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
21 episodes
#21: Horses, Parenting & Presence: Lessons from the Ring with Maria Alessandri
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 profou...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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35:40
#20: More Than Just Play: Unlocking the Power of Play Therapy with Vanessa Kellner
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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36:29
#19: Raising Kids on the Autism Spectrum with Dr. Taylor Day
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 spec...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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33:40
#18: Beyond Birth: Sleep, Support & the Power of Postpartum Care with Kimberly Marie-Ferrol
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, pediat...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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30:23
#17: Is My Kid a Jerk? Handling Middle School Behavior & Big Emotions
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 listen...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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18:33
#16: How to Divorce Well: Protecting Kids & Keeping It Civil with Val Anias
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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49:33
#15: The Power of Play: Why Adults Need It Just as Much as Kids with TJ Matton
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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40:27
#14: Parenting as a Highly Sensitive Person: Overcoming Overwhelm and Embracing Strength with Ruth Milsten
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 s...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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31:14
#13: Raising Intuitive Eaters: Navigating Diet Culture and Wellness Trends with Jacquelyn Stern
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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36:53
#12: Navigating a Family Move: Helping Kids Through Big Transitions
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 un...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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33:03
#11: Teen Love and Healthy Relationships: A Parent’s Guide
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, t...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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30:13
#10: From Rules to Relationships: How to Discipline with Purpose and Balance
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...
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27:13
#9: Taking the Confusion out of Finding Mental Health Care: A Parent's Guide
In 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 disc...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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25:24
#8: Understanding Child and Adolescent Anxiety: When to Worry
In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, hosts Dr. Melissa Wellner, a double board-certified psychiatrist, and Samantha Straub, a licensed clinical counselor and parenting coach, tackle the increasingly relevant topic of child and ...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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34:34
#7: Self-Care for Parents: Why It Matters More Than You Think
In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa dive into the essential yet often overlooked topic of self-care for parents. Juggling work, family, and daily life can make it feel impossible to prioritize yourself, but Sam...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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30:02
#6: Distress Management: What Parents Need To Know
Nothing tries your patience or pulls on your heartstrings like being a parent! In this episode, Dr. Melissa Wellner and Samantha Straub focus on the critical topic of distress management for both parents and children! They explore practic...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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23:40
#5: Is Your Child Ready for a Phone? Navigating Technology and Social Media for Tweens and Teens
In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa dive into one of the most common questions they hear: “How do I know if my child is ready for a phone?” They tackle this complex decision from multiple angles, covering every...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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25:30
#4: Balancing Act: Navigating Work, Parenthood, and Everything In Between
Today, Melissa and Sam explore the challenges and rewards of being a working parent. From managing career demands to fostering strong attachments with your children, they share relatable stories, practical advice, and thoughtful reflections on ...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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25:53
#3: How to Keep the Holiday Magic Alive When Your Kids Stop Believing
What happens when the magic of childhood shifts and your kids stop believing in Santa, the Tooth Fairy, or the Easter Bunny? In this heartwarming and practical episode, Sam Straub and Melissa Wellner tackle the bittersweet moment when logic rep...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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19:46
#2: Perfectly Imperfect Holidays: Embracing Real Joy in the Season
In this episode, Melissa and Sam dive into the complexities of holiday stress—from dry turkeys to unrealistic expectations. Together, they explore how to embrace the perfectly imperfect moments, find joy amidst the chaos, and let go of soc...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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25:16
#1: Parenting Styles: How To Use Them and What Parents Need To Know
In this inaugural episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, hosts Dr. Melissa Wellner, a double board-certified psychiatrist and child and adolescent psychiatrist, and Samantha Straub, a licensed clinical counselor and parenting coach, dive...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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24:29