The Homeboy Way

Jane Fonda, Oscar-winning actress and lifelong activist, first learned about Homeboy Industries in the 1980s through her then-husband, Tom Hayden. He came home energized by a Jesuit priest who had opened a bakery employing formerly incarcerated gang members. Years later, at a Homeboy gala, she finally heard Father Greg Boyle speak and knew she wanted to be part of something so transformative.In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with Jane to reflect on her seven years as a board member and what continues to draw her to a community built on healing and second chances. She shares how walking through Homeboy’s doors feels like “sinking into a warm bath,” and why, at 88, she still finds herself learning from the homegirls she calls “smarter than me in so many ways.” For Jane, leadership begins with humility, and real change starts by listening from the heart.Key TakeawaysJobs are not enough. Healing comes first. Father Greg realized quickly that employment alone would not create lasting change. Deep trauma, left unaddressed, leads people back into trouble. Homeboy evolved into a healing-centered community where recovery comes before placement.Cherish, don’t judge.To cherish someone is to fully receive them into your heart. Healing begins there.Transformation requires proximity. It's wonderful when rich people throw money out from their homes up on the hill to people who need it," Jane says. Generosity from a distance is good. But real change happens shoulder to shoulder. Being present, listening, and building relationships transforms everyone involved.Hate the behavior, not the personBad behavior is often the language of trauma. You can reject harm while still honoring human dignity.We give because we see ourselves. Homeboy’s mission resonates because we are all broken in some way. Watching others heal reminds us that transformation is possible for us too.Women are the glue. "In every class, in every rung of society, and in every ethnicity and race in the world, it's women that hold things together. They're the glue for families and for communities."Life with meaning is better. Jane has lived without meaning and with meaning. "I know that the meaning is a lot better. In This Episode:00:00 – Introduction01:46 – How Jane Fonda first found Father Greg and Homeboy Bakery03:41 – From the Homeboy Bakery to a healing-centered model04:40 – "I need whatever that secret sauce is"06:05 – Kinship and mutuality with people on the margins08:48 – What Jane learns from homegirls13:09 – The meaning of cherishing15:54 – Ignatian spirituality at Homeboy18:32 – Funding the mission19:51 – Gangsters, leaders, and the pressure of machismo21:32 – Homeboy’s culture shift: from toughness to tears22:09 – Poverty, business hiring, and “show by doing”23:30 – Jane Fonda’s activist origin story26:19 – The urgency of activism today28:19 – What Jane would tell her younger self30:06 – The Global Homeboy NetworkNotable Quotes“ Bad behavior, even evil behavior is the language of the traumatized.” — Jane [07:25]" Avoid violence. Violence is our enemy." — Jane [28:04]“ Cherished, to me is even greater than love means I've brought you fully into my full heart in every possible way.” — Jane [13:42]“I've lived without meaning, and I've lived with meaning, and I know that the meaning is a lot better.”— Jane [29:19] Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Jane Fondahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-fonda-2408b4302/Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

