Send us Fan Mail

What do children actually remember after their parents divorce?

In this unique episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam Straub and Dr. Melissa Wellner welcome 19-year-old college student Tilghman Grim to share his firsthand perspective on growing up with divorced parents and ADHD.

Rather than hearing from experts alone, this conversation gives parents the rare opportunity to hear directly from someone who has lived the experience. Tilghman reflects on what helped him feel secure, what his parents did well, and the lessons he's carried into adulthood.

One of his important reminders?

"Co-parenting is not a competition."

The conversation also explores parenting children with ADHD, healthy boundaries around technology, the importance of listening before speaking, and why children don't need perfect parents. They simply need parents who continue to love them, support them, and show up consistently.

In This Episode

• What children really remember after divorce
• Why co-parenting isn't about winning
• Growing up with ADHD
• Healthy technology boundaries for kids
• Raising resilient children
• Why perfect parenting doesn't exist
• Practical encouragement for divorced and co-parenting families

About Our Guest
Tilghman Grim is a 19-year-old rising junior at the College of Charleston, where he studies History and Political Science, and currently works as a dockmaster at the Annapolis Yacht Club. The son of Mike Grim and Christa Welch, and brother of Isabel Grim, Tilghman shares his perspective on growing up with divorced parents since the age of five. Although the early years were challenging, he reflects with gratitude, saying, "I would have no idea who I'd be today if everything that happened never happened." A lifelong warm-weather lover, he's happiest when he's out on the water. 

Contact: [email protected]

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

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

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. 

Send us Fan Mail

Co-parenting is challenging enough when two parents generally get along.

When the relationship is contentious, every pickup, schedule change, forgotten belonging, or parenting decision can become part of a larger power struggle.

In this episode, Sam and Melissa are joined by co-parent coach and conflict resolution expert Amy Armstrong to discuss how high-conflict co-parenting affects children and what parents can do when they feel powerless.

Amy explains why trying to control or correct the other parent often reduces your influence. She introduces the idea of being “pro-me, not anti-you,” which helps parents shift their energy away from fighting the other person and toward becoming the parent they want to be.

They also discuss what to do when a child says they do not want to spend time with the other parent. When there is no safety concern, Amy recommends combining an appropriate challenge with empathy and choices.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How co-parenting conflict can take on a life of its own
• Why children often become caught in the middle
• What it means to be pro-me instead of anti-you
• Why criticism and forced feedback can backfire
• How parents can increase their influence without controlling the other person
• What to do when a child resists parenting time
• How to validate a child without rescuing them
• Why children need to know they can handle hard things
• How small experiments help children and parents build confidence
• When a counselor, coach, or neutral professional may be helpful
• Why the court system cannot solve every co-parenting problem

About Amy:

Amy Armstrong is a co-parent coach, mediator, parent coordinator, and nationally recognized leader in conflict resolution, coach education, and program design. She works with parents and professionals through the Center for Family Resolution and the Center for Coach Development.

Resources:

Amy is also the author of Real-Time Parenting: Choose Your Action Steps for the Present Moment and the forthcoming book Boundary Basics: Simple Steps to Resolve Conflict.

Be sure to download this resource from Amy especially for the Parent Shrink Wrapped audience, The No-Regret Response Kit 

Contact: [email protected]

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

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

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. 

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Dr. Melissa Wellner and Sam Straub sit down with Joe Vercellino, award-winning educator, musician, and founder of The Lionheart Experience, to explore one of the most important conversations we've had on the podcast: helping children develop a strong sense of "somebody-ness."

Joe shares the remarkable story of how a stranger's simple words of encouragement as an eighth grader helped shape the trajectory of his life and inspired the creation of The Lionheart Experience, a nationwide program that has impacted millions of students through music, storytelling, and visual art.

