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.
How to Diplomat - stories from ordinary people doing extraordinary things
Claim This Podcastby JenUpton
11 episodes
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Podcast Overview
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.
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Publishing Since
8/21/2025
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Recent Episodes
January 16, 2026
The UN Diplomat: the secrets to effective negotation (and they're not what you think)
<p>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.</p><p>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 <a href="https://howtodiplomat.kit.com/profile?_gl=1*17coie*_gcl_au*NTkxNjk0OTUxLjE3NDk4MjY1OTUuMTk2MzI4OTgwNS4xNzU3NDIwNzg2LjE3NTc0MjA3ODY." target="_blank">newsletter</a>, Diplomatic Dispatches.</p><p>Simon Cleobury is now Head of Arms Control and Disarmament at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy and runs the course Diplomatic Tradecraft for Non-Diplomats. Sign up for the next course here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gcsp.ch/courses/diplomatic-tradecraft-non-diplomats-2026">https://www.gcsp.ch/courses/diplomatic-tradecraft-non-diplomats-2026</a></p><p> You can also find me here:<br>LinkedIn: <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-s-upton">www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-s-upton</a>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/howtodiplomat/">https://www.instagram.com/howtodiplomat/</a>Youtube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@howtodiplomat">https://www.youtube.com/@howtodiplomat</a></p><p>The views expressed in this episode are the personalreflections of the guest. They do not represent the official positions of theUK Foreign Office or any government. </p><p></p>
January 8, 2026
The Crisis Diplomat: how to ignore the panic, and lead through the chaos
<p>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.</p><p>John reflects on his leadership style, the importance of crisis management, and his experiences with high-level diplomatic events. He also shares insights from his personal journey on the Camino, emphasizing the significance of self-discovery and the impact of his career on his life choices. </p><p>Throughout the conversation, John offers valuable advice for aspiring diplomats, encouraging them to embrace their backgrounds and pursue opportunities in internationalrelations.</p><p>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 <a href="https://howtodiplomat.kit.com/profile?_gl=1*17coie*_gcl_au*NTkxNjk0OTUxLjE3NDk4MjY1OTUuMTk2MzI4OTgwNS4xNzU3NDIwNzg2LjE3NTc0MjA3ODY." target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">newsletter</a>, Diplomatic Dispatches.</p><p>You can also find me here:<br />LinkedIn: <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-s-upton" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-s-upton</a>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/howtodiplomat/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/howtodiplomat/</a>Youtube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@howtodiplomat" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@howtodiplomat</a></p><p>The views expressed in this episode are the personalreflections of the guest. They do not represent the official positions of the UK Foreign Office or any government. </p><p>This podcast shares human stories and transferable lessons from diplomacy - not day-to-day operational details</p>
December 11, 2025
Is Diplomacy Still Worth It? Lessons From the Coalition That Defeated ISIS
<p>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.<br>This episode is for the diplomats doing the hard, invisible graft.</p><p>Chapters</p><p><br></p><p>00:00 Introduction to Ben Moore's Journey</p><p>04:52 Cultural Influences and Worldview</p><p>07:32 Early Career in Diplomacy</p><p>10:11 Engaging with Adversaries in Diplomacy</p><p>13:00 Experiences in New York and Syria</p><p>15:35 The Coalition Against ISIS</p><p>18:15 Bridging Civilian and Military Perspectives</p><p>21:08 Challenges and Successes in the Coalition</p><p>23:52 The Importance of Dialogue in Diplomacy</p><p>26:45 Field Experiences and Forward Deployment</p><p>28:15 Building Trust on the Ground</p><p>30:55 Understanding Local Needs</p><p>34:44 The Role of Diplomacy in Crisis</p><p>34:56 The Importance of Diplomacy for National Security</p><p>39:22 Long-Term Solutions to Migration Issues</p><p>40:32 Transitioning from National to Local Diplomacy</p><p>45:24 Engaging the Community in Global Issues</p><p>47:32 Skills from Diplomacy Applied Locally</p><p>52:54 Advice for Future Generations</p><p>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 <a href="https://howtodiplomat.kit.com/profile?_gl=1*17coie*_gcl_au*NTkxNjk0OTUxLjE3NDk4MjY1OTUuMTk2MzI4OTgwNS4xNzU3NDIwNzg2LjE3NTc0MjA3ODY." target="_blank">newsletter</a>, Diplomatic Dispatches.</p><p>You can also find me here:<br>LinkedIn: <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-s-upton">www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-s-upton</a>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/howtodiplomat/">https://www.instagram.com/howtodiplomat/</a>Youtube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@howtodiplomat">https://www.youtube.com/@howtodiplomat</a></p><p>The views expressed in this episode are the personalreflections of the guest. They do not represent the official positions of the UK Foreign Office or any government. </p><p>This podcast shares human stories and transferable lessonsfrom diplomacy - not day-to-day operational details.</p><p> </p><p></p>
11 total episodes available
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