When Tom Vozzo first walked into Homeboy Industries more than 12 years ago, he was skeptical. “Shouldn’t we be doing work here at ‘Industries’?” he wondered, seeing art classes throughout the building.In this episode, Tom sits down with Fabian Debora, Executive Director of the Homeboy Art Academy, and Program Manager Barbara Fant to explore how art reaches wounds words cannot and why creativity is central to Homeboy’s model of healing and belonging.Fabian shares how, as a child hiding from domestic violence, drawing became his refuge, a sanctuary that carried him through addiction, recovery, and ultimately national recognition as a Heritage Fellow with the National Endowment for the Arts. Barbara reflects on losing her mother at fifteen and turning grief into poetry, using verse as both prayer and therapy.Through the Art Academy, rival youth create side by side, guided by Fabian’s Three R’s: Reconnect, Re-identify, and Reimagine.Key TakeawaysArt is refugeAs a child, Fabian learned art did not just express him, it held him. Hiding under a coffee table from violence, he found safety and hope. That same refuge is what the Art Academy now offers every young person who enters.Mentorship restores what shame steals. When a teacher destroyed Fabian’s artwork, Father Greg Boyle saw him for who he truly was and gave art back. That moment of being seen and reassured that his gift mattered changed everything.Poetry can be prayer.At 15, without therapy, Barbara turned sermon notes into poems, using them to grieve, pray, and make sense of losing her mother.Healing is intentional.The Art Academy practices a healing-centered approach: circles, reflection, the three R’s, creative exercises aligned with specific aspects of healing, and structured closing reflections.Identity can evolve.The young man known for his face tattoo begins with gang writing and gradually discovers artistry, leadership, and gentleness within himself.In This Episode:00:00 – Introduction01:26 – Fabian’s childhood and art as refuge03:32 – Mentorship and artistic development05:28 – Barbara’s story: poetry as prayer11:03 – The Homeboy Art Academy12:32 – Healing-centered approach and the three R’s14:25 – Community, safety, and transformation16:29 – Co-designing the Academy’s modality18:09 – Stories of transformation: Giselle and Jesus20:13 – Managing gang dynamics and building kinship21:55 – Team approach and wraparound services24:03 – Challenges of the work27:07 – Resilience and returning youth28:17 – Fabian’s artistic recognition and advocacy30:21 – Barbara’s writing and influence of Homeboy31:52 – Future vision: accredited school of art32:44 – Graffiti, tagging, and artistic expressionNotable Quotes“People really do heal through the arts.” — Tom [01:16]"Art gave me a sense of purpose, existence, and, most importantly, hope." — Fabian [02:08]“ I started writing as just this way of processing, of talking to God and of prayer.” — Barbara [07:14]“The toughest part of the job has been the heartbreak.”— Tom [26:23] Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Barbara  Fanthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-fant-mfa-8114b633/https://homeboyindustries.org/services/art-academy/Fabian Deborahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/fabian-debora-886279a/https://homeboyindustries.org/services/art-academy/Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with comedian and podcaster Pete Holmes to talk about faith, belonging, and spirituality. Pete shares how discovering Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J. and Homeboy Industries reshaped not just his theology, but the way he walks on stage. Before performing, he often listens to Father Greg to remind himself that “we belong to each other,” shifting comedy from performance to kinship.Pete reflects on coming from the Christian tradition, where being the center of attention can feel almost wicked, like becoming the “special boy.” Comedy, he explains, is not that. He will play the role of the special performer, and the audience plays their role too. But underneath it all, it is just a connection. It is all just sunlight wearing different masks.Reflecting on the story of the prodigal son, Pete explains that you cannot be more of the man’s son in the kingdom and less his son with the pigs. It is about accepting that you are accepted. You are already in. They talk about staying soft when things go wrong, letting anger move through without shame, and resisting the urge to create “the other.”Key TakeawaysWe are sunlight wearing different masks.Pete looks at the audience and does not see strangers. He sees himself in different forms. Each person carries quiet burdens, love and hurt, generosity and selfishness. The gospel draws a crowd.Pete observes that Homeboy’s lobby feels like Disneyland or summer camp. That pull, he argues, is the real sign of the sacred.Pain is not a competition. Your shit is your shit.Pete almost minimizes his own story beside another’s trauma, then realizes suffering is not a scoreboard. Healing begins when we stop ranking wounds and start honoring them.Want to know you’re accepted? Start accepting others.You can't be more the man's son when you're in the kingdom and less his son when you're with the pigs. Tom watched Greg Boyle pause with wealthy donors to attend to a homie with a simple question. Acceptance is not a reward. It’s a practice we extend, especially to the least visible.Grace is getting it wrong and being loved anyway.Tom’s tree story captures the ache of good intentions missing the mark. That tender space between intent and impact is where grace lives.Hating the other is hating yourself.When we label anyone disposable, we quietly say the same about ourselves. Loving those cast aside brings the hidden parts of us back to life.In This Episode:00:00 – Introduction00:53 – Getting involved with Homeboy01:22 – Connecting with Fr. Richard Rohr and Fr. Greg Boyle03:16 – The impact of Homeboy’s teachings04:45 – Performing with compassion07:43 – Lessons from Homeboy16:11 – The power of acceptance and belonging22:39 – Balancing help and personal boundaries27:17 – Spiritual teachings and reflections29:03 – The value of vulnerability29:55 – A humbling medical experience30:44 – Embracing brokenness34:14 – Spirituality in the corporate world35:05 – Discovering true spirituality42:05 – The role of psychedelics in spiritual awakeningNotable Quotes“Every single one of you has an unseen burden.” — Pete Holmes [05:09]"We're all just sunlight wearing different masks." — Pete Holmes [05:43]“If you want to know you're accepted, start by accepting others.” — Tom [25:11]Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Pete Holmeshttps://peteholmes.com/https://www.youtube.com/user/peteholmesThomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with renowned Franciscan priest and author Fr. Richard Rohr to explore the emotional and spiritual journey behind anger, sadness, and healing. Fr. Richard explains why so many people, especially men, get stuck in anger and how that reaction often covers a much deeper sadness.Their discussion naturally connects to the lived experiences at Homeboy Industries, where individuals arrive carrying both grief and the desire for a new beginning. Fr. Richard shares why welcoming our sorrow is not weakness but a pathway to compassion, transformation, and spiritual maturity. The result is a warm, honest, and deeply human conversation about what it truly means to grow, to heal, and to become more whole.Key TakeawaysReal transformation begins when anger gives way to sadness.Most people think prophets were angry men. Rohr explains they actually began in anger but moved into sadness and ultimately into compassion, mirroring the inner journey many at Homeboy take.Grief is not weakness; it is the soul’s entrance into maturity.Cultures throughout history had rites teaching boys how to weep. Rohr recounts the Maasai “caves of grief,” where warriors learned that tears were strength, not failure.Control is the enemy of healing.Trying to control emotions keeps people stuck in anger. Letting go allows sadness to rise, which is the pathway to compassion.Suffering is unavoidable and essential.Whether it is the death of a loved one, loss of a pet, or inherited trauma, every person experiences pain. Rohr argues that grief, felt honestly, is the starting point of a real spiritual journey.Joy comes only after walking through grief.True joy is not positive thinking. It is what emerges when we release judgment, righteousness, and the need to perfect the world and ourselves.In This Episode:00:00 – Introduction to The Homeboy Way01:04 – The spiritual lessons of Homeboy and Fr. Richard's writings01:43 – Why the soul must weep: Anger, sadness, and the prophetic journey06:19 – Why men don't weep and how to learn10:42 – Grief as initiation: The Men's Rites of Passage and PTSD14:13 – What the poor know: A critical lens on society and success18:31 – The necessity of suffering and exile for transformation24:30 – Wholeness vs. perfection and the "wounded warrior"27:48 – Occam's Razor: Why the simplest answer is Love33:13 – Certitude vs. faith in spirituality and politics36:04 – From lamentation to doxology: Where true joy is found39:47 – Conclusion and gratitudeNotable Quotes"You're much more sad than you are angry." — Fr. Richard Rohr (04:36)"The ego likes to be angry. It gives you a false sense of power and superiority" — Fr. Richard Rohr (09:02)"The simplest answer is invariably and almost always the correct one… The answer to everything is love." — Fr. Richard Rohr on Occam's Razor (28:35)"The opposite of faith is not doubt. The opposite of faith is certitude." — Fr. Richard Rohr (33:17)"We come to God more by doing it wrong than by doing it right." — Fr. Richard Rohr  (38:12)Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Fr. Richard Rohrhttps://cac.org/about/cac-faculty/cac-founder-richard-rohr/https://cac.org/Daily Meditations: https://cac.org/daily-meditations/Books: "The Universal Christ," "Falling Upward," "The Wisdom Pattern," and his latest discussed, "The Tears of Things.Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

In this episode of The Homeboy Way, host Tom Vozzo sits down with Homeboy leaders Hector and Stephanie for a raw, unfiltered conversation about policing, childhood trauma, and the long road from survival to kinship.Through deeply personal stories, they explore how early encounters with law enforcement shaped fear, anger, and identity and how Homeboy Industries created a radical alternative: a place where healing requires moving beyond “us vs. them” and choosing to be fully in, even when it’s uncomfortable.This episode doesn’t simplify pain or excuse harm. Instead, it names the wounds honestly while asking a harder question: What does it take to heal without becoming what hurt you?Key Takeaways“We’re In”: Choosing Kinship Over DivisionHector explains the turning point at Homeboy Industries: realizing the work only functions when everyone commits fully. Not partially. Not conditionally. “It’s not about us and them. It’s just us.” True transformation begins when people decide they’re all in, including with former enemies and authority figures.Seeing Law Enforcement as Human Without Erasing HarmHector reflects on learning to hold two truths at once: acknowledging abuse while recognizing the humanity of those in uniform.Healing, he explains, doesn’t mean pretending harm didn’t happen, it means refusing to let it define the future.Choosing Restraint in the Face of Old RageHector shares a moment years later when he encounters a police officer who had deeply harmed his family. His body reacts instantly but he chooses to walk away. This illustrates the quiet, invisible work of healing: regulating yourself when every instinct tells you to explode.From Fear of Beatings to Fear of DeathStephanie contrasts past and present policing realities. Where earlier generations expected brutality, today’s communities fear being killed especially during mental health or domestic calls. This connects the rise in aggression, distrust, and hyper-vigilance to a deeper, collective fear that has only intensified since COVID.Wearing Homeboy in Public: From Target to SignalStephanie explains why she once avoided wearing Homeboy gear in her neighborhood and how that changed as law enforcement began to understand the mission. This moment reflects the broader shift in how Homeboy Industries is perceived: no longer a “soft place for gang members,” but a proven model of transformation.In This Episode:00:00 – Introduction00:57 – Hector’s experience with police12:15 – Stephanie’s experience with police16:58 – Interactions with law enforcement17:33 – The current state of the streets18:48 – The impact of COVID-19 on gang violence19:47 – Fear and aggression20:59 – Police brutality then and now22:32 – Advice for dealing with police23:57 – Homeboy Industries’ changing perception25:18 – Hopes for Homeboy Industries’ future28:27 – The importance of resources and experiences33:07 – Concluding thoughtsNotable Quotes“It’s not about us and them. It’s just us.” — Hector [05:20]“I grew up believing the police were going to hurt us.” — Stephanie [13:59]“Healing doesn’t mean forgetting. It means choosing differently.” — Hector [17:30]“This place is home. It’s the last stop for a lot of us.” — Stephanie [25:18]Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Stephanie Lanehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-lane-757052284/Hector Verdugohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-verdugo-7297a684/Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

