Explore every episode of the podcast Students of Life Podcast

Today, we are honored to be in the presence of a master storyteller, a historian who doesn't just teach the past-he makes it breathe, shout, and dribble down the hardwood of memory. Dr. Keith B. Wood is a thirty-year veteran of the classroom grind, currently shaping minds in the Social Studies Department at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tennessee. But let's be clear—he's not your average history teacher.

Hailing from Schenectady, New York, Keith grew up in a vibrant stew of cultures and perspectives that planted the seeds for his lifelong devotion to understanding race, sport, and Southern identity. His work is where research meets rhythm-unpacking Memphis' soul through its courts and diamonds, through ballers and batters who carried the weight of Jim Crow on their backs and still dared to win. 

He's the author of Memphis Hoops: Race, Basketball & the Bluff City, a deep dive into the post-MLK assassination era of Memphis State University basketball, where the legendary Larry Finch emerged as both player and coach, helping to heal and redefine a wounded city. 

But Keith didn't stop there. His most recent project, The Memphis Red Sox: A Negro Leagues History, unearths the electric, under-told legacy of Black excellence in baseball-right in the heart of the South. Through this Black-owned team and their very own stadium, Dr. Wood shows us how the game was more than a pastime—it was a platform for political power, pride, and protest. 

Now, he's cooking up Showboatia in Memphis, chronicling the city's unlikely journey to gridiron glory through the upstart USFL. Because if there's a story to be told about race, sports, struggle, and Southern culture-Keith Wood is gonna find it, frame it, and fling it with scholarly finesse. 

So buckle up. We're about to go beyond the textbooks and into the real trenches of American history. This is Students of Life, and today's guest is the truth-teller Memphis didn't know it needed-but most definitely deserves.

“Grit, Glory & Growth: The Ashton Boswell Story”

In this episode, we step onto the mat and into the mind of Ashton Boswell—2025 215lb Tennessee State Champion, high school senior, standout wrestler, and a young man who’s redefining what it means to lead with discipline and heart. 

Ashton shares how wrestling shaped his character, the lessons he’s learned from both wins and losses, and how he stays locked in on his goals, even when the pressure hits hard. When asked who he looks up to most, Ashton didn’t name a coach or celebrity—he said, “Myself, in ten years.” That one line speaks volumes about his mindset and the vision he’s chasing.

This episode is about more than just sports—it’s about self-belief, growth through adversity, and becoming the kind of person your younger self would be proud of. Whether you’re an athlete, a student, or simply in your own season of becoming, Ashton’s story will leave you inspired to keep showing up and putting in the work.

Tap into the Students of Life Podcast and hear what it really takes to build greatness—one match, one moment at a time.

Are you making choices that truly serve you, or are you just following the script you were given? In this episode, we dive deep into the illusion of self-discovery, exploring how false identities lead people to make harmful political decisions, cling to hate, and stay blindly loyal to systems that don’t serve them. Through thought-provoking questions and hard-hitting truths, we challenge you to strip away the labels, confront your hidden fears, and uncover the person you were before the world told you who to be.

This one will make you think—are you ready?

Have you ever felt like you’re wearing a mask—not just metaphorically, but emotionally and psychologically? In this thought-provoking episode, we dive deep into the masks we wear in our daily lives, from the roles society assigns us to the personas we create for protection. 

We explore the Japanese Three Mask Theory, breaking down the layers of identity we present to the world, our loved ones, and, most importantly, ourselves. But what happens when the mask becomes too comfortable? When does self-protection turn into self-deception?

From false identities imposed by others to the exhausting cycle of pretending to be someone you’re not, we uncover how societal pressures and imposter syndrome shape our self-perception. And finally, we tackle the ultimate question: What happens when you've worn the mask for so long that you forget who you truly are?

Join us as we strip away the layers, challenge the illusions, and take a step toward authentic self-discovery. Because the most powerful version of you is the one that doesn’t need a mask.


It’s time to take it off. Are you ready?

Ever feel like you’re stuck in a pattern you didn’t choose—like family drama, bad habits, or even financial struggles just keep following you? In this episode, we’re diving into the fascinating world of generational curses—those inherited struggles that seem to pass down through families like an unwanted family heirloom.

We start with the spooky-cool mythology behind generational curses and then bring in some real science (hello, epigenetics!) to show how trauma can actually get written into our genes. But it’s not just about science; we’re talking big-picture stuff, like how historical and cultural trauma—think Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome—ripples through entire communities. 

We’ll also get into the nitty-gritty of how these “curses” show up in everyday life: family patterns, money struggles, addictions, and even unresolved drama that sticks around long after someone’s gone. It’s not all doom and gloom, though—this is about breaking free and taking back control. 

Whether it’s a “curse” or just old habits, you can change the story. So, what patterns are you ready to leave behind? Let’s talk about rewriting your legacy and breaking those chains for good.

In this episode, we dive into the profound concept of losing one’s innocence. Whether through childhood stories, fairytales, or the harsh realities of war, we've all encountered this theme in different ways. Sometimes, losing innocence is a gradual and natural part of growing up, while at other times, it can be sudden and forced upon us by uncontrollable circumstances. We’ll also examine the choice some make to hold onto innocence as a way of escaping reality. Join us as we unpack the layers of what it truly means to lose innocence and how these experiences shape who we become.

In this episode, we dive deep into the timeless debate that has captivated philosophers and religious thinkers for centuries: Fate vs. Free Will. Can these two forces coexist, or are they fundamentally opposed? Are we truly in control of our life's outcomes, or is our destiny predetermined from the start? Join us as we unpack these complex ideas and explore whether we shape our own path or if it's already been laid out for us.

In this thought-provoking episode of the Students of Life Podcast, we dive deep into one of life's most compelling questions: What is our purpose? Some people seem to be born with a clear sense of direction, an innate understanding of what they are meant to do. For others, purpose is a puzzle, a journey that can take a lifetime to solve. We explore the diverse paths to discovering purpose, whether it’s a sudden revelation or a gradual process. Join us as we discuss how finding purpose can transform your life, guiding you towards continuous growth, fulfillment, and a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you. Whether you're still searching or believe you've found your path, this episode offers insights and inspiration for everyone on the journey of life.