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Parenting Shrink Wrapped is your all-access pass to the wild and wonderful journey of raising kids! Hosted by Dr. Melissa Wellner, a double board-certified psychiatrist and child and adolescent psychiatrist, and Samantha Straub, a licensed therapist, educator, and parenting coach, this dynamic duo brings a perfect mix of professional expertise and mom humor. With five kids between them—and thousands more they’ve supported in their professional roles—they’re here to share practical strategies and real-life stories that will help you navigate everything from tantrums to teen drama. Whether you're handling sleepless nights or the chaos of carpool, you'll find relatable advice and a good laugh along the way. Strap in, because parenting is a ride, and we're here to make it a little smoother!
66 Episodes
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Send a text Money is one of the biggest sources of stress in families — and one of the least discussed topics. In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa sit down with Lori Atwood, founder of Fearless Finance, to explore how parents can model calm, confident financial behavior and teach teens real-world money skills You’ll learn: ➡️How your emotional response to money shapes your child’s money story ➡️Why every family needs both an “oops” fund and an emergency fund ➡️When to...
Send a text In this episode, Sam and Melissa welcome Dr. Susan Zink, board-certified psychiatrist and founder of Elemental Integrative Psychiatry, to explore how perimenopause impacts mood, anxiety, sleep, cognition, and overall functioning. They discuss: • What perimenopause is and how long it lasts • Why estrogen and progesterone affect mood and sleep • How perimenopause can mimic or worsen ADHD • The role of sleep apnea and insomnia • Lifestyle strategies and cognit...
Send a text What happens when your child’s personality is nothing like yours? In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa sit down with psychiatrist Dr. Brian J. Dixon to explore how temperament differences shape family dynamics. We unpack: ➡️The difference between introversion and extroversion ➡️Why personality mismatches can trigger parental worry ➡️How development changes personality expression over time ➡️The role of social media in amplifying personality extremes ➡️When ...
Send a text In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa sit down with child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Afshan Sultana to talk about teen depression–how it shows up, how it’s different from normal teenage mood swings, and what parents can do when they’re concerned. They break down the emotional, behavioral, and academic signs to watch for, how to talk to your teen without minimizing their feelings, and when it’s time to seek professional help. This is an honest, com...
Send a text Step-parenting and blended families come with unique emotional challenges for both adults and kids. In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa talk with Richard Ramos, founder of Parents on a Mission and author of The Art of Step-Parenting, about why connection must come before correction in blended families. They explore discipline, loyalty conflicts, and the importance of adult emotional maturity when supporting kids through family change. This conversation off...
Send a text In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa are joined by therapist and author Sophia Vale Galano for a practical, compassionate conversation about supporting teens with anxiety. Sophia shares key insights from her book Calming Teenage Anxiety, including how parents can shift from fixing to curiosity, recognize when anxiety becomes more than everyday stress, and avoid unintentionally rescuing or reinforcing anxious patterns. This episode offers clear guidance, rea...
Send a text Talking about bodies, boundaries, and relationships can feel uncomfortable for many parents — but silence often does more harm than good. In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa are joined by therapist, educator, and author Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers for an honest conversation about how shame develops, why it impacts connection, and how parents can create safer, healthier conversations with their kids. This episode offers reassurance, practical guidance, and a ...
Send a text Are teens being over-diagnosed? In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa talk with researcher and educator Dr. Will Dobud about teen mental health beyond labels. They explore the difference between distress and disorder, how diagnoses can shape identity, and why resilience grows through experience—not quick fixes. Resources mentioned in the episode: "You Aren't in The DSM": https://asteriskmag.com/issues/12-books/you-arent-in-the-dsm Parenting Shrink Wrapped Ep...
Send a text Parenting comes with an invisible mental load that many caregivers carry without even realizing it. In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa are joined by therapist and mindfulness facilitator Kristin Whiting-Davis to explore the emotional weight of caregiving, unconscious “shoulds,” and the tendency for parents to over-function. They discuss why parenting can feel so exhausting, how constant vigilance impacts stress and well-being, and how small moments of min...
