The Homeboy Way

The Homeboy Way
  • 4.9 (47)
  • 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. The Homeboy Stories that Touched Our Hearts with Shirley Torres and Hector Verdugo

    6D AGO

    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
  2. God Shows Up: Spiritual Awakenings From the Homeboy Community with Fabian Debora, Sergio Basterrechea, and Jose Arellano

    DEC 17

    God Shows Up: Spiritual Awakenings From the Homeboy Community with Fabian Debora, Sergio Basterrechea, and Jose Arellano

    In this episode, former Homeboy Industries CEO Tom Vozzo sits down with three powerful voices from the Homeboy community: Fabian, Sergio, and Jose. Together, they explore what it truly means to awaken spiritually, especially in the middle of suffering, trauma, addiction, incarceration, and generational pain. While Homeboy is often celebrated for its job programs and re-entry success, the real transformation happens in the unseen places: a prison cell, a childhood memory, a moment of collapse, or in the quiet stillness of a 4:00 a.m. prayer. Fabian, Sergio, and Jose each share how faith emerged not instead of suffering but through it in addiction, violence, poverty, regret, and loss, forming the bedrock of their healing. Their stories challenge the idea of a God who punishes, opening up a more spacious, merciful vision of a God who sustains, accompanies, and restores. They also discuss how spiritual grounding becomes a daily practice of surrender, gratitude, contemplation, and showing up for others, because as they remind us, every word, every step, and every action is a prayer. Key Takeaways A God Who Sustains, Not Punishes Rather than a God who protects us from pain, they speak of a God who walks with us through it, offering mercy, companionship, and unexpected grace. Spirituality Is a Daily Practice Stillness, early morning readings, gratitude lists, sweat lodge wisdom, and Homeboy’s contemplative culture shape their spiritual lives into something lived, not talked about. Community as Evidence of God Homeboy itself becomes a sacred space: laughter in the hallways, a hug in the right moment, a homie getting his first apartment. Transformation happens together. Forgiveness Evolves Into Mercy and Grace Rather than a transactional I forgive you, they learned to offer mercy: Welcome back. Come here. You are home. That same mercy becomes a template for how they see themselves. Joy Is the Fruit of a Healed Life From seeing their children thrive to watching homies grow into their purpose, joy shows up as a quiet anchor, a reminder of how far they have come. In This Episode: 00:00 – Introduction 02:42 – Jose’s spiritual awakening in isolation 09:14 – Fabian’s journey from childhood to awakening 14:39 – Sergio’s early prayers and spiritual awakening 18:18 – Reflections on suffering and God’s presence 25:55 – Evolving faith and deepening spiritual insights 27:02 – Daily practices for spiritual strength 28:01 – Living prayerfully and mindfully 29:16 – The power of gratitude 32:19 – Faith in action through community and service 33:34 – Forgiveness, mercy, and healing 40:55 – Finding joy in life, family, and transformation Notable Quotes "If God saw me through that freeway incident, what can He not see me through now?" — Fabian [13:07] “Every step you take is a prayer. Every word you utter is a prayer. Every action is a prayer.” —Jose [28:25] “God protects us from nothing but sustains us in all things.” — Sergio [26:05] “ With Father Greg, he never said, I forgive you. He said, "Welcome back.” — Sergio [35:40] 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/ Fabian Debora https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabian-debora-886279a/ Sergio Basterrechea https://www.instagram.com/sergiobasterrechea/?hl=en https://www.godspantry.org/ 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

    46 min
  3. Why We're Wrong About "Good" and "Bad" with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J.

    DEC 10

    Why We're Wrong About "Good" and "Bad" with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J.

