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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

39:51

How to Pay for College Without Putting Your Family at...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2026/04/06

Send us Fan Mail Paying for college has become increasingly complex, and for many families, the financial decisions involved can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Sam and Melissa are joined by financial planner Kimberly Weihbrecht to break down how FAFSA, financial aid packages, and student loans actually work–and why costs can vary so widely from one school to another. They also explore upcoming changes to student loan policies in 2026, the risks of parent borrowing, and practical strategi...

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34:52

#70 How to Help Your Teen Find Career Direction with...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2026/03/30

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa sit down with career coach, Jessica Roffe, to talk about what career readiness really looks like for teens and young adults today. With over a decade of experience helping students navigate uncertainty, Jessica shares a refreshing perspective: teens don’t need to have it all figured out. They need to start with self-awareness, curiosity, and real-world exploration. Together, they unpack how parents can support their...

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42:34

#69 The Importance of the Couple Relationship on the...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2026/03/23

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa talk with therapist Katharine Petzold about how a couple’s relationship shapes a child’s emotional wellbeing. Through relatable (and often funny) moments, they explore why parents react the way they do, introducing the “wounded child,” “adaptive child,” and “wise adult.” The conversation emphasizes that it’s not about perfection, but repair—modeling healthy connection after conflict. You’ll leave with simple, ...

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36:04

#68 The Real Struggles of Work Life Balance for Parents

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2026/03/16

Send a text Working parents face some of the highest rates of stress and burnout globally. In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa talk with Dr. Rosina McAlpine about how workplaces can become truly family-friendly–and why burnout prevention matters You’ll learn: Why working parents are at higher risk of burnoutWhat psychosocial safety means in the workplaceThe five steps to building a family-friendly organizationWhy prevention beats crisis responseHow being “self-full” b...

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42:35

#67 Family Vacation Expectations: How to Travel with...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2026/03/09

Send a text Spring break season is here…and with it comes family travel. In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa explore how to manage family vacation expectations so you don’t come home needing another vacation You’ll learn: Why vacations don’t change personalitiesHow to clarify the purpose of your tripHow to travel with teens realisticallyWhy buffer days matterHow to handle sibling conflict on vacationWhy money doesn’t guarantee funTravel doesn’t erase family dynamics. ...

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40:59

How to Teach Kids Healthy Financial Habits with Lori...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2026/03/02

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...

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36:45

#65 Perimenopause and Parenting Teens: Why Your...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2026/02/23

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...

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41:29

#64 How to Parent a Child with a Completely Different...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2026/02/16

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 ...

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43:52

#63 Teen Mood Swings or Depression with Dr. Afshan...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2026/02/09

Send us 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, ...

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37:46

#62 The Art of Step-Parenting with Richard Ramos

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2026/02/02

Send us 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 ...

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38:26

How to Help an Anxious Teen: When Worry Is Normal—and...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2026/01/26

Send us 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, ...

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46:02

#60 How Parents Can Talk About Bodies, Boundaries,...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2026/01/19

Send us 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...

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54:07

#59 Kids These Days, Addressing Youth Mental Health...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2026/01/12

Send us 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...

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42:22

#58 - Mindful Parenting with Kristin Whiting-Davis

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2026/01/05

Send us 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 ...

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38:19

#57 Navigating Teen Parties: A Parent's Perspective

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/12/29

Send us 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 ...

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38:17

The “Good Enough” Holiday: Letting Go of Perfection

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/12/22

Send us 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 practica...

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36:05

#55 Thanks, But No: Holding Boundaries With Other...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/12/15

Send us 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...

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37:08

#54 What Parent Coaching Really Is — And How It...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/12/08

Send us 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...

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39:48

#53 Parenting Shrink Wrapped Turns One: Lessons,...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/12/01

Send us 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 guidan...

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41:15

#52 Psychoeducational Testing Explained: How to...

Parenting Shrink Wrapped ·

2025/11/24

Send us 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...

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71 results

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