November 23, 2025 • 9 mins
A viral arrest. A painful video. A community torn between what raised us and what may have harmed us. We open the mic on a hard question: where does discipline end and abuse begin? Using the Nicole Staples case as a flashpoint, we walk through what the footage shows, how the law views willful abuse, and why many households still see physical punishment as a badge of love and protection. Then we move past outrage into clarity: what real discipline looks like when the goal is learning, safety, and respect that lasts.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:02):
All right, question.
What's the difference betweendiscipline and straight up
abuse?
Because depending on how yougrow up, this answer hits very
different.
(00:23):
Peace.
Peace.
Peace.
Peace, family, and I hope thatyou're feeling well and blessed
today.
You're tuned into the sound ofthe Only One Mic Podcast, Mic
Drop Show, where we break downtoday's biggest moves in culture
and community throughconversation that matters.
I'm your host, Carl Gerard, andI appreciate you locking in with
me.
Whether you've been followingevery episode or this is your
(00:45):
first time tuning in, this spaceis about truth, clarity, and
conversation that truly matters.
And I'm not here to tell youwhat to think, family.
I'm just here to lay it out foryou.
All right, so now I'm gonna posethis question again, y'all.
What's the difference betweendiscipline and straight-up
abuse?
I asked this question becausethis one is burning up the
internet after Nicole Staples.
(01:05):
An Alabama teacher of the yearwas arrested after a video
surfaced of her beating her12-year-old son with a belt more
than 20 times, folks.
She also dragged him by thehair, was yelling profanities at
him, and shoved him into a wall.
Now, to give you more contextcontext on this one, I wanted to
play a clip, courtesy of WEARChannel 3 News, detailing the
(01:27):
alleged abuse by Miss Staples.
Check this out.
SPEAKER_02 (01:34):
The video was clandestinely captured by
another family member who hasgiven us permission to show it
to you.
It appears to be a parentattempting to physically
discipline her child.
The Sheriff's Office nowconfirms the woman is the mother
of the 12-year-old son that isabout to be struck with a strap
for about 22 times, the beatinglasting about 15 seconds, and it
(01:57):
is difficult to watch.
The woman then pulls the childup from the sofa by his hair,
then unleashes a torrent ofprofanity.
(02:19):
This video has also been viewedby investigators with the Mobile
County Sheriff's Office, whoidentify her as 44-year-old
Randy Nicole Staples of GrahamBay.
But some viewers may recognizeher as Mrs.
Nicole Staples, a second gradeteacher at Cottage Hill
Christian Academy.
This is her booking picture fromMobile Metro Jail earlier this
evening after being charged withfelony willful abuse.
SPEAKER_03 (02:41):
People are entitled to discipline their children how
they choose, but that went wellbeyond discipline.
It was sickening to see somebodythat just could, you know,
repeatedly, you know, striketheir child and then snatch them
(03:05):
by the hair and yell and cuss athim.
You know, and then I think thelast strike was across his arms.
Just that that was there wasnever any question or doubt that
she was ultimately going to bearrested.
SPEAKER_02 (03:17):
Sheriff Bird says making the video even more
confounding is Staples'reputation at Cottage Hill
Christian Academy, which in Mayposted on Facebook that she had
been chosen teacher of the year.
SPEAKER_03 (03:28):
And and it's you know almost like a uh dual
personality, and because uh byall accounts, I'm told that she
is a good teacher and wellrespected, but yet you know what
happens in the home is isclearly the opposite of that.
SPEAKER_02 (03:48):
The sheriff says this is very much an ongoing
investigation, and that DHR isinvolved and is dealing with the
children.
He says he expects more to beuncovered as the investigation
continues.
SPEAKER_03 (03:58):
We did discuss this in depth with the district
attorney, you know, KeithBlackwood, and you know, decided
on on the appropriate charges,and you know, she she will face
justice.
SPEAKER_00 (04:10):
All right.
So in uh in that conversation,guys, I want you to also you
know take note that he said thatum the sheriff was talking about
how you know she's teacher ofthe year, and we know that to be
true, and that you know, I guessit's like a stark difference
between the classroom and andbeing at home, which hey guys,
(04:32):
teachers are are people too, soum, it's not like she's running
around beating the kids in theclassroom or nothing like that.