    In today’s episode of The Homeboy Way, Tom Vozzo and Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J. delve into the hidden weight of the labels society places on people. They revisit pivotal moments in Homeboy’s history, recalling times when homies were swiftly branded as “bad” or “evil,” and how those judgments shaped everything that came after. Through these reflections, Father Greg illustrates how behaviors rooted in trauma, addiction, or mental illness are often misread as fixed character traits, creating barriers that keep individuals shut out from opportunity, understanding, and compassion. Tom presses into these memories, asking why the world is so quick to judge and so slow to understand. Father Greg reflects on what decades at Homeboy have made unmistakably clear: people act from pain long before they act from choice, and when we reduce them to their worst moments, we lose sight of the human being still trying to surface beneath it all. Together, they explore how demonizing language stalls progress, why accountability needs compassion to truly work, and how healing begins when we stop treating people as categories and start meeting them as individuals. Key Takeaways Real transformation begins with how we see people. Father Greg makes it clear that the moment we divide the world into good and bad, we lose the ability to create solutions. Healing only happens when we refuse to label and instead look underneath the behavior to the wounds, trauma, and mental health struggles that shaped it. Goodness is always present, even when it is buried.  At Homeboy, people learn to reclaim their dignity because the community holds up a mirror that says you are noble, you are worthy, you belong. When people access that truth, violent behavior evaporates because they stop living from fear and start living from their inherent goodness. Health replaces judgment.  Instead of asking who is bad or who is evil, the better question is who is hurting and how can we help them heal. Father Greg shows that demonizing language ends conversation, but curiosity opens a path toward understanding. In This Episode: 00:00 – Introduction to The Homeboy Way 00:44 – Why the "good vs. bad people" myth prevents progress 02:16 – The L.A. County Jail as the world's largest mental institution 03:00 – The difference between explaining behavior and excusing it 04:10 – Moving from "good vs. bad cops" to "healthy vs. unhealthy cops" 06:17 – Why Father Greg doesn't believe in "evil" 08:18 – How the label "pure evil" almost cost a man his future 09:37 – Re-interpreting biblical concepts of demons and evil through a modern lens 12:30 – Generational and cultural differences in language (The Pope, the Devil, and Satan) 15:27 – Finding heaven in the present moment through kinship Notable Quotes "As long as you think that there are good people and bad people, then we're stuck in the mud. It's why we don't make progress." — Fr. Greg (00:51) "Everybody is unshakably good and that we belong to each other." —Fr. Greg (01:03) "The minute you call it evil, it ends all discussion.."— Fr. Greg (07:33) 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/ Father Greg Boyle https://www.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

    16 min
  4. From Reviled to Revered: Homeboy's Unlikely Journey into the Heart of LA with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J.

    DEC 3

    From Reviled to Revered: Homeboy's Unlikely Journey into the Heart of LA with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J.

    In this episode of The Homeboy Way, Tom Vozzo sits down with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., the founder of Homeboy Industries, to unpack Homeboy Industries’ long and complicated relationship with government agencies. Fr. Greg reflects on how Homeboy went from reviled to revered, yet still receives little public funding, while Tom recalls early encounters with officials who believed they could do Homeboy’s work better inside the system, unaware of the heart and humanity that drive the mission. Together, they explore why bureaucracy often gets in its own way, shaped by outsider assumptions, political pressure, and a focus on legacy over real impact. They describe shifting relationships with law enforcement, moments of meaningful partnership, and the ongoing struggle to secure support without compromising mission or purity of purpose. This episode reminds us that hope, community wisdom, and authentic relationships, not top-down policies, are what truly transform lives. Key Takeaways Real change begins with listening to the people on the ground. Policy fails when it’s shaped by outsiders who never ask communities what actually works. Real solutions come from those closest to the struggle. Hope moves people more than punishment ever will. Longer sentences and tougher policing do not stop violence. Homeboy shows that transformation starts when people believe they have a future. Staying true to the mission matters. Homeboy refused to reshape its identity to fit government requirements. Protecting the integrity of their work mattered more than chasing funding. Humility from leaders creates space for real progress. The most impactful officials were the ones willing to listen, ask questions, and admit they didn’t have all the answers. Community programs outperform forced systems. Government agencies often claim they can do the work better, especially in jails, but voluntary healing at Homeboy is far more effective than captive-audience programs. Mental health is the deeper crisis. Rising violence in detention centers points to untreated emotional wounds intensified by trauma, isolation, and the pandemic. In This Episode: 00:00 – Introduction to The Homeboy Way 00:41 – The government's role: good intentions, slow execution 02:03 – Homeboy's journey from "reviled to revered" 02:54 – The challenge of partnering with bureaucracy 05:25 – Resisting funding to protect mission purity 08:49 – The problem of the "outsider view" in policy design 11:21 – Addressing the "lethal absence of hope" 13:28 – Evolving relationships with police and sheriff departments 17:40 – The surprising benefits of youth probation camps 21:46 – Conclusion: belief in second chances Notable Quotes "We won't become who you want us to become. We think we know what we're doing. Fund what we're doing, or don't." — Fr. Greg (08:20) "We went from reviled to revered. It really was quick." —Fr. Greg (01:49) "We're not that concerned about legacy. And every elected official is concerned about legacy."— Fr. Greg (04:06) "Rather than say, let's stop the violence, Homeboy says, wait, the violence is about a lethal absence of hope. Let's address the despair."— Fr. Greg (10:31) "Mental health is the defining health issue of our time." — Fr. Greg (20:13) 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/ Father Greg Boyle https://www.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

