Parenting Shrink Wrapped

Samantha Straub and Dr. Melissa Wellner
  • 5.0 (10)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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!

  1. 5D AGO

    #62 The Art of Step-Parenting with Richard Ramos

    Send us a text 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 Parents on a Mission and author of The Art of Step-Parenting, about why connection must come before correction in blended families. They explore discipline, loyalty conflicts, and the importance of adult emotional maturity when supporting kids through family change. This conversation offers grounded, compassionate guidance for parents navigating step-parenting, co-parenting, or complex family dynamics. Resources Mentioned The Art of Step-Parenting by Richard Ramos Parents on a Mission RichardRRamos.com Get Richard’s free resource: 3 Tools to Navigate Disrespect, Eye Rolls, and Back Talk Richard Ramos equips parents and community leaders with tools to rebuild trust, strengthen families, and mentor the next generation with confidence. Through Parents on a Mission, he helps communities create safer, stronger futures by empowering parents to lead with clarity, consistency, and care.  You know when your kid screws up in some way, and you're sure of the lesson you want them to learn from it....but you’re not sure how to say it in a way they’ll actually hear?   Download Sam's free video guide that walks you through a simple, step-by-step process for handling these tough conversations called the L.O.V.E.D. framework.   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. Save your FREE spot in the Teen Savvy Parent Summit, happening Feb 15 and 16, 2026. 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.

    38 min

  2. JAN 26

    How to Help an Anxious Teen: When Worry Is Normal—and When It’s Not

    Send us a text 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. Sophia shares key insights from her book Calming Teenage Anxiety, including how parents can shift from fixing to curiosity, recognize when anxiety becomes more than everyday stress, and avoid unintentionally rescuing or reinforcing anxious patterns. This episode offers clear guidance, realistic reassurance, and actionable takeaways for parents navigating teen anxiety with greater confidence and connection.  About Sophia Sophia Vale Galano is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a private therapy practice in Los Angeles, California. She has worked with teens and their families for over a decade and is the author of Calming Teenage Anxiety: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Your Teenager Cope with Worry. Want more conversations like this one? The Teen Savvy Parent Summit brings together top experts to help you navigate teen anxiety, mental health, and real-life parenting challenges with confidence. Register for the free online summit today! You know when your kid screws up in some way, and you're sure of the lesson you want them to learn from it....but you’re not sure how to say it in a way they’ll actually hear?   Download Sam's free video guide that walks you through a simple, step-by-step process for handling these tough conversations called the L.O.V.E.D. framework.   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. Save your FREE spot in the Teen Savvy Parent Summit, happening Feb 15 and 16, 2026. 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.

    38 min

  3. JAN 19

    #60 How Parents Can Talk About Bodies, Boundaries, and Relationships Without Shame

    Send us a text 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, educator, and author Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers for an honest conversation about how shame develops, why it impacts connection, and how parents can create safer, healthier conversations with their kids. This episode offers reassurance, practical guidance, and a reminder that parents don’t need to have it all figured out — just a willingness to stay in the conversation. Learn more about Dr. Tina: https://www.drtinashameless.com/ Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers, PhD, LMFT, CST-S is a therapist, educator, and author with nearly 30 years of experience in relational and sexual health. She is the author of Sex, God & the Conservative Church and Shameless Parenting, and the founder of the Northwest Institute on Intimacy and Inanna Rising. Her work centers on healing shame, strengthening relationships, and advancing compassionate, justice-informed care.  Resources mentioned: Not Under My Roof, a book mentioned in the episodeShameless Parenting by Dr. Tina Schermer SellersSex, God, and the Conservative Church You know when your kid screws up in some way, and you're sure of the lesson you want them to learn from it....but you’re not sure how to say it in a way they’ll actually hear?   Download Sam's free video guide that walks you through a simple, step-by-step process for handling these tough conversations called the L.O.V.E.D. framework.   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. Save your FREE spot in the Teen Savvy Parent Summit, happening Feb 15 and 16, 2026. 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.

    46 min

  4. JAN 12

    #59 Kids These Days, Addressing Youth Mental Health with Dr. Will Dobud

    Send us a text 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 Aren't in The DSM": https://asteriskmag.com/issues/12-books/you-arent-in-the-dsm Parenting Shrink Wrapped Episode 15: The Power of Play About Will Dr. Will Dobud is a social worker, researcher, and educator who works with adolescents and families internationally. His research focuses on improving therapy outcomes for teens and promoting safe, ethical practices. He is an award-winning researcher recognized for excellence in research, teaching, and crime prevention. www.kidsthesedaysbook.com A special invite from Will: “If people purchase Kids These Days, they can email me and I can add them to a password protected section of the website which has our parenting resources booklet that I used for my adolescent programs we ran in Australia.”  You know when your kid screws up in some way, and you're sure of the lesson you want them to learn from it....but you’re not sure how to say it in a way they’ll actually hear?   Download Sam's free video guide that walks you through a simple, step-by-step process for handling these tough conversations called the L.O.V.E.D. framework.   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. Save your FREE spot in the Teen Savvy Parent Summit, happening Feb 15 and 16, 2026. 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.

