Vault: Stephen is a 13-yr old Morehouse student

Summary

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The Bert Show: Vault – Stephen is a 13-Year-Old Morehouse Student

Episode Date: June 23, 2026

Overview

In this special "Vault" episode, The Bert Show interviews Stephen Stafford, a remarkable 13-year-old prodigy attending Morehouse College, alongside his mother, Michelle. The conversation explores Stephen’s academic journey, the challenges and triumphs of being a young college student, family support, and how his mother balances intellectual and emotional development. The episode is as witty and warm as ever, providing listeners both laughs and insight into the parenting and personal experiences of a rare academic talent.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Stephen’s Early Academic Excellence

• Age & Achievements: At just 13, Stephen is in his second year at Morehouse, majoring in biology, computer science, and mathematics (01:26).
• Start in Advanced Learning: Stephen realized regular grade-level work was too easy by age 9 and requested to switch back to homeschooling for more challenge (02:41–03:02).
• Early Math Exposure: Thanks to his older sister "playing school" with him, he was learning addition and subtraction at 2 to 3 years old (03:24–03:45).

2. The College Experience as an Adolescent

• Tutoring Older Students: Stephen not only excels academically, but tutors college peers, sometimes confusing students twice his age who expect a traditional tutor (01:30–01:56).
• Social Perception: Initially mistaken for a professor’s child, Stephen quickly earned the respect of fellow students after helping them with coursework (05:18–05:43).
• Integration at Morehouse: Beyond the classroom, Stephen notes a unique camaraderie: "Every there. Your second grandmother or second grandfather." (06:36)

3. Parental Perspective: Michelle Stafford

• Balance of Social and Academic Growth: Michelle describes consciously ensuring Stephen’s emotional and social needs are met, arranging time with cousins, and encouraging friendships (06:48–07:56).
• Decision to Homeschool & College: The jump from homeschooling to college was presented as an experiment, with Michelle initially attending every class with him for comfort and safety (08:05–09:01).
• Maintaining Fun & Challenge: Michelle highlights adjusting the difficulty of learning material based on Stephen's engagement, using creative methods to keep education enjoyable (09:45–10:55).
• Rejecting the "Prodigy" Label: The family sees Stephen’s achievements as the result of deliberate effort rather than innate genius, emphasizing that hard work and creative learning played crucial roles (11:06–11:48).

4. College Logistics & Future Vision

• Living Arrangements: Stephen is a "community student" who commutes rather than staying on campus, a decision based on safety and social considerations (08:05–09:01).
• Balancing with Traditional Milestones: Due to Georgia law, he will graduate high school and college around the same time, as students cannot earn a diploma before age 16 (13:17–13:33).
• SAT Scores & Test Anxiety: Despite his prowess, Stephen and his mother note standardized testing is not his strength, offering a reminder that academic excellence is multi-faceted (13:38–13:54).
• Aspirations: Stephen aims to become an OBGYN with a specialty in infertility (14:13).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Early Realizations:

  “I think I realized that when I was nine.”
  — Stephen Stafford, on knowing he needed more academic challenge (02:41)

• Family Influence:

  “My sister was showing me addition and subtraction because we got bored...she was teaching me the stuff that she was learning.”
  — Stephen Stafford, on his introduction to mathematics (03:24)

• Tutoring Older Students:

  "You walk in the room and there's an 11, 12-year-old kid and you're like... where’s your mom? Is your mom helping me out today? And Steven says, no, I got you covered here."
  — Radio Host (Carl Birch), describing reactions to Stephen as a tutor (01:40)

• Campus Camaraderie:

  "Every there. Your second grandmother or second grandfather."
  — Stephen Stafford, about the supportive Morehouse community (06:36)

• On Parenting Decisions:

  “I wanted to make sure that the whole person, you know, or Steven, was developed, you know, not just the intellectual.”
  — Michelle Stafford (06:58)

• On Learning Thresholds:

  “You really got to be in tune to where they are. And when they start to look frustrated... then you gotta taper off a bit.”
  — Michelle Stafford (10:00)

• Pursuing Happiness:

  “My husband and I want Steven to be happy. And actually, that's what he has told us. He said, 'Mom, I love my life.'”
  — Michelle Stafford (12:07)

