How to Diplomat - stories from ordinary people doing extraordinary things
How to Diplomat reveals the hidden world of diplomacy - part intrigue, part human story. Forget protocol and cocktail parties: these are candid conversations with people who’ve navigated revolutions, crises, and impossible negotiations. Host Jen Upton brings wit, honesty, and insider experience to show how the skills of diplomacy - listening, influence, connection - aren’t just for diplomats. They’re tools we all need to lead and thrive in a world that’s constantly shifting.
Episodes
The UN Diplomat: the secrets to effective negotation (and they're not what you think)
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 insight
The Crisis Diplomat: how to ignore the panic, and lead through the chaos
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 diplo
Is Diplomacy Still Worth It? Lessons From the Coalition That Defeated ISIS
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.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ben Moore's Journey04:52 Cultural Influences and Worldview07:32 Early Career in Diplomacy10:11 En
The only woman in the room: how one junior diplomat built real power
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
Nothing Ventured Podcast: Jen
Our guest for this episode is Jennifer Upton - former British diplomat, now executive coach and founder of How to DiplomatIn 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 the pressure
The Briefing: The Real Power Networks 99% of Leaders Never See
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-uptonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/howtodiplomat/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@howtodiplomatThe views expressed in this episode are the personalrefl
The Trailing Spouse: The Reinvention Strategy No-One Teaches & How to Build Your Identity Anywhere
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
The Diplomat's Dilemma: Why Being 100% Mom AND 100% Ambassador Is the Only Way That Works
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-uptonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/howtodiplomat/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@howtodiplomatMaria's contact details:LinkedIn: https://www.linked
The Australian Diplomat: Why I left my dream job after Egypt's revolutions & the hidden skill that makes diplomats unstoppable in business
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-uptonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/howtodiplomat/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@howtodiplomat-------------------------------------------------
The Secret Service Agent: How 9/11 shaped a generation & why the best agents think like diplomats
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 insig
Trailer
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 eac
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