Once upon a time in Shreveport, Louisiana, a young mother named Rannita Williams found herself entangled in a relationship that would ultimately cost her life. It started with love, as many stories do, but ended in horror, broadcasted in real time for the world to see. Her ex-boyfriend, Johnathan Robinson, stormed into her home, forced her to apologize on Facebook Live, and then executed her in cold blood. The signs were always there, red flags waving like distress signals, but as is often the case, they were overlooked, rationalized, or simply ignored.

Rannita’s story is not unique. Too many women today remain trapped in 'situationships', mistaking toxicity for passion and allowing psychological, mental, verbal, and physical abuse to become their normal. And while I believe in second chances, I also believe that a person’s past is a window into their future. People can change, but a man with a history of violence, frequent prison visits, and an inability to control his rage? That’s not a risk worth taking, especially for a single mother. When children are in the picture, the stakes are even higher. You don’t just owe it to yourself to vet your partner; you owe it to your kids.

A Man with a History of Violence

If he’s been violent before, chances are he will be violent again. Robinson had a long rap sheet, frequenting prison like it was a revolving door. That alone should have been enough for Rannita to walk away and never look back.

Stalking and Surveillance

After their breakup, Robinson didn’t move on, he hovered. Friends were recruited to spy on her, photos were taken without her knowledge, and unwanted messages flooded her inbox. This wasn’t love; it was obsession.

Public Humiliation & Social Media Battles

When a relationship ends, it should be just that, over. Instead, Rannita and her ex engaged in a toxic social media war, escalating the drama instead of ending it. The moment she discovered the love triangle, she should have walked away completely, without entertaining the theatrics.

Forced Apology as a Power Move

Coercion is a classic abuse tactic. The fact that she was forced to publicly apologize on Facebook Live should send shivers down anyone’s spine. It wasn’t about reconciliation,it was about control and humiliation.

Cut Ties Completely

A breakup should be final—like closing a book and throwing it in the attic. If there are children involved, co-parenting should be strictly business, without lingering emotional attachments or petty disputes.

Silence Can Be Golden

Not every insult, accusation, or slight deserves a response. Sometimes, the best revenge is moving on in peace. Engaging in public spats only fuels the fire and invites more drama.

Recognize the Danger and Act Swiftly

Ignoring red flags is like ignoring smoke before a fire. Women need to listen to their intuition and take action before situations escalate beyond control. Seeking legal protection, moving away, or getting support from friends, family, and authorities could be life-saving measures.

Drama is Never Worth Your Life

Love is not a battleground. It should not require fights, ultimatums, or grand public spectacles. The desire to ‘fight for love’ often leads to unnecessary ego battles where no one truly wins. For men, bruised egos have led to violent confrontations. For women, the need to ‘win’ a man’s attention has led to dangerous entanglements. But at the end of the day, the outcome is always the same: pain, regret, and in worst cases, tragedy.

Rannita’s story is a heartbreaking reminder that red flags exist for a reason. They are not challenges to overcome; they are warnings to heed. No relationship is worth your peace, your dignity, or your life. Ladies, take the signs seriously, walk away from toxic love, and never entertain a drama that could cost you everything.

Welcome

They say a fool at 40 is a fool forever… still trying to track down who said that , and if they’ve met my uncle . But I digress.

REAL TALK is the unfiltered corner of the internet you didn’t know you needed. Fresh off the launch of our brand new podcast 40:40, this is where I spill the thoughts that didn’t make the cut for the mic , and some that absolutely should’ve. This isn’t therapy (although it might feel like it sometimes), it’s just me talking life as it is: the good, the messy, the hilarious, and the “wait, did they really just say that?” moments.

Like I told my team, we say the things people need to hear , even when they don’t want to. Sometimes with wit, sometimes with sarcasm, but always with honesty. And yes, it’s usually the kind of honesty that makes you pause mid-scroll and mutter, “Whew, that hit a little too close.”

