Explore every episode of the podcast The Homeboy Way
Dive into the complete episode list for The Homeboy Way. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
Rows per page:
50
1–50 of 59
Title
Pub. Date
Duration
Radical Kinship Across Borders with Fr. Greg Boyle and Hector Verdugo
21 Oct 2026
00:37:22
A man takes off his mask, looks up, and smiles as a room full of people applauds him. For Hector Verdugo, that moment in Manila captures what Homeboy Industries brings to communities around the world: the chance to feel seen, valued, and worthy of belonging.
In this episode of The Homeboy Way, Tom Vozzo welcomes Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J. and Hector Verdugo home from Japan and the Philippines. They share the story of Ex-Preso, a coffee enterprise inspired by Homeboy that supports returning citizens, and reflect on bringing a message of compassion and radical kinship to students, business leaders, and people rebuilding their lives after prison.
Together, they explore why successful reentry involves more than job training, how sharing personal stories can challenge judgment, and why love and belonging resonate across cultures. From early-morning conversations in Tokyo to encounters with new partners in Manila, this conversation reveals how Homeboy’s approach to healing and second chances is becoming a global movement.
Key Takeaways
Being seen can restore a sense of worth.
Hector describes how recognition and encouragement helped returning citizens in Manila become more comfortable, connected, and willing to be seen.
Homeboy’s influence reaches beyond Los Angeles.
Ex-Preso’s housing and barista training illustrate how communities can adapt Homeboy’s approach to support people returning from prison.
Compassion asks something of people with power.
When speaking to students and business leaders, the invitation is to recognize what people experiencing poverty carry and respond with understanding.
Personal stories deserve to stand on their own.
Fr. Greg gives homies space to tell their stories, trusting that human connection matters more than a polished performance.
Global kinship grows through mutual support.
Visiting international partners strengthens relationships and recognizes the work communities are already doing.
In This Episode
[00:00] Introduction
[00:31] Returning from Japan and the Philippines
[01:48] The “Dublin Four” travel tradition
[02:53] Ex-Preso: A Homeboy-inspired coffee enterprise in Manila
[05:18] Helping returning citizens feel seen and valued
[07:45] Inviting future leaders to lead with compassion
[08:43] Supporting Ex-Preso through new business opportunities
[09:47] Why reentry employment starts with healing
[11:02] How Homeboy’s message connects in the Philippines
[16:06] The Jesuit community’s commitment to people on the margins
[16:43] How the trip renewed Hector’s sense of purpose
[19:43] Fr. Greg on a movement to “shorten the darkness”
[20:52] Hope and translating kinship into local action
[24:00] Giving homies the opportunity to tell their stories
[26:25] Connecting with audiences across cultures
[29:20] Hector on reaching people who arrive with judgment
[31:16] Behind the scenes: Coffee and connection in Tokyo
[35:54] Strengthening the Global Homeboy Network
[36:50] Closing reflections
Notable Quotes
“I was really proud to be a Jesuit in that country, 'cause they were very connected to the cry of the poor.” - Fr. Greg Boyle [16:06]
“We need to build these communities all over the world to make the world into a better place.” - Hector Verdugo [19:01]
“Love is the next thing to do always.” - Fr. Greg Boyle [20:19]
“It's not about Homeboy. It's just about love. It's about opening up. It's about community.” - Hector Verdugo [30:39]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Inside Homeboy’s Approach to Youth Therapy and Mental Health with Fajima Bedran and Jason Delgadillo
14 Oct 2026
00:45:35
At Homeboy Industries, a young person can push a therapist away and still find the door open when they return. Tom Vozzo sits down with therapists Fajima Bedran and Jason Delgadillo to explore how trust, belonging, and consistent care help young people heal from childhood trauma. Together, they discuss youth therapy, complex trauma, EMDR, and the relief of realizing that abuse and neglect were never your fault.
Fajima and Jason also examine how food insecurity, unstable housing, substance use, and social media perfectionism complicate youth mental health. They share how Homeboy’s community extends support beyond therapy, why forgiveness should never be forced, and how avoiding painful feelings can keep those wounds active. Their conversation reveals what becomes possible when people have both practical support and someone who keeps showing up.
Key Takeaways
Youth therapy requires patience and persistence.
Young people may initially challenge or reject a therapist. Keeping the relationship available gives them a chance to return when they are ready.
Recognizing trauma can ease self-blame.
Fajima and Jason discuss how understanding childhood abuse and neglect can help people recognize that they did not deserve what happened to them.
Community carries healing beyond the session.
At Homeboy, people leave therapy and return to a community that encourages treatment and reinforces the care they experience in the room.
Avoiding pain does not make it disappear.
Fajima and Jason explain how suppressed feelings can surface elsewhere, including in relationships, and why acknowledging pain matters to healing.
In This Episode
[00:00] Introduction
[00:25] Tom welcomes Fajima Bedran and Jason Delgadillo
[02:13] How mental health therapy began at Homeboy Industries
[04:50] Understanding complex trauma and early relationships
[06:59] What it means to do therapy the Homeboy way
[08:03] Judgment, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard
[11:54] Why Jason wanted to work at Homeboy
[13:59] How youth therapy differs from adult therapy
[15:41] Childhood neglect, abuse, and attachment wounds
[17:15] The relief of realizing it was not your fault
[19:05] What keeps young people coming back to therapy
[22:06] How Homeboy’s community reinforces therapy
[24:39] Helping young people explore their emotional wounds
[27:25] Why suppressed emotions come out in other ways
[30:33] Are love, forgiveness, and mercy essential to healing?
[32:58] Care, intimacy, and boundaries in therapy
[35:10] Faith, self-love, and healing
[37:54] Food insecurity, housing, and substance use
[40:34] Combining emotional support with practical help
[42:29] Social media misinformation and youth perfectionism
[45:34] Why avoiding painful feelings can get in the way
[47:19] What gives Fajima and Jason hope
[49:13] Recognizing Homeboy’s mental health team
Notable Quotes
“There's a caring that happens in the room and outside of the room at Homeboy, which we're lucky to have, that is really important in terms of the client feeling like this person really cares for me.” - Fajima [31:39]
“I like to think sometimes that I hold the torch for hope that things are gonna get better, because they really are, if you think about it. There are places like Homeboy. There's really a lot of hope in the world, and I would argue that although there's a lot of things that are bad, there are also a lot of things getting better.” - Jason [48:20]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Healing Through Art and Community: Finding Purpose at Homeboy Industries with Gabby Hidalgo, Alejandro Zapata, and Dre Comers
07 Oct 2026
00:32:15
After 17 years in prison, Gabby Hidalgo came home to a family that still saw the person she used to be. Alejandro Zapata returned to Homeboy after a second prison term, determined to leave behind the fast money and experiences he never wanted to repeat. At Homeboy Industries, both found people willing to believe in their future, even when rebuilding their lives felt overwhelming.
In this episode of The Homeboy Way, Tom Vozzo and co-host Dre Comers, Director of the Homeboy Art Academy, join Gabby and Alejandro for an honest conversation about life after prison, youth mentorship, and healing through art. Gabby shares how she graduated college at 40, became a navigator supporting young adults, and turned to photography after losing her best friend. Alejandro discusses finishing high school, pursuing a career as an electrician, and finding focus through graffiti and drawing.
Together, they explore the challenges of prison reentry, the importance of mental health support, and why creative expression can matter even when becoming an artist is not the goal. From Father Greg’s unconditional welcome to Gabby’s determination to interrupt cycles of gang violence and abuse, their stories reveal how consistent support, compassion, and second chances help people build a different life.
Key Takeaways
Consistency creates belonging.
Support groups, education, and dependable relationships helped Gabby find a sense of family at Homeboy Industries.
Fast money comes with a long-term cost.
Alejandro reflects on how incarceration changed his thinking about income, lost time, and the opportunities he wants to pursue.
Lived experience can guide youth mentorship.
Gabby draws on her own history to speak honestly with young adults and help them recognize paths that could lead to incarceration.
Art can support healing without becoming a career.
Dre explains the value of creative expression, while Alejandro describes the focus he finds in graffiti and working with pastels.
In This Episode
[00:00] Introduction
[01:04] Meet Gabby, Alejandro, and Homeboy Art Academy director Dre
[02:06] Dre’s full-circle return to working with youth
[02:53] Gabby finds Homeboy after 17 years in prison
[04:13] Reentry anxiety and finding support through women’s empowerment
[06:58] Returning to Homeboy and graduating college at 40
[08:06] Alejandro’s journey from juvenile camp to a second chance
[10:09] Rethinking fast money and the cost of incarceration
[11:42] Showing up with intention at the Homeboy Art Academy
[12:23] The prison experiences Alejandro never wants to repeat
[15:48] Why Gabby wants to interrupt gang violence and abuse
[18:01] Honest conversations and support for young adults
[21:15] What makes the Homeboy Art Academy different
[24:58] Father Greg’s help and an open door to return
[28:38] How Homeboy changed Dre’s approach to compassion
[31:25] Finding joy in family, nature, and everyday life
Notable Quotes
“You could meet new people, new opportunities. You just never know what's in store for you.” Alejandro [11:23]
“I'm grateful to be here. I'm grateful with the kids. I'm grateful for the opportunity, like being able to share my life story because I don't want none of them to go through that.” - Gabby [17:30]
“Not everyone is gonna be an artist and go into a pathway that they're gonna start making money from.” - Dre [23:46]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Before There Was Homeboy: Dr. Jorja Leap on Gangs, Research, and Father Greg
30 Sep 2026
00:43:52
In the late 1980s, a young social worker in Watts kept hearing she had to meet a priest in Boyle Heights. She didn't like priests. She didn't like religion. But she finally made the call.
What happened in that first meeting, and in the decades that followed, changed how Dr. Jorja Leap saw gangs, research, and her own life.
In this episode of The Homeboy Way, Tom Vozzo, former CEO of Homeboy Industries, sits down with Jorja, a UCLA professor, longtime friend of Father Greg Boyle, and a self-described "Homeboy elder." She takes us back to a time when there was no Homeboy, when a city was afraid, and when almost no one believed in the people Greg did. She shares what she discovered by simply showing up, why funders and government kept Homeboy at arm's length, and what she'd tell any nonprofit fighting for support.
She also gets personal about how Homeboy became her chosen family, a woman who has stayed in her heart for years, and the one time she and Fr. Greg really fought.
Key Takeaways
Violence is multifaceted, so the response has to be too.
Jorja compares gang violence to cancer: cutting out the tumor never worked on its own. She says no single approach, and no "typical" gang member, exists.
Relationships were the intervention.
Her early research at Homeboy found that no specific strategy explained the results. Community, transferable skills, and seeing other former gang members succeed gave people the confidence to believe they could change too.
Relapse is part of the process, not a failure.
Jorja prefers "relapse" to "recidivism" and describes people as "struggling," not failing. She advises nonprofits to put a comma in place of the period: "We have an 18-month program, and very few people make it through the first time."
Bring in a researcher early, but don't let a rigid funder rewrite your mission.
She urges nonprofits to partner with a university researcher early and often. She and Tom also criticize control groups that deny services to people in need, and she argues that if a funder insists on one, "you don't want their money."
Homeboy never gives up on anyone.
Jorja describes a woman she has watched at Homeboy since 2008 who is still struggling and still trying. To her, that is what Homeboy stands for: hope, not just success.
In This Episode:
[00:00] Introduction
[01:32] Meeting Father Greg before Homeboy existed
[03:37] The "super predator" myth
[06:40] Why violence is multifaceted
[11:40] Pitching Fr. Greg on research
[14:48] Relapse, not recidivism
[18:07] What the research found: relationships
[21:05] The study's results
[23:06] Why foundations hesitated
[26:37] LA County, the "bad boyfriend"
[30:28] Advice for nonprofits
[31:40] The trouble with control groups
[35:19] Explaining an 18-month program
[36:28] How Homeboy changed Jorja
[41:20] Being Fr. Greg’s friend
[43:24] Closing
Notable Quotes
"The effectiveness was based on relationships." - Jorja Leap [00:18:18]
"Homeboy never gives up on anyone." - Jorja Leap [00:39:50]
"Greg Boyle has taught me in the purest sense, the meaning of unconditional love." - Jorja [42:32]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Rock Bottom Isn't the End: How a Prayer and a TAP Card Led Paradise Adamson to Homeboy
23 Sep 2026
00:31:51
What do you do when you're tired of the life you're living but have no idea where to start? Paradise Adamson asked that question in a prayer on a dirt hillside beside the freeway, at what she calls her rock bottom. What followed was an arrest over a missing TAP card, time in county jail and in treatment, and a string of people telling her she should check out Homeboy.
In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with Paradise, now a navigator at Homeboy Industries who went through the 18-month trainee program herself. She shares how she went from rock bottom to walking through Homeboy's doors for the first time. She talks about what it meant to be honest in an interview when every past job had taught her to hold something back, and how she learned to treat anger as a signal instead of a flaw. She also explains why she believes healing works best as a toolbox rather than a single fix, and what it takes to guide new trainees through the same fears she once had.
Her story is a reminder that transformation doesn't require a plan. It can begin with showing up, telling the truth, and letting yourself be accepted as you are.
Key Takeaways
Sometimes the hardest part is finding a starting point.
Paradise reflects on reaching rock bottom and struggling to figure out where to begin. Homeboy became the opportunity she had been praying for.
Honesty was the game changer.
She feared that being open about her past would work against her. At Homeboy it was exactly what was asked of her, and she says being that honest for the first time gave her room to grow.
Addiction takes many forms.
Paradise learned that anything not used in moderation can become an addiction, including anger, harsh self-talk, and even depression.
Grief isn't something to stop; it's something to carry well.