    23 min
  5. The Hidden Forces Shaping Health, Justice, and Hope with Dr. Robert K. Ross

    NOV 26

    The Hidden Forces Shaping Health, Justice, and Hope with Dr. Robert K. Ross

    In this episode of The Homeboy Way, Tom Vozzo sits down with Dr. Robert K. Ross, former CEO of The California Endowment, for a powerful conversation about healing, justice, and what it means to truly see people living at the margins. Reflecting on decades as a pediatrician, public health leader, and philanthropic executive, Dr. Ross revisits the moments that shaped his path from the crack epidemic of the 1980s to the rise of public health as a movement to the day the Homeboy way reshaped how he understood philanthropy. Through vivid stories, he explains why foundations must stop fixing communities and start listening to them. He shares how Homeboy helped him move from research-driven decision-making to a more human, moral, and spiritually grounded approach. Tom and Dr. Ross explore how policy shifts when data meets lived experience, why the government keeps missing the mark, and what real support for marginalized leaders requires. Key Takeaways Real community change starts with seeing beyond individual problems. Dr. Ross’ journey shows that healing must shift from clinical care to addressing the deeper forces that shape people’s lives. Poverty, violence, addiction, and trauma are not isolated issues but interconnected conditions that require a wider lens. Social determinants must guide every decision. Health is shaped by safety, opportunity, environment, and dignity. The example of women walking in cemeteries for safety makes clear that neighborhoods influence wellness more than medical systems do. Policy and funding must prioritize these realities. Philanthropy works best when it listens. Dr. Ross learned to move from top-down decision-making to partnership. Communities hold wisdom born from lived experience, and real change happens when that wisdom shapes programs, funding, and strategy. Grants carry strategic, moral, and spiritual purposes. They support services, challenge unjust systems, and affirm the humanity of those served. When philanthropy sees people rather than problems, the work becomes deeper, more honest, and more transformative. Invest in Infrastructure, Not Just Mission. For charismatic, mission-driven organizations to endure, funders must also support the operational and business-side capacity building. In This Episode: 00:00 – Opening and introduction to Dr. Robert K. Ross 01:03 – Dr. Robert K. Ross from pediatrician to philanthropy 02:00 – The impact of crack cocaine on communities 03:37 – A family story that shifted everything 05:08 – Transition to public health and philanthropy 09:51 – Challenges and lessons in philanthropy 16:27 – The broader view of health and community 21:07 – Government’s role in community policy 21:47 – The power of stories and data 22:15 – School discipline and health 24:12 – Campaigning for change with Schools Not Prisons 26:08 – Supporting Homeboy Industries 29:07 – Challenges and lessons in funding 37:52 – Faith and philanthropy 41:08 – Conclusion and gratitude Notable Quotes "I wanted to be a healer for a community and not just a patient." — Dr. Ross (05:41) "No numbers without stories. No stories without numbers."—Dr. Ross (21:44) "Poor people pray hard."— Dr. Ross (39:48) “We see you, we hear your story, your pain, your trauma, your hopes and dreams.”Dr. Ross (13:34) "I’ve always been attracted by the power of listening and humility" — Dr. Ross (27:41) 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. Robert K. Ross https://www.calendow.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

    42 min
  6. The Homeboy Model of Whole-Person Healing with Fajima Bedran and Shirley Torres

