Paramount Importance

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 experience joining a local French Polynesian spearfishing competition that was nothing like he imagined.
Back on shore, the conversation shifts to his new PhD journey, focused on classifying and conserving the unique estuaries of Western Australia. He reveals why these ecosystems are overlooked despite their vital role, the challenges of funding field research, and his vision for making science accessible, exciting, and impactful. Adventure, culture, conservation, and cutting-edge science all converge in a story that will change how you see the ocean — and the waterways in your own backyard. 

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 unexpected places, how a shark can eat a whole bull shark, and whether great whites have personalities (spoiler: some don’t get along!). With mind-blowing science, global fieldwork, and real conservation insights, this episode is packed with energy, laughs, and revelations.

A must-listen for shark lovers, marine science nerds, and anyone who's ever wondered what's lurking below the surface.

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 He explains how outdated “folklore husbandry”, the repetition of unscientific pet-keeping practices — continues to drive poor welfare outcomes, especially for snakes, lizards, and turtles.

This episode dives deep into:

• Why 75% of reptiles die within their first year in captivity
• How myths in the pet trade lead to inadequate enclosures and misunderstood needs
• The concept of “control deprivation” and why space and environmental complexity matter for captive animals
• How animals like skinks, pythons, and crocodiles exhibit stress, social hierarchies, and even play behaviour
• The illegal wildlife trade, now the fourth-largest black market industry globally, and its shocking reach — from king cobras to coconut crabs
• How invasive species like red-eared sliders and Burmese pythons end up dominating ecosystems due to careless trade practices
• Why laws, policy loopholes, and corruption continue to make the exotic pet trade difficult to regulate

Dr. Arena also shares personal experiences from reptile farms and wildlife markets across the world, and explains the moral dilemmas facing conservation efforts today — including the ethics of captive breeding, habitat loss, and whether individuals keeping endangered species as pets really helps or harms biodiversity.

This conversation challenges long-held assumptions, uncovers uncomfortable truths, and invites listeners to think more deeply about the consequences of keeping wild animals in controlled environments.

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, and fascinating. In this episode, we explore why estuaries matter—ecologically, economically, and culturally—and unpack some of the challenges scientists face when even defining what an estuary is.

We cover topics like nutrient cycling, fish nurseries, freshwater inflows, tidal limits, and ecosystem services, as well as broader discussions around human impacts, legislation, climate threats, and the global estuary squeeze. Whether you’re a scientist, student, policymaker, or just someone who loves the coast, this conversation is packed with insight, clarity, and a few laughs too.

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 origins and mind-blowing complexity of parasite life cycles (including the ones that require three hosts and a heron), the difference between parasites and predators, and why losing parasites might signal the collapse of an ecosystem.

Whether you're a biologist, ecologist, or just curious, this episode will challenge your assumptions and make you rethink everything you thought you knew about life, death, and worms.

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 of OCD, misconceptions in pop culture, and how OCD is one of the most disabling yet treatable conditions.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about mental health, the science of the mind, or how one person can spark change through courage, advocacy, and honesty.

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 discovery of WA’s sunset frog, and the ecological consequences of burning too often - or not enough.

And yes - he really did sprint through the Sierra Nevada wilderness chasing a bear.

This is a rich conversation about the science, stories, and cultural insight needed to truly understand fire - and how we might better live with it.

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 to pollution, warming oceans, and human development. Mike walks us through the good, the bad, the successful and the not-so-successful sides of research and restoration, from large-scale transplant efforts to citizen science campaigns, and the limits of what we can save.

With stories from Shark Bay, Indonesia, the Maldives and beyond, this episode brings to light the importance, complexity, and urgency of seagrass conservation  and why we all benefit from protecting the ecosystems we rarely see.

Whether you’re into marine biology, climate action, or just love learning about the world beneath the waves, this is an episode you won’t forget.

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 orchids in Western Australia, Megan’s work sits at the intersection of ecology, animal behaviour, and cutting-edge field science.

We unpack the surprisingly complex science behind training dogs for precision detection, the logistical and ethical challenges of deploying them in the wild, and why the only true limits of this field might be our own imagination. Whether it's tracking invasive ants, preventing bird deaths at wind farms, or detecting oil beneath ice, dogs are fast becoming an indispensable part of the scientific toolkit.

This is a story about curiosity, innovation, and the untapped power of the canine nose, and how it could transform the way we do conservation and research forever.

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 consumer safety and regulation. By bridging cutting-edge science with real-world impact, he is helping redefine how we understand “natural” products and their effects on human health.