She doesn't try to stop missing her loved ones. She focuses on how she represents them.
Healing is a toolbox.
Rather than expecting one class or one insight to fix everything, Paradise takes what fits from each and leaves the rest.
In This Episode:
[00:00] Introduction
[01:00] A prayer near the train tracks, and an arrest over a TAP card
[04:24] Hearing about Homeboy in jail and in treatment
[06:27] Showing up for intake and interview
[07:10] Being honest about her past for the first time
[08:38] Celebrating one year of sobriety at Homeboy
[10:09] What was different about this prayer
[13:15] Learning through hardship and changing how she prays for her siblings
[14:42] Advice for avoiding addiction: everything in moderation
[16:04] Why she vents out loud in the morning
[17:41] Being tired of the life and having no starting point
[19:23] Still working on her emotions as a trainee
[20:58] Understanding anger as a secondary emotion
[22:01] Embracing grief instead of trying to stop it
[23:26] Building a toolbox from Homeboy's classes
[24:15] Working in the Homeboy Cafe
[26:05] Why trainees should embrace the social enterprises
[27:11] What keeps her grounded
[27:48] Why navigator may be the hardest job at Homeboy
[29:23] Where she sees herself in the next few years
[30:31] What Father Greg means to her
Notable Quotes
"If I'm always pretending, then I can never authentically grow." - Paradise [09:26]
"Anything that's not used in moderation could become addiction." - Paradise [15:04]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Seeing God in Others and Other Lessons of Faith from Homeboy Industries with Mikala Rahn, Fr. Frank Buckley, S.J., and Mary Ellen Burton
16 Sep 2026
00:41:02
After surviving a brain hemorrhage and facing stage-four metastatic cancer, Fr. Frank Buckley, S.J. describes the past year as both the hardest and the best of his life. His experience revealed something he had spent years searching for: God was not somewhere “out there.” God was already present within him, and in the people surrounding him at Homeboy Industries.
In this deeply personal conversation, Tom Vozzo is joined by Mikala Rahn, Fr. Frank Buckley, S.J., and Mary Ellen Burton to explore how Homeboy Industries has transformed their understanding of God, faith, and unconditional love. Mikala shares why curiosity protects us from judgment and how loving ourselves is inseparable from accepting God’s love. Mary Ellen reflects on arriving at Homeboy broken, being welcomed into the community, and discovering a God who is “relaxed and smiling.”
Together, they examine faith in action, the relationship between suffering and joy, and the difference between helping people and walking alongside them in kinship. They also discuss spiritual doubt, contemplative practice, cherished belonging, and why Homeboy can feel more like church than church itself. This episode is an honest exploration of what becomes possible when faith moves beyond belief and becomes a way of being with others.
Key Takeaways
God can be found in the chaos.
Homeboy Industries may not look peaceful from the outside, but its relationships reveal a deeply present, loving, and nonjudgmental God.
Accepting God’s love requires self-love.
Believing that God loves us unconditionally is only part of the journey. We must also confront the barriers that prevent us from loving ourselves.
Kinship is different from rescuing people.
The goal is not to fix or save someone. It is to stand beside them and allow both people to be changed through the relationship.
Homeboy offers a different model of leadership.
Humble leadership is rooted in relationships, openness, and a willingness to be corrected while staying grounded in the mission.
In This Episode
[00:00] Introduction to The Homeboy Way
[01:28] How Homeboy changed Mikala’s understanding of God
[03:25] Mary Ellen arrives at Homeboy broken and finds love
[04:18] Discovering a God who is relaxed and smiling
[08:35] Fr. Frank’s hardest and best year
[10:58] Experiencing the kingdom of God in a Homeboy classroom
[11:38] A God too busy loving us to judge us
[13:05] Finding unexpected joy after a devastating diagnosis
[14:01] The dream that changed Fr. Frank’s surgery experience
[19:04] The daily practices that keep Mary Ellen grounded
[20:19] Finding Jesus in Homeboy’s “secure village”
[21:46] Why Homeboy can feel more powerful than Sunday church
[24:40] Mikala receives an unexpected “ticket to heaven”
[27:13] Why suffering and resurrection belong together
[28:13] Cherished belonging and the Homeboy model of healing
[36:38] Fr. Richard Rohr, Henri Nouwen, Rumi, and belovedness
[38:15] Finding spiritual teachers in everyday life
Notable Quotes
“All you need to do in this life is take in that you are beloved and support anybody who comes across your path in taking that in for themselves.” - Mary Ellen Burton [05:39]
“At Homeboy, we learn to meet what Fr. Greg says, ‘A God who is way too busy loving us to judge us.’” - Fr. Frank Buckley, S.J. [11:38]
“I’m a kinship person. I wanna be with someone so that I’m transformed as much as they’re transformed.” - Mikala Rahn [26:14]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Breaking Cycles Through Music, Comedy, and the Homeboy Way with Nickloos Tate and Washea Beverly
09 Sep 2026
00:56:34
What does it take to rebuild your life after prison, addiction, grief, and years of being told you will never change? For Nickloos Tate and Washea Beverly, transformation began when they stopped allowing their pasts to dictate their futures and found a community willing to believe in them.
Nickloos shares how a life-changing question inside prison, “Do you want life, or do you want to live life?”, helped him change direction after 14 years behind bars. Washea opens up about recovery, rebuilding her relationship with her son, and using stand-up comedy to find light in painful experiences.
In this episode of The Homeboy Way, Tom Vozzo and Hector Verdugo explore how Homeboy Industries creates second chances through kinship, accountability, laughter, and unconditional support. Nickloos also performs “Drive to You,” an original song he wrote while incarcerated, and explains why his greatest ambition is helping someone else succeed.
Key Takeaways
Your past is part of your story, not your identity.
Nickloos refuses to hide his former gang involvement or incarceration, but he no longer allows those experiences to define the man he is becoming.
Choosing life requires deciding what to do with it.
A fellow incarcerated man challenged Nickloos to think beyond getting released and seriously consider what kind of life he wanted to build.
Recovery begins with honest acceptance.
Washea explains how accepting the consequences of her past allowed her to stop defending herself and begin moving forward.
Homeboy Industries welcomes people from every background.
Washea initially wondered whether she belonged because she had never been in a gang or prison. What she discovered was a community built around love, accountability, and personal transformation.
Accountability is an expression of love.
Homeboy does not abandon people when they struggle. It offers correction, another opportunity, and the invitation to return when they are ready.
In This Episode
[00:00] Introduction
[03:03] Nickloos Tate’s first days after leaving prison
[03:35] Meeting Father Greg inside juvenile hall
[04:47] The handwritten letter that brought Nickloos home
[05:24] Why Nickloos refuses to hide from his past
[14:01] Washea Beverly opens up about addiction and her legal cases
[15:01] Arriving at Homeboy and questioning whether she belonged
[16:06] Working to rebuild her relationship with her son
[18:07] Why Nickloos chooses to smile after surviving violence
[20:51] Washea’s decision to choose peace and light
[23:00] Teaching her son to remain cautious but lead with love
[30:17] How Washea became a stand-up comedian
[32:37] Laughter, accountability, and everyday life at Homeboy
[40:45] Nickloos’ goal of writing music for other artists
[42:37] Live performance of “Drive to You”
[48:09] How Homeboy helped Nickloos rebuild his life
[55:50] Washea explains what brings her joy
[56:22] Closing reflections
Notable Quotes
“My past don’t define who I am, but it also is a reflection of where I came from.” - Nickloos Tate [05:24]
“I choose to choose peace. I choose the lighter side of life, only because we all go through something.” - Washea Beverly [20:51]
“You be cautious in this world, but you lead with love, and love will follow you.” - Washea Beverly [23:32]
“A hand up means I’m just pulling you up and showing you there’s another way to do it.” - Nickloos Tate [41:26]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Technical team: Ronald Dennison and David Carpinteyro
Iron Mike Meets Homeboy: A Raw Conversation on Trauma, Hope, and Transformation with Mike Tyson and Miguel Tyson
02 Sep 2026
00:20:37
A life shaped by survival can make change feel almost impossible. Mike Tyson knows that world firsthand. So does Jose Arellano, whose childhood in a multigenerational gang family led him into the streets, juvenile hall, and eventually prison. Miguel Tyson’s story takes a different path, shaped by a mother who taught him through her actions that helping others is a way of living.
When Jose returned home after six years in prison, he was carrying trauma and struggling to adjust to life outside. Then he called Homeboy Industries looking for a job. His past could have closed the door, but instead, it opened one. Even after setbacks, the Homeboy community continued to welcome him back. Today, Jose is the organization's Vice President of Operations and an entrepreneur.
In this episode of The Homeboy Way, Tom Vozzo and co-host Jose Arellano sits down with legendary boxer Mike Tyson and his son Miguel Tyson to talk about the mentors who shaped them, the communities that helped them survive and grow, and the responsibility to give others the opportunities they were given. From boxing and incarceration to service, entrepreneurship, and the new Homeboy gym, their stories come together around a powerful idea: sometimes transformation begins when someone sees possibility in you before you can see it in yourself.
Key Takeaways
Homeboy becomes a place to rebuild.
After six years in prison, Jose returned carrying trauma and struggling to adjust, eventually finding his way to Homeboy Industries.
Second chances require persistence.
Homeboy welcomes people back even after setbacks and relapse, creating a community where people society has written off are given another opportunity.
Survival can shape what feels normal.
Mike and Jose reflect on growing up surrounded by crime, poverty, violence, and environments where survival became the norm.
A mentor can change a life.
For Mike, boxing and the mentorship of Bobby Stewart created a path beyond the world he knew.
Giving creates purpose.
Mike explains that he started the Tyson Foundation because he wanted to use his reach and resources to do meaningful work and help people.
Belief can unlock potential.
Mike argues that helping people believe in themselves, while understanding the value of work, struggle, and sacrifice, can change how they see what is possible.
In This Episode:
[00:00] Introduction
[00:24] Jose's story: three generations of gang life to incarceration
[03:11] The phone call that got Jose hired at Homeboy
[04:23] Jose's path from client to VP of Operations
[04:47] Mike Tyson on his upbringing and the Tyson Foundation
[07:45] Mike’s "awakening" moment through boxing
[08:20] Miguel on discovering Homeboy and starting the gym project
[11:36] Homeboy's reliance on donor generosity
[12:19] Mike on poverty as a "frame of mind"
[13:07] Why even a bad mentor beats no mentor
[14:55] Miguel on his mother's activism and his global mission work
[16:56] Giving as self-love
[18:20] Jose's business, Tepito Coffee, and its meaning
[19:09] Homeboy's mission: healing, community, and job skills
[20:04] Closing thanks and reflections on family
Notable Quotes
"You only keep what you have by giving it away." — Jose [17:09]
"Even a bad mentor is better than having no mentor." — Mike Tyson [13:12]
"Poor is a frame of mind... it's all about believing in yourself." — Mike Tyson [12:41]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Carla Javits on Scaling Social Enterprise Across America
26 Aug 2026
00:43:44
What if the most effective response to incarceration, homelessness, and economic instability isn’t another temporary program, but a real job? Carla Javits has spent nearly two decades helping employment social enterprises turn overlooked talent into meaningful work, sustainable businesses, and pathways toward a better life.
In this episode of The Homeboy Way, host Tom Vozzo sits down with Carla to explore how Redefine Alliance, formerly REDF, helped strengthen a national movement of purpose-driven businesses. Carla shares the scale of that impact: 350 social enterprises supported, $4 billion in revenue generated, and 176,000 people employed.
Together, Tom and Carla unpack what it takes to build a viable social enterprise, why employers keep screening out capable people, and how government procurement can create thousands of second-chance jobs. They also discuss Homeboy Industries’ transitional employment model, the value of lived expertise, and why belonging and compassion aren’t just good for people; they’re good for business.
Key Takeaways
Employment creates a pathway forward.
Support services matter, but people also need the opportunity to earn income, demonstrate their abilities, and build meaningful lives through work.
Social enterprise requires a real business model.
A strong mission cannot rescue an idea with no customers, market, or reliable source of revenue.
Business and social impact must work together.
Successful employment social enterprises balance revenue generation with meaningful support, skill development, and opportunity.
Clear employment goals shape the entire enterprise.
Organizations must decide whether they are creating transitional jobs, permanent employment, or another specific pathway for workers.
Belonging is good business.
Valuing lived expertise, nurturing employees, and creating a genuine sense of connection can strengthen both people and organizations.
In This Episode
[00:00] Introduction
[00:25] Welcoming Carla Javits
[01:00] Why REDF became Redefine Alliance
[04:34] The business leaders behind the movement
[08:50] Has society become more open to second-chance hiring?
[12:21] 350 enterprises, $4 billion in revenue, and 176,000 jobs
[14:22] The five pillars of Redefine Alliance’s model
[16:23] Should a nonprofit start a social enterprise?
[22:11] Homeboy Industries as a transitional employer
[23:20] Defining business goals and employment outcomes
[25:36] Bringing government into the social enterprise ecosystem
[26:28] The $2.23 societal return for every dollar invested
[28:24] Why government must define employment social enterprise
[33:26] The Caltrans partnership creating thousands of jobs
[34:50] Carla’s first impressions of Homeboy Industries
[38:42] Why lived experience should be valued as expertise
[39:38] Carla’s next chapter of service and leadership
[42:13] Helping people take action instead of accepting doom and gloom
“Do you really want to run a business? There’s a balance when you run a business. You have to balance the social mission with the revenue generation.” - Carla Javits [16:46]
“People’s life experiences are a big part of what they bring to any job.” - Carla Javits [38:42]
“Nurturing people and making them feel that sense of belonging is a good way to run your business.” - Carla Javits [39:19]
“We need each other. We need the reflection of each other.” - Carla Javits [41:02]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Removing the Past: The Healing Power of Tattoo Removal at Homeboy Industries with Dr. Troy Clarke, Marvin Kelly, and Ashley Mendoza
19 Aug 2026
00:29:56
For thousands of people, the hardest part of leaving gang life behind isn't deciding to change. It's carrying visible reminders of a past they're trying to escape. Every day at Homeboy Industries, people walk through the tattoo removal clinic hoping for more than a treatment. They're hoping for another chance. Behind that work is a team of 36 volunteer doctors who donate their time to help remove more than 12,000 tattoos every year, making it one of the busiest free tattoo removal clinics in the world.
