NewsNation anchor Leland Vittert joins Joe Pags for one of the most personal conversations he’s ever had on or off camera. For years, Leland worked in one of the highest-pressure jobs in television news while quietly battling anxiety, social confusion, and a constant sense that something was “off.” Only later in life did he discover the reason: autism.

In this raw, no-spin interview, Leland walks through the moment he finally got his autism diagnosis – and how it instantly reframed his entire life story. From childhood signs everyone missed, to the coping mechanisms he built to survive live TV, to the pressure cooker of breaking news, Leland explains how being on the autism spectrum shaped his career, relationships, and mental health.

Joe drills into the tough questions:
– What did autism explain about his past behavior and struggles?
– How did he manage the chaos of live cable news without a diagnosis?
– What does “masking” look like for a high-profile news anchor?
– Why did he decide to go public with this now – and what does he want bosses, coworkers, and viewers to understand about adults with autism?

This is more than a media interview. It’s a blunt, honest look at late autism diagnosis, the realities of the news business, and what happens when someone finally gets the answers they’ve been chasing their whole life.

Perfect for listeners who care about real conversations, the truth behind cable news, and the human side of mental health and neurodiversity.

Topics: autism diagnosis, late diagnosis, autism spectrum, news media, NewsNation, mental health, anxiety, masking, high-pressure careers, personal story.