2025 Ep 15 Soil Microbiome and the Future of Agriculture with 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 farming practices shape microbial communities and how microbes might shape the future of food production.If you're curious about what’s happening below ground and why it’s central to sustainable agriculture, this one’s worth your time.
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2025 Ep 14 The Untold Superpowers of Mussels with 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 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 healthy. We explore their fascinating life cycles, including their parasitic larval stage, and how cutting-edge technology like Spy Valve is turning mussels into real-time water quality monitors. With nearly half of freshwater mussel species under threat, Alan shares hopeful stories from the frontlines of mussel reef restoration and how smart science, community collaboration, and a bit of creativity can help turn the tide. Whether it’s restoring lost habitats, preventing fish kills, or inspiring the next generation of scientists, this episode shines a light on the extraordinary impact of some of the ocean’s most underrated heroes.
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2025 Ep 13 Turbid Reefs and Tough Corals with 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 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 she also shares her journey in marine science, her work in leadership for women in STEM, and what keeps her hopeful about the future of our oceans.
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2025 Ep 12 - Terrestrial Ecology and the Nature Repair Market with 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—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 Australia’s Nature Repair Market, this wide-ranging conversation blends deep ecological theory with practical environmental solutions. Whether you’re an ecologist, landholder, student, or curious listener, this episode offers valuable insight into how science can help heal our landscapes.
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2025 Ep 11 - We're Back: 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 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 for a half Ironman. This one's a bit of a behind-the-scenes catch-up—a way to test the mics, share the vision, and bring you along for the ride as we kick off this next chapter. This is officially the first episode recorded in 2025
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.
Australia