• Future Goals:

  “I’m gonna be an OBGYN with a specialty in infertility.”
  — Stephen Stafford (14:13)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• 01:26 – Stephen lists his three college majors.
• 02:41 – Stephen shares when he realized he was academically ahead.
• 03:24 – Early schooling stories from Stephen’s childhood.
• 05:18 – Stephen describes being embraced by college students.
• 06:36 – Stephen explains Morehouse’s supportive community.
• 06:48–07:56 – Michelle talks about balancing Stephen's social and academic growth.
• 08:05–09:01 – Michelle recounts their initial approach to college; Stephen's status as a community student.
• 09:45–10:55 – Discussion on keeping learning fun and avoiding burnout.
• 11:06–11:48 – Michelle discusses the “prodigy” label and Stephen’s work with mathematicians.
• 13:17–13:33 – High school and college graduation overlap.
• 14:13 – Stephen shares his dream career.

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Episode Tone & Style

The tone is playful, candid, and supportive, peppered with humor from the hosts and a strong sense of warmth and pride from Stephen and his mother. The show remains accessible to families while giving an honest look into the unique realities of extraordinarily gifted children.

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Summary

This episode of The Bert Show offers an inspiring glimpse into the life of Stephen Stafford, a uniquely talented yet grounded young man thriving academically thanks to a supportive family and community. Through his and his mother’s voices, listeners gain insight into the challenges and rewards of balancing intellectual growth with social and emotional well-being. The discussion stands apart for its mix of heartfelt family perspective and the lighthearted, relatable banter that’s a signature of The Bert Show.

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Transcript

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It feels good to get good news. It feels good to ge get it? The bird show.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

This is just a little bit of the News piece that Fox 5 did on this kid. Stephen Stafford, 13 years old, been at Morehouse College for two years now.

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

At 13 years old, Steven Stafford is an accomplished pianist.

[Spinquest Advertiser]

He's also in his second year at Morehouse College.

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

How many majors? Three, which are

[Stephen Stafford]

biology, computer science and mathematics.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

Now he's gonna tell you here in a couple of seconds. Not only did he go to Morehouse at 11, he's like, he's tutoring college students.

[Radio Co-host 1]

I think that's hilarious.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

I want you to be in the mindset of a college student that you've hired a tutor, you don't know who it is, and you walk in the room and there's 11, 12 year old kid and you're like, and you're 20. Where's your mom? Is your mom helping me out today? And Steven says, no, I got you covered here.

[Radio Co-host 2]

There's some guy standing in the library like four feet away from Steven with his backpack on waiting for his tutor. And Steven's like, hi, are you Carl? We're doing trigonometry, advanced and calculus. Have a seat. And he's like, what? Looking for Ashton Kutcher.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

My ego wouldn't let me. My ego wouldn't let me do it. I had friends that come by going, that's just my little cousin hanging out with me at Morehouse today.

[Radio Co-host 2]

Right.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

Stephen and his mom Michelle are on the phone with us right now. Hey, guys.

[Stephen Stafford]

Hey.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

How are you this morning?

[Stephen Stafford]

We're good.

[Spinquest Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Stephen Stafford]

Yeah.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

So Stephen, when in school did you realize that? You know what? The work that I'm doing, you know, like, as a 10 year old, is just way too boring for me. I need something more challenging.

[Stephen Stafford]

I think I realized that when I was nine.

[Radio Co-host 2]

Nine.

[Radio Co-host 1]

Nine years old.

[Stephen Stafford]

I didn't really know that I was advanced either. My mother had tried putting me back in fourth grade with kids my age, and it was too easy.

[Radio Co-host 3]

Too easy.

[Stephen Stafford]

And then I realized, hey, wait, I shouldn't be here. And I asked her, could she, like, home school me again? And she did. And now I'm happy. And two years later, I'm at Mora.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

Wow. So let's go back even further than that. Like, at 2 or 3 years old, were you doing math problems? Way ahead of yourself.

