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PODCAST

Parenting Shrink Wrapped

Samantha Straub and Dr. Melissa Wellner

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

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

35:26

#28 Winging it Like a Pro: Real Talk with Dad's Dr....

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/06/09

Send us a text In this heart-opening episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Dr. Melissa Wellner and Sam Straub sit down with two thoughtful dads, Charles Parmele and Bryan Levy, for a conversation that’s equal parts real talk and reflection. Together, they dig into what it means to be a father in today’s world—from the pressure to “have it all together” to the power of being vulnerable. The discussion goes deep into topics like equitable parenting, emotional health, and the need for strong dad-...

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19:48

27 Surviving the End of the School Year

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/06/02

Send us a text Feeling crispy-fried by May? You’re not alone. In this short and real-talk episode, Sam and Melissa break down why everyone’s burnt out—from teachers to teens to you—and how to make it to summer without losing your mind. We cover: End-of-year burnout (it’s not just “senioritis”)Helping teens through finals without melting downLow-lift summer ideas (Alphabet Summer, anyone?)How to avoid the screen-time vortexWhy it’s okay to phone it in (really)Set the bar low, pour the cereal, ...

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37:54

#26: Hormones & Mental Health: What Every Parent...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/05/26

Send us a text In this eye-opening episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Dr. Melissa Wellner and Sam Straub welcome psychiatrist Dr. Milena Smith to talk about the emotional and mental health impacts of hormonal changes—from the postpartum period to perimenopause and beyond. Dr. Smith, an expert in reproductive psychiatry, breaks down how hormonal transitions can trigger mood and anxiety symptoms, what signs to watch for, and how to get help that actually works. They discuss the realities of p...

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40:33

#25: Shots, Swabs & Stress: Helping Kids Cope with...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/05/19

Send us a text Why does your usually sweet kid turn into a full-blown meltdown in the doctor’s office? In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Melissa and Sam talk with pediatric health psychologist Dr. Missy Hendricks about how to help kids manage anxiety around medical visits—from vaccines and blood draws to chronic illness and everyday checkups. Dr. Missy shares her expertise on how to prepare kids for tough medical moments, the power of validation and honesty, and how to build coping...

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30:40

#24: The Sandwich Generation: Parenting While Being...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/05/12

Send us a text In this deeply personal episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Melissa and Sam explore what it means to parent your own children while still navigating the lifelong role of being someone’s child. From generational expectations and emotional triggers to unresolved childhood wounds and the pressure to “do it better,” this conversation sheds light on the complex web of relationships many of us are trying to untangle in midlife. Sam shares a moving story about her evolving relationsh...

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35:11

#23: More Than a Game: Building Life Skills Through...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/05/05

Send us a text What if sports weren’t just about winning—but about raising resilient, self-aware, and confident kids? In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Melissa and Sam sit down with Courtney Parfitt, founder of Thrive Gym in Annapolis, to explore how youth sports can become powerful spaces for growth, failure, leadership, and self-discovery. Courtney shares how parents and coaches can support—not sabotage—the athlete experience, and why things like emotional regulation, goal alignm...

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28:21

#22: Busting Mental Health Myths: What Parents Really...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/04/28

Send us a text In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Dr. Melissa Wellner and co-host Sam Straub tackle three of the most common and harmful myths they hear from parents about kids and mental health. From the idea that “teens are just moody” to the belief that “my kid would tell me if something was wrong,” Melissa and Sam break down why these myths persist—and what parents can do instead. They also take on one of the biggest fears in child psychiatry: the myth that medication will change ...

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36:53

#21: Horses, Parenting & Presence: Lessons from the...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/04/21

Send us a text In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Melissa and Sam are joined by Maria Alessandri—mom of five, natural horsemanship coach, and founder of the Horse and People Project. Maria shares how training rescue horses taught her profound lessons about parenting, presence, boundaries, and communication. From teenage pushback to tattoo negotiations, Maria reveals how showing up with intention and releasing pressure can transform the way we connect with our kids. Through powerful ...

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36:29

#20: More Than Just Play: Unlocking the Power of Play...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/04/14

Send us a text In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Dr. Melissa Wellner and co-host Sam Straub sit down with special guest Vanessa Kellner, a registered play therapist and founder of Wholesome Healing in Severna Park, Maryland. Together, they explore the true nature of play therapy—how it offers children a language beyond words to process deep emotions and experiences. Vanessa breaks down how play therapy works, why it’s far more than “just play,” and shares fascinating insights on ho...

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33:40

#19: Raising Kids on the Autism Spectrum with Dr....

