National TV anchor Leland Vittert's new memoir, Born Lucky, reveals how his father responded to Leland's diagnosis of autism, cheering him on despite rejection and bullying at school and the sacrifices that parents have to make for a child "on the spectrum." The book, currently #4 on the NYT bestseller list, will inspire any parent.

Additional resources:

Born Lucky: A Dedicated Father, a Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism

The recent NBA sports betting bust highlights only one of the online gambling problems corrupting young men, who are becoming addicted to gambling via sports betting in record numbers. Expert Jonathan Cohen lays out why online betting is not your father's gaming experience and how it is ruining lives with breathtaking speed. Even children are at risk with this new frictionless technology for losing money. We offer tips on protecting young people from this alluring danger.

Additional resources:

Losing Big: America's Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling by Jonathan Cohen

Nolan Jones brings us up to date in his eventful life overcoming the demons of his past. We've never had such a story of transformation on this show!

Nolan Jones describes a rough childhood where virtually every adult in the family dealt drugs, and abuse was a way of life. Homeless as a teen, Nolan managed to graduate from high school, but not from drugs and criminality. Some glimmers of hope you'll hear in this episode burst into full light in the next, so tune in twice!

**THIS IS A REPRISE OF EPISODE #6 ON 5.18.22**

Professor of Jewish Studies Ilana Horwitz's recent book God, Grades, and Graduation looks at whether students do better in school when they believe in God and belong to a community of faith.  Leah explores with this sociologist such factors as parental influence, compliance with school rules, and socioeconomic inequality.  "Leah's Quadrant" is revealed, both women discuss atheist kids, and Dr. Horwitz tells us how religious kids fare in college admissions and qualities like empathy, happiness and self-restraint.

Additional resources:

God, Grades, and Graduation, by Ilana M. Horwitz, Oxford University Press, 2022

Veteran homeschooler of five kids and media entrepreneur Felice Gerwitz discusses how homeschooling has changed over the decades, and how to avoid burnout. Podcast swap!: Felice interviewed Leah in this episode of Vintage Homeschool Moms podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmIiG7BAwhc

Additional resources:

Mediaangels.com (founded by Felice Gerwitz)--a publishing company featuring curriculum, science resources, podcasts, and inspirational books

Ultimate Christian Podcast Network--including Felice's own-https://ultimatechristianpodcastnetwork.com/

Herb Bernstein, acomposer, producer, and arranger for hits in many genres, reflects on his memories of stars such as Laura Nyro, Johnny Carson, Julie Budd, and John Denver, all on his 94th birthday.  His humility, optimism, and humor give us a wonderful perspective on growing older.  We thank him and artist Julie Budd for sharing their song, "Looking Back," found on her CD at https://www.discogs.com/master/3770922-Julie-Budd-Julie-Budd

Additional resources: 

Look for Herb's upcoming book, Born at Ninety, coming soon!

Actors Fund, 155 W Hudson Ave., Englewood, NJ, 07631

**THIS IS A REPRISE OF EPISODE #56 ON 5.22.24**

Former Army Ranger and West Point psychology professor Dave Grossman describes the mayhem violent video games are inflicting upon teens.  We discuss mass murder, sleeplessness, and sheepdogs. Granted, it's not an episode for the faint of heart (most kids should not listen), but we end on a surprisingly sweet note.

Additional resources:

Books by Dave Grossman--

Assassination Generation: Video Games, Aggression, and the Psychology of Killing

On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society"

On Combat

(For youngsters)--Sheepdogs: Meet our Nation's Warriors

What to do when Communists take over your country? If you're Kim Parker's dad, you build a boat, learn to navigate, and get the family out of there. After that harrowing escape, Kim grew up in the U.S., only to confront social changes that called her to be a leader in her profession, and her faith.

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzIenh7QbNU

Additional resources:

Association of Christians in Health and Human Services, achhs.org

Sunday, September 7, is National Grandparents' Day! Grandparents by the hundreds of thousands are raising their grandchildren, with the parents out of the picture due to addiction, incarceration, or other traumatizing events. How are we supporting older folks and kin who step up to this challenge? An expert on "grandfamilies" and kinship families, Jamarl Clark, with Generations United in Washington, D.C., compassionately discusses the all-too-large landscape. Leah pipes up with micro-ideas.

Additional resources:
Generations United -- gu.org