Parenting Shrink Wrapped

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 autono...

Send us Fan Mail 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 bound...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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, m...

Send us Fan Mail 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, an...

Send us Fan Mail  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 func...

Send us Fan Mail Teen substance use looks very different today. Sam and Dr. Melissa talk with clinician Allison Scarinzi about vaping, cannabis, synthetics, early conversations, red flags, and how to stay your teen’s safe person. This episode blends practical tools with compassionate guidance for parents navigating curiosity, peer pressure, and risk. About Allison Allison Scarinzi, LCSW-C , is the...

Send us Fan Mail  Speech pathologist Ana Curtin joins Sam and Dr. Melissa to uncover how early oral habits—like thumb-sucking, pacifiers, and tongue ties—can impact airway development, sleep, focus, and emotional health well into the teen years.  About Ana  Ana Curtin is a speech-language pathologist and founder of S.P.E.A.K., LLC, a highly specialized practice serving children with mild to comple...

Send us Fan Mail  Pediatrician Dr. Rebecca Vickers joins Sam Straub and Dr. Melissa Wellner to discuss how functional medicine is transforming pediatric care. From gut health and food sensitivities to chronic inflammation, anxiety, and attention issues, Dr. Vickers explains why so many kids are getting sicker — and how parents can help uncover the root causes behind their child’s symptoms. Learn p...

Send us Fan Mail If your teen dreads school, struggles to keep up, or feels unseen in a traditional classroom, this episode will open your eyes to what’s possible. Sam and Melissa sit down with Rebecca Luhm and Tonya Gardner from Fusion Academy in Columbia, Maryland—a one-to-one learning environment that helps students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. They discuss how Fusion suppor...

Send us Fan Mail From pumpkin costumes and family trick-or-treating to teen parties and candy negotiations, Halloween looks different at every stage of parenting.  In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped , Dr. Melissa Wellner and Sam Straub share funny memories, honest confessions (including Sam’s strong feelings about chocolate), and practical advice for navigating Halloween as your kids grow...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode, Sam and Melissa talk with Dr. Courtney Glickman , founder of The Collective Healing Center in Annapolis, MD, about how parents can recognize, respond to, and support children who have experienced sexual trauma—or any deeply distressing event. Dr. Glickman explains how trauma shows up differently in kids, why disclosure can be so difficult, and how parents...

Send us Fan Mail  Parenting coach Sam Straub and Dr. Melissa Wellner talk with counselor and life coach Maria Winters about raising bicultural kids. Maria shares her journey from Venezuela to the U.S., the cultural mix in her family, and what it’s like to raise children with two languages and traditions. They explore the joys and challenges of bicultural parenting, from building empathy and flexib...

Send us Fan Mail Grief touches every family, yet many of us feel unsure how to guide ourselves—or our kids—through it. In this heartfelt conversation, Sam and Melissa talk with grief specialist Marna Brickman, LCSW-C , about the many forms grief can take, how it shows up in children and adults, and ways to honor loss while staying connected as a family. Marna shares how parents can: Normalize grie...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped , Sam and Melissa unpack the sting of parenting judgment—both giving it and receiving it. Melissa shares a real-life Dunkin’ Donuts story involving a five-year-old, a pair of scissors, and an impromptu 80s rocker haircut that sparked an unhelpful comment from a stranger. Together, Sam and Melissa explore why parents judge each other, how...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped , Sam and Melissa welcome Sam’s sister, Kate Peltz—an experienced college admissions counselor and former director of college counseling at Concord Academy. Kate shares what parents often don’t realize about the college application process, from the emotional rollercoaster seniors face to the hidden pressures parents bring to the table....

Send us Fan Mail Childcare is one of the biggest challenges modern parents face—whether it’s during a crisis like COVID, while juggling work schedules, or simply trying to carve out time for your own sanity. In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped , Sam and Melissa dive into the real-life stories, lessons, and tough decisions that come with hiring, trusting, and sometimes saying goodbye to bab...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped , Melissa and Sam welcome Christa Welch, LCSW-C , founder of The Betty Center in Annapolis, MD. Krista shares the inspiring story behind naming the center after her mother, “OG Betty,” and how it has grown into a supportive hub for women, families, and the community. Together, they dive into practical parenting wisdom—including how to ch...

Send us Fan Mail  Back-to-school tips for elementary kids go beyond pencils and backpacks. Sam and Melissa talk with child therapist Jennifer Ruef about what kids—and parents—really face from kindergarten to 5th grade, academically, socially, and emotionally.  In this episode: The emotional rollercoaster of sending a child to kindergarten Why 3rd grade marks such a big academic and social leap How...

Send us Fan Mail Middle school—the years of awkwardness, growth spurts, eye rolls, and endless energy. In this Nature of the Beast series episode, Sam and Melissa sit down with Mary Foard , a veteran middle school counselor and mom of twins, to unpack what parents really need to know about sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. From the emotional rollercoasters of seventh grade to the reclusive “indo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrap , Melissa and Sam dive into the unique challenges, milestones, and surprises that come with each year of high school. From wide-eyed freshmen still running to class, to confident (and sometimes cocky) seniors navigating “lasts” and life after graduation, Sam walks us through the highs, lows, and everything in between. We explore: Seniors –...

Send us Fan Mail College drop-off isn’t the end of parenting—it’s just the beginning of a new phase. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Kelly Wilcox, Dean of Student Success at Haverford College, to talk about what parents can expect as their teen transitions to college. From the emotional rollercoaster of move-in day to mid-semester meltdowns, we explore how to support your student without over...

Send us Fan Mail 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 becoming a health psychologist, revealing how chronic illness shaped her identity and sparked her passion for normalizing mental health care in t...