Explore every episode of the podcast Leigh Turner diplomacy and writing

One of my most popular TikTok videos is called "How to learn languages". Maybe people like it because I reveal how difficult I myself find learning them! My book "Lessons in Diplomacy" contains several stories showing how hopeless I've always been at learning grammar for e.g. German or Turkish. But I've clawed my way to a reasonable command of lots of languages despite that handicap. Key lesson: try a few different techniques; and never believe you can't learn a new language.

For more about real-life diplomacy and the nuts and bolts of what diplomats and ambassadors really do, check out my book "Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties". ⁠https://geni.us/LessonsinDiplomacy.

#languages #learning #diplomacy #lessonsindiplomacy #booktok

When I published a video on my Instagram saying "Anyone can be a diplomat", I got a lot of support - and a lot of pushback. Some people found the idea that anyone could be a diplomat empowering. Others said "it's just not true. You have to know the right people." Which is true?

For more about real-life diplomacy and the nuts and bolts of what diplomats and ambassadors really do, check out my book "Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties". https://geni.us/LessonsinDiplomacy

Being the most powerful country in the world may sound appealing. But there are downsides, too. "Many people couldn't believe that the US was as vulnerable as 9/11 seemed to suggest. But another factor was at play, too.: reflex anti-Americanism." From Chapter 15 of ⁠⁠⁠⁠Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties⁠⁠⁠⁠: "How to make diplomacy reflect our changing world". #antiamericanism #topnation #diplomacy #lessonsindiplomacy #diplomat #diplomats #diplomacybooks #booksaboutdiplomacy #booktok #books

Why did the US bomb Iran? We can learn much from the failed US intervention in Somalia in the early 1990s, culminating in the Battle of Mogadishu. This podcast is adapted from part of Chapter 15 of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: "How to make diplomacy reflect our changing world". #Iran #trump #diplomacy #ambassador #ambassadors #diplomat #diplomats #diplomat #booksfordiplomacy #diplomacybook #booksaboutdiplomacy

Listen to Chapters 2 and 3 of my Berlin thriller "Blood Summit", with diplomat action hero Helen Gale. The Prologue and Chapter 1 are in the previous podcast. You can find "Blood Summit" ⁠on Amazon⁠. #writing #writingtips #thrillers #thriller #international #books #book #booktok #Berlin #Germany

Listen to the Prologue and Chapter 1 of my Berlin thriller "Blood Summit", with diplomat action hero Helen Gale. Chapters 2 and 3 will be in a future podcast. You can find "Blood Summit" on Amazon. #writing #writingtips #thrillers #thriller #international #books #book #booktok #Berlin #Germany

"President Putin's unprovoked invasions of Ukraine in 2014 and 2022 turned diplomacy on its head. In response, countries supporting Ukraine must show strategic patience... and explore how the Russian leader got his decision so wrong." From Chapter 5 of ⁠⁠⁠Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties⁠⁠⁠: "How to understand Putin's war on Ukraine". #Ukraine #Russia #Putin #diplomacy #ambassador #ambassadors #diplomat #diplomats #diplomat #booksfordiplomacy #diplomacybook #booksaboutdiplomacy

"The fact that many ordinary Russians fear that the alternative to authoritarianism is chaos in part reflects their grim experience of the 1990s." From Chapter 4 of Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties⁠⁠⁠: "How (not) to introduce democracy". #diplomacy #ambassador #ambassadors #diplomat #diplomats #diplomat #booksfordiplomacy #diplomacybook #booksaboutdiplomacy #Russia #authoritarianism #economicreform #reform

"I was surprised to find a political adviser telling off a senior cabinet minister in this way. I was even more surprised when [Boris] Johnson ate humble pie, apologising profusely even though it was not his fault." From Chapter 3 of "⁠⁠Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties⁠⁠": "How to fail at geopolitical change: Brexit". #diplomacy #ambassador #ambassadors #diplomat #diplomats #diplomat #booksfordiplomacy #diplomacybook #booksaboutdiplomacy #Brexit

