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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.
37 Episodes
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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 dense, biodiverse forests to working hands-on with Western Australia’s unique species at the WA Museum, where live specimens, fieldwork, and careful taxonomy all play a role in uncovering new insights into arachnid life. We dive into what it is like to w...
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 community pilots. From flying light aircraft over 450 km of coastline to navigating remote beaches with drones and 4WDs, Katharina and Max reveal how a chance meeting led to a unique collaboration linking whale behavior with estuaries, drones, and citizen sci...
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 and devastating impact of this plant pathogen. Together, they explore what makes it so persistent, how it spreads, and why climate change and human activity have amplified its reach. From the challenges of containment and restoration to new research uncovering potential resi...
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 STEMM, Jennifer shares what it was like to stand among thousands of penguins, witness icebergs the size of cities, and confront the stark realities of a changing climate. Together, we explore the emotional and scientific impact of seeing global warming up...
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, persuasion, and misinformation. From political spin and media ownership to social media’s sway over truth and trust, they explore how our beliefs are shaped, and how we can sharpen our critical thinking in an age of constant noise. A thought-provoking conve...
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 University, this was the first live podcast I’ve ever done, and it was an experience that meant so much to both Rachel and me. Together, in front of a vibrant, engaged audience, we celebrated Rachel’s promotion to Professor while weaving science, storytelling, and laught...
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 libido, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer recovery, the role of hormones, and how lifestyle factors influence intimacy. The discussion highlights the importance of open conversation, evidence-based care, and a broader understanding of sexual health as a...
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 Importance to break down what cyclones really are, how they form, why they differ from hurricanes and typhoons, and what they mean for coral reefs, migratory animals, and our changing climate. From the physics of waves and storm tracks to the surprising ways c...
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 generation, Mark has pioneered routes on some of the most remote and untouched cliffs on Earth. He has climbed Yosemite’s El Capitan alongside Alex Honnold, summited Everest, searched the mountain’s north face for Sandy Irvine’s lost camera, and even spent seven years l...
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, Alexandra explains how mass extinctions, shifting climates, and reef expansion shaped the dazzling diversity of species we see today. In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore how fish evolved new feeding strategies, why coral reefs act as “fish ...
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 Director at the Marine Futures Lab at the University of Western Australia, to dive into the hidden world of decommissioned rigs and their surprising role as oases of marine life. From coral growth on steel legs to turtles, sharks, and even unexpected behaviours caught...
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 giant wombats and kangaroos that once roamed Australia, Natalie reveals the evolutionary secrets written in bones. We explore bizarre adaptations like termite-eating numbats, the underground world of marsupial moles, and even tree-climbing kangaroos on the ...
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 reshaped his perception of the vast blue ocean, through to diving the 'Shark Wall' in Fakarava. There are breathtaking encounters with Humphead wrasse, revered as “kings of the reef,” lessons learned spearfishing Dogtooth tuna, and a surprising experien...
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 from South Africa to Indonesia, Oliver shares wild stories from the field, including camera tags, bull sharks in rivers, and surprising discoveries about shark behavior, social dynamics, and mysterious migrations. We explore why tiger sharks are turning up in unex...
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. With decades of experience in both fieldwork and ethical inquiry, Dr. Arena sheds light on the unseen suffering of reptiles, amphibians, and exotic animals in private collections and institutions alike. He explains how outdated “folklore husband...
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 critically important ecosystems on Earth: estuaries. From the moment I stepped into his lab as an undergrad, James completely changed the way I saw the world—turning what I once thought were just “dirty puddles” into ecosystems that are dynamic, essential, an...
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 parasitism. From fish tongue-biters to feather lice, from malaria to zombie snails, we explore what defines a parasite, how parasites shape entire ecosystems, and why most of Earth’s biodiversity might actually be parasitic. Storm breaks down the evolutionary ori...
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. From her own journey living with undiagnosed OCD for over 30 years to founding a support and education network for those affected, Leigh shares powerful reflections on misdiagnosis, lived experience, and the importance of evidence-based care. We explore the neurobiology o...
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 why fire isn’t just a threat - it’s a critical part of life. We dive into cultural burning, fire frequency, and how new tools like drones could reshape how we manage bushfires. Joe also discusses the alarming collapse of peat wetlands, the incredible disc...
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 Survival Commission Seagrass Specialist Group joins Kurt for a deep dive into the world of seagrasses: the unsung heroes of our coastlines. Seagrasses stabilise sediment, protect shorelines, support fisheries, and store staggering amounts of carbon, but they’re also vulnerable t...
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