“Dear Scott, I wanted to write and say thank you for speaking to the parents at Kol Ami this week. I had to leave early for a work event and missed the last 30 minutes. Originally, I had planned to stay only an hour and divide my time. Your lecture was so informative and moving I found myself riveted to my seat wanting more. I appreciate your honesty and passion. My teen kids missed your talk last week but were very open and listened actively when I told them what I had learned. I hope they have the opportunity to work with you or hear one of your lectures in the future. Communicating with them is an ever changing process and I am thankful to have new tools. Thank you, again, for this enlightenment.”
Jen S
“I just wanted to say thank you for giving such an inspiring, insightful, emotional and moving talk today. (I was the one that was compelled to hug you at the end.) You brought a wealth of information, ideas and tips that are accessible for me, as a mother, to actually use, but you also gave me a space to reflect on my relationship with my 3 daughters and with my parents and to reflect on how beautiful and precious my life is. I have never heard anyone present in the way that you did..with such warmth and passion and expression that brought every word that you said come to life and touch us all.”
Olga
“I was happy to be with my granddaughter and see what an impression the speaker made on her. He touched on so many important subjects to our youth, some that parents and grandparents weren't in tune with or have yet to discuss with their kids. Sammy was so touched by his stories that at the conclusion, she turned to me and said, "I have to go and hug him." She talked about him and cried the entire way home. I asked her if she was crying for him or for the friends he lost. She said she was, ‘Crying for the world.’ Sammy took away more than just the bracelet he gave her. If anyone can help fix the world -- she'll do her share. She's a very special girl and thanks for offering up a special evening that gave her more tools to deal with life.”
Anonymous Grandparent
“I bought his books to give to my teenagers when they get older, so they can read them when they are parents themselves. Have faith in me when I honestly state that since your appearance in Minneapolis last Sunday, you have been "with me." You sit silently on my shoulder and near my heart. I was totally captivated and deeply touched by your warmth, honesty and being at ease discussing the issues that are paramount for all of us. I felt honored to have been in the auditorium with the students and their parents. You are truly an extraordinary human being and a mensch.”
A Grateful Grandmother
“Scott's message is at the same time both deeply personal and universal; his presentation compelling. Parents will be moved and educated by Scott's story.”
Mark Soifer
“My son was so incredibly moved by you, your story, and your talk. I heard all about it in the car on the way home after swim practice. Your talk provoked such a beautiful and intimate discussion between us. I can't remember the details of our conversation but racing up the FDR in the dark I was moved to tears-- by the love you shared with those children, by the way you and your message opened Nicholas' heart, and also by the gratitude I felt that he could share his thoughts and experience with me. Thank you so much.”
Amira
“Scott woke me up to the fact that drugs, sex and risky behavior are issues for my teenage kids NOW. Not someday soon but RIGHT NOW. His message is even for 'good kids' and straight-A students. When he speaks to the kids, you could tell what the real issues are FOR THEM - a sense of themselves and their own self-worth, not just peer pressure or drugs or sex. He understands what's at work in teenage behavior. Any parent of a teenager has GOT to hear Scott Fried.”
Dan Ojserkis
“Scott Fried has a way of talking about uncomfortable, unpleasant issues that need to be discussed in a way that makes teens want to listen and ask questions. He reassures them that others share their thoughts, feelings and fears and that they are worthy for who they are. He is a startling and powerful speaker.”
Karen Schwab
“Scott's ability to connect with humor, intelligence, compassion, memory and caring to parents and children was a sacred gift. He is the greatest, most inspirational speaker I've ever heard! I feel sorry for any teen who couldn't be there!...What an exceptional and motivating speaker. I've never seen a group of kids this age sit still for that long. Thanks for such a phenomenal gift....Scott is the most outstanding speaker I've ever heard and I've heard a lot of speakers. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to hear him and meet him. He is a real gem.... All teens should have an opportunity to hear him and his message.... I couldn't believe how the kids opened up and shared such profound personal stories.... Thank you for such a rare gift. ....I am writing to tell you that your presentation made a profound impact on my 14 year-old daughter. When she came home from school yesterday she sought me out and sat me down to recount what you had said. Clearly it resonated with her and seemed to bring her an inner peace I have not seen in quite a while. Your personal experience moved her to feel pain and concern for you and that is important. But as her Mom, what was more profound was how you moved her to feel more comfortable about herself. She was disappointed not to see you in the halls of the school so she could tell you how much your talk meant to her. Give her generally shy nature, that shows how much you touched her.”
