Hold Me Back

28/07/2023

Over the last decade, the concept of resilience has been synonymous with raising healthy kids. But what if we’re wrong? What if one person’s life journey shined a bright light on how resilience can function in society in a way that is far from healthy?

We are honored to welcome onto the show Emi Nietfeld - journalist, mental health advocate, and author of the highly acclaimed book, “Acceptance: A Memoir” - available August 1st. From homeless to Harvard, psychiatric wards to Google, Emi’s memoir - which she started writing as a teen - is a powerful commentary that society can often unwittingly fail those who need them most in the name of “resilience.”

Listen to the complete episode at http://bitly.ws/PnxM.

Listen to this episode from Hold Me Back: Son and Father Change the Conversation on Spotify. Over the last decade, the concept of resilience has been synonymous with raising healthy kids. But what if we're wrong? What if one person's life journey shined a bright light on how resilience can function....

24/02/2023

It is with a heavy heart that we share our longtime friend, Heath Miller, passed away last Friday. Heath was a beautiful, compassionate person who brought joy to every connection he made. Heath lived his life each day wondering how he could make the world better. He made the world less gray and filled it with the color of his imagination and spirit. We will miss him with our whole hearts and are keeping his family and friends in our thoughts. Rest easy, friend.

16/12/2022

How do you change the world? One conversation at a time, according to the CEO of StoryCorps, Sandra Clark. Clark joins Aidan and Ash for an illuminating discussion on how StoryCorps’ program, One Small Step (OSS), is trying to bridge the nation’s growing divide in an effort to fend off a growing “culture of contempt” in the United States. Listen to the full episode here, https://spoti.fi/3uZbyIR.

11/11/2022

What started as an episode on teen gambling took a turn into a fascinating conversation with the polymathic Dan Singer, one of the world's leading experts on the businesses of online gaming, casinos, sportsbooks, daily fantasy sports, poker, and eSports.
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After listening to Dan, Ash and Aidan can’t wait to play poker (or perhaps, never play it again)! Listen to the full episode by visiting, https://spoti.fi/3DYPz8V.

28/10/2022

Reimagining Diversity with Eboo Patel!
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Eboo is the the Founder and President of Interfaith America - the leading interfaith organization in the United States - and was named "one of America's best leaders" by U.S. News and World Report. He served on President Obama’s Inaugural Faith Council and has written five books, including his recently published “We Need to Build: Fieldnotes for Diverse Democracy.” In the interview, Eboo shares how a potluck dinner is the key to building a healthy diverse democracy.
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Listen to the full episode here, https://spoti.fi/3WaTqIi!

28/10/2022

Hold Me Back is excited to join the UChicago MAPSS Alumni to discuss connecting the generations! Follow the link below to register.

Mixer with food and drink, followed by a conversation with Ash and Aidan ElDifrawi, creators of the father-son podcast Hold Me Back

26/10/2022

What are adults missing about teens and their technology? Apparently, a lot! Aidan and Ash kick off their mental health series by welcoming Harvard Project Zero researchers Emily Weinstein and Carrie James to discuss their book, Behind Their Screens: What Teens Are Facing (And Adults Are Missing). Drawing on perspectives from 3,500 teens, Weinstein and James bring stories and data together for a powerful reframe of what teens are up against – and what teens need adults to understand.
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Listen to the full episode here: https://spoti.fi/3zi5X2Z.

20/10/2022

We could not be more excited to welcome Emily Weinstein and Carrie James, Project Zero researchers and authors of ‘Behind Their Screens: What Teens are Facing (and Adults are Missing)’, as our next guests on latest episode, ‘Teens and Their Screens’!

“As a teen, I can’t express the gratitude I feel toward Emily and Carrie’s work. Knowing they’ve spent so many years doing research to help my generation lead happier and healthier lives inspires me to be better and find the harmony between our generations that we so desperately need.” - Aidan ElDifrawi

Check out their latest interview on the Today Show, as they discuss their findings and what teens and tweens are experiencing online - and how parents can help navigate that. You can also visit https://www.behindtheirscreens.com/ to read more from ‘Behind Their Screens’.

12/10/2022

“Who gets in and why?” is the question all prospective college students are asking themselves.
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Just when Aidan and Ash thought they have shared everything there is to know about the process, they had the opportunity to interview one of the brightest minds in the field - Jeff Selingo, New York Times Best-Selling Author of ‘Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions”.
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🎧 Hear more at https://spoti.fi/3SXC3sm.

30/09/2022

In the world of the workplace, it is a "buyer's market". From remote work, to benefits, to having windows in your office; what's important and what is not? We all have our opinions. But what's interesting is hearing it from your teenager. Ash has spent so much time in Gen Z’s world, Aidan felt it was time to turn the tables. Aidan infiltrated several work environments during his internships and exploratory visits this past summer - and he had some things to say! In fact, he made a Top 10 list of observations. Visit https://spoti.fi/3SQ6WPf to listen to the full episode.