Leland Vittert didn't speak until age three. Diagnosed with what we now know as autism, he spent middle school crying himself to sleep while his father repeated one message: "The qualities that make you bullied now will make you successful later."

In this raw conversation, Leland opens up about his memoir Born Lucky, a father-son story about choosing resilience over accommodation and truth over popularity. We talk about the decision his parents made not to shelter him from adversity, but to hold his hand through it. About learning to turn isolation into independence, and pain into purpose.

This isn't a polished highlight reel. It's an honest look at neurodivergence, parenting choices, bullying, and what it costs to stand your ground when the truth matters most.

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Whether you're a parent of a struggling kid, someone who's faced isolation, or anyone trying to find strength in their story, this conversation offers hope, honesty, and the reminder that your hardest seasons might be preparing you for something greater.

Guest: Leland Vittert is a journalist and author of Born Lucky, chronicling his journey from a nonverbal child with severe learning disabilities to a voice millions trust.

Get the book Born Lucky: https://bornlucky.com/

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