"Should you ever get a chance to take part in a counter-terrorism exercise, step forward... but never volunteer to be a hostage." From Chapter 2 of "⁠⁠Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties⁠⁠": "How to Tackle Terrorism". #diplomacy #ambassador #ambassadors #diplomat #diplomats #diplomat #booksfordiplomacy #diplomacybook #booksaboutdiplomacy #terrorism

"A bomb has exploded in Ankara. A big one. City centre." My colleague from the British embassy in the capital of Turkey, five hours' drive to the east, sounded shaken. "Should we declare a crisis?" From Chapter 1 of "⁠Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties⁠": "How to Survive a Crisis". #diplomacy #ambassador #ambassadors #diplomat #diplomats #diplomat #booksfordiplomacy #diplomacybook #booksaboutdiplomacy #crisis #crisismanagement #Turkey

Meet Ray: "a shambling, swarthy, sunken-eyed bear of a man... the first thing I saw when I peered into the cab was his butcher's arms: broad and sheened with sweat". One of a host of fascinating characters who taught me the lessons in the book "Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties". #diplomacy #ambassador #ambassadors #diplomat #diplomats #diplomat #booksfordiplomacy #diplomacybook #booksaboutdiplomacy

Costa Rica is home to some of the most spectacular natural beauty on the planet, as well as teeming with wildlife and world-class beaches. The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum in San Jose is a marvel of design and beauty. On the Pacific Coast, you can watch both mother turtles laying their eggs and baby turtles hatching and running the gauntlet of countless predators to try and reach the ocean. This is the last of my five podcasts about my 6-week journey from Patagonia to Costa Rica in November-December 2025.

You can find many pictures to accompany this podcast at https://rleighturner.com/costa-rica/.

#costarica #turtles #reforestation #gold #precolumbian #history

"The Two Rooms" is one of my "Hotel Stories". It features Ms N, the most brilliant and occasionally homicidal hotel managers in the world, and her beautiful, smart but naive colleague, Tatiana.

I'm afraid I'm not brilliant at accents - particularly US accents! But I hope you enjoy the story. Any voice actors out there who fancy doing a better version? Get in touch and - most of all - enjoy!

#writing #writingtips #thrillers #thriller #international #books #book #booktok #stories #shortstories

How do get invited to the King's Birthday Party in a British Embassy overseas? Find out more in my new book ⁠⁠Lessons in Diplomacy⁠. It might be easier than you think! I hope you enjoy the book. #diplomacy #ambassador #ambassadors #diplomat #diplomats #diplomat #booksfordiplomacy #diplomacybook #booksaboutdiplomacy

How do you become an ambassador? My new book ⁠Lessons in Diplomacy⁠ explores what diplomacy can teach us all. Here is a run-through of the main chapters and sections, from "How to become an ambassador" through "How to survive a crisis", "How to handle politicians" and "How to drink wine and know things" to "How to make diplomacy reflect our changing world" I hope you enjoy the book. #diplomacy #ambassador #ambassadors #diplomat #diplomats #diplomat #booksfordiplomacy #diplomacybook #booksaboutdiplomacy #pimms #perfectpimms

Are the conspiracy theories right? What if the entire world, as we perceive it, is controlled by shadowy forces? A 1955 short story helped begin a strong tradition of tales exploring alternative realities. You can find the story on which this podcast is based on my blog, here. Other blog posts mentioned in the podcast are The Machine Stops and Vintage Season. I recommend them both. #sci-fi #stories #shortstories #books #booktok

Why did Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin allow Vladimir Putin to kill him after Prigozhin's mutiny in 2023? Prigozhin might have taken more care if he'd seen the classic early 1990s Russian movie Burnt by the Sun. More about this in my book Lessons in Diplomacy. #diplomacy #ambassador #ambassadors #diplomat #diplomats #diplomat #booksfordiplomacy #diplomacybook #booksaboutdiplomacy #pimms #perfectpimms

From my book "Lessons in Diplomacy": How to make the perfect Pimm's. Watch the video of Antonio making a mouthwatering Pimms at https://rleighturner.com/perfect-pimms/. #diplomacy #ambassador #ambassadors #diplomat #diplomats #diplomat #booksfordiplomacy #diplomacybook #booksaboutdiplomacy #pimms #perfectpimms #rleighturner

"The Three-Body Problem" is out on Netflix. Some Chinese critics are reportedly angered by the series' depiction of China. I can see why. Let's look at the book, and how the Netflix version compares.