Send a text Teen parties can bring up a lot of anxiety for parents—especially around safety, substances, and peer pressure. In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa talk about how to navigate teenage parties with clarity instead of fear. They explore how to set clear expectations, understand your teen’s risk profile, manage parental anxiety, and balance safety with autonomy. This conversation offers practical frameworks and real-world guidance to help parents say yes...
Send a text The holidays come with a lot of pressure…especially when you’re parenting teens. In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa talk about the idea of the “good enough” holiday and why letting go of perfection can actually lead to more connection, less stress, and better outcomes for your family. From navigating changing traditions and teen pushback to setting boundaries with extended family and releasing unrealistic expectations, this conversation offers practical, ...
Send a text In this episode, Sam and Melissa unpack one of the most common parenting challenges: setting boundaries with other parents. From playdates and birthday parties to sleepovers, tech rules, and teen hangouts, every stage brings new situations that test your comfort level and your values. Sam shares personal stories and practical strategies for saying “no” kindly, navigating awkward moments, and using the word “and” to hold firm boundaries while still supporting your child’s social li...
Send a text In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Melissa flips the script and interviews Sam about what parent coaching actually is, how it differs from therapy, and why it can be such a game-changer for families. Sam shares her journey from teacher to clinician to parent coach, the most common challenges parents bring her, and why understanding the teen brain is the key to calmer, more effective parenting. She also breaks down her signature tools—like rolling with resistance an...
Send a text In this one-year anniversary episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Melissa and Sam look back on the wild, wonderful journey of launching a parenting podcast with zero experience and a whole lot of heart. From favorite guest moments to personal growth, ADHD insights, holiday stress tips, and navigating parenting through chronic illness, this episode is equal parts honest, funny, and deeply relatable. If you're a parent craving practical tools, real-life stories, and expert guidance ...
Send a text In this episode, Sam and Melissa sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Eryn Kruger to demystify psychoeducational testing—what it is, why it matters, and how it can reveal the real reasons behind a child’s struggles at home or school. Dr. Kruger explains how testing goes far beyond “taking a test,” offering insight into a child’s learning style, processing speed, executive functioning, attention, and emotional health. Together, they unpack why bright kids can still fall ap...
Send a text Teen substance use looks very different today. Sam and Dr. Melissa talk with clinician Allison Scarinzi about vaping, cannabis, synthetics, early conversations, red flags, and how to stay your teen’s safe person. This episode blends practical tools with compassionate guidance for parents navigating curiosity, peer pressure, and risk. About Allison Allison Scarinzi, LCSW-C, is the founder of Lotus Psychotherapy in Annapolis. She specializes in trauma-informed care, mental health c...
Send a text Speech pathologist Ana Curtin joins Sam and Dr. Melissa to uncover how early oral habits—like thumb-sucking, pacifiers, and tongue ties—can impact airway development, sleep, focus, and emotional health well into the teen years. About Ana Ana Curtin is a speech-language pathologist and founder of S.P.E.A.K., LLC, a highly specialized practice serving children with mild to complex speech and feeding needs since 2002. She’s known for her collaborative, team-based ap...
Send a text Pediatrician Dr. Rebecca Vickers joins Sam Straub and Dr. Melissa Wellner to discuss how functional medicine is transforming pediatric care. From gut health and food sensitivities to chronic inflammation, anxiety, and attention issues, Dr. Vickers explains why so many kids are getting sicker — and how parents can help uncover the root causes behind their child’s symptoms. Learn practical tips on improving kids’ health through nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle changes tha...
Send a text If your teen dreads school, struggles to keep up, or feels unseen in a traditional classroom, this episode will open your eyes to what’s possible. Sam and Melissa sit down with Rebecca Luhm and Tonya Gardner from Fusion Academy in Columbia, Maryland—a one-to-one learning environment that helps students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. They discuss how Fusion supports neurodiverse learners, students managing anxiety or chronic illness, and high-achievers who need fl...
Send a text From pumpkin costumes and family trick-or-treating to teen parties and candy negotiations, Halloween looks different at every stage of parenting. In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Dr. Melissa Wellner and Sam Straub share funny memories, honest confessions (including Sam’s strong feelings about chocolate), and practical advice for navigating Halloween as your kids grow up. They talk about the chaos of toddler meltdowns, the bittersweet shift when tweens want indepe...
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