Paramount Importance

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 anima...

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 Earth. A longtime contributor to National Geographic, his expeditions span the Arctic, the Amazon, and the Himalayas—where his wild expeditions have not only...

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...

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 marin...

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-e...

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 wr...

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 behavio...

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...

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—turn...

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...

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 misdi...

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...

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 shor...

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 Detection for Good, takes us deep into the fascinating world of conservation detection dogs. From dragon-hunting Labradors in Queensland to sniffing out subterranean...

Associate Professor Garth Maker is a leading biochemist at Murdoch University and President of the Academic Council, playing a central role in shaping the university’s academic direction and standards. His research sits at the forefront of analytical chemistry, using advanced mass spectrometry to uncover the true composition of herbal medicines and dietary supplements—work that is critical for con...

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 farming practices shape microbial communities and how microbes might shape the future of food production. If you're curious about what’s happening below gro...

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 capable of filtering thousands of litres of water per hour, Alan reveals how these humble creatures play a vital role in keeping our aquatic ecosystems health...

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 how corals grow, what a carbonate budget even is, and why some reefs are thriving in places we least expect. Shannon is a young and inspiring scientist and...

 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—soil microbes. From the impacts of drought, invasive species, and pathogens like dieback, to innovative efforts in mine site restoration and the promising future of Aus...

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 fire it up again. We dive into everything from fieldwork stories and estuary science to my upcoming PhD, the chaos of juggling science, side projects, and training f...

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. With over two decades of experience researching reefs like Scott Reef, Dr. Gilmour breaks down the science behind coral bleaching, ocean acidification, and w...

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 jets, cosmic rays, and the strange "blank space" that turns out to be full of invisible energy, this mind-expanding conversation breaks down so...

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 evolution, impact, and mysterious lives of domestic, stray, and feral cats. From ancient Egyptian grain stores to outback ecosystems, discover how cats went...

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 studies on native bees finding out some fascinating and bizarre facts. Along the lines of what places sting the most, where and why native bees are important, h...

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 findings of the great whites hunting in Kelp forests that has grabbed the attention across the globe.  The great White sharks generate a lot of media hype with ma...