Smitty did not come to Homeboy Industries looking for a job or a title. He came looking for his daughter. After incarceration and a painful separation from his child, he arrived at Homeboy for parenting classes, hoping to rebuild his family. What he found was a place where people were allowed to be human, to heal, and to grow without judgment.In this episode of The Homeboy Way, Tom Vozzo sits down with Diwaine "Smitty" Smith to talk about his journey from trainee to navigator, a role that places him on the front lines supporting others through reentry and transition. Smitty reflects on how life inside jail taught him that if people can learn to coexist there, they can learn to do so anywhere. He also shares how a Civil Rights Immersion trip through the South reshaped his understanding of courage, mercy, and responsibility. Through faith, service, and kinship, Smitty’s story shows how personal healing becomes leadership.Key Takeaways Jail Taught Kinship First Incarceration showed Smitty that rivals can coexist. Homeboy proves respect and dialogue make it possible beyond jail.Safe Space for Stumbling and HealingHomeboy allows mistakes with support, wellness days, family priorities, and care without fear of punishment.From Personal Healing to Helping OthersAs a Navigator, Smitty leads with empathy, meeting people where they are and asking how he can help.The Civil Rights Trip’s Profound ImpactWalking in civil rights history reshaped Smitty’s view on nonviolence, resilience, and moving forward.Mercy as a Teachable PracticeSmitty led a class on mercy, sparking honest dialogue about compassion, even when it feels undeserved.In This Episode:00:00 – Introduction 00:26 – Meet Smitty: from trainee to navigator00:56 – The jail mentality and Homeboy’s safe haven02:45 – Smitty’s journey to Homeboy03:34 – Culinary arts and Bread and Roses04:24 – The role of a navigator06:17 – Community organizing and helping others09:50 – The Civil Rights Trail experience12:45 – Reflecting on regional differences13:37 – Impact of Southern history14:26 – Personal transformation and community16:49 – Teaching mercy at Homeboy20:24 – Spiritual journey and personal growth21:49 – Conclusion and final thoughtsNotable Quotes“If we can get along in jail, we can get along anywhere else.” — Smitty [00:01:08]“We took punches from these people so our grandkids wouldn't have to take them.” — Quote from the Civil Rights trip that shifted Smitty's view on courage [10:59]“I came back a different person... showing that love instead of just telling people what to do.” — Smitty [15:58]“I'm a Homeboy for life... even if it's washing dishes at the cafe.” — Smitty [20:12]Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

In this episode of The Homeboy Way, host Tom Vozzo sits down with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., founder of Homeboy Industries, to unpack one of the most pervasive challenges for those who come through Homeboy's doors: substance abuse. Drawing from decades of experience, they explore how addiction often serves as self-medication for unhealed trauma, why people numb pain when forced to "excavate wounds," and how programs like AA and NA foster surrender, community, and spiritual awakening. Fr. Greg shares raw stories of homies who first got high only after beginning deep healing work at Homeboy, the shift from drug testing to trusting sobriety for real progress, and the parallel between gang addiction, domestic violence cycles, and substance use. The conversation turns to mercy as the ultimate liberation, beyond transactional forgiveness, and how kinship creates sturdiness against life's knocks.This episode reveals how Homeboy meets people where they are without forcing recovery while offering clear paths to healing, emphasizing that "it takes what it takes" for change, and true freedom comes from mercy upon mercy.Key TakeawaysAddiction as Self-Medication Substances numb the pain of excavating deep wounds from trauma; healing begins when people stop avoiding the "pause" to look at their lives.AA/NA Works Through Surrender Success depends on willingness to cooperate in one's own healing, sharing delusions humbly, and turning life over to a higher power (broadly defined).Harm Reduction and PatienceHomeboy respects readiness: outpatient vs. residential rehab, testing, incentives, or "come back when you're ready"—you can't want recovery more than the person does.Clear Over Tough "Tough love" is often mean; true clarity offers one open door to recovery, like showing a child the exit ramp from a violent freeway.Mercy as Liberation Move beyond back-and-forth forgiveness to pure mercy (just "forth"); it's God's essence, freeing both giver and receiver from clinging to grudges or payback.Spiritual Underpinning The 12 Steps offer a genius American contribution to spirituality: sponsors provide walking companionship, and recognizing a higher power builds resilience.In This Episode:00:00 – Introduction03:49 – The role of AA and NA06:16 – Acknowledging and addressing addiction08:31 – Therapy and alternative coping mechanisms09:09 – Harm reduction and rehabilitation12:58 – The concept of tough love18:44 – Spiritual underpinnings of AA19:56 – Exploring the spiritual basis of healing22:53 – Forgiveness and mercy: A deeper dive23:22 – The historical spread of Christianity25:51 – The concept of mercy in modern times36:41 – The importance of resilience and sturdiness38:23 – Final thoughts on mercy and transformationNotable Quotes ”Excavate the wounds so that you can air 'em out and they can heal and then close up the wound.” — Fr. Greg [01:46]“It takes what it takes.” — Fr. Greg [11:18]“I love you so much that you can't live here anymore..” — Fr. Greg [14:09]“Nothing can touch me 'cause I'm already dead... you have to die before you die.” — Fr. Greg [36:14]“Everybody’s unshakably good and we belong to each other.” — Fr. Greg [37:33]Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Fr. Greg Boyle. S. Jlinkedin.com/in/greg-boyle-s-j-05458514Books: Tattoos on the Heart, Barking to the Choir, The Whole LanguageThomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