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/04/07

Send us a text An autism diagnosis can feel overwhelming for families—but what if there was a better way to navigate it? In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa sit down with Dr. Taylor Day (Dr. Tay), a licensed psychologist specializing in neuroaffirming care for autistic kids and their families. Dr. Tay shares her personal journey of growing up with a younger brother on the spectrum, how that shaped her approach to autism care, and why she created her whole-family model...

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30:23

#18: Beyond Birth: Sleep, Support & the Power of...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/03/31

Send us a text Every new parent needs support—but what if we told you there's a whole profession dedicated to making birth and postpartum easier? In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa sit down with Kimberly Marie Ferrol, pediatric sleep specialist, doula, and founder of Vela Haven, to talk about the vital role of doulas, sleep consultants, and postpartum care. Kimberly shares why every family deserves a village, how doulas support parents beyond childbirth, and why slee...

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18:33

#17: Is My Kid a Jerk? Handling Middle School...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/03/24

Send us a text Middle schoolers can test every parenting instinct, especially when their behavior at school doesn’t match the values you’ve worked so hard to teach them. In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa respond to a listener’s concern about her 13-year-old son—who is smart, confident, and well-liked, but has been acting out and getting in trouble at school. They dive into why middle schoolers struggle with impulse control, how brain development impacts decision-mak...

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49:33

#16: How to Divorce Well: Protecting Kids & Keeping...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/03/17

Send us a text Divorce is never easy, but does it have to be a battle? In this episode, Dr. Melissa Wellner and Sam Straub sit down with family law attorney Val Anias to discuss how to navigate divorce in a way that minimizes conflict and prioritizes children’s well-being. Val shares her expertise on co-parenting strategies, avoiding common legal pitfalls, and why putting kids first leads to better outcomes. She also introduces her collaborative divorce package, designed to help couples separ...

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40:27

#15: The Power of Play: Why Adults Need It Just as...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/03/10

Send us a text When we think of play, we often think of children—but what if play is just as essential for adults? In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Melissa and Sam sit down with TJ Matton, a psychotherapist and coach specializing in developmental trauma and play for adults. They explore how play is a biological necessity, not just a pastime, and how reintroducing play into our lives can improve mental health, flexibility, and even parenting. TJ also breaks down different play styl...

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31:14

#14: Parenting as a Highly Sensitive Person:...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/03/03

Send us a text In this episode, hosts Sam Straub and Dr. Melissa Wellner sit down with therapist and yoga teacher Ruth Milsten, LCSW-C, RYT, to explore the challenges and strengths of being a highly sensitive parent. Ruth shares insights on recognizing high sensitivity, understanding nervous system regulation, and using somatic therapy to move beyond overwhelm. Whether you're navigating overstimulation, parenting with past trauma, or simply seeking deeper self-understanding, this episode offe...

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36:53

#13: Raising Intuitive Eaters: Navigating Diet...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/02/24

Send us a text In a world filled with diet trends, wellness fads, and constant pressure around food and body image, how can we help our kids develop a healthy relationship with eating? In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa sit down with registered dietitian nutritionist Jacqueline Stern to discuss intuitive eating, health at every size, and how parents can foster a positive food environment at home. Jacqueline shares insights on how to neutralize food, avoid harmful mes...

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33:03

#12: Navigating a Family Move: Helping Kids Through...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/02/17

Send us a text Moving can be exciting, but it’s also a major transition that impacts the whole family—especially kids. In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa share their personal experiences with recent moves—one planned, one unexpected—and dive into the emotional and logistical challenges families face during relocation. They discuss how children process big changes, common behavioral responses (like regression or resistance), and practical ways parents can support thei...

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30:13

#11: Teen Love and Healthy Relationships: A Parent’s...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/02/10

Send us a text In this special pre-Valentine's Day episode, Melissa and Sam dive into the world of teen relationships, first love, and heartbreak. From deciphering modern dating lingo like “talking” to fostering open communication about healthy connections, this conversation is packed with insights for navigating these formative experiences. Melissa and Sam share personal stories, practical advice, and tips for creating a safe space where your teen feels comfortable discussing their relations...

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27:13

#10: From Rules to Relationships: How to Discipline...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/02/03

Send us a text In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Dr. Melissa Wellner and Samantha Straub, parenting coach and therapist, tackle one of the most challenging aspects of parenting—effective discipline. They explore the key differences between discipline and punishment, emphasizing how discipline is about teaching and growth, while punishment often falls short in helping kids learn from their mistakes. Melissa and Sam share practical frameworks for setting boundaries, including the imp...

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24:11

#9: Taking the Confusion out of Finding Mental Health...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/01/27

Send us a textIn this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Dr. Melissa Wellner and Samantha Straub dive into an essential and often overwhelming topic for many parents: how to access mental health care for your child. Building on their previous discussion about anxiety, they explore the different layers of the mental health care system and explain the key differences between various professionals, including pediatricians, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, counselors, social work...

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48 results

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