[Stephen Stafford]

My sister was showing me addition and subtraction because we got bored. And being the bossy sister she was. She was like, let's play school. And since she was in kindergarten, she was teaching me the stuff that she was learning, and that turned out to be addition and subtraction.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

So at 2 and 3 years old, what kind of addition and subtraction are we talking about doing?

[Stephen Stafford]

Like, just the basics, like three plus three and two plus two, and then eventually like, three plus five, anything. I counted my fingers with what I was adding.

[Radio Co-host 2]

What is three plus five?

[Radio Co-host 1]

Where's your sister now? Like, what level is she at?

[Stephen Stafford]

She is a freshman in college.

[Radio Co-host 1]

Okay, so she's in college now too, but she was in high school when you started Morehouse?

[Stephen Stafford]

Yes. Wow.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

So you guys are doing the same college stuff together now?

[Stephen Stafford]

My mat is ahead of her, but her literature is ahead of mine.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

Okay, that's amazing.

[Radio Co-host 2]

And if I was your sister, I'd never let you forget that. Well, my literature's ahead.

[Radio Co-host 1]

I'd be like, I taught you how to do addition. That's why you're at Morehouse.

[Radio Co-host 3]

What school did your sister go to? I'm sorry?

[Stephen Stafford]

She goes to Georgia Southern.

[Spinquest Legal Disclaimer Announcer]

Okay.

[Radio Co-host 2]

Okay.

[Radio Co-host 1]

All right.

[Radio Co-host 4]

So who encouraged you to make the move from elementary school to Morehouse? I mean, was that a teacher? Was that your mom?

[Stephen Stafford]

It was accidental for me, anyway. I was just doing what my mother told me to. And then when she couldn't teach me anymore, she said, okay, I have to go somewhere. And she found out Kali was the next step.

[Radio Co-host 1]

Hmm.

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

Wow.

[Stephen Stafford]

We went to college and I started doing well in the classes.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

Not only did you start doing well in the classes. Did I read correctly that you were, like, first in your class the very first year you were there at, like, 11 years old?

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

Yes.

[Stephen Stafford]

Wow.

[Radio Co-host 1]

When you first got To Morehouse. How did the Morehouse men treat you?

[Stephen Stafford]

At first they were like, this kid, is he a teacher's son? I'm sitting around classes. They bring your kid to work day or something like that.

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

And then

[Stephen Stafford]

after that, when I started answering questions and tutoring them, they figured out, oh, he's a student here.

[Radio Co-host 2]

Yeah. Once it gets to the point where they can get something from you, like you're smarter than them, and then you can help them pass, they're like, all right, this kid ain't so bad.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

I read yesterday, and tell me if this is the truth here, Steven. That sort of this weird phenomenon happened on campus at Morehouse when other students realized he was legit. They've become really protective of him. Like, they don't curse in front of him. They treat him with utmost respect.

[Spinquest Advertiser]

Respect.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

And they sort of embraced you, right?

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

Yes.

[Radio Co-host 1]

That's awesome.

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

That's cool.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

Isn't that really cool?

[Radio Co-host 3]

I was speaking with Dr. Ann Wyatt. She was the one that kind of turned me on to Stephen. And she was real protective over. She was like, yeah, you got to go through the proper channels. We're real protective. Not over. Over just Stephen, but all of our students. And I went to Clark over there. I went to the au, and they're just. It's like a bunch of mamas and grandmothers and grandfathers over there, you know, they're real. Exactly. Right, Stephen?

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

Yeah.

[Radio Co-host 3]

It's like your grandma and your granddad over there.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

Right.

[Stephen Stafford]

Every there. Your second grandmother or second grandfather.

[Radio Co-host 3]

Right.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

Is your mom on the phone with us also?

[Stephen Stafford]

She's right here.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

Okay. I would love to talk to her for a second also.

[Stephen Stafford]

Okay.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

Because that's gotta be a tough decision for a parent to make. Like when you see your kid is so advanced, but socially, you still want him hanging out with kids his own age. So how do you balance that all out?

