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The Homeboy Way

The Homeboy Way

Written by: 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.The Homeboy Way Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Turning Survival Into Leadership with Miguel Lugo

    Turning Survival Into Leadership with Miguel Lugo
    Jan 21 2026
    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 TakeawaysTattoo Removal as FreedomRemoving gang tattoos was not about jobs. It was about shedding an identity rooted in harm and reclaiming self-ownership.The Power of the SidewalkMany people hesitate before entering Homeboy. Healing often begins outside the door through presence, listening, and trust.Community Relations = Walking With, Not WatchingMiguel reframes safety as walking with people, not watching them, creating belonging instead of fear.Spiritual Practice as SurvivalSweat lodge ceremonies in prison offered grounding, humility, and a connection to identity beyond incarceration.Therapy and the Courage to Ask WhyHealing deepened when Miguel confronted the question of when harming others became acceptable.From Violence to BufferBy stepping between conflict and naming people with care, Miguel and his team prevent harm before it escalates.In This Episode:00:00 – Introduction00:25 – Miguel’s journey begins01:08 – First steps at Homeboy03:06 – Tattoo removal and transformation06:01 – Leaving the gang life behind08:09 – Helping others and building community18:52 – Navigating challenges and misconceptions21:39 – Changing lives for a better future21:59 – Interactions with politicians24:44 – Building a new home26:52 – Spiritual journey and sweat lodges30:42 – Overcoming trauma and finding freedom38:05 – Passion for classic cars42:12 – Final reflections and gratitudeNotable 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 LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Miguel Lugohttps://homeboyindustries.org/transformation_story/miguel-lugo-2/Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
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    43 mins
  • Brewing Hope: Social Enterprise and Ownership the Homeboy Way with Mike de la Rocha and Jose Arellano (Owners of Tepito Coffee)

    Brewing Hope: Social Enterprise and Ownership the Homeboy Way with Mike de la Rocha and Jose Arellano (Owners of Tepito Coffee)
    Jan 14 2026
    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 TakeawaysMission Meets Market RealityRunning 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 EverythingPredatory 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 PossibleFrom 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 PatienceHiring system-impacted staff means embracing setbacks, offering dignity in tough conversations, and always leaving the door open for return.Cultural Pride Drives SuccessUnapologetically 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 Homeboy05:28 – The birth of Tepito Coffee15:29 – The struggle for investment and support21:56 – Building a brand with purpose23:56 – The spirit of Homeboy: connecting to the earth and each other24:41 – Training with intentionality: customer service at Tepito Coffee25:18 – Marketing with pride: embracing Chicano and Indigenous roots25:45 – Investing in community: long-term returns beyond capitalism26:23 – Success stories: from barista to business owner28:48 – Balancing accountability and compassion41:13 – Future growth: expanding Tepito Coffee's impactNotable 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 LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Tepito CoffeeVisit: 695 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CAOnline: https://www.tepitocoffee.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tepitocoffee/Mike de la Rochalinkedin.com/in/mrmikedelarochahttps://www.revolveimpact.com/Jose Arellanolinkedin.com/in/jose-arellano-001966a0Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
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    43 mins
  • Mission Over Margin: Rethinking Social Enterprise the Homeboy Way with Gayle Northrop and Steve Delgado

    Mission Over Margin: Rethinking Social Enterprise the Homeboy Way with Gayle Northrop and Steve Delgado
    Jan 7 2026
    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 TakeawaysThe 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 ChoiceHomeboy runs real businesses in real markets, but mission always leads. Profit serves people, not the other way around.Social Enterprise Is About Disrupting SystemsTrue social enterprise challenges who is seen as employable and redefines value in the workforce.Trauma-Informed Workplaces Require Structure, Not SlogansBeing trauma-informed means building roles, teams, and systems that support healing, not just good intentions.Investment in People Is the Hard WorkRaising 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 enterprises03:00 – Homeboy’s unique approach to social enterprise06:59 – Balancing mission and margin18:27 – Trauma-informed workplaces23:18 – Healing-centric workforce development24:14 – The challenges of homegrown leadership25:41 – Investing in internal talent30:42 – The realities of running a social enterprise34:42 – Breaking conventional business wisdom42:00 – Supporting upward mobility through education and opportunity44:20 – Closing reflections and future conversationsNotable 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 Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Gayle Northrophttps://www.linkedin.com/in/gaylenorthrop/Steve Delgadohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-delgado-9222523/Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoThe Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456XCredits:Hosted by: Tom VozzoProduced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media
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    45 mins
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