In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with Marvin Kelly, who arrived at Homeboy fresh out of prison and entered its 18-month trainee program before working his way up to lead the organization's tattoo removal department, and Dr. Troy Clarke, a volunteer provider who has spent more than two decades helping people rewrite their futures one tattoo at a time. Together, they share why the clinic has become one of Homeboy's signature programs, how a simple tattoo appointment often opens the door to counseling, education, and employment, and why removing ink is only one part of the healing process.
Their stories reveal that the real transformation isn't what disappears from someone's skin. It's what begins to grow in its place: confidence, dignity, hope, and the belief that the future no longer has to look like the past.
Key Takeaways
Homeboy opened Marvin's first door.
Fresh out of prison, one conversation with Father Greg Boyle led to Marvin's first job and eventually to leading Homeboy's tattoo removal clinic.
Success comes full circle.
Troy says the greatest reward is seeing former clients return as managers, employers, or donors who help the next generation.
Removing tattoos helps people move forward.
The goal isn't simply fading ink but removing reminders that keep people tied to their past.
Healing is a process.
Every treatment requires patience, honest conversations, and ongoing support through discomfort and change.
Change is bigger than appearance.
One mother shares she's removing her face tattoos to create new opportunities for herself and a better example for her children.
In This Episode:
[00:00] Introduction
[00:46] Ashley’s story of removing tattoos for herself and her children
[03:10] Why tattoo removal became one of Homeboy's signature programs
[04:09] Marvin's journey from prison to leading the clinic
[05:38] Inside one of the world's busiest free tattoo removal clinics
[06:39] Troy on why he joined Homeboy more than 20 years ago
[07:47] Creating a place where everyone feels welcome
[08:39] How tattoo removal introduces people to Homeboy's other services
[10:33] Why removing one tattoo can change a life
[11:45] "It hurts more to keep it on."
[13:05] The emotional process of deciding which tattoos to remove
[14:55] Success stories that keep the team motivated
[16:01] Why every treatment is completely free
[17:22] Working with court-ordered youth
[19:49] How laser tattoo removal actually works
[23:59] Why Homeboy's clinic is different from private providers
[26:03] Former clients helping today's participants
[26:32] What gives Marvin and Troy hope
Notable Quotes
"You realize it's more than just taking the tattoo off; it's helping them move forward their life." — Tom [28:47]
“It hurts more to keep it on."—Troy [11:46]
“We mainly focus on the visible and like gang-related tattoos. Not no girlfriend, boyfriend name.”— Marvin [12:21]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Learning to Listen: Tom Vozzo on Trading Corporate Rules for Homeboy's Way
12 Aug 2026
00:20:19
Tom Vozzo arrived at Homeboy Industries from the corporate world expecting to bring his experience, solve problems, and help stabilize an organization facing a financial crisis. What he didn't expect was how much Homeboy would change the way he understood leadership.
In this episode of The Homeboy Way, Daniel Martinez and George Nunez turn the tables on Tom, asking about the transition that forced him to slow down, listen, and learn from the people around him. Tom reflects on sitting in Homeboy's daily council meetings and realizing that the answers he would have given in the corporate world often looked completely different from the solutions rooted in kinship, grace, and care.
George opens up about initially judging Tom when he returned to Homeboy after 11 years in prison, only to change his mind after watching Tom's actions and seeing how deeply he cared about the people at Homeboy. Daniel recalls the quieter ways Tom showed up, including helping Father Greg Boyle during the pandemic.
The conversation also explores faith, burnout, family, taking time away from work, and Tom's vision for Homeboy Media. At its heart, this is a story about showing up without needing the spotlight and letting your actions prove why you're there.
Key Takeaways
Coming to Homeboy to help.
Tom left the corporate world and came to Homeboy during a financial crisis, knowing decisions had to be made before he fully understood what made the organization successful.
Leadership without ego.
Tom saw the timing of his arrival as an advantage. He wasn't there to make a name for himself. He was there to help.
Learning from your mistakes.
After returning from 11 years in prison, George reflects on judging Tom and the importance of holding himself accountable for his thought process.
Finding faith at Homeboy.
Tom says his spirituality deepened at Homeboy through listening, asking questions, and learning from Father Greg.
Carrying the work home.
The care, stress, and trauma involved in helping people at Homeboy can make it difficult to leave work behind at the end of the day.
In This Episode:
[00:00] Introduction and role reversal
[00:39] Transitioning from corporate to Homeboy
[01:54] Learning the Homeboy way
[04:25] Accepting a new leader
[05:34] Overcoming initial judgment
[07:05] Tom's motivation and perspective
[09:26] Navigating the pandemic
[11:42] Tom's upbringing and values
[12:32] Finding spirituality at Homeboy
[13:17] Work-life balance challenges
[16:00] The importance of taking breaks
[17:03] Health and favorite foods
[17:43] The future of Homeboy Media
[19:12] Closing gratitude
Notable Quotes
“The transition was hard. I didn't know what I was getting myself into.” — Tom Vozzo [00:57]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
From Gang Life to Homeboy to Hollywood: Joseph Lucero’s Story
05 Aug 2026
00:41:00
Joey Ray, (Joseph Raymond Lucero), never expected his life to take him from a California Youth Authority facility to a Hollywood film set. But a chance encounter with Father Greg Boyle in prison, and a program called Criminals and Gang Members Anonymous, set him on a path toward Homeboy Industries, sobriety, and eventually an acting career.
In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with Joey to explore the long road from prison to purpose. Joey reflects on how Criminals and Gang Members Anonymous helped him understand gang life as an addiction, why becoming a father gave him the courage to confront alcoholism, and how learning to love himself transformed every relationship in his life. He also shares the unexpected path that led him into acting, the lessons he's carried from Homeboy Industries, and why being transparent about his past has become one of his greatest strengths.
Together, they discuss redemption, recovery, and the power of radical kinship, revealing how lasting change begins when someone believes in you before you're able to believe in yourself.
Key Takeaways
Gang life was an addiction, not just choices.
CGA treats it as a lifestyle addiction rooted in craving respect he lacked at home.
Change came from refusing to hurt loved ones.
His son bailing him out of jail after his last drink in 2015 was the real turning point.
Presence matters more than perfection.
He still bumps heads with his daughters, but now he shows up, including finally making amends to Tom.
Survival instincts explain behavior, they don't excuse it.
Hustling and stress from tough circumstances shape actions, but real harm still needs accountability.
Fatherhood forced honest change.
He admits he'd grown okay with chaos until his son's existence pushed him to stop.
Faith survived hardship.
After being shot four times and stabbed, he never blamed God, believing Homeboy was his purpose.
In This Episode:
[00:02] Introduction
[00:45] Joey makes amends to Tom
[02:19] Meeting Father Greg in prison
[03:28] What is CGA, and gang life as addiction
[07:37] Getting hired by Father Greg
[08:42] Moving to LA, becoming a father
[09:26] Early days at Homeboy in Boyle Heights
[11:13] Balancing two families, two cities
[11:38] Becoming a public speaker for Homeboy
[15:39] Continued struggles with alcohol
[16:36] The moment his son confronted him
[18:01] Learning to love himself
[22:25] Loss within the Homeboy community
[24:28] How he broke into acting
[26:22] Getting "discovered" on set
[29:02] What he loves about acting
[33:37] Being named Homeboy Hero at Lo Máximo
[36:26] Spirituality and faith
[39:20] What he's hopeful for
Notable Quotes
"You gotta love yourself before they can love others." — Joey Ray [19:48]
"The moment you really start living for yourself, you're actually able to be there for everybody else." — Joey Ray [18:01]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Building Businesses That Heal: Kabira Stokes on Circular Economy and Social Impact
29 Jul 2026
00:28:32
Kabira Stokes never planned to become an entrepreneur. After 9/11, she became an anti-war activist, searching for ways to create meaningful change. That journey led her from city government and criminal justice policy into an unexpected realization: instead of waiting for policy to create opportunities, she could create jobs herself.
In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with Kabira Stokes to explore the intersection of justice, business, and community. Kabira shares how founding Isidore Recycling eventually became Homeboy Recycling, why hiring people returning from incarceration isn't charity but smart business, and how entrepreneurship can become a powerful vehicle for second chances.
Together, they reflect on the evolution of Homeboy Recycling from a small startup generating $650,000 in revenue to a thriving, multimillion-dollar enterprise that creates meaningful employment for people rebuilding their lives. Kabira also discusses why local action creates lasting change, how community gives people hope, and why businesses have a responsibility to see potential where others only see a criminal record.
Key Takeaways
One conversation can spark a movement
A simple conversation about recycling eventually became Homeboy Recycling, proving big ideas often begin with small moments.
Partnerships create greater impact
Homeboy helped scale the business with funding, wraparound services, and a shared commitment to second chances.
People deserve opportunities, not labels
With the right support, people returning from incarceration become dependable employees and future leaders.
Business can be a force for good
A successful company can deliver excellent service while creating meaningful employment for people rebuilding their lives.
Transformation is the real measure of success
The greatest achievement isn't revenue, it's watching employees build lasting careers, stability, and hope for the future.
In This Episode:
[00:00] Introduction
[01:10] First Homeboy encounter
[02:05] 9/11 to activism
[04:25] Faith and justice roots
[05:15] Inside city government
[07:10] Studying prisons and reentry
[09:10] Launching Isidore Recycling
[12:15] Joining forces with Homeboy
[15:30] Social enterprise realities
[18:00] Hiring stories that matter
[21:00] How to hire returning citizens
[22:15] New York and the next chapter
[25:15] Local change and community
[28:05] Why recycle with Homeboy
[28:50] Closing thanks and farewell
Notable Quotes
"I guess I could go work for the state and create policy that will create jobs, or I could just create some jobs." — Kabira Stokes [00:10:04]
“If you're gonna work hard at something, it might as well have real impact.” — Kabira [15:46]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
More Than Merch: From Stranger Danger to Retail and Recovery with Homeboy’s Joe Tarin
22 Jul 2026
00:18:06
Joe Tarin never imagined he would one day lead a business that helps transform lives. After years of addiction, incarceration, and believing he didn't belong anywhere, one conversation with a friend led him through the doors of Homeboy Industries. What began with fear and uncertainty eventually became a journey of healing, recovery, and leadership.
In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with Joe Tarin, the newly promoted manager of the Homeboy Merchandise Store, to talk about his remarkable transformation. Joe shares how rehab changed his perspective, why Homeboy gave him hope when no one else would, and how managing a business is about far more than sales. It's about creating a safe space where people rebuilding their lives can grow with confidence.
Together, they explore what makes Homeboy's social enterprises different, why communication and connection matter just as much as business results, and how every purchase supports someone working toward a brighter future. Joe also reflects on his goals, his passion for helping others in recovery, and why products with a purpose can truly change lives.
Key Takeaways
Growth starts by changing what you value
Joe realized he had been chasing approval for the wrong things. Homeboy helped him replace instant gratification with purpose and personal growth.
Recovery requires accepting support
After relapsing, Joe chose rehab and returned to Homeboy, where accountability and compassion allowed him to rebuild his life.
One opportunity can restore hope
When Father Greg offered Joe a job despite his past, it became the turning point that showed him he was worthy of a second chance.
Every product has a purpose
The merchandise store isn't just about selling apparel. Every purchase helps fund training, support, and opportunities for people beginning their own transformation.
Supporting Homeboy changes lives
Every sale strengthens multiple social enterprises, creates meaningful employment, and helps more people rebuild their lives and reconnect with their families.
In This Episode:
[00:00] Introduction
[00:57] The concept of stranger danger
[02:14] Joe's road to Homeboy
[03:32] Meeting Father Greg
[03:56] Relapse and rehab return
[05:28] Finding joy after rehab
[06:05] From recycling to retail
[07:12] New store manager life
[08:07] Learning business basics
[09:02] Training and leadership
[10:15] Recovery through service
[11:20] Selling books and swag
[11:59] Future goals and peer support
[12:53] Product with a purpose tour
[13:29] Best sellers showcase
[14:54] Designing the teal crewneck
[16:34] Candles and morning meetings
[17:50] Closing thanks and outro
Notable Quotes
"When he says hope, I believe in hope for real." — Joe Tarin [03:33]
"It's not just a logo. These are products with a purpose." — Joe Tarin [13:07]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Homegirls on the Mic: An Interview with Tom Vozzo
15 Jul 2026
00:25:37
After spending years interviewing homies, healers, and thought leaders, Tom Vozzo finally finds himself on the other side of the microphone. In this special episode of The Homeboy Way, Dyamond Watts, Angel Rodriguez, and Vianka Villagomez turn the tables on Tom and ask the questions that reveal the person behind the leadership lessons.
Tom reflects on his journey from corporate America to serving nearly 13 years as CEO of Homeboy Industries. He explains why compassion and business performance are not opposing ideas, how companies can build more engaged workforces, and why providing good jobs to people experiencing poverty is both morally responsible and economically smart.
The conversation also explores Tom’s spiritual growth, the ego and pride he had to release, his friendship with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., and the pressure he carried while leading Homeboy Industries. Through honest stories, laughter, and a few unexpected questions, Tom shares how Homeboy transformed his understanding of success, leadership, belonging, and what it means to help people discover their own worth.
