Parenting Shrink Wrapped

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If your teen dreads school, struggles to keep up, or feels unseen in a traditional classroom, this episode will open your eyes to what’s possible. Sam and Melissa sit down with Rebecca Luhm and Tonya Gardner from Fusion Academy in Columbia, Maryland—a one-to-one learning environment that helps students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. They discuss how Fusion supports neurodiverse learners, students managing anxiety or chronic illness, and high-achievers who need flexibility to pursue their passions. You’ll hear inspiring stories of transformation and learn how personalized education can restore your teen’s confidence and love of learning. 

💻Connect with Fusion Academy

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Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

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Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

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This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care. 

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From pumpkin costumes and family trick-or-treating to teen parties and candy negotiations, Halloween looks different at every stage of parenting. 

In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Dr. Melissa Wellner and Sam Straub share funny memories, honest confessions (including Sam’s strong feelings about chocolate), and practical advice for navigating Halloween as your kids grow up. They talk about the chaos of toddler meltdowns, the bittersweet shift when tweens want independence, and how to set healthy limits around candy without losing your mind. 

Whether you love Halloween or dread it, this conversation will help you enjoy the season and keep perspective through every spooky stage of parenthood. 

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. 

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In this powerful episode, Sam and Melissa talk with Dr. Courtney Glickman, founder of The Collective Healing Center in Annapolis, MD, about how parents can recognize, respond to, and support children who have experienced sexual trauma—or any deeply distressing event.

Dr. Glickman explains how trauma shows up differently in kids, why disclosure can be so difficult, and how parents can help their children heal through connection, consistency, and compassion. She also breaks down “top-down” vs. “bottom-up” approaches to therapy, the importance of co-regulation, and why healing is not linear but ongoing.

Dr. Courtney Glickman is a trauma-informed therapist and founder of The Collective Healing Center in Annapolis, MD, specializing in play, expressive arts, and nature-based therapies for children, teens, and adults. 

Resources Mentioned

• The Collective Healing Center: collectivehealingcenter.com
• Child Trauma Stress Network: nctsn.org
• RAINN:  (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network)
• Center for Nature-Informed Therapy: natureinformedtherapy.com
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center 
• The Child Help Hotline

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

 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

Maria is passionate about helping others prioritize emotional wellness. She is a licensed mental health therapist in Maryland with over 20 years of experience supporting adults and teens. She’s a trained life coach, published author, podcast host, and creator of The Emotional Fitness Studio in Annapolis, MD. As founder of The Coaching Therapist, LLC, Maria’s mission is to share practical tools through workshops and training. She is originally from Venezuela and is fully bilingual in English and Spanish. 

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

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 ages
• Model healthy emotional expression
• Create rituals of remembrance
• Find meaning and support during hard times

Her message is simple but powerful: whatever you’re feeling, it’s normal.

Marna Brickman, LCSW-C, is co-owner of Guiding Therapy in Annapolis, Maryland. She specializes in grief counseling, women’s wellness, health-related transitions, and couples therapy. Known for her warm and grounding presence, Marna helps individuals and families move through loss with compassion and clarity.

Resources

• Guiding Therapy
• Grief.com David Kessler’s grief resources and support groups
• Tender Hearts grief support community

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, 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 offer practical ways to shift from judgment to curiosity and compassion—reminding us that every parent is doing their best and that parenting was never meant to be done alone.

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, 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 Colleges
• Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Differences (16th ed.)
• Colleges That Change Lives
• The Price You Pay for College
• Never Enough

About Kate
Kate Peltz is a seasoned college admissions professional and former director of college counseling at Concord Academy. Now leading her own student-centered practice, she helps teens navigate applications and find the right path forward. 

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

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-time nanny during the pandemic, to Sam’s stories of both beloved babysitters and less-than-ideal care, this conversation highlights the mix of gratitude, guilt, and growth that comes with letting others care for your kids.

You’ll hear:

• How to balance the emotional and financial decisions around childcare
• The unique dynamics when family members or relatives step in
• Green flags (like communication, punctuality, and respect for your household rules) that signal you’ve found a great fit
• Red flags that may mean it’s time to set firmer boundaries—or move on
• Why being upfront about your expectations makes life easier for everyone
• How to talk to your kids when a sitter or nanny leaves
• Signs your child might be ready to stay home alone—and how to “test drive” independence safely

Sam and Melissa also share candid stories of babysitting wins and fails—from sledding in blizzards to awkward oversharing—and dig into the tricky mix of trust, boundaries, and gut instinct that every parent navigates.

If you’ve ever debated whether it’s okay to hire a sitter just so you can exercise, struggled to decide when your tween can be home alone, or felt guilty about needing help at all—you’re not alone. This episode is packed with both practical tips and reassurance that trusting your gut and being clear about your needs makes all the difference.

Parenting is hard. Finding the right support doesn’t have to be impossible.

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, 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 kids build agency, confidence, and resilience. Krista also opens up about her own experiences with divorce, co-parenting, and raising kids while staying grounded in values.

If you’ve ever wondered how to separate your needs from your child’s, or how small shifts in parenting language can create big changes, this conversation is packed with insight and encouragement.

About Christa

Christa Welch is the founder of The Betty Center, a therapy practice and women’s hub in Annapolis, MD, created in honor of her late mother, Bettianne—the “original Betty.” The center offers mental health therapy, support groups, workshops, and professional consultations to support women and families through every stage of life. Christa earned her Master’s in Social Work at 47 and brings wisdom from both her education and life’s challenges—including divorce, breast cancer (twice), and parenting. Through it all, she leans on resilience, humor, and hope, and is most proud to be mom to Isabel (22) and Tilghman (18). 

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

 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 kindergarten
• Why 3rd grade marks such a big academic and social leap
• How perfectionism and homework battles show up in 1st–4th grade
• The unique mix of confidence and vulnerability in 5th grade

This episode wraps up our Nature of the Beast back-to-school series. If you missed earlier episodes, check out: College Edition with Dr. Kelly Wilcox, High School Edition, and Middle School Edition with Mary Foard

About Jennifer
Jennifer is an educator and child therapist who specializes in anxiety and OCD. With 15+ years as a school counselor and pupil personnel worker, she now supports kids and parents through her new practice, KidWise Counseling

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.