You can read the blog post on which this podcast is based on my rleighturner.com website.

I don’t usually reveal top secret information in these podcasts. But here, exclusively, I want to talk about the Welsh Secret Service. More about the WSS in my book Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties. #Wales #Welsh #diplomacy #ambassador #ambassadors #diplomat #diplomats #diplomat #booksfordiplomacy #diplomacybook #booksaboutdiplomacy

"Yes, but." A professional diplomat assesses Duolingo against other methods.

How women handle cocktails - and men. Stand by for fireworks in this interview with Ms N, hotel manager extraordinary, alongside the narrator of the "Hotel Stories" Tatiana, and bartender Amanda. #cocktails #martini #martinis #women #feminist

Colombia at last! Who knows the main sights of Colombia, a country as large as Germany, France and the Netherlands combined? I visited Medellin, with its tragic history and story of hope; and Cartagena, with its Caribbean beat, mighty castles and exquisite food and drink.

You can find many pictures to accompany this podcast at https://rleighturner.com/colombia/.

#colombia #medellin #cartagena #travel #southamerica #latinamerica

Is the world suffering from "Ukraine fatigue"? It is, and it matters immensely. The security of all of us is at stake - wherever in the world you live.

You can read the post on which this podcast is based, and related material about Russia's war against Ukraine, on my website at: https://rleighturner.com/ukraine-fatigue/

How do you get started writing a book - or 10? Here are a few tips. You can read the post on which this podcast is based here: How to write a book - or ten. #writing #writingtips #thrillers #thriller #international #books #book #booktok #stories #story

What MI5 taught me about "fighting terrorism".

What is this author doing right now? A snapshot of every iron in the fire.

What’s full-time writing like? What are the pitfalls? How do you make the most of it? And what did I do wrong?

Here is the blog on which this podcast is based, with links and pictures.

Writing “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Diplomacy” was fascinating and demanding. It will be published in German on 12 April 2023, by Czernin Verlag, Vienna. How did this happen? You can read more about the book at my website, here. To buy the book - which is in German - go to your local bookshop; to the Czernin Verlag website; or to Amazon.

A podcast in German. Ein Podcast auf Deutsch. Mein neues Buch “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Diplomacy – Wie Diplomatie die Welt erklärt” (Czernin Verlag, Wien) erscheint am 12. April 2023. Sie können das Buch vormerken (oder nach dem 12.4.23 kaufen) bei Czernin Verlag oder bei Amazon.de. Mehr information über das Buch finden Sie auf meinem rleighturner.com blog.

Willkommen in der Welt der echten Diplomatie!

In the first scene from the first Hotel Story, "Britches", the hotel's owner threatens the beautiful but naive Tatiana. Will Ms N, the world's greatest and deadliest hotel manager, rescue her before it is too late? You can find all Leigh Turner's books, and where to buy them, here.

Any sane person wants to end wars. Many people have argued that a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war might help reduce suffering. Others say that supplying arms to Ukraine simply prolongs the war. Here's why they are wrong. The situation is grim: but both a ceasefire or reducing arms supplies would be counterproductive - including for those who seek peace and want to end the suffering. 

Links and further background at this blog.

"John Savage, formerly First Secretary, British Embassy Moscow: Transcript of trauma counselling, session 12". 

Why is John Savage, the hero of my Istanbul thriller, "Palladium", such a damaged character? Have a listen to this interview between him and his psychotherapist, Dr Bergbaum, about events in Moscow some 15 years earlier, and how he was thrown out of the Secret Intelligence Service as a result.

You can find the blog on which this podcast is based at the link.