So this is something thathappened in her home with her
son.
And if you like me, you'reprobably wondering like what
exchange did she have with herson that led up to this?
I mean, because mama blocked outfor a minute, and we don't know
(04:53):
what was said, what was donethat got her to this point.
Um, and again, I don't know allthe situation about it, but um,
you know, I I want to be of themind to think that she's not
coming home and just beatingthis kid like 22 times with a
belt and shoving up againstwalls and cursing just for no
reason.
It had to be something that ledup to this.
So let's hear from NicoleStaples' son Jackson Staples on
(05:15):
what he believes led to hisbrother being beaten.
Check this out.
SPEAKER_01 (05:20):
Something about he was done and cleaning the
kitchen like he supposed to be,left, went to the neighbor's
house, come back, and then ittranspired into that.
SPEAKER_00 (05:28):
All right, so let's be real, y'all.
Plenty of households, especiallyin our communities, folks,
physical discipline is normal.
It's it's normal in some cases,and a lot of people will tell
you, man, this kept me out thepenitentiary.
Belt, switches, shoes, some ofus grew up on that.
But what do we see in thisvideo?
Was it just a whooping?
(05:48):
Was it a mother's rage?
Like I said before, the mom justblackout for a minute.
So, where does discipline endand abuse begin?
Is it the number of hits?
Is it the anger behind it, thebruises it leaves, the fear, the
intention, or the aftermath ofthe whole thing?
Because some people say, justlike I just said, I got whooped
(06:09):
as a kid, it turned out fine.
Others say, nah, man, that stuffstays with you forever.
And honestly, both can be true.
So I mean if you want to thinkabout it, about your own
household growing up, did youfeel corrected or did you feel
scared?
I listen, I'm telling you, guys,a lot of times you grow up in
your in your crib, man, you needthat fear and that respect of
(06:33):
your parent.
Um, you know, because as we seewith today's youth that's
running around crazy out here,whether you're coming from a
good home or not, you know Imean, somewhere down the line
that that discipline was lost inthat.
You know what I mean?
Um, you know, so what was itteaching you during that time of
discipline?
That was just my opinion, y'all.
But what what what was itteaching you about, you know,
(06:57):
about this?
Or was this or was it just aboutsomebody losing control in that
situation?
And but furthermore, if you're aparent right now, how do you
handle discipline in your home?
I mean, if you were if you werea person that got beat or
whatever, you know what I mean?
Do you repeat what you grew upwith, or do you just say that's
a cycle I'm gonna break?
So I'm gonna discipline my kiddifferently.
(07:18):
Now, again, this isn't aboutjudging anybody.
We don't know what again, whathappened to uh um you know Miss
Staples and her son, what wasthe exchange behind that?
I know her older son said thatyou know she used to beat him
like that.
And if we all told these storiesof when we got beat as children
or discipline, as you want tosay, um we can all look at it
(07:38):
and say, like, oh, mom and dadwas bargaining.
But hey, look, we that thatparticular discipline probably
helped us out.
We don't know if we got Jazzy ina situation and we deserve that.
We don't know.
So, you know, there's adifference between raising a
child and hurting one, you knowwhat I mean?
And this particular video, itforces us to look in the mirror
(07:59):
and ask hard questions.
So I want you to do me thisfavor hit me up, direct message,
comments, emails.
I want to hear from you.
Discipline versus abuse, y'all.
Where is the line on this?
All right, the only one micpodcast is available on all
major platforms you stream yourpodcasts on.
So wherever you listen, we'rethere.
Be sure to check out our YouTubechannel to catch up on the past
(08:21):
and current episodes.
And don't forget to rate theshow and hit that subscribe
button.
And I believe they havesomething now called a hype
button.
If you see that, hit that too.
Because it helps the channelmore than you know, guys.
It helps it more than you know.
Follow and connect with us onInstagram and X at the only one
Mike P1, Facebook and LinkedInat the only one mic podcast.
(08:43):
Or you can email us at the onlyone mic zero zero at gmail.com.
Call or text at 302-367-7219.
Your voice, your questions, yourtake could be featured on the
show.
Again, guys, we want to knowfrom you where do you think the
line is drawing at withdiscipline and abuse?