Together, they discuss why children today often struggle to feel seen despite living in a world that's more connected than ever, and how parents, educators, and mentors can intentionally create moments that remind kids they matter.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What Joe means by "somebody-ness"
• Why helping kids feel seen is essential for healthy emotional development
• The connection between belonging and mental health
• How simple words of encouragement can leave a lifelong impact
• Why confidence grows from connection, not perfection
• Practical ways parents can build somebody-ness at home every day

About Joe
Joe Vercellino is an award-winning educator, speaker, and founder of The Lionheart Experience, a national program dedicated to helping young people build self-worth, belonging, and positive mental health. A former music teacher in Detroit, Joe combines original music, storytelling, and live art to inspire students and educators across the country, encouraging every child to discover their unique value and develop a strong sense of "Somebody-ness." 

Resources
Learn more about The Lionheart Experience, Joe Vercellino's school programs, music, books, and educator resources.

Get Joe’s free guide: Standout:  A Teacher’s Guide to the Ultimate Shine and Getting People Talking about You and Your Classroom (in a good way)

Follow The Lionheart Experience on Social Media: Instagram and YouTube

Contact: [email protected]

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

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

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. 

Send us Fan Mail

If asking your child to empty the dishwasher feels like starting a negotiation, welcome to our club.

In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Dr. Melissa Wellner and parent coach, Sam Straub, tackle one of the most common parenting struggles: chores.

While many parents see chores as a way to keep the house running, research shows they also help children develop confidence, responsibility, executive functioning, independence, and important life skills they'll use well into adulthood.

Melissa and Sam discuss why kids naturally resist chores, how parents can reduce power struggles, and practical language that encourages cooperation instead of conflict. They also explore why starting chores early matters, how to adapt expectations for different developmental stages, and why relying on rewards can sometimes backfire.

Whether you're introducing chores for the first time or trying to navigate the daily "I'll do it later" conversation, this episode offers realistic, encouraging strategies you can put into practice today.

⚠️If you are tired of the fights and struggles with your teen, Sam is hosting a 1 hour FREE workshop called “How to Stop Fighting With Your Teen Without Giving Up Your Authority.”  It’s a condensed version of a well-received three-part event she hosted back in April.  Why is she condensing it?  To help you learn as much as possible as fast as possible. We’re all busy people.  If you are dealing with battles over chores–or anything else for that matter–join Sam later this month. Save your free spot here.

Contact: [email protected]

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

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

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. 

Send us Fan Mail

Teen boys can be difficult to read, but that doesn't mean they're impossible to reach.

In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam Straub and Dr. Melissa Wellner welcome licensed counselor, Jarrod Hoffman, for an honest conversation about raising adolescent boys in today's world.

Together they discuss why boys often become quieter during adolescence, how parents can continue building meaningful relationships through shared experiences, and why curiosity often creates better conversations than constant questioning. They also explore anxiety, gaming, emotional development, and the unique cultural pressures facing young men today.

Whether you're parenting a son who's becoming more independent or simply want to better understand adolescent development, this episode offers practical encouragement and strategies you can begin using today.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why emotional withdrawal is often a normal part of adolescent development
• How to strengthen your relationship through play and shared interests
• Why lowering expectations can reduce frustration for everyone
• The connection between anxiety, gaming, and isolation
• Practical ways to support healthy emotional growth in teen boys

Resources Mentioned

• Jarrod Hoffman's "Does My Teen Need Therapy?" quiz
• JarrodHoffman.com

About Jarrod: Jarrod is a licensed professional counselor. He believes that teens are resilient and that parents are valuable. He was a teenage boy himself from 2004-2011. He loves reading books and is still on the fence about Messi or Renaldo. He's experienced many life-changes like his parents divorce when he was 10 and his dad's death when he was 28. He strives to help others find healing from wounds and triumph through suffering. 

Contact: [email protected]

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

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

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. 

Send us Fan Mail

When did youth sports become so stressful?

In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Dr. Melissa Wellner and Sam Straub welcome communication expert, former collegiate athlete, coach, and author Betsy Butterick for a thoughtful conversation about the evolving world of youth sports and how parents can better support young athletes.

