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
44 episodes
Ep 44 Birds, Storms and Wind Farms: The Science of Aeroecology | Professor Judy Shamoun-Baranes
Professor Judy Shamoun-Baranes is a world-leading aeroecologist and Professor of Animal Movement Ecology at the University of Amsterdam, where she leads research into how animals move through one of Earth’s least visible habitats: the air. Her ...
Ep 43 Newborn Survival: Infection, Immunity & Innovation | Prof Tobias Strunk & Prof Andrew Currie
Professor Tobias Strunk and Professor Andrew Currie are world-leading researchers in neonatal medicine and immunology, working at the forefront of one of the most critical and underexplored areas of science—how we protect the most vulnerable hu...
Ep 42 How Algae is going to Change our Future | Professor Navid Moheimani
Professor Navid Moheimani is a leading algal biotechnologist at Murdoch University and a global authority on microalgae, working at the forefront of sustainable innovation across energy, agriculture, and environmental management. His research e...
Ep 41 Bird Conservation | Dr Rochelle Steven
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Rochelle Steven, Lecturer in Environmental and Conservation Science at Murdoch University, one of Australia’s leading conservation scientists working at the intersection of avian ecology, biodiversity, citize...
Ep 40 The Importance of Oral 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Ep 35 The Hidden Disease Destroying Our Forests | Professor Treena Burgess
Professor Treena Burgess Executive Director of the Harry Butler Institute at Murdoch University, is a leading plant pathologist at Murdoch University and a globally recognised expert in forest health, biosecurity, and invasive plant dise...
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...
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...
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...
Ep 31 Sexology: What you should know about | Dr Melissa Hadley Barrett
Dr Melissa Hadley Barrett is a clinical sexologist, educator, and leading voice in sexual health and wellbeing, specialising in male sexual function, relationships, and ageing. Her work focuses on the science of intimacy—challenging misconcepti...
Ep 30 Cyclones and Coral Reefs | 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...
Ep 29 World’s Most Dangerous Expeditions | Mark Synnott (Nat Geo Explorer & North Face Athlete)
Mark Synnott is one of the world’s most accomplished explorers, elite climbers, and a member of the The North Face Global Athlete Team, internationally recognised for pioneering first ascents on some of the most remote and untouched cliffs on E...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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.