Key Takeaways
Compassion and business results can coexist.
Tom challenges the belief that successful companies must choose between caring for employees and delivering strong results. Engaged, supported employees are more likely to remain loyal, productive, and invested in the organization’s success.
True fulfillment is found in relationship.
Corporate achievement gave Tom financial success, but it did not provide the deeper fulfillment he later discovered through service, kinship, and working alongside others.
Purpose is sustained through action.
For Tom, faith is not only about reflection or prayer. It means waking up each day and doing something concrete to help another person.
Anger can be acknowledged without being carried forever.
Tom speaks candidly about his frustration with the bias and discrimination homies continue to experience, while explaining why his daily spiritual practice helps him release that anger.
In This Episode
[00:00] Introduction: Turning the tables on Tom Vozzo
[01:35] What corporate America misunderstands about compassionate leadership
[04:33] How good jobs, fair wages, and employee support strengthen businesses
[06:55] What Tom recognized in Homeboy trainees and emerging leaders
[09:00] The emptiness of corporate success and redefining what it means to win
[10:57] Letting go of ego, pride, and the need to prove yourself
[13:09] What motivates Tom, and the pressure of leading Homeboy Industries
[16:29] Spiritual practice, anger, and confronting society’s treatment of homies
[18:49] The hugs, laughter, and relationships that surprised Tom at Homeboy
[19:47] Meeting Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J. and becoming CEO of Homeboy Industries
[22:19] Why Tom stepped down and prepared the next generation of leaders
[24:17] The wisdom behind The Homeboy Way and Tom’s message to listeners
Notable Quotes
“The true way to get to belonging, compassion, and kinship is working on ourselves to heal.” — Tom Vozzo [06:03]
“Wake up every day and look to help people.” — Tom Vozzo [15:09]
“Being CEO of Homeboy is the best job I’ve ever had.” — Tom Vozzo [22:25]
“You can run a business or you can run your life with the values of kinship, compassion, and love.” — Tom Vozzo [24:49]
“We are loved. It’s easy to say, but not enough people believe that.” — Tom Vozzo [25:17]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Do You Want to Do Good or Feel Good? Kimberly Moore on Courageous Leadership
08 Jul 2026
00:33:00
Kimberly Moore went from a mattress in a crack house to building a $51 million campus in one of Louisville's most violent neighborhoods. The moment that changed everything came when she watched a six-year-old girl get slapped by her mother for saying she was hungry. Kimberly got up, walked out, and went to treatment. She has been sober since 1998.
In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with Kimberly Moore to talk about second chances, speaking truth to power, and what it really means to never forget where you came from. Kimberly now works alongside the police who used to lock her up and has the attorney general on speed dial. She challenges donors with a simple question. "Do you want to do good, or do you want to feel good?" When a funder said no, Kimberly did not get angry. She heard "not right now." Two years later, they gave her $50,000.
For her 60th birthday, Kimberly brought everyone to the Muhammad Ali Center, the people she got high with and the people who helped her get sober. She will not apologize for her life getting good, and she will not dim her light for anyone still in darkness. Her credentials? "A PhD from the streets."
Key Takeaways
Look underneath the behavior
Behavior often reflects deeper struggles like trauma, family conflict, or unstable housing. Real support begins by addressing the root cause.
Delay is not denial
Kimberly sees rejection as "not right now." Persistence turned one funding rejection into a future $50,000 grant.
Someone took a chance on you, too
Because someone believed in her, Kimberly believes others deserve the same opportunity to change.
Sobriety doesn't mean leaving people behind
Recovery didn't separate Kimberly from her community. She stays connected so others know help is always available.
Change happens on its own timeline
People change when they're ready. Kimberly's turning point came from within, not from pressure or persuasion.
Don't count the addict out
Someone believed in Kimberly when she couldn't repay them. That grace shaped her commitment to helping others recover.
Withholding a chance wastes potential
One mistake shouldn't define a life. Second chances allow people to discover their purpose.
A PhD from the streets still counts
Kimberly embraces her past and uses it to lead, refusing to apologize for where she came from or where she's going.
In This Episode:
[00:00] Introduction
[00:27] Meet Kimberly Moore
[01:27] Kimberly’s work today
[02:22] Leaving politics for purpose
[03:27] Truth to power on violence
[07:26] Finding Homeboy Network
[09:05] Building a one-stop campus
[11:36] Second chances and self-care
[14:44] Getting sober for real
[17:35] Why people deserve more chances
[18:33] Second chances mindset
[19:44] Hard truths with families
[22:58] Right time for change
[24:52] Not apologizing for growth
[26:15] Therapy and boundaries
[27:04] Do good or feel good
[28:39] Homeboy redefines success
[29:57] Owning your story
[30:54] Hope and legacy
Notable Quotes
“I don't operate in fear, and I see so many people in corporate America that operate in fear, and I just don't.” — Kimberly [18:13]
“Being brought out of darkness comes with the responsibility to be a light for others.” — Kimberly [00:23:44]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
It's All Wound: Fr. Greg Boyle on Healing Over Punishment
01 Jul 2026
00:40:38
When Tom Vozzo stepped down as CEO of Homeboy Industries after thirteen years, he thought he would finally get some peace. What he did not expect was how much he would still need the place and how much it would still need him. In this episode, Tom sits down with founder Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J. to talk about what happens when you stop running an organization but refuse to leave it behind.
Fr. Greg admits it was not always easy letting go. But he learned early that Homeboy's magic is not in its policies or programs. It is in the noticing. The text that says "How was your weekend?" The homie who turns around and walks back to greet you because they saw you park. The simple act of paying loving attention.
They unpack the question that has guided Fr. Greg for decades. "What do we think we are doing here?" It is a check against conventional wisdom, a reminder that you do not punish wound. You heal it. And they share why no kid ever joins a gang seeking adventure. They are always fleeing something.
With board members, with travelers on the road, with homies finding their voice on stage, the answer is always the same. Tell your story. Stay humble. And remember, none of us got here on our own.
Key Takeaways
Compassion starts with understanding
When you understand what someone has survived, it's harder to judge them and easier to walk alongside them.
Privilege is often the luck of the draw
Fr. Greg reflects on how easily his life could have gone differently. Sometimes geography, circumstance, and opportunity make all the difference.
Success should make us humble
Tom shares how Homeboy challenged his assumptions about leadership and taught him to listen before offering solutions.
Punishment isn't part of the Homeboy Way
Homeboy doesn't focus on consequences for their own sake. The goal is transformation, not punishment.
Name the wound, not the behavior
When organizations focus only on behavior, they miss the deeper issue. Healing begins when we understand what's underneath.
It's all wound, all the time
The Homeboy philosophy starts with a simple belief: beneath most destructive behavior is pain, trauma, or loss that has never been healed.
In This Episode:
[00:00] Introduction
[01:05] Fr. Greg's role today
[02:06] Letting go of leadership
[04:21] How to lead without taking over
[06:40] Asking the right questions
[08:28] Choosing compassion over punishment
[11:56] When gang members were written off
[14:14] Why people deserve another chance
[16:10] Leadership, boards, and trust
[18:15] What privilege really means
[21:39] Knowing what you don't know
[23:31] Why stories change minds
[25:57] Staying connected to the mission
[28:17] Why Homeboy doesn't believe in punishment
[30:19] The power of being seen
[32:55] Taking homies on the road
[34:01] Helping people find their voice
[37:27] Trust, responsibility, and travel
[39:46] Lessons from the road
Notable Quotes
"No hopeful kid has ever joined a gang. They're always fleeing something." — Greg [00:36:16]
"The homies have taught me everything of value. That's not hyperbole. I really believe that." — Greg [00:20:21]
"You have to name things correctly, otherwise you're gonna go down a rabbit hole. Homeboy knows that this is all wound. It's all wound all the time." — Greg [00:29:50]
"I would never let you go. I understand the benefit and how rich this place is. But you're the boss, and you get to decide whether you stay here or not." — Greg [00:14:37]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Lauren Tom on Spiritual Mentorship with Homeboy’s Fr. Greg Boyle
24 Jun 2026
00:33:25
Actor Lauren Tom has spent decades moving audiences through roles in The Joy Luck Club, Friends, Futurama, and more. But in this episode of The Homeboy Way, she joins Tom Vozzo to talk about the story that moved her: Homeboy Industries. After reading Fr. Greg Boyle S.J.’s Tattoos on the Heart and hearing him speak, Lauren knew she had to get involved, even if she didn’t yet know what she could offer.
What began with a book club and a muddy early Homeboy 5K became a 15-year relationship with the organization, its mission, and its people. Lauren shares how Fr. Greg became a spiritual mentor, how Homeboy helped her move from fear to compassion, and why being honored as a Community Hero at Lo Máximo meant more to her than any Hollywood award ever could.
Together, Tom and Lauren explore second chances, first chances, belonging, fandom, representation, and the simple but radical idea that relationships change everything. This is a conversation about what happens when people are seen with love, and how one person, one introduction, one act of compassion, can help someone remember they belong.
Key Takeaways
Homeboy turns fear into relationship.
Lauren shares how she used to feel afraid when seeing someone with gang tattoos. Through Homeboy, that fear shifted into recognition, humanity, and a simple willingness to say hello.
Second chances are often first chances.
Tom and Lauren discuss how many Homeboy trainees were never given a real first chance to be loved, believed in, educated, or seen without judgment.
Belonging is a healing force.
Whether at the Homeboy 5K, Lo Máximo, or a fan convention, Lauren sees the same human need everywhere: people want to belong to something bigger than themselves.
Hope is an everyday practice.
Lauren reminds us that hope is not passive. It can be as small as making one phone call, building one relationship, or asking one person to help.
In This Episode
[00:00] Introduction
[01:17] How Lauren first discovered Homeboy Industries
[02:06] Why Fr. Greg’s stories make people laugh and cry
[04:40] Why the Homeboy 5K feels bigger than a run
[06:34] Fr. Greg as Lauren’s spiritual mentor
[09:43] Why everything in life is about relationship
[10:35] How Homeboy changed Lauren’s view of gang members
[13:30] Why Lo Máximo meant more than an Oscar
[14:01] The meaning of collective effervescence
[14:52] The hope and joy people feel at Homeboy
[16:22] The Homeboy story Lauren never forgot
[17:59] Why one person believing in someone can change a life
[18:35] Bringing Lauren’s fan communities into Homeboy’s mission
[27:02] Why Lauren keeps coming back to Homeboy
[29:15] The current state of the entertainment industry in Los Angeles
[30:16] How Lauren stays hopeful
[31:41] Why people need a visceral experience of Fr. Greg’s message
[33:52] Closing reflections
Notable Quotes
“I feel so deeply blessed that I get to live in the same time that Fr. Boyle is alive.” — Lauren Tom [06:34]
“At the end of the day, I feel like everyone just wants to belong. And that’s the beauty of Homeboy.” — Lauren Tom [20:53]
“I can’t help but fundraise for Homeboy. I feel like it’s not even a choice for me. It’s something I need to do.” — Lauren Tom [27:15]
“Relationships, just keep building those relationships and not being shy about asking for help with the people you know already love you.” — Lauren Tom [28:07]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Dads Stepping Up: Homeboy’s George Nunez and Daniel Martinez on the Courage to Stay
17 Jun 2026
00:35:35
George Nunez, Head of Security at Homeboy Industries, spent years in and out of prison. He shut out the world, including his own children, because showing weakness behind bars wasn't an option. Daniel Martinez, a Navigator at Homeboy Industries, asked his parole officer to lock him up again rather than feel like a burden to his brother. Both men walked through Homeboy's doors expecting nothing more than a resume or tattoo removal. What they found instead was a place that wouldn't give up on them and wouldn't let them give up on their kids.
In this episode, host Tom Vozzo sits down with George and Daniel to talk about what real fatherhood looks like when you're learning from scratch. They discuss the terror of being vulnerable, the slow work of putting ego aside, and the unexpected mentors, including Father Greg, whom they now call "Dad." Together, they prove that the cycle of abandonment can be broken, one parenting class, one 2:00 a.m. phone call, and one soaked train ride with a baby at a time.
Key Takeaways
Show up even when you're not ready
George doubted himself and didn't want to come to Homeboy, but he chose to show up on Monday.
Healing is an inside job
George learned in therapy that wanting to change isn't enough, you have to work on what's inside and let someone help you figure it out.
It's not about you anymore
George says you save the next person walking through the door, because someone saved you. This lifestyle requires you to care and feel things you never felt before.
"You're never in my way"
George expected to be scolded by Father Greg, but Greg said, "You start Monday." That one invitation changed everything.
Straddling the fence takes time
Daniel wanted to be a father, but the lifestyle kept pulling him back. Change didn't happen overnight; it was a battle.
Prison taught me to shut the world off
George blocked everyone out to survive. Coming home meant learning a new way to be one where you don't have to hide.