    NOV 19

    The Homeboy Model of Whole-Person Healing with Fajima Bedran and Shirley Torres

    In this episode, Homeboy Industries Co-CEO Shirley Torres and longtime Clinical Director Fajima Bedran join Tom Vozzo, former CEO of Homeboy Industries, to discuss what truly transforms lives: healing. While Homeboy is widely known for its job programs and re-entry success stories, Father Greg Boyle recognized years ago that the real work lies in healing trauma. Each trainee has endured layers of pain, childhood abuse, foster care, incarceration, addiction, and the mission is not just to ease their misery but to help them become whole. Shirley, Fajima, and Tom explain that healing at Homeboy extends beyond therapy rooms and happens in hallways, morning meetings, and even on the dance floor. Therapy is integrated into everyday life, with community-based counseling and cutting-edge modalities like EMDR and neurofeedback. Through stories of transformation, Shirley and Fajima illustrate how Homeboy’s therapeutic community fosters joy, suffering, and, most importantly, belonging, which they believe is the first and most essential form of medicine. Key Takeaways The Community is the Clinic Where traditional therapy can be sterile, Homeboy’s healing is woven into its fabric through a tap on the shoulder, a shared dance, or a repaired relationship. This community builds the trust necessary for deep clinical work. Healing the Wound, Not Just the Behavior Systems often focus on changing behavior. Homeboy’s model digs deeper to address the underlying complex trauma and pain, the why behind the behavior, so people can stop transmitting their pain. From "Fixing" to "Accompanying" The goal is not to "save" people, but to walk with them, repair ruptures, and hold the door open. As Shirley says, the staff are "hope in the flesh," living testaments that transformation is possible. In This Episode: 03:21 – Whole-person healing and cultural roots of care 03:40 – Mental health counseling the Homeboy way 07:36 – Building a therapeutic community 15:44 – Post-pandemic challenges and psychiatric care 19:14 – Dancing, joy, and the power of community 22:06 – Father Greg’s philosophy and trauma-informed leadership 27:01 – What “trauma-informed” means at Homeboy 30:31 – Staying hopeful amid pain and transformation Notable Quotes “We stand with people and we invest in them fully. That means making sure we don't surrender to people just being less miserable.” — Shirley [01:52] “It's the sessions plus the community. That's what makes way for when people are in front of us when they get into therapy.” — Fajima [06:54] “Joy and suffering coexist. There's that spaciousness. And I think that's such an important belief people love.” — Shirley [19:39] “We're not saving people. You're also saving yourself. And we're in this together.” — Fajima [27:23] About Our Guests Shirley Torres is the Co-CEO of Homeboy Industries, a role she stepped into after over two decades of leading and architecting its programmatic and healing services. She is a driving force behind the organization's trauma-informed culture and its focus on whole-person transformation. Fajima Bedran is the Director of Mental Health at Homeboy Industries, a licensed clinician who has been with the organization for 20 years. She has been instrumental in integrating advanced, evidence-based clinical practices like EMDR and neurofeedback to address complex trauma within the Homeboy community. 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/ Shirley Torres http://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

    34 min
  7. Understanding Trauma and Healing From the Lens of Homeboy with Frank Anderson, MD

    NOV 12

    Understanding Trauma and Healing From the Lens of Homeboy with Frank Anderson, MD

    Dr. Frank Anderson shares the science of healing and how it connects to the Homeboy way of kinship. Dr. Frank Anderson, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, trauma expert, and best-selling author, breaks down the science and spirituality of trauma healing and how it connects to the work of Homeboy Industries. We discuss why trauma is externally defined while PTSD is a personal response, the difference between single-event trauma and complex trauma, and how healing requires corrective experiences, community, and patience, and why forgiveness should follow healing, not precede it. Dr. Anderson shares why spirituality (not organized religion) is vital for healing, why premature forgiveness can be harmful, and how leaders themselves must confront their own trauma to create workplaces where people thrive. Together, we explore how Homeboy Industries is modeling a trauma-informed approach to community transformation, and why this model can ripple into corporate spaces, executive leadership, and beyond. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The neuroscience of trauma and why love is the most powerful healing agent. Why forgiveness should follow healing, not precede it. How both victim and perpetrator roles live inside us, and why acknowledging this duality is essential. How trauma-informed workplaces increase productivity, belonging, and engagement. Why Homeboy Industries’ holistic approach offers a blueprint for rethinking therapy, reentry, and leadership. In This Episode: 00:00 – Introduction 00:39 – Why trauma is at the center of healing 02:27 – Dr. Anderson’s journey from psychiatrist to healer 06:42 – What is trauma, really? 08:47 – Understanding complex trauma 11:41 – Why mental health therapy works and when it doesn’t 14:47 – The power of positive regard and compassion 16:09 – The role of forgiveness in healing 19:44 – How to release pain and rewire the brain 22:58 – Love and connection as tools for recovery 25:59 – How Dr. Anderson connected with Homeboy 28:09 – Why spirituality matters in healing 33:18 – Trauma in leadership and corporate life 37:23 – How love transcends fear and violence 39:30 – Final reflections Notable Quotes "Trauma blocks who we are. And so a lot of clearing and healing in order to be able to kind of step into that position." — Frank Anderson (06:32) "Complex trauma is relational trauma. It's trauma that happens relationally." — Frank Anderson (08:47) "The mental health field has this: you're bad, you're broken. You need to be fixed mentality." — Frank Anderson (13:35) "Trauma blocks love, Love heals trauma." — Frank Anderson (23:14) "Love supersedes violence and fear. It's gotta be elevated because trauma is about fear and being violated." — Frank Anderson (37:23) 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/ Frank Anderson, MD https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-anderson-654b1836/ https://www.frankandersonmd.com/ 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. Why Love, Not Judgment, is the First Step to Recovery with Fabian Debora, Jose Arellano, and Inez Salcido

