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.

How to Diplomat - stories from ordinary people doing extraordinary things is a news podcast hosted by JenUpton, with 11 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

JenUpton hosts How to Diplomat - stories from ordinary people doing extraordinary things, a news show with 11 episodes published.

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  Episode #9

  The UN Diplomat: the secrets to effective negotation (and they're not what you think)

  Jan 16, 202654 minS1

  <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 newsletter, Diplomatic Dispatches.</p><p>Simon Cleobury is now Head of Arms Control and Disarmament at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy a...

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  Episode #8

  The Crisis Diplomat: how to ignore the panic, and lead through the chaos

  Jan 8, 202655 minS1

  <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...

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  Episode #7

  Is Diplomacy Still Worth It? Lessons From the Coalition That Defeated ISIS

  Dec 11, 202557 minS1

  <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 Mili...

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  Episode #6

  The only woman in the room: how one junior diplomat built real power

  Oct 31, 202542 minS1

  <p>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.</p><p>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 translate from diplomatic corridors to corporate boardrooms.</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 newsletter, Diplomatic Dispatches.</p><p>You can also fin...

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  Episode #6

  Nothing Ventured Podcast: Jen

  Oct 17, 202548 minS1

  <p>Our guest for this episode is Jennifer Upton - former British diplomat, now executive coach and founder of How to Diplomat<br>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 the pressure’s on.</p><p>As Jen says, she was “posted to places I wouldn’t get to see on holiday” - and some of those postings came with extraordinary challenges. She shares what it wa...

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