Why Storytelling Matters in the Military
It all started with a horde of wild pigs attacking an Israeli military post on the border of Lebanon. Or so it seemed.
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The (In)Security Blog
The security field is full of stories with fascinating characters. I’ve had my fair share of strange jobs in this industry, but my favorite so far has been storyteller.
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Whether it's an expert interview or perspectives from my own career, I aim to take a multidisciplinary approach to everything I explore.
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About me: I'm a dual American-Israeli citizen who served in the Israeli military and currently works in the U.S. defense sector in the Washington, D.C. area.
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Jessica Lauren Walton
- May 26
- 5 min
When You Stare Into the Abyss
An uncomfortable truth about working in this field is that hunting down the bad guys often means thinking like a bad guy.
Jessica Lauren Walton
- Apr 16
- 5 min
When Fear Feels Like a Heart Attack
Self-awareness is the compass that guides us through the labyrinth of our minds, allowing us to navigate anxiety with clarity.
Jessica Lauren Walton
- Mar 30
- 7 min
Moral Injury: What Our War Stories Mean for the Rest of Society
Warfighters, psychologists, journalists: A multidisciplinary discussion on moral injury from the Hero's Journey Symposium in Washington, DC
Jessica Lauren Walton
- Jan 15
- 5 min
Insights From Martin Luther King, Jr. on Psychological Resilience
MLK knew his mission and was willing to overcome the challenges to take on the mountain.
Jessica Lauren Walton
- Dec 31
- 4 min
For Every Success, I’ve Had At Least 20 Failures. 4 Tips For Dealing
As we step into the new year, we must learn to deal with failure or risk letting it eat us alive.
Jessica Lauren Walton
- Dec 17, 2023
- 5 min
Are You Good or Are You Bad? (Careful What You Choose)
When you commit your life to protecting others, what happens when you accidentally cause harm?
Jessica Lauren Walton
- Oct 15, 2023
- 5 min
Defeating Death, One Chapter at a Time
The conflict taking place between Hamas and Israel is not merely a battle of national survival, but a battle of values.
Jessica Lauren Walton
- Sep 13, 2023
- 4 min
Envy is Brutal, Especially in the Security Field
Of all the human emotions, none is trickier or more elusive than envy...especially when the stakes are high.
Jessica Lauren Walton
- Jun 19, 2023
- 5 min
Why Are We So Afraid of Public Speaking?
It's a common fear, so I wanted to share my lessons learned on how I overcame my public speaking phobia.
Jessica Lauren Walton
- May 9, 2023
- 7 min
Kill Your Clone & Other Unconventional Career Advice
Challenging situations are ultimately an opportunity to rise to the challenge.
Jessica Lauren Walton
- Apr 9, 2023
- 5 min
The Freedom That Enriches Us All
It took a slew of crimes and solitary confinement for one man to learn the true meaning of freedom.
Jessica Lauren Walton
- Jan 16, 2023
- 6 min
A Message for Gen Z on Dealing With Uncertainty
Chaos is a natural part of life. We owe it to ourselves to create a game plan for managing it properly.
Jessica Lauren Walton
- Jan 3, 2023
- 4 min
Disappointment and Determination in the Israeli Military
One of the biggest crises I experienced while serving in the Israeli military was being told I was useless during a war.
Jessica Lauren Walton
- Dec 19, 2022
- 3 min
The Sanctity of Separateness
I stood on the brink of a decision that would take my career to the next level or allow me to walk away from it all.
Jessica Lauren Walton
- Nov 28, 2022
- 6 min
Some Careers Take the Road Less Traveled
Some of us are straight shooters from college to career to retirement, while others struggle to find our place.
Jessica Lauren Walton
- Nov 1, 2022
- 7 min
Anxiety Getting You Down? Try Israeli Basic Training
I didn't have time to think during basic training, only to run. It liberated me.
Jessica Lauren Walton
- Oct 18, 2022
- 6 min
The Lies We Tell Ourselves: A Soldier With PTSD
The lie of required perfection plagues many security professionals. For some, it will break them.
Jessica Lauren Walton
- Oct 13, 2022
- 5 min
A Holiday Message: The Stories That Live Forever
How can we craft a message that we will continue to communicate after we have left this world?
Jessica Lauren Walton
- Aug 15, 2022
- 6 min
Lessons on ‘Extreme Ownership’ From the Navy SEALs and Rabbi Sacks
Taking extreme ownership or responsibility isn't easy, but it's a necessity for high-level learning and growth.
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