Podcast Summary: The Rubin Report

Episode: A Radically Different Approach to Raising Kids with Autism
Guest: Leland Vittert
Air Date: December 27, 2025
Host: Dave Rubin

Overview

This episode of The Rubin Report features a compelling and heartfelt conversation between host Dave Rubin and Leland Vittert, chief Washington anchor at NewsNation and author of Born Lucky. The main theme centers on Vittert's radically different upbringing as a child with autism, his father's unconventional parenting philosophy, and his views on today's “accommodation culture.” The discussion expands into Vittert's experiences as a Middle East correspondent, moral clarity in journalism, opinions on the shifting landscape of autism diagnosis, and the state of modern media.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Leland Vittert’s Childhood & Autism Diagnosis

• Diagnosis Story (00:00, 16:17):

  • As a child, Leland was diagnosed with severe behavioral and learning disabilities, including a 70-point IQ test spread—the largest his examiner had seen.
  • Rather than seeking accommodations or medication, Vittert’s father chose to keep the diagnosis private, never telling teachers or friends, and made it his mission to adapt Leland to the world:
    • “It was my dad’s mission to really adapt me to the world.” (00:00, 16:17)

• Rejecting Accommodation (14:12, 16:17):

  • The Vitterts refused typical recommendations (accommodations, medication) and instead focused on fostering resilience and achievement.
  • “Self-esteem is earned. It’s not given.” (17:57)

• Parenting Techniques (17:57–21:36):

  • Leland’s father became his “only friend” for long periods, teaching him social skills through constant, hands-on coaching, often using cues like tapping his watch to prompt reflection rather than public correction.
  • After social situations, they’d “post-game” interactions to teach conversational give and take.
  • His father, a skilled salesman, drew on Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People as a “bible” for social skills training.

• Adversity & Resilience (21:36):

  • Leland recounted emotional stories of cruelty from peers and even teachers:
    • “Hey, Vitter, if my dog was as ugly as you, I’d shave its ass and make it walk backwards.” —Teacher (21:36)
  • His father absorbed his pain but always sent him back to school the next day, modeling resilience.
  • The family maintained a united front; Vittert notes his parents never told him he “couldn’t” do something because of autism.

Coming of Age & Ongoing Struggles

• No Cure—Ongoing Discipline (22:20):

  • Vittert likens living with autism to living with alcoholism: constant vigilance, never cured, always adapting.

• Still a Work in Progress (24:33):

  • He gives an example (24:33) of failing to socially engage after golf, knowing it was rude, and following up with a personal apology:
    • “My dad always taught me, the standard’s the standard. And you need to learn to operate in a world that is how the world operates, not the world changing for you.” (24:33)

• TV News Career (26:23):

  • Vittert never knew he was “different,” so he pursued a visible, high-pressure career in journalism without self-limitation, crediting his parents’ choice to not label him:
    • “If you allow yourself to be defined by a diagnosis, you will be for life. If you don’t, you won’t be, because that’s a personal choice.” (26:51)

Moral Clarity & Middle East Reporting

• Eye-opening Interview with a Suicide Bomber (03:19):

  • Vittert recounts interviewing Wafa, a failed suicide bomber treated by Israel, who still wanted to kill Israelis in the name of martyrdom.
    • “That was the moment I almost tasted paradise.” —Wafa, on watching surveillance footage of her attempted bombing (03:19)
  • This moment solidified Vittert’s view that peace in the region was not always reciprocally desired, underscoring his views on “moral clarity.”

• Pushback & Journalistic Isolation (08:57, 10:38):

  • Vittert notes many journalists avoid engaging with the subjects they cover, leading to surprise at events like Trump’s 2016 win:
    • “I eat when I’m hungry and I dance when there’s music… It’s never really bothered me.” (10:38)

Media Critique & The NewsNation Difference

• Changing Media Landscape (12:37–13:10):

  • Vittert describes early skepticism toward NewsNation, but highlights its growth and appeal as a network focused on “right and wrong, not left and right.”
    • “People are seeking this out… not my viewpoints, but how we approach things.” (13:10)

• Host Dave Rubin on Media (13:05):

  • Rubin identifies as a commentator rather than a journalist, giving him freedom to critique the industry.

The Autism Diagnosis Boom & Debate

• Rise in Diagnoses (29:09):

  • Vittert observes a jump from 1 in 1,500 to 1 in 36 children diagnosed with autism, much higher rates among boys and minority groups.
  • He welcomes greater discussion—regardless of who leads it (e.g., Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.).
    • “Why wouldn’t we be obsessed with finding the cause of autism? If my wife was pregnant…obviously, I would pick ‘no’ [to autism]. Anybody would.” (29:47)

• Victimhood and Personal Agency (26:51):

  • Vittert warns against letting a diagnosis define a child’s future, highlighting the danger of embracing victimhood.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Leland’s Diagnosis & His Father’s Reaction:
  “She says, ‘Well, you know, not much. You sort of meet him where he’s at and, you know, kind of he gets along.’ And my dad goes, ‘No, no, no. What do we do?’… That became a challenge for my dad.” —Leland Vittert (00:00)

• On Understanding Adversity:
  “Born Lucky is my dad holding my hand through the adversity.” (17:57)

• On Social Training:
  “As soon as we sat down, I would have been peppering you with questions… My dad would tap his watch. He’d say, the tap watch was ‘be quiet and bookmark this moment.’” (17:57)

• The Cost of Not Engaging:
  “I kind of have this saying that, you know, I eat when I’m hungry and I dance when there’s music…” (10:38)

• Failing Forward:
  “I could almost hear my dad in the background being like, okay, Lucky, you need to stop…” (24:33)

• On Victimhood:
  “Victimhood is addictive like a drug… if you aren’t a victim, no one can make you one.” (26:51)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00 – Leland’s early autism diagnosis and his father’s radical parenting philosophy
• 03:19 – Middle East reporting: The suicide bomber interview that reshaped Vittert’s worldview
• 10:38 – On professional and personal resilience among journalists
• 14:12–17:57 – Deep dive into Vittert’s upbringing; father’s social training methods and rejection of accommodation culture
• 21:36 – Handling cruelty and bullying; building emotional resilience
• 24:33 – Example of adult challenge: social engagement still isn’t automatic
• 26:51 – Family’s choice to avoid labels, and how it shaped Vittert’s ambitions and self-view
• 29:09 – The booming diagnosis rates of autism; criticism of dismissive media coverage
• 29:47 – On wanting to find the cause: “Why wouldn’t we be obsessed with finding the cause of autism?”

Conclusion

This episode delivers a nuanced, honest exploration of the realities of growing up and succeeding with autism outside today’s prevailing “accommodation” mentality. Through vivid storytelling and candid reflection, Leland Vittert champions resilience and personal agency, credits his family’s radical honesty, and critiques both the media landscape and prevailing cultural trends around disability and parenting. This conversation is a must-listen for parents, educators, or anyone interested in the power of expectation, adaptation, and real world preparation.