some of the most remote islands of the Pacific Ocean. From towering volcanic islands to pristine coral atolls, he shares how the journey ...
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Episode 25
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1:00:04
Ep 24 Shark Tagging | Dr Oliver Jewell
After six years, shark scientist Dr. Oliver Jewell returns to the mic with an epic deep dive into the world of sharks. From surviving the global pandemic bubble in Western Australia to uncovering a jaw-dropping great white migration fr...
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Episode 24
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2:01:00
Ep 23 Exotic animals in captivity | Dr. Phil Arena
Animal Welfare, Captivity, and the Hidden Costs of the Exotic Pet Trade. Dr. Phil Arena, biologist, academic, and animal welfare expert, for a deep and wide-ranging conversation on the complex moral landscape of human-animal relationships...
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Episode 23
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1:44:24
Ep 22 Estuaries | Dr. James Tweedley
In this episode of I sit down with my supervisor, mentor, and globally respected estuarine ecologist, Dr. James Tweedley senior lecturer at Murdoch University, for a deep and wide-ranging conversation about one of the most overlooked yet critic...
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Episode 22
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1:44:34
Ep 21 Fish parasites | Dr. Storm Martin
What is a parasite, and why do they matter? In this deeply engaging and unexpectedly funny episode, Associate Lecturer and Parasitologist Dr. Storm Martin from Murdoch University dives headfirst into the weird and wonderful world of ...
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Episode 21
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1:48:39
Ep 20 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) | Dr Leigh Sheppard
How well do we really understand OCD? In this deeply insightful episode, we sit down with Dr Leigh Sheppard, GP and Founding Director of OCD WA, to break down the science and stigma surrounding obsessive-compulsive disorder.
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Episode 20
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1:24:00
Ep 19 Fire Ecology | Dr Joe Fontaine
In this episode, Dr. Joe Fontaine - fire ecologist and senior lecturer at Murdoch University - unpacks the complex role of fire in shaping ecosystems. From smoke-triggered seed germination to species that rely on fire to survive, he explains wh...
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Episode 19
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1:20:59
Ep 18 Seagrass | Associate Professor Mike van Keulen
What if one of the most powerful tools we have against climate change lives just below the ocean’s surface? In this eye-opening episode, marine biologist Associate Professor Mike van Keulen, Chair of the IUCN Species Survi...
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Episode 18
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1:23:20
Ep 17 Scientific detection dogs | Dr. Megan Barnes
What do rare orchids, endangered reptiles, invasive species, and medical conditions have in common? They can all be sniffed out by dogs, if you train them right.In this episode, Dr. Megan Barnes, conservation ecologist and founder of Det...
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Episode 17
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1:20:21
Ep 16 Toxicology: What's in supplements and Chinese medicine | Associate Professor Garth Maker
Associate Professor Garth Maker is a leading biochemist at Murdoch University and President of the Academic Council, playing a central role in shaping the university’s academic direction and standards. His research sits at the forefront of anal...
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Episode 16
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1:00:17