From an icy climb up the Cotopaxi volcano to a boat trip around the Galapagos, Ecuador is breathtaking.  Explore the highest active volcano in the world, spectacular Quito, and the world-famous fascination of the Galapagos Islands.

Pictures and text to accompany this blog post are ⁠here on my website⁠.

#ecuador #Cotopaxi #Galapagos #quito #gianttortoise

Resources to help writers. We look at how to write articles and blogs; how to write a novel; dealing with rejections; a selection of writing courses - and much more. Have a listen to some friendly advice.

For all the links, see my blog here: Resources for Writers.

A summer 2022 update on what is happening in Russia's war on Ukraine. Why it matters - and why what we must do next won't be easy. The picture shows Sverdlovsk, in eastern Ukraine, when I visited in 2010. It has been occupied by Russia since 2014. 

Links and further background at this blog. 

Were the people of 19th Century England obnoxious moralists? What if they were no worse than we are today? Also available as a blog post.

Top journalist Misty Anderson interviews Turkish archaeology professor Elif Mutlu about the mysterious Palladium. Why, Misty asks, do many people believe it protects Istanbul, while others argue it does not exist? 

What do you think? Also available as a blog.  

What three things must you always bear in mind when you hear Russian official statements about Ukraine? Also available as a blog.

Ian Fleming's "Goldfinger", written in 1959, is full of vile sexism, homophobia and prejudice. Is it still worth reading? Also available as a blog.

Why is Ukrainian vodka the best in the world? What else makes it unique? You may be surprised to learn how "Horilka" could become as famous as Scotch or Champagne. Also available as a blog.

Whose fault is the President Putin's invasion of Ukraine? What about the Soviet invasion of Hungary, or the building of the Berlin Wall? Think twice before you ascribe blame or you may be a victim of "reverse conspiracy theories". Also available as a blog.

Who is really responsible for the devastating Russia-Ukraine war?  It may not be who you think. Why did President Putin do a U-turn? Listen to find out what really brought about a catastrophic war at the heart of Europe.

My Istanbul thriller "Palladium" has been eleven years in the making. This podcast introduces the cover art: how it came to be designed, what input I made, and how the results came out. Find out how an author gets involved in the cover of the book - or not! Since I made this podcast, the publishers have changed the cover again.

You can read the blog post on which this podcast is based, and see the cover, on my rleighturner.com blog. 

Peru is home to some of the greatest treasures in Latin America, including Machu Picchu. But there's much, much more to explore, from the ancient Inca capital of Cusco, the astonishing fortress of Saqsayhuaman, the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, and Lima on the arid Pacific coast.

Pictures and text to accompany this blog post are here on my website. ⁠

#machupicchu #peru #lima #ollantaytambo #saqsayhuaman #sacredvalley #cusco

"Ulysses" matters: 100 years after Joyce's great masterpiece first appeared, you can read and enjoy it on many levels. A quotation shows why you have nothing to be afraid of.

"Of course, Mr B proceeded to stipulate, you must look at both sides of the question."

A discussion of James Joyce and "Ulysses", illustrated by a few quotes. My main messages: a) Ulysses matters, and b) it's not necessarily hard to read.

Read the blog post on which this podcast is based on my rleighturner.com blog.

In "He Knew He Was Right", Anthony Trollope shows he is an outstanding writer on relationships between the sexes.  Lessons on gender from 1869 are 100% relevant today.

How men think, how women think and whether there is a difference is one of the abiding puzzles of life.  We all want to understand other people.  Many of us want to understand the opposite sex.

How to understand women, or men?  You can do worse than start with Trollope’s "He Knew He Was Right". The novel also contains one of the great studies of stubbornness in literature. Ask yourself: are you sure you're right?

Read the blog post on which this podcast is based on my rleighturner.com blog.

How diplomats should work with the media and build their media skills. Subscribe for regular podcasts from Leigh Turner. Read the blog on which this podcast is based here. 

American historian Barbara Tuchman came up with an elegant formula relevant to keeping things in perspective in today's bad news saturated internet age. You may even find her law helps you. You can read the post on which this short podcast is based at my rleighturner.com blog. Happy listening.