(09:04):
What's the difference?
Is there a difference?
How was it when you were growingup?
How are you raising your kidsright now?
Let us know what you think.
Call Gerard, the only one micpodcast, mic drop show, signing
off.
Peace.
All right, question.
What's the difference betweendiscipline and straight up
abuse?
Because depending on how yougrow up, this answer hits very
different.
(00:23):
Peace.
Peace.
Peace.
Peace, family, and I hope thatyou're feeling well and blessed
today.
You're tuned into the sound ofthe Only One Mic Podcast, Mic
Drop Show, where we break downtoday's biggest moves in culture
and community throughconversation that matters.
I'm your host, Carl Gerard, andI appreciate you locking in with
me.
Whether you've been followingevery episode or this is your
(00:45):
first time tuning in, this spaceis about truth, clarity, and
conversation that truly matters.
And I'm not here to tell youwhat to think, family.
I'm just here to lay it out foryou.
All right, so now I'm gonna posethis question again, y'all.
What's the difference betweendiscipline and straight-up
abuse?
I asked this question becausethis one is burning up the
internet after Nicole Staples.
(01:05):
An Alabama teacher of the yearwas arrested after a video
surfaced of her beating her12-year-old son with a belt more
than 20 times, folks.
She also dragged him by thehair, was yelling profanities at
him, and shoved him into a wall.
Now, to give you more contextcontext on this one, I wanted to
play a clip, courtesy of WEARChannel 3 News, detailing the
(01:27):
alleged abuse by Miss Staples.
Check this out.
SPEAKER_02 (01:34):
The video was clandestinely captured by
another family member who hasgiven us permission to show it
to you.
It appears to be a parentattempting to physically
discipline her child.
The Sheriff's Office nowconfirms the woman is the mother
of the 12-year-old son that isabout to be struck with a strap
for about 22 times, the beatinglasting about 15 seconds, and it
(01:57):
is difficult to watch.
The woman then pulls the childup from the sofa by his hair,
then unleashes a torrent ofprofanity.
(02:19):
This video has also been viewedby investigators with the Mobile
County Sheriff's Office, whoidentify her as 44-year-old
Randy Nicole Staples of GrahamBay.
But some viewers may recognizeher as Mrs.
Nicole Staples, a second gradeteacher at Cottage Hill
Christian Academy.
This is her booking picture fromMobile Metro Jail earlier this
evening after being charged withfelony willful abuse.
SPEAKER_03 (02:41):
People are entitled to discipline their children how
they choose, but that went wellbeyond discipline.
It was sickening to see somebodythat just could, you know,
repeatedly, you know, striketheir child and then snatch them
(03:05):
by the hair and yell and cuss athim.
You know, and then I think thelast strike was across his arms.
Just that that was there wasnever any question or doubt that
she was ultimately going to bearrested.
SPEAKER_02 (03:17):
Sheriff Bird says making the video even more
confounding is Staples'reputation at Cottage Hill
Christian Academy, which in Mayposted on Facebook that she had
been chosen teacher of the year.
SPEAKER_03 (03:28):
And and it's you know almost like a uh dual
personality, and because uh byall accounts, I'm told that she
is a good teacher and wellrespected, but yet you know what
happens in the home is isclearly the opposite of that.
SPEAKER_02 (03:48):
The sheriff says this is very much an ongoing
investigation, and that DHR isinvolved and is dealing with the
children.
He says he expects more to beuncovered as the investigation
continues.
SPEAKER_03 (03:58):
We did discuss this in depth with the district
attorney, you know, KeithBlackwood, and you know, decided
on on the appropriate charges,and you know, she she will face
justice.
SPEAKER_00 (04:10):
All right.
So in uh in that conversation,guys, I want you to also you
know take note that he said thatum the sheriff was talking about
how you know she's teacher ofthe year, and we know that to be
true, and that you know, I guessit's like a stark difference
between the classroom and andbeing at home, which hey guys,
(04:32):
teachers are are people too, soum, it's not like she's running
around beating the kids in theclassroom or nothing like that.
So this is something thathappened in her home with her
son.
And if you like me, you'reprobably wondering like what
exchange did she have with herson that led up to this?
I mean, because mama blocked outfor a minute, and we don't know
(04:53):
what was said, what was donethat got her to this point.
