Send us a text In this episode, Sam and Melissa sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Eryn Kruger to demystify psychoeducational testing—what it is, why it matters, and how it can reveal the real reasons behind a child’s struggles at home or school. Dr. Kruger explains how testing goes far beyond “taking a test,” offering insight into a child’s learning style, processing speed, executive functioning, attention, and emotional health. Together, they unpack why bright kids can still fall...

Send us a text Teen substance use looks very different today. Sam and Dr. Melissa talk with clinician Allison Scarinzi about vaping, cannabis, synthetics, early conversations, red flags, and how to stay your teen’s safe person. This episode blends practical tools with compassionate guidance for parents navigating curiosity, peer pressure, and risk. About Allison Allison Scarinzi, LCSW-C, is the founder of Lotus Psychotherapy in Annapolis. She specializes in trauma-informed care, mental healt...

Send us a text Speech pathologist Ana Curtin joins Sam and Dr. Melissa to uncover how early oral habits—like thumb-sucking, pacifiers, and tongue ties—can impact airway development, sleep, focus, and emotional health well into the teen years. About Ana Ana Curtin is a speech-language pathologist and founder of S.P.E.A.K., LLC, a highly specialized practice serving children with mild to complex speech and feeding needs since 2002. She’s known for her collaborative, team-based...

Send us a text Pediatrician Dr. Rebecca Vickers joins Sam Straub and Dr. Melissa Wellner to discuss how functional medicine is transforming pediatric care. From gut health and food sensitivities to chronic inflammation, anxiety, and attention issues, Dr. Vickers explains why so many kids are getting sicker — and how parents can help uncover the root causes behind their child’s symptoms. Learn practical tips on improving kids’ health through nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle changes ...

Send us a text 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...

Send us a text 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 ind...

Send us a text 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 ...

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...