Miguel Lugo came to Homeboy Industries looking for help removing a chest tattoo that had defined his violent past and kept him trapped long after prison. After serving 18 years behind bars, starting at age 18, Miguel walked through Homeboy’s doors just days after his release. He stood outside for hours, unsure if he was ready to let go of the identity that once kept him alive but was now holding him back.In this episode of The Homeboy Way, Tom Vozzo sits down with Miguel, Community Relations and Head of Security at Homeboy Industries, to trace his journey from a life shaped by violence to one rooted in presence, accountability, and care. Miguel shares how tattoo removal became a path to reclaiming himself, how spiritual practices like sweat lodge ceremonies sustained him in prison, and how therapy helped him confront when harm became acceptable. Today, Miguel stands on the sidewalk welcoming newcomers, diffusing conflict, and walking with people before they ever enter the building. His story shows how deep personal healing becomes sacred work and how choosing love, again and again, turns survival into leadership.Key TakeawaysTattoo Removal as FreedomRemoving gang tattoos was not about jobs. It was about shedding an identity rooted in harm and reclaiming self-ownership.The Power of the SidewalkMany people hesitate before entering Homeboy. Healing often begins outside the door through presence, listening, and trust.Community Relations = Walking With, Not WatchingMiguel reframes safety as walking with people, not watching them, creating belonging instead of fear.Spiritual Practice as SurvivalSweat lodge ceremonies in prison offered grounding, humility, and a connection to identity beyond incarceration.Therapy and the Courage to Ask WhyHealing deepened when Miguel confronted the question of when harming others became acceptable.From Violence to BufferBy stepping between conflict and naming people with care, Miguel and his team prevent harm before it escalates.In This Episode:00:00 – Introduction00:25 – Miguel’s journey begins01:08 – First steps at Homeboy03:06 – Tattoo removal and transformation06:01 – Leaving the gang life behind08:09 – Helping others and building community18:52 – Navigating challenges and misconceptions21:39 – Changing lives for a better future21:59 – Interactions with politicians24:44 – Building a new home26:52 – Spiritual journey and sweat lodges30:42 – Overcoming trauma and finding freedom38:05 – Passion for classic cars42:12 – Final reflections and gratitudeNotable Quotes“Am I okay cleaning toilets? ... I give it a shot.” — Miguel [02:21]“ In tattoo removal, the main thing it got is the freedom from yourself of who you were before.” — Miguel [05:30]“ A lot of people still call it security, but we don't. We like community relations because it does something different. I'm not here to watch you, I'm here to walk with you.” — Miguel [11:53]“In the sweat lodge, I was able to humble myself and give myself up to God.” — Miguel [31:51]“My job now is to be water to fire.”—  Miguel [35:33]]Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Miguel Lugohttps://homeboyindustries.org/transformation_story/miguel-lugo-2/Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

How do you build a business that puts healing, culture, and opportunity first while still making a profit? In this episode of The Homeboy Way, Tom Vozzo sits down with Tepito Coffee co-owners Jose Arellano, Vice President of Operations at Homeboy Industries, and Mike de la Rocha, co-founder of Revolve Impact, to discuss social enterprises, specifically the challenges and successes of running Tepito Coffee. They delve into the significance of providing purposeful structure for those leaving gang life and the pivotal role of social enterprises in creating job opportunities. Tom recounts the creation of the Homeboy Ventures and Jobs Fund, a crucial step in supporting these enterprises. Mike and Jose share their journey from initial struggles, receiving investment, to finding success while staying true to their mission. Through personal stories and lessons learned, they highlight the importance of intentionality, community support, and the transformative power of giving back.Key TakeawaysMission Meets Market RealityRunning a for-profit social enterprise requires tough accountability alongside unwavering support. It's the "next level" after Homeboy's safety net preparing people for the real workforce.Access to Capital Changes EverythingPredatory loans and exclusionary investors nearly ended the business. Homeboy's low-interest investment provided not just funds, but expertise and belief in modest, impactful returns.Homegrown Leadership Is PossibleFrom trainee to VP to co-owner: Jose's journey shows what's achievable when organizations invest in internal talent, inspiring others to dream of ownership.Trauma-Informed Business Takes PatienceHiring system-impacted staff means embracing setbacks, offering dignity in tough conversations, and always leaving the door open for return.Cultural Pride Drives SuccessUnapologetically Chicano and Indigenous branding, combined with specialty quality and authentic storytelling, builds loyal community and disrupts who gets to succeed in coffee.In This Episode:00:00 – Introduction 01:15 – Tom's journey with Homeboy05:28 – The birth of Tepito Coffee15:29 – The struggle for investment and support21:56 – Building a brand with purpose23:56 – The spirit of Homeboy: connecting to the earth and each other24:41 – Training with intentionality: customer service at Tepito Coffee25:18 – Marketing with pride: embracing Chicano and Indigenous roots25:45 – Investing in community: long-term returns beyond capitalism26:23 – Success stories: from barista to business owner28:48 – Balancing accountability and compassion41:13 – Future growth: expanding Tepito Coffee's impactNotable Quotes“ If you have a good product and an authentic story and be unapologetically yourself, you can create a good brand identity and community.” — Mike [06:25]“ I've always been clear studying Homeboy Industries, that the future is in social entrepreneurship.”— Mike [07:51]“ First, you gotta know how to run a business. Then you can decide how to make it a social enterprise.” — Tom [19:15]“ I felt not just rescued by Homeboy, but actually like I felt swooped up by God.” — Jose [38:03]Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Tepito CoffeeVisit: 695 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CAOnline: https://www.tepitocoffee.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tepitocoffee/Mike de la Rochalinkedin.com/in/mrmikedelarochahttps://www.revolveimpact.com/Jose Arellanolinkedin.com/in/jose-arellano-001966a0Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