    NOV 5

    Why Love, Not Judgment, is the First Step to Recovery with Fabian Debora, Jose Arellano, and Inez Salcido

    In this episode of The Homeboy Way, Tom Vozzo sits down with Fabian Debora, Inez Salcido, and Jose Arellano to explore what recovery truly means at Homeboy Industries. Fabian reflects on his personal journey with addiction, while Inez shares how her team prioritizes stabilizing housing and relationships before addressing substance use. Jose discusses how Homeboy’s strength lies in trust, which guides individuals toward help they may not yet believe they deserve. At Homeboy, recovery is about more than just overcoming addiction; it's about seeing the person behind the pain and offering hope. This episode reminds us that transformation is possible when we walk together, believing in each other’s potential. Key Takeaways Recovery starts with compassion, not control. Healing begins by meeting people where they are, focusing on stability, safety, and community before anything else. Compassion creates trust, which is the foundation for healing. Addiction is a disease, not a defect. Substance abuse often stems from deep trauma, and recognizing it as a disease helps foster empathy rather than shame, allowing for a more holistic view of the person. Suffering leads to surrender. Real recovery often begins when control is lost, and surrender happens in the midst of pain and rock-bottom moments. Faith and healing are born from this surrender. Recovery is a way of life. Recovery is an ongoing choice to live with honesty and purpose, using tools like the 12 Steps to rebuild life, not just abstaining from substances. "Spoonfeed" recovery; don't force it. Recovery should be presented as an inviting choice, empowering individuals to take ownership of their journey, rather than feeling punished or coerced. Love never gives up. At Homeboy, relapse or failure doesn’t mean giving up on someone. The team welcomes people back with patience and hope, believing that every setback is part of the journey forward. In This Episode: 00:00 – Introduction to Homeboy Industries 00:29 – Demystifying AA and NA 01:30 – Challenges of substance abuse 02:16 – Approaches to recovery 03:19 – Personal stories of addiction 05:29 – Building trust and relationships 12:39 – The role of rehab and medication 19:01 – Spirituality in recovery 26:48 – Living the 12 Steps every day 31:39 – The importance of community support 33:17 – Understanding harm reduction 42:14 – Debating marijuana as a gateway drug 47:56 – Concluding thoughts on recovery and support Notable Quotes "When you try to push someone and force someone into recovery or rehab, immediately you can lose the battle there." — Fabian (08:18) "Recovery is a lifestyle. It's not just let me go to rehab. I'm good for now. We got to learn this new way of life." — Inez (12:48) “We have more access to controlled substances than we ever have. I think big pharma has contributed to that." — Jose (02:00) 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/ Fabian Debora linkedin.com/in/fabian-debora-886279a Jose Arellano https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-arellano-001966a0/ Thomas Vozzo https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzo Additional Resources Alcoholics Anonymous Narcotics Anonymous Al-Anon Family Groups

    49 min
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4.9
out of 5
47 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
    2K
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Homeboy Way
  • Show Website
    The Homeboy Way

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