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

Yeah, you're right. That is definitely an issue. Well, he has cousins in Hiram, Georgia, that he goes to visit. He would spend, you know, weekends or whole weeks when he's on breaks. And then he has a lot of friends that he plays online with. He does that PS3 thing, you know. You know, 13 year old age or sometimes older. But you're right. I mean, the whole thing about this experiment, because initially that's what it was. I wanted to make sure that the whole person, you know, or Steven, was developed, you know, not just the intellectual. And I know that a lot of. A lot of kids in this situation, because of course, I've met with other parents who have Kids who started college as early as Steven has, they've also stressed, you know, you want to make sure that the emotional needs are not neglected, his social needs are not neglected as well, but you want to keep up with the intellectual development. So, yeah, it's been, it's been interesting. It's been a very interesting ride for me and my husband.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

So I'm assuming that he doesn't live on campus. I'm assuming you have to drop him off now. You drop him off at Morehouse every day and then you pick him up later in the day.

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

Let me tell you, when this first happened, I was like in tears. I cried about the whole thing really, because I had mixed feelings. I didn't know what to do in the situation, but I knew that I couldn't, you know, I couldn't teach him any longer. So when my father actually said, well, you know, you in Atlanta, Kalmorhouse, and then this guy, this division chair there who develops talent, very young talent, invited us to come on, I said, look, this is just going to be an experiment. I will follow him to class or take him to his class and I would wait there until it was over and then I would bring him home. So, yeah, he was definitely a community student. In fact, he still is a community student. We just met with the dean of admissions about this whole thing and he's of the frame of mind that no, he does not need to be on campus. Because we had heard of another prodigy at Howard who was 12, I think, started out and was on campus. And so we felt that that was not the way to go with school.

[Radio Co-host 2]

Maybe you could find a nice fraternity and he could. Those guys are just like, oh my

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

God, please do not mention that 13 year old fraternity.

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

Which is funny.

[Radio Co-host 3]

And that's what I was going to say because, you know, like I said, I went to Clark over there and the fraternities and the sororities over there. You can't stay away from him. I mean, you may have a step show, just drop out the air in the middle of day somewhere.

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

He has been affronted, but nah, no thanks.

[Radio Co-host 3]

I want to ask you. Michelle, this is Carl. I wanted to ask you, I want to ask you as far as like, what was your threshold? Like, we were Talking about my 8 year old earlier this morning. I feed her and I keep feeding her, but I don't want to discourage her, but I want to keep that encouraging. What was that? Where did you find that threshold not to overwhelm Stephen with all this information?

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

You know what? And yeah, Good question. The thing was, it was. It was really easy, Carl, because I wanted to make learning fun for him. And so I did a whole lot of creative things at home. You know, I mean, I introduced some DVDs and some computer software programs, things that I knew that, you know, he liked that would make education palatable for him. But then we did get to a point, I will admit, he was about nine, I want to say. And then I could tell when I hit the brick wall with him, because he, you know, it was hard for him to, gosh, I guess, digest some information. And I knew to back off. I mean, you got to look. You really got to be in tune to where they are. And when they start to look frustrated about, you know, concepts, then you got to taper off a bit, and then, you know, just, you know, backtrack and go back to some really easy stuff. And then, you know, just kind of feel your way along after that. But, yeah, just, you know, keep it. I just kept it fun. I kept it interesting. I wanted education to be something that he wanted to continue to do well past K through 12. And as it turns out, that's exactly what's happening, you know. But, yeah, you gotta be careful. You gotta really, like I said, be in tune to your child and where they are academically.

[Radio Co-host 4]

Michelle, you called Stephen a prodigy. Are there people outside of Atlanta who are wanting to learn about him, probe him, find out about his DNA? Like, how did his gene pool come together?

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

Here's the thing, actually. We don't, you know, the family thing, we don't like. He doesn't like the word prodigy. And we don't either, because we know that a lot of work went into where Stephen is. And I understand, you know, we're dealing with the public. And, you know, I guess when you look at the notative meaning of the word prodigy, I guess it fits him. But, you know, the thing is. Well, okay, answering your question, yeah. There have been other people who want to work with him. In fact, he's working with a prominent mathematician right now. It was really nice how he approached us. And he works at. He teaches at Clark Goodwill, honey. And so he stretches Stephen's mind beyond even what's offered at Morton. So that's a great thing, you know. But the whole DNA thing, no, it's just more or less doing the home, you know, that kind of stuff.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

If he came to you tomorrow and he said, mom, I'm done with Morehouse, and I want to go back to my school, and I think I want to, you know, I just want to. I want to be in waste management. What would you say?

