There Is No Expiration Date on Creativity: A Conversation with Douglas Berry

Creativity doesn’t follow a timeline—and Douglas Berry is living proof of that.

In this episode of A Wild Ride Called Life, host Annette Whittenberger sits down with Douglas Berry, a U.S. Air Force veteran, children’s book author, and songwriter whose journey defies traditional expectations. Douglas’s story is not about overnight success—it’s about persistence, curiosity, and the courage to try, even when the outcome is uncertain.

Douglas grew up working on his family’s poultry farm before serving 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. Like many veterans, creative passions took a back seat to responsibility, structure, and service. It wasn’t until later in life that creativity resurfaced—this time with clarity and purpose.

The inspiration for Douglas’s Jasper and Friends children’s book series came from a simple family moment when his son rescued a baby rabbit and named it Jasper. What started as a single story intended for friends and family quickly grew into a beloved series, opening the door to larger dreams of animation, storytelling, and legacy.

During the conversation, Douglas shares a mindset that has guided him through every chapter of his life: there is no failure—only learning. From trying out for the Cincinnati Reds at age 30 to working as a mechanic on NASCAR teams, he emphasizes that success isn’t defined by outcomes, but by the willingness to show up and try.

Douglas also discusses his musical journey, including the release of his second album, Barefoot Radio. The album captures beach-inspired, feel-good storytelling designed to offer listeners an escape from everyday stress. For Douglas, music—like writing—became another way to tell stories, connect with others, and embrace creativity without pressure.

At the heart of this conversation is a powerful reminder: creativity doesn’t expire, and life doesn’t demand that we stay in one box. Douglas’s journey shows that it’s never too late to begin, restart, or reinvent.

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🌐 Learn more about Douglas Berry at https://douglasberryauthor.com/

Dr. John A. King is an Australian-born, indigenous (Warumungu) author, speaker, and survivor-advocate based in Texas.

He founded the Give Them A Voice Foundation to champion male survivors of childhood sexual abuse and to combat human trafficking. John translates hard-won recovery into practical, brotherhood-driven frameworks that help men rebuild discipline, purpose, and relationships.

His work has been featured in award-winning documentaries (Stopping Traffic and Light in the Darkness) and across podcasts and stages serving law enforcement, veterans, and community leaders.

He’s currently publishing #DEALWITHIT: Duct Tape for the Soul and building The Phoenix Collective, a performance-mindset platform for people who have experienced trauma and those who support them.

Contact Dr. King: ⁠drking@nextfoundation.org

Website: www.drjohnaking.com

Linkedln ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnaking/

Facebook ⁠https://www.facebook.com/drjaking

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjohnaking//⁠

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjohnaking

Meet Joe Yurick, US ARMY Veteran. He worked with the PATRIOT Missile system in the Air Defense Artillery and deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom\Operation Enduring Freedom. He shares his story of self-medicating with alcohol for years to the point where he almost lost everything. He is now going on 3+ years sober, and is on a mission to normalize sobriety with Veterans who are using and abusing substances in a harmful self-medicating way. He uses. He has created a platform to spread this message with his podcast titled "This Sober Vet Podcast". It is now available on all major platforms.

Contact Joe: thissobervet@gmail.com

Website https://thissobervet.com/

Linkedln https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-yurick-78654842/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567537590503

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thissobervetpodcast/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@thissobervetpodcast

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@ThisSoberVet