Paramount Importance
Episodes
Ep 42 How Algae is Going to Change our Future | Professor Navid Moheimani
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Navid Moheimani is a leading algal biotechnologist at Murdoch University and a global authority on microalgae, working at the forefront of s...
Ep 41 Bird Conservation | Dr Rochelle Steven
06 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Rochelle Steven, Lecturer in Environmental and Conservation Science at Murdoch University, one of Australia’s ...
Ep 40 The science of Teeth and Health | Winthrop Professor Marc Tennant
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Winthrop Professor Marc Tennant, Chair of the Academic Board at The University of Western Australia, is one of Australia’s leading ...
Ep 39 Invasive animals and their parasites | Dr Narelle Dybing
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Narelle Dybing is a parasitologist whose research investigates the hidden world of parasites and the role they play in wildlife health, invasive sp...
Ep 38 World's First Live Underwater Podcast
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Announcement
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hi everyone, this has been an amazing year. We have reached 1000s of listeners spanning over 72 countries in less than eight months. We started this a...
2025 Ep 37 Spiders: Dr. Pedro de Souza Castanheira and Dr. André Wanderley do Prado
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 m...
2025 Ep 36 Southern Right Whales: Max Fabry and Katy Fannei
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 g...
2025 Ep 35 Dieback Phytophthora: Prof. Treena Burgess
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
2025 Ep 34 Antarctica & Oceanography: Professor Jennifer Verduin
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I sit down with Professor Jennifer Verduin, Oceanographer and Pro Vice Chancellor at Murdoch University, with a passion for seagrass....
2025 Ep 33 Media manipulation: Assoc. Prof. Tauel Harper
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In a world shaped by headlines, algorithms, and endless scrolls, who really controls the narrative?Associate Professor Tauel Harper, media scholar at ...
LIVE PODCAST - Conversation Between Trees - Professor Rachel Standish
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Conversation Between Trees wasn’t just another podcast recording; it was a moment that redefined the idea of the public lecture, a tradition that ha...
2025 Ep 31 Sexology: Clinical sexologist Melissa Hadley Barrett
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
2025 Ep 30 Cyclones: Dr. Marji Puotinen
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cyclones are among the planet’s most powerful forces- reshaping coastlines, reefs, and ecosystems with every storm. Dr. Marji Puotinen, a spatial ec...
2025 Ep 29 Fearless Exploration: Mark Synnott
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I sit down with Mark Synnott legendary professional climber, author, National Geographic Explorer, and member of The North Face Globa...
2025 Ep 28 Fish Evolution: Dr. Alexandre Siqueira
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dive into the deep past of our oceans with evolutionary biologist Dr. Axelandre Siqueira, whose work uncovers the origins and transformations of coral...
2025 Ep 27 Rigs to Reef: Dr Sean van Elden
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
2025 Ep 26 Evolution & Palaeontology: Assoc. Prof. Natalie Warburton
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Step into the strange and fascinating world of marsupials and megafauna with Associate Professor Natalie Warburton, a comparative anatomist and paleon...
2025 Ep 25 Sailing French Polynesia & PhD update 2
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Paci...
2025 Ep 24 Shark Tagging: Dr Oliver Jewell
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 pande...
2025 Ep 23 Exotic animals in captivity: Dr. Phil Arena
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Animal Welfare, Captivity, and the Hidden Costs of the Exotic Pet Trade. Dr. Phil Arena, biologist, academic, and animal welfare expert, for a deep ...
2025 Ep 22 Estuaries! Dr. James Tweedley
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of I sit down with my supervisor, mentor, and globally respected estuarine ecologist, Dr. James Tweedley senior lecturer at Murdoch Un...
2025 Ep 21 Fish parasites: Dr. Storm Martin
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What is a parasite, and why do they matter? In this deeply engaging and unexpectedly funny episode, Associate Lecturer and Parasitologist Dr. Storm Ma...
2025 Ep 20 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Dr. Leigh Sheppard
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 br...
2025 Ep 19 Fire Ecology Dr. Joe Fontaine
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Joe Fontaine - fire ecologist and senior lecturer at Murdoch University - unpacks the complex role of fire in shaping ecosystems....
2025 Ep 18 Seagrass: Assoc. Prof. Mike van Keulen
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 biol...
2025 Ep 17 Scientific detection dogs: Dr. Megan Barnes
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
2025 Ep 16 Toxicology- supplements and chinese medicine: Assoc. Prof. Garth Maker
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What’s really in your supplements? From hidden pharmaceuticals to toxic metals and missing ingredients, Associate Professor Garth Maker from Murdoch...
2025 Ep 15 Soil Microbiome: Dr. Anish Shah
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 it...
2025 Ep 14 Mussels and reef restoration: Dr. Alan Cottingham
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this energising conversation with estuarine ecologist Dr. Alan Cottingham from Murdoch University, we dive into the surprising world of mussels—n...
2025 Ep 13 Turbid coral reefs: Dr. Shannon Dee
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
2025 Ep 12 - Terrestrial Ecology: Professor Rachel Standish
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Paramount Importance, Kurt sits down with Professor Rachel Standish from Murdoch University to explore the fascinating world of b...
2025 Ep 11 - The Return of Paramount Importance and 1st PhD update
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
2025 Ep 10 - Coral Reefs: Dr. James Gilmour
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
2025 Ep 9 - Looking into deep space Dr. Amanda Wilber
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
2025 Ep 8 Cats with Emeritus Prof. Mike Calver and Dr. Heather Crawford
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cuddly companions or cunning killers? Kurt dives deep into the wild, weird, and dangerous world of cats in Australia. With special guests Emeritus Pro...
2019 Ep 7 - Native bees: Dr. Kit Prendergast
15 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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...
2019 Ep 6 - Great White Sharks with Dr. Oliver Jewell
18 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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, taggin...
2019 Ep 5 - Snakes and Lizards with Reptile Photographer and public eductor Ross McGibbon
24 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Ross McGibbon is a wildlife photographer who specializes in reptiles, a public educator in reptile awareness and conservation, as well as a career fir...
2019 Ep 4 - Life on Mars with Mars One candidate Josh Richards
09 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 Richard...
2019 Ep 3 - Entrepreneur of The Surf Meal co. Steele Walster
05 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Steele spent 8 years in the Australian army which he shares some interesting stories finding unexplored chemical warfare relics within Australia and h...
2019 Ep 2 - Shark Scientist Michael Heldsinger
24 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Shark scientist Michael Heldsinger, Marine scientist Lachie Ramm and myself (Kurt Krispyn) discuss sharks and all things about sharks, we start with d...
2019 Ep 1 - Professor Charitha Pattiaratchi on the science behind waves, tides, climate change and the missing plane MH370
06 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Charitha Pattiaratchi of the University of Western Australia for over 30 years, is a highly regarded Professor on Oceanography and has been ...