Um, and again, I don't know allthe situation about it, but um,
you know, I I want to be of themind to think that she's not
coming home and just beatingthis kid like 22 times with a
belt and shoving up againstwalls and cursing just for no
reason.
It had to be something that ledup to this.
So let's hear from NicoleStaples' son Jackson Staples on
(05:15):
what he believes led to hisbrother being beaten.
Check this out.
SPEAKER_01 (05:20):
Something about he was done and cleaning the
kitchen like he supposed to be,left, went to the neighbor's
house, come back, and then ittranspired into that.
SPEAKER_00 (05:28):
All right, so let's be real, y'all.
Plenty of households, especiallyin our communities, folks,
physical discipline is normal.
It's it's normal in some cases,and a lot of people will tell
you, man, this kept me out thepenitentiary.
Belt, switches, shoes, some ofus grew up on that.
But what do we see in thisvideo?
Was it just a whooping?
(05:48):
Was it a mother's rage?
Like I said before, the mom justblackout for a minute.
So, where does discipline endand abuse begin?
Is it the number of hits?
Is it the anger behind it, thebruises it leaves, the fear, the
intention, or the aftermath ofthe whole thing?
Because some people say, justlike I just said, I got whooped
(06:09):
as a kid, it turned out fine.
Others say, nah, man, that stuffstays with you forever.
And honestly, both can be true.
So I mean if you want to thinkabout it, about your own
household growing up, did youfeel corrected or did you feel
scared?
I listen, I'm telling you, guys,a lot of times you grow up in
your in your crib, man, you needthat fear and that respect of
(06:33):
your parent.
Um, you know, because as we seewith today's youth that's
running around crazy out here,whether you're coming from a
good home or not, you know Imean, somewhere down the line
that that discipline was lost inthat.
You know what I mean?
Um, you know, so what was itteaching you during that time of
discipline?
That was just my opinion, y'all.
But what what what was itteaching you about, you know,
(06:57):
about this?
Or was this or was it just aboutsomebody losing control in that
situation?
And but furthermore, if you're aparent right now, how do you
handle discipline in your home?
I mean, if you were if you werea person that got beat or
whatever, you know what I mean?
Do you repeat what you grew upwith, or do you just say that's
a cycle I'm gonna break?
So I'm gonna discipline my kiddifferently.
(07:18):
Now, again, this isn't aboutjudging anybody.
We don't know what again, whathappened to uh um you know Miss
Staples and her son, what wasthe exchange behind that?
I know her older son said thatyou know she used to beat him
like that.
And if we all told these storiesof when we got beat as children
or discipline, as you want tosay, um we can all look at it
(07:38):
and say, like, oh, mom and dadwas bargaining.
But hey, look, we that thatparticular discipline probably
helped us out.
We don't know if we got Jazzy ina situation and we deserve that.
We don't know.
So, you know, there's adifference between raising a
child and hurting one, you knowwhat I mean?
And this particular video, itforces us to look in the mirror
(07:59):
and ask hard questions.
So I want you to do me thisfavor hit me up, direct message,
comments, emails.
I want to hear from you.
Discipline versus abuse, y'all.
Where is the line on this?
All right, the only one micpodcast is available on all
major platforms you stream yourpodcasts on.
So wherever you listen, we'rethere.
Be sure to check out our YouTubechannel to catch up on the past
(08:21):
and current episodes.
And don't forget to rate theshow and hit that subscribe
button.
And I believe they havesomething now called a hype
button.
If you see that, hit that too.
Because it helps the channelmore than you know, guys.
It helps it more than you know.
Follow and connect with us onInstagram and X at the only one
Mike P1, Facebook and LinkedInat the only one mic podcast.
(08:43):
Or you can email us at the onlyone mic zero zero at gmail.com.
Call or text at 302-367-7219.
Your voice, your questions, yourtake could be featured on the
show.
Again, guys, we want to knowfrom you where do you think the
line is drawing at withdiscipline and abuse?
(09:04):
What's the difference?
Is there a difference?
How was it when you were growingup?
How are you raising your kidsright now?
Let us know what you think.
Call Gerard, the only one micpodcast, mic drop show, signing
off.
Peace.
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