I finally sat down in person with Leland Vittert, and while we both have some pretty fabulous hair, it's what's under the surface that left me truly moved. Most of you know him as a fearless News Nation anchor and former Fox News correspondent, but today we're talking about his raw and powerful new book, "Born Lucky."

In this episode, Leland opens up about his lifelong journey with autism and a severe learning disability that once led a principal to tell his parents he was "weird" and had no future. We dive deep into the psychology of resiliency, the sacrifices of a father who worked the "night shift" just to hold his son's hand through adversity, and the incredible discipline it takes to navigate the world when your brain is wired differently.

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I have spent my career around world-class high-performers, but I don't know if I've ever met anyone with the sheer persistence and focus of Scott Presler. Most people know him as the man with the hair who spent months living in battleground states to master voter registration, but today, we're going way beyond the political headlines. We're talking about the psychology of grassroots activism, the power of being unique, and the radical accountability required to actually save a country.

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I spent 15 years only watching sports because of my life at ESPN, so I missed the initial Duck Dynasty craze—but getting to know Willie and Korie Robertson today was exactly what my soul needed. We go far beyond the camo and the beards to discuss the raw reality of family, faith, and what happens when your life changes overnight.

In this episode, Korie and Willie get incredibly honest about their "rough start"—including a breakup at 17 and a "knockdown drag-out" fight with Korie's father before they got married at 18 and 19. We talk about the psychology of sudden fame, the "ginger angel" that changed Willie's health, and the "nuclear reactor" of stress that comes with running a family business while filming a hit TV show.

We also dive deep into why they never left their hometown, how they handled the loss of the legendary Phil Robertson, and their mission to bring good news and revival to a world that feels increasingly dark. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to their journey, this conversation is a masterclass in resilience and staying rooted in what matters.

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Chapters:
00:00:00 – Intro
00:04:04 – Why "Duck Dynasty" Resonated: Relatability & Prayer
00:06:16 – Rejecting Hollywood: The "Women Folk" Production Battle
00:08:06 – Streamers, COVID, & The Change in Entertainment
00:10:22 – Shaping Culture: Real Men Who Love Jesus
00:14:16 – Testing Faith: Fame, Money, and Deep Roots
00:18:59 – The Reality of Recognition: Standing with Bruce Springsteen
00:23:43 – The Badminton Bet: Willie's College Hoop Dreams
00:29:41 – The Greatest Fight: Scatagories & "Sneaker Bars"
00:34:40 – Married at 18: The Battle with Kory's Father
00:46:51 – Working with In-Laws: The Family Business Struggle
00:56:45 – Life in Monroe: Dealing with Local Fame
01:02:05 – The "Ginger Angel": Willie's Health Transformation
01:08:33 – Food Snobs: Why the Robertsons Don't Buy Off-Brands
01:13:57 – Take Me on a Date in the Woods: The Hunting Life
01:17:50 – Bearing Good News: Faith in a Scary World
01:25:00 – The Next Generation: Raising Kids & Nine Grandbabies
01:37:03 – Remembering Phil Robertson: Alzheimer's & The Gospel Legacy
01:45:00 – 34 Years Later: "It's Never Boring"