How to Diplomat - stories from ordinary people doing extraordinary things

Simon and I properly geek out on UN-ery: what silenceprocedure actually means and how annoying it is when someone breaks it, how resolutions go into blue , how resolutions are actually written, what really happens in those back-corridor negotiations AND a hugely awkward storyinvolving a missing coat and a foreign minister. I write more deeply about what I learn from my intervieweesalong with insig...

In this conversation, John Devine shares his journey from aworking-class upbringing in Glasgow to becoming the head of the Scottish Government's office in Canada. He discusses his experiences in the Foreign Office, the challenges of consular work, and the emotional toll it can take. John reflects on his leadership style, the importance of crisis management, and his experiences with high-level dipl...

Ben Moore, once a US diplomat and now San Diego’s Global Affairs brain, joins me for a conversation about cat herding, goat rodeos, and why diplomacy still matters even when everyone pretends it doesn’t. This episode is for the diplomats doing the hard, invisible graft. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ben Moore's Journey 04:52 Cultural Influences and Worldview 07:32 Early Career in Diplomacy 10...

Jenny Wilcox reveals the hidden reality of diplomatic life—where managing powerful personalities, navigating male-dominated spaces, and leading through crises requires mastering the small details that make big outcomes possible. From her early days in the Foreign Secretary's private office to serving as Deputy High Commissioner during international crises, she shares the unexpected skills that...

Our guest for this episode is  Jennifer Upton  - former British diplomat, now executive coach and founder of  How to Diplomat In this warm and deeply human conversation,  Rebecca Rees  and  Caroline Bridge  talk with  Jen Upton  - a former British diplomat who has been posted to some of the world’s toughest countries and now helps leaders and teams communicate, influence, and stay grounded when th...

I write more deeply about what I learn from my intervieweesalong with insights from 20+ years as a diplomat and army officer - in my weekly  newsletter , Diplomatic Dispatches. You can also find me here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-s-upton Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howtodiplomat/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@howtodiplomat The views expressed in this episode are the person...

In this conversation, Carlos and Jennifer explore the complexities of life as a spouse in the foreign service, discussing the accountability paradox, the importance of adaptability, and the challenges of maintaining a professional identity while supporting a partner's career. They delve into personal growth, the dynamics of relationships in a foreign context, and the need for policy changes to...

I write more deeply about what I learn from my intervieweesalong with insights from 20+ years as a diplomat and army officer - in my weekly  newsletter , Diplomatic Dispatches. You can also find me here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-s-upton Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howtodiplomat/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@howtodiplomat Maria's contact details: LinkedIn: https://ww...

I write more deeply about what I learn from my intervieweesalong with insights from 20+ years as a diplomat and army officer - in my weekly  ⁠newsletter⁠ , Diplomatic Dispatches. You can also find me here:LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-s-upton⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/howtodiplomat/⁠ Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@howtodiplomat -------------------------------------------...

In this episode, I chat with John Constantine - former US Secret Service Agent, leadership pro, and someone I’ve (apparently) known for over a decade without realising it. We cover leadership, ego, cultural diplomacy… and the time one of his colleagues elbowed me in the face in New York. ------------------------------------- I write more deeply about what I learn from my interviewees along with in...

Welcome to How to Diplomat! I’m Jen Upton - former army officer and diplomat with 20 years in the field. This podcast isn’t about the handshakes on red carpets or the headlines you already know. It’s about the unsung heroes of diplomacy - the people who worked behind the scenes in revolutions, disaster zones, and tense negotiations. Ordinary people who found themselves in extraordinary moments. In...