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. A Lifetime of Perspective on Gangs, Policing, and Poverty with Hector Verdugo and Stephanie Lane

    5 DAYS AGO

    A Lifetime of Perspective on Gangs, Policing, and Poverty with Hector Verdugo and Stephanie Lane

    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] 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/ Stephanie Lane https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-lane-757052284/ 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

    34 min
  2. Smitty’s Story: From Incarceration to Purpose with Diwaine “Smitty” Smith

    4 FEB

    Smitty’s Story: From Incarceration to Purpose with Diwaine “Smitty” Smith

    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] 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

    23 min
  3. The Door Marked Recovery: Grace, Surrender, and the Courage to Be Free with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J.

    28 JAN

    The Door Marked Recovery: Grace, Surrender, and the Courage to Be Free with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J.

    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] 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. S. J linkedin.com/in/greg-boyle-s-j-05458514 Books: Tattoos on the Heart, Barking to the Choir, The Whole Language 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
  4. Turning Survival Into Leadership with Miguel Lugo

    21 JAN

    Turning Survival Into Leadership with Miguel Lugo

    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]] 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/ Miguel Lugo https://homeboyindustries.org/transformation_story/miguel-lugo-2/ 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

    43 min
  5. Brewing Hope: Social Enterprise and Ownership the Homeboy Way with Mike de la Rocha and Jose Arellano (Owners of Tepito Coffee)

    14 JAN

    Brewing Hope: Social Enterprise and Ownership the Homeboy Way with Mike de la Rocha and Jose Arellano (Owners of Tepito Coffee)

    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 28:48 – Balancing accountability and compassion 41:13 – Future growth: expanding Tepito Coffee's impact Notable Quotes “ If you have a good product and an authentic story and be unapologetically yourself, you can create a good brand identity and community.” — Mike [06:25] “ I've always been clear studying Homeboy Industries, that the future is in social entrepreneurship.”— Mike [07:51] “ First, you gotta know how to run a business. Then you can decide how to make it a social enterprise.” — Tom [19:15] “ I felt not just rescued by Homeboy, but actually like I felt swooped up by God.” — Jose [38:03] Resources and 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/ Tepito Coffee Visit: 695 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA Online: https://www.tepitocoffee.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tepitocoffee/ Mike de la Rocha linkedin.com/in/mrmikedelarocha https://www.revolveimpact.com/ Jose Arellano linkedin.com/in/jose-arellano-001966a0 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

    43 min
  6. Mission Over Margin: Rethinking Social Enterprise the Homeboy Way with Gayle Northrop and Steve Delgado

    7 JAN

    Mission Over Margin: Rethinking Social Enterprise the Homeboy Way with Gayle Northrop and Steve Delgado

    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] 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/ Gayle Northrop https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaylenorthrop/ Steve Delgado https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-delgado-9222523/ 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

    45 min
  7. Radical Kinship and Transformation Explained by Hector Verdugo and Jose Arellano

    31/12/2025

    Radical Kinship and Transformation Explained by Hector Verdugo and Jose Arellano

    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] 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/ Hector Verdugo https://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-verdugo-7297a684 Jose Arellano https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-arellano-001966a0 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

    49 min
  8. The Homeboy Stories that Touched Our Hearts with Shirley Torres and Hector Verdugo

    24/12/2025

    The Homeboy Stories that Touched Our Hearts with Shirley Torres and Hector Verdugo

    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] 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/ Hector Verdugo https://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-verdugo-7297a684 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

    26 min
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About

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
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Homeboy Way
  • Show Website
    The Homeboy Way

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