Paramount Importance

In this episode, I sit down with Ursula Rodrigues, a fire ecologist whose PhD research explores the intersection of Western ecological science and Indigenous knowledge systems. Through close collaboration with Noongar Elders, families, and land caretakers, Ursula has helped advance a two-way learning approach to cultural fire management, using methods such as ecological monitoring, mapping, and yarning to build a deeper understanding of how people can care for Country. Together, ...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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...