From increasingly competitive youth leagues and early sports specialization to social media, recruiting pressure, and the changing relationship between coaches, athletes, and parents, Betsy shares practical insights that extend far beyond the playing field.

Together they discuss why today's athletes need connection before correction, how parents can encourage independence instead of overprotection, and why asking more questions instead of giving more answers helps children build confidence and resilience.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why youth sports have become increasingly competitive
• How early specialization can impact kids' enjoyment of sports
• The role parents play in shaping the athletic experience
• Why communication is one of the most important coaching skills
• How to help young athletes develop confidence and resilience
• Practical ways to support your child without adding pressure

Whether you're a parent, coach, teacher, or mentor, this episode offers encouraging, practical advice for helping kids enjoy sports while developing skills they'll carry for the rest of their lives.

About Betsy

As a former collegiate athlete and coach, Betsy utilizes her background in sport and degree in psychology to proactively help teams and organizations improve the quality of their communication at every level of team. Her work helps people shorten the distance between INTENTION and IMPACT one conversation at a time, and her reach extends beyond sport to parents, educators, and leaders. 

Learn more about Betsy Butterick and her new book, Kids These Days: Effective Strategies for Coaching Gen Z...and Beyond, by visiting her website or following her on social media.

Contact: [email protected]

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

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

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. 

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Dr. Melissa Wellner and Sam Straub sit down with Lynn and Jon Greenberg, the mother-son team behind The Creative Cab Company and the award-winning books Robbie the Dyslexic Taxi and the Airport Adventure and Suzy the ADHD Taxi and the Sightseeing Adventure.

Together, they discuss what it's like to raise and advocate for neurodivergent children, the challenges of navigating school systems, and why finding the right environment can be the key to positive change.

Jon shares his own experience growing up with dyslexia and how understanding his learning differences became a source of strength rather than shame. Lynn offers encouragement for parents who are fighting to get their children the support they need.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why intelligence and learning differences are not the same thing

• How parents can advocate for children with dyslexia and ADHD

• Why labels can provide clarity and self-acceptance

• The importance of finding the right educational environment

About Lynn and Jon

Lynn Greenberg has dedicated her life to championing children as a trained attorney, practicing family law and providing pro bono work for kids. When her youngest son Jonathan was diagnosed with dyslexia, Lynn naturally became his advocate, using her skills to develop a road map to success for him. This experience inspired her to support all neurodivergent children. Writing the children’s book "Robby the Dyslexic Taxi and the Airport Adventure" with Jonathan was a natural progression for Lynn, aiming to create characters that neurodivergent children can relate to. Lynn plans to continue creating relatable stories for all children. Jon is an artist with an MFA and is the talented illustrator behind the Creative Cab Company series. 

Resources:

The Creative Cab Company:  https://creativecabcompany.com/
Robbie the Dyslexic Taxi and the Airport Adventure: https://creativecabcompany.com/robby-the-taxi/
Suzy the ADHD Taxi and the Sightseeing Adventure:
https://creativecabcompany.com/suzy-the-adhd-taxi/ 

Because every child deserves to bloom in the right greenhouse. 🌷

Contact: [email protected]

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

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

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. 

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: [email protected]

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

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

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. 

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 like
• The four pillars of the CALM Approach
• Why emotional regulation starts with parents
• How awareness creates meaningful change
• The role of accountability and repair
• Why your kids don't need a perfect parent
• Practical ways to create stronger family connections

About 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: [email protected]

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

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

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. 

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 misunderstood
• Emotional regulation and mood instability
• The role dopamine plays in ADHD
• Why bedtime and transitions can become so difficult
• ADHD in Black and Latino children
• The impact of cultural bias and school discipline
• Medication, therapy, and parenting support strategies
• Why ADHD has nothing to do with intelligence

This 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: [email protected]

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

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

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.