Debra
“I am a mom and therefor a "pain absorber." We are all children at some level...the level that holds onto the big scary world of despair. Let me thank you again for your unselfish ability to open your heart to strangers. Let me thank you once again for your words that actually dissolved my heart heart guard and let me reach out anew to my teenagers. Last night, my son, who is 18, let me rub his shoulders and he requested an old lullaby. I sang him to sleep; he did not feel the grateful tears in my eyes. Life is so beautiful and cuts so deep at the same moment.”
A Mom in San Francisco
“I am still recovering from the deep affect! You are one fine man, full of truth, dignity, fairness and sensitivity. Thank you again for making a difference.”
I. Shub, Baldwin School, Puerto Rico
“I am a parent and was in the audience tonight with my daughter. She also heard Scott speak over the summer at camp. He did a wonderful job relating to both the kids and the parents. He gave us all so much to think about, be thankful for, and to watch for. As a probation officer, I have worked with hundreds of clients (both juvenile and adult) over the past 32 years. Although I hope I have touched the lives of others, I know that Scott's message has reached so many more. Please keep up the good work.”
R. Gerson, Pittsburgh
“I am the mother of two daughters and I am also a gynecologist. I see many teenagers and speak to them about sex: what to expect and how to protect themselves, but I tell them I can not protect their self-worth. I now understand that it is really by negotiating teenage angst and getting through to the other side intact that brings self worth. I am frustrated by our educational system that does not allow our children the venue to ask true, real questions about sex and drugs. I think knowledge is half the battle in being "safe". The other half is luck. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the time, caring and yes...elegance you give to your lectures. You are appreciated by many and you will be in my head on many occasions as I am challenged by raising my two girls to have integrity with themselves and others and, as you so gracefully put it, elegance. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! millions to infinity......”
Alexandria
“You are an incredible speaker and person. I know you were going to be great, but I never imagined the impact you would make on my own life and with the relationships with my own children. I'm looking at them in a whole new way. I've gotten emails and calls about the program. You have to the best program/performance/speaker I've ever had in the eleven years I've been working here. Thank you, again.”
L. Gordon, Congregation B'nai Israel
“I was hungry and tired after a long day at work and had decided not to go to hear Scott speak tonight. My son told me that he would take care of himself for supper and that I had to turn around and go. Reluctantly, I decided I would go and leave quickly. But that's not what happened. I found Scott's talk very enlightening and learned a tremendous amount. I had to get used to the frank way he spoke and things he spoke about that I hadn't always given much thought to. However, his honesty and passion were infectious. I could not believe the time had passed so quickly. I have already implemented some of his recommendations and the results have been very positive. I feel that there is so much more that we could have learned from him and the short time we had with him was not enough. I am reading his books and listening to his CD, but I want more of him in person.”
S. Kushner, Bialik School, Montreal
“Too bad parents can't rent him to live in the family for a while!”
R. Levinson, Temple Israel, Minneapolis
“As a parent of two middle schoolers, former President of our high school District and a rookie speaker, I just wanted to thank you for your presentation to both the high school students and the parents last night. My wife and I were very enlightened. I know we are doing many things right but you gave us some very timely and insightful advice. I wish we would have brought our children last night but at least we know how to better help them along with journey to adulthood.”
A Parent
“I GOT IT SO MUCH that I had a hard time staying composed as I sat through your talk. So much of what you said, I am glad to say, I try to apply as a parent. I don’t deny what goes on with teens and I acknowledge it vs. “turning a blind eye to it” as so many parents do. I have two amazing young men because of it as well as a very happy, peaceful household. You are saying things that really need to be heard but some people are not ready to hear it. Open dialogue is so important and if it starts at these meetings it will end up home as well. I, myself, paid a dear price as a teen for the choices I made or, should I say, was unable to make well. DON’T STOP doing what you're doing! I know you made an impact on my son, myself and even my husband!”
A Parent in the Northeast