Hold Me Back: Son and Father Change the Conversation

Latest Episodes:

TCU: Interview with Heath Einstein, Dean of Admission Mar 16, 2022

Show notes

Aidan and Ash wrap up the first installment of the College Admission Series (CAS) on a high note as they welcome on Heath Einstein, Dean of Admission at Texas Christian University (TCU). Mr. Einstein is in his tenth year at TCU, having spent the prior eight years as a college counselor at the most prestigious independent schools in New York and Texas. In this fascinating interview, Mr. Einstein discusses how data and analytics can explain the recent admission trends, and how TCU uses marketing analytics in their recruitment and admission process. Who was more convincing: Aidan or Ash? Vote at HoldMeBack.com

Cornell University: Interview with Jonathon Burdick, Vice Provost for Enrollment Feb 25, 2022

Show notes

Aidan and Ash discuss "everything admissions" with Jonathan Burdick, a 35-year veteran in the field, and one of the most innovative and knowledgeable enrollment leaders in the country. Mr. Burdick leads Cornell's 15 colleges and school offices of admissions, financial aid, and registrar. Under his watch, Cornell has expanded opportunities for all students including international enrollment, and he's brought "innovation" to the admissions process. An erudite in every sense, Mr. Burdick doesn't shy away from the tough issues in this riveting and thought-provoking interview from start to finish. Who was more convincing: Aidan or Ash? Vote at HoldMeBack.com

Georgia Tech: Interview with Rick Clark, Director of Undergraduate Admission Feb 11, 2022

Show notes

Join Aidan and Ash in a lively and information-packed interview with Rick Clark, Georgia Tech's Director of Admission. Under his leadership, the Institute has exceeded every goal including advancing the academic class profile while driving geographic, gender, and ethnic diversity. Mr. Clark is also the co-author of the book, The Truth About College Admission: A Family Guide to Getting In and Staying Together. Mr. Clark brings a balanced perspective to the CAS series by sharing the admission process at public universities, while dispelling several myths that have been propagated by "clickbait" headlines. Who was more convincing: Aidan or Ash? Vote at HoldMeBack.com

Duke University: Interview with Christoph Guttentag, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Jan 30, 2022

Show notes

In this extensive and candid interview, Aidan and Ash spend time with the brilliant and dynamic leader of Duke's undergraduate admissions, Christoph Guttentag. Mr. Guttentag has been with Duke for 29 years, and served as the Dean of Undergraduate Admissions since 2006. During his tenure, the Duke student body has seen significant increases in diversity, creativity, and inclusiveness while maintaining its standards of excellence. Join Aidan and Ash in a fun, lively, and incredibly illuminating interview with one of the most respected leaders in the global admissions community. Who was more convincing: Aidan or Ash? Vote at HoldMeBack.com

Shady Side Academy: Interview with Lauren Lieberman, Director of College Counseling Jan 19, 2022

Show notes

Aidan and Ash interview Lauren Lieberman, currently the Director of College Counseling at Shady Side Academy and former Assistant Director of Admissions at The University of Chicago. Lauren has spent two decades deep in the trenches, helping thousands of families navigate the college admissions process. As a result, Lauren is a highly respected figure in the national landscape of college admissions. Having been on both sides of the fence, Lauren shares a unique perspective that's both compassionate and pragmatic in this extensive and informative interview. Who was more convincing: Aidan or Ash? Vote at HoldMeBack.com

The College Admission Series (CAS): Introduction Jan 19, 2022

Show notes

The college admissions process has become increasingly filled with uncertainty and stress for millions of families. In this multi-part series, Aidan and Ash interview the admission leaders of several renowned universities in an effort to demystify the admissions process so families can navigate through it in a healthy and rewarding manner. This episode reveals eye-opening data and sets the context for upcoming interviews with admission leaders from Cornell, Duke, Georgia Tech, TCU, and a nationally respected college counselor. Who was more convincing: Aidan or Ash? Vote at HoldMeBack.com

Social Media Dec 15, 2021

Show notes

Social Media is no longer just a "thing teens are into" - it's become the primary portal into Gen Z's lives, and the metaverse in which they experience every aspect of their world. Aidan and Ash explore the dangers and wonders of these social networks, including how parents and teens should approach them differently, in a candid interview with Carrie Kerpen, a bestselling author and CEO of the most prominent social media consultancy in the country. They also welcome a member of their own family, who'll share an eye-opening story that reveals the perils of one particular aspect of social media. Who was more convincing: Aidan or Ash? Vote at HoldMeBack.com

Grades Nov 17, 2021

Show notes

In this immensely emotional and raw episode, Ash and Aidan openly and honestly tackle a topic that's caused turmoil in their own household, and is a daily dinner table topic for millions of families - Grades. Ash and Aidan candidly share their struggles and failures in hopes that other families can benefit from their experiences. In doing so, they openly skewer the sensibility of nearly every commonly held convention on grades, and propose a robust set of nine principles they believe can be a framework from which parents and kids can find harmony when it comes to navigating grades. Who was more convincing: Aidan or Ash? Vote at HoldMeBack.com

Bonus Sports Episode: Tom Brady - Man or Machine? Sep 22, 2021

Show notes

Join Aidan and Ash as they take a break from debating the heady issues facing our generations, and tackle an even more important question - is Tom Brady the undisputed GOAT? During this extensive interview with his father, who's been studying Brady and the Patriots for decades, Aidan discovers that perhaps we've been looking at the Brady debate all wrong. How should we be looking at it? The answer might surprise you, because you've never heard a sports topic broken down like this before. This one will have you talking. Who was more convincing: Aidan or Ash? Vote at HoldMeBack.com

Mom's Perspective Sep 02, 2021

Show notes

Is there anything harder than raising a teenager in today's world? Ash and Aidan welcome the two co-founders of Your Teen Media, a leading platform for information and advice on raising teenagers. Stephanie Silverman and Susan Borison, who've raised several teens themselves, are as insightful as they are candid and fun, which made for a lively and provocative discussion. This interview will surely raise some eyebrows because Sue and Stephanie openly and thoughtfully challenge many widely held - and likely outdated - common conventions on raising teens. Who was more convincing: Aidan or Ash? Vote at HoldMeBack.com