    54 min

  5. JAN 5

    #58 - Mindful Parenting with Kristin Whiting-Davis

    Send us a text 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 feel so exhausting, how constant vigilance impacts stress and well-being, and how small moments of mindfulness can help parents slow down, respond instead of react, and reset with compassion. This conversation offers reassurance and practical perspective for parents raising teens who want to care deeply without losing themselves in the process. About Kristin Kristin Whiting-Davis, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW, is a therapist, mindfulness facilitator, and founder of KWD Wellness, a virtual therapy and training practice serving caregivers and helping professionals across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. With more than twenty years of experience, she supports people who give deeply—parents, therapists, healthcare providers, and others who often feel the weight of being everything to everyone. Before moving full time into her current roles, Kristin worked across child welfare, community mental health, schools, a children’s hospital, and behavioral health management. She’s also a parent of two sons and a pet mom to three beloved animals. Her work blends trauma-informed care, mindfulness, and somatic awareness to help others find steadiness and sustainable wellbeing. You know when your kid screws up in some way, and you're sure of the lesson you want them to learn from it....but you’re not sure how to say it in a way they’ll actually hear?   Download Sam's free video guide that walks you through a simple, step-by-step process for handling these tough conversations called the L.O.V.E.D. framework.   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. Save your FREE spot in the Teen Savvy Parent Summit, happening Feb 15 and 16, 2026. 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.

    42 min

  6. 12/29/2025

    #57 Navigating Teen Parties: A Parent's Perspective

    Send us a text 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 autonomy.  This conversation offers practical frameworks and real-world guidance to help parents say yes when appropriate, set boundaries with confidence, and maintain trust as teens learn to make their own decisions. You know when your kid screws up in some way, and you're sure of the lesson you want them to learn from it....but you’re not sure how to say it in a way they’ll actually hear?   Download Sam's free video guide that walks you through a simple, step-by-step process for handling these tough conversations called the L.O.V.E.D. framework.   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. Save your FREE spot in the Teen Savvy Parent Summit, happening Feb 15 and 16, 2026. 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.

    38 min

  7. 12/22/2025

    The “Good Enough” Holiday: Letting Go of Perfection

    Send us a text 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 boundaries with extended family and releasing unrealistic expectations, this conversation offers practical, compassionate guidance for parents who want the holidays to feel meaningful—even when they don’t look perfect. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or worried you’re “doing it wrong,” this episode is your permission slip to simplify and focus on what really matters. You know when your kid screws up in some way, and you're sure of the lesson you want them to learn from it....but you’re not sure how to say it in a way they’ll actually hear?   Download Sam's free video guide that walks you through a simple, step-by-step process for handling these tough conversations called the L.O.V.E.D. framework.   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. Save your FREE spot in the Teen Savvy Parent Summit, happening Feb 15 and 16, 2026. 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.

    38 min

  8. 12/15/2025

    #55 Thanks, But No: Holding Boundaries With Other Parents Without Burning Bridges

    Send us a text 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 moments, and using the word “and” to hold firm boundaries while still supporting your child’s social life. Melissa highlights how people-pleasing patterns from our own childhoods can make boundary-setting feel harder than it should. You’ll learn how to: Set clear, values-based boundariesDecline invitations without guilt or over-explainingTalk with your kids about limits with empathy and clarityHandle tricky parent-to-parent dynamics at any ageThis episode will help you approach boundaries with confidence — and model healthy decision-making for your kids. You know when your kid screws up in some way, and you're sure of the lesson you want them to learn from it....but you’re not sure how to say it in a way they’ll actually hear?   Download Sam's free video guide that walks you through a simple, step-by-step process for handling these tough conversations called the L.O.V.E.D. framework.   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. Save your FREE spot in the Teen Savvy Parent Summit, happening Feb 15 and 16, 2026. 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.

    36 min
See All (62)

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Samantha Straub and Dr. Melissa Wellner
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Parenting Shrink Wrapped
  • Show Website
    Parenting Shrink Wrapped

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