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!
Parenting Shrink Wrapped
What do Teens Really Need from Parents Right Now?
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What do teens really need from parents right now?
In this powerful episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa sit down with 19-year-old TEDx speaker and Cloud9 founder Sonia Suthar for an eye-opening conversation about communication, emotional intelligence, and what truly helps teens feel connected to their parents. Sonia shares practical advice for building trust, reducing pressure, and creating emotional safety at home, including her powerful “3 H’s” framework: Heard, Helped, or Held. This episode is full of wisdom, hope, and actionable tools for parents navigating the teen years.
About Sonia
Sonia is a 19-year-old founder who built Cloud 9 because she lived the gap herself, the one between what school teaches and what teens actually need to navigate real life. She works with teens and parents to build the kind of emotional intelligence and self-awareness that changes how families actually talk to each other. Her whole thing is that when a teen grows, the parent has to grow too, and that's where the real magic happens.
Connect with Sonia:
LinkedIn: Sonia Katara
YouTube: TedX
Facebook: Cloud9
Instagram: Cloud9
Contact: parentingshrinkwrapped@gmail.com
Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.
Follow:
Sam – Instagram & Facebook
Melissa – Facebook
Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry
Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.
Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care.