Expect inspiring posts, unapologetic truths, clever satire, and guest interviews that’ll leave you entertained, enlightened, and maybe even a little rattled (in the best way possible).

So, whether you're at a crossroads, a cul-de-sac, or just hiding from your responsibilities in a bathroom stall, I hope this becomes the space you come to for a fresh perspective , the kind that makes you laugh, think, and check yourself before you wreck yourself.

Because honestly, no matter how old you are, life begins the day you decide it does.

Let’s get real.

They’re Always Watching: What Our Kids Learn From How We Handle Life

I don’t know about you, but there are moments I catch myself mid-reaction, maybe I’m frustrated, maybe I’m overwhelmed, and I suddenly realize, “My kids are right here. They’re watching.” It’s sobering.

Not just because I’m trying to be a “good” parent, but because I know that what they see now might shape how they respond to life later. And that’s heavy.

We often think kids are too young to notice our pain, stress, or struggles. We assume they’re too small to understand the weight we carry. But that’s not true. They may not grasp the full story, but they’re absorbing our energy, our habits, our ways. More than our words, they watch our actions. And they remember.

What They See Becomes What They Know

Take Whitney Houston. An icon. A powerhouse. She inspired millions, but none more personally than her daughter, Bobbi Kristina.

What’s deeply heartbreaking is how closely Bobbi’s life mirrored her mother’s, not just in talent or fame, but in pain. In the ways they coped with life’s darker moments. And tragically, in how they both died.

It’s a stark reminder: our coping mechanisms, how we handle stress or sadness or pressure, often become the blueprint our kids adopt, whether we mean for them to or not.

This isn’t about blame. It’s about awareness. It’s about intention.

We’re All Teachers, Whether We Like It or Not

You don’t have to be perfect. None of us are. But your kids are learning how to be from watching you. They’re learning how to talk to people, how to handle frustration, how to treat themselves. They pick up on how we treat strangers in traffic, how we speak about people when they’re not around, how we react when life doesn’t go our way.

Sometimes I pause and wonder, What are they learning from me today?

It’s a powerful question. And honestly, it can be a little uncomfortable. Because it reminds me that even when I think I’m just surviving the day, I’m actually teaching, by example.

"Your inaction says something too. The wrong example,

though unintentional, can leave a scar that’s hard to undo."

Inaction Is Also a Message

Even when we say nothing, we’re saying something. When we avoid a problem instead of addressing it, they see that. When we numb pain with distractions or self-destructive habits, they see that too. And it might just become the way they deal with their future battles.

That’s why it’s so important to try, really try, to be intentional. To own our mistakes. To show them what growth looks like. What resilience sounds like. What it means to face life with strength and softness at the same time.

You Don’t Have to Be Perfect, Just Present

Let’s be honest: even with all the right values, all the love and effort, our kids still have their own paths. You can pour everything into them and they might still choose a road you never imagined. But at the end of the day, if you’ve done your best—if you’ve lived in a way that you hope they’ll live too, you can rest easy.

There’s peace in that.

And maybe, just maybe, they’ll remember how you navigated life, not flawlessly, but with courage. With grace. With honesty.

Finally, You’re the Mirror They’ll Look Into

Being a parent is one of the most sacred roles we’ll ever hold. It’s not about perfection. It’s about presence. About showing up as our best selves, even when we’re still figuring it out.

So next time life gets tough, and it will, pause. Take a breath. And remember: they’re watching.

Let’s show them something worth becoming.

👤About the Author

Zeeno is the author of Be Extraordinary and host of the 40:40 Real Talk Podcast. As a passionate life coach and speaker, Zeeno inspires audiences to live their best life—on their own terms. He’s on a mission to help people unlock resilience, rediscover purpose, and break generational cycles, one real conversation at a time.

💬 What are your kids learning from you today?

Share your thoughts in the comments—and send this to someone raising a future leader.

Page updated

Report abuse