The Homeboy Way

The Homeboy Way
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The Homeboy Way Podcast invites listeners into stories of healing, kinship, and transformation. Hosted by Tom Vozzo, former longtime CEO of Homeboy Industries, alongside Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., and illuminating guests, the show explores what happens when people are seen, cherished, and given space to heal.   The Homeboy team will talk about trauma, redemption, social justice, faith, and business efforts that foster healing, but more than anything, we talk about belonging and what happens when you meet people where they're at. The Homeboy Way, a movement of radical kinship.

  1. What Actually Heals People? Inside Homeboy’s Trauma-Informed Approach with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., Shirley Torres, Fajima Bedran, and Dr. Frank Anderson

    11 HR AGO

    What Actually Heals People? Inside Homeboy’s Trauma-Informed Approach with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., Shirley Torres, Fajima Bedran, and Dr. Frank Anderson

    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] Resources and Links Homeboy Industries https://homeboyindustries.org/ https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videos Donate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/ Homeboy Media  https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/ Fr. Greg Boyle linkedin.com/in/greg-boyle-s-j-05458514 Dr. Frank Anderson https://www.frankandersonmd.com/ Shirley Torres  linkedin.com/in/shirley-torres-1a9516a2 Thomas Vozzo https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzo The Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456X Credits: Hosted by: Tom Vozzo Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

    46 min
  2. Dr. Bill Resnick on Mindfulness, Healing and Showing up at Homeboy Industries

    13 MAY

    Dr. Bill Resnick on Mindfulness, Healing and Showing up at Homeboy Industries

    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] Resources and Links Homeboy Industries https://homeboyindustries.org/ https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videos Donate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/ Homeboy Media  https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/ Dr. Bill Resnick https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-resnick-03a5135/ Thomas Vozzo https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzo The Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456X Credits: Hosted by: Tom Vozzo Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

    41 min
  3. She Had "Forever Broken" Tattooed on Her Chest. Homeboy Changed That with Angel Rodriguez, Dyamond Watts, and Vianka Villagomez

    6 MAY

    She Had "Forever Broken" Tattooed on Her Chest. Homeboy Changed That with Angel Rodriguez, Dyamond Watts, and Vianka Villagomez

    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] Resources and Links Homeboy Industries https://homeboyindustries.org/ https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videos Donate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/ Homeboy Media  https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/ Vianka Villagomez https://www.facebook.com/vianka827/ Dyamond Watts https://www.instagram.com/therealqueenofcompton/ Thomas Vozzo https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzo The Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456X Credits: Hosted by: Tom Vozzo Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

    46 min
  4. Pushed Out, Not Dropped Out: The Truth About Youth, Gangs, and Second Chances with Maria Flores and Gabriel Lopez

    29 APR

    Pushed Out, Not Dropped Out: The Truth About Youth, Gangs, and Second Chances with Maria Flores and Gabriel Lopez

    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] Resources and Links Homeboy Industries https://homeboyindustries.org/ https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videos Donate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/ Homeboy Media  https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/ Thomas Vozzo https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzo The Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456X Credits: Hosted by: Tom Vozzo Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

    46 min
  5. The Power of Unrestricted Giving: How Melanie Lundquist Has Supported Homeboy for Over a Decade

    22 APR

    The Power of Unrestricted Giving: How Melanie Lundquist Has Supported Homeboy for Over a Decade

    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] Resources and Links Homeboy Industries https://homeboyindustries.org/ https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videos Donate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/ Homeboy Media  https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/ Melanie  Lundquist https://www.givingpledge.org/ Thomas Vozzo https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzo The Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456X Credits: Hosted by: Tom Vozzo Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

    40 min
  6. From Rehab to Head Barista: Jose Leon’s Homeboy Transformation

    15 APR

    From Rehab to Head Barista: Jose Leon’s Homeboy Transformation

    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] “I had to unlearn everything.” — Jose [09:07] Resources and Links Homeboy Industries https://homeboyindustries.org/ https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videos Donate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/ Homeboy Media  https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/ Jose Leon linkedin.com/in/jleon77 Thomas Vozzo https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzo The Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456X Credits: Hosted by: Tom Vozzo Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

    27 min
  7. From Hollywood to the Homeboy Board: Camilla Belle Shares Her Story

    8 APR

    From Hollywood to the Homeboy Board: Camilla Belle Shares Her Story

    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] Resources and Links Homeboy Industries https://homeboyindustries.org/ https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videos Donate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/ Homeboy Media  https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/ Camilla Belle https://www.instagram.com/camillabelle/ Thomas Vozzo https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzo The Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456X Credits: Hosted by: Tom Vozzo Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

    28 min
  8. Breaking Cycles: A Mother's Fight for Change and a Son's Path to Recovery with Natalie Venegas and Daniel Aguilar

    1 APR

    Breaking Cycles: A Mother's Fight for Change and a Son's Path to Recovery with Natalie Venegas and Daniel Aguilar

    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] Resources and Links Homeboy Industries https://homeboyindustries.org/ https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videos Donate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/ Homeboy Media  https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/ Natalie Venegas https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-venegas-1327b0a3/ Hector Verdugo https://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-verdugo-7297a684 Thomas Vozzo https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzo The Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456X Credits: Hosted by: Tom Vozzo Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media

    38 min
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The Homeboy Way Podcast invites listeners into stories of healing, kinship, and transformation. Hosted by Tom Vozzo, former longtime CEO of Homeboy Industries, alongside Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., and illuminating guests, the show explores what happens when people are seen, cherished, and given space to heal.   The Homeboy team will talk about trauma, redemption, social justice, faith, and business efforts that foster healing, but more than anything, we talk about belonging and what happens when you meet people where they're at. The Homeboy Way, a movement of radical kinship.

Information

  • Creator
    The Homeboy Way
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Homeboy Way
  • Show Website
    The Homeboy Way

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