How do you run a real business when your primary mission is healing, kinship, and transformation? In this episode, Tom Vozzo is joined by Homeboy Industries Co-CEO Steve Delgado and longtime advisor Gayle Northrop to explore the social enterprises at the heart of Homeboy.Their conversation centers on people, not products. People coming home from prison. People who have never held a formal job. People carrying trauma alongside hope and a desire to belong. At Homeboy, businesses are designed around that reality, not in spite of it.They explore the tension between mission and margin, speaking honestly about the real costs of being trauma-informed and the courage it takes to invest in people before the world believes they are ready. They reflect on bakeries that employ twice the usual staff, leaders grown from within, and workplaces built on dignity, structure, and accountability.This is lived experience, not theory. A reminder that at Homeboy, businesses exist to serve healing, and when people are met with kinship and structure, they rise together with their community.Key TakeawaysThe Foundational Principle“We don’t employ people to bake bread. We bake bread to employ people.” The social enterprises exist to provide purposeful, healing-centric work.Mission Over Margin Is a Daily ChoiceHomeboy runs real businesses in real markets, but mission always leads. Profit serves people, not the other way around.Social Enterprise Is About Disrupting SystemsTrue social enterprise challenges who is seen as employable and redefines value in the workforce.Trauma-Informed Workplaces Require Structure, Not SlogansBeing trauma-informed means building roles, teams, and systems that support healing, not just good intentions.Investment in People Is the Hard WorkRaising leaders from within takes time, patience, training, and a willingness to walk alongside people through setbacks.Everyone Doesn’t Automatically Know How to Work Employment success depends on stability, resources, transportation, support, and grace, not just effort.In This Episode:00:00 – Introduction 00:30 – Understanding social enterprises03:00 – Homeboy’s unique approach to social enterprise06:59 – Balancing mission and margin18:27 – Trauma-informed workplaces23:18 – Healing-centric workforce development24:14 – The challenges of homegrown leadership25:41 – Investing in internal talent30:42 – The realities of running a social enterprise34:42 – Breaking conventional business wisdom42:00 – Supporting upward mobility through education and opportunity44:20 – Closing reflections and future conversationsNotable Quotes“We don’t employ people to bake bread. We bake bread to employ people.” — Gayle [14:34]“ 95% of our full-time staff who operate and manage our social enterprises have come up through our program.” — Steve [04:54]“ Mission, at least at Homeboy, I think predominates over margin always. And I think that's the right way. I think that's the Homeboy way." — Steve [10:06]Homeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Gayle Northrophttps://www.linkedin.com/in/gaylenorthrop/Steve Delgadohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-delgado-9222523/Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with Hector Verdugo and Jose Arellano to uncover what real transformation looks like when it rises out of pain, survival, and the quiet moments no one ever sees. Their journeys begin in places shaped by violence, incarceration, addiction, and childhood wounds carried for decades, but something unexpected happens the moment they walk through Homeboy’s doors: they encounter a kind of love they never knew existed.What starts as a search for a job becomes the beginning of a spiritual awakening, a creative writing assignment that cracks open long-buried memories, a simple handshake that softens lifelong defense mechanisms, a hug from Father Greg that feels more like home than anything they grew up with. Hector and Jose describe how healing does not arrive neatly or instantly, but through tears, reflection, and the slow realization that God was not punishing them; God was accompanying them.As they revisit these stories, they reveal what the Homeboy Way truly is: radical kinship, unconditional acceptance, and the kind of love that meets people exactly where they are. Their reflections remind us that transformation does not replace suffering; it grows through it, and every moment of honesty, every act of courage, and every small gesture of kindness becomes a step toward wholeness and a new way of being.Key TakeawaysLove Comes First,  Transformation FollowsHector and Jose explain how Homeboy’s approach is not about fixing people but loving them. Transformation happens when someone finally feels safe enough to be vulnerable and seen.Healing Begins with Telling the TruthCreative writing classes and quiet moments of reflection cracked open long-buried childhood wounds, allowing emotions to surface for the first time in decades.Kinship Is a Radical, Daily PracticeAccepting, investing, showing up, and staying committed even when it’s messy   is the heart of the Homeboy way.Reimagining Love After TraumaBoth men had to unlearn the violent, survival-based versions of love they grew up with and discover what real compassion, fatherhood, and belonging feel like.The Wilderness as a Healing ClassroomFrom snowboarding to sushi to snorkeling with sharks, new experiences help homies expand their sense of possibility and reclaim a life beyond survival.In This Episode:00:00 – Introduction00:42 – Hector’s arrival at Homeboy and his turning point08:10 – Jose’s near-life sentence, grief, and search for change12:27 – The mystical invitation that led Jose to Homeboy14:39 – Early resistance, fear, and learning to receive kindness17:55 – Childhood wounds resurfacing through creative writing23:11 – Falling in love with Homeboy’s culture of healing31:28 – Defining “the homeboy way”34:57 – Radical kinship and why transformation starts within35:48 – Snorkeling stories and facing a hammerhead shark43:56 – Why nature transforms the homies47:35 – Closing reflections on love, vulnerability, and kinshipNotable Quotes“God is too busy being in love with you to ever be disappointed in you.” — Hector [20:54]“My mother died as a gang member, and if I had never come to Homeboy, I would have died like that as well.” — Jose [12:54]“I think Homeboy fell in love with me first, to be honest.” — Jose [24:18]Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Hector Verdugohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-verdugo-7297a684Jose Arellanohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-arellano-001966a0Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

For decades, the team at Homeboy Industries has stood witness to a quiet revolution. Lives are rewritten not through force, judgment, or programs alone, but through the slow, steady practice of kinship.In this episode, Tom Vozzo is joined by Hector Verdugo and Shirley Torres to reflect on the stories that have shaped them as much as the people living them. Day after day, people walk into Homeboy carrying the invisible: trauma that shaped them, systems that failed them, and identities formed in survival mode. Over time, through consistency, humor, honesty, frustration, and grace, those same individuals discover the possibility of becoming someone they were never allowed to be.The three reflect on the privilege of walking alongside that transformation, not as saviors or fixers, but as fellow travelers who are changed in the process. At Homeboy, stories are not trophies or statistics. They are teachers. They stretch us, soften us, call us forward, and remind us that everyone is still becoming.Key Takeaways"Exquisite Mutuality" is the Secret SauceTransformation at Homeboy is never a one-way street. It is a reciprocal relationship.Kinship, Not Curriculum, Creates TransformationLove, not lectures, is what shifts shame, fear, or survival instincts into openness and trust.Judgment Doesn’t Grow People; Gentleness DoesA butchered tree still grows back; sometimes the most important thing is simply letting go.Love That Shows Up UnaskedWhen someone calls from federal prison to comfort you in grief, that’s God in work boots.Mutual Healing Is the Secret SauceNo one here is “saving” anyone; everyone is being changed, challenged, raised, and restored.In This Episode:00:00 – Introduction00:29 – The power of stories01:37 – Joanna: anger, armor, and the road to law school03:39 – Parole, board meetings, and unseen burdens05:14 – Humor, respect, and breaking the ice07:32 – Mutual raising in community09:20 – Shirley’s story coming to Homeboy as a kid10:52 – Loss, grief, and the surprise phone call that healed13:05 – Unconditional love within the Homeboy culture13:53 – Luis "Coloso," Butchered Trees, and Letting Go of Control16:38 – Addiction, mental health, and spiritual bypassing18:07 – Angelo: from hoodie to hope20:11 – How do you measure transformation without metrics?23:51 – Choosing compassion when someone is “difficult”24:57 – Times Square, armor, and becoming nine again25:48 – Closing reflections on patience and second chancesNotable Quotes“ I've had sort of my big life moments here and one of those moments was losing my dad and I think about how Homeboy showed up for me.” — Shirley [09:37]“ A place like Homeboy is all about the exquisite mutuality.” — Shirley [11:59]“It’s just love and seeing you, saying 'Hi, I see you,' and then eventually putting your arm around them." — Hector [19:44]Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Hector Verdugohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-verdugo-7297a684Shirley Torreslinkedin.com/in/shirley-torres-1a9516a2Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