In This Episode:
[00:00] Introduction
[00:25] Meet Daniel Martinez and George Nunez
[01:05] Daniel finds Homeboy after prison
[02:35] Discovering support through classes and community
[04:11] Feeling like a burden to family
[05:36] George returns to Homeboy in 2013
[08:09] Therapy, trauma, and looking within
[10:46] Choosing fatherhood over gang life
[11:42] Learning how to be a dad
[16:17] The Challenge Program and accountability inside prison
[17:44] Trying to be a father while incarcerated
[19:05] George explains why he shut the world out
[19:59] Learning fatherhood after prison
[21:22] Earning back the right to be called Dad
[21:55] Parenting classes and communication skills
[22:59] Their children begin to see the change
[23:58] Father Greg as the father figure they never had
[25:42] Learning fatherhood with a new baby
[27:02] Mentoring trainees with patience and compassion
[28:50] Dreams and hopes for their children
[31:54] Why Homeboy feels like family
[33:19] Finding joy through fatherhood and healing
[36:10] Closing reflections and outro
Notable Quotes
“I felt the embrace. I felt the love. And I hadn’t even started therapy yet.” — George [00:07:56]
“It’s not easy to change. It didn’t take days or months for me. It took years.” — Daniel [00:12:49]
“Being a father now is giving my kids what I never got.” — George [00:23:54]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
From Lockup to Living a Life of Purpose with Karla Leon and Anthony Chairez
10 Jun 2026
00:27:47
What does it take to trust again after a lifetime of betrayal? For Karla Leon and Anthony Chairez, both formerly incarcerated and now executive assistants to the Co-CEOs of Homeboy Industries, the answer isn't a pill or a program, it's patience, kinship, and learning how to hug.
Karla came home from federal prison to a three-year-old daughter who didn't know her as "Mom." Anthony served 20 years, from age 15 to 36, and had never provided for himself a single day. Both walked through Homeboy's doors with their guards up, expecting the worst from people who looked just like the ones who hurt them. What they found instead was something they didn't have words for yet: safety.
In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with Karla and Anthony to talk about what healing actually looks like. They discuss the terror of walking into a room full of former gang members, the slow work of lowering your shield, and the surprising discovery that the people who can help you most might be ex-convicts and admitted drug addicts. Together, they prove that transformation doesn't happen fast, and that sometimes, the first step is learning to let someone teach you how to hug.
Key Takeaways
When the state raises you, you never learn to provide for yourself.
Anthony spent from 15 to 36 in prison. The state gave him everything. He came home never paying a bill or holding a job. Homeboy taught him how to be an adult.
Homeboy helps people heal through trust and support.
Anthony explains that Homeboy’s 18-month model is built around healing trauma, building resilience, and helping people withstand whatever life throws at them.
Healing starts when people realize they are not alone.
Through Homeboy’s classes, Anthony discovered that hearing others share their struggles with trauma, violence, and anxiety helped him feel connected instead of isolated.
Love and patience can rebuild broken relationships.
Karla shares how Homeboy taught her patience, emotional connection, and even how to hug, lessons that helped her reconnect with her daughter after prison.
Growth takes patience and honesty.
Karla explains that real healing began when she stopped rushing the process and finally learned to face herself honestly instead of avoiding the pain she carried inside.
In This Episode:
[00:00] Introduction
[01:10] Karla’s journey to Homeboy Industries
[03:02] Anthony reflects on 20 years in prison
[05:04] Accepting the opportunity at Homeboy
[06:12] The Homeboy healing model explained
[07:05] Finding hope and kinship through classes
[08:40] Rebuilding a relationship with family after prison
[11:39] Learning not to take everything personally
[13:36] Supporting Homeboy’s CEOs behind the scenes
[17:58] Anthony on addiction and protecting his sanity
“Had anyone asked me before I came home who I wanted mentoring me, I never would have imagined it would be former gang members and ex-convicts helping me rebuild my life.” — Anthony [08:12]
“Until you’re comfortable with who’s staring back at you in the mirror, then you can move forward.” — Karla [16:57]
“One thing I learned in therapy was if you can imagine the worst outcome, you can also imagine the best one.” — Karla [20:38]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Keep Moving Forward: Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J. on How to Let Go of Your Ego
03 Jun 2026
00:31:37
What does it mean to be loved without needing to earn it? In this episode of The Homeboy Way, host Tom Vozzo sits down with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., founder of Homeboy Industries, for a deeply human conversation about love, humility, recognition, trauma healing, and the kind of kinship that changes lives.
Fr. Greg reflects on his birthday at Homeboy, the mariachis, the joy of being celebrated, and the lesson that love is not just something people give. It is their joy to give it. From Father Greg Boyle Day in Los Angeles to receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he opens up about how he holds praise lightly, why he resists the language of “success,” and why the work has never been about ego or legacy.
Tom and Fr. Greg also explore the heart of the Homeboy Industries model: moving beyond fixing, rescuing, and saving, and toward loving connection. Fr. Greg shares why trauma blocks love, why shame is one of the deepest wounds of poverty, and why walking through the doors of Homeboy requires real courage. This is a conversation about widening the circle, letting go of fear, and discovering the true self in loving.
Key Takeaways
Love is not begrudging. It is joyful
Fr. Greg explains how the birthday celebrations at Homeboy became a living parable for God’s love: not distant, forced, or half-hearted, but full of joy.
The goal is not to make a difference.
Fr. Greg challenges the usual nonprofit mindset, saying we should not go to the margins to make a difference. We should go so the people there make us different.
Trauma blocks loving connection
Fr. Greg explains that while loving connection heals trauma, it takes bravery for someone wounded by trauma to take the first step toward that connection.
Walking into Homeboy is an act of courage.
For someone whose identity is tied to gang life, shame, or survival, entering a place of love is not obvious. It is a leap.
Love your neighbor means move forward.
Fr. Greg contrasts “fear the world” communities with “love your neighbor” communities. One circles the wagons. The other widens the circle.
In This Episode
[00:00] Introduction
[00:47] Why Fr. Greg’s birthday means so much at Homebo
[03:06] “This is not for you. This is for the people.
[08:12] Father Greg Boyle Day and the trap of legacy
[09:03] Why “making a difference” gets the mission wrong
[11:14] The moment Fr. Greg stopped trying to fix everyone
[12:21] Why clinging is the source of suffering
[14:38] True self in loving vs. false self in succeeding
[15:44] Shame, disgrace, trauma, and loving connection
[16:42] Why walking into Homeboy takes bravery
[18:33] Being seen as a symbol, not a saint
[20:16] What the Presidential Medal of Freedom meant to Homeboy
[25:42] The deeper meaning of being recognized
[29:12] Fear the world or love your neighbor
[30:52] The Homeboy vibe outsiders immediately notice
[31:37] Moving forward without taking yourself too seriously
Notable Quotes
“God’s too busy loving you to be disappointed.” — Fr. Greg Boyle [04:04]
“Authentic Christian living is about moving forward. You just keep moving forward.” — Fr. Greg Boyle [08:25]
“Clinging is the source of all suffering.” — Fr. Greg Boyle [12:26]
“Trauma blocks the loving connection… and the loving connection heals the trauma.” — Fr. Greg Boyle [15:53]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Homeboy Media Production Assistant Cohort: Anthony Salazar and Sebastian Guzman
Bodies Don’t Lie: Dr. Bessel van der Kolk on Trauma Recovery and the Power of Homeboy Industries
27 May 2026
00:39:35
When world-renowned trauma expert Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, author of the nine-million-copy bestseller The Body Keeps the Score, walked into Homeboy Industries, he came skeptical. What he found stopped him cold: people leaning into each other like friends. No suspicion. No dominance games. Just open-hearted safety. For a population with histories of violence and gang life, that is "quite remarkable."
Dr. van der Kolk visited Homeboy and San Quentin in the same week. At San Quentin, he saw the familiar scars of trauma, isolation, and rigid hierarchy. But at Homeboy, he witnessed something radically different: people leaning into each other with trust and warmth. The contrast stunned him.
In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with Dr. van der Kolk to delve into trauma, community, and the science behind Homeboy's transformative model. Together, they unpack why belonging is a biological imperative, why trauma lives in the body, and why action, such as chopping vegetables, dancing, or working in a kitchen, can heal what talk therapy alone cannot. They explore EMDR, why gangs and college campuses satisfy the same deep human need, and what it means to discover, perhaps for the very first time, that you might be lovable.
So moved by what he saw at Homeboy, Dr. van der Kolk plans to dedicate a chapter of his next book to the program.
Key Takeaways
Safety looks different at Homeboy.
At San Quentin, people play dominance games. At Homeboy, men with histories of violence lean into each other, open-hearted. That contrast tells you everything about kinship.
What you do becomes who you are.
Psychiatry is top-down: pill, advice, sit still. Homeboy does the opposite: people work and build identity through action. For someone whose only identity was the gang, that job is the foundation of a new self.
Trauma is not an event; it is helplessness.
The antidote, as Darwin knew, is community: our uniquely human capacity to collaborate and look out for each other.
The past can become a memory, not a life sentence.
Terrible things become an alibi, a reason to stay stuck. Moving from ‘look what they did’ to ‘it’s over’ is the hardest shift. Homeboy makes it possible.
In This Episode:
[00:00] Introduction
[00:30] Why Homeboy changes people
[02:28] First impressions of Homeboy
[04:14] Why belonging heals trauma
[06:39] Finding community and identity
[09:56] Letting go of gang identity
[11:02] Trauma explained in simple terms
[13:18] Understanding complex trauma
[14:33] Why the body keeps the score
[16:25] Understanding EMDR and healing
[19:42] Why trauma keeps reliving itself
[22:00] Trauma and the feeling of paralysis
[23:53] Desmond Tutu and collective joy
[27:00] Belonging across different cultures
[28:08] The limits of traditional therapy
[29:58] Can people ever fully heal?
[30:50] Neurofeedback yoga and brain healing
[32:39] Addiction, psychedelics, and recovery
[35:19] Spirituality, compassion, and feeling loved
[38:02] How trauma lives in the body
[39:09] Final reflections
Notable Quotes
“People were open-hearted to each other as if they were accustomed to feeling safe with each other.” — Bessel [03:18]
“In our field, we rarely talk about how the feeling of belonging is a critical human need.” – Bessel [04:42]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
What Actually Heals People? Inside Homeboy’s Trauma-Informed Approach with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., Shirley Torres, Fajima Bedran, and Dr. Frank Anderson
20 May 2026
00:45:43
What actually helps people heal? Is it therapy? Medication? Community? A conversation? A job? A second chance?
In this special episode for Mental Health Awareness Month, host Tom Vozzo steps back from single transformation stories to look at the through line that makes Homeboy Industries actually work: mental health healing in community.
Tom sits down with three sets of voices who have built, shaped, and lived Homeboy’s healing model.
First, Father Greg Boyle returns to talk about why “listen, listen, love, love” isn’t just poetry but the most sophisticated trauma intervention there is.
Then, Dr. Frank Anderson, a Harvard-trained trauma expert and world-renowned psychiatrist, breaks down what trauma actually is (and isn’t), why your symptoms might be protecting you, and the three components of real healing.
Finally, Homeboy Industries’ Co-CEO Shirley Torres and longtime Clinical Director Fajima Bedran reveal how joy, dancing, and hot water became essential tools for whole-person healing.
This episode teaches us how that transformation becomes possible and why you don’t need a therapy degree to help someone heal.
Key Takeaways
Healing isn’t formulaic but it is cumulative.
Father Greg calls it a “dosing effect” : one person remembers your name, another asks about your baby, a guard greets you. Alone, not therapy. Together, everything changes.
Trauma isn’t who you are. It’s what happened to you.
Dr. Frank Anderson says drinking, anger or withdrawal aren’t signs you’re broken, they’re adaptations. Healing starts when someone asks, “How is that helping you?”
The therapy room is only one part of the container.
At Homeboy, healing begins with a tap, an embrace, sitting with tears. What happens outside makes inside possible.
Joy and suffering can coexist.
Every Friday, Homeboy holds The Body Keeps the Score, stretching, meditation, dancing. Someone who wouldn’t give eye contact a month ago now glows. That’s not a break from work. That is the work.
You don’t need to be a therapist to help someone heal.
Anyone can sit, listen, offer a dose of love. That’s how a movement works.
In This Episode:
00:00 – Introduction
00:29 – Why this episode focuses on mental health healing
02:04 – Father Greg on how healing really happens
03:37 – ACE scores and childhood trauma exposure
05:59 – Why healing is bigger than talk therapy
09:44 – Community healing and the “dosing” effect of love
12:11 – Dr. Frank Anderson joins the conversation
14:56 – Defining trauma and PTSD in simple terms
16:50 – Understanding complex trauma and family dysfunction
21:18 – Seeing people as good instead of broken
22:52 – Looking beneath destructive behavior
24:35 – The three steps required for healing trauma
29:14 – Whole person healing at Homeboy
32:11 – Why healing starts outside the therapy room
41:51 – Staying hopeful while walking with people in pain
Notable Quotes
"Listen, listen, love, love." — Fr. Greg [07:18]
"Trauma blocks love and connection, and love and connection heals trauma." — Dr. Frank Anderson [28:13]
"People are not what happened to them, and they are not the worst thing they've ever done." — Shirley Torres [31:00]
"It was the first time I danced sober." — Homeboy trainee, as shared by Fajima Bedran [37:57]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Dr. Bill Resnick on Mindfulness, Healing and Showing up at Homeboy Industries
13 May 2026
00:40:51
Dr. Bill Resnick first heard about Homeboy through a friend before Homeboy even existed. Years later, after a site visit, reading Tattoos on the Heart, and witnessing Homeboy’s financial crisis, he found his way into the community.
In this episode, former CEO Tom Vozzo talks with Bill about moving from donor to volunteer. A psychiatrist in long-term recovery, Bill now leads mindfulness classes at Homeboy. He shares what mindfulness really is, how to teach it in unpredictable classrooms, and why healing happens best in community, not just in a therapist’s office.
Bill also opens up about his own mental health struggles and the multiple second chances he has received. His story reveals what it truly means to be part of Homeboy, not as an expert, but as someone willing to show up, get proximate, and simply be in a relationship.
Key Takeaways
You don’t need a quiet mind to practice mindfulness
Mindfulness isn’t about stopping your thoughts. It’s about noticing them, “busy mind,” “planning mind,” and gently returning to the present. The shift isn’t control, it’s awareness.
