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
25 episodes
2025 Ep 25 Sailing 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 ...
•
Episode 25
•
59:35
2025 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...
•
Episode 24
•
2:01:00
2025 Ep 23 Exotic animal trade: 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 relat...
•
Episode 23
•
1:44:24
2025 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...
•
Episode 22
•
1:44:34
2025 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 ...
•
Episode 21
•
1:48:39
2025 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.
•
Episode 20
•
1:24:00
2025 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...
•
Episode 19
•
1:20:59
2025 Ep 18 Seagrass: Assoc. Prof. 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...
•
Episode 18
•
1:23:20
2025 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...
•
Episode 17
•
1:20:21
2025 Ep 16 Toxicology- supplements and chinese medicine: Assoc. Prof. Garth Maker
What’s really in your supplements? From hidden pharmaceuticals to toxic metals and missing ingredients, Associate Professor Garth Maker from Murdoch University exposes the surprising science behind herbal medicines and over-the-count...
•
Episode 16
•
1:00:17
2025 Ep 15 Soil Microbiome: Dr. Anish Shah
Soil isn’t just dirt... It’s alive, and it matters.In this episode, Kurt talks with microbiologist Dr. Anish Shah about the soil microbiome and its influence on crop health, nutrient cycling, and agricultural resilience. They explore how fa...
•
Episode 15
•
1:18:09
2025 Ep 14 Mussels and reef restoration: Dr. Alan Cottingham
In this energising conversation with estuarine ecologist Dr. Alan Cottingham from Murdoch University, we dive into the surprising world of mussels—nature’s quiet achievers. From the long-lived Carter’s freshwater mussel to tiny pigmy mussels ca...
•
Episode 14
•
1:06:15
2025 Ep 13 Turbid coral reefs: Dr. Shannon Dee
In this episode, I sit down with my good friend and coral expert Dr. Shannon Dee to dive into the world of turbid reefs—those cloudy, hard-to-study ecosystems that might actually hold the key to coral survival in a changing climate. We get into...
•
Episode 13
•
1:08:22
2025 Ep 12 - Terrestrial Ecology: Professor Rachel Standish
In this episode of Paramount Importance, Kurt sits down with Professor Rachel Standish from Murdoch University to explore the fascinating world of biodiversity, ecological restoration, and the silent workhorses of our environment...
•
Episode 12
•
54:53
2025 Ep 11 - The Return of Paramount Importance and 1st PhD update
In this episode, I’m back in the studio after five years to officially relaunch Paramount Importance! I sit down with my good mate (and now producer) Dan to talk about how this podcast started, why I stopped, and what’s driving me to f...
•
Episode 11
•
39:31
2025 Ep 10 - Coral Reefs: Dr. James Gilmour
In this episode, Kurt is joined by Dr. James Gilmour from the Australian Institute of Marine Science to dive deep into the world of coral reefs—from what they are and how they function, to the mounting pressures they face from climate change. W...
•
Episode 10
•
55:01
2025 Ep 9 - Space Dr. Amanda Wilber
What if you could see the universe—not with your eyes—but with radio waves? In this episode, Kurt sits down with astrophysicist Dr. Amanda Wilber to explore the hidden side of the cosmos. From mysterious black holes and galaxy clusters to radio...
•
Episode 9
•
1:21:59
2025 Ep 8 Cats with Emeritus Prof. Mike Calver and Dr. Heather Crawford
Cuddly companions or cunning killers? Kurt dives deep into the wild, weird, and dangerous world of cats in Australia. With special guests Emeritus Professor Mike Calver and Dr. Heather Crawford from Murdoch University, this episode unpacks the ...
•
Episode 8
•
45:10
2019 Ep 7 - Native bees: Dr. Kit Prendergast
On this episode I speak to Bee expert Kit Prendergast about Australia’s native bees. We are all familiar with the honey bee but Australia is home to many native bees that are vitally important to our ecosystem. I chat to kit discussing her stud...
•
Episode 7
•
55:43
2019 Ep 6 - Great White Sharks with Dr. Oliver Jewell
On this episode I speak to Great White Shark expert Oliver Jewell. Oliver has been researching Great Whites for over 10 years around the world, tagging, tracking and learning to understand their behaviour, he recently published the first findin...
•
Episode 6
•
1:45:24
2019 Ep 5 - Snakes and Lizards with Reptile Photographer and public eductor Ross McGibbon
Ross McGibbon is a wildlife photographer who specializes in reptiles, a public educator in reptile awareness and conservation, as well as a career firefighter. He previously worked as a professional snake handler and has now had articles and ph...
•
Episode 5
•
1:22:31
2019 Ep 4 - Life on Mars with Mars One candidate Josh Richards
Building a civilisation on Mars is not a far fetch idea with international organisation Mars One aiming to land the first humans in 2032, Josh Richards has dedicated his life to this mission and be one of the first humans to live on Mars.
•
Episode 4
•
1:32:58
2019 Ep 3 - Entrepreneur of The Surf Meal co. Steele Walster
Steele spent 8 years in the Australian army which he shares some interesting stories finding unexplored chemical warfare relics within Australia and how his life’s experiences led to the start of the Surf Meal co. Big wave surfer Henry Davies a...
•
Episode 3
•
1:19:48
2019 Ep 2 - Shark Scientist Michael Heldsinger
Shark scientist Michael Heldsinger, Marine scientist Lachie Ramm and myself (Kurt Krispyn) discuss sharks and all things about sharks, we start with discussing Michaels study on the Seven Gill Shark over in New Zealand, as well as shark hot spo...
•
Episode 2
•
1:26:10
2019 Ep 1 - Professor Charitha Pattiaratchi on the science behind waves, tides, climate change and the missing plane MH370
Professor Charitha Pattiaratchi of the University of Western Australia for over 30 years, is a highly regarded Professor on Oceanography and has been published in more than 300 journals including over 100 peer-reviewed international journals. H...
•
Episode 1
•
1:39:07
