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] 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