In this episode, former Homeboy Industries CEO Tom Vozzo sits down with three powerful voices from the Homeboy community: Fabian, Sergio, and Jose. Together, they explore what it truly means to awaken spiritually, especially in the middle of suffering, trauma, addiction, incarceration, and generational pain.While Homeboy is often celebrated for its job programs and re-entry success, the real transformation happens in the unseen places: a prison cell, a childhood memory, a moment of collapse, or in the quiet stillness of a 4:00 a.m. prayer.Fabian, Sergio, and Jose each share how faith emerged not instead of suffering but through it in addiction, violence, poverty, regret, and loss, forming the bedrock of their healing. Their stories challenge the idea of a God who punishes, opening up a more spacious, merciful vision of a God who sustains, accompanies, and restores.They also discuss how spiritual grounding becomes a daily practice of surrender, gratitude, contemplation, and showing up for others, because as they remind us, every word, every step, and every action is a prayer.Key TakeawaysA God Who Sustains, Not PunishesRather than a God who protects us from pain, they speak of a God who walks with us through it, offering mercy, companionship, and unexpected grace.Spirituality Is a Daily PracticeStillness, early morning readings, gratitude lists, sweat lodge wisdom, and Homeboy’s contemplative culture shape their spiritual lives into something lived, not talked about.Community as Evidence of GodHomeboy itself becomes a sacred space: laughter in the hallways, a hug in the right moment, a homie getting his first apartment. Transformation happens together.Forgiveness Evolves Into Mercy and GraceRather than a transactional I forgive you, they learned to offer mercy: Welcome back. Come here. You are home. That same mercy becomes a template for how they see themselves.Joy Is the Fruit of a Healed LifeFrom seeing their children thrive to watching homies grow into their purpose, joy shows up as a quiet anchor, a reminder of how far they have come.In This Episode:00:00 – Introduction02:42 – Jose’s spiritual awakening in isolation09:14 – Fabian’s journey from childhood to awakening14:39 – Sergio’s early prayers and spiritual awakening18:18 – Reflections on suffering and God’s presence25:55 – Evolving faith and deepening spiritual insights27:02 – Daily practices for spiritual strength28:01 – Living prayerfully and mindfully29:16 – The power of gratitude32:19 – Faith in action through community and service33:34 – Forgiveness, mercy, and healing40:55 – Finding joy in life, family, and transformationNotable Quotes"If God saw me through that freeway incident, what can He not see me through now?" — Fabian [13:07]“Every step you take is a prayer. Every word you utter is a prayer. Every action is a prayer.” —Jose [28:25]“God protects us from nothing but sustains us in all things.” — Sergio [26:05]“ With Father Greg, he never said, I forgive you. He said, "Welcome back.” — Sergio [35:40]Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Fabian Deborahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/fabian-debora-886279a/Sergio Basterrecheahttps://www.instagram.com/sergiobasterrechea/?hl=enhttps://www.godspantry.org/Jose Arellanolinkedin.com/in/jose-arellano-001966a0Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

In today’s episode of The Homeboy Way, Tom Vozzo and Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J. delve into the hidden weight of the labels society places on people. They revisit pivotal moments in Homeboy’s history, recalling times when homies were swiftly branded as “bad” or “evil,” and how those judgments shaped everything that came after. Through these reflections, Father Greg illustrates how behaviors rooted in trauma, addiction, or mental illness are often misread as fixed character traits, creating barriers that keep individuals shut out from opportunity, understanding, and compassion.Tom presses into these memories, asking why the world is so quick to judge and so slow to understand. Father Greg reflects on what decades at Homeboy have made unmistakably clear: people act from pain long before they act from choice, and when we reduce them to their worst moments, we lose sight of the human being still trying to surface beneath it all.Together, they explore how demonizing language stalls progress, why accountability needs compassion to truly work, and how healing begins when we stop treating people as categories and start meeting them as individuals.Key TakeawaysReal transformation begins with how we see people.Father Greg makes it clear that the moment we divide the world into good and bad, we lose the ability to create solutions. Healing only happens when we refuse to label and instead look underneath the behavior to the wounds, trauma, and mental health struggles that shaped it.Goodness is always present, even when it is buried. At Homeboy, people learn to reclaim their dignity because the community holds up a mirror that says you are noble, you are worthy, you belong. When people access that truth, violent behavior evaporates because they stop living from fear and start living from their inherent goodness.Health replaces judgment. Instead of asking who is bad or who is evil, the better question is who is hurting and how can we help them heal. Father Greg shows that demonizing language ends conversation, but curiosity opens a path toward understanding.In This Episode:00:00 – Introduction to The Homeboy Way00:44 – Why the "good vs. bad people" myth prevents progress02:16 – The L.A. County Jail as the world's largest mental institution03:00 – The difference between explaining behavior and excusing it04:10 – Moving from "good vs. bad cops" to "healthy vs. unhealthy cops"06:17 – Why Father Greg doesn't believe in "evil"08:18 – How the label "pure evil" almost cost a man his future09:37 – Re-interpreting biblical concepts of demons and evil through a modern lens12:30 – Generational and cultural differences in language (The Pope, the Devil, and Satan)15:27 – Finding heaven in the present moment through kinshipNotable Quotes"As long as you think that there are good people and bad people, then we're stuck in the mud. It's why we don't make progress." — Fr. Greg (00:51)"Everybody is unshakably good and that we belong to each other." —Fr. Greg (01:03)"The minute you call it evil, it ends all discussion.."— Fr. Greg (07:33)Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Father Greg Boylehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-boyle-s-j-05458514Books: "Tattoos on the Heart," "Barking to the Choir," "The Whole Language"Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

In this episode of The Homeboy Way, Tom Vozzo sits down with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., the founder of Homeboy Industries, to unpack Homeboy Industries’ long and complicated relationship with government agencies. Fr. Greg reflects on how Homeboy went from reviled to revered, yet still receives little public funding, while Tom recalls early encounters with officials who believed they could do Homeboy’s work better inside the system, unaware of the heart and humanity that drive the mission.Together, they explore why bureaucracy often gets in its own way, shaped by outsider assumptions, political pressure, and a focus on legacy over real impact. They describe shifting relationships with law enforcement, moments of meaningful partnership, and the ongoing struggle to secure support without compromising mission or purity of purpose.This episode reminds us that hope, community wisdom, and authentic relationships, not top-down policies, are what truly transform lives.Key TakeawaysReal change begins with listening to the people on the ground.Policy fails when it’s shaped by outsiders who never ask communities what actually works. Real solutions come from those closest to the struggle.Hope moves people more than punishment ever will.Longer sentences and tougher policing do not stop violence. Homeboy shows that transformation starts when people believe they have a future.Staying true to the mission matters.Homeboy refused to reshape its identity to fit government requirements. Protecting the integrity of their work mattered more than chasing funding.Humility from leaders creates space for real progress.The most impactful officials were the ones willing to listen, ask questions, and admit they didn’t have all the answers.Community programs outperform forced systems.Government agencies often claim they can do the work better, especially in jails, but voluntary healing at Homeboy is far more effective than captive-audience programs.Mental health is the deeper crisis.Rising violence in detention centers points to untreated emotional wounds intensified by trauma, isolation, and the pandemic.In This Episode:00:00 – Introduction to The Homeboy Way00:41 – The government's role: good intentions, slow execution02:03 – Homeboy's journey from "reviled to revered"02:54 – The challenge of partnering with bureaucracy05:25 – Resisting funding to protect mission purity08:49 – The problem of the "outsider view" in policy design11:21 – Addressing the "lethal absence of hope"13:28 – Evolving relationships with police and sheriff departments17:40 – The surprising benefits of youth probation camps21:46 – Conclusion: belief in second chancesNotable Quotes"We won't become who you want us to become. We think we know what we're doing. Fund what we're doing, or don't." — Fr. Greg (08:20)"We went from reviled to revered. It really was quick." —Fr. Greg (01:49)"We're not that concerned about legacy. And every elected official is concerned about legacy."— Fr. Greg (04:06)"Rather than say, let's stop the violence, Homeboy says, wait, the violence is about a lethal absence of hope. Let's address the despair."— Fr. Greg (10:31)"Mental health is the defining health issue of our time." — Fr. Greg (20:13)Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Father Greg Boylehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-boyle-s-j-05458514Books: "Tattoos on the Heart," "Barking to the Choir," "The Whole Language"Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

