Parenting Shrink Wrapped
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!
Episodes
76 episodes
How to Spot and Reverse Math Anxiety with Dr. Aditya Nagrath, Ph.D
What if math anxiety isn’t about intelligence at all?In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa sit down with Dr. Aditya Nagrath, founder of Elephant Learning Mathematics Acad...
The Truth About Mom Guilt, Mental Load & What Moms Really Want for Mother’s Day
Motherhood is a mix of joy, pressure, connection, and–a whole lot of invisible work.In this Mother’s Day episode, Sam and Melissa hit record in the middle of a real conversation about what it actually feels like to be a mom. From deeply ...
A Parent's Guide to Handling Bullying with Melissa and Sam
Bullying is one of the most challenging situations a parent can face–and knowing how to respond isn’t always clear. In this episode, Sam and Melissa break down what bullying actually is, how to recognize the signs, and how to support your child...
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How to Talk to Kids About Depression: A Parent’s Guide to Emotional Language
In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa sit down with Kendall Concini, author of Cloudy Day Chronicles, to explore what it looks like to parent while navigating your o...
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When Your Teen is On Fire. Understanding Self-Harm and Big Emotions
When teens feel overwhelmed by big emotions, their behavior can become confusing—and sometimes frightening—for parents. In this episode, we’re joined by therapist Katie May to unpack what’s really happening beneath high-risk behaviors like self...
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How to Pay for College Without Putting Your Family at Risk
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, fin...
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How to Help Your Teen Find Career Direction with Jessica Roffe
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 st...
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The Importance of the Couple Relationship on the Family with Katharine Petzold
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 ...
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The Real Struggles of Work Life Balance for Parents
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 burnou...
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Family Vacation Expectations: How to Travel with Kids Without Losing Your Mind
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 vacationYou’ll lear...
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How to Teach Kids Healthy Financial Habits with Lori Atwood
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...
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Perimenopause and Parenting Teens: Why Your Anxiety, Brain Fog, and Sleep Changes Aren’t “All in Your Head”
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 dis...
How to Parent a Child with a Completely Different Personality Than Yours
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....
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Teen Mood Swings or Depression with Dr. Afshan Sultana
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...
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The Art of Step-Parenting with Richard Ramos
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
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How to Help an Anxious Teen: When Worry Is Normal—and When It’s Not
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....
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How Parents Can Talk About Bodies, Boundaries, and Relationships Without Shame
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, educa...
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Kids These Days, Addressing Youth Mental Health with Dr. Will Dobud
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 diso...
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Mindful Parenting with Kristin Whiting-Davis
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 ...
Navigating Teen Parties: A Parent's Perspective
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 instea...
The “Good Enough” Holiday: Letting Go of Perfection
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 actuall...
Thanks, But No: Holding Boundaries With Other Parents Without Burning Bridges
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 situatio...
What Parent Coaching Really Is — And How It Transforms Your Relationship With Your Teen
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 fr...
Parenting Shrink Wrapped Turns One: Lessons, Laughs, and What We’ve Learned Helping Parents This Year
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 p...
Psychoeducational Testing Explained: How to Understand Your Child's Behavior, Learning, and Mental Health with Dr. Eryn Kruger
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 be...
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