Parenting Shrink Wrapped

Samantha Straub and Dr. Melissa Wellner
  • 5.0 (11)
  • 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. Getting Real About Fatherhood

    19h ago ·  Video

    Getting Real About Fatherhood

    Send us Fan Mail In this special Father's Day episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam Straub and Dr. Melissa Wellner welcome filmmaker, educator, podcast host, and father Dan Gvozden for a candid conversation about the realities of fatherhood. From neighborhood adventures and childhood imagination to work-life balance and parenting confessions, Dan shares what he's learning while raising a preschooler and building a business. Together, they explore why presence, curiosity, and listening may be some of the most important gifts parents can give their children. Filled with humor, honesty, and heartfelt reflections, this episode celebrates fathers while offering meaningful insights for all parents striving to build stronger connections with their kids. About Dan With over fifteen years of experience teaching filmmaking, photography, and creative writing at prestigious private high schools and universities, Dan’s passion for teaching his students to use the filmic arts to express their voices, regardless of budget, resources, or ability, led him to found The Backlot - Film School and Studio. Dan earned a BFA in Film & Television Production from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, an MA in Cinema and Media Studies from UCLA, and has a decade of published work as a film critic and a lifetime of film production, and prides himself as a passionate pied-piper for creativity in all of its forms! Connect with Dan and Backlot Follow Backlot on Facebook 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.

    44 min
  2. The CALM Approach: Raising Kids Differently Than You Were Raised

    Jun 8 ·  Video

    The CALM Approach: Raising Kids Differently Than You Were Raised

    Send us Fan Mail Many parents find themselves repeating parenting patterns they never intended to carry into their own families. In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam Straub and Dr. Melissa Wellner welcome parenting coach Angie Weber, founder of The Parent Toolbox and creator of the CALM Approach. Angie shares her personal journey of recognizing generational parenting patterns and explains how parents can begin creating healthier relationships with their children through intentional communication, emotional awareness, accountability, and modeling. Together, they discuss emotional regulation, discipline versus punishment, perfectionism in parenting, co-parenting challenges, and practical ways parents can create more connection and calm in their homes. In This Episode: What generational parenting cycles look likeThe four pillars of the CALM ApproachWhy emotional regulation starts with parentsHow awareness creates meaningful changeThe role of accountability and repairWhy your kids don't need a perfect parentPractical ways to create stronger family connectionsAbout Angie Angie Weber, owner of The Parent Toolbox, developer of the C.A.L.M. Approach to Parenting©, creator of The C.A.L.M. Family Planner, and host of the podcast Mom Essentials, is on a mission to help break generational parenting cycles.  Angie helps parents upgrade their own toolboxes with new strategies and approaches to create more communication, connection, and calm in their homes!  Connect with Angie Weber Website: https://theparenttoolbox.info Social Media:  @theparenttoolbox 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.

    37 min
  3. What does ADHD really look like in children and teens?

    Jun 1

    What does ADHD really look like in children and teens?

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Dr. Melissa Wellner and Sam Straub are joined by child psychiatrist Dr. Chad Lennon to unpack the realities of ADHD beyond the stereotypes. Together, they discuss: Why ADHD is often misunderstoodEmotional regulation and mood instabilityThe role dopamine plays in ADHDWhy bedtime and transitions can become so difficultADHD in Black and Latino childrenThe impact of cultural bias and school disciplineMedication, therapy, and parenting support strategiesWhy ADHD has nothing to do with intelligenceThis episode offers practical insight, compassionate perspective, and reassurance for parents navigating ADHD at home. About Dr. Lennon Dr. Chad Lennon is a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist at Sheppard Pratt’s Baltimore/Washington Campus. He earned his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Maryland/Sheppard Pratt Residency Program, followed by a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Mt. Sinai Elmhurst Hospital. Dr. Lennon is widely published and has presented on topics including ADHD, anxiety, suicide prevention, trauma, and mental health in children and adolescents. He is especially passionate about increasing awareness around mental health in underserved communities and has written extensively about the stigma surrounding mental illness in the African American community. 🛜Connect with Dr. Lennon 🌐Dr. Lennon on LinkedIn 🎧 Subscribe for more Parenting Shrink Wrapped episodes every week. 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.

    46 min
  4. What do Teens Really Need from Parents Right Now?

    May 25

    What do Teens Really Need from Parents Right Now?

    Send us Fan Mail 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.

