Meet Jessica Walton

We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Walton recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I found my purpose by following what seemed at first like two very different paths—literature and national security—until I realized they were leading me to the same place. I started out studying English literature and thought I might become a professor. But while living in Israel, I was drawn to the urgency and complexity of global security issues, which led me to pursue a master’s in security intelligence and serve in the Israeli military.

That experience opened the door to my work in the U.S. defense sector, where I now serve as a communications strategist and multimedia producer. Over time, I found myself gravitating toward the stories behind the technologies and missions, stories about people, risks, breakthroughs, and sacrifice. I began telling those stories, first within the companies I worked for—about everything from hypersonics to cybersecurity—then more broadly through my blog and podcast.

Eventually, I realized storytelling was not just a skill I had, but a way to make the work I care about resonate with others. Now I specialize in story development inspired by real experiences in the security world, using narrative to bridge the gap between specialized knowledge and public understanding.

Basically, I didn’t find my purpose all at once; it emerged at the intersection of two passions I never expected to combine.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I grew up in Maryland but spent my formative years in Israel, where I immigrated to as a teenager. Before serving in the Israeli military, I worked as a freelance writer, focusing on topics related to the Middle East and national security. I loved interviewing people across the defense space to support the books, articles, and policy papers I was commissioned to write. Those conversations taught me how to unpack complex issues through a human lens, an approach that continues to shape my work today.

After my military service, I entered the private security sector, including a stint in Eastern Europe. Eventually, I transitioned into security marketing within Israel’s high-tech scene, helping tell the stories behind cutting-edge innovations in smart home tech and detection systems. No matter where I worked, I was always drawn to people’s stories and how those stories could shed light on broader geopolitical or psychological issues.

A few years ago, I returned to the U.S., where I work as a communications strategist in the defense sector. More recently, I became interested in translating real-world experiences into fiction. I’m now working on novels inspired by exclusive interviews and intensive research from the security field, transforming truth into morally engaging, character-driven stories.

That shift from nonfiction to fiction pushed me to study the craft of storytelling seriously. I’ve since become a bit of a storytelling evangelist, with a personal library of craft books and a side career teaching narrative techniques to analysts, engineers, federal employees, and defense leaders.

What excites me most is helping people understand and connect with the defense world in new ways, through compelling, character-driven narratives that capture both the stakes and the humanity behind the mission.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Flexibility has been essential because no matter how carefully you plan, life rarely unfolds exactly as expected. Careers shift, circumstances change, and opportunities arise in places you never thought to look. Staying adaptable has allowed me to pivot when needed, whether it was moving across continents, shifting industries, or transitioning from nonfiction to fiction writing.

Being open to unfamiliar or challenging experiences has also shaped my path. Some of the most formative moments in my life and career happened outside my comfort zone.

Finally, a thirst for lifelong learning has helped me evolve. I’ve learned that the skills you acquire—whether technical, creative, or interpersonal—often come together in unexpected and powerful ways. Investing in your growth can pay off in surprising ways down the line.

My advice: Stay curious, don’t cling too tightly to a fixed idea of your future, and embrace the learning process, even when it feels nonlinear. Your unique combination of experiences and skills will eventually create opportunities that only you are equipped to seize.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

I’m definitely guilty of biting off more than I can chew, mostly because I’m an enthusiast and I get genuinely excited about new ideas and projects. When I start to feel overwhelmed, the first thing I do is break things down into smaller, manageable pieces. Big goals feel less intimidating when I focus on just the next step, not the entire mountain.

I also try to build in short breaks, even five minutes to reset can make a huge difference in how I show up. Whether it’s a jog around the block, a cup of tea (ok, it’s usually high-potency coffee!), or just stepping away from the screen, those little pauses help me come back with fresh energy and clarity.

Don’t try to power through everything at once. Give yourself permission to slow down, prioritize, and take things one step at a time. Enthusiasm is a gift, but it’s even more powerful when paired with sustainable pacing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jessicawaltonwriter.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica2walton/

Image Credits

Photo Credits: American Grit, David Abitbol