The Karol Markowicz Show: Leland Vittert on Autism, Resilience, and the Power of Parental Love

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show Presents
Date: October 17, 2025
Host: Carol Markowitz
Guest: Leland Vittert

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt episode, Carol Markowitz sits down with Leland Vittert—NewsNation’s chief Washington anchor and author of “Born Lucky.” The discussion delves into Vittert’s personal journey growing up with autism, his father’s relentless love and advocacy, and broader themes of resilience and adaptation. The episode is both moving and practical, offering hope and lessons for parents, children, and anyone touched by neurodiversity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Leland Vittert’s Story & “Born Lucky”

• Motivation for the Book:
  Vittert says the book is about his childhood with autism and his father’s unwavering determination to adapt him to the world, rather than expect the world to adapt to him.
  • “So the book is hope and proof of what parental love can do for every parent who has a kid who’s having a hard time.” (04:24)
• Diagnosis & Early Challenges:
  • Leland recalls his parents being told at age 5 that “there is very difficult to know what is going on inside his head.” He describes severe behavioral, sensory, and speech issues, and a 70-point IQ spread, well beyond the 20-point threshold for learning disabilities.
    • “I would...hit anybody who touched me in the lunch line because touch was so difficult. I couldn’t understand how to interact with kids.” (03:20)
  • The professionals suggested adapting the world to Leland’s needs, but his father refused to accept that answer.
• Parental Determination:
  • Vittert illustrates with a story from a reader—another parent who resisted the standard advice to eliminate peanuts entirely, instead working to desensitize her son, giving him opportunities he wouldn’t otherwise have.
  • “It’s just a story of the power of parental love.” (05:42)

Adapting to the Real World

• Learning Social Skills:
  • Vittert’s father created practical strategies—like tapping his watch as a cue for his son to stop talking—to teach Leland how to adapt socially rather than being insulated or overaccommodated.
  • Carol reflects on how universally applicable these lessons are even for children without autism.
    • “You have to learn how to adapt to other people. So your story is very...applicable to all kinds of situations with kids.” (06:28)

The “Luckiest Baby”

• Birth Story and Nickname:
  • Leland describes how a perilous, high-risk birth led to his nickname “Lucky.” During the C-section, doctors discovered his umbilical cord tied in two knots around his neck—meaning he would likely not have survived natural delivery.
  • “Oh my God, this is the luckiest baby we’ve ever seen. The umbilical cord was tied in two knots and around my neck.” (08:20)
  • The name “Lucky” stuck with him until college.

Societal Shifts & Autism in the National Conversation (09:00)

• Increased Awareness:
  • Vittert notes the sharp increase in autism diagnoses: from 1 in 150 kids during his childhood to 1 in 31 now (even higher for boys and marginalized groups).
  • While not engaging in causes or medical debates, he’s grateful autism is now an open national conversation.
  • “This should be the scientific question of our time.” (09:33)
• Desire for Solutions:
  • Vittert is frank that, as a prospective parent, he would not wish for a child to have autism, pushing back against a narrative that seeking prevention is stigmatizing.
    • “If you gave me a box to check—’your child will be autistic or not’—of course I would check no. What parent would?” (10:19)

Resilience, Parenting, and Real-World Preparation

• The Role of Parents:
  • Vittert credits his father’s tough, real-world approach with helping him build resilience and ultimately thrive.
  • He critiques the contemporary cultural trend of “meeting every kid where they are” without encouraging adaptation.
    • “That’s not how I grew up, and that’s not the real world.” (11:31)

Vulnerability & Writing the Book

• Letting People In:
  • Carol observes Vittert’s reputation as a “straight news guy” and asks if opening up was difficult.
  • Leland confesses it was “awful” to relive painful memories, including recalling middle school bullying—like an eighth-grade teacher publicly humiliating him.
    • “If my dog was as ugly as you, I would shave its ass and make it walk backwards.” (13:48)
  • Despite the pain, he’s motivated by the hope it offers others.
    • “If it can help parents and also let parents know that they’re not alone...then it’s worth it.” (14:36)

Inspiration for Kids with Autism

• A Book He Wishes He Had:
  • Leland shares that “Born Lucky” provides hope, advice, and proof that things can and do get better—even if you don’t believe it in the moment.
  • “Having these difficulties, it does get better… character is destiny.” (21:01)
• Key Lessons from His Dad:
  • Control what you can: “Your attitude...your character and your work ethic. Those three things you have 100% control over.” (22:04)
  • Finding confidence and self-worth outside academics or friends.
• A Powerful Motivation:
  • He only published the book with his father’s blessing, asking, “If when I was diagnosed, rather than that woman saying...‘there’s no hope’, had handed you this book, how would you have felt?” His father replied: “I would have read it every week.” (23:20)

Character Above All

• What Matters Most:
  • Leland’s greatest pride is character, a value taught by his late grandfather via a letter: “A man is defined by his character, not his accolades, not his business success, not his accomplishments.” (24:25)
  • Carol echoes: “Character is everything...who you are actually matters the most.” (24:48)

Looking Forward

• On America’s Future:
  • Despite pessimism, Leland is “very bullish” on America and its unique promise.
  • “The best hope the world has is America...the greatest idea anybody ever came up with.” (25:20)

Final Reflections & Advice

• Leland’s Takeaway for Parents:
  • Even if you feel alone or uncertain as a parent of a struggling child: "There is so much you can do because my dad did it for me.” (26:45)
• On the Impact of “Born Lucky”:
  • The book is resonating—selling out quickly—which Vittert attributes to the hope it provides.

Notable Quotes by Segment

• Parental Love and Resilience:
  • “The book is hope and proof of what parental love can do for every parent who has a kid who’s having a hard time.” — Leland Vittert (04:24)
• On Social Skills:
  • “You have to learn how to adapt to other people. So your story is very...applicable to all kinds of situations with kids.” — Carol Markowitz (06:28)
• Birth Story:
  • “Oh my God, this is the luckiest baby we’ve ever seen. The umbilical cord was tied in two knots and around my neck.” — Leland Vittert (08:20)
• Autism Conversation:
  • “This should be the scientific question of our time.” — Leland Vittert (09:33)
  • “If you gave me a box to check—‘your child will be autistic or not’—of course I would check no. What parent would?” — Leland Vittert (10:19)
• Character as Legacy:
  • “A man is defined by his character, not his accolades, not his business success, not his accomplishments.” — Leland Vittert (24:25)
• Hope for Struggling Kids:
  • “Having these difficulties, it does get better… character is destiny.” — Leland Vittert (21:01)
• Advice to Parents:
  • “There is so much you can do because my dad did it for me.” — Leland Vittert (26:45)

Timestamps by Topic

• Vittert’s childhood & diagnosis: 03:20 – 05:42
• Power of parental advocacy: 05:42 – 06:44
• Origin of “Lucky” nickname & birth story: 06:49 – 08:34
• Autism in national discussion / societal trends: 09:05 – 12:55
• Opening up in writing the book: 12:55 – 14:47
• How the book can help kids and parents: 20:24 – 23:36
• What matters most—character and family legacy: 23:53 – 25:08
• Leland’s advice and final words: 26:23 – 27:19

Closing Thoughts

This episode offers a rare, intimate look at the lived experience of autism and the profound influence of parenting. Leland Vittert’s account is honest about struggle and adversity, but he and Carol Markowitz also serve up real hope: that with grit, guidance, and love, children facing enormous obstacles can find their place in the world—sometimes, as in Vittert's case, to remarkable heights. The conversation will resonate with parents, educators, and anyone who seeks to understand the power of resilience and the true meaning of being “born lucky.”