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
35 episodes
#35 Parenting with Chronic Illness: Showing Up with Self-Compassion, Even on Hard Days with Dr. Katie Lawliss
In this powerful conversation, Sam and Melissa welcome Dr. Katie Lawliss—a licensed psychologist specializing in chronic illness and ADHD, who also lives with cystic fibrosis. Katie shares her personal journey from childhood diagnosis to becomi...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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36:13
#34 Storm or Sky Mind? How to Stay Present When Parenting Triggers You
We’ve all had moments where a messy room or a missed assignment feels like the end of the world—and we explode. But is it really about that sock on the floor... or something deeper?In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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29:37
#33 Why Your Kid Can’t Sit Still—And How OT Might Help with Samantha Hyali
Is your kid constantly in motion? Refuses to wear socks? Melts down over tags in their shirts? You’re not alone—and you’re not imagining it.In this eye-opening episode, Sam and Melissa sit down with occupational therapist and mom of thre...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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35:59
#32 ADHD Unwrapped Part 2: Why “Just Try Harder” Doesn’t Work (and What Actually Might)
In Part 2 of our ADHD series, Sam Straub, LCPC, and Dr. Melissa Wellner, MD, dive deeper into the lived experience of parenting—and being—a kid with ADHD. This episode moves beyond the textbook and into real family dynamics: the misunderstandin...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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37:12
#31 ADHD Unwrapped: Myths, Superpowers & Real Struggles Parents Miss
In this insightful episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, hosts Sam Straub and Melissa Wellner dig into the many dimensions of ADHD—busting myths, exploring emotional highs and lows, and celebrating the often-overlooked strengths that co...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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35:46
#30 Trauma Is Real, Healing Is Possible: Understanding ACEs and Resilience with Laura Reagan, LCSW-C
In this powerful episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa sit down with Laura Reagan—somatically oriented trauma therapist, founder of the Trauma Therapist Network, and host of the widely acclaimed podcast Therapy Chat (ove...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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41:11
#29 Trauma Doesn’t Have to Define Your Parenting with Kristen Keuleman
In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrap, Sam Straub and Dr. Melissa Wellner engage with Kristen Keuleman, a licensed professional counselor specializing in trauma therapy, particularly EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). They...
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34:21
#28 Winging it Like a Pro: Real Talk with Dad's Dr. Charles Parmele and Bryan Levy
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, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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35:26
#27: Surviving the End of the School Year
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:...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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19:48
#26: Hormones & Mental Health: What Every Parent Should Know About Mood Shifts Across the Lifespan with Dr. Milena Smith
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 p...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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40:20
#25: Shots, Swabs & Stress: Helping Kids Cope with Medical Anxiety with Dr. Missy Hendricks
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 man...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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42:59
#24: The Sandwich Generation: Parenting While Being Parented
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 emotio...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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33:06
#23: More Than a Game: Building Life Skills Through Youth Sports with Courtney Parfitt
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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37:36
#22: Busting Mental Health Myths: What Parents Really Need to Know
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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30:47
#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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38:06
#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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38:55
#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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36:06
#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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32:49
#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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19:45
#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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51:58
#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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42:53
#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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33:40
#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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39:19
#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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35:29
#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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31:26