Parenting Shrink Wrapped

Samantha Straub and Dr. Melissa Wellner
  • 5.0 (8)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
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!

  1. 4D AGO

    #19: Raising Kids on the Autism Spectrum with Dr. Taylor Day

    Send us a text 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 specializing in neuroaffirming care for autistic kids and their families. Dr. Tay shares her personal journey of growing up with a younger brother on the spectrum, how that shaped her approach to autism care, and why she created her whole-family model...

    34 min

  2. MAR 31

    #18: Beyond Birth: Sleep, Support & the Power of Postpartum Care with Kimberly Marie-Ferrol

    Send us a text 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, pediatric sleep specialist, doula, and founder of Vela Haven, to talk about the vital role of doulas, sleep consultants, and postpartum care. Kimberly shares why every family deserves a village, how doulas support parents beyond childbirth, and why slee...

    30 min

  3. MAR 24

    #17: Is My Kid a Jerk? Handling Middle School Behavior & Big Emotions

    Send us a text 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 listener’s concern about her 13-year-old son—who is smart, confident, and well-liked, but has been acting out and getting in trouble at school. They dive into why middle schoolers struggle with impulse control, how brain development impacts decision-mak...

    19 min

  4. MAR 17

    #16: How to Divorce Well: Protecting Kids & Keeping It Civil with Val Anias

    Send us a text 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’s well-being. Val shares her expertise on co-parenting strategies, avoiding common legal pitfalls, and why putting kids first leads to better outcomes. She also introduces her collaborative divorce package, designed to help couples separ...

    50 min

  5. MAR 10

    #15: The Power of Play: Why Adults Need It Just as Much as Kids with TJ Matton

    Send us a text 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 trauma and play for adults. They explore how play is a biological necessity, not just a pastime, and how reintroducing play into our lives can improve mental health, flexibility, and even parenting. TJ also breaks down different play styl...

    40 min

  6. MAR 3

    #14: Parenting as a Highly Sensitive Person: Overcoming Overwhelm and Embracing Strength with Ruth Milsten

    Send us a text 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 sensitivity, understanding nervous system regulation, and using somatic therapy to move beyond overwhelm. Whether you're navigating overstimulation, parenting with past trauma, or simply seeking deeper self-understanding, this episode offe...

    31 min

  7. FEB 24

    #13: Raising Intuitive Eaters: Navigating Diet Culture and Wellness Trends with Jacquelyn Stern

    Send us a text 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 down with registered dietitian nutritionist Jacqueline Stern to discuss intuitive eating, health at every size, and how parents can foster a positive food environment at home. Jacqueline shares insights on how to neutralize food, avoid harmful mes...

    37 min

  8. FEB 17

    #12: Navigating a Family Move: Helping Kids Through Big Transitions

    Send us a text 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 unexpected—and dive into the emotional and logistical challenges families face during relocation. They discuss how children process big changes, common behavioral responses (like regression or resistance), and practical ways parents can support thei...

    33 min
See All (19)

    5
    out of 5
    8 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 - 2025
    • Episodes
      19
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © 2025 Parenting Shrink Wrapped
    • Show Website
      Parenting Shrink Wrapped

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