Occasional use of "s--t" and ass, though used to express emotion, not insult. Some occurrences are bleeped, others are not. An episode describing some of the hosts favorite films plays clips from the movies that include the use of "f--k" and "f---ing". Hosts give a warning beforehand. Episodes are marked as explicit, which may not be accurate for all episodes.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.
An embedded ad for the show's sponsor is present at the start of each episode. Most ads are age appropriate and relevant to target audience.
Positive Messages
a lot
Positive messages around character development, goal setting, and growth mindset. Themes like active listening, respectful disagreement, and openness to understanding each others perspectives are highlighted in each episode. Empathy and understanding for different cultural and socioeconomic perspectives. Honesty with feelings and experiences and openness and trust between teens and parents or trusted adults. Focus on mental health and wellness.
Positive Role Models
a lot
Hosts model openness even in their most entrenched debates. Son, Aiden, is thoughtful, driven, and clear about his values. Dad, Ash, is empathic and curious about his son's worldview, if occasionally derisive. Both openly debate and share their differing opinions with respect and understanding. Both help normalize men sharing their emotions, fears, and insecurities unapologetically. Hosts acknowledge and apologize when they make one another feel bad. Son and father duo demonstrate compassion, humility, teamwork and integrity.
Educational Value
a lot
Evidence-based discussions of common parenting dilemmas and their psychological impact on children and teens. Hosts present data and studies around topics. Experts are interviewed to discuss topics like money, misinformation, and raising teenagers.
Diverse Representations
a lot
Hosts have Egyptian heritage and often discuss role it plays in their family culture. Many episodes are from the male perspective, with Aidan and Ash leading discussion, but expert guests are both men and women. Guests are mainly white. Aidan and Ash disclose they come from a higher socioeconomic status perspective when discussing topics, but also try to give data and understanding for various socioeconomic backgrounds. Normalizes emotional expression of boys and men. Open discussion of teen mental health.
Parents need to know that Hold Me Back is a thoughtful debate-based talk show hosted by father-son duo Ash and Aiden ElDifrawi. The show includes honest conversations about many issues relevant to tweens and teens-- grades, social media, sports, swearing and more. Tween and teen mental health challenges, particularly around anxiety and depression, are recurring themes throughout the show. There's occasional cursing -- s--t and ass -- used to emphasize negative emotions, not as an insult. Positive messages include character development, goal setting, and growth mindset. Open discussions between the father and son hosts can help spark important discussion between parents and kids listening together.
Better at improving my relationship with my kids than any book I have read - and I've read a lot!
Binge worthy! I am so grateful for this podcast. It has me thinking about what my kids are experiencing growing up with social media. It has helped me think about grades, sports, popularity, motivation, you name it from a clinical psychologist and family therapist's POV as well as that of a very articulate and thoughtful teenager. I've read a ton of parenting books, but this has made me think about things very differently and changed my relationship with my kids for the better. Well worth a listen for the whole family. Be warned, there is some swearing, so if you're sensitive to that maybe listen first on your own. In our experience, it didn't register with my kids as I think they hear it all at school. I wish this had been available when my kids were younger (I have teens) as it definitely would have changed some of the decisions we made. Glad I have it now, as the College Admission episodes are really helping us think about college. Can't wait to see what they talk about next.
This is a FANTASTIC podcast! Not many places can you hear a healthy & insightful dynamic on such a wonderful mix of topics between father & son. They cover all the important issues facing teens, parents, and families today, and always showcase the research to back up their points. They're a ton of fun to listen to, as well. Aidan & Ash are terrific. Can't recommend enough!
What’s It About?
HOLD ME BACK is a talk show that explores the many issues families with tweens and teens must navigate in modern America. Each episode, father and son hosts Ash and Aiden Eldifrawi debate a topic they are grappling with in their household, from grades and applying to college to screen time and privacy. Ash is a clinical psychologist with a background in family therapy and Aiden is a thoughtful and self-aware high schooler, whose opinionated banter with his father may be recognizable to any parent of a teen. They analyze relevant research and also share their personal experiences and opinions, attempting to come to accord from across the generational divide. At the end of each episode, they offer their new contract, a set of agreements that they generate together, through their discussion. Some episodes feature experts on particular topics to add varied format and perspective to the show.
The show is a thoughtful examination of how norms and rules for teens are changing due to the ongoing evolution of technology and media. Led by father and son in the thick of these questions, Hold Me Back offers equal measure of raw, personal discussion and thorough engagement with research. Listeners may be surprised by the nuanced contract that emerges between father and son as a result of each conversation. Meanwhile, the Difrawi's dynamic together is a treat and it's clear how much the two respect one another.
As a teenager, Aidan is unafraid of sharing his strong opinions and disagreeing with his father. Ash gives a deeper insight into the parent perspective and how many of the topics discussed also seep into other family dynamics. In one episode Ash is candid about how him and his wife had to seek to therapy because of their differing opinions on their son's grades. This compelling podcast explores what a collaborative approach to crafting rules and expectations could look like for parents and teens.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Hold Me Back models active listening? What does active listening mean to you? How do you show people that you are listening to them? How does it feel when adults take your thoughts and ideas seriously?
What rules in your household seem unfair to you? Which seem fair? Why do you think that?
What are some feelings or parts of life that are difficult or confusing to you right now? What do you need to open up to a trusted adult about these challenges?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Diana Baron-Moore
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
