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Leigh Turner diplomacy and writing

Leigh Turner

Speaker, writer and ex-ambassador Leigh Turner explores diplomacy, books and writing.

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#76
Saturday · 12 min
76. How to learn languages
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
#75
August 15 · 11 min
75. Anyone can be a diplomat - true or false?
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
#74
June 27 · 36 min
74. Costa Rica: Turtles, beaches, jungles and gold
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
#73
April 25 · 23 min
73. Colombia: Medellin and Cartagena
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
#72
March 28 · 31 min
72. Ecuador: The Galapagos, Cotopaxi and more
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
#71
February 28 · 38 min
71. Peru: Machu Picchu and The Sacred Valley
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
#70
February 1 · 39 min
70. Chile: Glaciers, Volcanoes and Deserts
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
#69
January 10 · 18 min
69. "Luxury Spa": an Austrian Hotel Story
“Luxury Spa” is the thirteenth in Leigh Turner's "Hotel Story" series, and the first set in Austria. Ms N is the world’s most glamorous, brilliant and mischievous hotel manager. She loves to solve problems – especially when they are caused by men. She and her colleague Tatiana travel to the HealCol 2000 well-being and weight-loss luxury spa, high in the Austrian Alps, for a well-earned break. But they find an institution in crisis. Doctor Schmerz, chief doctor at HealCol 2000, prescribes tailor-made programmes of extreme dieting and exercise for her elite guests. Those guests include the owner of HealCol 2000, Ernest von Mannstein, known as “Always Angry Ernie” for his fits of rage and impossible demands. The starvation diets leave most of the guests depressed – yet a few seem strangely frisky. When a woman is found dead in a luxury suite and Always Angry Ernie is accused of her murder, Ms N must investigate. You can read the post on which this episode is based on Leigh Turner's website here or buy "Luxury Spa" on Amazon here. #stories #luxury #spa #luxuryspa #shortstory #comedy #strongwomen
#68
Sep 13, 2025 · 9 min
68. Salonica, City of Ghosts
"Salonica - City of Ghosts" is an eery, elegiac portrait of a city that - in many respects - had a completely different identity to modern Thessaloniki. " This podcast is based on my review of Mark Mazower's book of the same name about Greece's second city and its tragic history, including the extermination of its majority Jewish population. #Thessaloniki #Thessalonica #Salonica #Jews #Jewish #Greece #nationalism #diplomacy #diplomat #diplomats #diplomacybooks #booktok #books #Mazower #CityofGhosts
#67
Aug 16, 2025 · 8 min
67. Lessons in Diplomacy: Germans and other stereotypes
"German punctuality is a myth that German diplomats work hard to dispel. I... regularly attended meetings of European Union ambassadors where our German colleagues seemed to make it a point of honour to be the last to arrive." From Chapter 10 of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: "How to know people". #diplomacy #lessonsindiplomacy #diplomat #diplomats #diplomacybooks #booksaboutdiplomacy #booktok #books #stereotypes #assumptions #Germany #Germans #military #militarywomen
#66
Jul 30, 2025 · 8 min
66. Lessons in Diplomacy: Perils of Top Nation-hood
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
#65
Jun 27, 2025 · 7 min
65. Lessons in Diplomacy: Why did the US bomb Iran?
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
Mar 15, 2025 · 16 min
64. "Blood Summit": Chapters 2 and 3
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
#63
Feb 22, 2025 · 16 min
63. "Blood Summit" - Prologue and Chapter 1
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
#62
Jan 25, 2025 · 17 min
62. Lessons in Diplomacy Chapter 5: How to understand Putin's war on Ukraine
"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
#61
Jan 11, 2025 · 15 min
61. Lessons in Diplomacy Chapter 4: How (not) to introduce democracy
"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
#60
Dec 13, 2024 · 8 min
60. Lessons in Diplomacy Chapter 3: How to Fail at Geopolitical Change: Brexit
"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
#59
Nov 29, 2024 · 11 min
59. Lessons in Diplomacy Chapter 2: How to Tackle Terrorism
"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
#58
Nov 17, 2024 · 11 min
58. Lessons in Diplomacy Chapter 1: How to Survive a Crisis
"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
#57
Nov 2, 2024 · 6 min
57. Lessons in Diplomacy: Prologue
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

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