People are carrying more than you can see
At Homeboy, trainees walk in with real-life pressures, court dates, family stress, trauma. That reality shows up in the classroom, and it shapes how healing has to happen.
Mindfulness can be a shared experience
Even in silence, practicing alongside others creates connection. There’s something powerful about knowing you’re not alone in the work of being present.
Belonging is part of the healing
Volunteering becomes meaningful not because of what you give, but because you become part of something. Being recognized, welcomed, and connected matters.
It’s not about fixing, it’s about relationship
Homeboy doesn’t need experts coming in to teach. It needs people willing to listen, to show up, and to be in genuine relationship with others.
Healing isn’t one chance, it’s many
The people at Homeboy often come from deep, generational trauma. Change doesn’t happen once. It happens over time, through multiple chances, and sometimes for the first time ever.
In This Episode:
00:00 – Introduction
01:08 – How Bill first learned about Homeboy
04:29 – The Miracle of Mindfulness class
07:00 – Why mindfulness matters in daily life
10:02 – Personal mindfulness practice
13:14 – Teaching mindfulness at Homeboy
16:51 – Tools for managing stress and anxiety
19:23 – Why mindfulness works
23:05 – What it means to be a volunteer
28:53 – Philosophy of giving and philanthropy
34:07 – Being part of the Homeboy community
36:39 – Bill’s personal journey and second chances
40:22 – Closing reflections
Notable Quotes
“Healing happens best in community, not just individually.” — Dr. Bill [02:32]
“I can't meditate because my mind's too busy. I can't shut off my thoughts. If that were the requirement, nobody would be able to meditate.” — Dr. Bill [11:11]
“ We give multiple chances to people” — Tom [36:29]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
She Had "Forever Broken" Tattooed on Her Chest. Homeboy Changed That with Angel Rodriguez, Dyamond Watts, and Vianka Villagomez
06 May 2026
00:45:59
In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with three remarkable women who have each walked through Homeboy's doors broken and walked out as leaders. Dyamond is now a brand strategist for the Homeboy Way podcast. Angel is a navigator helping new trainees find their footing. Vianka is an academic program coordinator at Homeboy's adult high school. Together, their stories paint a vivid portrait of what healing looks like when it is real, when it is slow, and when it never really ends.
Dyamond came in after escaping an abusive relationship, drawn in by nothing more than the color of her cousin's purple shirt. She did not believe you could be paid to heal. Angel stood in the rain, literally torn between the familiar pain of her past and the unknown promise of Homeboy's open door. She chose the right path. Vianka arrived through Homeboy's anger management program, sent by a case manager she met while incarcerated, stepping through the doors during COVID when the building was nearly empty but the welcome was full.
All three carry tattoos and scars and imposter syndrome. All three have sat in the same classes they now help facilitate. All three are raising children who see them showing up every day. And all three have one message for anyone still standing in the rain deciding which way to walk: you are not forever broken.
Key Takeaways
Healing can be a job.
Dyamond couldn't believe it when her cousin said all you have to do is go to classes and they pay you for it. She had to see it to believe it.
We don't only hurt ourselves, we hurt the people who love us.
Angel learned in incarceration classes that every relapse, every arrest cuts deep into the people who love you, and her son crying for her at night was her turning point.
At Homeboy, the color lines disappear.
Coming from the hood where Blacks and Hispanics don't always get along, Dyamond found something different at Homeboy: protection, support, and being seen as a boss.
Motherly instinct is a superpower.
Vianka feeds off the men's strength, but what connects the women is holding each other through difficult situations because they know what it means to bear kids and show up anyway.
A business card can feel like an Oscar.
Angel handed her mom a card with her name on it, and her mom made the biggest deal out of it. Because seeing your child finally change, that is everything.
In This Episode:
00:00 – Introduction
01:20 – Dyamond’s journey to Homeboy
02:45 – Choosing healing over familiar pain
04:20 – Angel’s role as a navigator
06:45 – Angel’s turning point after incarceration
08:49 – Vianka’s path through trauma and healing
15:06 – Lessons for their younger selves
23:09 – Homeboy as a place of sanctuary
24:55 – Being a woman at Homeboy
29:21 – Women who inspire them
40:42 – What gives them hope today
44:14 – The meaning behind the gala moment
Notable Quotes
" I just couldn't believe that you're paying me to do something that I need to do. It was a win-win." – Dyamond [02:33]
"I stood there and it was raining and I was torn because I wanted to go with the comfortable pain that I was used to." – Dyamond [03:32]
"Hope has an address. It's 130 West Bruno Street." – Angel [41:30]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Pushed Out, Not Dropped Out: The Truth About Youth, Gangs, and Second Chances with Maria Flores and Gabriel Lopez
29 Apr 2026
00:45:39
What does it take to reach a kid who’s already been given up on by every system around them? Maria Flores and Gabriel Lopez of Homeboy’s Youth Reentry Center answer simply: show up, stay, and never close the door.
In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with Maria and Gabriel to explore the reality of working with youth coming out of incarceration and still living in gang violence, generational trauma, and instability. Unlike adults, these young people return to the same environments they came from. Their trauma isn’t something they leave behind, it’s where they live.
Gabriel brings lived experience as a former generational gang member who spent years in prison before choosing a different path after his son was born. Maria, with 18 years at Homeboy, has seen entire cycles repeat, including parents she once supported now sending their own children through the program. Together, they describe a model rooted in radical consistency: no youth is ever expelled, no family is abandoned, and no one faces the system alone.
From moments of joy like white water rafting trips where a hardened teen smiles for the first time, to a young man who kept returning simply because someone noticed him, this episode shows what happens when kids are treated not as problems to fix, but as people who want to be seen and loved.
Key Takeaways
Society failed her, Homeboy showed up
A girl out of school for three years wasn’t blamed. Instead, Maria asked how the system failed her. With support, she graduated two years later.
No one gets pushed out here
The Youth Reentry Center never expels kids. Instead of punishment, they use reflection and healing circles, offering stability to youth used to rejection.
Education is the turning point
Though legally allowed back in school, many youth are pushed out. Homeboy created its own school to ensure they don’t fall through the cracks.
Kids are pushed out not failing alone
Behaviors that lead to expulsion in underserved communities are often handled differently elsewhere. The homeboy chooses to open the door instead.
Gang identity is about survival
What looks like defiance is often protection. As Gabriel puts it, beneath it all is a kid who wants to be loved.
Healing the healer matters
Maria calls Homeboy "my medicine." Staying present requires daily practices. Staff wellbeing is essential to sustaining this work.
In This Episode:
00:00 – Introduction
00:30 – Why Homeboy focuses on youth
02:49 – Living in trauma, not beyond it
06:47 – Girls, foster care, and hidden struggles
08:44 – Why no one is ever kicked out
09:30 – The reason Homeboy built a school
10:40 – The “chaser” model and wraparound support
15:27 – Understanding a young man’s mindset
16:30 – Gabriel’s story: joining a gang early
19:02 – What changed the direction of his life
21:12 – Fatherhood and a new sense of purpose
23:26 – Building trust and creating safe spaces
26:42 – Summer programs and moments of joy
28:48 – Lessons in trust and letting go
33:50 – Working with parents and reunification
36:02 – Breaking cycles of conflict and violence
41:26 – Gabriel’s journey as a father
Notable Quotes
“No one stops to look at what our kids are holding in their heart.” – Gabriel [03:58]
“There is no such thing as ‘that’s it, you’re done.” – Maria [09:01]
“They’re just little boys that want to be loved, bro.” – Gabriel [16:16]
“ There's never a hopeful kid that joins a gang.” – Maria [17:25]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
The Power of Unrestricted Giving: How Melanie Lundquist Has Supported Homeboy for Over a Decade
22 Apr 2026
00:40:16
Years ago, Homeboy Industries was experiencing financial hardship. In order to make payroll, Melanie and her husband Richard Lundquist received a call from a Homeboy Board member that resulted in a check with no strings attached. No restrictions. Just trust.
In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with 2026 Lo Maximo KINSHIP Honoree Melanie Lundquist, longtime Homeboy Industries supporter, to uncover the story behind that trust.
Melanie's father was raised in Boyle Heights, and she remains true to her roots, retaining her lifelong love of service to others.
Melanie and her husband, Richard are Giving Pledge (https://www.givingpledge.org/) signatories, and for them, impact is not about perfect numbers. It is about walking with the most vulnerable, and investing in replicable models like Homeboy Industries, that create systemic change
Key Takeaways
Cherishing each other is a shared responsibility.
If we had enough cherishing, there would be no need for Homeboy. Melanie subscribes to Warren Buffett's theory: money belongs to society; we're just temporary stewards.
Systemic change requires replicable models.
We live in a deeply broken system across education, justice, and healthcare. True success is not short term help. It is creating models that can replicate and drive change from the bottom up. Homeboy is a replicable model; dollars invested here reach far beyond LA.
Homies belong at the table
When people ask if Melanie has had "clients" at her dining room, she corrects them: "They're homies." She's proud to have them there. Your dollars build a model that helps people in Chicago, New York, and beyond.
Kindness costs nothing but changes everything
Yet we struggle to give it. As a philanthropist, Melanie says, "It's the biggest, most joyful journey of my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything."
In This Episode:
00:00 – Introduction
00:41 – Why Melanie became a supporter of Homeboy
05:53 – Why philanthropy gives life meaning
07:50 – Defining impact and systemic change
10:12 – Why donors should engage beyond money
12:10 – Gratitude and the deeper meaning of giving
14:02 – Why she chose to invest in Homeboy
16:20 – Balancing different causes and priorities
19:21 – Five-year forecast: the future of philanthropy
21:00 – Why long-term commitment matters
25:07 – Politics vs. philanthropy
26:45 – Elected officials prioritizing the poor and disenfranchised
27:51 – The freedom and limits of philanthropy
31:47 – Why Homeboy’s model works
34:07 – Can philanthropy save democracy?
37:00 – The power of kindness and empathy
38:03 – The redwood metaphor
Notable Quotes
“ If we had enough cherishing, there would be no need for Homeboy - Melanie [02:19]
“Philanthropy is the rent we pay for the air we breathe.” - Melanie [03:43]
“Philanthropy is the meaning of life and what gives our life meaning.” - Melanie [06:00]
“What does it cost people to be kind? It costs nothing.” - Melanie [37:00]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
From Rehab to Head Barista: Jose Leon’s Homeboy Transformation
15 Apr 2026
00:26:30
In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with Jose Leon, head barista at Homegirl Cafe. But Jose almost didn’t stay long enough to make a single cup.
The first time Jose walked through the doors of Homeboy Industries, he was already planning his exit. Fresh out of rehab and carrying a charge for “fire,” considered worse than murder on the streets, he assumed a place full of gang members could never be positive. But his roommate, T, had a persistent, vibrant energy that Jose wanted for himself. More than that, he had four daughters. He needed to become someone they could count on.
So he stayed. He washed dishes. He unlearned nearly everything. And then he got tricked into becoming a barista. Behind the counter at Homegirl Cafe, Jose discovered that coffee dissolves the barriers between strangers. People walk in with heavy stories, a mother grieving a son, and hand them over with their order. He listens, he serves, and he makes the best latte in Los Angeles.
Now the head barista and a quiet leader, Jose still wakes at 3:30 a.m. He still focuses on the next generation, knowing he may never fully heal the wounds of his past. But he shows up differently. And that, he says, changes everything.
Key Takeaways
If you want something different, you have to do something different.
Jose did not suddenly feel ready. He chose differently. He realized that everything he had done before led him to where he was, and if he wanted a different life, he had to take a completely different path.
Transformation does not instantly fix relationships
Even when someone does the work to heal, grow, and change, family members may still see the old version of them. Rebuilding trust takes time, patience, and consistency.
Small, consistent actions can create a sense of purpose.
When Jose started in the back of the cafe washing dishes, it wasn't a dead-end job. It was the first time he knew he could do something, finish it, and do it correctly again the next day.
Support can break deeply rooted beliefs
Many who come from incarceration or hardship feel like they do not deserve help. Experiencing genuine care through meals, kindness, and community begins to shift that mindset and opens the door to change
In This Episode:
00:55 – Jose’s first time at Homeboy
01:28 – The arson charge and coming out of rehab
02:04 – Why Jose was against Homeboy at first
02:45 – What kept him coming back
03:33 – The turning point: “I had to do something different”
05:44 – What Father Greg means to Jose
07:22 – Traveling to Fairbanks, Alaska to speak
08:46 – Unlearning everything
09:20 – Daily practices: waking up at 3:30 a.m.
11:06 – Healing family relationships without expectations
13:33 – Talking to his daughters and focusing on the next generation
14:17 – What Jose tells customers at the coffee counter
15:17 – Daily mindset reminders
17:10 – Part 2: Inside the Homegirl Cafe
17:28 – Starting as a dishwasher in the back
18:35 – Becoming a barista by accident
19:21 – Overcoming insecurity about facial scars
20:38 – Why the coffee counter removes barriers
22:20 – When a mother shared her son’s death
24:06 – Helping people straight out of jail with a free meal
Notable Quotes
“ If I wanted something different in life, I had to do something different.” — Jose [03:35]
“I wanted to be the person my daughters needed me to be” — Jose [02:47]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
From Hollywood to the Homeboy Board: Camilla Belle Shares Her Story
08 Apr 2026
00:28:03
A Hollywood actor spent years trying to get through the doors of Homeboy Industries. Not as a client. Not as a case manager. Just as someone who felt drawn to a place she did not fully understand. Camilla Belle had heard Father Greg speak at her church, seen the logo around Los Angeles, and had friends on the inside. But she still needed someone to take her by the hand.