In this episode of The Homeboy Way, Tom Vozzo sits down with Dr. Robert K. Ross, former CEO of The California Endowment, for a powerful conversation about healing, justice, and what it means to truly see people living at the margins. Reflecting on decades as a pediatrician, public health leader, and philanthropic executive, Dr. Ross revisits the moments that shaped his path from the crack epidemic of the 1980s to the rise of public health as a movement to the day the Homeboy way reshaped how he understood philanthropy.Through vivid stories, he explains why foundations must stop fixing communities and start listening to them. He shares how Homeboy helped him move from research-driven decision-making to a more human, moral, and spiritually grounded approach.Tom and Dr. Ross explore how policy shifts when data meets lived experience, why the government keeps missing the mark, and what real support for marginalized leaders requires.Key TakeawaysReal community change starts with seeing beyond individual problems.Dr. Ross’ journey shows that healing must shift from clinical care to addressing the deeper forces that shape people’s lives. Poverty, violence, addiction, and trauma are not isolated issues but interconnected conditions that require a wider lens.Social determinants must guide every decision.Health is shaped by safety, opportunity, environment, and dignity. The example of women walking in cemeteries for safety makes clear that neighborhoods influence wellness more than medical systems do. Policy and funding must prioritize these realities.Philanthropy works best when it listens.Dr. Ross learned to move from top-down decision-making to partnership. Communities hold wisdom born from lived experience, and real change happens when that wisdom shapes programs, funding, and strategy.Grants carry strategic, moral, and spiritual purposes.They support services, challenge unjust systems, and affirm the humanity of those served. When philanthropy sees people rather than problems, the work becomes deeper, more honest, and more transformative.Invest in Infrastructure, Not Just Mission.For charismatic, mission-driven organizations to endure, funders must also support the operational and business-side capacity building.In This Episode:00:00 – Opening and introduction to Dr. Robert K. Ross01:03 – Dr. Robert K. Ross from pediatrician to philanthropy02:00 – The impact of crack cocaine on communities03:37 – A family story that shifted everything05:08 – Transition to public health and philanthropy09:51 – Challenges and lessons in philanthropy16:27 – The broader view of health and community21:07 – Government’s role in community policy21:47 – The power of stories and data22:15 – School discipline and health24:12 – Campaigning for change with Schools Not Prisons26:08 – Supporting Homeboy Industries29:07 – Challenges and lessons in funding37:52 – Faith and philanthropy41:08 – Conclusion and gratitudeNotable Quotes"I wanted to be a healer for a community and not just a patient." — Dr. Ross (05:41)"No numbers without stories. No stories without numbers."—Dr. Ross (21:44)"Poor people pray hard."— Dr. Ross (39:48)“We see you, we hear your story, your pain, your trauma, your hopes and dreams.”Dr. Ross (13:34)"I’ve always been attracted by the power of listening and humility" — Dr. Ross (27:41)Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Dr. Robert K. Rosshttps://www.calendow.org/Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

In this episode, Homeboy Industries Co-CEO Shirley Torres and longtime Clinical Director Fajima Bedran join Tom Vozzo, former CEO of Homeboy Industries, to discuss what truly transforms lives: healing. While Homeboy is widely known for its job programs and re-entry success stories, Father Greg Boyle recognized years ago that the real work lies in healing trauma. Each trainee has endured layers of pain, childhood abuse, foster care, incarceration, addiction, and the mission is not just to ease their misery but to help them become whole.Shirley, Fajima, and Tom explain that healing at Homeboy extends beyond therapy rooms and happens in hallways, morning meetings, and even on the dance floor. Therapy is integrated into everyday life, with community-based counseling and cutting-edge modalities like EMDR and neurofeedback. Through stories of transformation, Shirley and Fajima illustrate how Homeboy’s therapeutic community fosters joy, suffering, and, most importantly, belonging, which they believe is the first and most essential form of medicine.Key TakeawaysThe Community is the ClinicWhere traditional therapy can be sterile, Homeboy’s healing is woven into its fabric through a tap on the shoulder, a shared dance, or a repaired relationship. This community builds the trust necessary for deep clinical work.Healing the Wound, Not Just the BehaviorSystems often focus on changing behavior. Homeboy’s model digs deeper to address the underlying complex trauma and pain, the why behind the behavior, so people can stop transmitting their pain.From "Fixing" to "Accompanying"The goal is not to "save" people, but to walk with them, repair ruptures, and hold the door open. As Shirley says, the staff are "hope in the flesh," living testaments that transformation is possible.In This Episode:03:21 – Whole-person healing and cultural roots of care03:40 – Mental health counseling the Homeboy way07:36 – Building a therapeutic community15:44 – Post-pandemic challenges and psychiatric care19:14 – Dancing, joy, and the power of community22:06 – Father Greg’s philosophy and trauma-informed leadership27:01 – What “trauma-informed” means at Homeboy30:31 – Staying hopeful amid pain and transformationNotable Quotes“We stand with people and we invest in them fully. That means making sure we don't surrender to people just being less miserable.” — Shirley [01:52]“It's the sessions plus the community. That's what makes way for when people are in front of us when they get into therapy.” — Fajima [06:54]“Joy and suffering coexist. There's that spaciousness. And I think that's such an important belief people love.” — Shirley [19:39]“We're not saving people. You're also saving yourself. And we're in this together.” — Fajima [27:23]About Our GuestsShirley Torres is the Co-CEO of Homeboy Industries, a role she stepped into after over two decades of leading and architecting its programmatic and healing services. She is a driving force behind the organization's trauma-informed culture and its focus on whole-person transformation.Fajima Bedran is the Director of Mental Health at Homeboy Industries, a licensed clinician who has been with the organization for 20 years. She has been instrumental in integrating advanced, evidence-based clinical practices like EMDR and neurofeedback to address complex trauma within the Homeboy community.Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Shirley Torreshttp://linkedin.com/in/shirley-torres-1a9516a2Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

