Leigh Turner diplomacy and writing

How did I get into the British diplomatic service after one of the most disastrous interviews of all time? I really made a mess of it!

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.⁠ And do browse my other "Lessons in Diplomacy" and other podcasts on this site.

#interviews #interview #learning #diplomacy #lessonsindiplomacy #booktok

"Don't let jobs destroy you" looks at the case of a former colleague of mine whose health was damaged by overwork. What could she have done differently? Was the problem a bad boss? Discrimination? I look at why you shouldn't jump to conclusions. In particular, don't assume there's nothing you can do. Leaving the job isn't always right, either. But being aware of the possibility that a job isn't set up right, and that you may be able to take actions to fix that, may be an important first step.

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.⁠ And do browse my other "Lessons in Diplomacy" and other podcasts on this site.

#languages #learning #diplomacy #lessonsindiplomacy #booktok

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. And do browse my other "Lessons in Diplomacy" and other podcasts on this site.

#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

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

Don and Mike recently interviewed me on their "Vintage FM" channel using a "Desert Island Discs"-type format. It's a brilliant format because it prompts lots of really personal stuff. You can hear the results here.

All FM is a fabulous local radio station in Manchester. Hosts Don Berry and Mike Bath run a series of interviews on their Vintage FM Channel every Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. "A mixture of great music to suit all tastes and 'on the nail' interviews with local heroes that get behind the scenes on what makes Manchester great." Do tune in. I'm grateful to Don and Mike for making this happen. Lovely to hear the great music, too.

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

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

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

Chile is one of the world's most spectacular countries. Join a life-changing exploration of everything from the glaciers, fjords and vanished peoples of Patagonia in the south to Moon Valley, geysers and the Atacama Desert in the north. In between we visit the Lake District; ascend the perfect volcanic cone of Mount Osorno; and consider the life-affirming properties of a Pisco sour.

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

#Chile #Patagonia #Atacama #Altiplano #vicuña #glaciers #geysers #moonvalley