In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with Camilla to hear the full story, from Mommy & Me classes at Jane Fonda's workout studio to finally getting the tour at Homeboy. She describes her first morning meeting as indescribable: the prayer, the celebrations, the bake sales. That single visit turned into a board seat, a PA training class, and a van ride with a homie who trusted her with his entire life story.
Camilla did not come from gangs or prison. She came from Hollywood. And that turned out to be enough. Because at Homeboy, kinship does not require a shared past. Just a willingness to show up, listen, and believe in second chances.
Key Takeaways
Morning meeting is the heartbeat of Homeboy
Camilla describes it as indescribable, a celebration of life, community, and positivity that stays with you. From prayer to bake sales, everyone should experience it.
Second chances are irresistible.
Camilla was drawn to Homeboy not despite the fear people feel, but because of it. Father Greg's message about giving people another chance spoke to her deeply.
You don't need a shared past to belong
Many look at Homeboy and think, "I have nothing in common." But inside those doors, there's no judgment. We're all human.
Listening is a privilege.
During a board activation day, Camilla sat in the front of a van and listened as a homie told her his whole story, incarceration, family, and kids. She felt lucky he trusted her.
Homeboy doesn't give anything away.
No handouts. You work hard, show up, go through the 18-month program, and dedicate yourself to change. Homeboy gives second, third, and fourth chances as many as it takes.
In This Episode:
00:00 – Introduction
00:45 – How Camilla got involved with Homeboy
03:25 – First impressions: the morning meeting
05:25 – Philanthropy and motivation to join Homeboy
07:02 – Finding common ground and human connection
08:41 – Homeboy Media Group and workforce development
09:07 – PA training class experience
11:22 – Navigating the entertainment industry and social media
13:06 – Lessons learned from Father Greg Boyle
14:40 – Applying Homeboy lessons to everyday life
15:26 – Jane Fonda’s influence and activism
17:37 – Encouraging advocacy and activism
19:28 – Building relationships and volunteering
20:17 – Family support and memorable Homeboy stories
22:04 – Hope for the future and second chances
24:00 – The importance of second chances
25:25 – Board member experience
27:39 – Podcast closing
Notable Quotes
“You walk in here and you say, there's no judgment..” — Camilla [08:08]
“If you believe in it, you're going to show up.” — Camilla [15:54]
“Get off your phone, talk to people.” — Camilla [17:45]
“Slow yourself down and just be available and listen.” — Camilla [21:53]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Breaking Cycles: A Mother's Fight for Change and a Son's Path to Recovery with Natalie Venegas and Daniel Aguilar
01 Apr 2026
00:38:18
Imagine your children being taken from your home at gunpoint. That searing, shame-filled moment becomes the catalyst. Not for more destruction, but for a journey that leads you from prison yards to the director’s chair, and eventually, to finding freedom in a sun-drenched square in Barcelona. This is Natalie’s story.
In this episode of The Homeboy Way, host Tom Vozzo sits down with Natalie Venegas, Director of Case Management at Homeboy Industries, her son Daniel Aguilar, and longtime Homeboy leader Hector Verdugo to explore the long arc of transformation and generational healing. Natalie reflects on her 15-year journey from leaving prison as a four-time felon, carrying the trauma of her children being taken at gunpoint, to rising into senior leadership while pursuing clinical licensure. She shares how addiction, rejection, and survival masks once shaped her life, and how therapy, education, and unconditional love helped her learn how to live, parent, and lead. Daniel offers his perspective on choosing recovery for himself, while Hector reflects on witnessing Natalie’s evolution firsthand. Together, their stories reveal how kinship and consistency reshape not just individual lives, but entire family trajectories.
Key Takeaways
Healing begins when survival ends
Natalie shares how emotional shutdown and stoicism kept her alive but also kept her stuck. Healing began only when she felt safe enough to be vulnerable.
Consistency builds trust where words cannot
Homeboy’s steady presence taught Natalie how to be consistent for herself, her children, and others, something she never experienced growing up.
Unconditional love creates capacity
Being loved without prerequisites allowed Natalie to believe in herself, pursue education, enter therapy, and step into leadership.
Healing is generational
Daniel’s recovery is connected to his mother’s healing. Homeboy’s model shows how helping one person reshapes an entire family’s future.
You cannot do it alone, and you are not meant to
Walking alongside others through sponsors, staff, and peers makes transformation sustainable and real.
In This Episode:
00:00 – Introduction
00:42 – Natalie’s early years and repeated incarceration
02:09 – Being taken from her children at gunpoint
03:59 – Choosing not to numb out in prison
06:28 – A letter from her son that changed everything
08:09 – The Greyhound bus, temptation, and choosing sobriety
10:36 – Entering a program and first encounters with Homeboy
12:18 – “You don’t fit our profile”: misjudgment and persistence
14:58 – Vulnerability breaks through stoicism
17:22 – Learning how to live on the outside
18:36 – Education, therapy, and discovering a calling
21:10 – From survival to service
23:09 – Daniel shares his recovery journey
28:25 – Parenting, boundaries, and letting go
31:26 – How Homeboy changes entire family trajectories
33:01 – Traveling the world as formerly incarcerated leaders
35:26 – Belonging without labels
Notable Quotes
“I didn’t know how to live out here. I knew how to hustle, but not how to be a mom.” — Natalie Venegas [17:02]
“I’m the only one who’s going to fix my life.” — Daniel Aguilar [26:35]
“Homeboy loves people, gives people hugs until they learn how to love themselves.” — Natalie [23:01]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
From Gang Member to Case Manager: Robert Valles on 20 Years of Addiction and Recovery
25 Mar 2026
00:27:05
When Robert Valles first walked through the doors of Homeboy Industries, he wasn’t looking for healing. He was looking for a job. After more than fifteen interviews and repeated rejection because of his federal record, he arrived skeptical and unsure of what to expect.
What he found instead was something he had never experienced before: a place where people are, in his words, “paid to heal.”
In this episode, Tom Vozzo and Hector Verdugo sit down with Robert to reflect on the long road that brought him there. Once a gang member and federal prisoner, Robert spent years numbing pain through addiction. When sobriety finally forced him to face his life, he was confronted with shame, loss, and the devastating moment his children were taken away.
Not knowing where his kids were for forty days became the turning point that pushed him to surrender and change.
Today, Robert serves as a Case Manager, helping others rebuild their lives. His story reveals how healing begins, how love can feel unfamiliar at first, and how serving others can become a powerful form of recovery.
Key Takeaways
When a federal record becomes a barrier
Robert went on 15 job interviews before coming to Homeboy. Despite being likable and qualified, his federal record, which can never be expunged, kept doors closed until he found Homeboy.
Getting paid to heal
Robert was initially upset about the low pay. But through self-help classes, he discovered: "You get paid in a different way here. I'm getting paid to heal." His story now helps others heal, too.
Healing as a couple, with boundaries
Robert was skeptical about doing the program with his wife. But it worked because they understood: "You have your program, I have my program. Once we're healed, then maybe we can heal our marriage."
"If I could do it, you could do it"
Robert tells trainees daily: "Gang member, incarcerated, addicted 20 years, kids taken away. If there's a box, check it." His lived experience gives others hope.
A touch of love makes a difference
People who experienced even some love in childhood recognize it at Homeboy and thrive quickly. That thread of love, however tangled, matters.
When there is no love, healing takes longer
Those who were tortured as kids, who experienced no love, often leave when shown love. They return, leave again, and stay longer each time. Healing just takes more time.
In This Episode:
00:00 – Introduction
00:53 – Robert’s role and journey at Homeboy
02:43 – Transformation from gang life
03:26 – Ozzy the Navigator moment
04:50 – Getting paid to heal
05:20 – Determination to get his children back
06:09 – Skepticism about his wife joining
07:15 – What Robert tells new trainees
11:33 – Confronting shame
12:44 – Watching his children walk away
13:11 – Faith, surrender, and recovery
16:36 – Restoring relationships with children
18:05 – Breaking generational cycles
19:25 – Robert’s future goals in 5-10 years
20:31 – Growing up with addiction and abuse in the home
22:48 – The power of love and healing at Homeboy
26:29 – The future of Homeboy is strong
Notable Quotes
“I'm getting paid to heal.” — Robert [04:55]
“If I could do it, you could do it because I'm no different from you.” — Robert
[07:18]
“ Just that simple, are you okay? And how are you doing today? Could change your life..” — Robert [07:59]
“ My fear as a parent is my kids growing up doing what I was doing.” — Robert [18:05]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Listen, Listen. Love, Love: Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J. on the Heart of Healing
18 Mar 2026
00:47:12
At Homeboy Industries, healing rarely happens through a single method. It unfolds through therapy, community, compassion, and the steady presence of people who care.
In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J. to explore how healing really happens for people carrying deep trauma. Fr. Greg describes it as the “cumulative dosing effect of cherishing” when someone is consistently seen, known, and valued. Yet that kind of love can feel overwhelming. Some homies even walk away at first because they do not know how to receive it.
Fr. Greg reflects on the early days of Homeboy, when therapy carried heavy stigma. Today, the demand is so great that there are waiting lists. He shares stories of people wrestling with addiction, hearing voices, and confronting wounds they once tried to bury.
Through decades of experience, Fr. Greg reveals a deeper truth. Healing does not happen only in therapy. It happens in a community where people discover they are no longer alone.
Key Takeaways
Overwhelm from love is real.
Fr. Greg shares about a homie who left Homeboy not because things were bad, but because he “didn’t know how to handle all the love.” For people used to trauma, steady care and belonging can feel unfamiliar or overwhelming, so some leave and return when they are ready.
Community dosing surrounds and amplifies therapy.
Beyond methods like talk therapy and EMDR, healing also happens through daily relationships. Consistent care from staff, mentors, and volunteers helps build resilience.
The three profiles of gang members (and all of us).
Fr. Greg breaks down that everyone falls into one of three categories: despair (can't imagine a future), trauma (high ACEs score), or mental illness.
Luck and privilege shape our lives more than we admit.
Fr. Greg reminds us that success is not only about hard work. Many benefit from unseen advantages, and recognizing this can foster humility and compassion.
In This Episode:
00:00 – Introduction
01:00 – How healing happens
02:28 – Why therapy must be voluntary
03:09 – The early days and the need for therapy at Homeboy (ACEs)
05:50 – What surrendering to healing looks like
07:44 – When love feels overwhelming
09:14 – Challenges finding therapists and homies to try therapy
12:29 – The rise of therapy and volunteer clinicians
14:35 – Listening and loving as the foundation of healing
16:05 – Alternative therapies and healing experiences
20:32 – Why there is no “one-size-fits-all” healing
23:37 – Compassion and forgiveness in the healing process
26:38 – What it means to be a “stranger to yourself”
30:43 – Three profiles of gang members
33:44 – Excavating generational wounds in everyday life
36:31 – The role of luck, privilege, and circumstance
38:46 – Reducing stigma around mental health
40:35 – Mental illness and societal misunderstanding
45:39 – Why healing is reliable and ongoing
Notable Quotes
“I don't think healing is so formulaic. I think if you believe in how the cumulative dosing effect of cherishing is, you can observe it.” — Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J. [01:00]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Jane Fonda on Why The Homeboy Way Matters Now
11 Mar 2026
00:34:58
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 Takeaways
Jobs 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 person
Bad 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 – Introduction
01:46 – How Jane Fonda first found Father Greg and Homeboy Bakery
03:41 – From the Homeboy Bakery to a healing-centered model
04:40 – "I need whatever that secret sauce is"
06:05 – Kinship and mutuality with people on the margins
08:48 – What Jane learns from homegirls
13:09 – The meaning of cherishing
15:54 – Ignatian spirituality at Homeboy
18:32 – Funding the mission
19:51 – Gangsters, leaders, and the pressure of machismo
21:32 – Homeboy’s culture shift: from toughness to tears
22:09 – Poverty, business hiring, and “show by doing”
23:30 – Jane Fonda’s activist origin story
26:19 – The urgency of activism today
28:19 – What Jane would tell her younger self
30:06 – The Global Homeboy Network
Notable 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]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Healing Through Art at the Homeboy Art Academy with Fabian Debora and Barbara Fant
04 Mar 2026
00:37:20
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 Takeaways
Art is refuge
As 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 – Introduction
01:26 – Fabian’s childhood and art as refuge
03:32 – Mentorship and artistic development
05:28 – Barbara’s story: poetry as prayer
11:03 – The Homeboy Art Academy
12:32 – Healing-centered approach and the three R’s
14:25 – Community, safety, and transformation
16:29 – Co-designing the Academy’s modality
18:09 – Stories of transformation: Giselle and Jesus
20:13 – Managing gang dynamics and building kinship
21:55 – Team approach and wraparound services
24:03 – Challenges of the work
27:07 – Resilience and returning youth
28:17 – Fabian’s artistic recognition and advocacy
30:21 – Barbara’s writing and influence of Homeboy
31:52 – Future vision: accredited school of art
32:44 – Graffiti, tagging, and artistic expression
Notable 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]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
We All Belong Here: Pete Holmes on Comedy, Wounds, and Cherished Belonging
25 Feb 2026
00:59:09
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 Takeaways
We 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 – Introduction
00:53 – Getting involved with Homeboy
01:22 – Connecting with Fr. Richard Rohr and Fr. Greg Boyle
03:16 – The impact of Homeboy’s teachings
04:45 – Performing with compassion
07:43 – Lessons from Homeboy
16:11 – The power of acceptance and belonging
22:39 – Balancing help and personal boundaries
27:17 – Spiritual teachings and reflections
29:03 – The value of vulnerability
29:55 – A humbling medical experience
30:44 – Embracing brokenness
34:14 – Spirituality in the corporate world
35:05 – Discovering true spirituality
42:05 – The role of psychedelics in spiritual awakening
Notable 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]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Fr. Richard Rohr: Everyday Wisdom From a Master Theologian
18 Feb 2026
00:40:27
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 Takeaways
Real 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 Way
01:04 – The spiritual lessons of Homeboy and Fr. Richard's writings
01:43 – Why the soul must weep: Anger, sadness, and the prophetic journey
06:19 – Why men don't weep and how to learn
10:42 – Grief as initiation: The Men's Rites of Passage and PTSD
14:13 – What the poor know: A critical lens on society and success
18:31 – The necessity of suffering and exile for transformation
24:30 – Wholeness vs. perfection and the "wounded warrior"
27:48 – Occam's Razor: Why the simplest answer is Love
33:13 – Certitude vs. faith in spirituality and politics
36:04 – From lamentation to doxology: Where true joy is found
39:47 – Conclusion and gratitude
Notable 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)
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
A Lifetime of Perspective on Gangs, Policing, and Poverty with Hector Verdugo and Stephanie Lane
11 Feb 2026
00:33:53
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 Division
Hector 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 Harm
Hector 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 Rage
Hector 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 Death
Stephanie 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 Signal
Stephanie 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 – Introduction
00:57 – Hector’s experience with police
12:15 – Stephanie’s experience with police
16:58 – Interactions with law enforcement
17:33 – The current state of the streets
18:48 – The impact of COVID-19 on gang violence
19:47 – Fear and aggression
20:59 – Police brutality then and now
22:32 – Advice for dealing with police
23:57 – Homeboy Industries’ changing perception
25:18 – Hopes for Homeboy Industries’ future
28:27 – The importance of resources and experiences
33:07 – Concluding thoughts
Notable 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]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Smitty’s Story: From Incarceration to Purpose with Diwaine “Smitty” Smith
04 Feb 2026
00:22:55
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 Healing
Homeboy allows mistakes with support, wellness days, family priorities, and care without fear of punishment.
