Teen Savvy Coaching with Samantha Straub

12/16/2025

Ever agreed to something another parent asked… while every part of you whispered, “This doesn’t feel right”?

You’re not alone.

Boundary-setting can feel really uncomfortable—especially if you grew up believing that saying “no” risks the relationship.

In this week’s episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Melissa and I unpack:
✨ How boundaries shift from playdates → sleepovers → teen hangouts
✨ Why “no” doesn’t make you mean
✨ Using “and” to hold your values AND support your teen’s social life
✨ How to decline kindly without over-explaining
✨ Why boundaries are a gift your kids carry into adulthood

Healthy boundaries aren’t about being strict…

They’re about being clear, grounded, and aligned with your family’s values.
Listen now and let’s navigate this messy, beautiful part of parenting together. 💛

Listen wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

12/15/2025

Setting boundaries with other parents doesn’t mean you’re “difficult.”
It means you’re parenting with intention. 💛

Birthday parties, sleepovers, late-night hangouts, tech rules, substance use… every age brings new boundary challenges.

You’re allowed to say no.

You’re allowed to protect your values.

And your kids are watching—learning how to make thoughtful decisions of their own.

✨ New episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped is out now!

We’re talking all things boundaries: the awkward moments, the guilt, the people-pleasing, and how to hold your ground with compassion.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧

12/09/2025

Parents usually come to me asking how to stop sneaking out… or big outbursts… or constant arguments.

But here’s the twist:
Before we fix anything, I start with the teen brain. 🧠

Why?

Because your teen’s behavior makes WAY more sense once you understand whether it’s a won’t or a can’t.

And when you know which one you’re looking at, your whole approach shifts…and so does your teen’s response.

In this week’s episode, Melissa and I break down:
🔹 Coaching vs. therapy
🔹 Why resistance is normal
🔹 How to communicate so your teen actually listens
🔹 What “parenting from your highest values” looks like in real life

Give it a listen if you’re craving less conflict and more connection at home.

And remember — you haven’t failed. You’re adapting, growing, and showing up. 💛

12/08/2025

Ever wonder what parent coaching actually is? Melissa put me on the spot in this week’s episode and grilled me with every question parents secretly want to ask. 😂
Here’s the short version:

Parent coaching is NOT therapy… but it can absolutely transform your relationship with your teen.

I teach parents how to:
✨ Understand the teen brain
✨ Communicate without power struggles
✨ Roll with resistance (instead of hitting a wall)
✨ Parent from your highest values
✨ Shift behaviors and strengthen connection

If parenting feels harder than you expected, you’re not alone — and you might just need new tools, not a new personality.

➡️ Listen to the full episode on Parenting Shrink Wrapped by my link in bio or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.
➡️ Or book a call with me at www.TeenSavvyCoaching.com

You’re doing better than you think. 💛

12/04/2025

𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙛…
• You dread pick-up because you’re bracing for attitude.
• You’ve Googled “teen won’t talk to me” more than once this week.
• You replay arguments in your head at 2 a.m.
• You love your kid fiercely… but like them a little less lately.

𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩.

It’s about learning to parent from your center — not from panic, fear, or frustration.
If that sounds like relief… it is.

💬 Book a free discovery call (link in bio).

🌟 Sam Straub – Teen Savvy Coaching
🦋 Parenting Coach for Parents of Teens + Tweens
💬 Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
📚 Empowering Parents to Raise Thriving Teens
🌐 Visit https://vist.ly/4h8qj
✉️ Email sam@teensavvycoaching.com
🆓 DM ‘LOVED’ for my free guide to turn tough teen talks into real connection.

12/02/2025

🎉 Flash back to summer 2024: Parenting Shrink Wrapped didn’t even exist.

We didn’t have a name, a plan, or a clue how to host a podcast.

But we did have a shared mission: to make practical, shame-free parenting support accessible for families navigating the tween and teen years.

This week, we’re celebrating our one-year anniversary with a special episode reflecting on:
✨ What we learned from weekly conversations
✨ The guest experts who expanded our thinking
✨ The behind-the-scenes trial-and-error no one sees
✨ How recording this podcast has shaped our own parenting

We’re deeply grateful to our listeners, our guests, and this community. Thank you for showing up each week as we help parents raise the next generation of world changers.

🎙️ Listen to the anniversary episode by my Link In Bio or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

12/01/2025

As we celebrate this anniversary, my overwhelming feeling is gratitude.
To our listeners — the parents who are doing their best, raising the next generation of world-changers — thank you. Thank you for tuning in, sending emails, sharing episodes with friends, and letting us be part of your week.

We’d love to bring you into the conversation even more this year. If you have episode ideas, questions, or even want to send us a short voice message about your favorite episode, email us at parentingshrinkwrapped@gmail.com. We might feature you in a 2026 episode.

Here’s to another year of honesty, humor, connection, and the universal truth that none of us should parent alone.

💛 Thanks for being here with us.

11/28/2025

👉 Have you listened to terrific speakers at your kids' schools or in your communities on the topic of tech and social media use?

I'm currently curating a speaker list for the Teen Savvy Parent Summit that will take place in February 2026.

There have been multiple requests to address the topic of social media and tech-overuse. If you know someone who would be a GREAT addition to the Summit speaker line up please DM with more info!

11/25/2025

Your child’s behavior is telling you a story.

Psychoeducational testing helps you finally understand the plot.

In our new episode, Dr. Eryn Krueger breaks down what testing looks like, when to consider it, and how it can bring the clarity every overwhelmed parent craves.

Whether it’s anxiety, ADHD, a learning difference, or a combo platter—you don’t have to guess anymore.

🎧 Tune in: link in bio or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

11/24/2025

Ever look at your kid melting down over homework and think, “I KNOW there’s more going on here… but WHAT?”

This week on Parenting Shrink Wrapped, we pull back the curtain on psychoeducational testing—what it is, how it works, and why it’s not as scary as it sounds.

If your kid is struggling but you can’t quite name why, this episode is your new best friend.

🎧 Listen now: link in bio or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

11/23/2025

A quick clip from my recent conversation with Getrude Matshe on the HerStory Podcast.

A powerful conversation in which Getrude invited this reformed skeptic to share the story about connecting with my late mother through a psychic medium. That psychic encounter led to healing and a more open-hearted way of supporing my own family and the families I work with. ❤️

37 seconds · Clipped by Samantha Straub · Original video "Samantha Straub: When My Mother Called from the Other Side — And Taught Me How to Love Again 💥" by...