    36 min
  5. Understanding Healthy Sleep Environments with Naturepedic

    May 18

    Understanding Healthy Sleep Environments with Naturepedic

    Send us Fan Mail What creates a truly healthy sleep environment for kids and teens? In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa sit down with Arin Schultz, Chief Growth Officer of Naturepedic, to talk about safe sleep practices, organic mattresses, environmental toxins, and how sleep environments may impact emotional regulation, nervous system health, and overall wellness. Together, they discuss what many parents never think about when it comes to sleep, including off-gassing, mattress materials, safe sleep recommendations for babies, and why sensitive kids (of any age) may react more strongly to environmental stressors. This practical and thoughtful conversation helps parents better understand how small environmental changes may support healthier sleep for the whole family. About Arin: Chief Growth Officer, Arin Schultz, joined Naturepedic in 2014, bringing a strong background in manufacturing business development and sales operations. Working for the certified organic, non-toxic mattress pioneer has opened Arin’s eyes to the dangers of harmful chemicals and their pervasive presence in households across the globe and this knowledge has added a deeper purpose to his relentless push to help transform the brand’s vision into reality. As the lead on all Naturepedic sales and marketing efforts, Arin develops and implements strategies that support the company’s business growth, customer retention, product innovation and sustainability goals. He also plays a key role in all educational initiatives, including thought leadership articles, webinars, live events and more. A father of four and an empathetic listener, Arin leads with  his genuine desire to help families make the safest, healthiest sleep choices.  Resources:  • Learn more about Naturepedic: Naturepedic 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.

    35 min
  6. How to Spot and Reverse Math Anxiety with Dr. Aditya Nagrath, Ph.D

    May 11

    How to Spot and Reverse Math Anxiety with Dr. Aditya Nagrath, Ph.D

    Send us Fan Mail What if math anxiety isn’t about intelligence at all? In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa sit down with Dr. Aditya Nagrath, founder of Elephant Learning Mathematics Academy, to explore why so many kids struggle with math and what parents can do to help. Together, they unpack how missing foundational number concepts can create frustration, avoidance, and anxiety later in middle school and high school, especially around algebra. This conversation offers practical insight into how parents can support confidence, reduce overwhelm, and help kids reconnect with learning in a healthier way. Learn more about Dr. Nagrath and Elephant Learning at ElephantLearning.com. ABOUT DR. NAGRATH Dr. Nagrath helps students overcome mathematics anxiety. Aditya is the creator and founder of Elephant Learning Mathematics Academy which helps students learn years of mathematics over the course of a few months using their system just 10 minutes per day, 3 days per week. With a PhD in Mathematics & Computer Sciences, Dr. Nagrath has spent over 30 years in industry as a software engineer, author, leader, speaker, and serial entrepreneur working on everything from atomic clocks to iOS and Android apps to Amazon’s Kindle Fire. As the Founder of Elephant Head Software, which won the prestigious JD Edwards Innovation Award in 2015, he has also done software projects for Pearson, Verizon, Telefonica, JD Edwards (Oracle), and other billion dollar companies. Find Dr. Nagrath’s book here:  Treating Mathematics Anxiety: Inclusive Strategies for Working with Students Exhibiting Mathematics Anxiety. 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.

    34 min
  7. The Truth About Mom Guilt, Mental Load & What Moms Really Want for Mother’s Day

    May 4

    The Truth About Mom Guilt, Mental Load & What Moms Really Want for Mother’s Day

    Send us Fan Mail Motherhood is a mix of joy, pressure, connection, and–a whole lot of invisible work. In this Mother’s Day episode, Sam and Melissa hit record in the middle of a real conversation about what it actually feels like to be a mom. From deeply personal stories of mom guilt to the everyday mental load that never shuts off, this episode is both relatable and validating. They dive into: A powerful (and vulnerable) story about a parenting moment that still lingersThe ongoing tension between career and familyThe unseen responsibilities moms carry every dayWhat moms really want for Mother’s Day (and why it’s often not what we plan)This episode is a reminder that there’s no perfect way to do motherhood–and that the connection you build with your kids matters more than getting everything right. 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.

    34 min
  8. A Parent's Guide to Handling Bullying with Melissa and Sam

    Apr 27

    A Parent's Guide to Handling Bullying with Melissa and Sam

    Send us Fan Mail Bullying is one of the most challenging situations a parent can face–and knowing how to respond isn’t always clear. In this episode, Sam and Melissa break down what bullying actually is, how to recognize the signs, and how to support your child in a way that builds confidence instead of escalating the situation. From school avoidance and anxiety to navigating conversations and involving the school, this episode gives parents a practical roadmap for handling a tough and emotional topic with clarity and intention. If you are struggling with your kid being bullied, contact Sam or Melissa for additonal help. You don't have to do this alone-we are here to help! 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.

    39 min
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5
out of 5
11 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
    81
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Parenting Shrink Wrapped
  • Show Website
    Parenting Shrink Wrapped

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