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
32 episodes
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
2025 Ep 31 Sexology: Clinical sexologist 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
2025 Ep 30 Cyclones: 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
2025 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 his gen...
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Episode 29
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1:23:02
2025 Ep 28 Fish Evolution: 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
2025 Ep 27 Rigs to Reef: 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
2025 Ep 26 Evolution & Palaeontology: Assoc. Prof. 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
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 ...
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Episode 25
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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...
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Episode 24
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2:01:00
2025 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
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...
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Episode 22
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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 ...
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Episode 21
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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.
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Episode 20
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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...
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Episode 19
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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...
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Episode 18
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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...
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Episode 17
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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...
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Episode 16
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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...
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Episode 15
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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...
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Episode 14
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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...
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Episode 13
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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...
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Episode 12
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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...
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Episode 11
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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...
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Episode 10
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55:01
2025 Ep 9 - Looking into deep 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 rad...
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Episode 9
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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 ...
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Episode 8
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45:10