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

And I would say, sweetie, you know what? Own the business. I mean, really?

[Radio Co-host 2]

Yes.

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

You know, I mean, really. You know, even with all of this, what has happened, we want. My husband and I want Steven to be happy. And actually, that's what he has told us. He said, mom, because he's done the school thing. And the thing is, classroom just not. It may not be for everybody, and for him it wasn't. And that's okay, too, you know, but the thing is, we want him to be well adjusted and happy, and that's. And he's told us, you know, mom, I love my life. So when your kid is telling you that, you know, hey, you kind of feel good and know that you're doing something right anyway, because it was a very scary journey for us.

[Radio Co-host 3]

Is he in the sports? Does he play any sports, or. Has he played sports?

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

Yeah, he has. He's done soccer and basketball. Of course. He's. He's kind of too little for basketball. And I forgot the other thing he did, but it was. Oh, he's in mixed martial arts now with his dad, so.

[Radio Co-host 3]

Okay.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

Okay.

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

He's kind of liking that. Yeah.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

Well, it's really nice to talk to.

[Radio Co-host 2]

You can outsmart you and be trash. Yeah, right.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

I'd like to talk to Stephen one last time before we say goodbye to you guys. Thank you so much.

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

Absolutely. Guys, thank you.

[Radio Co-host 2]

You asked me about leaving Morehouse. The only places he's going is, like, graduate school at Harvard or Yale or something like that.

[Radio Co-host 3]

Right? What's next?

[Radio Co-host 2]

Over. Over in Europe? Rhodes scholar.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

Hey, Steven.

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

Yeah?

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

Isn't there some, like, weird law in Georgia that you can't graduate high school until you're, like, 16 years old? So technically, you're gonna be graduating college and high school, like, right around the same time?

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

Yes, that's it.

[Stephen Stafford]

Exactly true.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

So at 16, he can't graduate high school, so he's gonna get his diploma in both high school and college at the very same time.

[Radio Co-host 4]

Have you already taken the SATs?

[Stephen Stafford]

Yes.

[Radio Co-host 4]

And what'd you score? Do you mind sharing?

[Stephen Stafford]

Not sure.

[Michelle Stafford (Stephen's Mother)]

I'm not good at testing.

[Stephen Stafford]

I don't test well.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

Oh, good. What'd you get?

[Stephen Stafford]

I am not sure. That was a while ago.

[Radio Co-host 1]

Yeah, that was the 1400.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

I'm sort of embarrassed that I got a 1450 on it or whatever.

[Radio Co-host 2]

I don't like talking to you because you have a child's voice, but you sound like an adult. You're more polite and, well, smoking than Most grownups that I know, it's bothering me.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

So what does the future hold? Like, what are you gonna be when you grow up?

[Stephen Stafford]

I'm gonna be an OBGYN with a specialty in infertility.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

Whoa, whoa.

[Radio Co-host 2]

Do you wanna go into radio? Maybe?

[Stephen Stafford]

Maybe?

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

That's so beneath you. Don't even think about it, man. Go into waste management instead.

[Radio Co-host 3]

Hey, Steve, have you heard of the Strip over there at the au. Have you heard of the Strip? Good thing. Stay away from it.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

Hey, Steven, it's really good talking to you, man. Congratulations. And boy, we're gonna keep an eye on you, man. And I'm sure you're gonna be whatever you want.

[Stephen Stafford]

Okay, thanks.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

Thanks a lot.

[Radio Co-host 1]

Congratulations, hon.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

Bye. Bye. 13 years old at Morehouse.

[Radio Co-host 4]

Oh my gosh.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

You know, I didn't get to a question that a bunch of you guys were calling up and. Maybe we'll have them on again. I wanted to know what the mother's educational background was because I know people are pretty critical of homeschooling. Obviously in this case, it works for school.

[Radio Co-host 1]

You can't be critical of this one.

[Radio Host (Carl Birch)]

Yeah, this one's. This one's worked out pretty well.

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[Stephen Stafford]

Com.

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