Dr. Frank Anderson shares the science of healing and how it connects to the Homeboy way of kinship.Dr. Frank Anderson, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, trauma expert, and best-selling author, breaks down the science and spirituality of trauma healing and how it connects to the work of Homeboy Industries. We discuss why trauma is externally defined while PTSD is a personal response, the difference between single-event trauma and complex trauma, and how healing requires corrective experiences, community, and patience, and why forgiveness should follow healing, not precede it.Dr. Anderson shares why spirituality (not organized religion) is vital for healing, why premature forgiveness can be harmful, and how leaders themselves must confront their own trauma to create workplaces where people thrive. Together, we explore how Homeboy Industries is modeling a trauma-informed approach to community transformation, and why this model can ripple into corporate spaces, executive leadership, and beyond.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The neuroscience of trauma and why love is the most powerful healing agent.Why forgiveness should follow healing, not precede it.How both victim and perpetrator roles live inside us, and why acknowledging this duality is essential.How trauma-informed workplaces increase productivity, belonging, and engagement.Why Homeboy Industries’ holistic approach offers a blueprint for rethinking therapy, reentry, and leadership.In This Episode:00:00 – Introduction00:39 – Why trauma is at the center of healing02:27 – Dr. Anderson’s journey from psychiatrist to healer06:42 – What is trauma, really?08:47 – Understanding complex trauma11:41 – Why mental health therapy works and when it doesn’t14:47 – The power of positive regard and compassion16:09 – The role of forgiveness in healing19:44 – How to release pain and rewire the brain22:58 – Love and connection as tools for recovery25:59 – How Dr. Anderson connected with Homeboy28:09 – Why spirituality matters in healing33:18 – Trauma in leadership and corporate life37:23 – How love transcends fear and violence39:30 – Final reflectionsNotable Quotes"Trauma blocks who we are. And so a lot of clearing and healing in order to be able to kind of step into that position." — Frank Anderson (06:32)"Complex trauma is relational trauma. It's trauma that happens relationally." — Frank Anderson (08:47)"The mental health field has this: you're bad, you're broken. You need to be fixed mentality." — Frank Anderson (13:35)"Trauma blocks love, Love heals trauma." — Frank Anderson (23:14)"Love supersedes violence and fear. It's gotta be elevated because trauma is about fear and being violated." — Frank Anderson (37:23)Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Frank Anderson, MDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-anderson-654b1836/https://www.frankandersonmd.com/Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media.

In this episode of The Homeboy Way, Tom Vozzo sits down with Fabian Debora, Inez Salcido, and Jose Arellano to explore what recovery truly means at Homeboy Industries. Fabian reflects on his personal journey with addiction, while Inez shares how her team prioritizes stabilizing housing and relationships before addressing substance use. Jose discusses how Homeboy’s strength lies in trust, which guides individuals toward help they may not yet believe they deserve.At Homeboy, recovery is about more than just overcoming addiction; it's about seeing the person behind the pain and offering hope. This episode reminds us that transformation is possible when we walk together, believing in each other’s potential.Key TakeawaysRecovery starts with compassion, not control.Healing begins by meeting people where they are, focusing on stability, safety, and community before anything else. Compassion creates trust, which is the foundation for healing.Addiction is a disease, not a defect.Substance abuse often stems from deep trauma, and recognizing it as a disease helps foster empathy rather than shame, allowing for a more holistic view of the person.Suffering leads to surrender.Real recovery often begins when control is lost, and surrender happens in the midst of pain and rock-bottom moments. Faith and healing are born from this surrender.Recovery is a way of life.Recovery is an ongoing choice to live with honesty and purpose, using tools like the 12 Steps to rebuild life, not just abstaining from substances."Spoonfeed" recovery; don't force it.Recovery should be presented as an inviting choice, empowering individuals to take ownership of their journey, rather than feeling punished or coerced.Love never gives up.At Homeboy, relapse or failure doesn’t mean giving up on someone. The team welcomes people back with patience and hope, believing that every setback is part of the journey forward.In This Episode:00:00 – Introduction to Homeboy Industries00:29 – Demystifying AA and NA01:30 – Challenges of substance abuse02:16 – Approaches to recovery03:19 – Personal stories of addiction05:29 – Building trust and relationships12:39 – The role of rehab and medication19:01 – Spirituality in recovery26:48 – Living the 12 Steps every day31:39 – The importance of community support33:17 – Understanding harm reduction42:14 – Debating marijuana as a gateway drug47:56 – Concluding thoughts on recovery and supportNotable Quotes"When you try to push someone and force someone into recovery or rehab, immediately you can lose the battle there." — Fabian (08:18)"Recovery is a lifestyle. It's not just let me go to rehab. I'm good for now. We got to learn this new way of life." — Inez (12:48)“We have more access to controlled substances than we ever have. I think big pharma has contributed to that." — Jose (02:00)Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Fabian Deboralinkedin.com/in/fabian-debora-886279aJose Arellanohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-arellano-001966a0/Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoAdditional ResourcesAlcoholics AnonymousNarcotics AnonymousAl-Anon Family Groups

In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with Dre Comers and Hector Verdugo to talk about one of the most meaningful parts of life at Homeboy Industries: the morning meeting. Held every weekday, it’s a space where the entire community comes together to connect, reflect, and support each other.Dre shares what it was like joining Homeboy with a background in nonprofit work, and how the culture of presence and honesty made him stay. Hector offers insight into why celebrating small wins, like birthdays or a year of sobriety, matters more than people realize.The episode also features two moving “Thoughts of the Day” from community members. Ricky talks about returning after setbacks and learning to take the program seriously. Debrah, released after 36 years in prison, reflects on what freedom means beyond physical release.This conversation offers a closer look at how daily rituals, real connection, and radical acceptance shape transformation at Homeboy Industries.Key TakeawaysMorning meetings create a space for grounding, joy, and vulnerabilityAuthentic leadership at Homeboy begins with humility and compassionReal change often starts after failure or hesitationWalking away from gang life is emotionally complex and spiritualHomeboy always welcomes people back, no matter how many times they’ve leftFreedom includes emotional and spiritual release, not just physical libertySpirituality is part of the culture, not imposed through religionTransformation happens when people feel loved, safe, and seenIn This Episode[00:00] Introduction[00:27] What is morning meeting and why it matters[00:59] Celebrating sobriety, birthdays, and small wins[02:13] Anatomy of a morning meeting[03:29] The role of “Thought of the Day”[06:08] Ricky’s story: Better Late Than Never[08:28] Leaving your gang and the fear of starting over[09:58] Why Homeboy always gives people another chance[12:04] Debrah’s story: Reentry after 36 years incarcerated[14:21] Adjusting to freedom outside the prison walls[16:23] Unlocking the mind and heart[18:40] Spirituality, prayer, and protection at Homeboy[20:28] Letting go, digging deep, and finding your spirit[22:15] The role of God in self-love and transformationNotable Quotes[11:34] "It's never too late to transform. It was never too late to be loved or to love. It's really never too late to start putting yourself first." — Dre[16:30] "We help gang members, not gangs. We work with gang members that don't work with gangs." — Tom[19:09] "We don't do shame at Homeboy. We go out of our way to not have people feel shame about saying, sorry, I messed up." — Tom[30:44] "The spirituality at Homeboy is undeniable. Everyone is trying to transform. Everyone is digging deep into their own spirit and learning themselves." — DreResources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Hector Verdugohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-verdugo-7297a684Dre Comershttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dre-comers-65178541Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzo