Send us a text 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 flexibility to helping kids navigate identity, language, and family expectations. About Maria ...

Send us a text 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 grief in kids of all agesModel healthy emotional expressionCreate rituals of remembranceFind meaning and...

Send us a text 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 comparison is hardwired into our brains, and the damage it can do to our sense of community. They o...

Send us a text 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. Resources from the Episode Backyard College Counseling Fiske Guide to CollegesGuide to Colleges...

Send us a text 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 babysitters, nannies, and other caregivers. From Melissa’s experience of holding on tight to a full-tim...

Send us a text 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 check your motivation as a parent, shift your language around chores and responsibilities, and help kid...

Send us a text 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 kindergartenWhy 3rd grade marks such a big academic and social leapHow perfectionism and homework battles show up in 1st–4th gradeThe unique mix of confidence an...

Send us a text 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 “indoor cat” phase of eighth grade, Mary shares candid stories and practical strategies for navigating th...

Send us a text 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 – riding the wave of early-year leadership before “senioritis” hits, juggling college applications, an...

Send us a text 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 overstepping. We cover: What the “invisible fifth class” really isHow to foster independence and resili...

Send us a text 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 this community. Together, they explore the unique challenges parents face when their bodies don’t co...

Send us a text 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, Sam and Melissa explore the moments when we, as parents, “flip our lids” over something small—only to realize it was connected to big fears, old baggage, or past patterns. Sam shares her powerful Sky Mind metaphor as a way to get grounded and stay present...

Send us a text 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 three, Samantha Hyali, owner of Children at Play in Annapolis, to pull back the curtain on what occupational therapy actually is—and why more parents should know about it. Whether you’ve heard the term OT tossed around but never understood it, or y...

Send us a text 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 misunderstandings, the emotional toll, the parenting pitfalls, and the opportunities for growth (yes, even when there’s an ice cream bowl in the sink. Again.). If you’ve ever been tempted to call your kid “lazy,” wonder why reward charts don’t work, or ...

Send us a text 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 come with it. They unpack what ADHD really looks like (spoiler alert: it’s not just about being “distracted”), highlight the emotional rollercoaster that many families experience, and share practical ways parents can better support their children—an...

Send us a text 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 (over 8 million downloads!). Together, they explore how trauma shows up in childhood and parenthood, how it hides in plain sight in the form of chronic stress responses, and why healing is not only possible—but essential. Whether you’re a parent, a pr...

Send us a text 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 explore the nature of trauma, its impact on parenting, and how EMDR can help individuals process traumatic memories. Kristen shares her journey into counseling, the mechanisms of EMDR, and its effectiveness in treating both adults and ch...

Send us a text 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, they dig into what it means to be a father in today’s world—from the pressure to “have it all together” to the power of being vulnerable. The discussion goes deep into topics like equitable parenting, emotional health, and the need for strong dad-...

Send us a text 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: End-of-year burnout (it’s not just “senioritis”)Helping teens through finals without melting downLow-lift summer ideas (Alphabet Summer, anyone?)How to avoid the screen-time vortexWhy it’s okay to phone it in (really)Set the bar low, pour the cereal, ...

Send us a text 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 perimenopause and beyond. Dr. Smith, an expert in reproductive psychiatry, breaks down how hormonal transitions can trigger mood and anxiety symptoms, what signs to watch for, and how to get help that actually works. They discuss the realities of p...