From Personal Healing to Helping Others
As a Navigator, Smitty leads with empathy, meeting people where they are and asking how he can help.
The Civil Rights Trip’s Profound Impact
Walking in civil rights history reshaped Smitty’s view on nonviolence, resilience, and moving forward.
Mercy as a Teachable Practice
Smitty 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 navigator
00:56 – The jail mentality and Homeboy’s safe haven
02:45 – Smitty’s journey to Homeboy
03:34 – Culinary arts and Bread and Roses
04:24 – The role of a navigator
06:17 – Community organizing and helping others
09:50 – The Civil Rights Trail experience
12:45 – Reflecting on regional differences
13:37 – Impact of Southern history
14:26 – Personal transformation and community
16:49 – Teaching mercy at Homeboy
20:24 – Spiritual journey and personal growth
21:49 – Conclusion and final thoughts
Notable 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]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
The Door Marked Recovery: Grace, Surrender, and the Courage to Be Free with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J.
28 Jan 2026
00:39:49
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 Takeaways
Addiction 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 Patience
Homeboy 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 – Introduction
03:49 – The role of AA and NA
06:16 – Acknowledging and addressing addiction
08:31 – Therapy and alternative coping mechanisms
09:09 – Harm reduction and rehabilitation
12:58 – The concept of tough love
18:44 – Spiritual underpinnings of AA
19:56 – Exploring the spiritual basis of healing
22:53 – Forgiveness and mercy: A deeper dive
23:22 – The historical spread of Christianity
25:51 – The concept of mercy in modern times
36:41 – The importance of resilience and sturdiness
38:23 – Final thoughts on mercy and transformation
Notable 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]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Turning Survival Into Leadership with Miguel Lugo
21 Jan 2026
00:43:22
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 Takeaways
Tattoo Removal as Freedom
Removing gang tattoos was not about jobs. It was about shedding an identity rooted in harm and reclaiming self-ownership.
The Power of the Sidewalk
Many people hesitate before entering Homeboy. Healing often begins outside the door through presence, listening, and trust.
Community Relations = Walking With, Not Watching
Miguel reframes safety as walking with people, not watching them, creating belonging instead of fear.
Spiritual Practice as Survival
Sweat lodge ceremonies in prison offered grounding, humility, and a connection to identity beyond incarceration.
Therapy and the Courage to Ask Why
Healing deepened when Miguel confronted the question of when harming others became acceptable.
From Violence to Buffer
By stepping between conflict and naming people with care, Miguel and his team prevent harm before it escalates.
In This Episode:
00:00 – Introduction
00:25 – Miguel’s journey begins
01:08 – First steps at Homeboy
03:06 – Tattoo removal and transformation
06:01 – Leaving the gang life behind
08:09 – Helping others and building community
18:52 – Navigating challenges and misconceptions
21:39 – Changing lives for a better future
21:59 – Interactions with politicians
24:44 – Building a new home
26:52 – Spiritual journey and sweat lodges
30:42 – Overcoming trauma and finding freedom
38:05 – Passion for classic cars
42:12 – Final reflections and gratitude
Notable 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]]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Brewing Hope: Social Enterprise and Ownership the Homeboy Way with Mike de la Rocha and Jose Arellano (Owners of Tepito Coffee)
14 Jan 2026
00:43:06
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 Takeaways
Mission Meets Market Reality
Running 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 Everything
Predatory 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 Possible
From 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 Patience
Hiring system-impacted staff means embracing setbacks, offering dignity in tough conversations, and always leaving the door open for return.
Cultural Pride Drives Success
Unapologetically 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 Homeboy
05:28 – The birth of Tepito Coffee
15:29 – The struggle for investment and support
21:56 – Building a brand with purpose
23:56 – The spirit of Homeboy: connecting to the earth and each other
24:41 – Training with intentionality: customer service at Tepito Coffee
25:18 – Marketing with pride: embracing Chicano and Indigenous roots
25:45 – Investing in community: long-term returns beyond capitalism
26:23 – Success stories: from barista to business owner
“ 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]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Mission Over Margin: Rethinking Social Enterprise the Homeboy Way with Gayle Northrop and Steve Delgado
07 Jan 2026
00:44:49
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 Takeaways
The 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 Choice
Homeboy runs real businesses in real markets, but mission always leads. Profit serves people, not the other way around.
Social Enterprise Is About Disrupting Systems
True social enterprise challenges who is seen as employable and redefines value in the workforce.
Trauma-Informed Workplaces Require Structure, Not Slogans
Being trauma-informed means building roles, teams, and systems that support healing, not just good intentions.
Investment in People Is the Hard Work
Raising 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 enterprises
03:00 – Homeboy’s unique approach to social enterprise
06:59 – Balancing mission and margin
18:27 – Trauma-informed workplaces
23:18 – Healing-centric workforce development
24:14 – The challenges of homegrown leadership
25:41 – Investing in internal talent
30:42 – The realities of running a social enterprise
34:42 – Breaking conventional business wisdom
42:00 – Supporting upward mobility through education and opportunity
44:20 – Closing reflections and future conversations
Notable 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]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Radical Kinship and Transformation Explained by Hector Verdugo and Jose Arellano
31 Dec 2025
00:48:57
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 Takeaways
Love Comes First, Transformation Follows
Hector 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 Truth
Creative 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 Practice
Accepting, investing, showing up, and staying committed even when it’s messy is the heart of the Homeboy way.
Reimagining Love After Trauma
Both 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 Classroom
From 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 – Introduction
00:42 – Hector’s arrival at Homeboy and his turning point
08:10 – Jose’s near-life sentence, grief, and search for change
12:27 – The mystical invitation that led Jose to Homeboy
14:39 – Early resistance, fear, and learning to receive kindness
17:55 – Childhood wounds resurfacing through creative writing
23:11 – Falling in love with Homeboy’s culture of healing
31:28 – Defining “the homeboy way”
34:57 – Radical kinship and why transformation starts within
35:48 – Snorkeling stories and facing a hammerhead shark
43:56 – Why nature transforms the homies
47:35 – Closing reflections on love, vulnerability, and kinship
Notable 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]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
The Homeboy Stories that Touched Our Hearts with Shirley Torres and Hector Verdugo
24 Dec 2025
00:26:03
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 Sauce
Transformation at Homeboy is never a one-way street. It is a reciprocal relationship.
Kinship, Not Curriculum, Creates Transformation
Love, not lectures, is what shifts shame, fear, or survival instincts into openness and trust.
Judgment Doesn’t Grow People; Gentleness Does
A butchered tree still grows back; sometimes the most important thing is simply letting go.
Love That Shows Up Unasked
When someone calls from federal prison to comfort you in grief, that’s God in work boots.
Mutual Healing Is the Secret Sauce
No one here is “saving” anyone; everyone is being changed, challenged, raised, and restored.
In This Episode:
00:00 – Introduction
00:29 – The power of stories
01:37 – Joanna: anger, armor, and the road to law school
03:39 – Parole, board meetings, and unseen burdens
05:14 – Humor, respect, and breaking the ice
07:32 – Mutual raising in community
09:20 – Shirley’s story coming to Homeboy as a kid
10:52 – Loss, grief, and the surprise phone call that healed
13:05 – Unconditional love within the Homeboy culture
13:53 – Luis "Coloso," Butchered Trees, and Letting Go of Control
16:38 – Addiction, mental health, and spiritual bypassing
18:07 – Angelo: from hoodie to hope
20:11 – How do you measure transformation without metrics?
23:51 – Choosing compassion when someone is “difficult”
24:57 – Times Square, armor, and becoming nine again
25:48 – Closing reflections on patience and second chances
Notable 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]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
God Shows Up: Spiritual Awakenings From the Homeboy Community with Fabian Debora, Sergio Basterrechea, and Jose Arellano
17 Dec 2025
00:45:58
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 Takeaways
A God Who Sustains, Not Punishes
Rather 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 Practice
Stillness, 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 God
Homeboy 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 Grace
Rather 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 Life
From 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 – Introduction
02:42 – Jose’s spiritual awakening in isolation
09:14 – Fabian’s journey from childhood to awakening
14:39 – Sergio’s early prayers and spiritual awakening
18:18 – Reflections on suffering and God’s presence
25:55 – Evolving faith and deepening spiritual insights
27:02 – Daily practices for spiritual strength
28:01 – Living prayerfully and mindfully
29:16 – The power of gratitude
32:19 – Faith in action through community and service
33:34 – Forgiveness, mercy, and healing
40:55 – Finding joy in life, family, and transformation
Notable 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]
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Why We're Wrong About "Good" and "Bad" with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J.
10 Dec 2025
00:16:13
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 Takeaways
Real 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 Way
00:44 – Why the "good vs. bad people" myth prevents progress
02:16 – The L.A. County Jail as the world's largest mental institution
03:00 – The difference between explaining behavior and excusing it
04:10 – 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 future
09:37 – Re-interpreting biblical concepts of demons and evil through a modern lens
12:30 – Generational and cultural differences in language (The Pope, the Devil, and Satan)
15:27 – Finding heaven in the present moment through kinship
Notable 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)
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
From Reviled to Revered: Homeboy's Unlikely Journey into the Heart of LA with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J.
03 Dec 2025
00:22:32
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 Takeaways
Real 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 Way
00:41 – The government's role: good intentions, slow execution
02:03 – Homeboy's journey from "reviled to revered"
02:54 – The challenge of partnering with bureaucracy
05:25 – Resisting funding to protect mission purity
08:49 – The problem of the "outsider view" in policy design
11:21 – Addressing the "lethal absence of hope"
13:28 – Evolving relationships with police and sheriff departments
17:40 – The surprising benefits of youth probation camps
21:46 – Conclusion: belief in second chances
Notable 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)
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
The Hidden Forces Shaping Health, Justice, and Hope with Dr. Robert K. Ross
26 Nov 2025
00:42:02
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 Takeaways
Real 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. Ross
01:03 – Dr. Robert K. Ross from pediatrician to philanthropy
02:00 – The impact of crack cocaine on communities
03:37 – A family story that shifted everything
05:08 – Transition to public health and philanthropy
09:51 – Challenges and lessons in philanthropy
16:27 – The broader view of health and community
21:07 – Government’s role in community policy
21:47 – The power of stories and data
22:15 – School discipline and health
24:12 – Campaigning for change with Schools Not Prisons
26:08 – Supporting Homeboy Industries
29:07 – Challenges and lessons in funding
37:52 – Faith and philanthropy
41:08 – Conclusion and gratitude
Notable 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)
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
The Homeboy Model of Whole-Person Healing with Fajima Bedran and Shirley Torres
19 Nov 2025
00:34:19
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 Takeaways
The Community is the Clinic
Where 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 Behavior
Systems 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 care
03:40 – Mental health counseling the Homeboy way
07:36 – Building a therapeutic community
15:44 – Post-pandemic challenges and psychiatric care
19:14 – Dancing, joy, and the power of community
22:06 – Father Greg’s philosophy and trauma-informed leadership
27:01 – What “trauma-informed” means at Homeboy
30:31 – Staying hopeful amid pain and transformation
Notable 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 Guests
Shirley 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.
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
Understanding Trauma and Healing From the Lens of Homeboy with Frank Anderson, MD
12 Nov 2025
00:40:29
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 – Introduction
00:39 – Why trauma is at the center of healing
02:27 – Dr. Anderson’s journey from psychiatrist to healer
06:42 – What is trauma, really?
08:47 – Understanding complex trauma
11:41 – Why mental health therapy works and when it doesn’t
14:47 – The power of positive regard and compassion
16:09 – The role of forgiveness in healing
19:44 – How to release pain and rewire the brain
22:58 – Love and connection as tools for recovery
25:59 – How Dr. Anderson connected with Homeboy
28:09 – Why spirituality matters in healing
33:18 – Trauma in leadership and corporate life
37:23 – How love transcends fear and violence
39:30 – Final reflections
Notable 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)