The Homeboy Way

The Homeboy Way
  • 4.9 (55)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. Jane Fonda on Why The Homeboy Way Matters Now

    1D AGO

    Jane Fonda on Why The Homeboy Way Matters Now

    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]  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/ Jane Fonda https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-fonda-2408b4302/ 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

    35 min
  2. Healing Through Art at the Homeboy Art Academy with Fabian Debora and Barbara Fant

    MAR 4

    Healing Through Art at the Homeboy Art Academy with Fabian Debora and Barbara Fant

    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]  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/ Barbara  Fant https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-fant-mfa-8114b633/ https://homeboyindustries.org/services/art-academy/ Fabian Debora https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabian-debora-886279a/ https://homeboyindustries.org/services/art-academy/ 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

    37 min
  3. We All Belong Here: Pete Holmes on Comedy, Wounds, and Cherished Belonging

    FEB 25

    We All Belong Here: Pete Holmes on Comedy, Wounds, and Cherished Belonging

    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] 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/ Pete Holmes https://peteholmes.com/ https://www.youtube.com/user/peteholmes 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

    59 min
  4. Fr. Richard Rohr: Everyday Wisdom From a Master Theologian

    FEB 18

    Fr. Richard Rohr: Everyday Wisdom From a Master Theologian

    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) 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. Richard Rohr https://cac.org/about/cac-faculty/cac-founder-richard-rohr/ https://cac.org/ Daily Meditations: https://cac.org/daily-meditations/ Books: "The Universal Christ," "Falling Upward," "The Wisdom Pattern," and his latest discussed, "The Tears of Things. Thomas 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
  5. A Lifetime of Perspective on Gangs, Policing, and Poverty with Hector Verdugo and Stephanie Lane

    FEB 11

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

    FEB 4

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

    JAN 28

    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
  8. Turning Survival Into Leadership with Miguel Lugo

    JAN 21

    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
See All (27)

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
55 Ratings

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
    27
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Homeboy Way
  • Show Website
    The Homeboy Way

You Might Also Like