Leland Vittert on “BORN LUCKY: A Dedicated Father, A Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism.” episode artwork

EPISODE · Oct 27, 2025 · 7 MIN

Leland Vittert on “BORN LUCKY: A Dedicated Father, A Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism.”

from Beyond the Mic with Sean Dillon

"The qualities and characteristics that are making you isolated and bullied and hurt right now in life is what's going to make you successful later on."Welcome Leland Vittert:We’re joined on the Starline by a man who didn’t speak for years when he was young. He transformed from “weird”, bullied boy to one of the respected, fair and fearless journalists today. His miraculous life story is “BORN LUCKY: A Dedicated Father, A Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism.” We welcome NewsNation’s Leland Vittert.Leland, let’s go Beyond the Mic. Your book has sold out twice even before the first release. Your dad said “I went from zero to loving you in two seconds”. How did the story of his relentless push through 106 failed sales call, before finding success, inspire you discovering your own success?Why did the lessons he taught you social cues etc, help you become a better journalist?The Rockin' 8:Leland Vittert’s book is “BORN LUCKY: A Dedicated Father, A Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism.” Leland, it’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions, answer with the first thing that comes to your mind. There is no Pressure. 1. Favorite flavor of Dots candy? 2. Best thing about your wife Rachel? 3. Best cigar you’ve ever had was a…4. Last thing you cooked in you green egg? 5. Best place for a vacation is… 6. On a plane: aisle, window or middle seat? 7. Best movie ever is … 8. When was the last time you went rowing? Sneaking in a One More:How did writing this book change the way you see yourself?The Impossible Question:“You don’t have to be defined by a diagnosis”. What are you defined by?One Big Question:“It’s not fun to go to therapy on national TV, but I’m doing it because I think it can really help folks.” What’s your message to the misunderstood amazing kids out?The Wrap:He last grilled a beef tenderloin, loves his wife’s emotional eq and wants you to read his book “BORN LUCKY: A Dedicated Father, A Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism.”Leland Vittert, thanks for taking the time to talk with us today.And that my friends is a Beyond the Mic Short Cut.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacyPodtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

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Leland Vittert on “BORN LUCKY: A Dedicated Father, A Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism.”

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This episode was published on October 27, 2025.

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"The qualities and characteristics that are making you isolated and bullied and hurt right now in life is what's going to make you successful later on."Welcome Leland Vittert:We’re joined on the Starline by a man who didn’t speak for years when he...

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